Troy’s magical season ended with a crushing loss in the Birmingham Bowl, 17-10, to Duke on Saturday.
The Trojans valiantly battled through head coach Jon Sumrall departing for Tulane — and a stomach bug that the ESPN broadcast said had the team in some distress — but they were still able to pull off one last miracle highlight before the clock hit zero.
On third-and-goal at the two-yard line late in the second half, 6’4″, 314-pound left tackle Derrick Graham took a delayed toss and powered his way into the end zone, slowing down just enough at the goal line to truck a Duke defender in his way.
It was beautiful.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) December 23, 2023
Troy’s field level view of Graham’s run was even better.
BIG GUY TOUCHDOWN!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ELzAT6iWOG
— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) December 23, 2023
Plays like these — and Northern Illinois’ kicker rushing for a 32-yard touchdown in the Camillia Bowl — are exactly why we tune in for these postseason games and college fans were pumped for Graham.
Love that while he COULD have cruised in untouched, he instead sought out some contact. https://t.co/Vo3priCQde
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) December 23, 2023
we love a @bigboi touchdown 😤 https://t.co/y8szsOWSZh
— mike taddow (@MikeTaddow) December 23, 2023
Initiates contact. Finishes the play. Piesman moment. https://t.co/5qMY8ZiuTq
— Brett DeLawyer A Deñial Correlatioñ (Proud 5.8%er) (@_birdsofwar) December 23, 2023
LORGE https://t.co/PrL8hCI11Y
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) December 23, 2023
body craves contact ❤️
— Tommy Meatballs (@TommyMeatballs1) December 23, 2023
A kicker caught a TD in the Camellia Bowl earlier and now Derrick Graham, a Troy offensive lineman, catches one in the Birmingham Bowl.
Bowl season is the best season. pic.twitter.com/DvYN65Jzcx
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) December 23, 2023
DERRICK GRAHAM LIVING MY DREAM!!!!!! https://t.co/plg91Pd2Qg
— Ben Whitehead (@BenOnSports) December 23, 2023
Big guy tuddy!
Just like the breweries in Birmingham, we have a good one brewing with just under six minutes to play! https://t.co/gRCg0GWWCa
— 76® Birmingham Bowl (@Birmingham_Bowl) December 23, 2023
This is bowl season https://t.co/fJzkDbmskT
— Rosie Langello (@RosieLangello) December 23, 2023
