WKU coach Sanford: Marshall’s talent is class of C-USA

— By Bill Cornwell

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Getting off to a good start in Conference USA play is on the minds of both Marshall head coach Doc Holliday and Western Kentucky’s Mike Sanford as the two clubs meet in the league opener Saturday night in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game is being televised nationally by Stadium.

The teams are coming off different outcomes last week as Marshall (2-1) lost for the first time this season, falling at home to North Carolina State 37-20, while WKU (1-3) picked up its first win, beating Ball State in Muncie, Indiana, 28-20.

Sanford, who is in his second year with the Hilltoppers, says his young club showed a lot of resolve in the Ball State win after losing a heartbreaker the week before at Louisville.

“It was an emotional victory for us on the road,” Sanford said. “We were one of six FBS teams who started out the season with three of four true road games and for us to finish an opening stretch like that against a quality opponent that took Notre Dame to the wire … that was gratifying.”

As for Holliday, it’s not all negative coming off the loss to the Wolfpack, but there’s plenty work on.

“I thought our players played extremely hard,” Holliday said. “We have to get off the field on third downs defensively and stay on the field on third downs on offense, plus be more consistent running the football.

“We’ll focus on that this week and see if we can’t get that done.”

Sanford knows that Marshall was one of the preseason favorites for a Conference USA title and his pregame study shows why.

“I really do believe that Marshall on film is probably the class of Conference USA as far as it relates to player talent,” Sanford said. “They’re a team that went through a lot of hardships two years ago, playing a lot of young players, finding their identity, but they built it last year and now they’re playing with a whole lot of returning starters who have a bunch of talent.”

A big question for Marshall this week is which WKU quarterback to prepare for.

Davis Shanley, Steven Duncan and Drew Eckels have all started for the Hilltoppers this season, with Eckels having the most experience among the group after seeing considerable playing time last year. Eckels started the first two games, Duncan started against Louisville and Shanley started in the Ball State win.

Sanford likes the competition among his signal callers.

“To have three quarterbacks ready to play, let alone one or two, is special,” Sanford said. “I’ve been very pleased with that group and how they’ve responded and they unit they’ve proven themselves to be.”

Holliday believes Marshall will be ready for whoever lines up behind center.

“They don’t change a whole lot with what they do,” Holliday said. “They are going to have some quarterback runs in there and all three of them have the ability to do that.”

Holliday says that getting off to a good start in league play is the goal no matter who is on the other side of the ball.

“Regardless of who we play, we have to go play like it is a championship game,” Holliday said. “We have some history with Western Kentucky and they are an excellent football team and I’m sure they are treating this like a rivalry, so we will prepare and get ready to go play.”

Marshall is 1-0 on the road this season, opening the year with a 35-28 win at Miami (Ohio).

Holliday hopes to turn Saturday night’s contest into a “semi” home game since Bowling Green is not too far from Huntington.

“I think that everything gets magnified on the road, so it’s important that we go on the road and play well,” Holliday said. “I know our fans will travel well because everywhere we go, our fans follow and that will help us.”

Marshall and Western Kentucky have played nine times over the years and the Herd leads the series 5-4, but the meetings since the Hilltoppers joined Conference USA in 2014 have been intense, with Western taking three of the four contests. Marshall finally beat Western in league play last season in Huntington, 30-23.





More Marshall Sports

Marshall Sports
Commentary: Final 40 minutes don't tell the story of Marshall's season
The Herd lost by 43 points in its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 27 years, but a 26-7 campaign could help be a springboard for future success.
March 26, 2024 - 4:15 pm
Marshall Sports
Jackson replaces D'Antoni as Marshall basketball coach
Dan D'Antoni is out after a 10-year stint guiding the Marshall men's basketball program. Cornelius Jackson, former associate head coach and a native of Oak Hill, takes over.
March 25, 2024 - 8:25 pm
Marshall Sports
Six home games, trips to Virginia Tech and Ohio State highlight Herd's 2024 schedule
Marshall opens the season August 31 by welcoming Stony Brook.
March 25, 2024 - 2:35 pm
Marshall Sports
Marshall no match for Hokies in 92-49 season-ending loss
Thundering Herd suffer lopsided setback in first NCAA Tournament showing since 1997.
March 22, 2024 - 7:33 pm