SALUTE TO VETERANS BOWL: Troy QB Crowder fighting through injuries
Troy quarterback Goose Crowder is back after an injury in the Sub Belt championship. He also missed six games during the season with a broken collarbone. (Courtesy Troy University Athletics)
By TIM GAYLE
Troy quarterback Goose Crowder said he was “feeling good” after a Saturday morning practice in Troy as the Trojans and Jacksonville State prepare for Tuesday’s 12th annual Salute to Veterans Bowl matchup at Cramton Bowl.
Crowder missed all but four games in 2024 because of injury and missed six games this season with a broken collarbone before being sidelined in the Sun Belt Championship Game with an ankle injury.
It’s been a unique journey for the Gardendale native, who has appeared in just 29 games in five years, sidelined his first two years at West Virginia, playing in 14 games in 2023 as a holder and now playing in just 11 games the last two years because of injuries.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Crowder said. “I know everyone’s process is different and this is mine. I just have to keep taking steps in the right direction, trying to become the best version of myself each and every day.”
He signed with West Virginia out of high school, playing just two games in both 2021 and 2022 before he elected to get in the transfer portal and find another athletic program.
“Out of high school, I had a couple of offers,” Crowder said. “I fell in love with Morgantown and the staff up there. It didn’t really work out with me as far as playing time and I decided to look at other places that were closer to home. Troy was a great fit as far as a program and culture and people. I just fell in love with the place and it’s been great ever since.”
Crowder would see limited time in 2023, primarily as a holder on special teams, before then-Troy coach Jon Sumrall left for Tulane. Ironically, his new coach would be Gerad Parker, the offensive coordinator at West Virginia in Crowder’s freshman season. Parker would bring a trio of coaches with him, including offensive coordinator Sean Reagan, who was the quarterbacks coach at West Virginia in 2021.
“Fortunately for me, I knew Coach Parker my freshman year at West Virginia as well as some of the coaches on the staff -- Coach Reagan, Coach (Dontae) Wright, Coach (Caleb) Carbine -- so it actually worked out for me as far as the coaching turnover goes,” Crowder said.
“But it wasn’t much different at all. Obviously, different coaches have their different styles, but the process of the program is still the same. The ultimate goal is to win. There’s different ways to go about that, but it’s been great. I love Coach Parker.”
The feeling is mutual. Parker may not like his quarterback getting battered and bruised the last two seasons, but he certainly admires the way his redshirt junior keeps getting back up every time he’s knocked down.
“He’s, obviously, a tough and resilient player,” Parker said. “He’s battled his tail off. It hasn’t exactly went textbook of how you would want it to in the two years we’ve been together. But all he’s done is get back up (and) get healthy enough to play. I was very proud of the way he’s gotten back from his collarbone injury and played quality football for us and helped to lead us to the (Sun Belt) Championship Game.
“And, truly, I thought he played his best, and probably his bravest, in the James Madison game against a great defense. I was proud of him and wished he could have gotten up one more time and finished it, but just couldn’t. He’s a warrior of a guy, the way he prepares, and a true captain. I couldn’t be happier for him to be back leading us.”
Crowder has thrown for 1,314 yards in seven games this season, virtually the same as his backup, Tucker Kilcrease, who has 1,421 yards in 10 games. Crowder started the first three games before suffering a shattered right collarbone against Memphis. After missing six games, he returned in a limited role against Old Dominion, then started the last three games against Georgia State, Southern Mississippi and James Madison.
He left the game with an injured ankle in the middle of a physical battle with James Madison, but is ready to lead the Trojans against Jacksonville State on Tuesday.
“We’re just grateful to have another game, another week, with the seniors, the team and the staff,” Crowder said. “It’s another opportunity for us to go out there and play. When you have a group like this, it doesn’t matter where we’re playing.”
Not surprisingly, the Trojans’ team captain only has one goal for Tuesday.
“I just want to walk away with a ‘W,’” Crowder said. “I don’t really care how it looks as long as we send the seniors out with an exclamation point to end the year. That’s all I care about.”