HUNTINGTON, W.Va.– For the first time in fall camp, Marshall football spent much of its practice Saturday afternoon under game-like settings working in a scrimmage format. Rather than working with coaches in individual team workouts, players lined up in an 11-on-11 full-tackle practice.
With several eager fans sitting in the stands at Joan C. Edwards taking in the practice session, they were quickly rewarded with a hook-up from Heisman Trophy Candidate Rakeem Cato to Tommy Shuler for a nice gain on first down. This tandem continues to look crazy good and no one has yet to find a way to shut the Biletnikoff Award watch list member down.
Just Keep Running
Today’s first team backs were Devon “Rockhead” Johnson and Remi Watson. Johnson returned to practice after missing Friday due to a personal issue and looked solid working beside of Cato. Rockhead did pick up seven yards on a counter play but his biggest play of the day did not involve him carrying the ball. With Corey Tindal showing a corner blitz, Cato checked the play putting Johnson in position. Johnson picked up Tindal perfectly and provided Cato the extra time he needed to connect with tight end Eric Frohnapfel on a post-route that picked up 20+ yards. With many questions of why Johnson is working as the first-team tailback, that play answered it in a big way.
After a forgettable 2013 season that saw Watson tally only 30 carries for 120 yards, he has shown in practice that this could be the year he makes a turn for the better. Unlike last season when Watson shot the gap and then began dancing around, once he hits the hole, he turns it north and south. Watson had several nice gains Saturday and could provide the Herd backfield with a nice one-two punch with Johnson that will keep defenses scratching their heads. It appears that a statement from his running back coach Chris Barclay may have hit home.
“I don’t know if you know this or not Remi,” Barclay said with laughter. “But the end zones are north and south.
Tony Pittman took the third team carries today as Stew Butler continued to appear to slide deeper in the doghouse. However, Doc did make a statement today that several of the young players saw extended action today in hopes of making a decision of who will make the two-deep and who will head to the scout team.
Doc plans on having this decided by early in the week and the team he plans on putting on the field against Miami (OH) taking first-team reps by Wednesday. Pittman did a decent job on limited carries today with his biggest gain coming on a sweep. Coach Barclay said Pittman is a solid player but he is still trying to adjust to the speed of the game.
Brandon Byrd was present at practice today after suffering a nasty hit from linebacker Cortz Carter during practice yesterday. Byrd was in shorts and shirt today and visibly appeared to be sore after the collision the sent his helmet flying yesterday. Coach Holliday expects Byrd to return possibly by next week but gave no definite timetable other than the freshman was going to be fine.
Restricted Air Space
Doc said earlier this week that this is the best group of receivers he’s ever seen at Marshall. With that being said, the decision of who to keep and who redshirt. Of the 12 receivers on this year’s roster, at least nine have shown ways they could contribute to the program now. This does not include the four tight ends of which two should regularly see the field. Angelo Jean-Louis made another stellar catch today on a ball thrown by Cato that led the redshirt freshman to the endzone for a touchdown.
Josh Knight continued his quiet march up the chart today showing he is a solid outside receiver that can take advantage of smaller corners. Knight torched the defense twice today on jet-routes up the sideline for touchdowns. While only a sophomore, Knight is playing well above his years thus far in camp.
Justin Hunt’s struggles continued today as his severe case of the drops refuses to go away. Cato gave Hunt a chance to shine as he delivered a pinpoint pass to the sophomore that he simply dropped. Hunt’s stock is sinking quickly and this is not the class to be doing it in.
Hyleck Foster and Gator Green continued to show they deserve to be in the discussion for playing time this season. However, in the last two days, both have shown some rookie mistakes. Foster works the flat well and if he gets a free release from the line, he is gone.
Emanuel Beal pulled in a grab from Gunnar Holcombe after burning Jacob Parker. Beal has made positive strides throughout the week and definitely has the frame that can match up with linebackers. Beal is another true freshman that is making a case for playing time on Saturdays.
Don’t End It Here
As Eric Frohnapfel led the ones today, the true race is who will be on the field behind him and in what capacity. Deon-Tay McManus split time with Joe Woodrum today with the twos as McManus continued to shine. McManus works the flat extremely well and has good enough speed to run the underneath routes.
Ryan Yurachek had a better day today as the true freshman has struggled to say the least through much of camp. His hands have failed him mightily this week but he did seem to settle in today during the scrimmage session with several nice catches that led him into contact, including a big pop from Michael Johnson.
Big Hit of the Day
Rodney Allen can stake claim to this but unfortunately it was on his own teammate. As Tommy Shuler readied to field a punt, Allen moved across the field in an attempt to provide blocking for the senior. He failed miserably as he decked Shuler as the contact dropped Allen squarely on top of the returner. Allen did receive a pat on the back for the play, however it was from the punt coverage team. Shuler was less than pleased after the play.
Back It on Up
As the race for the back-up continues, there continues to be definite separation due to consistent performance of the field by either Gunnar Holcombe or Cole Garvin. Holcombe appears to be the sure back-up in the event of a catastrophic happening that Cato is forced from the field. Neither quarterback has found a consistent rhythm that allows any separation. While Holcombe did have a couple of nice completions in the scrimmage today, his accuracy is a coin flip.
Injury Report
Clint Van Horn is still out with a boot on his right foot. He continues to walk on crutches but has dressed out in pads and helmet each day while he stands on the sidelines and coaches up the younger players.
Tiquan Lang was still out of contact drills but appears to becoming more mobile everyday. Donaldven Manning continues to work with the trainers on the sidelines during practice. James Rouse, Kent Turene, Neville Hewitt and Evan McKelvey did not work on the field during the scrimmage. When asked why Rouse did not participate in the scrimmage today, Coach Holliday
Read more on Saturday’s scrimmage at http://collierszlive.blogspot.com.
— James Collier