The Selma Times-Journal

TROY &045; Larry Blakeney’s 200th career game as a coach began a little unconventionally.

But it ended the same way more than 130 of those games have before.

A special teams score and a touchdown catch by quarterback Omar Haugabook highlighted a 45-7 homecoming win over North Texas at Movie Gallery Stadium Saturday evening.

Cornerback Leodis McKelvin returned a 52-yard punt for a touchdown, Haugabook threw a 42-yard touchdown pass and caught a 22-yarder to account for a 21-point first quarter.

It was the 133rd win for Blakeney as coach of the Trojans (5-2, 4-0 Sun Belt), a tenure that has spanned 17 years.

The only negatives in the game were four turnovers &045; all courtesy of Haugabook interceptions &045; and seven penalties for 70 yards.

Defense wasn’t much of a problem for the Trojans. They held to the Eagles (1-6, 1-3) to 205 yards of total offense, had 5.5 sacks and didn’t allow a touchdown until the second half. Defensive back Sherrod Martin led Troy with 11 tackles and two sacks.

Quarterback Giovanni Vizza and running back Micah Mosley hooked up for a 30-yard pass with 2:55 left in the third.

Vizza was 22-of-37 passing with 172 yards. Brando Jackson was the Eagles’ leading receiver with 77 yards on nine catches.

The leading rusher for North Texas was Jamario Thomas with 19 yards on eight carries.

Troy had 493 yards of offense, largely coming from Haugabook’s 287-yard passing night. He was 25-of-37 with three touchdowns and caught a pass from receiver Gary Banks to open scoring nearly four minutes into the game.

After McKelvin’s return made it a 14-0 game, Banks was on the receiving end of a long pass that got momentum and the crowd on Troy’s side.

Jerrel Jernigan caught a 46-yarder for the only score in the second, and Kenny Cattouse caught an 8-yard pass late in the third.

Greg Whibbs kicked a 24-yard field goal to give Troy a 38-7 lead with 10:14 to play in the fourth.

Backup quarterback Tanner Jones hit Justin Bray for a 38-yarder to cap scoring with 5:35 left to play.

The sloppy play Troy exhibited at times was a minor concern for Blakeney, especially since they play their next three games on the road.