6:00: Morning News

Marshall at Old Dominion: 3 things to watch for

— By Bill Cornwell

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One team hopes to regain the momentum of winning, while the other team is desperately seeking a victory Saturday as Marshall plays at Old Dominion in a 3:30 p.m. affair Saturday.

Game time at S.B. Ballard Stadium is 3:30 p.m., and the Conference USA clash will be televised by Stadium.

Marshall (3-2, 1-1 CUSA) is coming off a home conference loss to Middle Tennessee State, while the Monarchs (1-5, 0-3) enter off a 52-33 loss at Florida Atlantic.

The teams have met four times and Marshall has won three of the matchups, including last year’s 35-3 thrashing in Huntington.

Here are three things to look for in the game: 

1. Can Alex Thomson settle in as starting QB?

The highly-touted junior transfer from Wagner started his first game for the Herd last week, a move forced by an injury suffered the previous week by starter Isaiah Green against Western Kentucky. Thomson’s performance in the MTSU loss was a mixed bag as he showed signs of rust on some poor throws and shaky decisions in the first half. 

His second half performance indicated growing comfort, especially some throws into tight windows in the fourth quarter on a late touchdown drive. Thomson finished 17-of-34 through the air for 173 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. 

He’ll have a chance for more improvement as he faces an ODU defense that is last in Conference USA, giving up 525 yards and nearly 39 points per game. The Monarchs are on the bottom in league numbers in both rush and pass defense, meaning Thomson could be effective, but he may also find himself relying heavily on Marshall running back Tyler King. 

One concern Thomson must face is an effective ODU pass rush led by Oshane Ximines, the conference  leader in sacks with 7.5. Thomson must avoid sacks by making quick decisions and getting the ball in spots where his runners and receivers can make plays.

2. Pass defense needs improvement

Marshall’s team defense is statistically in the middle of Conference USA, but the numbers for the Herd’s pass defense aren’t quite so positive. MU’s pass defense numbers are among the worst in the league (only Florida Atlantic and Old Dominion are worse), as the Herd is allowing over 272 passing yards per game. 

Most obvious have been breakdowns among cornerbacks Chris Jackson and Kereon Merrell as well as missed opportunities for support from safeties Malik Gant and Nazeeh Johnson, who have been caught playing the run on pass plays, leaving the corners on an island. 

The breakdowns have led to opponents hitting long pass plays or the corners picking up penalties when they fear that they are beaten on plays. 

A consistent performance by Marshall’s veteran defensive line and linebackers could help the back end of the defense. The Herd picked up five sacks against MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill in last week’s loss, but none came in the second half. 

3. ‘Home’ on the road

Has Marshall’s football team suddenly turned into the road warriors? So far this season, it appears that the Herd is quite comfortable away from Joan C. Edwards Stadium, as it’s taken care of business in wins at Miami (Ohio) and Western Kentucky, while winning just one of three games at home to this point.

Marshall coach Doc Holliday always teaches his club to treat road games as a business trip and to consider the road opponents as challenges to overcome. 

This weekend, Marshall steps into a unique venue in S.B. Ballard Stadium. The home of the Monarchs seats only a bit over 20,000 fans, but it’s usually full and ODU fans are a loud bunch. 

It will be important for Marshall to jump on the struggling Monarchs early, taking away their confidence and silencing the fans. 

Virginia Tech was unable to do that on Sept. 22, as ODU upset the then-No. 10 Hokies, 49-35 for its lone win of the season. 

Notes

No word on if Marshall will have injured running back Keion Davis or cornerback Jaylon McClain-Sapp back this week. Davis was injured late in the WKU win and did not dress for the Middle Tennessee contest, while McClain-Sapp has missed the last two games after suffering a late game injury against N.C. State … Starting offensive lineman Alex Mollette is done for the year after having surgery to treat a leg injury suffered in the Western Kentucky game … Marshall’s kick return game got a boost last week as Willie Johnson had several momentum-building returns in relief of the injured Davis. Johnson’s speed and elusiveness cause problems for kick coverage teams … It appears the coaching staff has settled on Nick Matthews as the team’s punt returner, although Marshall’s had only seven punt returns in five games as teams have been pooch punting or aiming kicks out of bounds … Herd fans should keep a close watch on another C-USA game Saturday as Middle Tennessee faces FIU in a contest that will determine who sits alone atop the league’s East Division. 





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