HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Thundering Herd’s young secondary dipped its toes into college football last week in the 62-0 drubbing over Morgan State. This week that secondary will dive into the deep end as it faces a talented group of receivers for the Akron Zips.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for us. Those young kids (Chris Jackson, Jeremiah Maddox, Jaylon McClain-Sapp) went in there Saturday playing for the first time,” said Holliday. “This will be a much bigger test for them because they’ll be lined up across from two receivers who will be as good as any we face all year.”
Junior Jerome Lane comes into Saturday as the top receiver for the Zips with 13 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns. Lane switched from linebacker in 2015 to lead Akron with 782 yards receiving and a team-best eight touchdowns. The Akron-native racked up a career-high 196 yards receiving in the season opener against VMI and at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds provides a physical downfield threat for the Zips.
“The good thing for our secondary is they’ve played against big guys all year. Every day, our guys line up across from Michael Clark, Deon-Tay McManus and Justin Hunt so we have some tall guys who can run pretty well,” pointed out Holliday.
“Our guys line up against that every day so our guys should be used to that type of speed, athleticism and size. They also see (Tyre) Brady every day in practice and he’s pretty good too.”
Marshall must also account for the explosive transfer from Utah State, JoJo Natson, Jr. Natson, who will line up in the slot for the Zips, hauled in a team-leading three touchdowns in his Akron debut against VMI.
However, Natson is most dangerous on special teams.
He was named the Mid-American Conference Specialist of the Week for the East Division after he scored the Zips’ only touchdown, a 55-yard punt return for a score, against No. 10 Wisconsin. Natson has even drawn some comparisons to former Herd speedster DeAndre Reaves.
“Size-wise, of course, they are very similar and of course they were both slots and punt returners. He may not be quite as big as Reaves but he’s every bit as fast and explosive,” compared Holliday.
Prior to transferring to Akron, Natson the all-time in Utah State and Mountain West history with four punt returns for touchdowns and his 11.3 yards per return is third all-time at Utah State. In 2014, Natson was named All-Mountain West as a punt returner.
As far as Doc Holliday is concerned, neutralizing the athletic abilities of Lane and Natson all boils down to a point he emphasizes each week: preparation.
“The preparation should never stop until the foot hits the ball. I know the senior leadership on this team will step up and make sure that continues this week. If you don’t go prepare every week, you’re going to get beat. It doesn’t matter. Every week, someone gets beat who shouldn’t. It happened last week and it will happen this week. You just have to make sure it isn’t you. Akron’s plenty good enough to beat us if we don’t go play.”