HUNTINGTON, W.Va.— After the devastating loss to Ohio last week, Marshall players now must put that game behind them and not let Ohio beat them two weeks in a row.
Emotions were running high coming in to the Battle For The Bell and after a game that Herd players felt they gave away; the emotions were just as strong. Players realized they’d missed a chance to make a statement that the program had taken a step forward.
Now, the challenge is to move on from the loss and understand that one game does not have to ruin and entire season.
“We just have to go out there and play ball and have fun,” says quarterback Rakeem Cato. “We need to limit ourselves turning the ball over and make sure everyone is making the right decisions.”
Holliday knows his players better than anyone and is confident they can put the loss in the past and move on.
“They took that thing awful hard but they also know that one game is not going define a season and they know that. We’ve got a lot of football left to play and they’re going to be good. They’ll go play. Effort has not been an issue with these kids. They play extremely hard. We’re not smart at times but they play extremely hard,” feels Holliday.
Unfortunately for Marshall its bounce back game isn’t against a creampuff FCS school. Marshall must go on the road and take on Virginia Tech, which features one of the best defenses in the country. That’s why Cato is emphasizing to his teammates that the Ohio game is over and The Herd must focus on the Hokies.
“It’s going to happen but we can’t let that get us down and let that stop us from doing what we’re doing,” says Cato. “You just have to go out there and learn from it and play your best football.”
Herd players know had they just taken care of the ball Saturday night they probably would have left Athens with a win. That’s why they still have confidence in their abilities and believe they have another chance to make a statement concerning the progress of the program Saturday in Blacksburg.