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MARSHALL SPORTS
Young players Ward, Dobson make impact
HUNTINGTON -- Instead of facing a must-win game next week on the road against UTEP to become conditionally bowl eligible, Marshall took care of business Saturday with its victory over SMU.
A major concern was replacing injured Darius Marshall in the rushing game. Martin Ward took advantage of seeing more carries, rushing 25 times for 140 yards and a touchdown in the 34-31 victory.
The freshman Ward's confidence appears to be soaring.
"I had an opportunity to show what I could do and help the team out," Ward said. "It gives me confidence, I was able to get rid of the pregame jitters and I was able to do what I needed to do."
True freshman Aaron Dobson filled a big role as well in the passing game.
Marshall star receiver Cody Slate is out for the rest of the season because of an injury and Dobson made four catches for 127 yards. Two of his receptions were for touchdowns.
"Aaron Dobson continues to step up," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said. " We put him in the place of Cody Slate. We did with Aaron tonight what we usually do with Cody. That was the game plan all week, we are still creating the same mismatches that we have been able to do with Cody the entire four years he has been here."
Dobson gives the Thundering Herd a deep ball threat at receiver, especially with his great leaping ability.
"I was a basketball player (at South Charleston H.S.), so when we throw the deep ball I look at it like it's a rebound, I go up and get it," he said. "I really feel confident when a deep ball comes my way."
Quarterback Brian Anderson had command of the offense, going 13 of 22 for 213 yards passing and two TDs.
Anderson wasn't pressured in the pocket as much as last week in a loss to Southern Miss, and that was a key component to his success against SMU.
"It was nice not to be on the ground," Anderson said. "I didn't get sacked once, I got hit only a couple of times. That is a big credit to our offensive line, when they're healthy it makes a big difference and that showed tonight.
"They did a great job blocking up front."
