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MARSHALL SPORTS
Herd will meet a touted Tulsa team in season finale
Editor's note: Marshall University football faces a diverse 2008 schedule in terms of both geography and status. Continuing a summer-long series, The Herald-Dispatch focuses on Tulsa, the Thundering Herd's conference opponent Nov. 29 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
HUNTINGTON -- For Tulsa coach Todd Graham, his first campaign leading the Golden Hurricane was successful.
Almost.
Despite going 10-4 overall and winning the Conference USA West Division title, Graham said his team fell short of its ultimate goal.
"Our program is about winning championships. I can't hide from that. That's what our administration, our community, our fans expect and our kids expect to win," Graham said. "It was my first year back at Tulsa as head coach and they were disappointed we didn't win the championship.
"Our goal is win the conference championship and to be a top 15 or 25 team in the country. Our other goal is to go 14-0. No one has ever gone undefeated and won this conference."
Marshall hosts Tulsa in the regular-season finale at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
To complete the goal, Graham's team will need to take care of business on the defensive side of the ball.
The secondary will be solid with three returning starters and the defensive line will go as far as defensive end Moton Hopkins can take them. However, three linebackers are gone, meaning Graham has his hands full.
"Developing those linebackers is big. We had three really good ones graduate," Graham said.
On the offensive side, Tulsa returns nine starters from a unit that led the nation in total offense with 544 yards per game last season.
Tulsa returns three 1,000-yard receivers in Brennan Marion and Trae Johnson along with fullback Charles Clay. Running back Tarrion Adams, a 1,000-yard rusher, is also back. Fullback Courtney Tennial was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA.
While many of the skill positions return, the biggest offensive question mark will be at quarterback where 5,000-yard passer Paul Smith exited. David Johnson has the inside track on the starting job, but if he should falter, Graham won't hesitate to try out junior college transfer Jacob Bower, who Graham called a "physical specimen."
No matter who is under center, Graham feels comfortable with the quarterback's protection as four of five starters return. The group is led by Rodrick Thomas, a 6-foot-5, 355-pound senior tackle.
"I think our offensive line is going to be the best it's ever been with four of the five guys returning up front," Graham said. "We have high expectations and that's reflective of the success we've accomplished the last few years."
