6:00: Morning News

In C-USA opener, Herd aims for followup road win

Marshall tight end Ryan Yurachek (85) makes a catch against Cincinnati in last week’s victory.

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall looks to continue its positive momentum against the UNC-Charlotte 49ers on the road Saturday after winning their first road game in two years last week at Cincinnati.

With Marshall (3-1) looking to avenge last season’s 27-24 loss, tight end Ryan Yuracheck said it’s a chance to show maturity by winning a second straight road game. The Herd is coming off last week’s win at Cincinnati.

“It had been almost two years since we had a happy bus or plane ride home,” Yuracheck said. “It was good to finally have that happy bus ride home, you couldn’t have scripted a better 60 minutes for the Herd this past Saturday and we are excited for where we are headed.”

Yuracheck said last week’s win over the Bearcats was a relief for players who went through last season’s 3-9 campaign.

“It was a confidence boost not only for the young guys, but guys who were here last year, it’s pretty crazy we had guys play last year that have never had a road win,” Yuracheck said. “Obviously you have to win on the road, you can’t just win home games and go 4-4 in the conference and expect to be competing for a conference championship.”

Yuracheck was vital in Marshall’s road win over Cincinnati last week after having a slow statistical start to the season. The Herd’s athletic tight end caught three touchdowns against the Bearcats while also leading the team in receptions and receiving yards.

The 49ers (0-5) have averaged more 400 yards of offense the last three games but haven’t been competitive

Marshall (3-1) at UNC-Charlotte (0-5)

Kickoff: 6 p.m., Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.

When the Herd has the ball: Look for Marshall to take advantage of a Charlotte team giving up over 180 rushing yards per game this year. Marshall finally got their run game going last week in the second half, with Keion Davis finishing the day with 93 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

Even if the running game doesn’t prove fruitful, the 49’ers defense has given up 34 points per game. Charlotte has also been atrocious in terms of red zone defense, allowing opponents to convert on 90 percent of their scoring opportunities.

Quarterback Chase Litton said big individual performances from the likes of Tyre Brady, Marcel Williams, and Ryan Yuracheck have forced opposing defenses into picking their poison.

“A lot of teams saw that N.C. State game and what Brady is capable of, so they have to play him a certain way,” Litton said. “That gives Yuracheck, Williams, and Willie Johnson those one-on-one opportunities that they can win.”

Litton said everyone from last year remembers the upset loss Marshall suffered at home against the 49’ers, but they don’t need any extra motivation to win this game, or any other.

“I don’t think you rate one loss higher or lower than another—it is a loss, you take it on the chin and move on—but you don’t forget it,” Litton said. “I know the guys from last year are ticked off and want to win, but so are the guys from this year. We have a lot of guys who, it doesn’t matter who we are playing against, they want to go out there do what they were coached to do and win.”

When Charlotte has the ball: Charlotte has shown a potent offense at times, including 504 yards against FIU last week, the second most yards in their school’s FBS history.

“We are going in to conference play for the first time this week — every game is critical one now and our guys need to understand that, preparation is the key to this game — if you look at Charlotte they played their best game last week, they had FIU down 26-7 late in the game but FIU found a way to come back and beat them,” coach Doc Holliday said. “Their offense is built around their quarterback Hasaan Klugh, you better stop him or you have no chance of stopping Charlotte.”

Klugh is a dual-threat quarterback for the 49ers, he has 651 yards and five touchdowns through the air so far this season. On the ground he has 297 rushing yards, a 100 more yards than any Marshall running back, and another five touchdowns.

“The thing that separates him from other mobile quarterbacks, there are guys that are mobile but some are just flat out fast,” Holliday said. “The difference in him is that he can get on the perimeter and outrun you, he did it against us a year ago, so you better contain him and get a lot of guys running to the ball.”

If Marshall’s front seven can get pressure on Klugh and force him to throw the ball, the Herd’s secondary will have a good chance of making some plays against a quarterback who has thrown seven interceptions in five games.

Wildcard: Marshall and Charlotte have only played twice in the 49ers short history, both games have ended with the away team walking out victorious. The Herd won 34-10 on the road in 2015, and Charlotte returned the favor last year winning 27-24.

Line: Marshall favored by 15

— By Troy Alexander





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