Larry Blakeney has been a part of more than 35 reporting days as a player and coach, but Tuesday was a little different. The players filed in the athletic offices, checked in and started to get back in the grove of things.

Blakeney is just getting back to the normal preseason grind as well. He recently underwent minor back and foot surgery, and missed last week’s Sun Belt Football Media Days in New Orleans.

Despite the interruption is his normal routine; Blakeney said he is ready for the new season to get going.

“I have had a couple of good reports lately,” Blakeney said with a chuckle. “I had a little foot and back surgery, but I fell really good. I had two great surgeons at the Andrews Center in Dr. Cordover and Dr. Waldrop. I set it up so that I had a chance to be back. I am ready to go, and the kids are as well.

Blakeney enters his 24th season at Troy, and is in search of rekindling the magic of years past. From 2006-2010, Troy won at least a share of the Sun Belt Championship every season, but has stumbled to a 14-22 record over the last three years.

With the beginning of the 2014 season looming just 32 days away, Blakeney said time is of the essence for each member of the team and coaching staff.

“I am anxious and ready to get these guys on the field and see them run around,” Blakeney said. “This is a big time of the year because you have to see what guys do well is what spots, and who you have to move around. We have a lot to do over the next month.”

Troy will practice for nearly three full weeks before fall semester classes resume, including a pair of two-a-days on August 5 and 7. Practices are open to the public. Morning sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., while evening practices are scheduled for 7 P.m. start times.

The Trojans will open the 2014 season on the road in Birmingham against rival UAB. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. August 30.

“We have quite a bit to do over the next little while,” Blakeney said. “I’m ready to see how our guys react over the next few days and how we get better. August 30 will be here before you know it, and we have to be ready.”