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8-31-2012 The aP rthenon, August 31, 2012 John Gibb [email protected]

Jeremy Johnson [email protected]

Adam Rogers [email protected]

Nikki Dotson [email protected]

Joanie Borders [email protected]

See next page for additional authors

Follow this and additional works at: http://mds.marshall.edu/parthenon

Recommended Citation Gibb, John; Johnson, Jeremy; Rogers, Adam; Dotson, Nikki; Borders, Joanie; and Adkins, Eden, "The aP rthenon, August 31, 2012" (2012). The Parthenon. Paper 114. http://mds.marshall.edu/parthenon/114

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 aP rthenon by an authorized administrator of Marshall Digital Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors John Gibb, Jeremy Johnson, Adam Rogers, Nikki Dotson, Joanie Borders, and Eden Adkins

This newspaper is available at Marshall Digital Scholar: http://mds.marshall.edu/parthenon/114 C M Y K 50 INCH

FRIDAY August 31, 2012

VOL. 116 NO. 1 | ’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

SENIOR’S FINAL SEASON | Page 2

MU VS. WVU PREVIEW | Page 2

CATO SET FOR BIG STAGE | Page 3

FOOTBALL EDITION C M Y K 50 INCH

2 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

Coach Doc Holliday motivates his team 2012 Herd football schedule during a summer practice session on Aug. 29. The Herd looks to beat WVU at their last forseeable Friends of Coal Bowl game. MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON

When: Sept. 1 When: Sept. 8

Who: West Virginia Mountaineers Who: Western Carolina Catamounts

Where: Morgantown Where: Huntington Herd to take on 11th ranked Mountaineers BY JEREMY JOHNSON University Mountaineers. that is picked either to be limiting West Virginia’s SPORTS EDITOR Thundering Herd Head first or second in the Big high-powered offense will be Marshall University foot- Coach Doc Holliday said he 12 conference, you know a tall task for the Herd. ball opens the season on is well aware of the talent they’re an excellent team,” “Geno Smith probably the road with the last fore- that his squad will be facing. Holliday said. is the best in When: Sept. 15 When: Sept. 22 seeable Friends of Coal “Anytime you’re going Holliday also said with the America and has a shot to Bowl game against the into somebody else’s venue likes of Geno Smith, Tavon Who: Ohio Bobcats Who: Rice Owls 11th ranked West Virginia and playing a top-10 team Austin and Stedman Bailey, See PREVIEW | Page 6

Where: Huntington Where: Houston SENIOR’S FINAL SEASON Small in size, When: Sept. 29 When: Oct. 6 wealthy in Who: Purdue Boilermakers Who: Tulsa Golden Hurricane Where: West Lafayette, Ind. Where: Huntington experience

BY ADAM ROGERS ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Marshall University football had just six seniors on its roster before fall camp began in early August. Now the total stands at nine, thanks in part to two transfer players from Bos- When: Oct. 20 When: Oct. 27 ton College and one from Penn State. Although the Herd has one of the Who: Southern Miss Golden Eagles Who: UCF Knights smallest senior classes in the country, the group is spread out across both Where: Hattiesburg, Miss. Where: Huntington sides of the ball. On offense, there is John Bruhin along the line, Martin Ward at running back and the foursome of Andre Snipes- Booker, Antavious Wilson, Aaron Dobson and former Nittany Lion Devon

Smith at . MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON Defensively, the Herd finds seniors at Senior wide receivers Aaron Dobson (left) and Antavious Wilson (right) look on as the Thundering the linebacker spot in Devin Arrington Herd practice for the upcoming season. and safety with BC transfers Dominick Leganes and Okechukwu Okoroha. but Okoroha said they are ready for the he only thinks about this being his last When: Nov. 3 When: Nov. 10 Snipes-Booker said he knows what challenge. season when everything slows down in Who: Memphis Tigers Who: UAB Blazers is expected of him as one of the few Marshall’s seniors have already expe- front of him, but he already knows he seniors. rienced their last first practice and are is going to miss playing . Where: Huntington Where: Birmingham, Ala. Leadership. close to playing their last first game. “It’s the college experience,” Ar- “Motivating my guys, making our There are several last first experi- rington said. “You have tons of fun and team chemistry stronger and being a ences these nine players will go through you’re doing what you love, playing col- leader,” Snipes-Booker said. over the course of the season. lege football. I already know I’m going When Arrington found out he was part The first one of which is Saturday’s to miss it and because my teammates of one of the smallest senior classes in game against West Virginia Univer- are like my brothers.” the NCAA, he said it was a shock. sity and Snipes-Booker said he cannot Fortunately for Arrington and the “Spring ball is when I first really real- wait for his last shot at defeating the rest of the senior class, there are still ized it, but now it’s just something we Mountaineers. 12 guaranteed games in 2012 and they hear a lot,” Arrington said. “We’ll han- “This might be the last time Marshall don’t have to begin thinking about life dle it.” plays them and it’s my last time play- after Marshall football just yet. When: Nov. 17 When: Nov. 23 Wilson said he is using his experience ing them,” Snipes-Booker said. “I’m Adam Rogers can be contacted at as a freshmen dealing with seniors to 0-and-3 against them and I’m not try- [email protected]. Who: Houston Cougars Who: East Carolina Pirates be a better teammate. ing to be 0-and-4, “I’m trying to do the same thing those so I’m trying to Where: Huntington Where: Greenville, N.C. guys did for me,” Wilson said. make a big differ- These nine players know there is a ence out there.” GO HERD! lot of work to be done between them, Arrington said page designed and edited by JOHN GIBB | [email protected]

252955 MAMA ROSA’S PIZZA 252857 PARTHENON AD COLLIS P HUNTINGTON 2 x 5.0 NEW RIVER TRAIN 252859 2 x 4.0 SUNTIME TANNING AUGUST SPECIAL 2 x 2.0 C M Y K 50 INCH

3 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM Rakeem Cato: Prepared and poised for the big stage BY JEREMY JOHNSON a victory against Florida said. “I look at film every down a lot more,” Cato said. Cato progressed might- “Tosuccess Onamission” SPORTS EDITOR International in the Beef day and see the things that When to throw the ball down ily down the closing stretch and he said it reminds him of Rakeem Cato relishes ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl as a true I did wrong and trying to the field and not to throw of last season and Dobson whom he is striving to be. the big stage; like a rock freshman. make progress every time the ball downfield, settle for said he is excited to see the “To be successful at ev- star who laps up the en- The stage doesn’t get any that I come out here and less or just the basic things growth of his sophomore erything I do both on the ergy of a devoted audience. bigger for the Thunder- practice. I just want to be like throwing the ball out of quarterback. field and off the field asa Cato feeds off of packed ing Herd quarterback than great.” bounds and those type of “He has grown up a lot,” man and as a player,” Cato houses and pressure-filled the Friends of Coal Bowl in In the 2011 season, the things.” Dobson said. “His maturity said. “That I am trying to environments. hostile Morgantown, West 6-foot 182-pound quarter- Senior wideout Aaron level is just out the roof. To do right now and just make This dates back to him Virginia to start the season. back threw for 15 Dobson established a con- see somebody start their my life better and make the leading Miami Central High With a year under his belt and 11 . Cato nection with Cato in their true freshman year the first people around me lives bet- School to its first ever state Cato said he has continued said his decision-making has first year together. In the final game of the season to now, ter too.” title in 2010 and as recent to develop and evolve as a improved and the game has two Herd games, including he has grown up tremen- As a man, an athlete and as a bowl clinching 341 yard quarterback. slowed down and comes eas- the bowl game, the two con- dously and I can’t wait to quarterback for the Thun- two performance “My first year, it was a ier to him than last season. nected 11 times for 191 yards see what he is going to do dering Herd, Cato is primed against East Carolina and learning experience,” Cato “The defense has slowed and four touchdowns. this year.” for the spotlight. Instead of the traditional Jeremy Johnson can be first and last name for a face- contacted at johnson783@ book profile, Cato’s reads live.marshall.edu.

252680 DAVID W ROOF - MCGUIRE REALTY SPRING SOLUTIONS 2 x 5.0 3 / 3 / 3

MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON Sophmore quarterback Rakeem Cato stands poised in the pocket as he delivers a pass against Southern Miss in his first collegiate victory.

page designed and edited by JEREMY JOHNSON | [email protected]

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19 18 18 17 16 16 6 5 10 9 8 7 6 22 21 20 13 12 11 15 14 4 3 2 2 1 FOOTBALL ROSTER FOOTBALL

NAME MARTIN WARD MARTIN CORIE WILSON BILLY MITCHELL GATOR HOSKINS GRACE STEFONE JAZZ KING LORENZO STEELE JUSTIN HAIG JUSTIN TOMMY SHULER TOMMY HOLCOMBE GUNNAR JOHNSON LAWRENCE ANDRE SCOTT TANNER OWENS JERMAINE KELSON ANTAVIOUS WILSON KEITH BAXTER TRAVON VAN DAVONTE ALLEN ANDRE SNIPES-BOOKER OKOROHAOKECHUKWU LEGRANDE DOMINICK D.J. HUNTER C.J. CRAWFORD DEREK ROBINSON DEVIN ARRINGTON BLAKE FROHNAPFEL BLAKE ARMONZE DANIEL RAKEEM CATO RAHEEM WAITERS DEMETRIUS EVANS AARON DOBSON THOMAS DERRICK TRON MARTINEZ A.J. LEGGETT BRUHIN

POS TE WR RB DB LB TE DB K S DB WR QB LB S QB QB LB DL WR WR DB S WR RB WR TE WR LB S QB WR DB RB DB # 64 CLASS/EXP FR RS / SO RS / SR RS / FR RS / JR JR RS / FR RS / SO FR RS / FR RS / SO SO RS / JR FR SO SO SO RS / FR SO JR SO SR RS / SR SO RS / FR RS / JR SR RS / SR SR SO SR RS / JR JR FR GALE HOMETOWN SCHOOL) (HIGH Jonesboro, Ga. (Mount Zion HS Miami, Fla. (Edison) Navarre, Fla. (Navarre) Gainesville, Fla. (Eastside) Cincinnati, Ohio (Milford Academy) Duncan, S.C. (James F. Byrnes) District Heights, Md. (Suitland) Delray Beach, Fla. (American Heritage) Middletown, Ohio (Middletown) Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge) Cincinnati, Ohio (Amelia) Miami, Fla. (Miami Central) Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (UNiversity School) West Bloomfield, Mich. (West Bloomfield) Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge) Miami, Fla. (Southridge) Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central) Pahokee, Fla. (Pahokee) Homestead, Fla. (Homestead) San Diego, Calif. (Helix/Milford Academy) Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central) Staten Island, N.Y. (Boston College) Huntington, W.Va. (Huntington High School) Davie, Fla. (Nova) Sarasota, Fla. (Riverview) Miami, Fla. (Miami Central) Portsmouth, Va. (Deep Creek) Lanham, Md. (Boston College) Quincy, W.Va. (Riverside) Avon, Ind. (Avon) Dunbar, W.Va. (South Charleston) Greenbelt, Md. (Eleanor Roosevelt) Hampton, Va. (Hampton) Miami, Fla. (South Miami) # 29 ARRINGTON ) # 11 37 36 35 31 38 38 35 33 32 61 64 63 62 60 58 57 57 51 56 54 53 52 50 49 48 48 47 47 46 44 43 42 RA’SHAWDE MYERS 40 45 39 NO

MONTERIUS LOVETT REMI WATSON TYLER WILLIAMS TYLER ARDY HOLMES KEVIN GROOMS SHAWN SAMUELS DEVON SMITH DEANDRE REAVES EVAN MCKELVEY GAGE NIEMEYER JAMES ALLEN JOSH MURRIEL JOHN BRUHIN CHRIS JASPERSE CHRIS JEREMIAH TAYLOR SETH DOSS ERIC ANSLEY GRADY KERR ANTHONY WILSON ALEX BAZZIE MALCOLM STRONG DEON MEADOWS DAVONTE EDWARDS CARTER CORTEZ STEPHEN ROUSH STEPHEN WELLMAN ZACH DEVON JOHNSON JERMAINE HOLMES DEONTAE WEST ESSRAY TALIAFERRO KEVIN RODRIGUEZ MATT PICKETT DEREK MITCHELL DARRYL ROBERTS NAME WILSON

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fall

# 9 P S DB RB DB RB WR WR LB OL OL OL OL DL LB OL OL S OL LB DL DL LB OL LB RB RB DB LB LB DB RB DL DL LB C M Y K 50 INCH POS RS / FR RS / JR RS / FR SO RS / FR SR RS / FR SO RS / SO JR RS / SO FR JR RS / FR GS FR FR SO RS / SO FR RS / JR RS / SO SO SO SO RS / SO FR JR FR FR FR RS / JR RS / JR RS / FR RS / JR CLASS/EXP

2012 SMITH Tallahassee, Fla. (Rickards) Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland) Bainbridge, Ga. (Bainbridge) Charlotte, N.C. (West Charlotte) Hollywood, Fla. (South Broward) White Plains, Md. (Westlake) Sterling, Va. (Dominion) Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley) Greensboro, N.C. (Page) San Jacinto, Ca. (Mount Jacinto CC) Bradenton, Fla. (St. Stephens Episcopal) Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Port Lucie) Powell, Tenn. (Powell) South Point, Ohio (South Point) Marlinton, W.Va. (Pocahontas) Riverdale, Ga. (Charles Drew) New Smyrna Beach, Fla. (New Beach) South Charleston, W.Va. (South Charleston) Alexandria, Va. (Hayfield Secondary School) Silver Spring, Md. (Northwood (Fork Union)) Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson) Smyrna, Tenn. (Smyrna) Bealeton, Va. (Liberty) Parkersburg, W.Va. (Parkersburg) Huntington, W.Va. (Spring Valley) Linden, N.J. (Linden) Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta) Richlands, Va. (Richlands) Hollywood, Fla. (Hialeah) Ashburn, Va. (Briarwoods) Charlotte, N.C. (Providence) Cocoa, Fla. (Cocoa) Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland) Point Pleasant, W.Va. (Point Pleasant) Ft. Wayne, Ind. (R. Nelson Snider) HOMETOWN SCHOOL) (HIGH # 33 SNIPES-BOOKER # 19 OKOROHA 66 65 70 69 68 70 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 74 73 71 83 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 NO

CAMERON DEES CAMERON BILLY RONE COREY TENNEY TREVOR MENDELSON ANTHONY SPANO MARCUS GILCHRIST CRAIG WILKINS GARRETT SCOTT ALEX SCHOOLER JOHANSSON SEBASTIAN JACK GAMMONJACK ALSTON CHRIS JOSH LOVELL CLINT VAN HORN JORDAN JEFFRIES JOE MASSAQUOI ERIC FROHNAPFEL RYAN RIEDEL MARQUES AIKEN TOM COLLINS TOM BRANDON SPARROW JAMES POWER JARQUEZ SAMUEL KEN SMITH DUMAS AUSTIN DAMEON GARRETT STEVE DILLON STEVE JAMES ROUSE BROOKS BLAKE JOE WOODRUM MATT CINCOTTA BRYAN ATTAWAY TRENT MARTIN NAME

#

6

OL OL TE OL OL OL WR OL DL WR OL OL OL OL DL OL TE LB DL DL DL LS DL DL P DL DL DL TE LS TE K WR POS LEGRANDE FR RS / JR FR JR RS / SO RS / FR SO JR FR FR RS / SO RS / FR RS / JR RS / JR FR RS / FR SO FR RS / SO SO JR RS / SO RS / FR JR RS / FR RS / FR RS / JR RS / SO RS / FR FR FR RS / FR RS / SO CLASS/EXP

Glendale, Az. (Marcos de Niza) Seffner, Fla. () Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Jerome) Naples, Fla. (Gulf Coast) New Castle, Va. (Craig County) Hialeah, Fla. (Hialeah) Douglas, Ga. (Coffee County) Port Charlotte, Fla. (Port Charlotte) Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland) Christchurch, Va. (Christchurch) Beckley (Woodrow Wilson) Oswego, Ill. (Oswego) Wichita, Kan. (Collegiate) Alexandria, Va. (T.C. Williams) Karlstad, Sweden (Raceland) Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Watterson) Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge) Huntington, W.Va. (Cabell Midland) Lauderhill, Fla. (Boyd Anderson) Williamstown, W.Va. (Williamstown) Bedford, Va. (Liberty) Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Myrtle Beach) Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta) Copperas Cove, Tx. (Copperas Cove) Bradenton, Fla. (Bradenton Christian) Palmdale, Ca. (Palmdale) Harrisonburg, Va. (Harrisonburg) Charleston, W.Va. (South Charleston) Bluefield, W.Va. (Bluefield) Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Chatolic) Kingsland, Ga. (Camden County) Virginia Beach, Va. (Floyd E. Kellam) Cincinnati, Ohio (North College Hill) HOMETOWN SCHOOL) (HIGH 10 # by ADAM ROGERS | [email protected] Friday, August 31, 2012 DOBSON page designed and edited page designed and edited # 3 4 5 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

DEFENSE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Marshall welcomes two new faces to secondary

BY AARON PAYNE THE PARTHENON The 2012 edition of the Thundering Herd defense will feature two brand new faces in the secondary. During the offseason, head coach Doc Holliday and defensive coordinator Chris Ripon recruited two veteran players from Boston College, Dominick LeGrande and Okechukwu Okorah. Rippon said that the duo from the Atlantic Coast Conference impact the team immediately in two ways. “One is the experience they have LAGRANDE already. The other, and probably most important, it now gives us a For starters, they found the talent little more time before we throw in and competitiveness in the squad the three or four younger guys into to be impressive. the mix who don’t have playing “When Doc recruited us, he said experience.” he would surround us with great Beyond the immediate impact, competition,” Okoroha said. “He the transfers also create a long- didn’t lie about that. There is a term win-win situation for lot of speed and there are a lot of themselves and for their new athletes on this team; even more team. athletes than at Boston College.” “It’s their maturity,” Rippon Also, the two are eager at the said. “We’re not used to maturity prospect of defending in pass- being so many freshman and happy Conference USA after sophomore dominance. They’re coming from a balanced ACC. highly motivated kids who are “I like that,” said Okoroha. going to go out there and try to help “That’s something that Dominick Marshall win and attempt to make and I talked about. They’re going it to the NFL.” to throw the ball around 50 times To some followers of collegiate and few of them will end up in our football, Marshall seemed like an hands.” odd destination for LeGrande and Finally, it didn’t hurt for Okoroha Okoroha. that the team recruiting him not However, if you ask them, the only wanted him, but also his MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON destination seemed perfect for Boston College transfer Okechukwu Okarah practices as a safety for Saturday’s game in Morgantown. multiple reasons. See Secondary I Page 6 Transitioning linebackers ready to take the field in Morgantown

BY MARCUS CONSTANTINO THE PARTHENON Under the leadership of Devin Arrington, Marshall’s young linebackers will look to shine against one of the most potent offenses in the country Saturday in Morgantown at the Friends of Coal Bowl. Arrington, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior from Portsmouth, Va., played his first two years as a linebacker, but was moved to safety during the 2011 season to make up for a lack of depth at that position. He will join a crew of linebackers who, for the most part, weren’t at the position last year, either. Marshall head football coach Doc Holliday said he thinks the only player who played a year ago is Jermaine Holmes, who started some games at linebacker last year, and he’ll play there again. A year ago, Devin Arrington was playing safety, and has played linebacker in the past. We have Evan McKelvey and Raheem Waiters who were both safeties a year ago. “There’s not a lot of experience there, but there’s a lot of athleticism,” Holliday said. Holmes, a 5-foot-11, MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON 245-pound sophomore from Linebackers Raheem Waiters, Devin Arrington and Evan McKelvey prepare for the highly anticipated Marshall v. WVU rivalry game this weekend. Valdosta, Ga., started in eight games for the Herd during the 2011 season. With a year of collegiate three tackles in six games hasn’t been easy, but he’s McKelvey, Waiters and down to a T,” Waiters said. He made 26 tackles with football play under their last year, in addition to his excited about the switch-up. junior Derek Mitchell will be “So anything I’m having 2.5 tackles for loss during belts, sophomores McKelvey special teams duties and “You hit a lot more than you aided by the senior leadership troubles with, I can go ask his freshman year, and had a and Waiters have spent the Waiters added six tackles in do when you’re a free safety,” of Arrington, who has two him and he will coach me up season-high five stops against offseason making the difficult 11 appearances throughout Waiters said. “I like it. It’s years of experience as a on the field.” Virginia Tech on Sept. 24, transition from safety to the 2011 season. closed space, and I can move linebacker. 2011. linebacker. McKelvey made Waiters said the transition faster.” “He has the position I’m in See Linebackers I Page 6

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6 FOOTBALL EDITION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM Marshall talented and deep at running back BY WILL VANCE the two complemented each spring practices while Van says he would embrace. THE PARTHENON other nicely, racking up 1200 and Martinez were both re- “As long as I’m on the field The Thundering Herd yards and six touchdowns covering from surgery. and help my team win, I’m backfield has not truly put last season. “Whatever play I get, I with whatever”. fear in defenses since the de- “We’ve grown up a lot want to do my best and wher- Running backs coach Ja- parture of Ahmad Bradshaw as players,” said Van, who ever they put me I’ll help the juan Seider said that the in 2006. This season, head ran for 551 yards and three team out,” Rodriguez said. accumulation of talent in coach Doc Holliday and his touchdowns in his freshman After sitting out last season the backfield over the past staff have put together a run- year. “(We’ve been) studying due to NCAA clearinghouse few years has been a “life ning backs corp that is sure film together, working out to- problems, both Grooms changer”. to give defensive coordina- gether, it should be a pretty and Butler have impressed “Every year we got better tors fits with their diverse good year.” the Marshall coaching staff and better,” Seider explains. range of talents. The Herd also brings back during training camp with “Tron, then we got Travon, “We’ve got power, we’ve got red-shirt junior Essray Talia- their speed as well as their we added Remi Watson… speed, we’ve got people who ferro, who played in all 13 toughness. then you got Stew and can go catch, go block” said games last season. Senior “I knew they could run, Grooms. They bring a whole senior running back Martin Martin Ward primarily plays the thing that surprised me new dimension with their Ward, the elder statesman of on special teams. a little bit about Butler and speed … its fun.” the backfield, “We’re so ver- Added to this already po- some of those other guys is Coach Seider’s running satile its ridiculous.” tent backfield are red-shirt that they’re tough too,” Hol- backs corp figures to be Returning from the 2011 freshmen Kevin Grooms liday said. “They like to play an integral piece of the edition of the Herd are junior and Stewart Butler, as well and they’ll stick it in there.” Herd’s season, which kicks Tron Martinez and sopho- as true freshmen Remi Wat- Holliday and his coach- off Saturday at noon in more Travon Van. With son and Kevin Rodriguez. ing staff plan to use some of Morgantown. FILE PHOTO Martinez being a downhill, Watson and Rodriguez got the speedy running backs as Will Vance can be con- Sophomore Travon Van is just one of nine running backs listed on the physical runner and Van be- a chance to show the coach- wide receivers in certain sit- tacted at vance162@ Thundering Herd’s 2012 roster. ing an outside, speed runner, ing staff their talents during uations, a role that Grooms marshall.edu. Marshall gets ready for West Virginia University Mountaineers

LEFT: The Thundering Herd conducts team drills during a practice session on Wednesday. RIGHT: Chris Jasperse, starting center for the Thundering Herd talks to teammates during a practice session on Wednesday. PHOTOS BY MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON

Secondary Preview “We ready,” Snipes-Booker “Football is football so you Linebackers combined for 229 tackles, 27 Continued from Page 5 Continued from Page 5 said. “We focused, confident still just got to go out there Continued from Page 5 of which were for a loss of teammate that he has grown and we ready to go.” and play the game,” Le- 94 combined yards. close to. win the Heisman,” Holliday “We don’t doubt them, Grande said. Arrington had 64 tackles Holliday said he is eager “That’s my best friend said. We know that we have a they are a good team but we “It’s going to be a big game (four for a loss), 1.5 sacks, to see if his new crew of since we both came into great challenge ahead of us.” have the talent and we have but I’m going to take it like I two forced fumbles and four linebackers can put their Boston College as freshman. Last season, Rakeem Cato to skills to go ahead and am going to take any game,” pass breakups as linebacker months of practice to use We’ve been roommates ever went 15-21 for 115 yards compete,” Ward said. That’s Leggett said. in the 2010 season, and last and successfully fend off since, so when they said they without an in a what we plan to do.” For seven years, the year as a safety, he posted 77 the West Virginia University wanted both of us, that was 34-13 loss. Cato connected Cortez Carter, a middle Friends of Coal Bowl has tackles, two forced fumbles, Mountaineers. God working.” on a high percentage of his linebacker for Marshall, is brought excitement and in- two interceptions and four “I’m anxious to watch After, roughly, a year out passes but the offense failed poised that if the team plays terest to the state of West pass breakups. those guys play,” Holliday of football, some fans might to record a touchdown, with to their potential that the Virginia. Arrington said he has a said. “I feel like we’re more be concerned that the two the lone Thundering Herd walk off of Mountaineer “For anybody to say they unique understanding of athletic there. There’s a time are out of shape and might touchdown coming off an Field will be a pleasant one. are not interested in the the plays because he has ran that comes when you’ve struggle to get indoctrinated 87-yard punt return by Andre “We have to show up and game, they’re kidding them- them as a linebacker and a been working all winter into Marshall’s scheme. Snipes-Booker. play the game,” Carter said. selves,” Holliday said. Every safety, and he hopes he can and summer practicing to However, Okoroha puts Cato was limited in what “If we show up like we know year, that game is sold out. use that experience to help where, as a coach, you just those fears to bed. he could do within the Herd we can there should be no Our kids enjoy playing in it his younger teammates. need to go out there and “We’re still learning the offense in his first colle- reason why we leave there and I know our fans enjoy “I’ve played the watch these guys play.” defense but with the help of giate start, but Holliday said unhappy.” it.” (strongside) position of Marcus Constantino the coaches and with the help this go around he expects a Dominick LeGrande, a se- On Saturday, the Thun- linebacker, I’ve played can be contacted at of everybody, everything will higher level of production. nior transfer from Boston dering Herd will roam safety, and now I’m playing constantino2@marshall. work out perfectly.” “With a full season under College, and A.J. Leggett, a onto Mountaineer Field wheel, so I kind of know a lot edu. Herd fans can sleep his belt he has got to be bet- freshman from South Miami for a noon kickoff in front about the defense, so I can soundly now, knowing that ter,” Holliday said. We got Senior high school, will get of packed house and a help guys out,” Arrington the secondary is in the to be better offensively and I their first taste of the instate televised audience in an at- said. Stay updated on capable and experienced think we will be.” rival game. LeGrande and tempt to pick up Marshall’s Filling the shoes of Marshall football hands of “Dom” and “Big Senior wide receiver Andre Leggett recognize the mag- first ever victory over West former linebackers Tyson throughout the sea- O.” Snipes-Booker and senior nitude of the game, but they Virginia. Gale, George Carpenter and son on Twitter by Aaron Payne can be running back Martin Ward are treating the West Vir- Jeremy Johnson can be Kellen Harris will be a tall giving us a follow contacted at payne122@ said that the team is ready to ginia matchup just like any contacted at johnson783@ task for the young squad. @MUParthenon marshall.edu. clash with the Mountaineers. other opponent. live.marshall.edu. The three veterans

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7 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM Sound the horn, let the games begin Preseason speculations look promising for the Thundering Herd

The time has arrived: the Marshall Thundering following knee surgery Boston College Eagle to go a little differently. In time for all the silly Herd. Rakeem Cato returns in the offseason (Get well safeties Derrick LeGrande conference play, the only preseason polls, preseason back under center with a soon Tron). The bright and Okechukwu Okohora games Marshall will be the all-conference teams and year of experience under side to this story is that (say that three times fast), underdogs in, will probably stereotypical preseason his belt and Aaron Dobson Travon Van is a more than along with former Penn be the against Southern banter to go away. The is back to hold down the capable replacement and State cornerback Derrick Miss, Tulsa and Houston college football season is receiving position. Fun fact showed it in flashes late Thomas. Supplementing being affected by what upon us and what a way about the season Dobson last season that he can be these three players with hopefully will be raucous for the 2012 edition of had last year: he had 12 the game-breaking player an already athletic defense Joan C. Edwards Stadium the Marshall Thundering receiving touchdowns on he was brought in to be. should lead to an exciting crowds. The last game of Herd to start the season. only 49 catches, which means My eyes, however, will defensive unit this year. the season at East Carolina It’s ironic that the season that a touchdown was scored be on the Marshall defense So what should we expect will be a close game with starts with the final game by him once every four Saturday and throughout as far as wins and losses go its share of unforgettable in a series that seems receptions! Not-so-fun fact the season. How do you from the Thundering Herd moments. Just ask Byron destined to end (although about the season Dobson replace a player that was this year? West Virginia Leftwich or Aaron Dobson. the majority of West had last year: he only had 49 not only the heart and soul on the road is a tough way By the time November 25 Virginians don’t want Dalton Hammonds receptions, which averages of your defense, but also the to open the season to say arrives, Marshall should be it to). The Thundering COLUMNIST out to less than four catches face of your team and, in the least. Trips to Purdue above .500 and have eight to Herd will travel to a more per game. my opinion, the university out of conference and nine wins. This would also put northern part of the state the Heisman Trophy, Doc The running game is last season? That will be the Southern Mississippi in them in serious contention to take on the highly ranked Holliday’s words not mine, more of a problematic question the team will have conference are also difficult for a spot in the Conference (preseason) West Virginia and Dana Holgerson’s area, especially if you look to answer following the encounters. I think the Ohio USA championship game University Mountaineers. hairline will continue to at the numbers put up graduation of Vinny Curry. game on September 15 will and a bowl game to follow. This is a team that has all diminish with each pass last season. The leading Curry had such a special tell a lot about the direction But what do I know? It’s all of its weapons back from that is attempted in his air- rusher, Tron Martinez, season last year on so this season will head. just preseason speculation a season that ended with a raid based offense. is back; however, he will many levels that following After the Bobcat beating anyway. 70-33 beat down of Clemson But enough about the miss the WVU game and it up will be a difficult the Herd took last year Dalton Hammonds can be in a BCS bowl game. Mountaineers. Let’s talk is expected to be evaluated task. Help has arrived in Athens, I look for this contacted at hammonds9@ Geno Smith should win about this year’s version of on a week-to-week basis on the wings of former year’s “Battle for the Bell” marshall.edu. New season, reason for excitement I was walking around controversy in which he campus the other day when led the team to some of I crushed some acorns with its most surprising and my foot. exciting victories while also Besides possibly ruining record last season managing to lose his starting some squirrel’s day, I didn’t job for three games, you think much of it, until much started to see less people in the same way that Peter wearing the “Fear the Beard” Parker’s spider-sense kicks ...this year, it is difficult to shirts around campus. in, I was suddenly aware of 7-6 imagine the team winning less This season, Cato is more what that meant. mature and assured of his Acorns mean fall. than seven games. starting spot, barring injury. Fall means football. > Tyler Kes Last year, I was mildly Football is coming. excited about Marshall It’s hard not to get excited Tyler Kes football, but this year, I’m about football, especially at DIGITAL EDITOR playing “Thunderstruck” on this point in the year. “ repeat as I look into the cost Nothing has happened yet Bowl thanks to the play of to win seven games, after imagine the team winning something to talk about of kelly green body paint. on the field, so anything can Adrian Peterson and his most people didn’t pick less than seven games. besides the legal troubles Football season is here. happen. amazing reconstructed them to win more than Last year, the buzz about of various players, new and I hope you are ready. It’s not hard to convince knees. three games. true freshman quarterback old. Tyler Kes can be contacted yourself that this is the year Consequently, it’s also This year, it’s difficult to Rakeem Cato gave fans But after a season of at [email protected]. the Thundering Herd will the same kind of thinking finally get the monkey off that leads me to spend of its back by defeating the thousands of dollars on Mountaineers, of course therapy getting over the that just means that all the way my heart is continually WVU fans will change their ripped out and stomped on attitude from “it’s not a every year, but hey, that’s rivalry because you haven’t sports. beaten us” to “it’s not a But that doesn’t mean rivalry because you’ve only that I’m not super pumped beaten us once.” for Marshall to open up the It’s the same line of season. thinking that leads me to Last year the believe that the Minnesota Thundering Herd exceeded Vikings will win the Super expectations and managed

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