MOBILE, Ala. — The Troy Trojans (10-3) played a tough game against the Ohio Bobcats (8-6) but the Trojans are the 2016 Dollar General Bowl winners with a 28-23 score and finished with a 10-win season. Seven turnovers were a huge factor in this game (10 if you include two missed field goals and a turnover on downs from Ohio).

Former Gulf Shores Dolphin and Troy Trojans quarterback Brandon Silvers had a big role in the win against a Bobcats defense ranked No. 6 in the nation in defending the run. Despite throwing two interceptions, Silvers played well for the Trojans by throwing for 235 yards on 24 completions (out of 41 attempts) and one touchdown.

“Great, I’m glad we came out here and played our guts out and came back with a win,” Silvers said after the win.

Ohio Bobcats quarterback Greg Windham threw for 23 completions (out of 47 attempts), 315 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also lost a fumble early in the second quarter. The Trojans offense scored 21 points off of turnovers. Running back Jordan Chunn was the offensive MVP with 56 yards rushing on 20 carries and three touchdowns in spite of being injured.

Silvers added that they were willing to throw the ball more with Chunn banged up because the aggressive Bobcats’ defensive line was going to be rough for him.

Chunn was setup mostly by the short passing offense of Silvers and wide receivers Emanuel Thompson (eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown) and Deondre Douglas (six receptions for 113 yards).

The offensive line for Troy played very well and allowed only one sack in the game. They managed to quiet the 2016 MAC defensive player of the year in Ohio defensive end Tarell Basham who had 0.5 tackle for loss.

The defense for Troy was the deciding factor in the Dollar General Bowl for Troy. The defense accounted for two sacks, five tackles for loss, four interceptions, four pass breakups and four quarterback hits.

Ohio’s offense tried something different from their usual offensive philosophy. They went more into the short passing game and then continued with deep passes down the sidelines. The Trojans' secondary were up for the change however and made multiple disruptions with precision. The game MVP was Troy linebacker Justin Lucas, who was a big factor in the pass rush for Troy. Lucas had five total tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and an interception. His pick at the Ohio 24-yard line set up a quick five-play drive for a Trojans touchdown in the second quarter.

Defensive end Rashard Dillard was the defensive MVP of the game by accounting for four total tackles and three quarterback hits. Dillard was the leader of the Trojans’ constant pass rush that pressured Windham into making bad throws.

Silvers gave a shout out to his family who were behind him during the interview on the field after the game. During the trophy presentation, Trojans head coach Neal Brown described their motivation as intense due to losing two players recently.One of those players was former Gulf Shores Dolphin and Troy Trojan safety, Nathan Harris, who died last May.

Coach Brown was happy for the seniors getting to a 10-win season which is the best record they have had in program history since joining the division one level in 2002.

At the end of his speech, coach Brown lifted up the Dollar General Bowl trophy and said, “Troy is back.”

See related link for more on the 2016 DGB Champs.