Meyer's message: Don't take Troy lightly
By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published September 3, 2007
GAINESVILLE - With all the national coverage of Appalachian State's upset of Michigan and endless replays of the blocked field goal on the final play, you'd think there is no way any coach in America would be worried about his team overlooking a so-called lesser opponent.
Think again.
Urban Meyer said he'll spend the week trying to keep his Gators focused on Troy. With a team full of underclassmen, he's not taking anything for granted.
"Sure it is," Meyer said Sunday morning when asked if his team might be tempted to look beyond Troy to Tennessee on Sept. 15. "We're going to do our best not to let that happen, but you're dealing with a bunch of young players that have all the answers, and maybe some coaches that maybe feel they have all the answers."
The Gators have two freshmen starting at cornerback, Joe Haden and Wondy Pierre-Louis, and Troy senior quarterback Omar Haugabook was last year's Sun Belt player of the year, throwing for 2,401 yards. Troy loves to pass. In a 46-26 loss to Arkansas on Saturday, Haugabook was 15-for-43.
"I know what kind of athletes they have, I know they are going to come in and throw it all over the place and know we're not very good right now in certain positions," Meyer said.
STELLAR DEBUT: In his highly-anticipated debut as a starter, sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow earned a top-five national ranking in passing efficiency, No. 2 behind Louisville's Brian Brohm. Tebow, 13-of-17 for 300 yards and three passing touchdowns, earned a 282.9 efficiency rating to Brohm's 289.
IJJAS ON TARGET: Senior kicker Joey Ijjasmade his starting debut and Meyer's review was mixed. "He was okay," Meyer said. "He did a nice job on extra points. A couple of kicks were tremendous, and then he had a couple that weren't so good. I love Joey Ijjas. He's a good guy to talk to, he answers challenges and he's talented. We need to continue to work on his kickoffs. I'm anxious to give him a shot at his field goal, because he's earned that right. I was pleased ... but he can get better."
BUILDING ON DEFENSE: After Western Kentucky drove 62 yards at will on the opening drive, senior safety Tony Joiner stepped in.
"He's a veteran, and he said, 'All right boys, we've got to grow up quick now,' " sophomore linebacker Dustin Doe said. "That's what happened. It instantly hit everybody, it's our time now."
Meyer said he's pleased the defense is feeling confident, but much work is needed.
"I'd say the interior of our defensive line we need to make vast improvement," Meyer said. "At the corner position we need to really improve. I talked to cornerbacks coach (Chuck) Heater and he said technique we are not very good, try-hard we are very good."
Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.