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Troy Trojans head coach Gerad Parker met with the media on Monday ahead of Saturday’s home game against Florida A&M, and gave some injury updates, while also talking about the improvement he’s seen in his team.

While Troy lost its third straight game to open the season this past weekend against Iowa, Troy gave the Big 10 school all it could handle and Parker says he definitely sees improvement.

“I was very, very pleased with how our guys competed. I think that was noticeable to our staff and our fan base,” Parker said. “Still, the result of the end of the game is not what we want and not something we will celebrate. There is so much more we can improve upon to continue to grow and continue to get better, which is the cry from me and the staff the entire year; just to improve.

“I think we’ve taken steps to improve each and every week. The reason those steps have been taken are that we are practicing better. To play better you, have to practice better. Those processes are improving but unfortunately, that has not shown up as a result on the scoreboard yet but I think we are getting closer to that. I think our team is finding (out) what it is and what it is about and how we have to play to have success. I’m proud of where we’re headed.”

Parker also confirmed that backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell left the game against Iowa after suffering from cramps.

“He had to take himself out,” said Parker. “When he threw the interception, he pushed off his back leg to try and make a play on the ball and he cramped up. He cramped up and the training staff had to hold him with cramps, and then Tucker (Kilcrease) went out there and did some really good things.”

A number of other Trojans were also banged up in the game and Troy once again had to play without starting quarterback Goose Crowder and Eli Russ against Iowa. Their availability for this week’s game against Florida A&M is up in the air.

“I wouldn’t want to (say) anything publicly just to protect our program moving forward in the week but Goose will be a game-time decision and Eli Russ will also be a game-time decision,” Parker said. “The rest of the guys on the roster we feel pretty confident will be available. We’re still waiting on some things from our medical staff in evaluating Jarris Williams.”

Kilcrease came into the game and almost immediately threw his first career touchdown pass to Devonte Ross to bring Troy back within one score of Iowa.

“I was proud of him,” Parker said of Kilcrease. “To his credit – and Caldwell’s – both of them have come into big game atmospheres and have not shown anything but being poised and being prepared. That is a testament to their preparation and to Coach (Sean) Reagan and what they do to prepare each of our quarterbacks.

“If you told me after three games we would’ve played three quarterbacks and three centers, I’d say that is a stretch, which is why you better prepare everybody. I thought Tuck came in and did a really nice job of showing his poise and made a really good throw to put ourselves in a position to get back in the game.”

Devonte Ross was a highlight for the Trojans, totaling 219 all purpose yards and three touchdowns against Iowa. He was also named the Sun Belt’s Special Teams Player of the Year for his 77-yard punt return touchdown.

“We have to do an even better job of getting him the ball even more moving forward,” Parker said of Ross. “He’s a dynamic football player. I think that punt return was the first since 2016 that Iowa has given up and that was to (NFL star) Christian McCaffrey. He shows a lot about who he is, the way he is becoming a route technician is equally impressive (to the punt return). It’s going to be fun to see how he continues to grow this year and we have to continue to find ways to get the ball to him.”

Troy will play Florida A&M this Saturday at home at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m. Troy will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Division II National Championship winning Troy Trojans.