Marshall Football: Kendall Gant switches commitment to Herd

According to multiple outlets, one of the countries top rated defensive backs has switched his commitment from Georgia to Marshall.

Depending on what recruiting sight you follow, Lake Gibson High School (Fla.) safety Kendall Gant is either a three of four star recruit. Rivals list him as the 39th best prospect at his position in the class of 2014. Gant committed to Georgia over the summer, but an academic situation is leading him to the Thundering Herd.

According to Lake Gibson football coach Keith DeMyer, Gant's ACT score is two points short of the NCAA's minimum eligibility requirement. Unlike Marshall, Georgia can't enroll academic non-qualifiers.

During his senior season Gant recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions. A highly sought after recruit, he had scholarship offers from countless programs including Alabama, USC, and Ohio State.

For more on Gant follow the links below.

1) Rivals profile
2) 247 Sports profile
3) Scout profile
4) Hudl profile (highlight video)

Marshall Football: Frohnapfel Transfers to UMass

Blake Frohnapfel is making the transition from the Thundering Herd to the Minutemen. The former Marshall backup quarterback announced via Twitter that he is transfer to The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 

Just committed to UMass! I'm excited about the next chapter in my life with the Minutemen family #LoadTheMusket
— Blake Frohnapfel (@FrostedBlakes15) February 4, 2014

In three seasons with the Thundering Herd, the rising redshirt junior threw for 306 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Frohnapfel's most extensive action occurred during Marshall's 2012 season finale at East Carolina. Appearing in relief of starting quarterback Rakeem Cato, Frohnapfel completed 12 of 15 passes for 101 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed for 62 yards, including a 51 yard touchdown scamper.

As a graduate student, Frohnapfel can play at UMass right away. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

A football playing member of the Mid American Conference, the Minutemen finished last season with a 1-11 record. In December the school fired head coach Charley Molnar and hired Mark Whipple as his replacement shortly thereafter.

A.J. Doyle is the only experienced quarterback on UMass’s roster. As a sophomore he threw for 1,274 yards, six touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Minutemen also have a verbal commitment from Madonna High School quarterback Ross Comis. The West Virginia Metro News voted Comis the 2013 W.V. Player of the Year after he rushed for 2,027 yards and 35 touchdowns and passed for 1,731 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Marshall Football: C-USA Sets 2014 Schedule

In a press release earlier today Conference USA announced its division alignment and schedule for the 2014 football season. In doing so, C-USA became the first non-power five conference (MAC, Sun Belt, American Athletic, and Mountain West) to release a 2014 schedule.  

Marshall starts the season at Miami (Ohio) August 30^th before kicking off Joan C. Edwards Stadium’s 23^rd year on September 6^th against Rhode Island. The Following Saturday brings the Ohio Bobcats to Huntington. Ohio has beaten Marshall three years in a row including last season’s 34-31 victory in Athens.

After a bye week, the Herd opens conference play at Old Dominion October 4^th. It will be the school’s first ever meeting on the football field. Marshall returns home on October 11^th against Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Raiders scored a last second touchdown to defeat the Herd 51-49 last year.

Late October takes Marshall to Florida and brings a Sunshine State opponent to the Herd. On October 18^th Marshall faces Florida International in Miami. The Golden Panthers had a tough 2013 season, losing all but one game including a 48-10 drubbing by the Herd. Florida Atlantic meets Marshall at the Joan October 25^th. The Owls enter 2014 with a new head coach, former Arkansas assistant Charlie Partridge.  

After Marshall’s second bye week of the season, Southern Miss plays host to the Herd on November 8^th. The following week Marshall can avenge its biggest loss of 2013 as they host Rice November 15^th. The Owls defeated the Herd 41-24 in last year’s C-USA Championship game.

Under the leadership of new head coach Bill Clark, UAB host Marshall on November 22^nd. The Herd closes out the regular season at home with a day after Thanksgiving bout against Western Kentucky, Friday November 28^th. As a member of the Sun Belt Conference last year, WKU finished with a 8-4 record.

In addition to today’s schedule release, C-USA also announced the leagues football division lineup for 2014. The 13 football playing members will be split into two division. The East includes Marshall, FIU, FAU, ODU, MTSU, WKU, and UAB. The West division features Southern Miss, UTEP, UTSA, North Texas, Louisiana Tech, and Rice. Western Kentucky and Old Dominion are new to the league while East Carolina, Tulane, and Tulsa exit for the American Athletic Conference this July.

T.V. coverage and times will be released at a later date. The conference championship game will take place on Saturday December 6^th at a site to be determined. 

2014 Marshall Football Schedule
Aug. 30             at Miami (Ohio)
Sept. 6              RHODE ISLAND
Sept. 13            OHIO
Sept. 20            at Akron
Sept. 27            Bye
Oct. 4                at Old Dominion
Oct. 11              MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Oct. 18              at FIU
Oct. 25              FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Nov. 1               Bye
Nov. 8               at Southern Miss
Nov. 15             RICE
Nov. 22             at UAB
Nov. 28             WESTERN KENTUCKY

Marshall Football: Devers Gives Commitment to Herd

Cincinnati's loss was Marshall's gain this evening when Nathaniel Devers de-committed from the American Athletic Conference school and committed to the Thundering Herd.

I will be signing with Marshall university on February 5th. #GoHerd
— Nathaniel Devers (@BlackSwarm_76) February 3, 2014

Hailing from Ohio's Washington High School, Rivals ranks Devers as the No. 7 center prospect in the country. As a senior the Associated Press named him an All-Ohio Division II First Team honoree.

Devers switched his commitment while on a official visit to Marshall this weekend. Besides the Herd and Bearcats, he also possessed scholarship offers from Connecticut, Indiana, and a host of Mid-America Conference schools. 

For more on Devers follow the links below.

1) Rivals profile

2) 247 Sports profile

3) Hudl profile (video)

Marshall Football: Johnson, Black, & Binot Commit to Herd

On the final weekend before national signing day, Marshall secured three verbal commitments including two from three star prospects.

South Florida, Arizona, and Minnesota, three schools that offered Sickles High School (Fla.) linebacker Josh Black a scholarship. After taking a official visit to Marshall last weekend, Black turned down those opportunities and cast his lot with the Herd. A consensus three star recruit, the Tampa Bay Times selected Black as their 2014 All-Hillsborough Defensive Player of the Year. Black received the honor after registering 103 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Watch Josh Black's highlight video

Sometimes a win on the football field translates to a victory in recruiting. That is the case with Annapolis (Md.) Christian School wide receiver Demetrius Johnson. In a recruiting battle between Marshall and the Herds Military Bowl opponent Maryland, Johnson chose to leave his home state and spend the next four years in kelly green. A safety and wide receiver at Annapolis Christian, Johnson was named a All-Metro First Team selection by the Baltimore Sun. During his senior year he tallied 105 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks. On offense Johnson caught 21 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He also played in the prestigious U.S. Army All American Bowl.

Watch Demetrius Johnson's highlight video

Marshall's final commitment this weekend comes from an under the radar offensive lineman in Florida. Measured at 6-foot-3, 252 lbs., Fredrice Binot committed to Marshall during his official visit to campus this weekend. Besides the Thundering Herd, he also received scholarship offers from Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State, and Toledo.

Watch Fredrice Binot's highlight video

Stay tuned to the Marshall Thundering Blog for all your recruiting news headed into national signing day on Wednesday February 5th.

Marshall Basketball: Herd Falls to Owls at Home 65-57

Florida Atlantic (8-14, 3-4) built a 14 point second half lead against Marshall (8-15, 2-6) and costed to a 65-57 win over the Thundering Herd Saturday afternoon in the Cam Henderson Center.

Marshall was outclassed by FAU on the boards as the Owls held a 37-29 rebounding advantage. The Herd also struggled on defense, allowing Florida Atlantic to shoot 53.2% from the floor.

After starting all but one of the Herds previous 22 games, point guard Kareem Canty found himself on the bench at tipoff. Canty entered the game midway through the first half and played 27 total minutes, scoring seven points. Marshall was lead by Chris Thomas who scored 17 points and tied for the team lead with four assist.

The Herd hits the road on Firday for a game at Southern Miss followed by a Sunday contest in New Orleans against Tulane.

Box Score

Marshall Basketball: Herd Defeats FIU 80-68

The score was tied at 49 with 12:26 left in the game when Marshall (8-14, 2-5) went on a seven point run and never looked back, defeating FIU (11-10, 3-3) 80-68 in the Cam Henderson Center Thursday evening.

The Herd was carried by two impressive performances. In the first half, backup guard Tamron Manning scored 10 points in 12 minutes. Manning buoyed Marshall in the game’s first 20 minutes as his teammates only shot 37% (9-24) from the floor. Chris Thomas stole the second half spotlight, scoring 14 points in games final frame while also grabbing three rebounds.

Besides Manning and Thomas, Kareem Canty (16) and Ryan Taylor (14) also scored double-digit points. Canty recorded a double-double, distributing 10 assist and only turning over the ball twice.

Marshall shoots for their second win a row on Saturday as they host FAU (7-14, 2-4). Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Box Score