HUNTINGTON, W.Va.– One of the first indications that Marshall’s defense is a much more improved unit this year came Saturday afternoon in the first scrimmage of the preseason. The Herd’s offense was not able to slice up the secondary and march down the field at will. The defense also created turnovers as quarterbacks Rakeem Cato and Blake Frohnapfel were each intercepted.
“At this point in camp if the defense isn’t a little ahead of the offense at this point in camp then you have problems,” said coach Doc Holliday. “I couldn’t say that last year and we had problems. Right now I think they’re where they need to be and we’ll get better.”
The offense ran 86 plays, gaining 446 yards on the day. 293 yards of that came through the air while the other 153 yards came on 37 rushes.
“The offense, we’re wanting to see some things and experiment a little bit but they’ll be fine,” assured Holliday. “You want to put them in as tough a situation you can get them in so that they learn to handle that adversity. It’s like I told them a second ago there’s going to be adversity in every game they play and how they handle that adversity is going to determine the outcome of the games.”
Chuck Heater’s unit brought several different looks and blitzes at the offense and was effective getting some pressure on the quarterbacks. The defense registered four “sacks” on the day. Of course, no one was taking the quarterbacks to the ground. Alex Bazzie and Jeremiah Thompson were each credited with sacks and redshirt-Freshman Gary Thompson collected two sacks on the day.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt our defensive line has improved. Offensively, I think we’re better up front so that’s probably a good thing defensively. It’s just going to make our offensive line better going against the kind of talent they’re having to go against at this point.”
Cato went 10-of-16 for 97 yards passing with one interception. Blake Frohnapfel completed 9-for-18 for 69 yards and an interception on the day. Gunnar Holcombe tossed a touchdown pass but was also intercepted. Holliday emphasizes the turnovers can’t be tolerated but pleased with the quarterbacks’ overall showing.
“I thought for the most part, with them getting all the blitzes thrown at them, they made good decisions. The important thing right now is just to take care of the football and make good decisions.
Marshall goes back to work on Monday. Another scrimmage is slated for Saturday, Aug. 10.