The Belt Belongs in Troy

After defending for 81 plays, more than 36 minutes and holding off South Alabama with a final fourth-down stop, there was one final sprint for the Troy defense at the end of Saturday's 31-24 victory.

It was an all-out dash down the home sideline to the North End Zone, where The Belt was waiting.

Defensive lineman Will Choloh won the sprint and held the coveted Belt – the prize awarded annually to the victor in this spirited rivalry – high over his head with two hands securing it.

Teammates danced around while the Troy offense was running out the clock. Receiver Tez Johnson turned a backflip.

Trojan head Chip Lindsey breathed a sigh of relief – the comfort of a 31-7 lead long gone – and noted…