TROY, Ala. — Troy rolled to a 55-34 victory over Southern Miss behind a dominant offensive attack, racking up 662 total yards at the Vet on Tuesday night. The Trojans’ 437 rushing yards marked the highest regular season total on a Tuesday since 1995.
 
For the first time in program history, two Trojans ran for more than 130 yards in a single game. Goose Crowder led the charge with 145 yards on 17 attempts, adding a pair of rushing touchdowns. Jordan Lovett followed closely behind Crowder, with 142 yards on 12 attempts and a touchdown. 
 
Through the air, Crowder posted a career-best 86 percent completion rate, connecting on 18-of-21 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The Trojans (3-2, 1-0 SBC) were perfect once more in the red zone, converting on all eight opportunities to boost their season mark to 16-for-17.
 
After winning the toss and electing to receive, Troy struck first as Lovett found paydirt with a 15-yard rush to cap off a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The Trojans rushed on nine of 10 plays in the opening drive for 70 yards.
 
The Trojan offense came out firing, scoring on all three of its first quarter possessions. Ethan Head drilled a 34-yard field goal to build a 10-0 lead, and Crowder capped the hot start with a 9-yard touchdown run, pushing the advantage to 17-0 by the end of the frame.
 
Southern Miss responded early in the second, as Landry Lyddy connected with Mario Sanders on a two-yard touchdown to complete a 12-play, 75-yard drive. 
 
After Crowder’s second touchdown run made it 24-7, Kavion Henderson intercepted Lyddy, keeping the momentum rolling. Crowder then connected with Nick Hampton for a 5-yard score, giving Troy a 31-7 lead at the break.
 
Southern Miss cut the deficit to 31-13 to open the third quarter with a two-play, 75-yard touchdown drive following a trick-play passing touchdown by Mario Sanders. Troy responded by scoring on its sixth straight possession, as Crowder connected with Lovett for a 46-yard touchdown.
 
Jabari Strait recorded his first career pick, intercepting Eelijah Singleton after the Trojans sniffed out another Golden Eagle trick play.
 
Mario Sanders capped off his stellar performance for Southern Miss with his third touchdown of the night on a 27-yard touchdown pass. Sanders finished with eight receptions for 102 yards and two receiving scores, while chipping in 75 yards passing and a touchdown through the air.
 
The Trojans extended their lead to 41-20 following Head’s second field goal of the contest. 
 
Southern Miss responded, making it a two-score game after Robert Briggs broke out for a 44-yard rushing touchdown, making it 41-27 heading into the final quarter.
 
Troy’s run game continued to control the game, as Jaheim Merriweather found the end zone for his fourth score of the season. 
 
After Southern Miss scored its final touchdown to make it 48-34, Gavin Griffin put the game away with a 12-yard touchdown run, marking the fourth Troy player to score on the ground.
 
Up Next
Troy hits the road for a battle at Louisiana (4-1, 1-0) on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Troy Athletics Communication