The return of former Troy offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has Eugene Kinlaw (98) and the Troy defense excited. (Photo courtesy Kevin Glackmeyer/ Troy Unv. Media Relations)

Contributed
(Oct. 6, 2009)

TROY - The annual battle for the Palladium Trophy between Troy and Middle Tennessee will have some added intrigue this year.

Not only will the Trojans senior class be trying to make a perfect sweep over the rival Blue Raiders on Tuesday night in Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium, but the game will mark the return of former Troy offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who now serves in the same role for the Blue Raiders.

The annual rivalry between Troy and Middle Tennessee will be televised nationally by ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Eric Collins and Brock Huard will handle the television broadcast.

"We’re going to try to put wins together back-to-back against Middle Tennessee coming up," Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney said.  "The game is here and it is on national television, but they have beaten some pretty good teams in Memphis and Maryland and of course North Texas in the league. I’m sure they will be highly motivated and well prepared. We have got to match that effort across the board to get a chance to win the game."

There is a plethora of motivation on both sides of the ball, and one is the luxury of keeping the Palladium Trophy in Troy for another year.

"It (the game) has certainly become a lot more important to our students since the Palladium has been in place," Blakeney said. "They travel well here and we travel well there. It’s normally a pretty good game. It’s been back and forth some over the years. I think it’s added a little fuel to the fire so to speak, and they are the closest team presently in our league. We recruit a lot of the same areas. It’s a pretty good rivalry."

Although the Trojans have been successful in recent years against the Blue Raiders, everyone on the team is aware of the talent level at Middle Tennessee and the abilities they possess.

Senior linebacker Boris Lee is looking to end his Troy career on a perfect note against the Blue Raiders, and he said the game means a lot to him and the Troy defense.

"It’s important," Lee said.  "It’s a home game and one of those national television games. We’re hoping for a big crowd and with it being a mid-week game, we hope people can get out to the game. I think we’re going to need it."

Troy fans are encouraged to pack the house next Tuesday night for what is shaping up to be a vital contest in the Sun Belt League standings. The Trojans will look for the "12th man" in the crowd to help them get a win against a tough rival.

"It’s a chance for us to show our talents to the entire nation," Lee said. "It’s a chance for us to not only perform in front of everybody, but for everyone to see how Troy fans are and the stadium and how the school is."

The Trojans and Blue Raiders match up well offensively, and the game has the elements to be very interesting on both sides. Quarterback Levi Brown - who has captured back-to-back Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week awards - is focused, however, on the Blue Raiders only, and he wants to go out on top.

"It’s a huge game for us," Brown said.  "It’s a conference game, rival game, ESPN game, home game, I mean what more could you say about it?"

The Trojans can gain more than just a win in the game on Tuesday night as well. The exposure of national television helps in the recruiting base, and Blakeney realizes what a game like that can bring to the table for Troy athletics.

"It’s always better to win on national television. That’s what both programs will be trying to do. It’s a great stage for the Sun Belt Conference and both programs and universities. We’re looking forward to it, and hopefully we’re prepared well and get ready to play as well as we can."

If history is any indication, the Trojans should have an advantage in the game. Troy has an all-time record of 8-2 in games televised nationally by ESPN, with the only two losses coming in bowl games. During Blakeney’s tenure at Troy the Trojans have a 52-17-1 mark overall in October and he owns a 19-3 home record against current members of the Sun Belt.

The return of Franklin to Troy, where he guided the Trojans’ offense in 2006-07, will also be a much talked about aspect of the rivalry this year.

"Tony is a good friend and a great football coach," Blakeney said. "I have the highest respect and regard for him. He knows how to coach football and get people in the right places to score points. I feel like we have the same type situation here. We’ll line up and play for 60 minutes of history."

The Troy players also understand that facing Franklin will make preparing for the game even more of a challenge.
              
"We’ve been talking about it ever since we found out he went there," Lee said. "Tony Franklin is an amazing offensive coordinator. He’s like a mad scientist. He’s someone you don’t want to go against every week. It’s something you have to prepare for, and you have to prepare better than you’ve been preparing. We know Tony Franklin has something up his sleeve, and he’s going to come and show up and have Middle Tennessee ready."