The Troy offense is built like a symphony orchestra. Each individual player has a specific task to perform, and if he doesn’t do it right, nothing sounds good.

During the first scrimmage of fall camp, the Trojan offense looked stagnant at times. The unit turned the ball of several times, mostly by the deep reserves.

If there is concern, Troy head coach Larry Blakeney possesses a good poker face.

He did offer his thoughts on the why the offense didn’t look sharp last week.

“Maybe it comes down to the defense is a little better than they have been, and the offense may not be quite as good as it has been,” Blakeney said. “There have been times that we have come out here and went up and down the field, and that didn’t happen this time. I am glad to see that. The offense will get better as they get more reps.”

Troy changed to Tony Franklin’s spread offense in 2006, and has averaged over 30 points a game in six of the eight seasons since. The former Trojan offensive coordinator always said the defense looks better early in fall camp due to the offense having to develop timing.

Offensive lineman Caleb Carbine agrees.

“The receiver-quarterback relationship is all built on timing,” Carbine said. “We are rotating a bunch of guys in and out, so we are still getting use to each other and how they play. Once we find that first 11, I think everything will be a lot smoother.”

Blakeney feels the offensive timing is a huge factor in how well the Trojans will move the ball.

“Tony was right then and it still is true,” Blakeney said. “It is still the same offense, and timing is a big part of it. The more in sync everyone is, the more points we will put up on that new board. We just have to get better at everything, offense, defense and special team.”

Following last Saturday’s scrimmage, the quarterback battle remained unchanged. Dontreal Pruitt, Brandon Silvers and Dallas Tidwell are all working to take over the reins of the Troy offense on the heels of four-year starter Corey Robinson.

Blakeney feels the time is drawing near for the staff to sit down and name a starter.

“Quarterback is the thing that everyone wants to know about,” Blakeney said. “We are getting ready to move in a direction where we will solidify everyone’s rank. We should be pretty close, or there, to a decision after Saturday’s scrimmage.

Saturday’s scrimmage will follow the same pattern as the first, with the team running around 100 plays. It is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.

Following the scrimmage, Troy Football Fan Day will take place inside Trojan Arena. Fans are invited to attend the event and score autographs from members of the football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams. The Troy cheerleaders and T-Roy, will be in attendance as well to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Fan Day runs from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Football Appreciation Night concludes the day.

Blakeney said that Saturday is a big day for he and the entire football program.

“There is a lot going on Saturday,” Blakeney said. “Between our scrimmage, practice and the draw down, there is a full slate of things to do. We hope the folk come up and spend the whole day with us and see what we are all about.”