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MARSHALL SPORTS
Snyder finally gets a win on an ESPN network
Marshall tight end Cody Slate goes in for a touchdown during the first half of the C-USA matchup against Houston on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
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HUNTINGTON -- The ESPN gorilla -- was that Chris Berman? -- finally is off Mark Snyder's back.
After losing nine straight games during ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU telecasts the last four seasons, the Herd's head coach got the breakthrough victory he had been seeking on Tuesday.
Snyder coached Marshall (4-4, 3-1 Conference USA) to a stunning 37-23 upset win over Houston (4-4, 3-1) before 20,716 frozen but ecstatic fans at Edwards Stadium.
More important, the audience included ESPN2 commentators Rece Davis and Lou Holtz.
They witnessed Snyder breaking an ESPN losing streak with an effort that brands the Herd as a...ready-for-prime-time-program.
GREEN WITH ENVY: Even the popcorn was green.
In fact, Marshall conducted a "Green-Out" at Edwards Stadium Tuesday night in every conceivable way.
First, the Herd broke out their all-green uniforms for the first time in a couple years during pre-game warmups.
Then, when Marshall's players returned to the field for the kickoff, the Herd wore green helmets for the first time since 1985.
"That was a one-time thing," said Snyder.
But not if the players have their way.
"That was a big surprise for us," said running back Chubb Small.
It was a fitting move considering the nationally televised (ESPN2) game was designated a "Green-Out" by Marshall officials, who urged all Herd fans to wear green to the game.
The 20,716 fans who did brave the freezing, blustery weather conditions abided by the color scheme.
It's just a shame there weren't more fans to see Marshall even its "Out" record at 1-1 with the 37-23 upset win over Houston.
After losing to the University of Cincinnati, 33-10, in a "White-Out" game on ESPN, the Herd bounced back with a "Green-Out" win Tuesday.
So, which "Out" will Marshall declare its next home game against UCF as?
A "Win-Out" sounds like a good idea.
SO MUCH FOR OFF WEEKS: Although the Herd has played only two games in the last 25 days, Marshall was besieged by injured players Tuesday night.
Heading the list was standout free safety C.J. Spillman, who didn't dress due to hand and shoulder injuries. Aaron Johnson, who normally starts at strong safety, moved over to take Spillman's place.
That switch returned Ashton Hall to his starting role at strong safety.
Also on defense, end Ian Hoskins didn't dress and was replaced in the starting lineup by John Jacobs. Cornerback Zearrick Matthews, who had returned to practice after suffering a broken foot prior to preseason camp, also didn't dress.
Offensively, wide receiver Tavaris Thompson didn't dress. Tight end Matt Parkhurst also was sidelined with an injured knee.
The absence of Parkhurst led to an interesting situation. Since the Herd was in need of a third tight end for blocking situations, right tackle Buck Baldridge shed his No. 79 jersey and switched to No. 88 so he could play tight end.
Baldridge played tight end for at least three plays.
That surely makes the 6-foot-9, 310-pound Baldridge the biggest tight end in the country.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS: The list included Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky.
The C-USA head official, who recently received a contract extension, was making his first visit of the season to Huntington.
Also on hand was former Marshall wide receiver Andre Motley, who served as honorary game captain.
DOUBLE SECRET WALK-THROUGH: That's what Houston's game day practice was Tuesday.
Usually, walk-throughs are conducted on the field of the home team. But Houston reportedly held their workout in secrecy on the roof of the Pullman Hotel in downtown Huntington.
Honest.
SCARY MOMENT: The Edwards Stadium crowd hushed for a frightening moment after a terrifying mishap involving Houston wide receiver Patrick Edwards during the third quarter.
Edwards was running a deep route trying to catch up with a Case Keenum pass when he ran out of the end zone and collided with yellow wagons that inadvertently had been parked behind the south end zone.
As the scoreboard replayed the action, the crowd watched in horror.
The game was delayed while Edwards was carted to the Cougar locker room. Houston's leading receiver reportedly suffered a compound fracture in his leg on the play.
RADIO SHOWS CHANGE DAYS: The weekly Mark Snyder call-in radio show as well as H-D radio will be on the air tonight instead of the usual Thursday air time.
H-D radio featuring Herald-Dispatch sports columnist Chuck Landon and football beat writer Anthony Hanshew will air at 6 p.m. today from Gino's Pub.
Snyder's call-in show will follow at 7 p.m.
The change was due to a conflict with trick-or-treat night on Thursday.
