Marshall’s spring practice culminated Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium as the Herd played its annual Green-White Spring Game.
The Herd’s lethal pass attack led the nation in 2012 and was back at it Saturday despite losing the likes of Aaron Dobson and Antavious Wilson. Sophomore quarterback Rakeem Cato saw limited time and went 7-of-10 for 74 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown strike to Craig Wilkins.
Redshirt sophomore Blake Frohnapfel took the majority of reps behind center and responded by going 10-of-17 for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
“Having experienced quarterbacks like Cato and Frohnapfel, they’re able to come out here and run the show which will really help us,” said Marshall coach Doc Holliday.
Kevin Anderson and Gunnar Holcombe also time at quarterback and went a combined 8-of-19. Marshall quarterbacks completed passed to nine receivers, and leading the way was Dameon Garret, who caught four passes for 72 yards.
Tight end Eric Frohnapfel also pulled in four passes for 61 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown from his brother, Blake.
“The offense is clicking right now,” said senior Shawney Kersey. “In the beginning it was a little rough for the new guys to understand the system and tempo, but now we can just focusing on getting better than what we already are.”
Something the Herd struggled to consistently do in 2012 was run the ball with success, and in the spring game the rushing attack was a point of emphasis.
The Herd had seven ball carriers rush for 116 yards in the spring game with lone rushing touchdown coming on an 8-yard scramble by Cato.
“The way our offense works we kind of take what they give you,” Holliday said. “We want to be able to rush the football. It’s important, there’s no doubt.
The Green-White game was the first chance for fans to get a look at Chuck Heater’s new defensive scheme. Heater has said throughout the spring he wanted the Herd defense to play faster and smarter, and the players have bought in.
“Our defense is pretty simple and pretty easy to understand, which allows us to just go out there and make plays with a bunch of athletic guys,” said defensive end Alex Bazzie.
Stefan Houston led Marshall’s defense with seven tackles followed by Jermaine Holmes and Cortez Carter with six.
Part of Heater’s scheme is a newly installed nickel package. The package allows Corey Tindal to come in as an extra defensive back. Tindal has been one of the stars of Marshall’s spring practice and the redshirt freshman tallied four solo tackles in the spring game.
“I like the new defense, and I fit in well with it,” Tindal said. “I can make the defense faster than last year and get to the ball quicker, which is what coach Heater wants.”
The Herd will now hit the weight room until fall camp kicks off in August. Marshall will begin the 2013 season at home against Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 31.
— Jarrod Clay