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MARSHALL SPORTS
David Walsh: Marshall gives reason for fans to have hope
Marshall football 2008 went on true public display for the first time Saturday. The 25,661 fans inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium, those watching on WOWK-TV and some media members inside the new Ernie Salvatore Press Box finally got to see what Thundering Herd coach Mark Snyder had been cooking up during fall camp. Remember, only two practice sessions were open to the public.
In the course of the warm afternoon/evening, Herd fans saw a receiver who could stretch a defense, a runner who can take it up inside and break free if he gets that chance, punt returns lead to good field position, defensive packages that could create confusion, a punter who could pin the opponent inside the 20 more than once and an offense led by a new quarterback that could execute the basics and throw in some wrinkles to keep the opponent honest.
"If I was a fan, I'd be encouraged," linebacker Mario Harvey said after Marshall's 35-10 win over I-AA Illinois State.
Other positives included one penalty for 10 yards, no quarterback sacks and just two turnovers. A year ago, Marshall was one of the most penalized teams in Conference USA.
The offensive line helped spring Darius Marshall loose for 115 yards and a TD and pile up 229 yards overall, and gave new quarterback Mark Cann enough time to complete 11 of 22 passes for 161 yards and two scores. One was the 88-yard bomb to speedy wide out Darius Passmore just 25 seconds before the half to give Marshall a 14-7 lead and perhaps crush the spirit of the game Redbirds who battled the bigger foe on even terms for nearly 30 minutes.
Illinois State coach Denver Johnson's terminology for big plays is "GAP" for game altering plays.
"Marshall made many more than we did," he said. "When you play up a level on the road you have to avoid things like that. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins and that's what happened today."
Illinois State did run 83 plays to 54 for the Herd and held the ball for 39 minutes. However, except for a 17-play, 76-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock in the first period, the Redbirds were held in check.
On special teams, Herd punter Kase Whitehead averaged 41.2 yards on six kicks and had four kicks come to rest inside the 20. On punt returns, Emmanuel Spann brought back four for 68 yards, with three covering 20 or more. The good field position led to some quick scores.
Over 60 minutes, you can't rule out depth as a factor. Illinois State brought 68 players. The Herd had a numbers advantage and cashed in.
"When you play up a level on the road, depth is a factor," Johnson said. "Marshall has a lot of guys and they let things roll."
Harvey, a linebacker, said the Herd had a good game plan going in and made necessary adjustments at the break. Credit defensive coordinator Rick Minter and his staff for that.
"In pregame it was like we're playing a top 25," said Harvey, who had one of two interceptions. "We mixed things up. We get people involved. The adjustment at the half, we didn't overpursue anymore. We played inside out."
Cann believes the Herd has the tools to click against any opponent, even one like Big Ten member Wisconsin next Saturday in Madison. Since Illinois State and Badgers have the same red and white colors, some fans viewed the Redbirds as "Wisconsin mighty mites."
David Walsh is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Contact him at 526-2759. Send e-mail to dwalsh@herald-dispatch.com.
