HUNTINGTON -- Several former Marshall football players made their presence felt in NFL exhibition football over the weekend.

Quarterback Byron Leftwich tossed a 68-yard TD pass to Mike Wallace to help the Pittsburgh Steelers edge the New York Giants, 10-7. He finished 3 of 6 for 95 yards. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw had a 9-yard TD run for New York's score and totaled 28 yards on six carries.

Quarterback Chad Pennington connected on 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and one score to help the Miami Dolphins edge the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-26.

Tight end Cody Slate topped Kansas City with three catches for 37 yards, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Chiefs, 20-15.

On defense, free safety C.J. Spillman led San Diego in tackles with six, but the Dallas Cowboys edged the Chargers, 16-14.

RUSH ON LEFTWICH: Yes, I listen to Rush Limbaugh on the EIB network. The talk radio star is a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and he had an observation on the quarterback situation on Wednesday's show. It came during a segment when he was talking about Brett Favre's return to the Minnesota Vikings. Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended for six games for violation of NFL conduct policy (alleged sexual assault on a college student early March 5 in Milledgeville, Ga.). Leftwich and Dennis Dixon are vying for the job until Ben gets back.

Rush's take on the Steelers: "... What are the Steelers looking like? It's tough to say. They're going to be without (Ben) Roethlisberger for at least four games to open the season. I personally think that it ought to be Dennis Dixon starting at quarterback instead of Byron Leftwich. Byron Leftwich does the most perfect imitation of a statue in the pocket I have ever seen. Well, he does look like Snerdley (Bo Snerdley, program call screener) but that's not a strike against him. But he does a perfect impression of a statue in the pocket. Dennis Dixon could at least get out of there. I love Dennis Dixon as the quarterback for the Steelers."

WHAT TO DO: Marshall fans will have a couple of places to visit prior to the game against Ohio State on Sept. 2 in Columbus. The Central Ohio MU Club will hold a "Party Before the Shoe" on Sept. 1 at Gresso's Pub & Grill (961 High St., German Village). Festivities start at 7 p.m. Tickets $25 and 30 are available.

Thunder In The Shoe II will be held Sept. 2 beginning at 4 p.m. at The Drake Performance and Event Center which is just 500 yards from Ohio Stadium. Food, drink and prizes along with entertainment. Each guest will get a commemorative gift of a Marshall item suitable for use in the "Shoe." Cost is $35 per person. Call 1-800-682-5869 or 304-696-2901. Deadline to RSVP is Aug. 30. Make check payable to Marshall University Alumni Association. Mail to Thunder In The Shoe II, Alumni Relations, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755-6200.

Closer to home, "Border Battle On The Big Screen" will be held in the amphitheatre in Harris Riverfront Park. Kindred Communications is sponsoring the free public viewing of the Herd against the Buckeyes on one of the largest super screens in the country (273 square feet). The amphitheatre will be divided in half -- one side for MU fans and one for Ohio State fans. Gates open at 4 p.m. Game time is 7:30.

TICKETS AVAILABLE TODAY: Single-game tickets for "Friends of Coal Bowl" will go on sale today to Big Green Scholarship Foundation members. The game between Marshall and West Virginia will be played Sept. 10 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. and ESPN2 will televise the game. Big Green members may purchase tickets by phone at 800-THE-HERD beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Big Green members will be eligible to purchase tickets in specific sections based on their annual giving level. There is no limit on the amount of tickets that can be purchased and they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. All tickets are $45 each, plus $7 handling fee per order.

Season tickets are still available in a variety of sections. Contact the Marshall ticket office for more details.

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