HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Doc Holliday has seen and experienced just about everything there is to take in during his coaching career, or at least he thought he had. With Marshall’s bye week coming on the first week of the season, for the first time in his coaching career Doc Holliday will be able to do what every other college football fan across the country will doing on Saturday: watch college football.
“It’s the first time in all my years playing and coaching of not starting on that opening weekend,” coach Doc Holliday said Monday. “So it will be different finishing up Saturday with that mock game, having the opportunity to watch [other] guys play on opening day.”
Saturday’s mock game will be less like a scrimmage and more like a dress rehearsal for the Sept. 10 opener versus Morgan State. Holliday wants to emphasize getting personnel on and off the field, substitution packages, special team transitions and just making certain there are 11 players on the field.
“What you have to do, especially this week is worry about ourselves getting better. We got to go out there every day like we always do,” said Holliday. “This will be sort of a camp week still, so to speak, because we’ll go good on good. There’ll be some scout looks that are worked into it.”
By the time game week actually roles around, Herd players will certainly be ready to face a team wearing a different color jersey.
Not since Sonny Randle’s Thundering Herd started the 1981 season on Sept. 12 has Marshall had to wait so long to get the season started. However, the early off-week does offer a unique opportunity for players and coaches to take in the opening weekend of college football.
Holliday said he’ll keep his eye on Conference USA teams and future opponents during the weekend, noting interest in Western Kentucky vs. Rice on Thursday and Charlotte’s opener with Louisville.
Morrell named backup QB
One of the looming questions coming into camp was situation at backup quarterback. Chase Litton was the undisputed starter coming into 2016 but behind him Marshall had a roster of quarterbacks who had never attempted a pass at the collegiate level.
Monday, Holliday officially named freshman Garrett Morrell as the No. 2 quarterback behind Litton. The move was not a shock for anyone who has followed preseason camp.
The Leesburg, Georgia native came into camp with a leg up on the rest of the first-year quarterbacks, coming from a system in high school that is very similar to the Herd’s offensive scheme. Holliday also credited the Morrell’s high school coaching for the freshman being ready to step into the backup role.
“Those kids are really well coached. They were in a similar scheme to what we do. He’s further along that what most freshmen are because of where he comes from.”
Meanwhile, Xavier Gaines will be third on the depth chart. Holliday characterized him as a “typical freshman” trying to adjust to the college game, but believes Gaines is still a tremendous prospect that has a bright future for the Herd.
Freshmen will see the field
Doc Holliday expects several freshmen to see action this season, all of them skill position players. Cornerback Chris Jackson has earned a starting role this preseason. Holliday also mentioned outside receivers Willie Johnson and Brandon Rodgers, linebacker Omari Cobb, cornerback Jaylon McClain-Sapp as true freshmen he expects to see action this season.
One group of true freshmen Holliday is hopeful never takes the field is his offensive and defensive linemen. Holliday believes Marshall is deep enough at those positions that no true freshmen will be pressed into duty and that’s just the way Holliday likes it.