The Troy Trojans open up the 2019 season at home for the second consecutive season when they welcome in Campbell on Saturday.

The Trojans and new head coach Chip Lindsey begin a new era at Veterans Memorial Stadium after former head coach Neal Brown departed for West Virginia. Lindsey will have big shoes to fill as Brown and the Trojans reached the 10-win plateau in each of the last three seasons, while also going 3-0 in bowl games.

They will get an opportunity to pick up their first win of the season on Saturday against the Fighting Camels.

“It feels like we have been waiting a long time for the chance to play. Now that it has finally arrived, I know our players and our staff are very excited. I’m looking forward to getting on the field Saturday. We’ve gone through spring ball; we’ve gone through summer workouts, and just recently we completed fall camp. So, I think our guys are ready to play someone else and get the opportunity to compete.”

The Trojans will play their only FCS program of the season on Saturday. Campbell finished last season 6-5 and 1-4 in Big South Conference play.

“Campbell is a program that is really improving. If you look at their history, I think this is only their third year as a scholarship FCS program,” Lindsey said. “Campbell is an up-and-coming program and they have some really talented players. When you look at their roster and the type of team they’re building, I think they’re doing an excellent job. They’re a good-looking football team that is going to be excited to come here to Troy and play, so our guys are going to need to match that, which I think they will.”

Saturday’s game will mark the return of quarterback Kaleb Barker, who missed the second half of last season due to a knee injury.

“I think Kaleb has been really impressive with how he has handled a new coaching staff and a relatively new offense even though it is similar. But Caleb has handled himself very well and with great maturity. I think he’s in a good spot mentally and ready to get going.”

Barker will be task with beating a Campbell defense that allowed 335 yards and 22 points per game last season.

“Defensively, I think it starts with their defensive end Damion Dozier who is a preseason all-conference selection for them,” Lindsey said. “He is 6’4”, 225 who is very athletic, he can rush the passer. They have a 6’9” 315-pound defensive tackle who can disrupt you because he is so big.”

Offensively, the Camels averaged 307 yards of offense and 24 points per game. The Camels are led by Caleb Sneed, who scored nine touchdowns last season.

“They’re a spread offense from what I can tell. There are always some unknowns there in game one, but they have a big-time receiver named Caleb Snead that is 6’4” 200 pounds that makes a lot of plays for them. We have to make sure we know where he is.”

The Trojans will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak on opening day when they kick off against Campbell at 5 p.m.