- Apr 10, 2015
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Though a small wager, I am on Marshall -8 ( +100). It's not everyday when the Herd gets a big 10 team to travel down to Huntington. While replacing all everything QB Cato is a big concern, Doc Holliday is a solid coach who has rebuilt Marshall's winning tradition. Thinking here that the Herd gets it done.
The following is from the Indy Star :
Marshall running game vs. Purdue rush defense
The Boilermakers saw plenty of talented running backs last season in the Big Ten. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, Michigan State's Jeremy Langford, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah and Minnesota's David Cobb. We'll find out where Devon Johnson ranks. He averaged 8.58 yards per carry last season, a byproduct of quarterback Rakeem Cato, who is now in the CFL. Jake Replogle and Ryan Watson are experienced defensive tackles and the linebackers all return. It's one of those unknowns going into the opener. Edge: Marshall
Purdue running game vs. Marshall rush defense
The experience of the Boilermakers' offensive line is a plus and the offense has to lean on the veteran group to run its different tempos. D.J. Knox and Markell Jones established themselves as the top two running backs, and Knox is expected to handle a bulk of the duties. The sophomore is stronger than you think ? he can bench press 420 pounds. The Herd lack experience upfront and the Boilermakers need to take advantage. Edge: Purdue
RELATED: Hazell understands importance of season opener
Marshall passing game vs. Purdue pass defense
Cato and his playmaking skills are gone, leaving Michael Birdsong to run the offense. Birdsong last played 21 months ago for James Madison. Birdsong also doesn't have the weapons that Cato did. He'll challenge a pair of solid cornerbacks in Frankie Williams and Anthony Brown, but the Boilermakers also have to bring pressure. Don't be surprised if defensive coordinator Greg Hudson is blitz-happy trying to rattle Birdsong. Edge: Purdue
Purdue passing game vs. Marshall pass defense
The end of last season was hard to watch after Danny Anthrop suffered a knee injury at Nebraska, creating a void in the passing game. Anthrop is back, and the Boilermakers appear to be improved with the addition of junior college transfers Domonique Young and Anthony Mahoungou. DeAngelo Yancey is a good bet for a bounce-back candidate. Quarterback Austin Appleby's accuracy is on the uptick, but his receivers need to prove they can win those one-on-one battles. Edge: Marshall
RELATED:Appleby brothers tie Purdue and Marshall together
Special teams
Paul Griggs will handle field goals and kickoffs and Thomas Meadows returns at punter. Although Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert are gone, the combination of Anthrop, Williams and Brown provide the chance for big plays in the return game. Deandrea Reaves will become Marshall's career leader in kickoff return yards and punter Tyler Williams is back after averaging 44.1 yards. Edge: Purdue
Prediction
Marshall has been the focus since offseason workouts started in January. The Boilermakers even had "Marshall Mondays" to ramp up the intensity and to keep the concentration on the season opener. Now nine months later, we'll see if the third season in Darrell Hazell's tenure begins the upward climb. Not the ideal situation to open on the road against a team that was 13-1 last year to gain traction in an important season, but the Boilermakers will know where they stand pretty quickly. Purdue 32, Marshall 26
The following is from the Indy Star :
Marshall running game vs. Purdue rush defense
The Boilermakers saw plenty of talented running backs last season in the Big Ten. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, Michigan State's Jeremy Langford, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah and Minnesota's David Cobb. We'll find out where Devon Johnson ranks. He averaged 8.58 yards per carry last season, a byproduct of quarterback Rakeem Cato, who is now in the CFL. Jake Replogle and Ryan Watson are experienced defensive tackles and the linebackers all return. It's one of those unknowns going into the opener. Edge: Marshall
Purdue running game vs. Marshall rush defense
The experience of the Boilermakers' offensive line is a plus and the offense has to lean on the veteran group to run its different tempos. D.J. Knox and Markell Jones established themselves as the top two running backs, and Knox is expected to handle a bulk of the duties. The sophomore is stronger than you think ? he can bench press 420 pounds. The Herd lack experience upfront and the Boilermakers need to take advantage. Edge: Purdue
RELATED: Hazell understands importance of season opener
Marshall passing game vs. Purdue pass defense
Cato and his playmaking skills are gone, leaving Michael Birdsong to run the offense. Birdsong last played 21 months ago for James Madison. Birdsong also doesn't have the weapons that Cato did. He'll challenge a pair of solid cornerbacks in Frankie Williams and Anthony Brown, but the Boilermakers also have to bring pressure. Don't be surprised if defensive coordinator Greg Hudson is blitz-happy trying to rattle Birdsong. Edge: Purdue
Purdue passing game vs. Marshall pass defense
The end of last season was hard to watch after Danny Anthrop suffered a knee injury at Nebraska, creating a void in the passing game. Anthrop is back, and the Boilermakers appear to be improved with the addition of junior college transfers Domonique Young and Anthony Mahoungou. DeAngelo Yancey is a good bet for a bounce-back candidate. Quarterback Austin Appleby's accuracy is on the uptick, but his receivers need to prove they can win those one-on-one battles. Edge: Marshall
RELATED:Appleby brothers tie Purdue and Marshall together
Special teams
Paul Griggs will handle field goals and kickoffs and Thomas Meadows returns at punter. Although Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert are gone, the combination of Anthrop, Williams and Brown provide the chance for big plays in the return game. Deandrea Reaves will become Marshall's career leader in kickoff return yards and punter Tyler Williams is back after averaging 44.1 yards. Edge: Purdue
Prediction
Marshall has been the focus since offseason workouts started in January. The Boilermakers even had "Marshall Mondays" to ramp up the intensity and to keep the concentration on the season opener. Now nine months later, we'll see if the third season in Darrell Hazell's tenure begins the upward climb. Not the ideal situation to open on the road against a team that was 13-1 last year to gain traction in an important season, but the Boilermakers will know where they stand pretty quickly. Purdue 32, Marshall 26
opcorn2 anyone know about this kids arm strength, accuracy or mobility? Anything ?
