Marshall football: Herd, Gibson seek first win against EKU

Last weekend, Marshall had more than 28,000 fans in attendance despite rainy conditions. It was quite a homecoming for players like Cannon Lewis, a former Cabell Midland star.

“It was awesome. We had a really good turnout despite the rain,� Lewis said. “I had about 15 or 20 people I grew up with and my family at the game. I probably had about 50% of the stadium that I’ve known at some point. It was like playing high school football again, but bigger. It means a little bit more.�

Marshall’s weakness in its 21-20 loss to Missouri State was its third-down conversion rate on both sides of the ball. The Herd went 3 for 15 on third down, while Missouri State finished 7 for 16. The Bears sustained drives, while the Herd did not.

“We’ve just got to convert on third down,� Marshall running back Justin Williams-Thomas said. “I feel like that’s a big emphasis that we want to focus on this week. Like we said, we’ve got to make the most of every opportunity that we have. We really emphasized this last practice on converting those, both offensively and defensively.�

Offensively, the Herd’s focus is success in long situations. The Herd ran the ball for 5.7 yards per rush but only gained about 6 yards per pass, finishing 13 for 24.

Much of that is the inability to disguise chance-taking plays. After two quick runs, many of Marshall’s third downs were predictable pass situations.

“Our short yardage last week was good, but we just have to keep improving on the small things,� Herd offensive lineman Eric Meeks said. “We’re not miles away. Coach tells us it’s just a few steps. If one or two things go another way, then it’s a different conversation.�

On the defensive side, limitation of explosives on third down is the biggest takeaway. Marshall gave up chunk gains of 15 yards or more multiple times on third down. In Missouri State’s game-winning drive, the Herd allowed a 55-yard screen pass on third-and-14 after sacking the quarterback twice.

Lewis said it can be something as simple as someone lining up a few feet away from their intended spot.

“Probably just communication,� Lewis said. “If you’re supposed to be on the hash but you’re on the numbers and you’re five yards away, they sit right down right in front of you. It’s bang-bang, and it happens right in front of you. Communication with everybody, it starts with us as linebackers, then to the secondary and back to the [defensive] line to get everybody lined up.�

Eastern Kentucky (1-1) enters off a 20-10 win over Houston Christian a week ago. In two games, the Colonels have two defensive touchdowns, an interception return against Louisville and a fumble recovery touchdown last week.

Protecting the ball is important every week, but it’s a major emphasis against an Eastern Kentucky defense that has generated 14 points from its defense in two games, while Marshall’s offense is at 27.

“I think they fly around. They’re physical, they stop the run and they take the ball away,� Gibson said of the Colonels. “They’ve got two defensive touchdowns and seven takeaways in two games. I’m sure if they’re not leading the country that they’re right up there. They’re very active.

“They have a really, really good corner in [Vito Tisdale Jr.]. He’s a heck of a player. They’ve got good linebackers that fly around. They’ve got good D-linemen that are big and well-coached. Their head coach, Walt Wells, we go way back. Walt’s a great coach ... and he does things the right way.�

Marshall’s offense had just 7 yards in the first quarter against Missouri State. Meeks said an adjustment made to move the ball much better as the game went on was a change in mindset by the offensive line. It’s only allowed one sack in two games and helped provide nearly 6 yards per carry.

“I think we just decided that it was on us, really,� Meeks said. “The offensive line stepped up, and so did the running backs. I feel like everyone did their part, and that allowed us to be effective on offense.�

Eastern Kentucky's offense hasn’t been as potent in the box score. The Colonels got just 79 passing yards and had an interception. They scored once on a rushing touchdown by quarterback Myles Burkett, who had 12 carries.

In comparison to Georgia’s Gunner Stockton and Missouri State’s Jacob Clark, both more known for their pocket presence, Burkett’s scouting report says he's able to extend plays and break off runs.

“Their quarterback is a dual threat. He’s a runner. He extends plays and is very athletic,� Gibson said. “Tough kid. He’ll make throws. I think he threw for 1,800 and 10 touchdowns in Albany [before transferring to Eastern Kentucky]. He’s a competitive kid that’s going to keep plays alive.

"We have to do a good job of containing him better than we did a week ago. [Clark] was a pocket guy, but he was able to get out and put some stress on us. We have to be better with containing the quarterback and staying in our rushing lanes.�

Lewis said the Herd's defensive focus must be on containing quarterbacks better. Stockton had 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns on option runs in Week 1. Clark had 30 rushing yards on 15 carries despite getting sacked six times. Both of those quarterbacks had 13 or fewer rushing yards in their other games.

“He’s athletic, and he can move around,� Lewis said of Burkett. “We’re going to have to be even more efficient with getting calls to the line when we’re blitzing and staying in our gaps to stay disciplined. If you’re in a spy, you have to play it. Take good angles and don’t let him extend plays.�

Williams-Thomas said Marshall should be expected to win the game handily if it makes the right adjustments and sticks to its game plan. Sportsbooks did not offer a spread on this week’s game, but the majority of FBS teams playing FCS opponents this week are favored by 20 points or more. Marshall won the last matchup 59-0 in 2020 and leads the series 12-8-1.

“They have a good offensive line and a good unit. We have a challenge this week that we’re prepared for and ready to attack,� Marshall's Paul Hutson III said. “It starts with us. Our front with three down linemen, it starts there.

“We’ll have a great weekend after those guys keep attacking like they did last week.�