Every Marshall University home football game is a Ƶhomecoming gameƵ for Owen Porter.
ThatƵs because heƵs local.
And that means all the friends, family and fans who have watched him play Midget League in Ceredo-Kenova or junior high football in Buffalo or high school football at Spring Valley are still coming to watch Porter play for Marshall.
It also explains why the 6-foot-3, 240-pound redshirt defensive end is such a blue-collar player.
ƵYeah,Ƶ replied Porter. ƵItƵs just where you are raised.Ƶ
ThatƵs why Porter shares the same attitude as former high school teammates Doug Nester and Wyatt Milum, who star at West Virginia University now. They all possess that ƵitƵs where we were raisedƵ mindset.
ƵI mean, you just have to (be) from where weƵre from,Ƶ explained Porter.
Yet, he wouldnƵt trade it for anywhere else. ThereƵs simply something special about a local athlete coming to compete for Marshall.
ƵIt feels good,Ƶ said Porter with a smile. ƵThe whole reason I even came here was so it was easier for my family and my grandparents and everybody to come and watch me, who watched me when I was a kid.
ƵSo thatƵs the best part about being here. ItƵs super close for them. And I get to see everybody I see in the stands IƵve seen since I was in Midget League. So thatƵs the best part.Ƶ
Porter is the poster child for the ƵLocal Guy Makes GoodƵ concept.
But there is one aspect that has changed a lot now that heƵs playing defensive end for the Herd.
ƵI weigh roughly the same,Ƶ Porter said with a laugh, Ƶbut my body is just very different. A lot less fat, a lot more muscle.Ƶ
Although Porter won the Howley Award as the Mountain StateƵs best prep linebacker in 2017, he has changed his physique significantly.
Just ask James Madison quarterback Billy Atkins. The true freshman is probably still having nightmares about Porter. During the DukesƵ 26-12 loss to Marshall last Saturday, Porter terrorized Atkins and his teammates to the tune of 3.5 sacks, 9.0 tackles including 5.0 solo, 4.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.
So, is there any better feeling for a defensive end than the euphoria of sacking a quarterback?
ƵWell, the touchdown against Norfolk State,Ƶ said Porter with a grin, Ƶor the interception against Notre Dame. But that would be the only two.Ƶ
Hmm. ThatƵs an impressive list.
But how about adding ƵSun Belt Defensive Player of the WeekƵ to that list?
ƵIt feels pretty good,Ƶ said Porter. ƵI mean, I work for it every single day. ItƵs obviously the goal Ƶ you want to be as good as you can. You want to be the best player in the conference.Ƶ
So, is that the key to PorterƵs success? His work ethic?
ƵYeah, probably,Ƶ he said. ƵI donƵt want to take any days off whenever we go out there, even though IƵm pretty sore today (Tuesday) and I was sore yesterday. But IƵm not going to miss any practice. For me, I have to get out there and see the plays.
ƵSo IƵll just work through the pain at this point.Ƶ
Is that his mantra? Nah. ItƵs simply a way of life for Porter.
The same goes for home games.
TheyƵre all homecomings to Owen Porter.
