Saturday
Ohio (8-4) vs. Troy (7-5), 9 p.m. EST (ESPN)
Line: Troy by 2 1/2.
Series Record: First meeting.
What’s at Stake
Ohio is in its fifth bowl and is still looking for its first bowl victory after falling to Marshall in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl last season. Troy seeks its second New Orleans Bowl victory in three appearances, and second victory overall in six bowl games.
Key Matchup
Ohio’s running game vs. Troy’s injury-plagued defense. The Bobcats, who mix in the option, have averaged nearly 170 yards rushing and have 25 touchdowns on the ground this season. Troy’s defense has allowed 372 points this season, second most in school history.
Players to Watch
Ohio: QB Boo Jackson has accounted for 22 TDs this season, running for seven and throwing for 15. Receiver Terrence McCrae has caught nine of Jackson’s TD tosses.
Troy: QB Corey Robinson passed for 3,339 yards and 24 TDs this season. WR Jerrel Jernigan accounted for 1,080 yards and seven TDs from scrimmage, including 774 yards and five TDs receiving. Jernigan also had 600 yards and a TD on kick returns and 301 yards and a score on punt returns.
Facts & Figures
Ohio coach Frank Solich seeks his 99th career win. … With 40 wins at Ohio, Solich is fourth on the Bobcats’ all-time victories list. He’ll pass Carroll Widdoes for third with three more wins. … Ohio finished second in the Mid-American Conference’s East Division this season behind Miami of Ohio. … The Bobcats average 28 points this season, the seventh highest scoring average in school history. … Ohio’s season-ending loss at Kent State snapped a seven-game winning streak. … Troy has won a share of five straight Sun Belt Conference titles. … Larry Blakeney is 160-82-1 as Troy’s coach, giving him by far the most wins in school history, smashing the previous mark of 44. … Under Blakeney, Troy has had 14 winning seasons, including six with 10 or more wins. … Troy’s defense has had just three players start all 12 games during the 2010 season. The unit has lost 23 players for all or part of the 2010 season to injury or other issues.
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