Marshall University walk on RB Elmer Rodriguez gets some last minute instruction as he makes his way back to the huddle between plays

Alabama Plays The Good Host; Rolls Over For Bowl-Bound Thundering Herd

(7) Marshall 20 - Alabama 18

[Tuscaloosa, AL] It has been a season to forget for the former National powerhouse Crimson Tide and mercilfully it has finally come to an end thanks to the schedule-maker. Marshall was clearly the better team throughout the game, save for a 4th quarter surge by QB Wesley Terry which made the score much tighter than the game was.

With the score knotted at 3-apiece in the second quarter Marshall QB Larry Ricketts connected with WR Ronald Stewart for TD scores on consecutive possessions cracking the game wide open. The took a 17-3 lead into halftime and coasted through the 3rd quarter tacking on another FG for a 20-3 lead.

With a number of starters given the day off to nurse injuries, or a lighter workload as some of the lesser used players got into some game action Alabama mounted a gutsy comeback that fell just short. At the 2-minute warning, Alabama had the ball on the Marshall 38-yard line and were threatening to enter FG range with a 3rd-and-2. Marshall WLB Morton Perez sniffed out the run however and knifed into the backfield, blowing up Crimson Tide RB Jacques Houston for a 6-yard loss. The ensuing 4-and-long pass fell incomplete and the Thundering Herd bled out the rest of the clock for the win, finishing the season with a 12-4 record.

While Alabama will get a head-start on scouting the upcoming high school recruit options, Marshall will shift their focus toward THE Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2017 Sun Bowl. Ohio State dispatched the Thundering Herd Thanksgiving weekend at the Horseshoe by a score of 26-13. Ohio State will once again have home team honors, but there have already been 15,000 tickets sold to fevered Herd fans who will be making the trip to El Paso, TX to cheer on the surprise team of the 2017 season.

Marshall University star RB Ray Ferguson surveys the field looking for a hole in the Ohio State defense at the 2017 Hyundai Sun Bowl

Buckeyes Have No Answer For Ferguson; Thundering Herd Advance To First Ever Peach Bowl

(7) Marshall 20 - (10) Ohio State 14

[El Paso, TX] By the end of game-time there were a number of pundits and fans alike that were checking their watches, but the clock still hasn't struck midnight on Cinderella as the young Thundering Herd refused to be intimidated by the moment and moved to the second round of the NCAA Bowl Tournament. The Ohio State Buckeyes had a fantastic season and it was truly a shame that one of these teams had to lose and have their season ended tonight - and in a show of great class at the games termination, the Marshall University student section rose to their feet and gave the Buckeyes a standing ovation for a game well played.

A see-saw affair for the entire game, both teams took turns scoring in the first half. Ohio State got things rolling in the middle of the first quarter as WR Donald Miller hauled in an 11-yard TD pass, converting a Herd interception into a 7-0 lead.

After sputtering on offense for the entire first quarter, the Herd got things rolling in the 2nd as Marshall struck pay-dirt on a 5-play 65-yard drive, capped off by a RB Graham Gonzales 13-yard run to tie the game. The key play on the drive was a 25-yard hookup between Marshall QB Larry Ricketts and WR Jeffrey Brandt that went for 25 yards, with a 15-yard Facemasking penalty against Ohio State depth DB Robert Bouchard which set up Marshall with great field position. Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/324#60207

Not to be outdone, Buckeyes QB Cedric Lett led Ohio State on a 4-play, 77-yard drive answering right back with a 4-yard TD pass to WR Michael Mendoza to pull them out front once more. However RB Ray Ferguson and the rest of the Marshall offense would put together their own 11-play 78-yard answer right back to knot the game at 14-apiece. Ferguson had 4 rushes for 51 yards on the drive, including the 9-yard TD to cap the drive off. Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/324#60231

As the teams went into halftime tied 14-14, the coaches from both teams would try to make some adjustments to break the deadlock in the second half. Marshall Head Coach Doc Holliday decided to put the ball in the hands of his best athlete - RB Ray Ferguson - and he was rewarded with a game total 136 yards on 14 rushes and 3 receptions and the 1 rushing TD. It was WR Donald Miller that Ohio State would turn to, and he had the Marshall secondary off-balance all night to finish with 8 catches for 181 yards and 1 rec TD.

The only scoring in the second half was accounted for by Marshall Sophmore K Ronald Osborne who had 2 FGs (39, 50) one in each quarter.

The key play in the game, happened at the 2-minute warning in the 4th quarter with the Buckeyes on 4th-and-8 at the Marshall 20-yard line, down by 6. Lett rolled back to pass and the center of the offensive line collapsed, allowing Marshall DT Gregory Howard to get in the QBs face and for the sack/turnover on downs. Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/log/324

Ohio State had 1 more chance with the ball back on their 19-yard line and no timeouts with 1:34 on the clock but they never got past mid-field and the Thundering Herd players and coaches erupted in celebration storming the field in celebration.

Next week at the Chic-Fil-A Peach Bowl, the (2) UCLA Bruins and their high-powered offense (led by QB Robert Beall will be waiting for the Thundering Herd after this weeks bye.

Warfield Runs Wild As Bruins Feast on Herd

(2) UCLA 29 - (5) Marshall 7

[Atlanta, GA] The young Thundering Herd of Marshall University met their match this week at the 2017 Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl, as the (2) UCLA Bruins looked every bit the powerhouse they've been all season and won going away 29-7.

Offensively, the Herd were out of sorts all game long. Star RB RB Ray Ferguson was held to 15 yards on 9 carries, and as a team rushed for just 33 yards. When the coaches tried to get the passing game going the UCLA secondary was swarming to the ball and refused to allow any yards after the catch. Freshman starting Marshall QB Larry Ricketts was unable to rise to the moment and managed a pedestrian 65 QBR, with 175 passing yards and 1TD/1INT.

On the defense the coaches had to pick their poison between the 2 Heisman leaders -QB Robert Beall and RB Bobby Warfield - and they did an admirable job of limiting Beall's big plays - and kept him under 100 QBR, under 300 yards passing, 2TD and 1 INT. Warfield however was the difference on this day as he was unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 174 yards on 19 carries (9.16ypc), and 3 receptions for 19 yards.

It was a storybook first season for the Thundering Herd - finally playing among the NCAA elite and holding their own. The coaching staff looks to be retained for at least 3 more seasons; and with a young and developing core of players the future is bright in Huntington.

Off-Season Recap

The Thundering Herd entered the off-season looking to make some changes to the squad that found itself amongst the NCAA's elite teams for much of the 2017 season. There was only 1 player who had his scholarship revoked and that was the back-up QB John Dunbar, who had lost his starting QB job right out of camp after a dismal series of performances in the exhibition season. Dunbar has since transferred to the University of Texas and his back-up position will likely go to walk-on Dean Wynn who QB coach Raymond Arnold believes can develop into a solid back-up option to the incumbent Larry Ricketts.



Signing Day 2018

WR Shawn Petty - 4 Star
Believed to be one of the highest floor receivers to come out of high school this year; Petty posseses + speed and acceleration, with ++ courage to go over the middle on crossing patterns; but he doesn't break many tackles. He has a penchant for dropping ***** but the coaches hope added time on the JUGS machine will ease him through the case of the yips.

LT Eric Nicola - 3 Star
Another reliable player with solid fundamentals that projects as a 'safe' pick, this high school Full Back will be asked to put on some weight and move to the Offensive Line where they hope to take full advantage of his blocking prowess. If he can prove to the coaches that he can learn to catch the ball, there is a good chance that he may end up playing at TE.

SLB John Perez - 2 Star
John Perez from the Indiana state champion Carmel Greyhounds was a do-everything player. He has elite pass rush moves, but he also has corner cover skills. There were rumors that he was a lazy player, relying on his talent to succeed in games after being largely disinterested in practice during the week; but if the Herd coaches are able to light a fire under him the sky will surely be the limit!

QB/RB Manuel Stansbury - 1 Star
A true project player - Manuel was a QB in a triple-option running attack from the football state of Texas. His passing potential is truly anyone's guess, but there's a chance that he makes a move to the crowded RB room and sit behind John Amaya (who will be making a position switch from TE this season) and Graham Gonzales as he learns the pace of the college game.

CB Rocky Moore - 1 Star
An aggressive, sure-tackling Safety from the Chicago high school district; Moore will have an up-hill battle to get playing time in the Marshall secondary considering his below average speed. His inability to make strong reads in zone coverage will hurt his ability to play Safety will likely mean that his playing time will be limited until he can gain the coaches trust.

C John Velasquez - 1 Star
A TE/OLB from Beaverton, OR; Velasquez will also be making a position change as he moves into the NCAA with Marshall. His abysmal route running will demand a move to the interior offensive line where he will have to put on weight to hold up at the point of attack. He has shown flashes of brilliance in both pass pro and run sets, but they have been so few and far between that he is a real projection as this point in his career.

WR Stanley Jones - .5 Star
Jones played along side Velasquez and he was tendered a scholarship offer based on a big performance in the state semifinal game after being largely invisible for most of his high school career. It remains to be seen is he will have enough to make the team even given their relative weakness at the position.

Walk-Ons/Transfers
ADDED
DT James Ono - Walk-On
SS Johnny Cox - Walk-On

LOST
QB John Dunbar - Revoked Scholarship

Coaching Changes
Linebackers:
Fired - Philip Ryan (Hired by University of Michigan)
Replacement - Michael Ryan

Late in the season the Herd had nothing but problems taking down opposing ball carriers that led to prolonged drives and a number of losses in the second half of the year. Ryan will be looked upon to instill a fierce, physical mentality among the linebacking crew.

Special Teams:
Fired - Gilbert Card
Replacement - Alan Patterson

Sometimes a coach is made to pay for his players shortcomings and this is the case with Card. The Herd gave up numerous kick return touchdowns - most notably 3 in a single game to Ivan Thibodeaux and the Stanford Cardinal, which truly sealed his fate. Patterson has been brought in to get some stability on special teams and to improve the performance of the talented kickers who failed to live up to their potential last season.


Up Next:
Training Camp! Stay tuned.

Training Camp / Pre-Season

WR Shawn Petty
Had a very disappointing camp; especially considering his previous billing as a 'high floor' prospect. Still fighting the football and dropping a number of catchable passes and overall not being able to grasp the offensive playbook.

LT Eric Nicola
A slow study, will hopefully be able to get into some games this season as he looks to be the top back-up in a number of positions across the Offensive Line.

SLB John Perez
The camp star among the new players, Perez seems to be flourishing thanks to the new LB coach Michael Ryan. A player that may push to crack the starting line-up in a year or 2.

QB/RB Manuel Stansbury
Another player that had problems adjusting to the speed and size of the NCAA athletes. The games seems to be moving to fast out there for him to stay at QB - the coaches may be forced to put him into the RB depth rotation and let him fight for playing time amongst the deepest group on the roster.

CB Rocky Moore
Has displayed good initial technique to this point in camp - allowing only 1 catch in the preseason on 3 targets, and he did bring the receiver down immediatley after the catch was made. Still a project, but the arrow is pointing up on this youngster.

C John Velasquez
Thirsty for knowledge and a tireless worker on his technique, it's clear that Velasquez will be a player the coaches groom slowly as he makes the position switch from TE. Still has alot of room to grow into his frame but the coaches are high on this player.

WR Stanley Jones
Unable to show much during camp or the preseason games - he has had his scholarship revoked and is currently taking classes at Portland State University.

Walk-Ons/Transfers
ADDED
None

LOST
WR Stanley Jones - Revoked Scholarship
WR Jeffery Brandt - Revoked Scholarship
CB Larry Anderson - Revoked Scholarship
SS Johnny Cox - Cut
DT Robert Duncan - Cut
LG Tommy Burton - Cut

Camp Notes
Scrimmage #1
Clemson Tigers 37 - Marshall Thundering Herd 12
Game Log: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/box/342

Scrimmage #2
Oklahoma State Cowboys 62 - Marshall Thundering Herd 24
Game Log: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/box/358

Up Next:
The 2018 season begins with a rematch of Scrimmage Game #2 - Marshall Thundering Herd @ Oklahoma State Cowboys

Ricketts Struggles As Herd Drop Opening Game to Cowboys

Oklahoma State 21 - Marshall 6

[Stillwater, OK] The Thundering Herd must have thought that the season was scheduled to start next week as it seems no one showed up for the game today versus the Cowboys. Marshall QB Larry Ricketts had a particularly terrible day going just 10/28 for 111 yards and 2 INTs, on top of being sacked twice. He really sabotaged any chance that the Herd thought they might have to make a second half comeback. The lone bright spot was the play of DT Gregory Howard who had pressure for most of the game as he looks to rebound from a very disappointing 2017.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: WR/RB Ray Ferguson 13 Ru 61 yards, 2 Rec 32 yards (43% of Teams Offense)
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: DT Gregory Howard 7 TKL, 3 Sacks, 8 Pressures

The Herd won't have much time to lick their wounds as they play their first conference game of the season when they travel to West Point to take on the Army Black Knights.

Black Knights Skewer Herd

Army 19 - Marshall 7

[West Point, NY] It may be week 2 of the NCAA football season but it was case of deja-vu for Marshall this week as they once again fell to the Army cadets in West Point. For the Second week in a row, the offense was unable to get much going, with new RB John Amaya inactive due to a foot injury suffered in last week loss to Oklahoma State, and QB Larry Ricketts had a better game (16/28, 247 yards; 1TD/1INT/1Fumble Lost/4 Sacks -44 yards), but the 2 turnovers were killers on this day. Once again WR/RB Ray Ferguson was the lone bright spot on offense as he feasted on the Black Knight secondary, but was unable to break any big plays to ignite a comeback.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: WR/RB Ray Ferguson 7 Rec/9 Tgts 120 yards, 1 Drop
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: WLB Morton Perez 6 TKL, 1 INT (3 Cth All / 6 Tgts)

The season of horrors gets no easier next week as they Herd continues their road trip to start the season with a 3rd straight away game, this time against the Texas Longhorns high pressure defense.

Ferguson Saves Marshall From 0-3 Start

Marshall 10 - Texas 0

[Austin, TX] In a game where the defenses and the Texas heat combined to stifle the offenses of both teams, it was 1 play that was the difference tonight. Leading 3-0 in the middle of the 3rd quarter, WR Ray Ferguson ran a quick out to the boundry as QB Larry Ricketts was engulfed by 3 Texas defenders and threw up a 50-50 ball out wide that Ferguson would come down with. Ferguson broke free from star Texas CB Raul Lewis and sprinted down the sideline for the games only TD. Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/409#76400

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: WR/RB Ray Ferguson 4 Rec/8 Tgts 117 yards, 1TD
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: CB Bradley Abron 8 TKL, 1 INT (7 Cth All / 11 Tgts)

Eager for some home cooking and their 1st home game of the season, Marshall will look to get on a roll in the tough Independent Conference as they host the Oklahoma Sooners in Huntington, WV.

Osborne Boots Herd Past Sooners

Marshall 19 - Oklahoma 7

[Huntington, WV] Thanks to last weeks big win over a tough Texas team, the Herd with renewed confidence we able to get by a game Oklahoma Sooners squad that fought right to the final whistle. The Thundering Herd pounded away on the Sooner defensive line and controlled the ball for much of the game, finishing with a 15min advantage in time of possession. The Marshall defense was ferocious for the whole game, but particularly in the first half as they held the Sooners QB Austin Kendall to 6/20 for 53yards.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: K Ronald Osborne 4/4 FG (2 50+), 1/1 XP yards, 69.7 Avg Kickoffs
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: CB George Grizzard 9 TKL (2 Missed), 4 Hurries (3 Cth All / 5 Tgts)

Now back at .500, Marshall with look to get on the right side of the ledge for the first time this season when they travel to Tuscon to take on the University of Arizona Wildcats.

Wildcats Cut Bison To Shreds

Arizona 21 - Marshall 3

[Tucson, AZ] It was the best of halves, it was the worst of halves; that's how this game felt for Marshall. The Thundering Herd was on the verge of entering halftime with a 10-0 lead, with the ball on the Arizona 38-yard line and threatening to score again; QB Larry Ricketts had his nightmare season continue as he rolled back to pass and was unable to find a receiver when he was leveled by a Wildcat CB Luther Jones who picked up the loose ball and was immediately stripped by RG Michael Conroy, only to have Wildcats Christian Meyers fall on the pigskin.
Hilight: https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/440#82170
The second half was ALL Arizona as the tacked on 2 TDs to put the game away for good.

Marshall Offensive Player of the Game: WR/RB Ray Ferguson 15 Ru 43 yards, 1 Rec 29 yards (3 Tgts)
Marshall Defensive Player of the Game: MLB Jeffrey Cline 9 TKL, 1 Sack, 1 Hurry (2 Cth All / 5 Tgts)

The Thundering Herd limps home to lick their wounds and prepare for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights who have been quite impressive so far this season.