Osborn Comes Through in Pinch as Troy Defeats Sonora

Backup fullback Tom Osborn came up with the biggest game of his career Friday night.

He rushed for 178 yards, all but 63 in the second half, and two touchdowns to lead Troy to a 46-27 Freeway League victory over Sonora at Fullerton.

Osborn went into the game in the third quarter when Troy’s leading rusher, Paul Evenson, was injured.

“[Osborn] plays every down on defense for us but when Paul got dinged early in the third quarter we had to move him to fullback,” Troy Coach John Turek. “And he just played a great game for us.”

The victory gave Troy a 6-3 mark overall, 2-2 in the Freeway League.

Sonora (5-4, 1-3) scored twice in four minutes to take a 27-26 lead early in the fourth quarter. The first touchdown came on an 80-yard pass from Nick Ross to Terrence Hobley. The second came on Ross’ 25-yard run around right end.

But Troy, which gained nearly 300 yards on the ground in the second half, marched 68 yards on 15 plays. Osborn gained 48 yards and Jordan McCarthy capped the drive with a 16-yard scoring run.

The two backs switched roles on Troy’s next drive. McCarthy gained 48 yards on two carries and Osborn finished with a 15-yard scoring run up the middle.

Troy scored twice in the first quarter. Quarterback Jordan Oliver scored an 18-yard rushing touchdown and Evenson added a three-yard touchdown to put the Warriors up, 14-0.

Sonora’s offense came to life in the second half. The Raiders scored on their first possession of the third quarter with Ross finishing the drive with a 24-yard scoring pass to David Mayfield.

Troy responded quickly when Evenson went 29 yards up the middle for a touchdown.