Marshall University Athletics
Herd Defense and Running Game Shine in Scrimmage
8/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Herd Defense and Running Game Shine in Scrimmage
8/21/2004
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University's veteran defense was solid, and several newcomers put on a good show, as Marshall's football team closed out fall camp with a scrimmage on Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
"We were better today that we were three days ago," Marshall Head Coach Bob Pruett said. "When you have a veteran defense and a young offense...I guess that is why they give you 29 practices. We are still a work in progress."
Marshall's first-team defensive unit went head-to-head with the Herd's second-team offense, while the first-team offense faced off with the second-team defense for the vast majority of the practice.
The defensive unit, expecially the first-team, managed to do more than hold its own by limiting the offenses to only three touchdowns and a field goal in what amounted to a complete four quarters of action. Among the defensive standouts were Lonnie McCowan and Matt Couch, who posted 13 and 11 tackles respectively. The Herd defense accounted for four sacks and interception on the day.
Senior quarterback Stan Hill completed 22 of 30 passes for 236 yards and was intercepted one, however the majority of the Herd's offensive highlights belong to the running backs. Freshman Ahmad Bradshaw showed why he was one of the nation's most coveted running backs out of high school by carrying the ball nine times for 52 yards and two scores. Senior running back, and Doak Walker Award Candidate, Earl Charles carried the ball six times for 30 yards and a touchdown and added 29 yards on two receptions. Donte Newsome and Tank Tunstalle added 60 and 22 yards, respectively.
"We just have to come out and play better football as an offense," Hill said. "Luckily, we had some good runs today and have a solid stable of running backs. The #1 defense looked real good today, but the bottom line is we just have some kinks to work out and eliminate the little errors. Once we do that, we will be fine."
Marshall's top receivers were tight end Matt Morris who gained 68 yards on three catches and Shawn Lauzon who hauled in a 45 yard pass. Overall, the Herd had 17 different playes catch passes in the scrimmage.
Graham Gochneaur directed the second team offense, while Jimmy Skinner worked most with the third-team offense.
Several young players, redshirt freshman lineman John Inman, true freshman running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and true freshman lineman Doug Legursky caught the coach's eye.
"We had some youngs out there having fun today," Pruett said. "John Inman played well, (Ahmad) Bradshaw was impressive, and I thought that Doug Legursky did well."
The Thundering Herd's young stable of kickers got plenty of work as well. Sophomore Ian O'Connor connected on a 47-yard field goal after missing attempts of 54 and 45 earlies. O'Connor, Marty Biagi, and Daniel Urrego also punted the ball well. O'Connor led the way with two 51-yard punts and a 36-yarder that was downed inside the five-yard line.
Monday is the first day of classes at Marshall and the team will resume its regular in season practice schedule next week. Marshall has roughly two weeks to prepare for a Troy State squad that upended the Herd last season at Troy.
The Thundering Herd will open the season against the Trojans on September 4th in Huntington. That game marks the first time the Herd has opened the season at home against a Division-1A opponent since 1988.
