10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Consistency key for less experienced offensive players to prove they belong

— By Bill Cornwell

HUNTINGTON. W.Va. — Marshall football is in the latter stages of spring drills and third-year head coach Charles Huff says familiarity with offensive and defensive concepts is improving as each practice proceeds.

“We’re getting there,” Huff said. “I’m not totally satisfied with where we are, but we’re getting closer.”

The Herd held its eighth spring practice Wednesday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Spring work wraps up the afternoon of April 22 with the Spring Game at Edwards Stadium.

Coaches at all levels of football worry about non-game and non-contact injuries, which can happen at any point in practice, but fortunately for Huff, Marshall has escaped any major injury problems thus far.

“We’re doing a good job of staying healthy and our guys are getting just enough reps that they don’t wear down because that can sometimes lead to injuries,” Huff said.

Marshall’s defense was a known commodity for the most part coming into the spring thanks to the return of veterans such as linebacker Eli Neal, cornerback Micah Abraham and defensive linemen Owen Porter, Isaiah Gibson and Tyqaze Leggs.

The Herd offense is getting plenty of attention from coaches and fans alike, while Cam Fancher has gotten most first-team action among the quarterbacks. However, the Marshall staff is also closely analyzing the progress of redshirt freshmen Cole Pennington and Chase Harrison, along with sophomore Cade Cunningham.

Rasheen Ali is the clear top tailback for the Herd, with AJ Turner and Ethan Payne getting plenty of work as well.

“We’re starting to see more consistency and even when mistakes are made, those mistakes make sense,” Huff said. “We’ve installed slowly to see what they can do but we’re ready to pick up the pace.”

Marshall’s wide receiver room features a mix of veterans and talented newcomers getting the coaching staff’s attention. In the first scrimmage of the spring last Saturday, Kentucky transfer DeMarcus Harris caught Huff’s eye, as did Caleb Coombs and Bryan Robinson — two players with limited action last season.

“The young guys have taken a huge step,” Huff said. “We’re starting to see consistency and there aren’t as many drops in practice. The competition level is up because guys are looking around the room and knowing that if they don’t perform, their rep numbers will fall.”

Marshall is without three key receivers who entered the Transfer Portal after last season — Corey Gammage (52 catches last season), EJ Horton and Shadeed Ahmed.

The Herd’s spring work continues with practices on Friday and Saturday.





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