July 25, 2006

What a difference a year makes. A year ago, Mark Snyder was thrust into his first head coaching position with only one spring practice session remaining on his team's slate. The Thundering Herd's first-year coach mostly watched from the sidelines as his team wrapped up its spring drills at last season's Green-White game. He had little time to get to know his team and coaching staff with Marshall's first season in Conference USA just a few months away.

In addition to this, Snyder inherited a team that had lost 25 seniors from the previous year and returned only six starters - the second smallest group of returning starters in the nation. From top to bottom, the 2005 Thundering Herd was one of the youngest on record. Marshall went on to post a 4-7 season that included three losses by five points or less.

Snyder enters the 2006 season with a much more favorable environment. He will now have a full off-season of preparation with his coaching staff and team to prepare as Marshall returns a whopping 47 letterwinners and 18 starters off of last season's squad. In fact, the Thundering Herd offense welcomes back 10 starters while the defense returns eight. Marshall returns two quarterbacks with starting experience, its top three leading rushers, its top three receivers, and its top three tacklers from last season.

This experience, plus a full year of preparations with Snyder at the helm, should bode well for the Herd in 2006. The following is a position by position preview:

RUNNING BACK
Marshall returns all three of its top rushers from last season, including one of the nation's top running backs in junior Ahmad Bradshaw (5-11, 192). Last year, Bradshaw rushed for 997 yards and nine touchdowns en route to being named second-team All-Conference USA. The native of Graham, Va., also led the team with 56 catches (381 yards and one touchdown) and amassed a team high 1,382 all-purpose yards. The versatile back ranks as the top returning rusher in Conference USA in yards per game (90.6) and is expected to vie for national honors this season.

Sophomore running back and return specialist Chubb Small (5-9, 217) is coming off of an outstanding freshman campaign and provides the Thundering Herd with another experienced weapon at running back. Small saw action in all 11 games last season and rushed for 197 yards on 58 carries. He finished second on the team with 839 all-purpose yards and was Marshall's primary kick and punt return man.

Small averaged 25.9 yards on 21 kick returns (544 yards) including a 92-yard touchdown as a true freshman. He was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team for his efforts.

Juniors Will Albin (6-3, 243) and Paco Jones (5-8, 181) return. In addition, Cody Tominack (5-11, 216) is now in the offensive back field. Returnee Antoine Cabarrus and newcomers Darius Lewis and Kelvin Turner will add further depth.

QUARTERBACK
The Thundering Herd enters 2006 with two quarterbacks who shared the majority of snaps a year ago, and a third that saw playing time. This position is one of the team's question marks heading into the season as each player battles for position on the depth chart.

Junior Bernard Morris (6-4, 211) appeared in nine games last season, starting the six games following the opener, before succumbing to an injury that caused him to miss the last two games of the year. Morris finished the season with 1,121 yards passing and six touchdowns with six interceptions. He is a dual-threat at quarterback that finished the year as the Herd's second-leading rusher with 256 yards and four touchdowns.

Morris came through in the clutch on several occasions for the Thundering Herd last season. He scored on a 15-yard run in overtime to lift Marshall to a 16-13 win over SMU, broke a 40-yard run in the closing minutes to give Marshall the eventual game winning score over UAB and rallied Marshall from a 26-14 deficit against Tulane for a 27-26 win in Mobile, Ala., at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Senior Jimmy Skinner (6-3, 198) led Marshall with 1,135 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air, completing 114-of-184 passes with eight interceptions. Skinner started the season opener with William & Mary and later games against Tulane, ECU and Memphis. He came on in relief and led a spirited Marshall rally against Kansas State that fell short in the final seconds. Skinner also threw for a career-high 296 yards and two touchdowns at UCF. He finished the season having completed a team-high 62 percent of his passes.

Joining Morris and Skinner at quarterback is senior Derek Devine (6-3, 223), who came to the program last season after transferring from Mount San Antonio College. Devine saw spot duty in two games last season, and, with a year under his belt to better learn the offense, he enters the spring ready to push for playing time.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Wesley Beardain (6-1, 198) should also factor into the mix following a good spring.

THE OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line is expected to be one of the Thundering Herd's strengths heading into the 2006 campaign with four of five starters returning up front. Four-year starter Toby Bullock is the only lineman to depart. Rimington Trophy candidate and second-team All-Conference USA selection Doug Legursky (6-3, 311) returns for his junior season at center. Legursky started all 11 games up front for Marshall last season and he was named to the pre-season Rimington Trophy Watch List. The standout from Beckley, W.Va., has played in every single game of his career and was selected by the coaching staff as Marshall's lineman of the week a team-high six times last season.

Senior Seth Cook (6-4, 332), who started all 11 games at right tackle last season, is expected to make the transition to left tackle this spring. Cook, a standout from Gilbert, W.Va., was twice named the Herd's offensive lineman of the week last year and has started in 22 games along the offensive line in his collegiate career.

Junior starters David Ziegler (6-5, 296) and John Inman (6-5, 302) both return at guard as well. Ziegler started all 11 games last season at left guard, while Inman started seven games at right guard.

Entering the season, senior Wesley Jones (6-5, 329) has the edge in holding down the right tackle position. Senior Chris Barnes (6-4, 265) is also expected to push for playing time at tackle after seeing action last year as a reserve, while redshirt freshman Zane Bruhin (6-6, 301) will push for time at guard. Sophomore Brian Leggett (6-1, 285), who saw considerable time last season, will also compete at center and guard.

The Thundering Herd has additional depth up front thanks to sophomores Matt Altobello (6-1, 306) and redshirt freshman Daniel Baldridge (6-9, 315).

Joining the fold along the offensive line will be five newcomers - Marcus Moresea (6-1, 241) and true freshmen Brandon Campbell (6-5, 305), Josh Evans (6-4, 315), Chad Schofield (6-4, 320) and Erik Vint (6-4, 275).

WIDE RECEIVERS
Marshall returns its top three receivers from last season in senior Hiram Moore (6-0, 195), Marcus Fitzgerald (5-10, 202) and Shawn Lauzon (6-6, 204).

Moore, a Huntington native, led all Thundering Herd receivers with 53 catches for a team-high 630 yards and four touchdowns last season, while Fitzgerald ranked second with 41 grabs for 448 yards and two scores. Lauzon pulled in 31 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns.

The return of Emanuel Spann (5-11, 179), who missed all of last season following knee surgery, will bolster the receiving corps. Spann started in eight games as a true freshman for Marshall in 2004 and posted 27 catches for 233 yards. He also recorded 13 kick returns for 188 yards and 17 punt returns for 191 yards.

Marshall also welcomes back Matt Morris (6-3, 219), who saw significant playing time a year ago. In addition, Uranius Johnson (6-0, 185) returns. The receiver position will also benefit from the addition of several new faces. Freshmen Courtney Edmonson (6-0, 175), Bryant Milligan (6-1, 185) andTravius Thompson (6-2, 165) will joint junior college transfer Darius Passmore (6-3, 180).

TIGHT ENDS
The Thundering Herd must replace two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection Jeff Mullins, however several capable players are prepared to step up this season and vie for playing time at tight end. Matt Parkhurst (6-3, 238), Brian Shope (6-5, 248), Joe Bragg (6-4, 263), Mike Nolan (6-4, 230) and newcomer Cody Slate (6-4, 212), who enrolled and practiced this spring, will all compete for playing time. Shope, Parkhurst and Bragg each saw considerable playing time last season.

Incoming freshman David Redick (6-4, 235), brother of former Duke basketball star J.J. Redick will add depth.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Marshall entered last season with an entirely re-built defensive line. Now the Herd returns its starting front four from a year ago and the defensive line heads into the spring as one of the more experienced units on the team. Sophomore Albert McClellan (6-2, 225) earned Conference USA All-Freshman and honorable mention Freshman All-America honors from CollegeFootballNews.com last season as a true freshman at left defensive end. McClellan recorded 40 tackles (26 solo and seven for loss) and three sacks and he is looking to build upon that stellar freshman season this year.

Senior Shavar Greer (6-0, 226), who started six games at defensive end a year ago, returns as well. Greer recorded 22 tackles and four sacks as a junior.

Joining McClellan and Greer are seniors Jason Kaminski (6-3, 235), who saw action in all 11 games a year ago, and junior college newcomer Ryland Wilson (6-3, 248).

Marshall will primarily rely on two seniors and a sophomore at the defensive tackle spots this spring. Seniors Juan Underwood (6-3, 323), and Chris Terrell (6-6, 326) saw considerable action last season with Underwood getting the majority of starts.

Underwood recorded 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season, while Terrell finished the year with 15 tackles in eight games.

Veteran Byron Tinker also returns along the defensive front with defensive ends E.J. Rascoe, Bilal El-Amin, and lineman Blake Merrit. Newcomers Darrell Lake, Jeff Bush, and Chad Clay will bolster the group.

LINEBACKERS
Marshall's linebacking corps features two returning starters in seniors Dennis Thornton (5-11, 215) and Matt Couch (6-2, 235). The duo led the team and ranked among the Conference USA leaders in tackles last season, and will be joined by Ian Hoskins, who saw considerable time last season. Thornton led Marshall with 104 tackles a year ago, 60 of which were solo stops. He also tallied four sacks and 10 tackles for loss in his junior campaign. One of Thornton's top performances came against UAB when he recorded an impressive 20 tackles during the Herd's 20-19 Homecoming victory.

Couch started every game last season at middle linebacker for the Herd and finished the year with 97 total tackles (74 of which were solo). Couch also returned a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown in the win over Division I-AA foe William & Mary.

Ian Hoskins (6-2, 245), a sophomore, earned four starts last season as a freshman and finished the year with 15 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a pass break up. His season high of four tackles came at Virginia Tech.

In addition to this trio, Marshall welcomes back Brandon Souder (6-2, 236), Maurice Kitchens (6-3, 226), John Jacobs (6-3, 240), Travis Noel (6-2, 222), Daniel Wells (6-1, 236) and Mahala Wiggins (6-2, 224) at the linebacker position.

Sophomore transfer Josh Johnson (6-2, 235) is also expected to make an impact for the Herd at the linebacker position. Johnson, who was a top-10 recruit out of high school, spent last season at Georgia Military Academy.

SECONDARY
The defensive secondary is the unit on the team that was hit hardest by graduation. The Thundering Herd lost two starting corners in standouts Chris Hawkins and Willie Smith, as well as free safety Chris Royal.

However, Marshall does return big-time strong safety Curtis Keyes (6-0, 206), and experienced athletes in the form of safety Geremy Rodamer (6-0, 191), safety C.J. Spillman (6-0, 193), and cornerback James "J.J." Johnson (5-11, 180).

Keyes, known for his hard-hitting style of play, finished third on the team with 88 tackles last season. The standout also recorded four tackles for loss and forced two fumbles. He enters 2006 with 233 career tackles.

Rodamer saw action in 10 games last season and earned starts in four contests. He finished the year with 38 tackles. One of his top performances of the year came against Kansas State where he recovered a fumble and notched a 45-yard interception return.

Spillman and Johnson are both coming off outstanding freshman campaigns. Spillman, a safety, saw action in all 11 games as a true freshman and recorded 38 tackles, an interception that he returned 60 yards against ECU, and three pass break ups. Johnson, a cornerback, saw action in every game as well and finished sixth on the team with 42 tackles. Johnson also added a sack and forced three fumbles.

Ivan Clark (5-9, 201), who was named Conference USA Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking two punts in the win over UAB, also returns and will push for playing time in the defensive backfield.

Terick Thomas (5-10, 155), Jeremy Frazie (5-10, 181), Chuck Roberts (5-11, 163) and Zearrick Mathews (5-9, 162) are in the mix at corner, while sophomore Phillip Gamble (5-11, 217) and redshirt freshman John Saunders (6-0, 192) will push for time at the safety positions.

Four incoming true freshmen will provide depth to an experienced secondary - Ashton Hall (5-10, 183), Aaron Johnson (5-11, 190), Kevin Perry (5-10, 162) and DeNathian Robinson (5-10, 161).

SPECIALISTS
Marshall returns the majority of its specialists, with the biggest loss being long snapper Jeff Mullins.

Senior kicker Ian O'Connor (6-2, 205) and sophomore punter Marty Biagi (6-0, 170) both return after handling the majority of kicking and punting duties a year ago.

O'Connor has handled kickoff duties for his entire collegiate career and was 7 of 14 on field goal attempts last season with a long of 44 yards and one blocked kick. O'Connor also punted for the Herd in 2004 before focusing on kickoffs and place kicking last season.

O'Connor will be challenged by newcomer Anthony Binswanger (6-1, 193) who comes to Marshall from Diablo Valley JC. Binswanger was rated as one of the top prep kickers on the West Coast out of high school and played one season at Cal before transferring to Diablo Valley. He enrolled and participated in spring practice.

Biagi had a strong first season as Marshall's punter a year ago and should only continue to improve. He averaged 38.4 yards per punt on 61 punts with a long of 56, hitting 15 of them inside the 20-yard line, en route to earning All-Conference USA Freshman honors.

Senior Brett Riffey (6-2, 231) handled long snapping duties in the spring and will be pushed by newcomer Sean McClellan.

SCHEDULE
Head Coach Mark Snyder enters his second season as Marshall's head coach with a difficult schedule ahead. The Thundering Herd will open the 2006 season on September 2 in Morgantown against in-state rival West Virginia University. The Mountaineers are coming off of an 11-1 season that included a Big East Championship and a win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Following the Sept. 9 home date with Hofstra, the Thundering Herd then travels to Big 12 member Kansas State on Sept. 16 before closing out non-conference play at Southeastern Conference member Tennessee on Sept. 23.

"This will definitely be a challenge for our young team and we are going to have to rise to the occasion," Snyder said.

"Seven road games and five bowl teams from a year ago make for a tough road. With that said, I believe in our young men and I know we have a chance to be a good football team. I know we are going to go out and give it our best every time we take the field."

Marshall will host five games in 2006, including a nationally-televised Wednesday night contest on ESPN2 with defending C-USA East Division Champion UCF on Oct. 4. The Thundering Herd's home opener with Hofstra is set for Saturday, Sept. 9, and Marshall will host Memphis on Sat., Oct. 28; Tulane on Sat., Nov. 4; and UTEP on Sat., Nov. 18.

The Herd will travel to 2006 Sugar Bowl Champion West Virginia on Sept. 2, to Big 12 member Kansas State on Sept. 16, to SEC member Tennessee on Sept. 23; to SMU on Oct. 14; to UAB on Oct. 21; to East Carolina on Nov. 11; and close out the regular season at Southern Miss on Nov. 25.

Marshall is a combined 11-16 against its 2006 opponents. Five of the Herd's 12 opponents played in a postseason bowl game last season (UCF, Memphis, Southern Miss, UTEP, West Virginia).

Last season, the Herd played six first-time opponents, winning three of those contests. The Herd will play C-USA members Tulane, Memphis, UTEP, SMU, UAB and Southern Miss for only the second time.

This season, the Herd will play West Virginia for just the sixth time in history and the first since the Herd's first game in Division I-A in 1997. The Mountaineers hold the 5-0 edge in the series. The West Virginia Coal Association has garnered naming rights to the "Friends of Coal Bowl" and will provide the two schools with a traveling trophy.

With the series tied 1-1, Marshall travels to Manhattan, Kan., to face Kansas State - the site of the Herd's monumental 27-20 upset of the then-No. 6 Wildcats.

Marshall's home opener against Hofstra will mark the third meeting between the schools and the Pride's first visit since 2003. The Herd has won both prior meetings in the series.

The Herd will then make its second trip to Rocky Top in four years. Marshall lost its only meeting to the Volunteers in 2003.

Last season, the Herd lost to UCF for the first time (Marshall leads 3-1), while losing to East Carolina for the third time in four tries (ECU leads 5-2).