Mark Snyder recruited a fraction of Marshall University football's senior class, but his appreciation for 14 outgoing student-athletes is unquestioned.

Marshall University's head football coach opined at length of the undersized class which closes its collective college careers Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Senior Day kickoff is 3:30 p.m. and the game will not be televised.

Most Thundering Herd seniors were recruited by Bobby Pruett's coaching staff. Snyder soon took over, sparking an inevitable transition process.

"It's tough," Snyder said. "This one will be tough because of the circumstances and what I've kind of seen these guys do.

"I was at dinner with them Friday night and (senior middle linebacker) Maurice Kitchens said, 'When you came in here, coach, we all laughed at you when we saw your ideas and thoughts and did not think the things you were talking about getting done you could get done.'

"And they said that they are sad they are leaving because it's happening ... the change in the team. The wheel was going like this (arms rolling), his words were last year, he felt like it stopped and 'I see it going the other way now.'

"They started that and for that I will forever be grateful."

Those words hardly were hollow. Since spring practice, Snyder praised his seniors for helping diagram his big program picture. Senior wide receiver Emmanuel Spann followed through, texting and calling teammates prior to August preseason camp, assuring that each was on board.

Those efforts have resulted in team-wide respect, despite a disappointing season lowlighted by a three-game losing streak.

"The seniors earned that because they were out there coaching those young guys, talking to them about all of the things that they should not be doing, what happened here, don't go down this road, get your degree, go to class, go to tutors, give back to the community," Snyder said. "They're the ones. We could sit here and talk all we want, but it's about the guys in the locker room -- the peer pressure that makes those things kind of happen.

"It's not the coaches and for the number of them that we have, they've done a good job."

TOGETHER TIME: Most players will spend Thanksgiving removed from family, but togetherness is a theme this week. Christ Temple Church hosted a team dinner Monday evening, providing a welcome break during a Holiday week.

Coaches and players have gathered for lunch Monday and Tuesday, furthering a family theme approaching Saturday's season finale.

"It's a different week for us," Snyder said. "Obviously, we've got a lot more time with them, which is a good thing. We have them lifting at 9 (a.m.), then we have some meetings. We eat lunch together.

"It's good to see the kids interacting. You guys saw that yesterday (during Monday's team lunch). Then we come back, have meetings, then have a very spirited practice in the rain and cold (Monday) and they were having fun.

"Still having fun, which is a good thing, but that helps with the having fun part because they are around us a lot more."

Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.

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