Tied 14-14 at half time, Marshall used a strong second half effort to pull away and defeat Miami (OH) 52-14. Piloted by quarterback Rakeem Cato, the Thundering Herds offense accumulated 304 rushing and 287 passing yards. Marshall's defense was equally impressive, preventing the RedHawks from making a single third down conversion in the second half.
For more on yesterday's win at Joan C. Edwards Stadium follow the links below.
Huntington Herald Dispatch
Herd pulls away
Gallery: Marshall 52, Miami (Ohio) 14, Aug. 31, 2013
Chuck Landon: Slow start forgotten during big second half
Grant Traylor's game balls
Chuck Landon grades the Herd
Ben Fields: Cato climbing MU career stats list
Marshall gets over case of nerves
Charleston Daily Mail
Marshall football: Herd opens season with 52-14 win over Miami (Ohio)
Charleston Gazette
Dominant second half carries Herd past Miami 52-14
HerdZone.com
Herd Opens Season with 52-14 Win Over Miami (OH)
MU Sports Blog with Derek Redd
Gameday, Part 1 - A rivalry renewed
WV Metro News
Herd blows out Miami 52-14
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Marshall Football: Keys to the Game, Miami (Ohio)
During
every football broadcast, the color commentator will go over his “keys to the
game”, points of emphasis each team must focus on to secure victory. I thought
you would appreciate a in-depth look at tomorrow’s showdown against Miami (Ohio)
through the same format.
Miami (Ohio)
1) Run the Ball – Despite defenses gearing up to stop
quarterback Zach Dysert and his 3,483 passing yards, Miami could not find any
room to run last season. In total the RedHawks only rushed for 1,039 yards on
339 attempts, good for a paltry 3.06 yards per carry.
Reports out of Oxford indicate that Miami will dedicate more
plays to running the ball this season and they need to diversify their offense
if they hope to upset Marshall tomorrow. The son of head coach Don Treadwell,
running back Spencer Treadwell sits atop the RedHawks depth chart. On 65
attempts last season Spencer rushed for 234 yards and one touchdown.
2) Keep Pace – Marshall averaged just over 90
offensive snaps per game last year. The fast pace causes defensive mismatches
and tired defenders for the Thundering Herd to exploit.
Miami had mixed results playing against similarly paced
offenses last year, falling to Ball State (79 total plays per game) 31-24 but,
they beat Akron (79 total plays per game) 56-49 and Ohio (76 total plays per
game) 23-20.
3) Avoid Turnovers – When you are a underdog playing
on the road nothing is more important than winning the turnover battle. In
eight losses last season Miami had a turnover ratio of minus eight. In four
wins the RedHawks registered a turnover ratio of positive three.
Marshall
1) Get in the End Zone – No, we not talking about
touchdowns, we are talking about touchbacks. Of Marshall’s 83 kickoff attempts
last year only six were taken for touchbacks. Amoreto Curraj hopes to reverse
that trend in 2013. The freshman walk-on from Florida will handle kickoff
duties on Saturday.
2) Get Off the Field - Marshall was atrocious
on third down last year, allowing opposing offenses to convert 44.51% of their
attempts. The problems started up front with a weak pass rush that only totaled
19 sacks, tied for 87th in the nation. Marshall was thin in the
defensive backfield too, playing most games with three healthy cornerbacks. Under
new defensive coordinator Chuck Heater, the Herd needs improvement on third
down to win Saturday and beyond.
3) Stretch the Field – Now a New England Patriot, wide receiver Aaron Dobson was Marshall’s biggest deep threat last season. Dobson’s ability to stretch the field also left room for fellow wide receivers Tommy Shuler and Antavious Wilson to operate underneath. Oft-injured yet talented redshirt sophomore Davonte Allen and Penn State transfer Devon Smith are vying to take over Dobson’s role at X-receiver. Will either of them be able to fill the the playing making void that Dobson’s absence created?
3) Stretch the Field – Now a New England Patriot, wide receiver Aaron Dobson was Marshall’s biggest deep threat last season. Dobson’s ability to stretch the field also left room for fellow wide receivers Tommy Shuler and Antavious Wilson to operate underneath. Oft-injured yet talented redshirt sophomore Davonte Allen and Penn State transfer Devon Smith are vying to take over Dobson’s role at X-receiver. Will either of them be able to fill the the playing making void that Dobson’s absence created?
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Marshall Football: Miami (Ohio) by the Numbers
Everything
you need to know about the Miami RedHawks heading into Saturday’s showdown at
Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
104 – The RedHawks ranking in total team defense out of 120
FBS teams last season. Miami (Ohio) allowed opponents to average 467.67 yards
of offense per game.
1,039 – One of the nation’s worst running teams last year,
Miami only rushed for 1,039 yards on 339 attempts, good for 3.06 yards per
carry.
4 – The amount of career starts by RedHawks quarterback
Austin Boucher, who will lead Miami’s offense into Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Saturday night. Boucher made all four starts in 2010, passing for 990 yards and
five touchdowns, helping Miami win the MAC Championship game over Northern
Illinois and the GoDaddy.com Bowl against Middle Tennessee State.
870 –Then junior Nick Harwell lead Miami with 870 receiving
last season but, he will be playing for the Kansas Jayhawks in 2013. Harwell
was dismissed from the team this May and transferred to Kansas shortly
thereafter.
5th – The predicted place of finish for Miami in
the MAC East Division, as voted on by the leagues media members.
8 – Head coach Don Treadwell has notched eight wins
in two seasons at Miami. His only victory against a non-MAC FBS
opponent, Army in 2011. Of Treadwell’s eight wins, only two have occurred on
the road.
23.5 – After missing ten games last season and receiving a
medical redshirt, senior
defensive tackle Austin Brown is back to anchor Miami’s defensive line. During
his career Brown has registered 23.5 tackles for loss.
1 – The amount of All-MAC first or second team selections
Miami returns from 2012. The lone All-MAC performer was senior cornerback
Dayonne Nunley. A legitimate NFL prospect, Nunley has picked off 12 career
passes.
60 – The margin of victory recorded by Miami in 1971 when
they defeated
the “Young Thundering Herd” 66-6.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Marshall Football: In Depth with Herd Depth Chart
Marshall head football coach Doc Holliday released his first depth chart of 2013 ahead of Saturday's game against Miami (Ohio). While it did not answer every question, today's announcement provided incite into what personnel the Thundering Herd plans to use this season.
You can find the full depth chart by clicking here, it starts on page 12. We have added are own notes below.
1) At X-wide receiver sophomore Davonte Allen and senior Devon Smith are both listed as potential starters. Craig Wilkins will start at the Z position. His backup is true freshman Justin Hunt who figures to burn his redshirt. As expected Tommy Shuler will man his position in the slot.
2) From left to right Marshall's offensive line:
LT - Gagne Niemeyer
LG - Sebastian Johannson or Josh Lovell
C- Chris Jasperse or Michael Selby*
RG - Alex Schooler
RT - Garrett Scott
* Recovering from concussion related symptoms, sophomore center Cameron Dees was not listed on the depth chart. Dees was a All Freshman C-USA selection in 2012. Despite not being listed, Holliday expects Dees to be cleared for contact before Saturday. It also looks like Michael Selby will play as a true freshman.
3) Eric Frohnaphel and Devon Johnson are listed as co-backup tight ends. Gator Hoskins is your starter.
4) Essray Taliaferro maintained his August long hold on the starting running back job although, Kevin Grooms is a co-starter.
5) Defensive ends Jeremiah Taylor, Ra'Shawde Myers, and Alex Bazzie are all listed as co-starters.
6) Clemson transfer Josh Brown is not among the two deep at nose tackle or defensive tackle. The four co-starters at those positions are Brandon Sparrow, Jarquez Samuel, Steve Dillon, and James Rouse.
7) In there nickle package, Jermaine Holmes (middle) and Evan McKelvey (weak side) will man the linebacker positions. Junior college transfer Neville Hewitt is listed as McKelvey's co-starter. In three linebacker sets Raheem Waiters is listed at the strong side position.
8) Three corners, Monterius Lovett, Derrick Thomas, and Darryl Roberts are co-starters for only two starting spots.
9) Starting safety's, D.J. Hunter (strong) and Taj Letman (free).
10) Freshman walk-on kicker Amoreto Curraj will serve as Marshall's kickoff specialist. Field goals and extra points are the domain of Justin Haig.
11) Kick returners - Butler, DeAndre Reaves, Grooms, or Taliaferro.
12) Punt returners - Smith or Shuler.
You can find the full depth chart by clicking here, it starts on page 12. We have added are own notes below.
1) At X-wide receiver sophomore Davonte Allen and senior Devon Smith are both listed as potential starters. Craig Wilkins will start at the Z position. His backup is true freshman Justin Hunt who figures to burn his redshirt. As expected Tommy Shuler will man his position in the slot.
2) From left to right Marshall's offensive line:
LT - Gagne Niemeyer
LG - Sebastian Johannson or Josh Lovell
C- Chris Jasperse or Michael Selby*
RG - Alex Schooler
RT - Garrett Scott
* Recovering from concussion related symptoms, sophomore center Cameron Dees was not listed on the depth chart. Dees was a All Freshman C-USA selection in 2012. Despite not being listed, Holliday expects Dees to be cleared for contact before Saturday. It also looks like Michael Selby will play as a true freshman.
3) Eric Frohnaphel and Devon Johnson are listed as co-backup tight ends. Gator Hoskins is your starter.
4) Essray Taliaferro maintained his August long hold on the starting running back job although, Kevin Grooms is a co-starter.
5) Defensive ends Jeremiah Taylor, Ra'Shawde Myers, and Alex Bazzie are all listed as co-starters.
6) Clemson transfer Josh Brown is not among the two deep at nose tackle or defensive tackle. The four co-starters at those positions are Brandon Sparrow, Jarquez Samuel, Steve Dillon, and James Rouse.
7) In there nickle package, Jermaine Holmes (middle) and Evan McKelvey (weak side) will man the linebacker positions. Junior college transfer Neville Hewitt is listed as McKelvey's co-starter. In three linebacker sets Raheem Waiters is listed at the strong side position.
8) Three corners, Monterius Lovett, Derrick Thomas, and Darryl Roberts are co-starters for only two starting spots.
9) Starting safety's, D.J. Hunter (strong) and Taj Letman (free).
10) Freshman walk-on kicker Amoreto Curraj will serve as Marshall's kickoff specialist. Field goals and extra points are the domain of Justin Haig.
11) Kick returners - Butler, DeAndre Reaves, Grooms, or Taliaferro.
12) Punt returners - Smith or Shuler.
Marshall Basketball: Herd Announces 2013-2014 Schedule
Marshall unveiled its 2013-2014 men’s basketball schedule
earlier today. The full schedule and a
few points of interest are below.
- The Herd plays three games against NAIA opponents, October 28th vs. Concord, November 12th vs. Rio Grande, and December 18th vs. Alice Lloyd College. Concord is listed as an exhibition, the other two are part of the regular season schedule.
- Marshall is playing one opponent from the Big Ten (at Penn State Dec. 7th), one from the Big 12 (WVU Dec. 14th) and two from the SEC (at Vanderbilt Dec. 5th & at South Carolina Dec. 30th). The annual matchup against WVU will be played as part of the Capital Classic at the Charleston Civic Center. Penn State and South Carolina will make trips to the Cam Henderson Center in either 2014 or 2015.
- The out of conference schedule includes two teams that qualified for the 2013 NCAA Tournament, Akron and Western Kentucky in addition to a NIT participant, Stephen F. Austin.
- For the third straight season Marshall will participate in a NCAA exempt event. The Roundball Showcase includes three games in Huntington over six days, Stephen F. Austin Nov. 21st, UNC Wilmington Nov. 23rd and Western Kentucky Nov. 26th. To close out the Roundball Showcase Marshall travels to East Tennessee State Nov. 30th.
- The Ohio Bobcats previously made a commitment to play at the Cam Henderson Center this upcoming season but, they do not appear on the schedule.
- Of Marshall’s 16 out of conference opponents the following five finished 2013 with the highest RPI:
1) Akron #47 overall
2) Stephen F. Austin #70 overall
3) Vanderbilt #110 overall
4) WVU #145 overall
5) WKU #154 overall
5) WKU #154 overall
Date
Opponent
Oct.
28
Concord
(Exhibition)
Nov.
8
South Carolina
State
Nov.
12
Rio
Grande
Nov.
17
at Morehead
State
Nov.
21
Stephen F.
Austin^
Nov. 23
UNC
Wilmington^
Nov.
26
Western
Kentucky^
Nov.
30
at East Tennessee
State^
Dec.
5
at
Vanderbilt
Dec.
7
at Penn
State
Dec.
14
vs. West
Virginia#
Dec.
17
Alice
Lloyd
Dec.
21
Arkansas
State
Dec.
30
at South
Carolina
Jan.
2
at
Akron
Jan.
5
Presbyterian
Jan.
9
at
UTSA*
Jan.
11
at
UTEP*
Jan.
16
North Texas*
Jan.
18
Tulsa*
Jan.
23
at
Rice*
Jan.
25
at Louisiana
Tech*
Jan.
30
FIU*
Feb.
1
Florida
Atlantic*
Feb.
7
at Southern
Miss*
Feb.
9
at
Tulane*
Feb.
15
at
Charlotte*
Feb.
20
UAB*
Feb.
22
Middle
Tennessee*
Feb.
27
at Old Dominion*
March
2
East
Carolina*
March
6
Charlotte*
^ Roundball
Showcase
# Capital Classic, at Charleston Civic Center
* Conference
USA game
Monday, August 26, 2013
Marshall in the NFL: Preseason Week 3
Weekly review of Marshall alumni in the National Football League.
1. Daniel Baldridge, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee Titans
Daniel Baldridge continued his quest to become the Tennessee's backup left tackle, helping the Titans reserve running backs rush for 58 yards on 18 carries.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
Even though he started to practice in pads last week, Ahmad Bradshaw was held out of the Indianapolis Colts third preseason game.
3. Omar Brown, Safety, Baltimore Ravens
Fighting for the Ravens fourth safety spot, Omar Brown did not record any tackles during the Baltimore's third preseason game.
4. Vinny Curry, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry continued his impressive preseason, sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne, recording two other tackles, and a forced fumble.
5. Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Needing an impressive performance to keep pace with fellow rookie wideout Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson caught four passes on eight targets for 50 yards in the New England Patriots 40-9 loss to the Detroit Lions.
6. Mario Harvey, Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts
Mario Harvey lead Indianapolis with five total tackles and he added a sack during the Colts third preseason game.
7. Albert McClellan, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
From his spot at middle linebacker, Albert McClellan lead the Ravens in tackles, recording six with one sack and a pass defended.
8. Doug Legursky, Guard/Center, Buffalo Bills
Doug Legursky primarily saw time at backup left guard during the Buffalo Bills 30-7 loss to the Washington Redskins.
9. Lee Smith, Tight End, Buffalo Bills
Although he did not catch a pass, Bill's tight end Lee Smith played with Buffalo's first and second team offenses. He also appeared in various special teams packages.
10. C.J. Spillman, Safety, San Francisco 49ers
C.J. Spillman had a strong third preseason game for the San Francisco 49ers, recording two tackles, one interception, and a pass defended.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Commitment of the Week: Hyleck Foster
A new feature on the Thundering Blog, we are reviewing the weekly performances of Marshall's verbal commitments and anointing one football recruit our "Commitment of the Week".
One of the most dynamic members in Marshall's 2014 recruiting class, do everything athlete Hyleck Foster is our inaugural "Commitment of the Week".
Arguably the top high school football team in South Carolina, Northwestern beat Foster's Gaffney Indians 51-19. Despite the large margin of defeat, Foster still put up impressive numbers. From his spot at running back, Foster carried the ball 15 times for 71 yards and Gaffney's only touchdown. Through the air he also caught a team high seven balls for 43 yards. On special teams Foster returned two kicks for 74 yards and recorded 87 yards on three punt returns.
Commitment of the Week
Week 1) Hyleck Foster
One of the most dynamic members in Marshall's 2014 recruiting class, do everything athlete Hyleck Foster is our inaugural "Commitment of the Week".
Arguably the top high school football team in South Carolina, Northwestern beat Foster's Gaffney Indians 51-19. Despite the large margin of defeat, Foster still put up impressive numbers. From his spot at running back, Foster carried the ball 15 times for 71 yards and Gaffney's only touchdown. Through the air he also caught a team high seven balls for 43 yards. On special teams Foster returned two kicks for 74 yards and recorded 87 yards on three punt returns.
Commitment of the Week
Week 1) Hyleck Foster
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