Marshall Football: Deon Meadows Leaves Team

Speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference, Marshall football coach Doc Holliday announced yesterday that linebacker Deon Meadows has left the team.

Part of Holliday's first recruiting class, Meadows came to the Thundering Herd as a highly regarded three star recruit. Things started out well enough, Meadows played in six games as a true freshman and made three tackles. A injury ended his sophomore season after three games but he returned this year to record two tackles and a half sack.

In total, Meadows appeared in 22 games over three seasons, making 27 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and a blocked kick.

Marshall in the NFL: Week 7

Weekly review of Marshall University alumni playing in the NFL. 

1. Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts placed Ahmad Bradshaw on injured reserve October 8^th after he suffered a neck injury that required season ending surgery. For the season Bradshaw played in three games, rushing for 186 yards on 41 attempts with two touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 42 yards.

2. Chris Crocker, Safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Facing one of the NFL’s premier passing attacks, safety Chris Crocker and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Detroit Lions 27-24. Crocker made a big contribution, registering two tackles, one for loss, and a pass defended during the win.

3. Vinny Curry, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles

Playing in 26 defensive snaps, Vinny Curry registered one of the Philadelphia Eagles two sacks against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Despite Curry’s sack Philadelphia fell to Dallas 17-3.

4. Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots

Targeted by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady seven times, Aaron Dobson hauled in three receptions for 43 yards in New England’s 30-27 overtime loss to the New York Jets.  

5. Mario Harvey, Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts

Linebacker Mario Harvey played a new position last week, lining up at fullback for the Colts during one offensive possession. He also made a special teams tackle, helping Indianapolis defeat the Denver Broncos  39-33.

Harvey did leave the game early after suffering a hamstring injury. He underwent an MRI examination yesterday but, the results have not been released.

6. Albert McClellan, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

After not practicing all week while nursing a shoulder injury, Albert McClellan played in the Baltimore Ravens 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, registering one special teams tackle.

7. Doug Legursky, Guard/Center, Buffalo Bills

Doug Legursky started his second straight game at left guard for the Buffalo Bills, helping his team defeat the Miami Dolphins 23-21.

8. Lee Smith, Tight End, Buffalo Bills

Primarily known for his blocking and special teams play, Bill’s tight end Lee Smith got on the offensive stat sheet by catching one pass for 18 yards against Miami. The catch was his second of the year.

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

C.J. Spillman saw action with the 49ers first team defense when starting safety Donte Whitner left the game with a ankle injury. Despite playing defense and special teams Spillman did not register any stats during San Francisco’s  31-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. 

Commitment of the Week: Ryan Yurachek

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'.

After missing six games while recovering from a leg injury, Carolina Forest (Sc.) tight end Ryan Yurachek returned to the gridiron Friday night, catching a team high six passes for 39 yards in a 59-0 loss to South Florence. Prior to the injury, Yurachek had caught five passes for 78 yards.

We have decided to celebrate Yuracheck’s return from injury and impressive performance by naming him our ‘Commitment of the Week’.

Commitment of the Week
Week 1: Hyleck Foster
Week 2: Trayvon Williams
Week 3: Cole Garvin
Week 4: Keion Davis
Week 5: N/A
Week 6: Frankie Hernandez
Week 7: Hyleck Foster
Week 8: Alex Cason

Week 9: Ryan Yurachek

Marshall Football: This Week in C-USA 10/20/13

Now that Marshall is firmly entrenched in league play, we are going to take a weekly look at Conference USA football, reviewing last Saturday's results while also looking ahead to this weeks important match-ups. 

Last Weeks Results
Southern Miss 14 - ECU 55
North Texas 28 - La.Tech 13
Rice 45 - New Mexico St. 19

East Standings
1) Marshall 4-2, 2-0
2) ECU: 5-2, 3-1
3) UAB: 2-4, 1-1
3) FIU: 1-5, 1-1
4) MTSU: 3-4, 1-2
5) FAU: 2-5, 1-4
7) USM: 0-6, 0-2

East Division Game of the Week

The only game within the East division last week, ECU took down winless Southern Miss 55-14. Pirates quarterback Shane Carden completed 30 of 37 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

East Division Game to Watch Next Week

Trust me, this is not a hometown homer pick but, Marshall at Middle Tennessee State is the best East division match-up next week. Coincidentally, it is also the only game between two Conference USA East division teams next week. 

Anyway, Marshall will attempt to win back-to-back road games for the first time under Doc Holliday. On the other sideline, MTSU is coming off three straight losses after winning three of the seasons first four games.

West Division Standings
1) Tulane: 5-2, 3-0
2) Rice: 5-2, 3-0
3) N.Texas: 4-3, 2-1
4) La.Tech: 2-5, 1-2
5) Tulsa: 2-4, 1-1
4) UTSA: 2-5, 1-2
7) UTEP: 1-5, 0-3

West Division Game of the Week

North Texas continued to show its a force in the West division, taking down Louisiana Tech 28-13. The Mean Green's defense caused three turnovers including two interceptions by Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Higgins.

 West Division Game to Watch Next Week

Arguably the biggest surprise in C-USA, Tulane looks to keep its impressive season going at home against Tulsa next week. Headed into the season, the Golden Hurricanes were expected to compete for a league title but, poor defense and shaky quarterback play has handcuffed the team. 

Marshall Football: Rayjon Simes Commits to Herd

Scout.com is reporting that defensive end Rayjon Simes has given a verbal commitment to Marshall.

Despite not playing high school football until his senior year, Simes picked up scholarship offers from Kentucky, Louisville, South Alabama, Virginia Tech, and the Thundering Herd. In his first three games on the gridiron he compiled 17 tackles, five sacks, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. 

Simes boast impressive length, standing 6-foot-6, 230 lbs. Although he is new to football, Simes has played for the basketball and track teams at Stone Mountain High School (Ga.).

For more on Simes follow the links below.

1) Scout profile

2) 247 Sports profile

3) Rivals profile

4) Hudl profile (highlight video)

Marshall Men's Basketball: Herd Debuts New Team in Green & White Scrimmage

Marshall men's basketball coach Tom Herrion debuted his new look team Thursday night at the annual Green and White Scrimmage. Featuring a roster that includes eight newcomers, last seasons returning leading scorer Elijah Pittman lead all players with 26 points.

For more on Thursday's scrimmage follow the links below.

Box Score

Charleston Gazette

Newcomers put on a show in Herd basketball scrimmage

HerdZone

Marshall Basketball Showcases Talent at Green & White Scrimmage

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Gallery: Marshall teams make debut

Marshall Football: What Ever Happen to...

With Marshall’s second bye week in full effect, we figured it was a good time to catch-up with players that have left the football program and continued their careers at other schools.

1) Marques Aiken, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati

Reunited with current Bearcats and former Marshall assistant Fred Tate, Marques Aiken has played in all of Cincinnati’s six games, registering 12 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a half sack.

2) C.J. Crawford, Tight End, Charlotte

Playing for UNC Charlotte’s first football team since 1948, tight end C.J. Crawford is the 49ers fourth leading receiver with 237 yards on 20 catches and four touchdowns.

3) A.J. Graham, Quarterback, University of Pikeville (Ky.)

A.J. Graham has found a home at the NAIA level with the University of Pikeville. The Bears starting quarterback, Graham has completed 62% of his pass attempts for 1,360 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. A dual threat, he has also rushed for 207 yards.

4) James Power, Long Snapper, TCU

After not playing a single snap in his Marshall career, long snapper James Power transferred to TCU and found a starting job with the Horned Frogs. It’s hard to quantify a long snappers effectiveness but, TCU has not suffered a block kick or punt this year.

5) Eddie Sullivan, Quarterback, Western Carolina

In his second season at Western Carolina, Eddie Sullivan is splitting snaps with fellow quarterback Troy Mitchell. Sullivan has appeared in six of the Catamounts seven games, making two starts while completing 25 of 53 attempts for 310 yards with no touchdowns and five interceptions.  

6) Travon Van, Running Back , Montana

Last seen playing cornerback for the Thundering Herd, Travon Van has found a home at running back with the Montana Grizzlies. Despite splitting carries, Van has rushed for 465 yards on 69 attempts, good for 6.3 yards per carry. Displaying soft hands out of the backfield, he is Montana’s third leading receiver with 172 yards. In total, Van has scored five touchdowns this season.