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SPORTS
Herd defense eyes third down stops
Marshall's C.J. Spillman makes a big hit on Illinois State RB Geno Blow.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- If Marshall University is to approach a landmark upset at No. 11 Wisconsin, the Thundering Herd defense must cash in on "money down."
More commonly known as third down, Marshall uses its own terminology to stress the importance of getting off the field. Third down was a trouble spot throughout 2007 and Illinois State converted seven of 20 against the Thundering Herd last week.
Wisconsin traditionally thrives on third down, normally because its punishing, ball-control offense sets up short-yardage scenarios. The Badgers moved the chains on five of eight opportunities last week in a win over Akron.
After leading the nation in time of possession last season, Wisconsin owned a 35:49-24:11 advantage against the Zips. Marshall seeks to lessen the gap Saturday in its first-ever visit to Camp Randall Stadium. Kickoff between Marshall (1-0) and the Badgers (1-0) is noon (EST) and the Big Ten Network will televise the game.
"For the defense they're called 'money downs,' " Thundering Herd defensive tackle Delvin Johnson said. "They're real important to get off the field and get the offense back on the field.
"We plan on having third and 8 and third and 10, so if we get those it's a win for us."
After surrendering first-half drives of 17 and 13 plays against ISU, Marshall adjusted at halftime, allowing just three of 10 second half third-down conversions.
"Our key was getting off the field on third down," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said of his team's season opener. "You work hard to get them to third down and we let them off the hook three or four times with the screens. We lose the quarterback out the back door one time."
Behind P.J. Hill's 210-yard performance, Wisconsin rushed for 404 last week, averaging 6.4 yards a carry. The Badgers ran 73 plays; only 10 were passes.
Hill, a 5-foot-11, 236-pound between-the-tackles power back, runs behind 259-pound fullback Chris Pressley and Wisconsin's traditional hulking offensive front -- a mix that usually results in friendly third-down situations.
"Third down is very huge," strong side linebacker Corey Hart said. "When we get them in third down we have to make sure in that situation that we capitalize and get them off the field, keep the defense fresh, keep the defense rested because we're going to need everybody fresh for the fourth quarter."
Ditto, said the Thundering Herd's leading tackler, free safety C.J. Spillman.
"If we can learn to get them off on third down I feel our defense will be a whole lot faster and a whole lot fresher," the senior said. "Third down is the money down."
Along with a heavy dose of Hill, Marshall can expect screens and occasional downfield play-action shots on money down. Illinois State executed both effectively and Wisconsin has the film.
"I'm expecting a lot of play-action, trying to knock our focus off from what we're really supposed to be doing, so they can run the ball, pound the ball and they throw it over our head," cornerback D.J. Wingate said. "But we're going to do what we can to prevent that."
Marshall forced five third and longs in last week's second half and corralled ISU's screens, allowing just a field goal after halftime. Still, it's bigger, stronger and faster this week against Wisconsin and head coach Bret Bielema gradually is breaking in new quarterback Allan Evridge, who threw for just 75 yards on seven-of-10 passing.
For the second time in as many games, screens and play-action likely will be points of emphasis beyond the obvious -- Hill.
"We already know we're going to have to be prepared for that, so during this week in practice the coaches are going to do their job in preparing us for that," Hart said.
Spillman, literally the last line of Marshall's defense, shrugged off the notion that the Herd will have to be especially prudent against play fakes. From the veteran's perspective, it's simply more of the same.
"Hey, in every single game they're going to try play-action and sucker you in to play in the box," Spillman said. "It's all about discipline and that's what we try to practice. We practice discipline so we don't get sucked in, drawn in."
