6:00: Morning News

It’s time to take notice of the Thundering Herd

COLUMN

HUNTINGTON – Marshall’s defense apparently had heard enough. Coming into Saturday’s game with Appalachian State, all the talk was about the Mountaineers’ offensive line and trio of running backs who ran for over 300 yards against Charlotte. 

At the end of Marshall’s 17-7 win on Saturday, nobody was talking about the Appalachian State rushing attack. 

They were talking about the Herd’s defense. 

Appalachian State was held to 96 yards on the ground and 2.9 yards per rush. Marshall stuffed the run game, taking away an integral part of the Mountaineers offensive attack. 

“We controlled the line of scrimmage. All I heard about was that great offensive line and they are tremendous but I thought ours was as well,” said Coach Doc Holliday. 

In two games now, Marshall’s defense has allowed just one touchdown. Appalachian State reached the end zone on the first drive of the game but that was the only time the Mountaineers crossed the goal line. 

Two key defensive plays changed the complexion of the game, and possibly the outcome. 

Near the end of the first half, Steven Gilmore atoned for two pass interference penalties with an interception at Marshall’s 19-yard line, as Appalachian State appeared poised to score before the half. In the third quarter, Appalachian State went for it on fourth down connecting with tight end Mike Evans on a play-action pass. Brandon Drayton chased him down from behind, punched the football loose and Nazeeh Johnson was there to recover for the Herd. 

Both instances, Appalachian State was poised to score. 

“Regardless of who we’re playing, we know what we are as a defense and what we can do. We just knew we were going to go out there and make plays and control that back,” stated linebacker Tavante Beckett, who finished Saturday with a career-high 14 tackles. 

The defense was not the only group to take exception to all the attention Appalachian State’s rushing attack and offensive line received. The Herd’s offensive line also had a point to prove on Saturday after the attention paid to Appalachian State’s veteran front five unit.  

“If you’re any kind of competitor at all, you’re going to go out and try to match their intensity and match their performance and I think our offensive line did that,” Holliday said. 

Brenden Knox rushed 136 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and the Herd’s front five paved the way to 216 yards rushing and did not allow a sack. 

“There’s no doubt in my mind, there’s no offensive line I would take over mine. They go to work every day. I know they’re hard on each other and you can tell they’re veterans out there. They don’t always get shouted out but they go to work every single day and make our team better,” praised quarterback Grant Wells. 

After Saturday’s win over 23rd ranked Appalachian State, the Herd is now getting people’s attention. 





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