Kempton Smith, App State Alum & BGP Contributor
After spiking Texas A&M’s cupcake with Sriracha and breaking an unusual 3-game losing streak, we head into the conference season.
I circled this week as the first “normal” game week in Boone… then I read College Game Day would be live from the campus of Appalachian State in Boone, NC and I knew it would not be typical.
After the first two games, at least on paper, this one seemed easier. With the distractions of GameDay, it may not be. While it may be a great opportunity to promote the city and alma mater, it is another distraction.
And this one is a conference game. This one matters.
Trojan Football Background – Quick Facts
- Troy had eight winning seasons in the first ten years to open their BCS era. This included five bowl appearances, with two resulting in wins.
- Troy was the Sun Belt champion for five straight seasons from 2006-2010. They re-emerged in 2017 to share the conference title with App State. Their last winning season was 2018 (10-3). Since then, success has eluded them.
- Troy was App’s first win as an FBS program against an FBS program.
- App has blown out Troy in the last three meetings. Troy’s lone win against App in the FBS era was a four-point victory in 2016.
- Scores vs. Troy since App joined FBS
| App State | Troy | |
| 2014 | 53 | 14 |
| 2015 3OT | 44 | 41 |
| 2016 | 24 | 28 |
| 2018 | 21 | 10 |
| 2019 | 48 | 13 |
| 2020 | 47 | 10 |
| 2021 | 45 | 7 |
- Last year at Troy, Chase Brice completed 17 of 24 passes for 212 yards and 2 TDs. App ran 55 times for 233 yards. Defensively, App held Troy’s offense to just 142 yards.
- Troy fired its football coach the day after losing at home to App State
Ancient History
Troy and App State had two memorable games in one season as Troy jumped (ahead of App) from I-AA to I-A (now FBS). At the beginning of the 2000 season, Troy came to Boone (first time ever) for a match-up of top 5 teams. Troy took home a win. App returned the favor in Alabama during the first round of the playoffs.
Troy Football 2022
Coach Jon Sumrall, a familiar face from Troy’s winning years, returned to the Troy program. He was named head coach in December 2021. Sumrall was an assistant head coach during the 2015-2017 season. His defensive leadership at Troy earned him SEC coaching spots at Ole Miss and later as a Kentucky co-defensive coordinator.
For his 2022 season, he was able to retain most of the Troy team. This year’s Trojan team features ten returning starters on offense and a strong defense that led the Sun Belt in pass rush. This is not a team to overlook.
Troy and App have matching records of 1-1.
Troy’s week 1 loss was to Ole Miss. As expected, Troy was outmanned against the Rebels. Troy never led, but they got big-game experience playing in front of 60k+ fans. Boone will not be their first road game in front of a loud crowd.
Week 2’s 38-17 victory against FCS’ Alabama A&M (AAMU) was a better outcome for Troy. The Trojans led most of the game, replacing starters with second-stringers, which allowed AAMU to score late, giving the perception of a closer game.
Football Culture
Troy has had three straight losing seasons (5-wins or less) following three consecutive seasons of double-digit wins. The fast fall from winning ways has hurt enthusiasm and participation.
But with a new coach and a new season, fans get new expectations. Troy’s home game against Alabama A&M saw the largest attendance in Veteran Memorial Stadium post-covid. Will the optimism turn into bowl eligibility? It is too early to tell, but some say yes.
Win The Parking Lot
Any Troy fans who visit Boone will leave the high country with respect for App State tailgating. The Troy tailgating content on the internet leaves the impression that what should be “organic” is unnecessarily contrived. Tailgating at your car is “permitted,” but joining at “Tailgate Terrace” is encouraged with catered tents and equipment for rent, food trucks, bands, and a Kids Fun Zone.
Win The Stands
Like KBS, Troy’s Veteran Stadium holds 30,000 seats, and Troy did a good job filling those seats thru 2019. Attendance in 2017-2019 closely aligns with KBS. Average attendance is within 2,500 of KBS with alternating leaders. Since 2020 KBS has won the attendance battle. App’s 2021 attendance edged Troy by more than 5,000 per game.
Scoreboard
Troy’s recent history was outlined at the beginning of this article. Their performance has not measured up.
Wrap Up
After playing very emotional games at home vs. UNC with an attendance record and playing the flagship of our state system…
And after the Mountaineer’s amazing domination at Texas A&M …
App comes home to the distraction of a first broadcast of College Game Day in Boone for the first conference game. It would be easy to look back or past the task.
As fans, our job is to be there, be in the moment. Be loud when we are on defense.
Go App! Beat Troy!
