HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—The defense has set the tone the past two weeks, playing with a chip on its shoulder, like it has had something to prove. Whatever message the defense was trying to send was heard loud and clear. In each of the last two games, Marshall put the defense on the field to start the game and it has responded with a takeaway, setting up a quick score for the offense.
It certainly feels like Marshall is starting to hit its stride over the last two games.
“We talked about playing our best football in November and I think we’re playing our best football right now,” says coach Doc Holliday.
The Herd will look to keep the defense rolling against a Tulsa offense that has struggled this season and its youth has a lot to do with that. Seven players have made their first start on offense this year. 30 players have seen their first action as a college football player this season. Nearly half of the Golden Hurricane’s two-deep on offense are either freshmen or sophomores.
Injuries have also piled up for Tulsa. Six players who started the season opener against Bowling Green, including quarterback Cody Green and Tulsa’s best lineman Stetson Burnett, did not start last week against East Carolina. Holliday knows it doesn’t matter who is on the field, Tulsa is going to go all out.
“We’re going to take their best shot just like we take everybody’s best shot,” says Holliday. “I guarantee they’ll play their hearts out just like they always do.”
Again this week, Marshall will need to stop the run if it is going to be successful. Trey Watts ran through The Herd’s defense a year ago. Watts rushed for 111 yards on 18 carries in the Golden Hurricane’s 45-38 win over The Herd last year.
Watts is now the 3rd all-time leading rusher for Tulsa with 3,034 career yards. He needs 143 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year.
“I think they use him like Reggie Bush in space. He’s a good running back with good vision, good feet and is a great kid,” praises defensive coordinator Chuck Heater.
Watts reminds Montarius Lovett of a former Herd running back who went on to a successful NFL career.
“He’s kind of reminds me of Ahmad Bradshaw the way he moves his feet. Ahmad always had great feet.”
Watts rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown last week against East Carolina, becoming the first back to rush for 100 yards on the Pirates’ defense. ECU came into the game allowing just 85.2 yards per game.
Watts has 13 straight games 100+ all-purpose yards, dating back to last year. He’s rushed for 100+ yards in 12 consecutive games. Defensive lineman James Rouse knows defending Watts will be a challenge.
“He’s really good, really shifty with good speed. He’s one of the b33est backs we’ve seen.”
But Watts is not the only weapon in the backfield. Ja’Terian Douglas has 2,438 career rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Together Watts and Douglas have combined for 4,340 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns in three seasons.
Freshman quarterback Dane Evans made his second start last week against East Carolina. A persistent knee problem kept Cody Green out of the line up. It was a tough day for Evans who completed 14-of-33 for 142 yards and was intercepted twice. In fact it has been a tough year for the Golden Hurricane’s passing game in general. Tulsa is completing just 51.8 percent of its pass attempts and has thrown 13 interceptions as compared to just 11 touchdowns.
Tulsa turned the ball over four times against East Carolina last week, marking the second straight game with four turnovers. Holliday says taking care of the ball has been the major issue for Tulsa this season.
“If you look at what they’ve done they turn the ball over and if they protect the ball they’re a good football team. They’ve had turnovers at the wrong time and it has hurt them.”
Tulsa has turned the ball over 26 times in nine games. Last week, turnovers game East Carolina the ball on the Tulsa 18, 7, and 9-yard lines. Then, to add insult to injury the Pirates intercepted Evans on the final play of the game and returned 100 yards for a touchdown.
Despite the 2-7 record, Tulsa is just one year removed from winning the conference and Holliday points out is capable of ruining The Herd’s season.
“That football team won the conference championship a year ago. I know they’ll play with a lot of confidence they’ll be coached up really well,” says Holliday.
With a win, Marshall will continue to control its own destiny as it continues towards its goal of playing for a C-USA title. That’s a position Holliday wants to be in at the end of the night.
“When you control your own destiny you don’t have to rely on someone else. But right now all we can worry about is Tulsa because if we go beyond that we’re going to get beat.”