Troy 35 Beavercreek 28

Dear Beavercreek athletic administration: your new turf looks fantastic. Unfortunately, your visitors' bleachers are among the worst I've visited. They're so low, it's nearly impossible to see the game over the players' heads as they stand on the sideline. Even from the very top row, the angle is just terrible. Just something to keep in mind should you happen to find a couple of extra bucks for further stadium improvement.

I actually had company for this game, which is something of a rarity. I have no problem going to the games by myself, and actually kind of like it most of the time, but it was nice to have someone there to talk football with.

The game wasn't really as close as the final score would indicate; at least, it didn't feel that way to me. Troy scored on a long fumble return early in the fourth quarter to go up 28-7. While the Beavers mounted a furious charge from that point onward, it never felt like the outcome was in doubt. The Trojans obviously had issues stopping Beavercreek's offense at that point, but they did a nice job of holding them in check until then, while the offense was more or less having its way with Beavercreek's defense. When you consider the Trojans lost a fumble on their own goal line early in the game and had another long touchdown pass negated by a penalty, not to mention an interception in the red zone, the score differential could and probably should have been much more than it was.

I really liked what I could see of Troy's offense against Beavercreek. The passing game was clicking, especially the tandem of QB Cody May and WR Ian Dunaway, and the halfbacks were doing more damage than they've done all season, especially attacking the edges. The Trojans put up 392 yards of offense: 252 on the ground and 140 in the air. HB Marcus Foster had some great runs and finished with 125 yards and a TD--Troy's first 100-yard rushing effort of the season, if I'm not mistaken.

Next week is Homecoming for the Trojans, and what a matchup. They open GWOC North play with the undefeated Aviators of Vandalia-Butler invading Troy Memorial Stadium. With a big offensive line and a ground-based attack, it'll be like playing Beavercreek all over again. Hopefully they can produce a similar outcome.