Marshall in the NFL: Week 5

Weekly review of Marshall alumni in the National Football League.

1. Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

Ahmad Bradshaw sat out a second straight week, sidelined with a neck injury that could require season ending surgery but, that is not certain.

2. Chris Crocker, Safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals safety Chris Crocker registered seven tackles, (including one against fellow Marshall alum Aaron Dobson) two tackles for loss, and two passes defended during a 13-6 win over the New England Patriots.

3. Vinny Curry, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles

In Sunday’s 36-21 win against the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry recorded one tackle and a quarterback hit.

4. Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots

On rainy day in Cincinnati, Aaron Dobson caught two passes from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for 49 yards.

5. Mario Harvey, Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts

It doesn’t show up on the stat sheet but, Mario Harvey laid a vicious hit on Seahawks punter Jon Ryan during a blocked field goal return. The Colts scored on the play but, it was not enough to beat Seattle as Indianapolis fell 34-28.

6. Albert McClellan, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

Limited in practice last week while recovering from a shoulder injury, Albert McClellan was active for the Baltimore Ravens 26-23 win over the Miami Dolphins but did not register any stats.

7. Doug Legursky, Guard/Center, Buffalo Bills

After missing the season’s first four games because of a knee injury, Doug Legursky was active for the Buffalo Bills 37-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Legursky rotated in a left guard, splitting reps with Colin Brown.

8. Lee Smith, Tight End, Buffalo Bills

Despite being targeted on one pass play, Bills tight end Lee Smith did not record a catch during Thursday’s loss to the Browns.

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

C.J. Spillam was instrumental during the San Francisco 49ers 34-3 win over the Texans, making two special teams tackles that pinned Houston deep in their own territory. 

Marshall Football: Tomell One Commits to Herd

Marshall added another football prospect to its recruiting class yesterday when Tomell One gave a verbal commitment to the Thundering Herd.

A defensive end at Bayside High School (FL), One stands 6-foot-3, 271 lbs. In just five games as a junior, a broken hand ended his season early, One recorded 57 tackles, seven sacks, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Heading into his senior season, SpaceCoastDaily.com named him a top four player in Brevard County.

Besides Marshall, he also had scholarship offers from South Alabama, FIU, FAU, and Louisville.

For more on Marshall’s latest commitment follow the links below.

1) 247 Sports profile

2) Rivals.comprofile
3) Hudl profile (video)

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".

Our first repeat winner, Hyleck Foster is the “Commitment of the Week”.

Avenging a loss from last season, Foster lead the Gaffney Indians with three touchdowns during a 42-13 win over Wade Hampton High School. Foster carried the ball 13 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. His other score came through the air as he hauled to two passes for 49 yards.

Also a special teams threat, Foster scampered for 60 yards on his lone kickoff return.

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

Marshall Football: This Week in C-USA 10/6/13

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 previewing this weeks important match-ups. 

Last Weeks Results
UTSA 10 - Marshall 34
FAU 37 - UAB 23
Rice 30 - Tulsa 27 OT
ECU 24 - MTSU 17
N.Texas 21 - Tulane 24
FIU 24 - USM 23
La.Tech 38 - UTEP 35

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

East Division Game of the Week

East Carolina's 24-17 win at Middle Tennessee kept the Pirates atop C-USA's East division. Quarterback Shane Carden lead ECU with 365 yards and a touchdown. In total, the Pirates offense accumulated 511 yards. ECU's defense also did a nice job, limiting the Blue Raiders to 334 yards of total offense while causing two turnovers.

Game to Watch Next Week

Marshall travels to Boca Raton Florida to take on FAU. The Owls got a much needed win at UAB on Saturday, taking down the Blazers 37-23. After missing the teams loss at Rice, FAU quarterback Jaquez Johnson returned against UAB and accumulated 404 yards of total offense

Marshall won its first C-USA game of the year, beating UTSA 34-10 on Saturday. The Thundering Herd needs a victory next week to keep pace with ECU in the East division standings.

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

West Division Game of the Week

Saturday might have signaled an official shift of power in the West division as Rice traveled to Tulsa and took down the Golden Hurricanes 30-27 in overtime. The Owls defense was the star, forcing three Tulsa turnovers.

Game to Watch Next Week

In a game that features the leaders of C-USA's East and West divisions , ECU spends its second week in a row on the road, this time at Tulane.

Behind a defense that has caused 18 turnovers, Tulane's enjoyed a resurgent season There offense has not been spectacular but, Green Wave quarterback Nick Montana is an effective game manager, completing 55.7% of his passes for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Marshall Foootball: Herd Clips Roadrunners 34-10

Using a dominate defensive effort, Marshall (3-2, 1-0) defeated Texas San Antonio (2-4, 1-1) 34-10 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Thundering Herd forced Roadrunners quarterback Eric Soza into three interceptions and UTSA offense only managed 254 total yards.

Despite some struggles Marshall's offense continued to hum along. Rakem Cato completed 22 of 32 attempts for 279 yards and two touchdowns. The Herd also made a concentrated effort to run the ball, registering 49 attempts for 125 yards.

Box Score

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Herd wins for Homecoming

Chuck Landon: Heater puts chill on UTSA offense

Chuck Landon grades the Herd

Ben Fields: Marshall's new mascot looks familiar

Grant Traylor awards game balls

HerdZone

Homecoming Herd Defense Silences Roadrunners

Charleston Gazette

Marshall defense turns it around

Marshall notebook: Herd shows it can move on the ground

Grades for UTSA game

Charleston Daily Mail

Marshall football: Herd thumps UTSA, 34-10

WV Metro News

Herd stuffs roadrunners 34-10

Marshall Football: Fast Facts, UTSA

Everything you need to know about Texas San Antonio before Saturday’s matchup at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

1) A team from the state of Texas has never won at Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

2) Since the program’s inception in 2009, Larry Coker has served as the head coach at Texas San Antonio. Prior to UTSA, Coker coached at the University Miami for six seasons where he won the 2001 BCS National Championship.

3) Using elements of the wishbone and spread, the Roadrunners are averaging 431 yards of offense per game. That is good for 52^nd best in the nation.

4) When running the ball UTSA likes to attack the perimeter, using chop blocks to take down opposing defenders.

5) UTSA employees a number of running backs including David Glasco II who leads the team with 41 carries for 188 yards and four touchdowns. Three other Roadrunners, quarterback Eric Soza, running back Evans Okotcha, and wide receiver Kam Jones have also recorded double digit carries.

6) Soza is the engine that makes UTSA go. The senior has completed 122 of 185 pass attempts for 1,342 yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. As previously mentioned, he is also dangerous on the run. Soza has accumulated 118 rushing yards and a additional score.

7) Jones serves as Soza’s favorite target. The 5-foot-11 wide receiver leads the Roadrunners with 19 receptions and 222 receiving yards. While Jones works underneath opposing defenses, fellow receiver Kenny Bias stretches the field.  Despite only catching 10 passes, Bias is second on the team with 200 receiving yards. Twelve other Roadrunners have caught at least five passes this season.

8) UTSA’s defense is best described as porous, the Roadrunners are giving up over 400 yards per game.

9) The Roadrunners have not recorded an interception this year. Along those lines, they have only forced two fumbles.

10) Never a good sign, safety Triston Wade leads UTSA with 47 tackles.

11) No Roadrunners defender has recorded over two tackles for loss or multiple sacks.

12) UTSA kicker Sean Ianno is inconsistent. The junior has converted three of six field goal attempts with a long of 43 yards.

13) Punter Kristian Stern is averaging 39.7 yards per attempt with a long of 53. 

Marshall Football: Josh Lovell Leaves Team & Injury Updates for UTSA

Ahead of Saturday’s Homecoming game against Texas San Antonio, Marshall football coach Doc Holliday announced that Josh Lovell has left the team. A backup offensive guard, he played in two games this season.

Last year the redshirt junior appeared in 11 of Marshall’s 12 games. Entering August training camp, Lovell battled with Sebastian Johannson for the starting job at left guard. Johannson got the nod and Lovell was relegated to back-up duty.

Notes – Holliday also said the Thundering Herd is nearly 100% healthy minus defensive end Jeremiah Taylor. That means reigning C-USA freshman of the year Kevin Grooms is expected to play this week. The sophomore running back has only carried the ball 19 times while nursing a high ankle sprain. Also expected to play after recently suffering injuries, defensive tackle Brandon Sparrow, wide receiver Craig Wilkins, and tight end Gator Hoskins.

For UTSA, it appears that backup safety Michael Egwuagu will be the Roadrunners only notable absence.