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MARSHALL SPORTS
Anthony Hanshew: Five points to ponder
- Which new starting quarterback will seize the moment?
- Will Albert McClellan return to his sack-happy 2006 form, or will the Thundering Herd's All-Conference USA defensive end draw back the reins?
- Will Marshall's run defense pass its first test against a Big Ten type team?
- How will first-year Thundering Herd kickers hold up "under the lights?"
- Bottom line, how sharp will this Thundering Herd team be operating new offensive and defensive schemes for the first time?
Marshall's Mark Cann and Kevin Brockway of Illinois State debut today as college football starters. Brockway has waited out his No. 1 role, serving three years as a reserve. Cann separated himself from Brian Anderson, Jonathan Garner and Wesley Beardain during spring practice and clearly was 'the guy' entering his redshirt freshman season.
"He has poise," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said. "He lets things bounce right off him and has the ability to focus on the next play.
"He's done a good job of running our offense."
Brockway, armed with just five career pass attempts, has cleared one important hurdle, earning the respect of his huddle.
"I don't think we're concerned at all," said tailback Geno Blow, ISU's top offensive threat. "We're all very confident in Kevin.
"He's changed a lot to be the leader for this team. We have no worries or concerns going into this game."
Practice is an indication, and McClellan turned a corner midway through preseason camp. It's unrealistic to expect 100 percent of a playmaker, whose game is predicated on speed, in his first game back. But, McClellan is getting there sooner than later.
Side note: Don't expect gaudy sack totals today against the run-first Redbirds. Marshall will receive a heavy dose of Blow and passes largely will come from three-step drops. Illinois State's mindset is centered on ball control and keeping the season opener close into the fourth quarter.
Again, Blow and a pair of capable backup tailbacks will shoulder offensive duties, offering Marshall's maligned run defense an early shot at redemption. Due in part to a depleted defensive front, the Thundering Herd allowed 191 rushing yards a game last season. Illinois State averaged 199.5 rushing yard in 2007.
A subplot centers on Marshall's tackling, or lack thereof. Full contact was scaled back during camp in order to preserve a healthy roster entering today.
"To pick up somewhere you're going to suffer somewhere, and we felt like we wanted to get our best players to the game, so we'll see how the tackling goes come Saturday," Snyder said.
"That would be my biggest concern is our tackling ability on defense."
Punter Kase Whitehead and Craig Ratanamorn have impressed for most of camp, but today's a different deal.
Ratanamorn is college-athletics savvy, having previously served as goalkeeper for Marshall's soccer team. Still, today's crowd adds an intriguing element for the junior, who routinely has powered 50-plus yard field goals through the uprights during practice.
"This is my fourth year in college now and pressure situations -- I've been in pressure situations many times," Ratanamorn said. "It's really not that much of a change. There's still a lot of pressure on you being a college athlete, having people look at you every practice, every game day, and studying whether or not you're going to be our starter or whether or not we're even going to put you on scholarship.
"There's a lot riding every day we go out there."
Whitehead, a true freshman, offered a glimpse of his promise during the special teams rehearsal, booming a 76-yard punt from the back of the end zone.
Yes, live hitting was scarce during preseason camp, but players faced demanding mental tests throughout. Offensive coordinator John Shannon and defensive coordinator Rick Minter have implemented up-tempo, multiple schemes and packages have been added to basic sets throughout August.
Each approach lends to fan-friendly football, but will gaffes bite the Herd early?
"I don't (expect) many mental errors," Marshall tailback Darius Marshall said. "Everybody just has to go out there and play hard. We know the system. It's designed to get all the playmakers the ball -- receivers, running backs. Everybody's going to have a chance to make that big play."
-- Anthony Hanshew
