HUNTINGTON, W.Va.— Since the final whistle blew on Marshall’s 31-20 win over Maryland in the Military Bowl fans have been anticipating the 2014 seasons. With a loaded roster, a favorable schedule and a program on the rise, expectations at Marshall have never been higher. As practice preseason camp starts here are a few of questions facing The Herd this fall.
Can Marshall live up to the hype?
Simply, no. That’s not to say Marshall can’t live up to the expectations. This team has a very real chance to run the table this year. It’s toughest games against Ohio, Middle Tennessee, and Rice are all at Edwards Stadium where Marshall has rediscovered the dominance it enjoyed at home in the 90s and 2000s. However, some anticipate The Herd not only winning every game but winning it by at least two or three touchdowns. Chad Pennington may have put it best while visiting with reporters during the Green/White game. He said these are the type of expectations where Rakeem Cato could throw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and people will ask “What’s wrong?” because he didn’t throw for 400 yards and four touchdowns.
Who steps up to replace Gator Hoskins production?
Gator became Cato’s go-to guy in the redzone the last two seasons. Of Gator’s 50 receptions last year 15 of them were for touchdowns. Now, Gator is gone and Cato will have to find a new best friend in the redzone. Gator provided a big body over the middle that could get lost in the defense’s focus on letting Tommy Shuler. Senior tight end Eric Frohnapfel has shown glimpses of being that guy. Devon Johnson has a knack for finding the endzone, being used as a tight end and running back last year. Freshman Deon-tay McManus also displayed promise this spring. His size and athletic ability could give Cato a new weapon to work with.
Can Marshall find and outside, downfield threat?
Tommy Shuler will draw a lot of attention in the slot this season. He’s hauled in over 100 passes in each of the last two seasons. Defenses will know exactly where Shuler is at all times. It will be important for someone on the outside to elevate his game to take pressure off of Shuler and force the defense to respect the deep ball. Davonte Allen and Craig Wilkins are the top two outside threats. Justin Hunt improved this spring and Doc Holliday liked what he saw from newcomer Angelo Jean-Louis in April. Developing a consistent outside threat could push this offense from a great one to a juggernaut.
Who will win the battle for backup QB?
Gunnar Holcombe and Cole Garvin will resume their battle to be the no. 2 quarterback this week. Holliday wanted one of them separate themselves during spring ball but that didn’t happen. Both improved in the spring but neither established himself as the backup. Again, Holliday wants someone to run away with the job early on so the coaches can make a decision on the depth chart. In a perfect world neither Holcombe nor Garvin will be pressed into duty this year. Herd fans hope the only time they see someone other than Cato under center is in the fourth quarter of a Herd blowout.