Troy Hoping For Repeat Of Last Home Game Against Big 12 Foe

TROY, Ala. (AP) _ Troy players and fans are hoping for a repeat Friday night of the Trojans' biggest moment since beginning play in Division I-A, now the Bowl Subdivision. <br/><br/>Since making the

Thursday, September 13th 2007, 12:03 pm

By: News On 6

TROY, Ala. (AP) _ Troy players and fans are hoping for a repeat Friday night of the Trojans' biggest moment since beginning play in Division I-A, now the Bowl Subdivision.

Since making the move in 2001, the Trojans have one win against a ranked team and are 1-8 against teams from the Big 12 Conference. In both cases that one win came Sept. 9, 2004 when then-No. 17 Missouri came to Troy's Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium and was upset by the Trojans 24-14.

Oklahoma State is the first Big 12 team to visit Troy since the 2004 Missouri game, when fans tore down the goal posts to celebrate. The Friday night contest will be televised on ESPN2.

Troy linebacker Marcus Richardson said he hopes the Trojans will take another step toward their goal of becoming a major college football school.

``We are a pretty tough team, particularly under the lights and in front of our crowd,'' Richardson said. ``One day we hope we'll have College Game Day on our campus.''

That's not in the immediate future. The Trojans are coming off lopsided losses at No. 16 Arkansas and No. 5 Florida, and Richardson said he realizes the team still has a way to go before it reaches college football's higher echelon.

``It's all a process. Right now we're in the beginning stages of it,'' Richardson said.

The Cowboys (1-1) come into Troy looking for a rare road win after posting a 2-8 record in their last 10 road games.

Safety Andre Sexton said the Cowboys would not overlook Troy, the defending Sun Belt Conference champion.

``Just the first thing that came to my mind when I heard we were playing Troy was that they upset Missouri. I guess it was a couple years back, maybe when I was in high school. I heard that and that was real surprising,'' Sexton said. ``It's going to be a really big game and help us to move in the right direction, so we're going to take them real serious.''

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said the trip to Troy will be a strong test for his team.

``This is a good challenge for us. We're looking forward to it. We need to play better on the road,'' Gundy said. ``We didn't play well on the road at Georgia and this is a good challenge for us to play well down in Troy.''

The Cowboys lost their season opener at Georgia 35-14.

After two tough road losses, Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook is looking forward to the nationally televised game before a friendly home crowd.

``We've played two games on the road against big time opponents. Now the other team will get to experience what we've been experiencing,'' Haugabook said.

Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said he hopes Troy fans can recreate the electric atmosphere from that upset over Missouri three years ago.

``I think everybody knows that was a great night for Troy,'' Blakeney said. ``It was loud and noisy and that's what we are going to need again Friday night.''

One Cowboy will be no stranger to the atmosphere in Troy Friday night.

Clint Coe, a defensive back, transferred to Oklahoma State from Troy and had six tackles for the Trojans in the upset over Missouri. Coe, who missed much of last season after being the victim of an assault, said he has warned his teammates about the atmosphere at Troy.

``I told them we're going to have to be ready to play,'' Coe said. ``This is why they play. This is a big game for them.''