— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall still has a shot to win Conference USA’s East Division, but it needs a win Saturday against Florida International, along with help.
The Herd can only realize its season-long goal by beating the Panthers on Senior Day in Huntington and having Southern Miss win at Florida Atlantic later that day.
Marshall’s game with FIU kicks off at noon and will be shown on CBS Sports Network, while FAU faces Southern Miss at 3:30 p.m.
Marshall leads the all-time series 5-2, including a 28-25 win last year in Miami.
The teams enter the regular season finale off opposite results. Marshall lost on the road in the rain to a fired-up Charlotte team, 24-13, while the Panthers (6-5, 3-4) were picking up arguably the biggest win in program history, a 30-24 victory over Miami at Marlins Park.
Third-year Panthers’ head coach Butch Davis says he can’t say enough say enough his team as the win over the Hurricanes followed a 37-7 loss to FAU in the Panthers’ previous game.
“The players spilled their guts to get that win,” Davis said. “I kind of told people two weeks before the game that we’re going to find out a lot about our character and who we really are after a tough loss on the road to FAU.
“We came back to practice during our open date and that Tuesday practice was probably the best we’d had all year even going back to August. The kids were focused and competin. They pushed themselves and I knew they’d spill their guts out in the Miami game.”
On the flip side, Marshall head coach Doc Holliday believes Saturday will be a special day with 17 seniors playing their final regular season home game, and the Herd (7-4, 5-2) still having a shot to win their division.
“Those guys have given a lot of blood, sweat and tears to this program,” Holliday said. “It’s important that we work really hard to send those guys out the right way. We still have a lot to play for. We have the opportunity to still win the East and we have to win this game. We have to have a great week of preparation.”
Marshall struggled on both sides of the ball in the Charlotte loss, recording no offensive touchdowns, throwing for fewer than 100 yards and looking vulnerable at times on defense.
Holliday says that this week’s game will be a test of his club’s ability to rebound after having its five-game win streak snapped.
“It’s important to get everything back,” Holliday said. “As you all know, we did not play well enough offensively (at Charlotte). It’s important that we get back to work there. It’s hard to be one-dimensional and we were a little bit. We have to get back to being able to do both (run and pass) and I’m sure our kids will work really hard to get that done.
“Number one, you have to take care of the ball. You can’t turn it over. At some point, you have to be able to throw and catch it.”
Much like when Marshall faces FAU, the games against FIU brings plenty of emotion for the Herd roster, with about one-third of it hailing from the Sunshine State, and the majority of those being from southern Florida.
Holliday admits the familiarity among players brings some heat to the game, plus it helps influence recruits from Florida who are considering Marshall.
“Our players know a lot of theirs, so they understand that they are very capable,” Holliday said. “They know a lot of those guys and grew up playing against them in high school. They know who they are and what kind of players they are. We recruit that area heavily. Our kids enjoy playing against those guys. If you can have success against those teams, there’s no doubt that it will help you with recruiting.”
Marshall’s 17-member senior class features several key players for the Herd, including linebackers Omari Cobb and Tyler Brown, defensive end Marquis Couch, center Levi Brown, tight end Armani Levias, defensive tackle Channing Hames, cornerbacks Chris Jackson and Kereon Merrell and kicker Justin Rohrwasser.
“A lot of them have grown,” Holliday said. “They’re just all great kids. They’ve overcome a lot of adversity. I’m just proud about the way they’ve gone about their work. They are really good players who are getting the opportunity to play here on Saturday.”
Holliday is nearing the end of his 10th season as Marshall’s head coach and with Thanksgiving celebrated this week, the Herd head coach took some time to reflect.
“To have the opportunity to take these kids and mold them, have them walk out of here with a college degree and be successful … that’s what this is really all about,” Holliday said. “I’m just thankful to have that opportunity and be at a place like Marshall, where football is really, really important.”