Marshall Soccer: Withrow Invited to MLS Combine

Marshall University senior goalkeeper Daniel Withrow has been invited to the Major League Soccer Super Draft combine. The Conference USA co-defensive player of the year, Withrow recorded 9 ½ shutouts and a goal against average of 0.52 this season.

The combine is held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from January 11^th-15^th. All attendees will be eligible for the 2013 MLS Super Draft which takes place January 17^th in Indianapolis.  

C-USA Football: UTEP & Southern Miss Settle on New Coaches

Two Conference USA football programs with openings at head coach, Southern Miss and UTEP, have picked new leadership.

Pittsburgh Steelers assistant Sean Kugler has been tabbed to replace Mike Price at UTEP. Kugler played offensive line for the Miners from 1984-1988 under then head coach Bob Stull, the schools current athletic director. He was also a long time assistant with the Miners, coaching in a variety of roles between 1993 to 2000 before leaving for the NFL.  

At Southern Miss, Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken will be named the Golden Eagles next head coach. Directing one of college football’s most dynamic offenses, the Cowboys scored an average of 48.7 points per game this season, good enough for second in the country. Monken is the third former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator to be named head coach at Southern Miss, following in the footsteps of Jeff Bower and Larry Fedora.  

Marshall Football: Tron Martinez Medically Disqualified

Running back Tron Martinez has been medically disqualified and will not be able to play football at Marshall.

Martinez sat out the 2012 season after having offseason knee surgery and never recovered. Marshall’s leading rusher in 2011, he rushed for 649 yards on 160 carries with three touchdowns.

If Martinez stays at Marshall his scholarship will be honored although, he could transfer to another school and attempt to be medically cleared (ex. John Youboty).

Marshall Basketball: Kane Out Indefinitely

Per a press release from the athletic department, Marshall University basketball player DeAndre Kane will be out indefinitely after suffering a right hand injury. Initial reports indicate the injury could sideline the talented point guard for six to eight weeks.

An all Conference USA first team preseason selection, Kane leads the Thundering Herd in minutes (38.2), points (15), and assist (8.5) per game. Potential replacements include backup guards Chris Martin, DeVince Boykins, and Tamron Manning. It is also possible that Kelvin Amayo, a transfer from Towson that will be eligible next semester, could pick up Kane’s minutes.

We will continue to update this story as additional details become available.

Marshall in the NFL, Week 13

Weekly review of Marshall Alumni in the NFL.

1. Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, New York Giants

Playing despite a few nagging injuries, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 33 yards on 11 carries during New York’s 52-27 win over the New Orleans Saints.

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

C.J Spillman recovered a fumble by Dolphins punt returner Marcus Thigpen at Miami’s nine yard line, one play later 49ers running back Frank Gore scored a touchdown, giving San Francisco a 13-3 third quarter lead. The 49ers would would dominate the rest of the game, beating Miami 27-13.

3. Doug Legursky, Guard/Center, Pittsburgh Steelers

When Steelers left guard Willie Colon exited yesterday’s game with a second quarter knee injury, center Maurkice Pouncey slid into his spot, allowing Doug Legursky to take over in the middle. Legursky spent the rest of the game at center and could remain their if Colon is out an extended period of time. Pittsburgh lost to the San Diego Chargers 34-24.

4. Byron Leftwich, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich was inactive for yesterday’s game as he recovers from a rib injury.

5. Albert McClellan, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

Albert McClellan recorded three tackles, two of them solo, during the Baltimore Ravens 31-28 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins.

6. Lee Smith, Tight End, Buffalo Bills

Lee Smith caught a one yard touchdown pass for the tight ends second score in three weeks. Although Smith was ready to celebrate his touchdown, Buffalo fans were not ready to catch him as he jumped into the stands. The Bills lost the St. Louis Rams 15-12.

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

Randy Moss caught two passes for 30 yards in San Francisco’s 27-13 win over Miami.

8. Vinny Curry, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles

In the Eagles first game after the dismissal of defensive line coach Jim Washburn, Vinny Curry registered one solo and one assisted tackle as Philadelphia beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21.  

9. Mario Harvey, Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts

Mario Harvey was inactive for the third time in four weeks during the Indianapolis Colts 27-23 win over the Tennessee Titans.

11. Chris Crocker, Safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals safety Chris Crocker recorded three tackles and a pass break up in Sunday’s 20-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Marshall Football: Van transfers to Montana

Per the website Missoulian.com, Marshall running/defensive back Travon Van has transferred to Montana.

Van came to the Thundering Herd as a transfer from the University of Florida. During his freshman season (2011) he split time at running back with Tron Martinez, rushing for 551 yards on 143 carries and three touchdowns. 

Van entered 2012 as Marshall's feature back and struggled through the Herd's first three games, rushing 43 times for 93 yards. With the emergence of freshman Stewart Butler and Kevin Grooms, and injuries in the secondary, Van was moved to defensive back prior to Marshall's game at Rice. He saw limited action on defense against the Owls and sat out the rest of the season after requesting a release from his scholarship.

According to the Missoulian.com article, Van transferred because he desired to play offense in college. As Montana is an FCS program, Van will be able to join the football team without missing a season. 

Marshall Basketball: Herd Takes Down Coppin St. 69-63

Despite trailing 34-26 at halftime, Marshall (6-4) used a huge second half performance to edge Coppin State (1-8) 69-63 in the Cam Henderson Center Saturday evening.

For more on Saturday's game follow the links below.

Box Score

The Charleston Daily Mail

Marshall men's basketball: Marshall beats Coppin State 69-63

HerdZone.com

Marshall Outlast Coppin State 69-63

Video: Tom Herrion's post game press conference