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MARSHALL SPORTS
MU notebook: Young players take spotlight
Practice repetitions are tough to earn when you're young and inexperienced and depth mostly isn't an issue.
That's been a theme of Marshall University preseason football camp. The script flips this morning when younger players are spotlighted during a jersey scrimmage at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The 10 a.m. practice is open to the public and coincides with a Choose-A-Seat Day season ticket sales promotion.
"We're going to play a lot of young guys and be smart with the older guys," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said.
Still, first team roster spots remain in contention and today's scrimmage provides a real opportunity to win a starting role. Depth abounds on defense, lessening the importance of establishing starters; offensive position battles remain less certain through 14 practices.
Mark Cann has earned a majority of first team quarterback snaps, but Brian Anderson is providing a late push. Both offensive tackle spots are wide open, with Daniel Baldridge, Brandon Campbell, C.J. Wood, Ryan Tillman and Branden Curry competing.
"I think offensive tackle is the one position, and I think Brian Anderson is doing a good job right now," Snyder said. "So there's a lot of competition at quarterback I think and at tackle right now.
"Those are probably the two most competitive, because we're going to play a lot of guys on defense. The biggest position battle right now is that tackle position. And I think Brian's heating up Mark a little bit."
The fully-officiated scrimmage will also test the subtleties that often decide football games. Penalties are always a concern with younger players and the scrimmage will be conducted with the new 40-second play clock rule.
"That will probably be the biggest lesson -- the false starts, the holding penalties, on both sides of the ball," Snyder said. "There will be some good learning lessons there I'm sure.
"We'll address it, but first time out, you're going to see a lot of young guys out there participating, more than the older guys. I'm sure we'll see a whole lot of that because I'm seeing it in practice.
"And we address it every day, but until that yellow flag comes out it doesn't really sink in."
GET BACK: Along with the play clock rule, new in 2008 is a 5-yard penalty on the first sideline warning violation. Each team has a "get back" coach, and strength and conditioning Mike Cochran, lauded throughout the program for his primary job, also serves as the sideline enforcer.
"He becomes very important," Snyder said.
NOTES: Lower level chairback seating sections will be sectioned off for Quarterback Club members for today's scrimmage. Quarterback Club officials will be in attendance to process new memberships and fans can purchase tickets for next week's Quarterback Club Reverse Raffle. ... Backup center John Bruhin (foot) was back in a protective boot Friday and an MRI was scheduled for Friday evening.
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.
