College Sports

No. 18 BYU takes on Troy in return after COVID-19 outbreak

Posted September 24, 2020 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Troy (1-0) at No. 18 BYU (1-0), Saturday at 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Line: BYU by 14.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The 18th-ranked Cougars resume after postponing last weekend's game at Army due to a small cluster of COVID-19 cases. It's the home opener for BYU, but fans won't be in attendance at LaVell Edwards Stadium due to updated restrictions in Provo, Utah. The Trojans are coming off a 47-14 win over Middle Tennessee. Teams from the Sun Belt Conference posted three wins over Power Five squads on Sept. 12. No. 19 Louisiana beat then No. 23 Iowa State 31-14, while Arkansas State knocked off Kansas State 35-31 and Coastal Carolina won at Kansas, 38-23.

KEY MATCHUP

Troy sophomore quarterback Gunnar Watson threw two touchdown passes to receiver Khalil McClain at Middle Tennessee. The Cougars had five sacks at Navy, with senior Isaiah Kaufusi turning in two of them.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Troy: DE Javon Solomon. He had two tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Middle Tennessee.

BYU: RB Lopini Katoa scored three times against the Midshipmen. He has 102 points in his career as he becomes one of 36 offensive players (discounting kickers) to score more than 100 points for the Cougars.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Trojans are 2-22 against nationally ranked (FBS) opponents since moving to that level in 2001. Last win was 2017 over No. 22 LSU. ... Troy is 6-1 when leading at halftime under coach Chip Lindsey. ... The Trojans are not playing a Power Five school for the first time since 2000. The Trojans were originally looking at a home game against North Carolina State (ACC) and a road game at Tennessee (SEC) before conferences reconfigured schedules. ... The 71 interceptions by Troy since 2016 are the second-most in the country. ... Since 2000, BYU is 13-7 in home openers. ... BYU K Jake Oldroyd had 13 points versus Navy, with seven extra points and two field goals. ... At No. 18 in the poll, the Cougars are tied for their best ranking since 2014, when they began the season 4-0. ... Troy offensive coordinator Ryan Pugh was an offensive line coach at BYU in 2018.

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BYU running back Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrates with offensive lineman Clark Barrington (56) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Tommy Gilligan) The Associated Press

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