Marshall University Athletics
MCGILL: Holliday says "sky is the limit" for nationally ranked Herd
9/22/2020 7:58:00 PM | Football, Word on the Herd
Marshall cracked the Top 25 after historic win on national television
By Chuck McGill
HerdZone.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A week ago in this space, these words from Marshall head football coach Doc Holliday were shared:
"It's one thing to get those opportunities," he said at his weekly virtual media session, "it's another thing to take advantage of them."
Back then, Holliday was referring to a visit from a nationally ranked opponent, and the arrival of CBS in Huntington to broadcast the game nationwide. Now, Holliday's Herd is an undefeated Top 25 team.
"That's what opportunities are all about," Holliday said Tuesday, three days removed from Marshall's 17-7 win against No. 23 Appalachian State. "The critical thing is to take that opportunity and make the best of it. We've got the same type of opportunity with the season. The sky is the limit, possibly, for this football team and the way they are playing."
Marshall snapped a 16-game, 17-year drought against Top 25 teams and found its way into the Associated Press poll at No. 25. It is the first time since 2014 the Thundering Herd has been nationally ranked.
"We've got to take care of business now," Holliday said. "We have to go to work every day and get better or we're going to lose the opportunity we have."
Marshall has won both of its games on a major network, defeating Eastern Kentucky on ESPN on Sept. 5 before last Saturday's win against the three-time defending Sun Belt champions. It was the Herd's first appearance on CBS since 1993.
"Anytime you can do it on a national stage in front of all those people – what a great time slot and what a great opponent – there's been a lot of positive not only for our football team, but our community, our school and the state of West Virginia."
Marshall (2-0) accumulated 108 total points in the AP poll, settling in between No. 24 Louisville and Baylor, the first team in the "others receiving votes" category. Thirty nine voters ranked Marshall, while 22 kept the Herd outside of the Top 25.
Conor O'Neill, who was one of two voters who had Marshall ranked prior to the Appalachian State win, slotted the Herd at No. 17, the highest position on any ballot. Two ballots had Marshall at No. 20, two at No. 21 and six at No. 22.
Derek Redd, the sports director for HD Media and sports editor of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, ranked the Herd No. 22.
Marshall is the only Conference USA in the Top 25, although UAB and UTSA received votes.
"It's real excited," Marshall offensive lineman Alex Mollette said Tuesday. "Obviously, that's something all the guys on our team have dreamed about our whole lives. It was good to be able to go out there against a Top 25 team and put a full game together. It's the most exciting moment of my career so far."
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Speaking of nationally ranked nuggets, it occurred to Associate Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley that the athletic department has two ranked teams: football and men's soccer.
The College Soccer News preseason men's soccer poll ranked Marshall, which is coming off unprecedented success during the 2019 season, at No. 15, giving the Thundering Herd a pair of Top 25 teams. Full disclosure: College Soccer News ranks 30 teams.
Other schools with football and men's soccer among the top 25 in a national poll: Clemson, UCF, Virginia Tech, Louisville and Kentucky.
Pretty exclusive company.
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The Marshall football team is ranked No. 10 in total offense and No. 10 in total defense. Other schools with that claim: Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma and BYU.
The Herd is the only one of those teams with more than one game played this season.
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Among active players, Marshall senior linebacker Tavante Beckett has the most tackles in college football since the start of the 2019 season. Beckett tied for No. 12 nationally last season with 121 tackles, and has 24 through two games in 2020. Beckett is No. 2 nationally in tackles this season.
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Some numbers to know after two games:
Marshall is now 31-3 under Holliday when not allowing a rushing touchdown, 39-6 when rushing for 200-plus yards and 41-10 when winning the turnover battle. The Herd has accomplished all three of those in the first two games this 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).
