Saturday, Sept. 2, 6:30 p.m. ET
John C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
WEATHER
During his press conference earlier this week, Miami head coach Chuck Martin briefly recalled his first game as the RedHawks leader. The fact that he was able to do so with a bit of a grin speaks to a degree of satisfaction Martin can take on where his program is today.
That first game, played in Oxford on Aug. 30, 2014, was a . . .
John C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
WEATHER
During his press conference earlier this week, Miami head coach Chuck Martin briefly recalled his first game as the RedHawks leader. The fact that he was able to do so with a bit of a grin speaks to a degree of satisfaction Martin can take on where his program is today.
That first game, played in Oxford on Aug. 30, 2014, was a . . .
. . . decisive 42-27 Marshall University win. In fact, the Thundering Herd, playing with record-setting Rokeem Cato at quarterback, were up 28-3 by halftime.
Miami and Marshall, twice upon a time conference rivals, will meet again Saturday, Many things have changed since that 2014 meeting, when Martin took the field with a team that went winless the previous season. This time, the RedHawks are buoyed by their late-season success last year.
Miami and Marshall, twice upon a time conference rivals, will meet again Saturday, Many things have changed since that 2014 meeting, when Martin took the field with a team that went winless the previous season. This time, the RedHawks are buoyed by their late-season success last year.
Martin and his staff have been relentless recruiters, and the efforts seemed to pay off last year when Martin’s first recruit came back from injury to lead Miami to six straight wins, a MAC East co-championship and a bowl appearance.
Still a relatively young team, few of MU’s players have any experience playing in Huntington, where the fans love their Herd. Alumni have endeavored to advise the latter day RedHawks that meeting Marshall in Huntington will be a special challenge. Marshall has won the last three meetings, and the last Miami victory in the series came when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led his team to a 45-6 win.
Here’s more on the two teams:
Still a relatively young team, few of MU’s players have any experience playing in Huntington, where the fans love their Herd. Alumni have endeavored to advise the latter day RedHawks that meeting Marshall in Huntington will be a special challenge. Marshall has won the last three meetings, and the last Miami victory in the series came when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led his team to a 45-6 win.
Here’s more on the two teams:
MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD
(Last year 3-9, 2-6 C-USA)
● Marshall coach Doc Holliday is entering his ninth season at the Herd Helm.
● MU lost to Akron, 65-38, in Week Two of 2016 and closed out the campaign with a 60-6 loss to fellow C-USA member Western Kentucky. Miami also lost to both schools (35-13 to Akron and 31-24 to WKU).
● One of the goals for 2017 is to get junior quarterback Chase Litton to another level. He completed 62.3 percent of his passes last year, good for 2,612 yards and 24 TDs with just nine interceptions.
● Willie Johnson, Tyre Brady and Marcel Williams should give the Herd a faster set of receivers this time around.Brady is a transfer for Miami (Fla).
● Keion Davis is the top returning back. He was good for 469 yards and six TDs last year. Several other new faces could also get opportunities out of the backfield.
● Both the offensive line and defensive line units hope to improve. Limited returning experience means both units will be challenged.
● The linebacking corps is one of the Herd’s strong points, although Chase Hancock is the only returning starter.
● The secondary has plenty of experience, with seniors available in most spots.
● Injuries hit the Herd pretty hard at times. Staying relatively healthy would be a boost to getting back to a winning record and bowl.
● Marshall has struggled mightily on field goals in recent years. Kaare Vedvik, who did punts last year, may get an opportunities in placekicking, as well.
RSS Feed