Season Ends Fittingly As Herd Miss Winning Chip-Shot FG As Time Expires

(6) Army 26 - Marshall 24

[Huntington, WV] Last weeks stunning second-half display against one of the best NCAA football teams set the stage for this weeks tilt with the Army Cadets. Now that the Independent Conference crown rests in Indiana for the second straight season Army was looking to tune themselves up for their Bowl game against the cellar-dwellars from West Virginia.

The Marshall offense exploded for big play after big play as the Army defense seemed completely befuddled with some new Marshall route combinations. WR Ray Ferguson hit on 2 75-yard TD receptions, and WR Graham Gonzales, not the be out-done, hit paydirt with an 81-yard TD catch of his own. QB Larry Ricketts had his best game of the season going 17-of-29 for 428 yards and 3TDs - quite a finale during Senior Day.

With all of these good vibes, you'd think Marshall won this game going away; but Army is no slouch. They were able to hang with the Herd every step of the way due in large part to the play of K Carl Lopp who booted 4 FGs the last of which gave Army a 2-point lead early in the 4th Quarter.

Marshall mounted a long drive, late in the quarter, as they wound the clock down for the final 4:37 and ended up on the Army 26-yard line with a chance for K Ronald Osborne to boot the game winning FG: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/612#115045 WIDE RIGHT.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: WR Ray Ferguson 3 Rec, 160 Yards (9 Targets), 2TDs
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: SS Bobby Garmen 9 TKL, 2 Cth Allwd (4 Targets), 1 Knockdown

The coaches and players now have a long off-season to look over what when wrong and what changes are required going forward. There are still plenty of holes to fill this off-season and with a short transfer period and National Signing Day on the horizon, there is much work to be done.

2018 Off-Season Recap

After a disappointing sophmore slump 2018 season, the Thundering Herd enters the off-season with question marks along both the Offensive and Defensive lines but the most glaring hole is among the Secondary. Opposing teams were able to throw at will as the DBs proved to be ineffective for long swaths of the season. The QB position will also be re-established as last years surprise QB Larry Ricketts came falling back to earth with a season of 26TDs and 21INTs and there is hope that the running game will have a renaissance as RB John Amaya now has a full season under his belt at a new position after transitioning from TE to start last season.



Signing Day 2018

DB Brandon Drayton, Largo, FL
Born Feb. 18, 1999 … Originally committed to Nebraska … Also committed to Indiana … Had 21 scholarship offers out of Largo High School, including offers from Miami, Minnesota, Syracuse, Iowa, Louisville, Indiana, Purdue, Colorado, Iowa State and others … Ranked as the No. 45 defensive back prospect by Scout.com … Ranked as the No. 18 safety prospect in the state of Florida by Scout.com … Ranked the No. 65 safety in the Class of 2018 by 247Sports … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, Scout.com, ESPN Recruiting and Rivals.com … Made 58 tackles as a senior, with nine pass breakups and one interception return for a touchdown … Also played wide receiver in high school.

RT Tarik Adams, Valdosta, GA
Committed on June 29 ... also had offers from Air Force, Appalachian State, Army, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Furman, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisiana Monroe, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, Ohio, Southern Mississippi, Troy, Tulane, and Western Carolina ... helped perennial Georgia power Lowndes High School in Valdosta rush for 156.5 yards, pass for 156.6 yards and score 31.9 points per game en route to a 6-5 record and the first round of the 2017 Georgia Class 6A state playoffs ... bench presses 315 pounds and squats 525 pounds ... earned 2017 Atlanta Journal Constitution, Associated Press and Georgia Sports Writers Association all-state first-team offense honors ...selected to Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North-South Classic All-Star Football Game and Georgia Florida "War of the Border "All-Star Game ... rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and Scout.com ... majoring in athletic training.

LB Omari Cobb, Port St. Lucie, FL
Born May 31, 1999 ... Also had offers from Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Idaho, Massachusetts, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky ... Was a Class 8A All-State third-team selection on defense ... Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com.

LB Jeremiah Maddox, Hilton Head, SC
Born Feb. 5, 1999 … Older brother, offensive guard Joey Maddox, joined Marshall program at same time, as a walk-on transfer from FCS program at Savannah State … Committed on June 26 … Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals … Also had offers from Appalachian State, Army, Buffalo, Charlotte, Ohio, Purdue and Toledo … High school and youth football teammate of fellow 2018 Herd signee Jestin Morrow, a cornerback … Also excelled as a kick return man at HHHS … Named South Carolina 3A All-State first team defensive back by High School Sports Report and a second team selection by the USA Today All-South Carolina Team …Selected to play in 2018 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, pitting top seniors from South Carolina against North Carolina … Also played basketball for Hilton Head.

WR Willie Johnson, Fort Myers, FL
Born Dec. 23, 1999 … Also had offers from Arizona, Miami (FL), Ole Miss, North Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Kent State ... Also returned kicks for South Fort Myers ... clocked at 4.31 in the 40 last summer ... Has 95 career catches for 1,560 yards and 14 touchdowns ... Averaged 13.8 yards per carry on the ground with two touchdowns as a senior ... rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com.

RG Nathaniel Devers, 6'-3", 290lbs; Massillon, OH
Born July 27, 1999 … Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals at one of the famed high school football programs, in Massillon, Ohio … Also had offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Indiana, Ohio and Toledo … Ranked the No. 7 center in America and the No. 33 overall prospect in Ohio by Rivals … Committed to Cincinnati in June 2017, but decommitted from the Bearcats and committed to the Thundering Herd 72 hours before National Signing Day, then was first player to fax signed Letter of Intent on Signing Day (Feb. 5, 2018) at 7:18 a.m. … With the help of his blocking, Washington (9-3) averaged 31.9 points, 152.2 passing yards and 179.4 rushing yards per game in 2013 and advanced to the second round of the Division II state playoffs.

TE/RB Tyler King, 6'-4", 263lbs; Fort Meade, FL
Born May 6, 1999 … Also had offers from Cornell, Ball State, San Jose State and Penn State ... Showed flashes of athleticism in oversize frame ... Has 95 career catches for 560 yards and 36 touchdowns ... Averaged 7.3 yards per carry on the ground with 7 touchdowns as a senior ... rated a two-star prospect by ESPN.com.



Walk-Ons/Transfers
ADDED
WR Mike Johnson - Walk-On

LOST
RT David Smith - Transfer to JuCo East Mississippi Comm College

Coaching Changes
Secondary:
Left to Take Def Coordinator Position - Billy Hobson (Hired by University of Tennessee)
Replacement - No Replacement as of Signing Day

Hobson notified the coaching staff late in the off-season that he would be leaving to take on a Coordinator position for the reigning 2x National Champion Tennessee Volunteers. The Herd will be looking to possibly bring in the head coach of Largo High School who has been largely responsible for the growth of signee Brandon Drayton.


Up Next:
Training Camp! Stay tuned.

Herd Open Season By Squeezing Orange

Marshall 36 (1-0) - Syracuse 16 (0-1)

[Huntington, WV] Building off a strong spring camp, the Herd came thundering into the regular season with a renewed sense of optimism as a number of the freshmen showed flashes of stellar play, re-igniting the fanbase.

It wasn't long before the Marshall offense exploded - carrying on from where they left off at the end of last season, QB Larry Ricketts connected with RB John Amaya on a shovel pass at midfield. The OLine got out in front of the talented back and Amaya did the rest - taking it 60yards TO THE HOUSE! Hilight:https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/674#126695

Ricketts, eager to forget last season, was on top of his game - hitting true Freshman WR Shawn Petty for 2 - second quarter TDs; including a 84-yard bomb. Ricketts successfully read a Syracuse blitz, and audibled into a max-protection set and hit Petty out of the backfield with nothing but green grass all the way to the endzone!
Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/674#126711
Marshall was up 24 - 0 and were looking to put the game in cruise control but the Orange had other plans. They hit on 2 touchdowns before the break and had cut the lead to 11.

The talk at halftime was if Marshall would hold on, or if they would revert to last season's form and the defense rose to make their statement in the second half. Four straight 3-and-outs to begin the second half, then a turn over on downs, and finally 2 interceptions to cement their domination.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: WR Shawn Petty 11 Ru, 28 Yards; 3 Rec, 105 Yards (7 Targets), 2TDs
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: CB Bradley Abron 2 TKL, 3 Cth Allwd (12 Targets), 6 Knockdown

Next week the Conference schedule opens the same way it ended last season - with Marshall taking on the Black Knights of Army. Army is coming off a their first National Title game last season where they were barely held off by the 2-time National Champion Volunteers. This game will be held at Michie Field at West Point, NY.

Herd Run Out Of Gas As Army Pulls Away Late

Army 28 (2-0) (1-0) - Marshall 16 (1-1) (0-1)

[West Point, NY] Herd players and coaches had this weeks game circled since the end of last season where they missed on a chip-shot field goal attempt as time expired at home, leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouths to simmer with over the off-season.

The Marshall coaching staff had the players whipped up into a frenzy to begin the game, as they raced out to a 9-0 lead behind a Safety from 1st Team All-American DT Gregory Howard. On the ensuing safety kick drive, QB Larry Ricketts and his new favorite weapon WR Shawn Petty hooked up for a 41-yard TD to silence the cadets in attendance. Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/689#129573

But Army wasn't about to lay down and be embarrassed a home, in front of their friends and family and they came roaring back with 2 touchdowns before halftime, and it was game on 14-9 heading into the second half.

The third quarter was back and forth as 2 good football teams already in mid-season form were battling tooth-and-nail, neither giving up an inch on every play. The Army defense was at their best, sacking the Herd pivot 9 times on the day. Undeterred, Ricketts marshalled up his troops and engineered a masterful 8-play, 63-yard drive culminating in a RB John Amaya 10-yard touchdown plunge as the Herd stole back the lead moving to the final stanza.

Army once again had an answer, driving the length of the field and into the end zone for a precarious 21-16 lead. Ricketts again lead the Herd up the field, ultimately stalling in field goal territory and they trotted out last years goat K Ronald Osborne to cut the lead to 2 points... but once again the kick sailed WIDE RIGHT. It seemed like the air was let out of the Thundering Herd as they were unable to hold back the Black Knights who polished the game off with a late touchdown much to the delight of the home fans.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: QB Larry Ricketts 16/32, 260 Yards, 1 TD
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: CB Brandon Drayton 7 TKL, 3 Cth Allwd (9 Targets), 1 Knockdown

It gets no easier next week as the Herd heads off to South Bend to clash with the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is up to their old tricks again this season, allowing only 3 points through 2 games and piling up the points on Offense. It will take every player playing at the best to keep the Herd in the game against the perennial National Title hopeful.

Irish Humiliate Herd, Remain Undefeated Atop the Conference

Notre Dame 36 (3-0) (1-0) - Marshall 0 (1-2) (0-2)

[South Bend, IN] It was a Conference rivalry match-up this week under the shadow of the golden dome as the Thundering Herd arrived in South Bend knowing they let a Conference game get away last week at Army.

It seems the Marshall Offense forgot this was an away game as they never arrived here in Indiana - putting up a dismal 136 total yards, and hi-lighted (?) by QB Larry Ricketts 4.78 QBR. Once again Ricketts was under duress all night long, and often found himself flat on his back, looking up at the lights with LT Eric Nicola moving to help him up.

The coaches opted not to award any Player of the Game honors and the Coaches held a team-only meeting after the game to address the team's lack of poise throughout the day. Meeting with the press afterwards Coach Doc Holliday didn't want to address the post-game meeting;

Doc Holliday: I don't have anything to say about that. That's a team issue and what happens in the room stays between us. It's over now and we're going to burn the game film and put it behind us as we get set for another tough test this week - our 3rd straight away game against a Bowl team from last season. We know the Big House will be rocking and it's up to us to take it 1 play at a time and focus on executing our game plan - when we do that, we usually have success.

Conroy Stands Alone; Ferguson Honored

With the recent unveiling of the Top 50 Players in the NCAA, fans in Huntington were over-joyed that one of their own, OT Micheal Conroy was named the top offensive lineman in all of college football and the #9 player over-all. His accomplishments speak for themselves as he has only allowed 2 sacks through 4 seasons as he anchors the line against some of the most feared defensive linemen in the NCAA that swim in the Independent Conference waters. Conroy's time in college-football might be cut short as rumors have started that he is already considering leaving school early to join the NFL draft.

Also included was offensive bell-weather RB/WR Ray Ferguson, who was named the #15 player and second-best RB to Heisman Candidate Myles Gaskin of Washington. Ferguson has been asked by the coaching staff to contribute on multiple ways, lending his talents as a runner, a receiver and on special teams as a return man. Though Ferguson hasn't had the TD numbers that he expects for himself, there's belief that the young runner is just entering his prime and with a new understudy in Knox to split the load, this backfield could well put the rest of the country on notice that the Herd will be on the up-swing this season.