TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Thursday night the Trojan Football Team will take on the University of South Alabama (USA) in the Battle for the Belt.

Offensive lineman Blake Austin explains the importance of keeping the belt in Trojan territory.

“There’s a lot of significance to the Belt. Just a big pride thing. It’s a big rivalry game for us here so it’s just about the pride to have it and keeping it at home.”

The Belt not only goes to the winner, it also symbolizes the team’s blood, sweat, and tears.

“The hard work that goes in for the preparation to the game it means it paid off and we won and we kept it at home and we just kept the tradition alive.”

One student is extremely confident that TROY will keep the belt here at home.

“We’re better than the South, we got it man,” student Marc Gordon said.

As the Battle for the Belt gets closer, Blake says Trojan Nation also has a job to do.

“We just love to see everybody out in the game. Come support us and that means a lot when you guys show up, so especially for this game against South, help us keep the belt at home.”

The Battle for the Belt is set for Thursday, Nov. 2 and 6:30 p.m.