Marshall Football: Gardner-Webb added to Schedule

Per last week’s print edition of the Herd Insider, Gardner-Webb has been added to Marshall’s 2013 football schedule. An FCS school and Southern Conference member, the Bulldogs finished their season with a 3-8 record. No stranger to playing FBS opponents, Gardner-Webb traveled to Pittsburgh this year, losing to the Panthers 55-10.

With the addition of Gardner-Webb, Marshall’s 2013 schedule is set, here is a preliminary list of games.

2013 Marshall Football Schedule

August 31^st – Miami (Ohio)

September 7^th – Gardner-Webb

September 14^th – at Ohio

September 21^st – at Virginia Tech

TBA – Southern Miss

TBA – at Louisiana Tech

TBA – UAB

TBA – at Tulane

TBA – North Texas

TBA – at UTEP

TBA – ECU

TBA – at FIU

Marshall in the NFL, Week 13

Weekly review of Marshall Alumni in the NFL.

1. Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, New York Giants

In Monday night’s 17-16 loss to the Washington Redskins, New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 103 yards on 24 carries. He also caught two passes for 13 yards.

2. C.J Spillman, Safety, San Francisco 49ers

C.J Spillman recorded one special teams tackle during the San Francisco 49ers 16-13 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

3. Doug Legursky, Guard/Center, Pittsburgh Steelers

With starting left guard Willie Colon out with a knee injury, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey slid over to his spot, allowing Doug Legursky to start in the middle. Pittsburg beat the Biltmore Ravens 23-20 on a last second Shaun Suisham field goal.

4. Byron Leftwich, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Byron Leftwich was inactive for Sunday’s win over the Ravens as he recovers from a rib injury suffered two weeks ago.

5. Albert McClellan, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

After only recording two assisted tackles last week, Ravens linebacker Albert McClellan upped his production, making four tackles in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh.

6. Lee Smith, Tight End, Buffalo Bills

A week removed from his first career touchdown, Lee Smith was held off the stat sheet in the Buffalo Bills 34-18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

7. Randy Moss, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers

Targeted five times, 49ers receiver Randy Moss caught three passes for 30 yards during Sunday’s loss to St. Louis.

8. Vinny Curry, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles

Despite being active for the second straight game, Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry only played 19 snaps, registering one tackle, in Philadelphia’s 38-33 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. On Monday Curry’s position coach, Jim Washburn, was fired.

9. Mario Harvey, Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts

Active for the first time in three weeks, Mario Harvey did not record a tackle during the Indianapolis Colts 35-33 win over the Detroit Lions.

11. Chris Crocker, Safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Chris Crocker registered four tackles, three of them solo, as the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Diego Chargers 20-13.

Marshall Football: Salmons & McPeek Lead Teams to States

A few years removed from their playing days at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, former Marshall offensive lineman Nate McPeek and Luke Salmons have moved into the high school coaching ranks. Last weekend, both had a chance to win state championships.

The head coach at Kentucky’s Fairview High School, McPeek piloted the Eagles to an undefeated regular season. In Friday’s single A championship game, Fairview’s perfect season ended with a 55-8 loss to Mayfield.

Just down the road from Huntington, Salmons has lead Cabell Midland’s football program for two years. Playing in Saturday’s West Virginia AAA championship game, the Knights could not overcome a strong Martinsburg squad, falling 38-14.

C-USA Bowl Lineup

Although Marshall will be sitting at home this December, five other Conference USA football teams secured bowl berths yesterday. Here is a complete list of the C-USA bowl lineup.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, St. Petersburg Fla.

December 21^st 7:30pm, ESPN

Central Florida vs. Ball State

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans La.

December 22^nd 12pm, ESPN

East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Sheraton Hawai’I Bowl, Honolulu Hawaii

December 24^th 8pm, ESPN

SMU vs. Fresno State

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Ft. Worth Texas

December 29^th 11:45am, ESPN

Rice vs. Air Force

AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Memphis Tenn.

December 31^st 3:30pm, ESPN

Tulsa vs. Iowa State

FYI, none of the schools joining C-USA next year, Louisiana Tech, FIU, Texas San Antonio, or North Texas accepted bowl bids. Tech did qualify after finishing the season 9-3 but, they turned down an invitation to the Independence Bowl.

Marshall Basketball: Herd Grinds Out Win Over UNCW, 61-58

Trailing 57-58 with 21 seconds left on the clock, Marshall's DeAndre Kane stood on the free throw line looking to put the Herd ahead of UNC Wilmington. Kane had struggled with his free throws recently, only converting three of nine attempts in Wednesday's win over Morehead State. Tonight would be different, Kane sunk both shots, giving Marshall a one point lead.

The game was not quite over as Kane would make another key play, stealing the ball away from UNCW guard Craig Ponder, sealing Marshall's 61-58 win after two D.D. Scarver free throws.

For more on tonight's game, including Robert Goff's return from injury and DeVince Boykins Marshall debut, follow the links below.

Stats

HerdZone.com

Kane's Free Throw Give Marshall 61-58 Win over UNCW

Herald Dispatch

Marshall downs UNCW

Charleston Daily Mail

Marshall men's basketball: Herd edges UNCW, 61-58

Marshall Football: Darius Kelly Commits to Herd

Pima Community College (AZ) safety Darius Kelly has given a verbal commitment to Marshall University. Kelly took a official visit to Marshall during the Houston game on November 17th.

In nine games last season, Kelly recorded 29 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

As a junior college signee, Kelly has two years of eligibility remaining. It is not known if he plans to enroll at Marshall in time for spring practice.

For more on Kelly, follow the links below.

Rivals.com profile

Scout.com profile

High school highlight video

C-USA Football: Tulsa Wins Conference Championship

With a 33-27 overtime win against UCF, Tulsa claimed the 2012 Conference USA football championship Saturday afternoon. As C-USA champion, the Golden Hurricanes will play in the Liberty Bowl against a yet to be determined opponent.

Here is this seasons final C-USA standings.

East

1) UCF: 9-4, 7-1

2) ECU: 8-4, 7-1

3) Marshall: 5-7, 4-4

4) Memphis: 4-8, 4-4

5) UAB: 3-9, 2-6

6) Southern Miss: 0-12, 0-8

West

1) Tulsa: 10-3, 7-1

2) SMU: 6-6, 5-3

3) Houston: 5-7, 4-4

4) Rice: 6-6, 4-4

5) UTEP: 3-9, 2-6

6) Tulane: 2-10, 2-6