The Troy Trojans will reach the first checkpoint of fall camp Saturday when they hold an open scrimmage beginning at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

After practicing for nearly two weeks, the Trojans will have the opportunity to find out where they are as they inch closer to the September 2 opener at Boise State.

“It’s moving day,” said head coach Neal Brown. “It’s time for guys to step up not only on offense and defense, but we are going to do a bunch of live special team work as well.”

The Trojans hope to get about 40 live snaps between the first and second team players and 20 snaps with the third team. The Trojans will work on open field scenarios, coming out of their own end zone and goal line.

“I am excited about it, especially as a unit,” said offensive lineman Kirk Kelley. “(We) get to see us in a game situation. We are young up front and we have been working on communication and physicality. I am really excited about seeing where we are at.”

“I think they are ready,” Brown said. “I think the young guys are especially ready because this is one of the opportunities they have to step up and show they are ready to play.”

The Trojans held practice on Friday afternoon inside Veterans Memorial Stadium. Coming off what coach Brown thought was their best practice on Thursday, he said they looked more average Friday.

“Today wasn’t very good,” Brown said. “I don’t think we responded very well. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good enough. I always believe the second and third week of camp is when your season is made. I thought we had our best practice yesterday (Thursday); today was average. We’ll see how we respond tomorrow.”

Saturday’s scrimmage will begin at 10:30 a.m. and like Friday’s scrimmage on Friday night for Student Night, it’s free and open to the public.

“Our students have really changed the atmosphere in this stadium,” Brown said. “We sent the attendance record (last year) and I think the big reason behind that is the students. They have made this a fun atmosphere to watch a game and a fun atmosphere to tailgate in. We did it in the spring and had over 500 students here. Hopefully we will have that same type of response.”