Tuesday's game provides more than just a spotlight

MeanGreen61 · September 30, 2005

Tuesday’s game provides more than just spotlight

Extra time off ahead for NT

Rian Johnson

Staff Writer

September 30, 2005

National exposure is not the only benefit from playing on ESPN. Because the Mean Green’s game with Troy was moved to Tuesday night, NT will have nine days of preparation prior to its next two conference opponents.

“It gives us a little extra time to practice which we do need,” Darrell Dickey, NT head coach, said.

In the preseason, Troy was one of two teams many college football experts had slotted to dethrone NT from atop the Sun Belt. After slipping by the other, Middle Tennessee, the Mean Green recognizes the importance of Tuesday night.

“It’s big and not just because it’s on TV,” NT running back Patrick Cobbs said. “It’s a conference game … we are not doing real well right now. It is important for us to go out and have a good showing.”

Cobbs said the Mean Green can benefit from the break between games as it provides a young team that trying to learn how to prepare, additional time to prepare. Cobbs also said the team has got some much needed rest, and in the process has showed drastic improvement since last week’s loss to Kansas State.

“We are finally getting into a groove and we feel like people are starting to grow up,” Cobbs said. “Guys have finally stopped second-guessing themselves. They are just coming in and naturally playing football. Hopefully we will see a totally different team out there.”

Dickey said that the extra time is welcomed, but also noted that Troy State gets that same practice time. Dickey said that certain issues do arise from playing games during the week, but said that playing on national television outweighs the negatives.

“We have done it before, but we have never done it at home,” Dickey said. “So our kids are looking forward to it.”

Dave Barnett and Craig James will broadcast the game on ESPN2, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Briefly:

Former NT head coach Hayden Fry (1973-78) will be honored in Tuesday’s game. During his six-year tenure, Fry totaled 40 wins placing him fourth on the all-time win list at NT.