Troy coach Gerad Parker said Monday that both quarterback Goose Crowder and center Eli Russ are “probable” for Saturday’s game at Iowa.
Crowder suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of last week’s 38-17 loss to Memphis, while Russ sat out the game entirely. But both could be back in action when the Trojans (0-2) travel to meet the Hawkeyes (1-1) at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City this weekend.
“Both will be listed as probable going in; that’s the updates we have at the beginning of the week,” Parker said. “So we’re hopeful that they’ll get back and be able to prepare this week to be ready. … It’ll be a week(-long) process and to see where we get to with them by Saturday.”
Crowder — who went the distance at quarterback in the Aug. 31 season-opener vs. Nevada — was injured when diving for the goal line on a touchdown run early in the second quarter of the Memphis game and did not return. Crowder’s touchdown tied the score 7-7, but the Trojans did not get back into the end zone again until the fourth quarter.
Troy center Eli Russ is shown during a 2023 game vs. Texas State. (Joey Meredith/Troy athletics photo)Joey Meredith/Troy athletics
Matthew Caldwell, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, replaced Crowder behind center and completed 11 of 19 passes for 113 yards in nearly three quarters of action. He scored the Trojans’ final touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 6:47 remaining in the game.
“I think for him to step in and do what he did and really not show really a flinch at all, being prepared, is a testament to him and (offensive coordinator Sean) Reagan and the staff,” Parker said. “I thought he was prepared. I thought the guys rallied around him and really supported him. “… I’m proud of what Caldwell did and certainly glad he felt prepared. And that’s the way every guy on our roster should feel. I thought he was that and handled himself with great poise.”
First-team right tackle Boaz Stanley started at center in place of Russ, with junior-college transfer Carlos Slayden filling in for Stanley. Sophomore Tyler Cappi also saw some time at center later in the game, with Stanley moving back at tackle.
Parker said the Stanley/Cappi job-sharing arrangement would continue this week if Russ is unable to play.
“Hopefully we get (Russ) back; we’ll see how those plans go,” Parker said. “But as you go into it, it would be both centers, both Cappi and Boaz, that would find ways to rep, that would give ourselves the best chance. … Both individuals would be responsible for filling that void if it’s something we have to do, whether it be this week or in the future.”
Kickoff for Troy at Iowa on Saturday is set for 3 p.m., with television coverage on Fox Sports 1.
