Man – where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that the Troy Recreation baseball and softball leagues were winding down and everyone was getting excited for another thrilling summer of all-star play.

Nearly two months later, that has come to a close and now it’s time to focus on football. Yes, football. There is nothing like the game of football to get you ready for cooler weather, good food and good company.

The Trojans hit the field this afternoon to kick off their fall camp that will consist of 11 practices and two scrimmages.

Neal Brown enters his fourth season under the headset as Troy’s head coach and with each passing year, expectations and excitement continue to grow. This year is no exception.

Despite losing their starting quarterback and two leading rushers, the Trojans have their sights on another double-digit win season. With camp opening, the Trojans return nine starters on offense and five starters on defense.

Quarterbacks Kaleb Barker and Sawyer Smith are currently in an ongoing battle for the new starting quarterback position. It is one that surely will carry over through the end of camp. The running back battle will continue to pick up steam as well after the departure of Jordan Chunn and Josh Anderson. Jamarius Henderson and B.J. Smith are sure to get the bulk of the carries, but don’t count out Jabir Daughtry-Frye.

With kickoff just 29 days away, there is excitement off the field as well. Troy will open up their brand new North End Zone Facility during the season opener against Boise State. The new facility will bring plenty of noise and excitement to the opener.

The Trojan faithful have an opportunity to watch a competitive home schedule this season. The Trojans welcome in Group of Five power Boise State in the season opener and Florida A&M, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Louisiana and Texas State fill out the home slate.

The road slate will be no picnic for the Trojans. The Trojans start their road schedule inside one of college football’s cathedrals, Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska when they take on the Cornhuskers.

The Trojans will follow that game up with road conference games against ULM, South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State.

Appalachian State could be a critical game within the conference this season. This year will be the first year that the Sun Belt Conference will have a championship game. The Trojans and Mountaineers are paired together within the Sun Belt Conference Eastern Division. It will be the season finale for both teams and a spot in the inaugural championship could be on the line. The two teams split the conference title a year ago.

There is a lot of local excitement once again for the Troy football team. The excitement is starting to spread nationally. The Trojans received 19 votes in the Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll.