Herd ready to begin conference play

- By Trace Johnson

The Marshall University football team begins its quest for a second straight Conference USA Championship Saturday when the Old Dominion University Monarchs come to Huntington in the C-USA opener for both teams. 

The Herd’s non-conference schedule came to an end following a dramatic 36-29 double overtime win at Kent State University on Sept. 26. 

Marshall struggled at times against the Golden Flashes, but the Herd finished strong to secure a hard-fought victory.   

The Herd takes a 3-1 overall record into its showdown with ODU and head coach Doc Holliday said during his weekly press conference that his team is excited for the start of C-USA play.  

“It’s a new season and we’re excited to be at home again against Old Dominion this week,” Holliday said.  “Leadership will be a key to being successful and it’s all about the preparation that goes into it.  We’re excited to get into our conference for our first game.” 

The Herd could be playing without star running back Devon Johnson on Saturday. 

Johnson was limited to only five carries against Kent State and both of his ankles were heavily taped.  Holliday said his status for Saturday’s game is day-to-day. 

Sophomore running back Tony Pittman filled in for Johnson nicely against Kent State with 24 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns. 

“That defense I think was giving up 1.9 yards per rush and he averaged 5.5,” Holliday said.  “The last two runs he made in that overtime to go win that game, he wasn’t going to be denied on those two runs.” 

Holliday also said wide receiver Hyleck Foster has been working with the running backs recently and hopes he will be in the game on Saturday at running back for the first time in his Marshall career.  Foster was previously a running back in high school. 

This will be only the second meeting ever between Marshall and ODU.  The Herd rolled ODU 56-14 last season in the Monarchs’ debut season in C-USA.     

Much like Chase Litton for the Herd, ODU’s Shuler Bentley is a freshman quarterback following a record setting quarterback from last season.  Bentley is replacing Taylor Heinicke, the Monarchs’ all-time leading passer, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings. 

“He’s (Bentley) got all the skills,” Holliday said.  “He’s got a great skill set and he had a couple of tremendous drives against about everybody he’s played, and he’s made a lot of great throws.” 

ODU sophomore running back Ray Lawry is averaging 118.8 yards rushing per game and has six touchdowns runs through the first four games of the season.  Holliday said Lawry and Pittman are similar running backs. 

“They’re very similar backs,” he said.  “Good, hard-nosed, downhill guys.” 

ODU comes into this contest at 2-2 overall.  The Monarchs have wins over Eastern Michigan and Norfolk State, and losses to NC State and Appalachian State. 

The Herd has a common opponent with ODU in Norfolk State.  Marshall defeated Norfolk State 45-7 while the Monarchs defeated them 24-10. 

Holliday said having a common opponent helps in preparation for ODU.  “That helps because you understand personnel a little bit because you’ve played them,” he said. 

“We played them a year ago and they have the same coordinators, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of what we’re going to get.” 

The Herd’s C-USA opener against ODU kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. from Joan C. Edwards Stadium.