Game 2 - Marshall Thundering Herd
Date with Marshall: Saturday, Sept. 8, 7:00 p.m (TV - Fox College Sports (FCS)).
Site: Joan C. Edwards Stadium (38,019, FieldTurf), Huntington
Series: Tied 9-9-2
Head Coach: Doc Holliday (12-13 at Marshall, 9-7 in C-USA games)
2011 Record: (7-6, 5-3 in C-USA)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: Multiple
Lettermen Returning / Lost: 48 / 18
Starters Returning / Lost (O/D): 13(8/5) / 10(3/7)
Catamount fans may remember the Thundering Herd's Southern Conference days when the Catamounts started the all-time series with the Herd 8-0-2 from 1977 to 1986, but that was a different day. The Herd now owns a four game win streak, with the most recent meeting was 1996, a year that Marshall went undefeated and won the Division I-AA, (now FCS) national championship.
Marshall, now a member of Conference USA wasn't necessarily one of the CUSA's better teams last season. While they did finish the season with a winning record, they were next to last in total yards in the conference, converted only 36.08% of third downs on the season (11ith in the CUSA), while scoring just 22 points per game. These and others stats resulted in an the Herd offensive unit being ranked 102nd in the nation.
Marshall did have seven wins you say, yes they did. But, five of those wins were by one score or less, and the six of those seven victories were by ten points or less. They did win, but the season could have easily been real ugly win/lose record wise.
On defense, Marshall has lost five of their top six tacklers, as well as, their two leading interceptors on a defensive unit that gave up more points than their offense scored, 28.6 points per game. Losing this much talent to graduation, the Herd will have many new faces in starting positions on defense. Will they be a cohesive unit by the time they play the Cats, only time will tell. With so much of their talent lost on defense, will Marshall be able to win those close games as they did last season? Doubtful. However, the Herd will have played one game prior to their game with WCU, playing at West Virginia. It's very doubtful if either their offense or defense has the opportunity to jell in that game.
Key Defensive Returnees: LB Devin Arrington (77 tackles, 2 INT), CB Monterius Lovett (53 tackles, 2 INT), DE Jeremiah Taylor (45 tackles, 3.5 tackles), DT Marques Aiken (39 tackles)
On offense, Marshall returns a a good bit of talent. QB Rakeem Cato was thrown into the fire as a freshman, but now, he has one year under his belt, and should be improved. Travon Van and Tron Martinez (649 yds rush) both return and with their top 5 receivers returning, including WR Aaron Dobson, Marshall's lone preseason all-conference selection, gives Marshall good talent in the skill positions.
Key Offensive Returnees: QB Rakeem Cato (15 TD, 11 INT), WR Aaron Dobson (49 rec, 12 TD), RB Tron Martinez (649 yds rush, 3 TD), RB Travon Van (551 yds rush, 3 TD)
I certainly think the Catamounts can make a game of it, and not be embarrassed. Winning at Huntington will be very difficult, but not impossible.
Update (9-2-12): The Thurndering Herd played #11 ranked West Virginia in the final Friends of Coal Bowl series, losing on the road by a final score of 69-34.
The WV Mountaineers' balanced attack gained 331 yards rushing and 324 yards passing against the Herd. Marshall has now allowed more than 600 yards four times since 2009. Three of those have come in the last seven games. Prior to Saturday's 655-yard day from WVU, the Herd gave up 621 yards in a 63-28 loss to Houston on Oct. 22 and 682 yards in a 59-17 loss to Tulsa on Nov. 12.
While the Herd defensive unit might not have jelled yet, the offensive unit was able to put up 545 yards of total offense against the Mountaineers, by way of an outstanding performance by sophomore quarterback Rakeem Cato. The sophomore QB completed 38-of-54 pass attempts for a career-high 413 yards and two touchdowns.
Given our stable of running backs and ability to pass the ball, I think we'll be able to put up some points on the Herd defense. I'm not sure how successful our defensive unit will be to stop Cato and the air attack that is sure to come. Both defensive units may struggle in this game.
8 comments:
Ha ha ha! Marshall finished 2nd in the east last year... don't know how thats not one of the better teams. WCU will lose by 40+ points.
A 5-3 conference record got you a second place finish in the extremely weak east division. ECU 4-4; UAB 3-5; UCF 3-5; Memphis 1-7. Not exactly something to brag about, as all the power was in the West, with Huston 8-0 & Tulsa 7-1.
If you consider a second place finish in the East making Marshall on of the better teams of CUSA, well yeah, it was better than most of the East, whatever that is saying. Oh yeah, it does speak to the over weakness of the entire conference.
You guys averaged scoring only 22 points per game last season with a more potent offense, I don't see how you will score 40 against WCU. Not only that, your defense will be substantially weaker than 2011. It doesn't look good for the Thundering Turd.
You are a nut. If we olayed WCU every week, then we would have averaged 40-50 pts a game. We beat a top 25 team in USM, who won the east by a game over us.... yeah, weak east division. Marshall also beat the big east co-champ louisville on the road. The defense will be so much better thia year, it is insane. Kind of funny you believe that WCU won't get throttled... I can't wait til sept 8th, ill be back on here after.
Oh, I forgot. The Turds now play with the BIG BOYS, and WCU still plays JV ball.
That means WCU can't have a chance, and will lose by at least 100 points to the highly, nationally regarded Marshall football team.
WCU is a bad FCS team, Marshall is an average NAQ FBS team. Marshall has better players, more players, better coaching, better facilities, ect... Most of our incoming freshmen would be instant starters at WCU. Marshall wins this match-up 9.999999999 times out of ten.
Wow, the turd one man fan base is awesome. Go back in the basement of ur mommies house with your sister/wife. Maybe she can help polish your tooth.
Ha ha ha. Wow. WCU wishes it could have a top 25 team for several years, heisman finalists, and some bowl wins. That alomg with 3-4 star players that run sub 4.3 times..... but all they get are our rejects that fall off the depth chart, like Sullivan.
Seriously though, i hope a lot of you make the trip to huntington and if i see any, you are more than welcome to tail gate with us, and look forward to an injury free game.
Here I am! Look how that turned out, could have been 70-17 but Marshall let off the gas and took a 52-24 victory. Very competitive.
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