HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—There’s still one game left in the 2013 season for the Thundering Herd but it’s not too early to look ahead to 2014 and contemplate the possible future success of the program. For the players returning next season, the next two weeks of practice will jumpstart the preparation for the 2014 season, which has the makings of being a big year for The Herd.
“ If you count the week we had for the C-USA championship game and then about eleven or twelve practices before the bowl game, that’s just as many practices as you get for spring ball,” noted Coach Doc Holliday. “We have about 16-to-17 practices before that bowl game which is huge. Especially for the young offensive and defensive linemen because those are the ones you can really develop the most.”
The Herd will have a few holes to fill next season up front. Garrett Scott, Alex Schooler and Gage Niemeyer will suit up for the final time in the Military Bowl along the offensive line and on defense Alex Bazzie, Brandon Sparrow and Jeremiah Taylor will play their final game with The Herd. The next two weeks provide an excellent opportunity for guys such as Michael Selby, Chris Huhn, Cameron Dees and others to get reps, work on technique and begin the process of stepping into larger roles next season.
Extra time on the practice field can’t do anything but help promising youngsters defense such Gary Thompson, Tiquan Lang and Arnold Blackmon on defense. Each have already contributed significantly in 2013 but more will be expected of them next season.
“ We’re going to take advantage of every minute we have to try to make this team better,” insisted Holliday.
Consider how much experience Marshall will return in 2014. Six seniors were listed on the offensive two-deep for the C-USA Championship game: two linemen, two receivers, and a tight end. Quarterback Rakeem Cato and his favorite target Tommy Shuler are coming back. Chris Jasperse will anchor the offensive line for a fourth year. Steward Butler has a chance to be the feature back next season.
On defense, only three seniors were listed on the depth chart and one of them will actually be back. James Rouse announced over the weekend he’s been granted an extra year of eligibility after missing two seasons due to injury.
While it is fun to peer in to the future and Holliday has next season in mind as he and his staff work with some of the younger players over the next couple of weeks, the focus has not shifted from the Military Bowl matchup against Maryland winning ten games for the first time since The Herd won 11 games in 2002.
“After the C-USA championship game, my one message to the players was that a bowl game is a reward for your season, but the bottom line is two things are most important. Those are that we send the seniors out, which have been a great group. They have played their best football. Essray Taliaferro, Alex Bazzie, Alex Schooler and Garrett Scott all played at their very best. All the seniors did that. It was neat to watch the team grow and watch the seniors prepared and played. The second important thing is to set the tone for next year with this bowl game.”
Playing a complete game, away from home and beating a team from a BCS conference would certainly set the tone for what could be a memorable 2014 season.