A New Brand of / Pruett Takes Charge ·Of Herd
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Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar The Parthenon University Archives Fall 9-6-1996 The Parthenon, September 6, 1996 Marshall University Follow this and additional works at: https://mds.marshall.edu/parthenon Recommended Citation Marshall University, "The Parthenon, September 6, 1996" (1996). The Parthenon. 3429. https://mds.marshall.edu/parthenon/3429 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the University Archives at Marshall Digital Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Parthenon by an authorized administrator of Marshall Digital Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Friday Sept. .6, 1996 Marshall University Football coach Bobby Pruett is a 1961 Marshall graduate a new brand of / Pruett takes charge ·of Herd by DAN LONDEREE Although Pruett says the transition from defen staff writer sive coordinator at the University of Florida to head coach of the Herd has been smooth, he also The Athletic Center is alive and says there have been several adjustments along kicking at 8 a.m. Coaches and staff the way. walk from office to office, sitting in "The biggest adjustment has been from 75 degree on meetings and completing their weather all the time to the occasional 20 inches of format for the day to come. snow," he says. "And I'm a little busier now, Secretaries arrive to answer the because I have to take care of one thing after never-ending ringing of phones, another." and players and managers make Coming from Florida, Pruett is used to taking their way through the hallways. care of things. Pruett's 1994 Florida defense yield Among these people is Bobby Pruett, ed a school record low of 84.6 yards per game and head coach of the Thundering Herd held its opponents to 17 .1 points per game. He football team. coached in the 1995 Sugar Bowl and the 1996 Throughout the university, students Fiesta Bowl, in which the Gators lost to Nebraska just now are making their way to class. for the NCAA I-A national championhip. Yawns can be seen on some faces, and "The Division I-A championship was thrilling," sleep is still in their eyes. Pruett says. "ABC and ESPN were there, and Not so for Pruett. While many people there was a lot of hype and excitement. But at the have slept in this morning, he has been University of Florida, things were that way all the working. His tie already loosened and his ~-"•uue. shirt collar unbuttoned, Pruett has the look Pruett says Marshall holds some key similarities of a man who is just leaving the office for the to Florida. afternoon. But he still has a whole day ahead "The fans and players at Florida expected to win of him. every week, and the fans and players here expect "The athletic director [Lance West] grabbed to win every week," he says. "Being a coach at a me this morning for a meeting," Pruett says, larger school enables me to handle the situation smiling. "Days are always full here." here." He sits down behind his desk and glances Still, Pruett says the size of Marshall is really no out the large window of his office to get a quick factor. look at the field. He seems to enjoy his view. "At Florida we had 80- or 90,000 people at every "This is home," the 1961 Marshall graduate game," he says. "But I haven't really thought says. "I love Marshall, and there's no place better much about the difference in size. The great thing than right here." see PRUETT, page 19 Football special Where the Herd is 1996 THUNDERING HERD Offense FOOTBALL SCHEDULE New starters · 7p.m. at quarterback and wide receiver set to drive MU 3B · Page edited by Brian Hofmann 2 Friday, Sept. 6, 1996 s/Jatt/BDI Page edited by Brian Hofmann First test for Pruett, MU comes against Howard by CHRIS JOHNSON running back, but Desmond sports editor Game 1 facts Wise will also get plenty of opportunites. Howard will When the Thundering Herd still pass, and when they do, takes to the field Saturday to expect senior wide receiver meet Howard, all of the early Marco Ward to be the primary hype of the Bobby Pruett era target for quarterback Ted will finally be put to the test. White. The two teams have met The battle of the trenches only once before. MU defeated will be important to the Bison the Bison, 28-14, in the 1993 Howard as their size (average size of NCAA I-AA playoffs. Howard the offensive line is 6-foot-3, had entered that first round at Marshall 285 pounds) will try to stop playoff game after finishing Game time: 7 p.m. the Herd's feared front four of the regular season 11-0. Site: Marshall Stadium Cohen, John Duncan, Billy Back in 1993, however, Records: First game for Lyon and Ricky Hall. (Hall is I ' I Howard faced a completely both teams. starting in place of the regu r. I : different Herd. Gone are Last meeting: 1993, lar starter Will Edwards, who coach Jim Donnan, quarter Marshall 28, Howard 14 (1- is sidelined with a minor knee back and son Todd Donnan AA playoffs). injury). Volume 98 • Number 2 and tailback Chris Parker. Outlook: Marshall is Defensively, the Bison start The Bison now have to con rated No. 1 in the Sports six underclassmen. Three of The Parthenon, Marshall University's student newspaper, · tend with a new-look Herd Network I-AA poll. The the underclassmen are in the Is published by students Tuesday through Friday. featuring new coach Pruett, Bison return 19 starters. · secondary, which could create The editor solely Is responsible for news and editorial content. quarterback Eric Kresser and problems for Wilson as the wide receiver Randy Moss. nent and pay too much atten Herd is poised to introduce a Brian Hofmann .... ..... ... ...... .. .....editor Running back Erik Thomas tion to all the preseason hype. wide-open passing attack. Kerri M. Barnhart .................managing editor said, "I'm ready to strap it on Cohen said, "Right now, we , Leading the new-look Herd Christy A. Kniceley .... .......... ... ..news editor and go out there and play. It's are concentrating on Howard offense will be senior quarter Bill Lucas ........ .. ... .. .. assistant news editor time to get down to business." like it's the only game of the back Eric Kresser, who beat Chris Johnson .. .. .......... .... .. sports editor season. We have to treat out sophomore Chad Pen The Herd has been picked Carrie Hoffman ........ ...... .. .. .... ~~! editor by many preseason polls as every game like that if we are nington and junior Mark Jon Rogers ... .... ..... ...... ... ..p~ editor the top team in the country. going to be successful." Zhao for the starting role. John Floyd ............ .' ............on-lin~ditor Pruett said he is more con In the past, Howard has Kresser, who transferred Marilyn McClure ......... ..... .......adviser will cerned with seeing his team been known as a passing from Florida have a tal Pete Ruest . .. ... .. .. ..student advertising manager ranked No. 1 at the end of the team but head coach Steve ented group of receivers from Carrie Beckner ..........student advertising manager season rather than the begin Wilson said his team is going which to choose. Tim Martin, Doug Jones . .. .. .......advertising manager ing. to try and mix it up a little Randy Moss and Jerrald Long 31 1 Smith Hall "We can't look too far down more. will start and expect Thomas Huntington, W. Va. , 25755 the road. We are just going to "We have some good young to catch some passes out of PHONE (newsroom): (304) 696-6696 treat every game as th e talent at the running back the backfield. PHONE (advertising): (304) 696-3346 biggest of the season." positions. We hope to have a Thomas said, "We have so FAX: (304) 696-2519 Junior defensive end B.J . more balanced attack ." many options on offense, INTERNET: [email protected] Cohen said the team can't Junior t ailback Tyrone http://www.marshall.edu/parthenon/ afford to look past any oppo- Lewis will be the Bison's main see HERD, pag~ 18 EARN $35 each week without leaving your neighborhood For NOW We're closer and faster! selection of Donate plasma before or Green & White between classes to earn extra cash! If you belong to a fraternity or sorority, or group that needs money, ask about our group donation bonuses. 551 21st. St. I® 1 Block from Campus Gear up for The Herd! TheQuali Source 529-0028 Page edited by Carey Hardin £5 l'a'allJIDI Friday, Sept. 6, 1996 3 0-1-1-e-n-s-e: Just call ·it awesome by CHRIS JOHNSON plays." wasn't handed to hiin. He had sports editor One of the to beat out tran sfers, last year's Bobby Pruett has had to senior quarter Southern make some adjustments since back Eric Kre T he offense has Conference leaving Florida for Marshall, sser also comes Freshman-of but one thing that should to Huntington plenty of options, t h e - Ye a r, make the transition a little via Gainsville, Chad Pen easier is the Herd's potential Fla., where he veterans and new nington and to put Gator-like numbers on spent the past Mark Zban. Pennington, the scoreboard. two seasons as players. It is said With a mixture of proven current Gator who threw for returnees and a crop of quarterback 2,445 yards prom1smg transfers, the Danny Wuhr to be an defen and 15 touch offense is set to make South ful's back-up.