The Troy Trojans look for their sixth win in a row when they return home this afternoon to take on the UMASS Minuteman.

The Trojans (6-1) will close out their non-conference schedule against the 2-7 Minutemen.

“They are an improving team,” said Trojan head coach Neal Brown of his alma mater. “They have had several close losses against some really good teams this year. They are very well coached and will be a good challenge.”

Brown’s former head coach Mark Whipple is in his 18th year at UMASS.

“He has had a huge influence on me,” Brown said. “He allowed me to come up and really develop as a man going away from home for the first time. He is a huge role model and mentor for me and played a huge role in my life.”

The Minuteman are coming off a 34-10 win over Wagner.

The Trojan defense, which has allowed 20 points per game, will face a team that has averaged 22 points led by quarterback Andrew Ford.

“We are going to see a lot of things this week that we have not seen,” Brown said. “They do a great job of creating big plays down the field in the passing game. Their quarterback is a leftie, and he has been impressive at the starting role.”

Troy running back Jordan Chunn has 816 rushing yards through the season’s first seven games. He will be going up against a Minutemen defense that has allowed 189 yards per game on the ground.

Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers threw for 395 yards in the Trojans win over South Alabama. He will be going up a UMASS team that has surrendered 295 yards per game.

“I have a lot of respect for their defensive coordinator Tom Masella,” Brown said. “He is very multiple and has a lot of different looks. They have moved their pieces around a lot in the secondary, and I think they have found a rhythm.” 

Saturday will be the first time Troy and UMASS have met on the football field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.