Troy, Alabama- The Troy Trojans opened the 2026 season with a hard-fought battle against the Sam Houston Bearkats at Veterans Memorial Stadium. On a hot and humid afternoon in Troy, both teams delivered an entertaining season opener, but it was the Trojans who made enough plays down the stretch to secure a 24-21 victory. Troy entered the season looking to build on an 8-6 campaign that included a 6-2 conference record and an appearance in the Sun Belt Championship Game. Sam Houston, meanwhile, came into the matchup looking for a fresh start after finishing 2-10 last season.
Sam Houston opened the scoring with a methodical drive down the field. Quarterback Landyn Locke capped the possession by connecting with wide receiver Grandy O’Neill for a touchdown, giving the Bearkats an early 7-0 advantage. Troy responded with a long drive of its own, and the touchdown came with a special story attached to it. Quarterback Goose Crowder found tight end Fabian Rogosch for a 19-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7. It was Rogosch’s first career reception despite being with the Troy program since 2022. The moment was even more significant considering Rogosch made the transition from defensive end to tight end.
Troy carried that momentum into the second quarter. With 14:54 remaining in the half, Crowder connected with wide receiver TK Keyes for another touchdown. Like Rogosch, Keyes made his first reception as a Trojan count, finding the end zone and giving Troy a 14-7 lead. However, Sam Houston refused to go away. Locke led another scoring drive and connected with Derrick Bledsoe III for a touchdown, sending the teams into halftime tied at 14-14.
Troy’s Defense Creates an Opportunity
Troy’s defense wasted little time making its presence felt in the second half. Linebacker TJ Thompson intercepted a pass and gave the Trojans possession at the Sam Houston 25-yard line. Troy was unable to turn the takeaway into a touchdown, but the Trojans converted a field goal to regain the lead, 17-14. With neither team able to completely take control, the game remained within one possession heading into the fourth quarter. That was when Crowder delivered his biggest throw of the night. Crowder connected with TJ Lott on an 18-yard touchdown strike, his third touchdown pass of the game, extending Troy’s advantage to 24-14. At that point, it appeared the Trojans had finally created enough separation to put the Bearkats away. Sam Houston had other plans.
Bearkats Make One Final Push
With 1:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, Locke connected with Chris Reed for a touchdown to cut Troy’s lead to just three points, 24-21. The late score created one final tense moment for the Trojans, but Troy held on to secure its first victory of the 2026 season.
For Crowder, the season opener provided an encouraging start as he threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers. Two of those scores also represented memorable firsts for Rogosch and Keyes. After the game, Troy head coach Gerad Parker had special praise for Rogosch and what he has meant to the program.
“He is an incredible human being; an incredible teammate … pours into this whole organization,” Parker said during the postgame press conference.
Rogosch’s touchdown provided one of the game’s best moments, but Troy’s overall performance was defined by resilience. Every time Sam Houston answered, the Trojans found a way to respond. Troy’s defense created a crucial second-half turnover, while Crowder and the offense produced the touchdown they needed in the fourth quarter to ultimately secure the win. It may not have been an easy season opener, but Troy starts its 2026 campaign exactly where it wanted to be, 1-0.
The Trojans will remain at home next week when they host Alabama State University at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
