What can you learn from a loss?
Well, according to Doc Holliday, not much. As far as Holliday is concerned you go out to win each game and there’s nothing to gain from coming up short. However, that’s not to say the loss can’t be used as motivation.
Marshall’s loss to WVU last year still stings and players are reminded of how they had the game within their grasps, how they let a historical win in front of their hometown fans slip away in the final moments of the game. Now just days before Marshall kicks off the season against WVU, the team is echoing a similar theme… play all 60 minutes.
“We’ve got to fix the finish,” captain Vinny Curry put simply.
No one forgets the finish of last year’s game. WVU trailing by two touchdowns marched down the field twice on the right arm of quarterback Geno Smith, evening the score as time expired on drives of 98 and 96 yards.
Even after the first scoring drive, Marshall still had the chance to ice the game after recovering the onside kick, but gave the football right back the Mountaineers after a three-and-out offensive series.
“We’ve got to be more consistent. We can’t have bad drives or bad plays or drop off like last year,” says senior tackle and captain Ryan Tillman.
Tillman is looking forward to Sunday’s matchup and the chance to block the Mountaineers’ much heralded defensive end Bruce Irvin.
“I’m excited to get to play against somebody like that,” insists Tillman.
Tillman believes he’s prepared to handle the physical and speedy defensive end for the Mountaineers. He’s been practicing against Vinny Curry all preseason long.
“It’s not fun, but it definitely helps to play against somebody like that. He’s going to make you better because he’s got the whole package,” says Tillman.
Despite the so-called experts listing Marshall as a 21 point underdog in Sunday’s matchup Tillman, Curry and the rest of the team aren’t paying any attention. Marshall is coming into the game with confidence.
“60 full minutes. If we play a full game, unlike last year, I think we can run he table,” boldly states Tillman.
“ We got to take care of our assignments on defense,” says Curry. “We’re going to be ready for this game.”
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