Latest news with #TroyTrojans
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Patriots All-Purpose Threat Marcus Jones Focused On Defense First
Marcus Jones can relate to the top NFL draft question facing wide receiver, cornerback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. The 26-year-old spent time on offense and defense, too, during his run from the Troy Trojans to the Houston Cougars. The Paul Hornung Award, recognizing the nation's most versatile player, followed as a redshirt senior. So did consensus All-American honors as a return specialist en route to being selected in third round of the 2022 class. But in the case of the New England Patriots cornerback, it still starts at cornerback as the voluntary offseason program gets underway. 'We actually started installing and everything like that today,' Jones told reporters of the defensive side of the ball during his Tuesday press conference at Gillette Stadium. 'I feel as though we're taking it one day at a time, so it's not one of those situations to where they're throwing all of the playbook at you at one time. But we're taking it day by day.' Jones stands 31 games and 14 starts into his tenure with the organization that filled out his draft card. The former No. 85 overall pick has recorded 102 tackles and 17 passes defensed as part of the New England secondary. Along the way have arrived three fumble recoveries and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. But the 5-foot-8, 188-pound spark remains open to the rest entering 2025 under new head coach Mike Vrabel. 'Same question every single time,' Jones said when asked of potential offensive opportunities. 'I mean, if it happens, it happens. But my main thing is to learn the new defense and then kind of go from there.' While primarily a slot corner, Jones has had his fingerprints on all three phases at the NFL level. As a rookie, he led the league in punt return yardage and found the end zone in that capacity on the way to being named an AP first-team All-Pro. His time in Foxborough also spans one carry, five catches, 101 yards as well as a score from scrimmage. 'I feel like it's one of those situations to where people are first saying, you know, you can't really play both sides in general in the league,' Jones said. 'And then, I get here and then I eventually start playing. But playing both sides, I'm not going to say you can't do it, but it's a very long season.' The odometer reads 24 snaps on offense, 1,000 snaps on defense and 228 snaps on special teams for Jones, who was placed on injured reserve due to a hip issue in late December. As for Hunter, last fall at the University of Colorado saw him eclipse 700 snaps on offense and 700 snaps on defense. The full-time wideout and full-time cornerback collected the Fred Biletnikoff Award and Chuck Bednarik Award while also taking home the Paul Hornung Award for the second consecutive campaign. 'I definitely understand the situation of playing both sides, but his level of how he was doing it and everything like that was definitely different from mine,' Jones said of Hunter. 'I hope the best for him. You know, just being able to do it in the league is definitely hard to do, but I hope that he takes advantage of the opportunity, for sure.'
Washington Post
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Buffalo plays Troy in NIT
Troy Trojans (24-13, 14-6 Sun Belt) at Buffalo Bulls (29-7, 14-6 MAC) Buffalo, New York; Saturday, 5 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Buffalo and Troy meet in the National Invitation Tournament. The Bulls are 14-6 against MAC opponents and 15-1 in non-conference play. Buffalo is 4-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer. The Trojans are 14-6 in Sun Belt play. Troy has a 3-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points. Buffalo's average of 4.4 made 3-pointers per game is 3.4 fewer made shots on average than the 7.8 per game Troy gives up. Troy averages 6.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 fewer makes per game than Buffalo gives up. The teams meet for the second time this season. Buffalo won 80-78 in the last matchup on Nov. 4. Chellia Watson led Buffalo with 28 points, and Briana Peguero led Troy with 15 points. TOP PERFORMERS: Kirsten Lewis-Williams is averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals for the Bulls. Watson is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games. Shaulana Wagner is averaging 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Trojans. Zay Dyer is averaging 16.9 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 7-3, averaging 69.8 points, 25.4 rebounds, 17.4 assists, 11.2 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.9 points per game. Trojans: 7-3, averaging 85.0 points, 44.7 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 8.3 steals and 6.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.7 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Washington Post
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Buffalo, Troy meet in NIT
Troy Trojans (24-13, 14-6 Sun Belt) at Buffalo Bulls (29-7, 14-6 MAC) Buffalo, New York; Saturday, 5 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Buffalo takes on Troy in the National Invitation Tournament. The Bulls' record in MAC games is 14-6, and their record is 15-1 in non-conference play. Buffalo leads college basketball with 18.8 fast break points per game.
Washington Post
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
North Dakota State plays Troy in NIT
Troy Trojans (22-13, 14-6 Sun Belt) at North Dakota State Bison (21-11, 11-6 Summit) Fargo, North Dakota; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
North Dakota State plays Troy in NIT
Troy Trojans (22-13, 14-6 Sun Belt) at North Dakota State Bison (21-11, 11-6 Summit) Fargo, North Dakota; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: North Dakota State faces Troy in the National Invitation Tournament. The Bison have gone 11-6 against Summit teams, with a 10-5 record in non-conference play. North Dakota State is fourth in the Summit in rebounding averaging 31.8 rebounds. Avery Koenen paces the Bison with 7.8 boards. The Trojans' record in Sun Belt play is 14-6. Troy is 10-2 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 17.1 turnovers per game. North Dakota State averages 69.2 points per game, 2.9 fewer points than the 72.1 Troy gives up. Troy has shot at a 42.2% rate from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points greater than the 41.9% shooting opponents of North Dakota State have averaged. The teams meet for the second time this season. Troy won 86-69 in the last matchup on Nov. 24. Zay Dyer led Troy with 13 points, and Koenen led North Dakota State with 15 points. Dyer is scoring 13.8 points per game with 10.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Trojans. Brianna Jackson is averaging 12.4 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 66.7% over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Bison: 6-4, averaging 69.0 points, 33.2 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 6.4 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.7 points per game. Trojans: 7-3, averaging 82.4 points, 44.8 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.3 points. ___
