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8-29-2014 The aP rthenon, August 29, 2014 Sandra York [email protected]

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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]. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29,2014 | VOL. 118 NO. 11 | ’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER | marshallparthenon.com FOOTBALL EDITION 2013 C-USA EAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS 2013 CHAMPIONS

DARRYL ROBERTS 2014...

RAKEEM CATO

FILE PHOTOS TOMMY SHULER C M Y K 50 INCH

2 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM Marshall University Thundering Herd Fall 2014 Schedule The Middle The Rice The Miami Owls (Ohio) Tennessee RedHawks State Blue Raiders Nov. 15 – vs. Rice University 2013Location: record: Houston, 10-4, 7-1Texas in C-USA Aug. 30 – at Miami (Ohio) University Mascot: Owls Location: Oxford, Ohio Mascot: RedHawks Oct. 11 – vs. Middle Tennessee State 2013 record: 0-12, 0-8 in MAC Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee The Thundering Herd has a bone to pick with the Owls. Rice Mascot: Blue Raiders stole the Conference Championship game from Huntington, then The Thundering Herd and the RedHawks have had bad blood 2013 record: 8-4, 6-2 in C-USA beat the Herd at home, even though the Herd was favored to win. since 1971 when the RedHawks showed no mercy to the Young Rice comes into the Herd’s house this time around, but the Owls Thundering Herd. The RedHawks are coming off of a losing season, The Blue Raiders are coming off a successful first season in C- will have their eye on another championship and a bowl win. The with the last three opponents scoring a combined 122 points, or USA. The Blue Raiders win against the Herd last season ignited Owls have 12 returning starters. five more than the RedHawks’ offense managed the entire regular a win streak through Novemeber. MTSU finished the season one season. The RedHawks enter the new season with a fresh coach — game behind Marshall in the East Division. The Blue Raiders travel former Notre Dame assistant Chuck Martin. to Huntington as part of the Herd’s homecoming weekend. The University of Alabama- The Rhode The Florida Birmingham Island Rams International Blazers

Sept. 6 – vs. Rhode Island University Golden Location: Kingston, Rhode Island Location: Birmingham, Alabama Mascot: Rams Panthers Nov. 22 – at UAB 2013 record: 3-9, 2-6 in CAA 2013 record: 2-10, 1-7 in C-USA Mascot: Blazers Location: Miami, Florida Oct. 18 - at Florida Int’l This is the first time the Thundering Herd is facing the Rams. 2013 record: 1-11, 1-7 C-USA Add UAB to the list of teams with mediocre 2013 seasons and The Rams are coming off of a four-game losing streak, including six Mascot: Golden Panthers new coaches to kick off 2014. The Blazers gave Southern Miss of the last seven games. The last time the Rams won a conference its only win at the end of last season. This season, new coach Bill championship was 1985. Like the Miami (Ohio), Rhode Island is Clark is looking to rebuild his team with a new and Florida International did not fare as well as the Blue Raiders in hisalso only under head the coaching direction seasons. of a new head coach, former Sacred Heart strong wide receiver. But the team needs to get past its history of University head coach Jim Fleming. Fleming was 21-1 in 2000-01, its inagural C-USA run. The Herd and Golden Panthers met in the losing - the team hasn’t had a winning season in nine years. 2011 Beef-o-Brady’s bowl, in which the Herd was victorious 20- 10. The Golden Panthers are looking to have better season with 16 returning starters, but it is not likely to be much better. The Western The Ohio The Florida Kentucky Bobcats Atlantic Hilltoppers Owls Mascot:Sept. 13 Bobcats– vs. Ohio University 2013Location: record: Athens, 7-6, Ohio4-4 in MAC Location: Boca Raton, Florida Nov. 28 – vs. Western Kentucky University Oct. 25 – vs. Florida Atlantic Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky 2012 record: 6-6, 4-4 in C-USA Mascot: Hilltoppers The 2014 meeting between these two rivals will be the 58th- Mascot: Owls 2013 record: 8-4, 4-3 in Sun Belt Battle for the Bell and Hall of Fame Weekend for the Herd. The Bobcats are coming in with three straight wins over the Thun The last time the Thundering Herd played the Hilltoppers was dering Herd. Ohio is also on a five-year postseason streak, being Also in its second year in C-USA and complete with a new coach, 1996 and the Marshall has won all four previous meetings. This- one of two current MAC programs to reach a bowl game in five or FAU is looking to improve on its so-so season. South Florida-- will be the key team for the Herd to beat in order to finish out the more seasons in a row, including Northern Illinois (2009-13) and raised head coach Charlie Partridge has recruited from home, the season undefeated. WKU is heavily relient on quarterback Bran the current C-USA Marshall (1997-2002) when it was in the MAC. same area many of Marshall’s recruits hail from. A four-star run don Doughty, but is rebuilding its defense. The defense will be With a shakey offense, the Bobcats are looking for its seasoned ning back from Fort Lauderdale ranks among the 15 best in his better in November than in September, however, which makes this defense to carry the team to another bowl win. position in the country. a team to keep an eye on throughout the season.

The Akron Zips The Southern

Mascot:Sept. 20 Zips– at Akron, Ohio Miss Golden Location: Akron, Ohio Eagles 2013 record: 5-7, 4-4 in MAC -

Six of Akron’s 2014 oppo nents—Marshall (Military), Nov. 8 – at Southern Miss Pittsburgh (Little Caesars Pizza), 2013Location: record: Hattiesburg, 1-11, 1-7 Miss.in C-USA Ohio (Beef ‘O’ Brady’s), Ball State Mascot: Golden Eagles (GoDaddy), Bowling Green (Little Caesars Pizza), and Buffalo (Famous Idaho Potato)— participated in bowls in 2013. This season Southern Miss had a disastrous season in 2012, plummeting five of Akron’s 12 regular-season games will not be played on from C-USA Champions in 2011 to being winless in 2012. Ellis Saturday. Akron enters its sixth season on campus at InfoCision Johnson was fired after only one season as head coach and was Stadium– Summa Field. The Zips have a 10-21 record at the venue replaced by Todd Monken. Monken did not take the team much after winning their 2014 season opener against Howard, 41-0, farther, not ending the losing streak until the end of last season Thursday, Aug. 28. against UAB. Monken and the Golden Eagles need to hope they can remain energized from the last game and move back in the C-USA 282313 bowl picture. The Old CABELL HTGN FOUNDATION Dominion FERTILITY Monarchs 284895 2 x 5.0 SHOBES STAINED GLASS MU PARKING Mascot:Oct. 4 – atMonarchs Old Dominion Location: Norfolk, Virginia 2 x 3.0 2013 record: 8-4, 0-0

Old Dominion is new to Conference USA this season, coming from the Colonial Athletic Association. Old Dominion’s program has only been revived for five years and is looking to climb the C- USA ladder in the upcoming years. C M Y K 50 INCH

3 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM Herd receiver pool overflowing with talent By JAMES COLLIER guys that can help Tommy out,” Furrey said. “Hopefully we have move to the outside if it’s what’s best for the team. FOR THE PARTHENON one or two guys who are just dominant outside receivers with “If they need me to play center, I’ll play center,” Reaves Marshall University football’s offense is much like a favorite rec- guys who can come in and give them some balance and rest.” said. “If they need me to replace Cato, somehow, ipe that contains a secret ingredient. That balance would be much welcomed. Of the 315 to- someway, then that’s what I’ve got to do. Wherever Start with a Heisman Trophy candidate in Rakeem Cato, mix in tal completed passes last season, 156 went to Shuler they need me, I’ll play.” a talented group of receivers and stir in the secret ingredient wide and former tight end Gator Hoskins. Of the six But do not count out Jean-Louis who sat out last receiver coach Mike Furrey said is a must—consistency. other receivers returning from last season, year after hurting his knee during the season As Cato enters his senior season, the Miami Central native has they have collectively caught 38 fewer passes several passing records within his grasp. However, his place in the than Shuler. has played himself into the starting position As the Herd looks for a true outside threat keptfor the him Miami off the game field. with The his redshirt stellar freshmanplay dur- jockeying for playing time. that could draw double coverage away ing camp. Jean-Louis has worked well with historyComing books off back-to-back rests solely 100-catchon the fingertips seasons of will his be eager Cato’s receivers favorite from Shuler, it has three viable candi- Cato during the scrimmage portions of practice returning target and former high school teammate, Tommy Shuler. dates in Davonte Allen, Deandre Reaves and has held his own against the Herd’s starting Shuler backed up his 110-catch season in 2012 with a 106-catch and Angelo Jean-Louis. All three play- secondary. season last year and now stands to do something no receiver has ers have hopes of giving Cato a Randy But can the rookie hold his own when the big yet to do in —go back-to-back-to-back. Moss or Aaron Dobson-type of tar- lights go on, as he has yet to catch a pass in a true get that would stretch out defenses game situation? What about the rest of the group said the former NFL receiver can see even the slightest mistake in somethingShuler, who Shuler looks may at Furreythink he as does a mentor perfectly, both which on and does off the nothing field, Allen caught only nine passes in 2013, but is With crafty veterans Craig Wilkins but make him a better player. lookingdownfield. for a way to move past the potential game- SHULERwho is hungry for time on the field? “Coach Furrey is my biggest critic,” Shuler said. “We can go in the tying touchdown pass in triple-overtime last year ofand competition Demetrius onEvans their fighting heels. for their thing that can make me better.” progress during the spring and summer sessions, But no matterspot the on position the field, or yearthey ofhave a player, a stampede Coach filmIn rooman offense and I’ll that think returns I ran seven a route receivers right and from he lastcan year’sfind a teamlittle hisat Virginia game time Tech. consistency While Allen is has still shown a giant significant question Furrey still reverts to the importance of production. mark, something Furrey said is a hump Allen has “With what they’re all capable of doing, if they can of receivers that graces this season’s squad. to get over. - and“This welcomes may be five the fresh best faces,group that of receiversis the expectations I’ve seen sincefor a groupbeing “He’s showing things that he hasn’t shown before here at Marshall,” said head coach Doc Holliday. and he’s real comfortable,” Furrey said. “We just have weproduce, start Miami. we have Maybe to find the a placeseven-eight-nine for them to play,”guy could Fur But with so many great receivers volleying for a spot on the to make sure that he can get over the hill and say ‘I’m rey said. “Our goal is to get five or six guys by the time- depth chart, it would appear the decision of who plays and who the guy’. Then we need another one too.” cial teams.” If Allen can be “that guy” as Coach Furrey said, then be Withhard theto figure recipe out for and playing then timeit will laid come out down to the to group spe would think. it becomes a race between Reaves and Jean-Louis for the by Furrey on a daily basis, he said playing comes down sits“When would it be all difficult. comes downCoach to Furrey it, you said need it’s to not have as difficult a reliable as oneguy other outside position. Reaves—who worked as an inside to one thing. that can run great routes, get open and catch the football,” Furrey receiver up until Monday—moves to the outside in hopes of “The guy who has all the elements and is creating pro- said. “The guy who has all the elements, who is creating production using his shifty and explosive speed to draw extra coverage to duction by the time we get out of camp, he will be the him, freeing up someone to get open. Miami.” “I’m going to try to use my quickness to my advantage and However, with this talented group battling for by the time we get out of camp, that will be who is on the field come- get around whoever that is and either get open or get somebody theguy same on the thing, field,” playing Furrey timesaid. may not be as simple trated by Cato. The biggest concern receiving wise for the Herd is else open,” Reaves said “If I take two guys with me, that frees some- to decide as one may think—it may be even easier as Production is a must in a pass-first, high-tempo offense orches body else up.” production is waiting in the wings at every position. Reaves, who caught only six passes last season as he worked pri- James Collier can be contacted at collier41@marshall. finding“Going help into for prep Shuler for Miami, who is hopefully sure to draw we willdouble-coverage have a couple nearlyinside marily as the Herd’s kick-off returner, said he does not mind the edu. anytime he steps on the field. Marshall defense turns up the Heater

By JAMES COLLIER that, too. However, those numbers changed drastically with the Herd giving FOR THE PARTHENON During the 2012 season, Marshall lost linebackers Evan McK- up 205 points when it traveled away from Huntington. That is an After a deplorable showing by Marshall University football’s de- elvey and Billy Mitchell to injuries, forcing DJ Hunter and Devin increase of 38.5 percent. fense in 2012, Coach Doc Holliday made a decision to turn on the While Heater certainly wants his team to strive for greatness, he heater—literally. starting linebacker being Jermaine Holmes. This leaves the Herd’s certainly understands change does not happen overnight. Chuck Heater took the helm of the defense in January 2013 in secondary—mostlyArrington to accept newits safeties—to roles on the pick field up with the theslack. only remaining “We took a step last year, but certainly weren’t perfect,” Heater hopes of turning around a depleted unit that seemingly found a Safeties Dominick LeGrande and Okechukw Okoroha tallied 240 said. “We have to get to a point where we give our team an oppor- of the team’s 1073 total tackles (22.4 percent) as offenses consis- tunity to win every game. If the defense plays well, no matter what 5-7 and did not qualify for a bowl game. tently busted deep into the defensive coverage, more importantly, happens in between, you have a chance to win the game. I’ve been wayIn toonly lose one more year games at the than controls, it won. Heater’s In 2012, defense the Herd has finishedmade a its last line of defense. around those kinds of defenses and I hope that’s what we become. miraculous turnaround. The end result from the Herd’s injury woes: undersized play- We have to be consistent and the team knows it can count on us.” After surrendering more total points than it scored during the ers playing out of position and opposing offensives thrashing the After coaching on three national championship teams, Heater 2012 season, Marshall’s defense caught everyone by surprise in Herd’s defense on a weekly basis. 2013. The Herd allowed only 22.9 points per game, down from a No wonder Marshall gave up 43-plus points a game. way to inject that consistency into the Herd? daunting 43.1 points per game it allowed in 2012 and took a much So why the drastic change in 2013? Herd linebacker coach Adam shouldJames know Collier all about can be “those contacted kinds ofat defenses.”[email protected]. Now can he find a needed load off the offense’s shoulders. Fuller summed it up in two words—Doc Holliday. However, the 37-year veteran coach wants his team to trim “The reason things changed was because of the great recruit- even more. ing of Doc Holliday,” Fuller said. “A great recruiting effort by Doc “Last season, 18 or better got you into the top 10,” Heater said. Holliday of getting the right guys to do the job. Bringing in Neville “If we can get to 18, we’re good.” Hewitt and McKelvey was big. What Hewitt brought to the table While not perfect last season, the defense was pretty good by was a real effort type player with great skill.” many standards. Its 20.2 point differential marked the biggest That may be one of the understatements of the year. scoring defense jump in major college football since the 1997 and 1998 seasons when Central Michigan improved by 20.5 points per game. offMcKelvey, a pass and in forced his first a fumble. full year with Marshall, led the team in Having the right players on the field certainly helped with tacklesTalk about with 97, making including a statement. five for loss. The then junior also picked “I’m not sure there was a linebacker in C-USA that played better than he did,” Fuller addwd. “He was a kid that we could rely on at all points to make a bunch of plays.” But it was not all on McKelvey. He had plenty of back-up and all

Hewitt and Holmes. heHewitt had to tallieddo was 85 look tackles, to his 2.5 right sacks or leftand to 3.5 find tackles fellow for linebackers loss while Holmes recorded 84 tackles, 8.5 for loss and two sacks. Altogether, last season’s Herd linebackers accounted for 266 of the team’s 1,104 (24.1 percent) total tackles. That is 266 plays that never made its way into the Herd secondary—a place teams consistently 285188 stayed. HEATER But with the front seven of Marshall’s defense holding down REFUEL SUNTAN CITY 8-29 .the offensive attack, That is it one was more finally than the the secondary entire team that compiled reaped the in 2012.benefits. Last season, Marshall’s secondary had 10 of the teams 18 2 x 8.0 Even more, with an abundance of true corners and safeties, Heater was allotted the chance to move redshirt junior D.J. Hunter, and his 50 tackles last season, back to his natural position of line- backer. More importantly, it moves Hunter closer to the ball. “We felt like getting him closer to the line would help him,” Heater said. “He’s a very talented player so we organized ourselves in a way to get him out there and take advantage of his skill set.” Hunter welcomed the move in hopes of bettering the team. “I played as a linebacker in high school, so that’s a natural posi- tion for me,” Hunter said. “I’m aggressive and like to be around the ball.” Herd redshirt sophomore A.J. Leggett spent last season with Hunter playing in the secondary. Leggett said he likes knowing what the guy in front of him has to offer.

play fast,” Leggett said. “With D.J. moving up to linebacker, it lets me fly around and just place for the Herd’s defense, there is still one question left to be answered.But with Why all the can’t pieces the defense finally seeming stop teams like on they the areroad? falling into Last season, Marshall outscored teams 317-79 at the Joan. C M Y K 50 INCH 4 Football edition FRIday, August 29, 2014 | | marshallparthenon.com THUNDERING HERD STATS 2013 SEASON TACKLES PER GAME POINTS PER GAME RUSH 2883 yards MU 79 41.1% MU 42.1 PASS 4122 yards OPP 74 58.9% OPP 22.9

OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION

RUSHING RECEIVING TACKLES SACKS S. Butler (765 yards) T. Shuler (1165 yards) E. McKelvey (97) J. Rouse (6.0) R. Cato (294 yards) C. Wilkins (408 yards) N. Hewitt (85) R. Myers (4.5)

R. Watson (120 yards) D. Johnson (218 yards) C. Tindal (61) G. Thompson (3.0) statistics and roster information courtesy of HerdZone

Marshall students cheer on the Herd at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium as the team took on the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs Saturday, September 8, 2013. file photo

A Herd fan shows his support for the team with a bright green mohawk and football pads at Herd fans prepare for highly the 2013 Marshall v. ECU game on November 29. anticipated 2014 season

By LACHEL HOUSE said. “I really am looking forward to us going FOR THE PARTHENON undefeated this year.” Picture this: Marco, a brand new green turf Derek Behr, junior criminal justice major, and a packed stadium. The smell of popcorn, was asked who his favorite player was and funnel cakes and cotton candy fill the air, why. while the sound of thunderclaps and musi- “My favorite player is Jean Louis,” Behr cal instruments played by the band electrify said. “He is from my hometown and our high the ears of those in attendance. The fans will schools played each other.” come and the Joan will be revived. This is the Not everyone is as excited about the foot- moment Herd fans have been waiting for. The ball season, however. Sophomore Joshua most anticipated season in Marshall Univer- McDowney, explained that his heart belongs sity history is about to begin. to another sport on campus. Yes, you read that right. The 2014-2015 McDowney said he finds rugby more en- Marshal football season has been a con- tertaining, but also speaks with the football versation carried by the mouths of people players, allowing him to remain up to date on nationwide. Quarterback Rakeem Cato has the football season. found his way into the pre-season Heisman Davontae’ Edwards, a senior criminal jus- Trophy race, with sources such as college tice major, revealed that his most memorable football writer Mike Huguenin explaining the game was the last time Marshall met West Vir- possibilities of Cato’s ultimate rise to fame. ginia University on the turf. Along with that, Along with this, USA Today ranks the football he gave a prediction for the Herd’s first game. team number 20. “We will win 42-7,” Edwards said. Marshall students gave a little insight about Marshall’s football team kicks its season how they felt about the upcoming season, as off in Ohio against Miami (Ohio) at 3:30 p.m. well as a few football-related topics. Be sure to tune in to the opening of the most Mariah Robinson, freshman nursing major anticipated season in Herd football history. at Marshall, has never attended a football Buckle your seatbelts, Herd fans. It is going to game, but made it clear why she was excited. be a wild ride. “I have not attended a football game, so the Lachel House can be contacted at first home game will be my first,” Robinson [email protected]. file photo C M Y K 50 INCH

5 FOOTBALL EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014 | | MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

MARCUS CONSTANTINO | THE PARTHENON Marshall linebacker Neville Hewitt charges toward Miami (Ohio) quarterback Austin Boucher during the Thundering Herd’s 52-14 win A whole new in the 2013 season opener at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. ballgame Coach, quarterback have changed since the last Marshall-Miami game

By BRAXTON CRISP the starting nod over veteran exactly what he’s got before FOR THE PARTHENON Craig Wilkins because of his the snap,” Martin said. “He’s Last year Marshall University consistent production. a pretty experienced kid, he’s trampled Miami (Ohio) 52-14 “At the receiver position, it’s a pretty smart kid, we’ll try to in Huntington, but not much is not how many snaps you play mix up fronts and coverages the same from last year’s Miami or how you grade out, but how enough so at least he’s got to squad roster. Gone are coach many plays you make,” Holliday Don Treadwell and quarter- said. than capable of doing, but at back Austin Boucher. “If you get the opportunity leastread onyou’re the fly,not which making he’s it more easy Former Notre Dame offen- to make 20 plays and you make on him.” sive coordinator Chuck Martin 18 of them, chances are you Martin added that Cato is not and a quarterback he and the can kind of tell by that produc- a stationary quarterback by rest of southwest Ohio, are very tion chart who has made plays any stretch of the imagination. familiar with, Andrew Hendrix throughout fall camp and who “I’ve seen him make many have taken their place. is the most productive guy. people miss, running around A graduate transfer from Because production is what the Fighting Irish, Hendrix is matters at those skill positions, originally from Cincinnati and not potential.” Martinin the backfield,said. “So to then say heone takes guy attended the football power- On defense, Monterius Lovett isoff going and runsto tackle it down him onthe a field,”regu- house in the Buckeye State, is gone for Marshall, and Corey lar basis is pretty unrealistic. Moeller High School. Tindal is taking over his spot. That’s where the pursuit factor Marshall head coach Doc So who will be in the mix at has to come in, to give ourselves Holliday said while Hendrix nickel back? True freshman An- a chance at limiting him.” never panned out in South tavis Rowe. Martin said that getting pres- Bend, that does not mean he “Most of the time when you sure on Cato may not even be will be unsuccessful playing for talk about playing freshmen, enough Saturday. the RedHawks. you like for them to prove “He’s good when his read is “Anytime you add a big-time themselves on special teams,” there, or when it looks good, he quarterback like Andrew Hen- Holliday said. “He earned our still can beat you,” Martin said. drix, it’s a problem for us,” trust on special teams from the “When you’re really defending Holliday said. “He played last get-go, so we can actually get well and you stop his initial year at Notre Dame in criti- him in the game. He’s a talented stuff, he’s even better. The great cal roles. He actually played guy who we think can help us a lot of times are at Southern Cal, played not there.” like that. That’s a big time chal- mop-up time, but time when Martin knows that to beat lenge right off the bat, and he’s the game was on the line. He Marshall, the RedHawks have on the Heisman watch list for a can make all the throws, he’s to disrupt Rakeem Cato like so reason.” very athletic and we’ll have our many teams the last two years As for how the game plays hands full with him.” have tried to do, with little suc- out, the world will just have For the Herd, there are some cess. He said that disguising to wait until a steamy and hot new faces who will see the coverages will be a big part of Saturday afternoon in Oxford, the plan to slow Cato. Ohio. outside receiver Angelo Jean- “It starts with the quarter- Braxton Crisp can be con- Louis,field Saturday. who Holliday One of said them gets is back, trying not to let him know tacted at crisp23@marshall. Herd’s upcoming season attracts national attention By BRAXTON CRISP slate with East Carolina and They decided to reschedule additional Notre Dame trans- FOR THE PARTHENON Tulsa moving to the American with the Herd for a later year. fers, 15 returning starters. And A lot can happen in a college Athletic Association. “A win against a Louisville I love their new head coach football off-season, some good Dodd said a major compo- team that I still think is 7-5 or Chuck Martin. That’s a much and some bad. For Marshall nent to that success will be improved Miami (Ohio) team University, the litany of play- Rakeem Cato, based not on his the ACC would have done won- from last year.” ers being named to preseason speed and size, but his mindset. ders8-4 caliber for Marshall,” in their Pertner first year said. in Another game he said could watch lists and to preseason “I think it’s his resiliency,” “If that game would have been all-conference lists is quite lit- Dodd said. “He’s not physically at home, I maybe even would Marshall’s strength of schedule, erally as long as my arm. A lot imposing, I think it’s his stick- have favored the Thundering isgive Akron. the Herd fits, but also help of that talk is not only coming to-it-iveness and where he Herd. What they did at home “I would say the most dan- from relatively unknown prog- came from that brought him to last year against their oppo- gerous game on the entire CL081414 nosticators, but from some this point. He was 6-foot, 155 nents, particularly against a schedule is after Marshall is big-name national outlets. lbs. soaking wet coming out very good East Carolina team looking for revenge over Ohio, CLASSIFIED Dennis Dodd from CBS Sports of high school. Bill Legg saw that beat North Carolina and who has gotten them the last picked the Thundering Herd to something, kept after him after North Carolina State— blow- couple of years, then the follow CLASSIFIED he came from Florida Inter- ing them out at the end of the it up with a road trip to Akron,” picks. He said the Herd’s weak national and then the natural year—I probably would have Pertner said. 2 x 8.0 schedule,finish eighth plus in a strong his preseason return- development. Is he the most favored Marshall in that game “An Akron team that I think is ing group of players could talented guy in the world? No, by 3 points over Louisville.” a sleeper in the Mid-American make this season a special one. but he shows up. I think Woody As for the teams that the Conference and has a lot of tal- “I think they should go un- Allen once said that 80 percent Herd will play this year, that ent, obviously a great coaching defeated,” Dodd said. “If they of life sometimes is just show- easy schedule could prove to staff at that particular level to do, they’ll end up in the top ing up, and he shows up and be harder than what it looks get the Bowdens (head coach ten because there will only be he’s good.” like now, based on how teams Terry and assistant Jeff) and a handful of undefeated teams Phil Steele’s annual maga- perform throughout the year. then to have Chuck Amato as and they can’t be ignored, and if zine also talked highly of the Pertner said one of those teams one of your defensive coordina- they do lose then they deserve Thundering Herd, and assistant tors. And Akron is a team that to plummet because of that editor Brandon Pertner said Miami. won its last three games last schedule.” Marshall’s schedule would not is “I the think Herd’s Miami first (Ohio) opponent, is much year.” That schedule includes be considered so easy if Lou- improved over their 0-12 sea- With that being said, now all the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, isville was still coming to Joan son,” Pertner said. that can be done is to see how who have lost 16 consecutive C. Edwards Stadium like was the 2014 season plays out and games, FCS opponent Rhode originally scheduled. or six win team, but I think if it plays out like the experts Island, who was picked No. 11 Louisville’s move to the ACC they’re“Now going I don’t to thinkgo from it’s zero a five to say it will. out of 12 teams in the Colonial necessitated that the Cardinals three or four wins. They have a Braxton Crisp can be con- Athletic Association, among play Notre Dame this year and Notre Dame transfer in Andrew tacted at crisp23@marshall. a weakened Conference USA drop a non-conference game. Hendrix as quarterback, two edu.