Marshall University Athletics
MCGILL: Herd has 'Next Man Up' mentality for Camellia Bowl
12/23/2020 6:56:00 PM | Football, Word on the Herd
Reserves will get chance to shine on Christmas Day vs. Buffalo
By Chuck McGill
HerdZone.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Next man up.
Coaches everywhere have used this phrase to encourage players who are filling in for others, usually because of an injury, that they too can perform when given the opportunity.
The next men up this week for Marshall football could be junior linebacker Abraham Beauplan, named a captain for this Friday's Camellia Bowl after Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Tavante Beckett opted to begin his professional football journey this week. It could be Sheldon Evans – or even Knowledge McDaniel, Lawrence Papillon or Rasheen Ali – who all might receive a chance in the backfield to replace 2019 C-USA Most Valuable Player Brenden Knox, who joined Beckett as an NFL aspirant. It could be Dalton Tucker, the likely substitute for offensive tackle Josh Ball, who is bound for the NFL.
Beauplan is a first-time game captain. Evans, a popular choice as a captain by the coaching staff this season, will likely receive his first career start. Tucker has one start under his belt, but limited experience.
The decision to opt out of the bowl game against Mid-American Conference representative Buffalo – set for Christmas Day at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN – didn't alarm Marshall head coach and C-USA Coach of the Year Doc Holliday, who understands why players these days might feel compelled to make that call.
"We'll support them 100 percent," Holliday said. "Any of those guys who think that's the direction they want to go them, I'm behind them 100 percent. That's happening all over the country. That's something we're going to have to get used to. I'm not sure if it's good, bad or indifferent, but I know we have to support those kids 100 percent because they sure gave us everything they had."
Ball was the first of the three to declare his intentions this week via social media. Beckett was next. Knox, the No. 8 rusher in program history, waited an extra day to bid farewell. All three players were C-USA first all-conference selections, but their departures create opportunities for others.
"Of course we're going to miss Knox out on the field," said Grant Wells, Marshall's quarterback and the C-USA Freshman of the Year. "I don't think anybody is afraid to say that. With him not being there, other guys are going to have to step up. That's the theme this entire year. I know Shell and Knowledge and everybody else are going to step up in his place and do great."
"Shell" is Sheldon Evans, a reliable reserve who has spelled Knox throughout the season. The 5-11, 200-pounder from Roswell, Georgia is second on the team in the three primary rushing categories: attempts (54), yards (248) and touchdowns (four). This is Evans' ninth game as a captain this season, so he understands Knox's role as a leader.
"They've been here, especially Shell," Marshall running backs coach Pepe Pearson said of Knox and Evans. "They came in together, so they've walked the same walk together. Shell understands what the standard is for the position. It's been great having the leadership from Shell and Knox to show the younger guys the way to go, doing the little things that add up to make you great overall. As a coach I couldn't ask for a better two guys to show younger guys in our program what it looks like and what the standard is."
McDaniel is a true sophomore who has rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown this season. Papillon has carried the ball 10 times for 38 yards and one touchdown. Ali, a freshman, has been used far less in the backfield but did tie for the team lead in all-purpose yardage against Rice.
Defensively, Marshall needs to replace its leading tackler for the past two seasons. Beckett had 90 tackles in nine games this season after leading C-USA in tackles a season ago. He also leads the nation in fumble recoveries this season with four, and has 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
"It's been a fun two years to be around him," Marshall defensive coordinator Brad Lambert said of Beckett. "He's been so productive. To watch him progress and get better each and every day, and watch him become a good teammate, that's the fun part. You get to see the daily interaction and see how big his heart is. On the field he's been so productive. We're going to miss him this week, for sure."
More of the linebacker responsibilities will fall on Beauplan, who has 45 tackles and three forced fumbles this season. Beauplan has five starts and is fifth on the team in tackles.
"Whenever you miss guys like Tavante Beckett, it's a big deal," Beauplan said. "As a defense we have to step up and do what we've been doing this whole year."
Chuck McGill is the Assistant Athletic Director for Fan/Donor Engagement and Communications at Marshall University and an eight-time winner of the National Sports Media Association West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year award. In addition to HerdZone.com's Word on the Herd, McGill is the editor of Thundering Herd Illustrated, Marshall's official athletics publication. Follow him on Twitter (@chuckmcgill) and Instagram (wordontheherd).
