HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – There’s nothing glorious about playing special teams. In fact, there have been some football players who shy away from it. Flying downfield at full speed only to collide with an opposing player doing the same doesn’t make headlines the next day. However, it is a critical part of the game that Doc Holliday has always emphasized.
That’s why guys such as Cody Carter, are Doc Holliday types of guys.
The redshirt-senior from Barboursville was surprised this week when Holliday announced the captains for this week’s game against Akron. After announcing the two offensive and two defensive captains, Holliday had one more captain to name.
“They said we’ve got one more special teams guy and it was me,” grinned Cater.
“It’s truly an honor. Before the season one of my personal goals was to be a captain for a week and I was like, I don’t know if I’ll be able to that or not, being a special teams guy, but that first game every play I went out there and did my best and it paid off.”
Carter has become a special teams leader for the Herd since walking on to the program in 2013. The former Cabell-Midland High School standout, started his college career at Division II at the University of Charleston, where he played as a freshman, primarily on special teams. At Marshall, he has been a special teamer that Holliday can rely on.
Carter’s effort especially stood out after last week’s win over Morgan State.
“If you watch that special teams tape, it was special. He’s a great player and what this program is all about.”
For Carter, it wasn’t anything special, he insists he was just trying to do his job and do his part to make certain the Herd comes out on top at the end of the day.
“Every play, I’m trying to do my job, get my block, make a tackle or if I don’t have a job just hit somebody,” said Carter.
Holliday has said numerous times, he wants players to love to play football and who football is important to them. Carter, now a special teams specialist, fits that mold.
“Coming into the season I was trying to be the special teams leader, so being a captain is a great honor.”