Holcombe named backup QB

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Doc Holliday answered one of the burning questions coming into preseason camp Tuesday afternoon by naming redshirt-sophomore Gunnar Holcombe the number two quarterback.

The position came up for grabs when rising senior Blake Frohnapfel chose to transfer to UMass after receiving his undergraduate degree at Marshall. Holcombe was in a position battle with true freshman Cole Garvin and neither separated himself from the other during spring drills. However during August camp it was clear Holcombe had a better handle on the offense than his younger counterpart.

“It is starting to sort itself,” Holliday said of the depth chart. “We’re not giving reps any more to the three’s and some of the three’s have become two’s.”

In the only open scrimmage of preseason camp, Holcombe erased any doubt that he should be the number two quarterback. Holcombe completed 11-of-22 for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Garvin was 3-for-5 for 36 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

Incidentally, the same day Marshall named its backup quarterback, its former backup was named the starter at UMass. Blake Frohnapfel was named the starter for UMass’ season opener against Boston College.

“Over the course of my career, I’ve been really hoping for this. I’m glad I have the chance to start my first college game,” Frohnapfel told masslive.com. “It’ll be my first start, so there’s a certain pressure there. But it’s something I’ve been excited for a long time.”





More Marshall Sports

Marshall Sports
Importance of final week of spring practice not lost on Huff
Marshall's head coach using final days of spring practice to make important personnel decisions moving forward.
April 17, 2024 - 6:45 am
Marshall Sports
WVU cruises to victory in Mountaineer Invitational; Kammann, Davenport top two finishers
WVU wins fourth team championship in nine-year history of event.
April 16, 2024 - 5:43 pm
Marshall Sports
Photo gallery: WVU leads after Rd. 1 of the Mountaineer Invitational at Pete Dye G.C.
WVU hosts their lone home tournament of the year in the ninth annual event.
April 15, 2024 - 3:26 pm
Marshall Sports
Caldwell recipient of Furfari Award as premier college coach in West Virginia
In her lone season at Marshall, Kim Caldwell helped guide the Thundering Herd to a single-season program record 26 victories.
April 13, 2024 - 9:00 am


Your Comments