HUNTINGTON, W. Va. — As the Thundering Herd football team continues it’s quest for perfection, one U.S. Senator has been out drumming up support for the squad.
“I’m just so proud of what they’ve done,” Joe Manchin said. “Doc Holliday and his complete staff, and [Athletic Director] Mike Hamrick, and the Athletic Department, and [University President Stephen] Kopp and the whole Marshall family, they’ve been unbelievable in the tremendous comeback and bringing it back up to the top where it’s been.”
11-0 on the season, ranked in various polls –which recently includes the 24 spot in the College Football Playoff poll– and ranked high in statistical categories on both offense and defense, Manchin said he been out telling everyone he can about the team he feels isn’t getting its proper respect.
“Not to have the recognition that Marshall should be getting from the national press and the national pollsters, finally cracking the top 25 but still yet not much respect there, we got to make sure Marshall’s going to earn that respect.”
Manchin is confident the team will hold up its end of the bargain by continuing to win. He said another way to get the attention of those making the decision in college football is being Joan C. Edwards Stadium Friday for the Herd’s final regular season game against Western Kentucky.
“I would hope they all turn out Friday and pack the stadium,” he said. “Let’s go on to the bigger and better as far as the bowl but end up with a perfect regular season and then see what they have to say about that.”
As for the matchup against the Big Red, Manchin didn’t toss out a specific number, but did predict the scoreboard would light up frequently.
“It’s going to be a high-scoring game, I believe, because I believe you’re going to see them basically just give it all they’ve got. They know that having a perfect season hasn’t been done that much in Marshall’s history or that much in the country and definitely not that much this year.”
The Herd and the Seminoles from Florida State University remain the only two unbeaten teams as of Friday.