The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, particularly the conclusion, are one of the marquee sports events.

After physically competing against one another through a seven-game series, the Lord Stanley's Cup winners line up, shaking hands with opponents. It's a team tradition unique among professional sports, and college football is considering a version of the approach.

The NCAA, along with the American Football Coaches Association, is suggesting teams engage in team handshakes prior to games this season. Marshall University football players might well line up to greet Southern Illinois when the season kicks off Sept. 5 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The 2009 season begins at 4:30 p.m.

"They're trying to create sportsmanship, and the AFCA is promoting that," Thundering Herd head coach Mark Snyder said. "As you see with some of the rules, they're really going to be stringent on that, not hitting defenseless players and celebrating with your teammates in the end zone -- those types of things.

"It's just another gesture to send a message that football is not a gentle sport by any measure but gentlemen can play it."

Sportsmanship largely isn't an issue with Conference USA. Snyder and fellow coaches are friends, leading to minimal on-field issues.

"I agree with that statement," Snyder said. "That's a fair statement."

But how about in-state rival West Virginia University? Marshall visits Morgantown Oct. 17 for the latest meeting in a seven-game series.

Again, Snyder anticipates no problems.

"(WVU head coach) Bill Stewart and I talk quite a bit," Snyder said. "That's a good rivalry. That's a good, clean rivalry between the players and the coaches."

A potential pre-game greeting among SEC heated rivals Tennessee and Florida is intriguing (That's not my league," Snyder said.), but overall, the fifth-year coach favors the approach.

"It sends a good message," he said.

Another 2009 rule change aligns with the NFL. Conference officials can scan film and even if a penalty is not called, a player can be suspended for helmet-first hits and other such offenses.

"They can call you up and say 'That kid's out for the next game'," Snyder said.

REDSHIRT UPDATE: Ideally, Snyder and his coaching staff will redshirt a large majority of their true freshmen. Some will travel at least and a few likely will play.

Wide receivers Aaron Dobson and Michael Rhynes remain "on the bubble," along with linebacker Quanthony Fletcher, Snyder said. Cornerback Monterius Lovett, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound newcomer from Rickards High School (Fla.) figures to play. Tight end Billy Mitchell (6-2, 215), impressed during Wednesday's practice and is pushing for immediate playing time. Marshall is deep at tight end, led by All-CUSA selection Cody Slate, but Mitchell has delivered an early impression.

"Billy Mitchell, he's a question mark," Snyder said. "If something were to happen with Jamie Hatten, or Lee Smith or Cody Slate, he would be a (possibility).

"That's why we recruited him, because he's the hybrid kind of guy to replace Cody, hopefully, some day. It's going to be hard to replace a guy like Cody but we try to find the closest thing we can find."

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.

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