Marshall heads into spring game with quarterback question

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Spring practice for Marshall wraps up Saturday with the Green and White Game.

Leading the teams will be two noted alums: Chris Massey, a former NFL player, for the Green and John Grace, the 1998 Motor City Bowl MVP, for the White.

“(Fans) are going to like this football team,” coach Doc Holliday said. “They’re going to play extremely hard. They love to play. They’ve got big ol’ hearts and they just love the fans when the come into the stands.”

Holliday said he had some questions heading into spring practice that have largely been answered. One of the remaining questions, though, is who will be tapped to replace the record-setting Rakeem Cato as quarterback.

“I want to try to name a starter early next week so, going into the summer, they can do a great job leading this football team,” Holliday said Friday on MetroNews “Talkline.”

“I think by Monday or Tuesday we’ll have a starter and he’ll be a good one.”

The frontrunners appear to be Michael Birdsong, a junior transfer from James Madison, and Gunnar Holcombe, a redshirt junior who served as Cato’s backup last season. Other contenders are true freshman Chase Litton from Tampa, Fla. and redshirt freshman Cole Garvin.

The start time for the Green and White Game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets at $5 were available for purchase at HerdZone.com or at the game site.

After the game, players will meet with fans.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Marshall University will hold the annual ceremony at the Memorial Student Fountain which is being restarted for the season. Vic Winburn, the Young Thundering Herd’s athletic trainer, and Vinny Curry, Marshall All-American defensive end, will speak during that event.

Marshall opens the 2015 season against Purdue on Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. in Huntington.





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