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GAMEDAY: Herd vs. Akron

AKRON, OH—Marshall has had its share of struggles on the road in recent years. While the Herd has won 10 consecutive games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, it has been far less dominant on the road.

All three of Marshall’s losses last year came away from Huntington, falling at Middle Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and in the conference championship game at Rice. It also needed a last second field goal to slip by FAU in Boca Raton.

“I think a lot of that is we are better personnel-wise. A couple of years ago, we weren’t very good at home or on the road,” noted coach Doc Holliday.

Marshall turned a corner regarding its road struggles at the end of last season. Marshall took on Maryland in the Military Bowl in the Terps backyard. The game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD was a 36-minute drive from College Park. Marshall controlled that game without having a let down or making the mistakes that fans had grown accustomed to seeing on the road.

“I’ve always believed that when you go on the road, leadership is critical. I think this year and last year, we have better leadership than we’ve had before,” said Holliday. “I think when you go on the road, toughness is extremely critical, mentally and physically.”

Those leaders including Rakeem Cato, Chris Jasperse, James Rouse and other upperclassmen who have now been through just about everything a college football player can experience. It will be up to those veterans to ensure that younger players are not shaken on the road and stay mentally focused.

Marshall showed earlier this season it could face adversity on the road and overcome it. The Herd missed an opportunity to put the opener with Miami away in the third quarter and found itself in an unexpected dogfight in the second half.

“Our guys like going into the arenas and playing away, and I think that helps. I think we’re better in all of those areas, but I also think we have better players and are a better overall team than we have been in previous years,” said Holliday.

And they like knowing that there will be plenty of Herd fans this week in Akron to support them. The Zips have only been averaging a little more than 9,100 people for home games, so it should be easy to see and hear the Marshall contingent.

“Our fans travel really well. I’m sure they will this game too so that’s always a good thing to see that section of kelly green and the volume they’ll bring,” tight end Eric Frohnapfel said.

Marshall has the chance to go into its bye 4-0 for the first time since it went undefeated in 1999. But it most do it today on the road.





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