The Marshall Thundering Herd will try and make homecoming weekend even more special in Huntington when it takes on the Rice Owls at Joan C. Edwards Stadium beginning at three o’clock Saturday afternoon.
Coach Doc Holliday’s team has dried out since last weekend’s loss to Central Florida in soggy Orlando. More than six inches of rain was recorded there last Saturday.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback A.J. Graham will get the start against the Owls. He replaces true freshman Rakeem Cato who appeared frustrated several times on the sidelines last week. Coach Holliday, who wasn’t specific on why Cato is being benched, did say there are "standards and expectations" that must be met by Marshall players.
Marshall play-by-play voice Steve Cotton says Graham’s most significant action came last year in a game with Southern Mississippi. He says he played well but then suffered a high-ankle sprain and was done for the season.
"Can he provide that kind of spark again? We’ll have to wait and see. It’s his opportunity," Cotton said.
Both teams will be looking for their second win in Conference USA this season. The Thundering Herd (2-4, 1-1) has only met Rice (2-3, 1-1) twice previously.