Robinson's 3 TD passes lead Troy

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - The Troy Trojans made sure Dwight Dasher's return was a memorable one. It wasn't the way the Middle Tennessee quarterback would have liked.

Troy knocked Dasher out early in the first quarter, then smothered the dual-threat quarterback when he returned as the Trojans cruised to a 42-13 victory over the Blue Raiders on Tuesday night.

"We've discovered some things about ourselves that I think has helped us, especially in this game with our aggression and our total play defensively," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. "Holding Middle to 207 yards is a pretty good night."

Dasher was making his season debut after serving a four-game suspension for accepting a $1,500 loan. But on the first play of Middle Tennessee's second drive, Dasher was injured when he was tackled by Kanorris Davis after a seven-yard run with 9:04 left in the first quarter.

It was initially thought Dasher dislocated the pinkie on his left, non-throwing hand. He was taped up and returned early in the second quarter. After the game, however, Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill said Dasher might have broken a bone and was taken to the hospital.

The Sun Belt Conference preseason offensive player of the year finished with 172 yards on 22-of-37 passing, with one interception. Dasher was sacked three times and Troy finished with five sacks for 35 yards.

"I don't think there was rust," Stockstill said of Dasher, who entered the game having won his last seven starts. "He ran the ball well and made some good throws. He missed a few throws, but he did not get any help. There is no one on the offense that we can say played well."

Troy (3-2, 2-0) left many of the 28,010 at Floyd Stadium - the second-largest crowd in school history - stunned as it picked up its fifth straight victory against the Blue Raiders. The Trojans have won the last four games against Middle Tennessee by a combined 105 points. Troy has also won 12 consecutive games in the conference.

"The conference does not matter because Troy can lose and have one loss like us," Middle Tennessee safety Jeremy Kellem said. "Conference is alive every week. Like Coach said, the next game is the most important we play. We are focusing on Georgia Tech."

Troy jumped to a 21-0 lead with just six minutes left in the first half.

Jerrel Jernigan capped off the Trojans' opening drive with a 3-yard touchdown on a shovel pass from Jamie Hampton.

After Dasher went out, third-string quarterback Jeff Murphy replaced him - Dasher's backup Logan Kilgore (toe injury) did not dress. On the first play of his second series, Murphy was hit by a bevy of Trojans. Leading the way was Davis, who forced a fumble and Xavier Lamb recovered it on the Middle Tennessee 17.

Three plays later, Corey Robinson connected with Tebiarus Gill in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard score. Robinson's pass floated over two defenders and into the hands of Gill, who was able to get one foot down after making a leaping catch.

"I was disappointed and embarrassed," Stockstill said. "I don't think we played well on either side of the ball. We didn't get it done."

The Troy sideline was silenced with 8:23 left in the second quarter. Hampton, a reserve quarterback used sparingly in Troy's spread offense, suffered a leg injury in the second quarter and was carted off, wearing an inflatable cast.

Hampton was tackled hard by two defenders after a 8-yard run on the first play of the drive. Hampton's left leg was caught up underneath him awkwardly when the pile and he remained on the field for several minutes.

The Trojans stayed composed as Robinson finished up the final 48 yards of the drive, completing both of his passes for 30 yards. D.J. Taylor capped it off with a 3-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a 21-0 lead with 6:06 left.

During the drive, Jernigan caught a 14-yard pass to become the Sun Belt's all-time leader in receiving yards. He finished with four catches for 40 yards and now has 2,730 in his career.

Dasher cut the lead to 21-7 on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:04 to go in the second quarter. But the Middle Tennessee offense stalled several times in the third quarter. Troy took advantage, pulling away with 1:52 left in the third quarter on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Robinson to Gill, which capped a 5-play, 87-yard drive.