Spring Practice Begins at Marshall Before Season of Expectations

With expectations at levels not seen in over a decade Marshall Football is into the second week of spring football practice, working to improve the overall quality of the team by adding depth in some key positions on the field.

Fresh off a 10-4 season that was capped off with a 31-20 win over Maryland in the Military Bowl, Marshall Football is back on the practice field.

Spring Football practice started last week for the Thundering Herd. Marshall Head Football Coach Doc Holliday said this is the time when depth is built and young guys have to step up.

“We talk about it all the time with our program, there’s no place to hide in this program, if you don’t like where you are change what you’re doing,” Holliday said.

Among the positions where depth has to be developed this spring is the quarterback position. The starter is set with reigning Conference USA offensive player of the year Rakeem Cato. But his backup is where the question mark sits because of the offseason transfer of Blake Frohnapfel to UMass. So competition will be the name of the game for GunnarHolcombe, Kevin Anderson and Cole Garvin.

“We know Cato can play, but we have to find a backup, if you don’t have that guy at the position that’s an issue,” Holliday said. “So those three guys are going to get a lot of reps and we have to make sure we do a great job as coaches.”

Holliday said last year’s successes were possibly because of the seniors finishing their careers on a high note. Holliday says in order for this coming season to be as great as they hope it will be, a new class of seniors will have to play a large role.

“For us to go where we want to this year, all those guys have to play their best football ever,” Holliday said.

Holliday said it’s a good feeling to know what you have as a team going into spring, unlike past spring practices.

Marshall will hold the annual Green and White scrimmage to end spring practice on April 26^th.