HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Marshall players didn’t learn the Thundering Herd had cracked the top 25 for the first time in 11 years until they completed their usual Sunday practice. Most found out once they got back in the locker room in the Shewey Building and checked their phones and realized they had numerous congratulatory messages.
“It’s just an excitement for everybody on the team and makes a lot more focused on what we’re doing,” said sixth-year defensive lineman James Rouse.
Being ranked 24th in the Amway coaches’ poll and 25th in the Associated Press poll are major accomplishments for a program that just three years ago was excited to reach six wins. But, this is where everyone around the Marshall football program expected to be.
“It’s just one of the goals. It’s where Coach Holliday and the coaching staff want to be. Its where us as players want to be,” insisted quarterback Rakeem Cato. “We know that we’ve got to keep going, keep coming out having a great week of practice and continue to play at a high level on Saturday. As long as we keep doing that, we’ll be all right.”
Now, Marshall finds itself in some uncharted waters. How will it handle the success and national attention? So far, the team has dealt with the preseason hype and lofty expectations quite well. It has taken care of business through the first six games. Now, for the first time since 2002, it goes into a game as a ranked team.
“We’ve got to keep focused on what’s ahead but it definitely feels good to be ranked and have that spotlight on you,” said guard Michael Selby.
Doc Holliday has preached focus and hard work to his team, reminding them everyday, the target on its back grows with every win. The moment they believe they have achieved something or become complacent is when an opponent could come out of nowhere and prevent Marshall from getting to where it wants to go.
And that’s to a major bowl game.
“It feels good (to be ranked) but we’re far away from where we want to be, so we’re not going to get complacent,” stated safety A.J. Leggett. “ We’re going stay humble and continue to focus and win week after week.”