Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton (1) gets tackled by James Madison defensive lineman Eric OƵNeill (99) during the second half of an NCAA football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton (1) gets tackled by James Madison defensive lineman Eric OƵNeill (99) during the second half of an NCAA football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ MarshallƵs appearance in the Sun Belt Conference football championship game at Louisiana on Saturday will be, in a way, the completion of Ƶthe processƵ the Thundering HerdƵs coach has often referenced.
ƵAlthough we all, myself included, would have loved to see it happen at a lot quicker rate, the process is the process for a reason,Ƶ Marshall coach Charles Huff said. ƵWeƵve adapted. WeƵve adjusted, weƵve been supported, not only in-house with our administration and our in-house support, but externally as well, with the fans and the donors and the supporters, the former players, and the alumni. This is a moment for all of us to celebrate.Ƶ
ItƵs the HerdƵs first chance to take home a conference title since it hosted the Conference USA championship game in 2020, falling to UAB. The HerdƵs only title in the last two decades came under Doc Holliday in 2014, despite playing in the C-USA championship three times.
ƵAll I ever want to do is win a championship for this team, this community and this university,Ƶ said Herd offensive lineman Logan Osburn, who was on that C-USA runner-up team in 2020. ƵSo to finally be able to give back to that ... that would just mean everything to me. IƵm really excited. Like I said, I canƵt wait to go out there and play.Ƶ
This week hasnƵt come without its fair share of chatter, though. Huff said he plans to coach the game despite his expiring contract and having been linked to other coaching jobs in recent weeks.
None of that, Huff said, has bled over into preparations for SaturdayƵs game. Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green said the HerdƵs sideline boss has been honest and direct about the noise around him.
ƵI have tremendous respect for coach Huff and the way that he approached this,Ƶ Green said. ƵItƵs football, itƵs a business and you donƵt necessarily know whatƵs going to happen. I think the team has been doing a good job of just focusing on this game because nothing else really matters.Ƶ
The RaginƵ Cajuns finished the regular season 10-2, with losses only to Tulane and South Alabama. This will be the fifth time theyƵve played for a Sun Belt title in the past seven years.
Marshall, though, feels well-prepared for its third consecutive road contest after winning six straight games to conclude the regular season.
ƵWe talked about the margin of error being extremely small,Ƶ Huff said. ƵWe talked about (how), in order to maximize our opportunities, weƵve got to maximize every day of preparation, and the players have had unbelievable buzz and juice these first couple of days of preparation.Ƶ
Luke Creasy is a sports reporter for HD Media. He can be reached by phone at 304-526-2800.
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