not sure if it has been put up yet that he definitley won't start tonight, but just in case....
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Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002
Leftwich to sit out today
By ANTHONY HANSHEW - The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- For the past 11 days, Marshall head football coach Bobby Pruett repeatedly was asked about the status of his star quarterback. On the eve of his team?s most pivotal game this season, he answered it one last time.
"Stan Hill will start and we anticipate him playing the entire game," Pruett said Monday.
By making Hill?s start official, a remarkable streak will end tonight when Marshall plays host to Miami (Ohio). For the first time since 1996, a quarterback other than Chad Pennington or Byron Leftwich will start for the Thundering Herd.
Pennington led the Herd offense from 1997-99 before being drafted by the New York Jets. Leftwich took over in 2000 and hasn?t missed a start.
Leftwich is sidelined because of a left shin injury suffered in a Nov. 2 defeat at Akron. The senior?s status has been the focus surrounding tonight?s game, which will go a long way in determining the Mid-American Conference East Division champion.
Marshall (6-2, 4-1 MAC) and Miami (7-3, 5-1) kickoff at 8 p.m. at Marshall Stadium. ESPN will televise the game, which is expected to draw an estimated crowd of 25,000.
Leftwich, the nation?s leader in total offense (375.5 yards a game), was injured by a hit on his surgically repaired lower left leg. He left the Rubber Bowl for X-rays, but returned to play much of the second half.
The Heisman Trophy candidate was on crutches last week. In his place, Hill took a majority of snaps with the first team offense.
Hill, a sophomore from Tupelo, Miss., played approximately half of the Akron game with Leftwich out. He completed seven of 14 passes for 37 yards in the 34-20 loss. Hill was intercepted once.
For the season, Hill has thrown for 140 yards on 16-of-27 passing.
Making his first career start, Hill will shoulder the responsibility of maintaining Marshall?s conference title hopes. Tonight?s winner controls its destiny in winning the East Division and hosting the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 7.
Hill said a complete effort will be a must in downing Miami, which boasts its own standout quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.
"Your quarterback is only going to be as good as your running game," Hill said. "I think our offensive line has been excited since after the Akron game. I?ve talked to them, and I?ve talked to (running backs) Butchie (Wallace) and Brandon (Carey). They?re ready to run the ball."
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Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002
Leftwich to sit out today
By ANTHONY HANSHEW - The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- For the past 11 days, Marshall head football coach Bobby Pruett repeatedly was asked about the status of his star quarterback. On the eve of his team?s most pivotal game this season, he answered it one last time.
"Stan Hill will start and we anticipate him playing the entire game," Pruett said Monday.
By making Hill?s start official, a remarkable streak will end tonight when Marshall plays host to Miami (Ohio). For the first time since 1996, a quarterback other than Chad Pennington or Byron Leftwich will start for the Thundering Herd.
Pennington led the Herd offense from 1997-99 before being drafted by the New York Jets. Leftwich took over in 2000 and hasn?t missed a start.
Leftwich is sidelined because of a left shin injury suffered in a Nov. 2 defeat at Akron. The senior?s status has been the focus surrounding tonight?s game, which will go a long way in determining the Mid-American Conference East Division champion.
Marshall (6-2, 4-1 MAC) and Miami (7-3, 5-1) kickoff at 8 p.m. at Marshall Stadium. ESPN will televise the game, which is expected to draw an estimated crowd of 25,000.
Leftwich, the nation?s leader in total offense (375.5 yards a game), was injured by a hit on his surgically repaired lower left leg. He left the Rubber Bowl for X-rays, but returned to play much of the second half.
The Heisman Trophy candidate was on crutches last week. In his place, Hill took a majority of snaps with the first team offense.
Hill, a sophomore from Tupelo, Miss., played approximately half of the Akron game with Leftwich out. He completed seven of 14 passes for 37 yards in the 34-20 loss. Hill was intercepted once.
For the season, Hill has thrown for 140 yards on 16-of-27 passing.
Making his first career start, Hill will shoulder the responsibility of maintaining Marshall?s conference title hopes. Tonight?s winner controls its destiny in winning the East Division and hosting the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 7.
Hill said a complete effort will be a must in downing Miami, which boasts its own standout quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.
"Your quarterback is only going to be as good as your running game," Hill said. "I think our offensive line has been excited since after the Akron game. I?ve talked to them, and I?ve talked to (running backs) Butchie (Wallace) and Brandon (Carey). They?re ready to run the ball."
