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SPORTS
Hanshew: Darius likely to return vs. UTEP
HUNTINGTON -- So many factors play into Marshall University football's regular season finale.
The Thundering Herd, rebounding from consecutive losses with a 34-31 victory over SMU last week, needs a victory at UTEP Saturday to lock down bowl eligibility. Marshall again will be without leading receiver Cody Slate, sidelined with a knee injury, but likely will welcome the return of 1,000-yard rusher Darius Marshall.
This weekend's opponent, meanwhile, is battling through current and past struggles. Eliminated from postseason contention, the Miners are working to earn just their second regular season finale victory in 26 seasons.
Such scenarios and more play out Saturday at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff between the Thundering Herd (6-5, 4-3 Conference USA East Division) and UTEP (3-8, 2-5 C-USA West Division) is 3 p.m. (EST) and WSAZ will televise the game.
The Miners, under veteran head coach Mike Price, have proven a contradiction throughout 2009. UTEP knocked off Houston, nationally ranked for much of the season, by a 58-41 margin. They also are coming off a one-point loss to Rice, which had won just one game previously.
"The Rice game was the most unusual game of the year ... at least it was unusual from our other games," Price said. "We seem to find a different way to mess it up (each week). I was very disappointed in the way we played."
Making no excuses, Price continued, saying the 30-29 setback served among the season's low points.
"Had we won, I would have been disappointed with the way we played. Our players were disappointed.
"We felt like we had a chance (to win). We were ready to play. We played well in the first quarter. Our defense got three three-and-outs, which is good for us."
Marshall, meanwhile, is preparing for a team capable of prolific blowouts and head-turning losses. Perspective from players and coaches appears to focus on sticking to the norm against a UTEP team averaging 27.8 points and allowing 34.6 a game.
"Just continue to do what we have been doing," Thundering Herd head coach Mark Snyder said of his team's defensive approach. "Stop the run and don't give up the big play.
"Penalties got us more than anything against SMU. That exaggerated some of the third downs by keeping the chains moving. But I was pleased with our defensive performance. That was a good offense we played."
Then there's the travel that often plays into Conference USA matchups. The Herd will travel more than 1,600 miles to southeast Texas, but arriving early on Friday should offset proverbial and literal jet lag.
"I don't think it's going to be a big factor," Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson said. "We're going on a plane flight. It's about three hours.
"It's not bad at all. And once you get there, if it were a really late kickoff time like (8 or 9 p.m.) that might hurt us but with it being a midday kickoff it's not going to be any different than being here and playing a game.
"It's not any different for us. It's just a different setting."
Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 304-526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.
