Marshall, Today’s First Runner-Up

Congratulations Marshall. While WVU might be taking home the Friends of Coal Bowl trophy this afternoon, Marshall is the winner of an even bigger and better prize, at least for them. This should keep them talking for the next decade.

Full report to come later tonight.

5:48 = First Beer!

See everyone in the lot(s) today.

C.J. Spillman Is Not Smart

Conservative estimates have put the number of WVU fans at “The Joan” above 10,000. Again, conservatively, that is more than 25% of capacity. More likely, we will see around 15,000 WVU fans, or around 40%. That’s a huge number for an “away” game. C.J. Spillman, however, seems unfazed:

“We’re going to have a sold-out stadium like they did last year,” Spillman said. “This year they will be in Herd country. They’re going to get a taste of what we had last year. I feel that’s an edge we will have.”

You keep thinking that C.J.

Just A Friendly Reminder

Mountaineer Field South

The DA hasn’t gotten a lot of love (or hate) on this site, but they ran an article today which allows me to bring up this point:

Mountaineer fans will own Joan C. Edwards Field.

To exactly what degree, I don’t know. Most of the information anyone has is merely anecdotal, but when Rich Rodriguez is the one with the anecdotes, it’s a little more believable. As DA Sports Editor Tony Dobies reports today:

“I have heard that a lot of WVU fans bought Marshall season tickets just for the WVU/ Marshall game and are selling the rest online,” [Jeremy Hatcher, co-director of the Maniacs said].

Head coach Rich Rodriguez has heard the same.

“I know that every ticket that we could buy that they would give us that we’ve gotten and I’ve heard that a lot of West Virginia fans have bought season tickets to Marshall games just to come to this game, so we are certainly hopeful,” he said. “We are certainly still going to get outnumbered out there, but a handful of West Virginia fans that can get a ticket for this game will be down cheering loud and proud.”

The DA goes on to say:

The game kicks off at 11 a.m., where West Virginia fans, estimated at 14,000, will fill up the stands and cheer on their favorite team in blue and gold.

14,000 is a lot of WVU fans, considering Marshall averaged just over 26,000 on it’s own last year. Personally, I’m betting on more. It might not be as dramatic as the wonderful DA Photoshop effort shown above, but considering a likely Mountaineer blowout, there will be plenty of noise from the Gold and Blue faithful.

Mountaineer Field South

The DA hasn’t gotten a lot of love (or hate) on this site, but they ran an article today which allows me to bring up this point:

Mountaineer fans will own Joan C. Edwards Field.

To exactly what degree, I don’t know. Most of the information anyone has is merely anecdotal, but when Rich Rodriguez is the one with the anecdotes, it’s a little more believable. As DA Sports Editor Tony Dobies reports today:

“I have heard that a lot of WVU fans bought Marshall season tickets just for the WVU/ Marshall game and are selling the rest online,” [Jeremy Hatcher, co-director of the Maniacs said].

Head coach Rich Rodriguez has heard the same.

“I know that every ticket that we could buy that they would give us that we’ve gotten and I’ve heard that a lot of West Virginia fans have bought season tickets to Marshall games just to come to this game, so we are certainly hopeful,” he said. “We are certainly still going to get outnumbered out there, but a handful of West Virginia fans that can get a ticket for this game will be down cheering loud and proud.”

The DA goes on to say:

The game kicks off at 11 a.m., where West Virginia fans, estimated at 14,000, will fill up the stands and cheer on their favorite team in blue and gold.

14,000 is a lot of WVU fans, considering Marshall averaged just over 26,000 on it’s own last year. Personally, I’m betting on more. It might not be as dramatic as the wonderful DA Photoshop effort shown above, but considering a likely Mountaineer blowout, there will be plenty of noise from the Gold and Blue faithful.

It’s Marshall Week

Yes, Marshall week. Expect a lot of content over the next week as we systematically destroy the Marshall program. Expect the Mountaineers to do the same come Saturday.

Better start catching up on your sleep now so you’ll be ready for that 6:45 AM kickoff.

[thanks to A-Hay for the pic.]

62 Points Is Acceptable

…and next week, 80 is a possibility. But first, let’s recap Western Michigan’s beatdown.

1) We absolutely could have scored 80 points. And this wouldn’t be anything like the 80 we hung on Rutgers in 2001. This was a good Western Michigan team and we embarrassed their defense. Even playing a cover-0 and stacking 9+ in the box, we racked up our usual 300+ rushing yards. If not for numerous dropped interceptions and stubborn play-calling in the first half (more on this next), this one would have been even more of a laugher.

2) The first half play-calling left a lot to be desired. CRR even said as much in the post-game presser. If teams –I don’t care how good or bad they are — are going to stack 9+ in the box, we have to throw. Pat White has the ability and accuracy to pick apart these cover-o type schemes. Sure, we threw a little bit more, but 18 total pass attempts is just not enough to keep defenses honest. This should gradually change throughout the season as we become more balanced.

3) The offensive line is not an overnight success. Sure, they played decently in the second half, but Slaton’s first-half numbers (21 yards rushing) show that there is a lot of work to be done. I feel confident it will get there eventually, but it better improve before we take a step up in athleticism with Maryland two weeks away. Let’s hope there is a lot of progress made during this Saturday’s bye week.

4) Noel Devine is the real-deal. Witness.

5) Right now, there is a not a player in this world (past or present) that I trust more than Pat White. If we have to get it done, I have complete faith in #5. No matter what circumstances, he keeps my football Saturdays worry free. Here is one reason why:

Well, that pretty much wraps up Western Michigan. They were a scrappy team that was simply over-matched. Let’s hope they go on and win the MAC to improve our SOS.

Last week’s picks:

Stiles:

WVU (-24) 48
Western Michigan 17
ACTUAL: 62-24 (difference = 21 points)

Oregon State -6.5 vs. Utah (Thursday) = W
Missouri -5 vs. Illinois (in St. Louis) = W
Georgia Tech +3 @ Notre Dame = W
Virginia Tech -27.5 vs. ECU = L
BC -6.5 vs. Wake Forest = W

Season record = 5-1

Charley West:

WVU (-24) 42
Western Michigan 13
ACTUAL: 62-24 (difference = 31 points)

Syracuse +3 vs. Washington (Friday) = L
UAB +21 @ Michigan State = L
Georgia Tech +3 @ Notre Dame = W
Missouri -5 vs. Illinois (in St. Louis) = W
Colorado -2.5 vs. Colorado State (in Denver) = W

Season record = 4-2

Bernie Morris 4 Heisman

Chuck Landon is one of our nation’s most prized treasures. Nobody could write the type of just absolute comedy that he writes without secretly being in on the joke. Hell, he even has a mullett. How can you get funnier than that? You can’t.

He’s the new Seinfeld. Or at least the new Jeff Foxworthy. Either way, he’s funny.

And he decided to get funny like a clown in his latest offering. Kill me softly Chuck Landon:

Marshall QB is in a zone

OK, apparently this article is about Chad Pennington.

HUNTINGTON — There is a good reason why Bernard Morris is enjoying the best preseason camp in his Marshall University football career.

I was wrong.

It’s because the senior quarterback has gotten back in his comfort zone.

By going back to the future.

First off, what is Bernie Morris’ comfort zone? Is it the one where he has thrown way more interceptions that touchdowns in his career? Is it the one where he has a losing record as a starter? Is it that one Chuck? Tell me!

Also, why would you reference Back to the Future, a movie only 22 years old. The only “logical” reason I can come up with is that you’re secretly pro-Parkinson’s Disease. You bastard.

Morris looks better than ever heading into the 2007 season because the offense has returned to his roots in the program.

I once took a shit and it looked better than my last shit, which was kind of green. Is this the same thing?

“I feel comfortable with the offense,” said the Herd’s starting quarterback. “It’s similar to what we did back when Stan (Hill) and Graham (Gochneaur) were here in ’03 and ’04.

“The offense hasn’t really changed that much. We’ve got some new things and a lot of small adjustments here and there, but it’s pretty much the same offense as back then.

“Those old guys could probably come back here and look at our playbook and recognize a lot of stuff that we’re running right now. It’s the same offense as when I was a freshman and redshirt freshman.

Yes, it’s the same plays that haven’t worked since 2003. Luckily for you, the smart guy that you are, it’s apparently taken 5 years and offensive coordinator Larry Kueck dumbing down the offense for you to finally learn all those plays.

“You know, Coach (Larry) Kueck (offensive coordinator) has a wonderful system. He takes pride in teaching it to the young guys and even the old guys. And once you learn it, I think it’s something good that you can take away from Marshall, as far the type of offense that Coach Kueck has.”

Morris showed how much more comfortable he is again Saturday during the second officiated scrimmage of camp here at Edwards Field. During a day that was devoted more to young players, Morris nearly was perfect on the first-team offense’s opening drive, completing 8 of 10 passes for 83.

Although the drive ended when reserve running back Kelvin Turner fumbled, Morris was impressive as he ran the offense.

When I read about this drive, I like to picture Bernie Morris so confused that he has orchestrated a drive and hadn’t yet turned the ball over that he stripped Kelvin Turner himself just so all was right with the world again. Anybody else thinking the same thing?

That’s because this offense plays to Morris’ strengths more than the run-oriented offenses did the past two seasons. It simply fits Morris much better.

“It does,” the 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior said. “We have a few quarterback option plays where if you’re a mobile quarterback you can take advantage of it. But it’s really based on mismatches on the field. We try to get the ball into the best player’s hands on a certain call.

“With the plays that we have now, it’s just too easy to get the ball where it needs to be. We just have to execute and be disciplined and know what we have to do on Saturday.”

This offense is predicated on Morris being able to kick down on his progression reads.

“If it’s not there, just try to get the ball out of my hands and not try to run the ball all the time,” said Morris, who has passed for 2,468 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.

By the third quarter of the WVU game, they’ll have to remind Bernie that when he gets the ball out of his hands, he should at least attempt to not throw it to the other team. Unfortunately for Bernie, INTs and being 6’4″ are the only things he’s good at.

That concept is much different than last year’s “let-Bernie-run” offensive philosophy. Morris had 82 rushes for 324 yards in ’06 and was the Herd’s No. 2 rusher.

I really hope the playbook was titled, “let-Bernie-run.”

All that has changed now that the offense is reverting back to its pass-happy days.

This is going to end VERY badly.

That explains why Morris did so much mental preparation for this season during the summer months.

“I did a lot of watching film of spring football practice to see how I was throwing the ball,” said Morris. “I watched Brian (Anderson) and Wes (Beardain). We all sat in the film room and tried to make our corrections in there and, then, bring them into two-a-days.”

It was simply a matter of self-critique.

“You’ve got to be hard on yourself ever now and the,” Morris said. “That’s the only way you can get better. Coach Kueck does a wonderful job of getting on you on the field and trying to get you into game-like situations.

“He’s on your back, but at the same time you have to think and react.”

At least Bernie knows that as the starting quarterback of a I-A school, he has to think and react. $20 says Rex Grossman is his idol. If only we could compare black quarterbacks to white quarterbacks. If only.

Why Not Use Bernie Morris?

I always enjoy talking about the punting woes of bad college football teams. Marshall is no exception. Hit me with it one time Chuck Landon:

HUNTINGTON — There is a green elephant in the room that nobody is talking about.

It is Marshall’s punting … or, lack thereof.

This crucial phase of MU’s football team has been an issue since punter Marty Biagi tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while making a tackle during a special teams scrimmage in spring drills.

Punting has been a concern ever since.

Obviously, punting is a concern for Marshall, mostly because they do it A LOT. But instead of trying to find some no-name schmo to take over the punting duties, why not go with your senior quarterback and captain, Bernie Morris?

I know what you’re thinking — Bernie Morris can’t kick. Well, probably not. But he won’t have to if I have my way. Here’s my line of thinking:

1) Bernie Morris is a bad quarterback.
2) Last year alone, he threw 12 INTs compared to only 8 TDs.
3) He can throw the ball really far.

OK, so we have no talent, a penchant for INTs, and great arm strength. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Why not just have Morris heave the ball downfield every play and pray for an INT? That will help swing the momentum that is field position. Sure, the offense won’t score any points, but there was a pretty good chance that was going to happen anyway.

Genius, if you ask me.

Marshall Jokes Are Funny

Since it’s a little slow today, I thought I would hit you guys up with a little joke. It’s a cute little joke, so if you’d like to retell it and sound edgier, just add obscenities and hookers where you see fit.

A first grade teacher explains to her class that she is a Marshall Fan. She asks her students to raise their hands if they are Marshall Fans too. Not really knowing what a Marshall Fan was, but wanting to be liked by their teacher, their hands fly into the air.

There is, however, one exception. A little girl named Linda has not gone along with the crowd. The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different. “Because I’m not a Marshall Fan,” she reports. “Then,” asks the teacher “What are you?” “I’m a Mountaineer Fan” boasts the little girl.

The teacher is a little perturbed now, her face slightly red. She asks Linda why she is a Mountaineer Fan. “Well, my dad and mom are Mountaineer Fans, so I’m an ‘Eer fan too,” she responds. The teacher is angry now. “That’s no reason,” she says loudly. “What if your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot, what would you be then?”

Linda smiles and says, “Then I’d be a Marshall Fan.”

Worst. Headline. Ever.

This is the headline that ran with Mitch Vingle’s column today:

Dykes plugs holes along WVU front

Either a 12 year-old wrote this and has been giggling all morning or someone was seriously asleep at the wheel at The Gazette today. If this was the work of an actual editor, they deserve a free lunch on me. If you are this lucky editor, please contact me at:

Bob Pruett
c/o Marshall Athletic Department
P.O. Box 1360
Huntington, WV 25715

Typical Homecoming Crowd at Marshall