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Post by hammack on Dec 18, 2007 10:50:02 GMT -5
The Thundering Herd Fire Head Coach
Huntington, WVU -- After a disappointing season, Marshall faithful felt there should be a fallout and something would have to be done. Many people felt that this was the year that they could compete for a C-USA title and instead their hopes and dreams were crushed. The search for a coach starts now. Who is available and who is willing to come to Marshall?
In the hunt...
Coach Josh Hammack
High School Football Coach, Bethleham, PA
Advantages: Spread Offense, brings a WR from his HS, heavily recruited Deangelo Benton.
Disadvantages: HS Coach, No college level experience. Defense?
Coach Tommy West
Memphis Tiger Head Coach
Advantages: College Experience, Nice guy, Players Coach
Disadvantages: Can he win?
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Game Info:PS3 - NCAA 2008
All-American - 6-7 Minutes
Starting in '08 Season, not '07.
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Post by hammack on Dec 18, 2007 10:51:07 GMT -5
Top Story
Hammack to lead Marshall to Glory Days
Huntington, WVU -- After a disappointing 2007 season, Marshall Football is headed in the direction of a change. A change for what, we are yet to figure out. The Thundering Herd signed Josh Hammack, a high school football coach from Western Pennsylvania who went 28-1 in two years as a Triple A (AAA) Head Coach, and won a State title in his 2nd year. “I’m very pleased to be here and I think we can bring back the tradition to Marshall. The first thing on my list of things to do is to bring in the best players available to this football team. We're going to get better on both sides of the ball. That my friends, is guaranteed.” Already on Hammack’s target list is the #1 QB in the nation, Terelle Pryor. When asked about Terelle, Hammack said “He is a phenomenal athlete with great heart and abilities. He will be a star wherever he goes, hopefully he takes the time to look at our school. I’ve seen him many times throughout the last couple of years, while coaching in Western PA. He’s a great kid, and his coach and I have been pretty good friends throughout the years, comparing our offenses.” Their offenses are the same, so to speak. They use a lot of spread formations, and a lot of QB reads. Something Terrelle is used to and likes. So will Coach Hammack be able to bring in a star to Marshall? We’ll just have to wait and see.
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Post by hammack on Dec 18, 2007 11:04:07 GMT -5
Hammack Names Coaching Staff
Bruce Chambers: Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
Will Run Hammack's spread offense, and will only advise Hammack on coaching calls.
Ken Norton Jr.: Asst. Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers and Secondary
Bobby Kennedy: Assistant Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers and Running Backs
Byron Leftwich: Quarterbacks
Buddy Morris: Strength and Conditioning/Linemen
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Post by hammack on Dec 18, 2007 11:05:28 GMT -5
Nations Top Recruit To Attend Marshall
The verbal commitment has been issued by Jeanette's Terelle Pryor. After visiting with Coach Josh Hammack, Pryor said this, "He's a great guy with a ton of football knowledge. I really want to play for him in his Spread Option style offense. It resembles the one I ran in High School a lot, and I think we can score a lot of points."
When asked about recruiting for the University of Marshall, Coach Hammack said this; “We’ve got a lot of talent coming in. Terrelle adds to this talent. Our offense is going to be explosive, and our defense is going to be stout.
Along with Terelle Pryor, here are a couple other recruits committed to the Thundering Herd.
RB Sam McGuffie, 6’0 188
Sam runs the 40 yard dash in 4.3 seconds and has tremendous abilities in the open field. He has tremendous break tackle ability and can also make defenders miss with a little juke. Has de-committed from Michigan and committed to the Thundering Herd. This makes the backfield of Pryor and McGuffie seem unstoppable.
LB’s Brendan Beal and Etienne Sabino
Both these LB’s are similar in play, and both seem to be head hunters. Both led in tackles in their respective areas and Sabino led his team with 15.5 sacks. This is the answer to the inside of the Marshall Defense.
WR’s Julio Jones and Deangelo Benton
These WR’s are going to be stars in the revamped Herd Offense. With Coach Hammack calling the plays, these 2 could have superb numbers and help the Herd contend for a C-USA Championship.
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Post by hammack on Dec 18, 2007 11:09:16 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300] 2008 Thundering Herd Roster[/glow] - # Player YR POS HGT WGT OVR Hometown
1 Marcus Fitzgerald SR(RS) WR 5-10 202 84 White Bear Lake, MN
2 Terrelle Pryor FR QB 6'6 220 89 Jeanette, PA
3 E.J. Wynn SR WR 5-11 160 74 Washington, DC
4 C.J. Spillman SR FS 6-0 193 70 Bellevue, KY
5 Chris Smith SO QB 6-3 220 68 Marion, OH
7 Dequan Bembry SO CB 5-10 175 65 Albany, GA
8 James Johnson SR CB 5-11 180 78 White Oak, MD
9 Wesley Beardain JR(RS) QB 6-1 198 76 Picayune, MS
10 Sam McGuffie FR HB 6'0 188 88 Cypress, TX
11 Zearrick Matthews JR(RS) CB 5-9 162 74 Woodfield, SC
12 Brian Anderson JR QB 6-3 190 70 Hillview, KY
13 Mahala Wiggins SR ROLB 6-2 224 74 New City, NY
15 D.J. Wingate SO SS 6-2 180 68 Westchester, FL
16 Mark Cann SO QB 6-4 210 68 Anderson, SC
18 Jon Moravec SR(RS) SS 6-0 195 72 Lanham-Seabrook, MD
19 John Saunders JR(RS) FS 6-0 192 68 Parkersburg, WV
20 Ashton Hall JR CB 5-10 183 72 Savannah, GA
21 Ian Hoskins SR(RS) LOLB 6-2 245 78 Shively, KY
22 Darius Marshall SO HB 5-10 188 68 Adamsville, AL
23 Terrell Edwards SO HB 6-0 205 68 Adamsville, AL
24 Emmanuel Spann SR(RS) WR 5-11 179 82 Roswell, GA
25 Justin Footman SO FS 6-0 180 68 Miramar, FL
26 Aaron Johnson SR CB 5-11 190 72 Burbank, CA
28 Chubb Small SR HB 5-9 193 84 St. Cloud, FL
29 Phillip Gamble SR SS 5-11 217 76 West Augusta, GA
31 Marty Biagi SR(RS) P 6-0 170 72 St. Matthews, KY
32 Josh Johnson SR MLB 6-2 250 82 Roswell, GA
34 Kelvin Turner SR HB 5-10 190 76 Buechel, KY
37 Chuck Roberts JR(RS) CB 5-11 163 72 Rome, GA
40 DeNathan Robinson SO CB 5-10 160 72 Christiansburg, VA
43 Jake Fields SO P 6-2 205 68 Beckley, WV
45 Maurice Kitchens SR(RS) ROLB 6-3 226 76 Fort Belvoir, VA
46 John Jacobs JR(RS) LE 6-3 240 76 Jefferson, VA
47 Cody Tominack SR(RS) MLB 5-11 216 62 Bradley, WV
50 Joe Bragg SR(RS) RT 6-4 263 72 Weirton, WV
52 Kellen Harris SO LOLB 6-1 200 52 Franklin Park, PA
53 Brendan Beal FR MLB 6'4 235 89 Bethleham, PA
54 Daniel Wells JR MLB 6-1 236 76 Dunbar, WV
55 Etienne Sabino FR MLB 6'3 222 89 Miami, FL
56 Howard King SO(RS) LOLB 6-2 193 70 Sarasota Springs, FL
61 Josh Evans SO(RS) LG 6-4 315 74 Salem, WV
62 Matt Altobello SR(RS) C 6-1 306 72 Crab Orchard, WV
64 C.J. Wood SO RG 6-4 275 68 Macon, GA
65 Brian Leggett SR RG 6-1 285 72 Ellisville, MS
71 Chad Schofield SO(RS) LG 6-4 320 72 Cuyahoga Falls, OH
72 Branden Curry SO RT 6-6 310 70 Dade City, FL
78 Brandon Campbell SO(RS) LT 6-5 305 72 Montgomery Vlg, MD
79 Daniel Baldridge JR(RS) RT 6-9 315 78 Covington, LA
80 Courtney Edmonson JR WR 6-0 175 80 Oak Ridge, FL
81 Julio Jones FR WR 6'4 215 89 Foley, AL
82 Deangelo Benton FR WR 6'3 210 89 Chatham, VA
83 Matt Parkhurst SR(RS) FB 6-3 238 74 Willow Grove, PA
85 Cody Slate JR TE 6-4 212 88 Miami Lakes, FL
86 Lee Smith SO(RS) TE 6-6 242 78 Union City, TN
89 Darius Passmore SR WR 6-1 175 78 Whittier, CA
90 Michael Janac SO(RS) LE 6-4 250 72 Bloomingdale, FL
91 Shane Moore SO LE 6-2 285 70 King, NC
92 Bilal El-Amin SR(RS) DT 6-3 249 70 Williamsburg, KY
95 Montel Glasco SR DT 6-3 279 70 Carteret, NJ
96 Albert McClellan SR RE 6-2 225 85 Hallandale, FL
97 Vincent Curry SO LE 6-4 252 72 Beachwood, OH
98 Chad Clay SO(RS) RE 6-2 210 74 Williamstown, WV
99 Johnny Jones SO RE 6-5 250 62 Palm Bay, FL
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Post by hammack on Dec 18, 2007 11:14:09 GMT -5
2008 Schedule Released
Wk 1 Vs. #10 Arkansas
Wk 2 at #6 WVU
Wk 3 Vs. Grambling State
Wk 4 at Cincinnati
Wk 5 - Bye
Wk 6 at Memphis
Wk 7 at Tulsa
Wk 8 Vs. Southern Miss.
Wk 9 Vs. Rice
Wk 10 at UCF
Wk 11 Vs. ECU
Wk 12 at Houston
Wk 13 Vs. UAB
Wk 14 - Bye
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Post by hammack on Dec 19, 2007 13:31:38 GMT -5
The Thundering Herd Win Opener
Final Score: 38-21
"It was unbelievable." said QB Terrelle Pryor. The Marshall Alumni must have thought the same thing on opening weekend, where the Thundering Herd upset the #10 Razorbacks. Led by the arm of Freshmen phenom Terrelle Pryor and the stout running of Sam McGuffie, the Herd took over early. The Razorbacks scored first on a 3 yard rushing touchdown. The Herd answered right back when Pryor hit Benton in the back of the endzone on an 11 yard touchdown pass. Later in the second quarter Pryor broke free for a 72 yard TD run, and put the Herd up 14-7. 2 Plays later the Razorbacks tied the score up after a long kick-off return and a 21 yard pass play from Casey Dick to Chris Baker. With a minute left in the half the Marshall offense seemed to click perfectly. Pryor hit 5-5 passing, including a 42 yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones. The Herd took the lead into the half, 21-14.
It was all Marshall in the third quarter. The defense started to erupt with sacks pouring in. The Herd gained field possession early and often in the 3rd Quarter. After a long fieldgoal and a defensive stop, the Herd marched down the field for their longest drive of the game. It ended with a 2 yard pass from Pryor to McGuffie in the flat. "He's a great athlete and a lot fun to play with. Our team could be one of the top in the C-USA maybe even the Nation with all of our playmakers." said McGuffie
Thundering Herd Stats
Passing
Name Comp-Att Yds TD-Int
T. Pryor 12-17 196 4-1
Rushing
Name Att-Yds TD
T. Pryor 16-103 1
S. McGuffie 20-71 0
Receiving
Name Rec-Yds TD
J. Jones 4-84 2
D. Benton 3-37 1
S. McGuffie 2-11 1
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Post by hammack on Dec 19, 2007 13:33:17 GMT -5
The Thundering Herd upset WVU in Rivalry Game
Final Score: 35-25
For the second straight week, we've found the Marshall football team on the winning side. And the teams that are "superior" on the other. "It's a fascinating story, the team picks up slack when it needs to. Terrelle (Pryor) was struggling today, and Sam (McGuffie) could see it. He "upped" his game so to speak, and it paid off. They really buy into the team mentality I am trying to establish here. This team is going to grow together, and we'll be great." said Coach Hammack
Struggling he was, Pryor went just 9-21 in the game today, with 2 Interceptions both coming late in the game that almost cost the Herd the game. "West Virginia did a lot to confuse me, and it started to work late in the game. They changed things up, and it was something new I wasn't used to. I'll look at the film and figure out my mistakes. We'll be okay." said Pryor. Though the real story here today was Sam McGuffie who rushed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. "My line blocked well and we just executed. We wanted to win, that is what happens when you WANT something." said McGuffie
The Herd (2-0) take on Grambling St. next week.
Thundering Herd Stats
Passing
Name Comp-Att Yds TD-Int
T. Pryor 9-21 250 3-2
Rushing
Name Att-Yds TD
S. McGuffie 10-117 2
Receiving
Name Rec-Yds TD
J. Jones 3-53 0
D. Benton 2-41 1
S. McGuffie 2-69 1
M. Fitzgerald 2-87 1
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Post by hammack on Dec 19, 2007 13:33:50 GMT -5
The Thundering Herd roll over Grambling
Final Score: 45-3
...No Story
Thundering Herd Stats
Passing
Name Comp-Att Yds TD-Int
T. Pryor 24-39 350 4-2
Rushing
Name Att-Yds TD
S. McGuffie 2-33 1
Receiving
Name Rec-Yds TD
J. Jones 4-17 0
D. Benton 5-86 1
S. McGuffie 2-69 1
M. Fitzgerald 6-111 0
C. Slate 4-78 2
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Post by hammack on Dec 19, 2007 13:34:36 GMT -5
The Thundering Herd Get By Cincinnati
Final Score: 43-34
Today's game was an interesting game in a couple aspects. The game was very high paced, and very lackadaisacle at times. The Herd pulled out their 4th win in less than convincing fassion. Terrelle Pryor shined today however, throwing for 5 touchdowns to 4 different receivers and 373 yards. "It just opened up out there. This team is very good offensively." said Pryor.
The Defense however was bad in all aspects of defense. They gave up numerous big runs to the outside and a couple easy passes that sailed through the secondary. "We need to be tougher on the defensive line and in our secondary. Our linebackers played exceptionally well and that's credit to Sabino and Beal. We'll get better, and we'll be ready in 2 weeks." said Coach Hammack.
The Herd play Memphis in 2 weeks.
Thundering Herd Stats
Passing
Name Comp-Att Yds TD-Int
T. Pryor 27-41 373 5-1
Rushing
Name Att-Yds TD
T. Pryor 12-62
S. McGuffie 4-26 1
Receiving
Name Rec-Yds TD
J. Jones 7-58 2
D. Benton 9-115 1
S. McGuffie 1-13 1
C. Slate 3-101 1
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Post by hammack on Dec 19, 2007 13:35:19 GMT -5
Herd Win, Lose 2 Starters
Final Score: 42-28
"Today we lost 2 great players, and 2 players that are going to be stars after College. Terrelle Pryor tore his ACL and Sam McGuffie tore his bicep which takes away from his grip on the football when running. It's a terrible thing to happen to young men, and to a team." said Coach Hammack "We have to move on and try to get better. We're 5-0 at this point, and we have to work around these setbacks. I'll be at the hospital with my players."
On a good note, the two players had a superb game leading them over the Memphis Tigers in Conference USA Battle. Pryor and McGuffie were wrecking havoc all day throughout the game. This team is really going to miss this qb-rb tandem.
The Herd travel to Tulsa next week.
Thundering Herd Stats
Passing
Name Comp-Att Yds TD-Int
T. Pryor 21-37 342 2-3
B. Morris 3-5 27 1-0
Rushing
Name Att-Yds TD
T. Pryor 9-59 2
S. McGuffie 20-133 2
Receiving
Name Rec-Yds TD
J. Jones 5-157 1
D. Benton 9-106 0
S. McGuffie 2-13 0
M. Fitzgerald 2-23 1
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Post by hammack on Dec 19, 2007 14:04:04 GMT -5
The Herd Are Down, And Out.
At a school with very high hopes from a 5-0 start, the possibilities were endless. The team was on an uproar. The fans, the cheerleaders, the alumni, even the other athletic departments were excited about football. And where is all this happening? The University of Marshall once again has football to be excited about.
All of this excitement was brought to the 5th game of the season when they played the University of Memphis. A game that was won by The Herd, but why was everyone "down"? Two starters, and playmakers, from the number 3rd ranked offense in the country, were gone. How long were they gone? No one could say. After a freakish hit on QB Terrelle Pryor, he grabbed his knee in aching pain. Who knows what it could be, hyper-extension, acl, mcl, who knows. But everyone hoped for the best. However, the pain and agony had yet to fully set in. With three minutes left there was a toss play to the right side, to RB star Sam McGuffie. He was hit and got up rather fast, as if nothing was wrong. On the next play it was a give up the middle. At that point you could see something was wrong. McGuffie, the usual explosive running back, couldn't hold the ball. Later we read, a torn bicep was the cause.
Now with McGuffie and Pryor both out, for unexpected times. What do the Herd do? The Herd were faced with extreme circumstances to overcome. The fact is, the Herd never did overcome these injuries. The offense fell to less than impressive, and the receivers were underused because of the lack of a passing game. And to top it all of, the once impressive spread offense had no running game. Teams put 4 or 5 in the box to stop the inconsistant running game. The Herd dropped 6 of their last 7. And dropped a 5-0 start to look as the favorite to win the C-USA and contend in a major bowl game, to sitting at home with no post-season.
The only thing you can look forward to this year, is that there is a next year. And Terrelle and Sam will be back, and hopefully better than ever.
The final 7 games ended like this:
Tulsa L 14-31
So. Miss L 3-27
Rice W 45-42
UCF L 14-27
ECU L 27-28
Houston L 35-38
UAB L 17-26
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