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A 17-15 victory over Marshall only solidified in the minds of Troy that the Trojans are on the verge of something big.

Updated: September 8, 2004, 3:58 PM ET
By Kevin Acee | Special to ESPN.com
One of the biggest victories in school history was just hours behind them. They were ready for a little sleep before they began a short week of preparation for what must be considered the biggest game in school history.

But first, the Troy football team arrived back on campus shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday to a wondrous sight.

"There was a welcoming committee back home waiting for us when we got off the bus," free safety Derrick Ansley said. "That had never happened before."

A I-A Independent the past three seasons and a I-AA power for a decade before that, Troy is in transition again. And it feels good.

Said Ansley: "The atmosphere is electric."

A 17-15 victory over Marshall on Saturday only solidified in the minds of Troy that the Trojans are on the verge of something big. They have new facilities expected to be completed midseason, a stadium that was renovated last year and finally a conference to call home.


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