Marshall football coach Tony Gibson gets ready for a drill to start during a Marshall football prospect camp on June 6, 2025, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Marshall running back Tony Mathis runs with the ball during the first day of fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
Marshall football coach Tony Gibson gets ready for a drill to start during a Marshall football prospect camp on June 6, 2025, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Marshall running back Tony Mathis runs with the ball during the first day of fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON — It’s officially the first game week for Marshall University football coach Tony Gibson and there’s probably not many openers bigger than starting between the hedges at No. 5-ranked Georgia at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
“I think it’s very exciting for our kids to go play at a venue in Athens, Georgia, with 80,000-plus,†Gibson said. “It’s going to be a great venue to experience. A lot of our guys think they can play at that level. You hear them say all the time that they’re not there for whatever reason.
“You can’t hide from it now. We’re going to get to showcase what we got and what our players got at 3:30 on ESPN. Can’t ask for a bigger opener.â€
Gibson spoke of recent practices on Monday during the weekly Sun Belt Conference media availability.
“Looking forward to game week now. I’m glad we start with an easy opponent,†Gibson said with a grin. “It’s all good. Looking forward to watching these guys prepare for this week. We had a great fall camp, and now it’s time to play somebody else and see where we’re at.â€
Scout team reps and simulations of atmosphere were had throughout last week. The Herd had a mock game on Friday following a week of practices that Gibson was happy with.
“Had a very spirited practice last night with a lot of juice. [Monday] is the day off for the guys,†Gibson said. “So we’ll let them rest up a little today and get back tomorrow morning.
“I think everybody understands the urgency that we need to practice and prepare with this week.â€
Gibson’s mindset for an uphill battle is that the Herd cannot beat the Herd. He said goals and success can snowball.
“Our No. 1 goal in this game is that we have to go and be able to execute,†Gibson said. “It’s not going to be easy playing against a great Georgia team, but I don’t want the game to be sloppy. I don’t want us to have a lot of pre-snap penalties, turnovers and things like that. We don’t want to give up explosive plays.
“I want us to go try to win one play and then line up and win another play. If you do that, then our goal is to maybe win a quarter and then two quarters. I want to see them execute and not make a lot of mistakes. No loafing. Pre-snap penalties and turnovers, those are things that we’ve been harping on. Those are keys to victory for us.â€
In short, it’s a chance for everyone to learn what this Marshall team is capable of.
“We all know that we’re playing a top-five team. It’s not going to be easy,†Gibson said. “I’m more worried about Marshall than I am about Georgia. How are our guys going to react to that crowd or to the athleticism and physicality that Georgia is going to bring. We just have to be us and be the best version of us.
“When that game is over, let’s see where we go from there. We’re going down there to play a great team. We’re going down to try to win the game. We’re not just going to collect a check. I want our guys to be at their best, so let’s see what happens.â€
Tyler Kennett is a sports writer for HD Media. Reach him at tkennett@hdmediallc.com. Follow @tylerkennett on X.
