I wrote this story for Wednesday’s paper on Emil Jones and the shot he made against Mississippi State. Coming into the season head coach Don Maestri said Jones would be the leader of this team. He took control of the pressure situation down the stretch in probably the biggest game he’ll ever play in Trojan Arena.

Troy football opened as 3 point underdogs to Arkansas State this week. It should be an interesting game as the Trojans need one more win to become bowl eligible. Arkansas State the top team in the conference and have possibly the best quarterback in the league in Ryan Aplin. Head coach Larry Blakeney got under Red Wolves fans skin a little this week when he said that ULM’s Kolton Browning might rival Aplin in talent level. Blakeney said in Monday’s press conference that Aplin was the best QB in the league, but Browning was dangerous as well.

Kickoff for Troy and Arkansas State on Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m.

The women’s basketball team has started the season 0-2 under first-year head coach Chanda Rigby. Watching this team on Wednesday, I could tell they will win their share of games this season. They are all over the court and really fun to watch. The team, which averaged under 50 points per game last year, has scored 172 (86 ppg) in two games including 90 against Mercer. Freshman Ashley Beverly-Kelley scored a team-high 18. She is fast, athletic and scrappy.

The team next plays at home on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Furman.

HERE is my story for that game.