HUNTINGTON Ƶ Marshall UniversityƵs annual spring football game ended in a 41-0 rout on the scoreboard.
That doesnƵt mean there arenƵt some key takeaways. For instance, those that were on the green squad were labeled as the ones by Marshall coach Tony Gibson. ThereƵs no depth chart just yet, but the talent is certainly there.
The Green defense brought down two interceptions, two pass breakups and three tackles for loss among standout performances.
The Green offense generated 180 rushing yards on 30 carries. Quarterbacks Carlos Del-Rio Wilson and Zion Turner combined for more than 180 yards on 9-of-12 passing.
All of this came in just one half of football. The second was treated like a meet and greet event. More than 10,000 spectators, surpassing the goal set by Gibson, were reported in attendance.
ƵIt was surreal when I was standing in that tunnel looking out,Ƶ Gibson said of his first spring game as a head coach. ƵIƵm an emotional guy, so it got me for a minute. It was good to see.Ƶ
A standout portion came during the second half fan day. Dozens of former Thundering Herd football players attended the game. Each was given the opportunity to reintroduce himself. Ahmad Bradshaw drew an uproar just from saying his name. Gibson says heƵs put an effort into building those connections.
ƵItƵs awesome. Those guys have been unbelievable for me and the staff,Ƶ Gibson said. ƵI made them go through and shake every hand and tell those guys thank you for what theyƵve done. They were in last night. We spent a lot of time with them and they had a lot of refreshments. It was good to see (alumni) in that type of atmosphere.Ƶ
HereƵs a few observations from the spring game along with GibsonƵs thoughts.
THERE ARE THREE NAMES LEFT AT QUARTERBACK: If you donƵt have a quarterback, you donƵt have a team leader. ThatƵs why Gibson has said in other media appearances that as soon as he finds out, he will let folks know who the quarterback will be.
ItƵs just the finding out part. The three names left on GibsonƵs radar are Carlos Del-Rio Wilson, Zion Turner and Hurricane native JacQai Long.
Long was held to just six yards as the primary quarterback for the second team on Saturday, but he did not have any turnovers. Del Rio-Wilson was the first quarterback on the field for the green team, but all three took reps Ƶ Long swapped jersey colors multiple times.
Gibson says that Del Rio-Wilson has Ƶseparated himselfƵ in recent weeks but that there is still competition.
ƵEverything looked on point, but there were some things to clean up that I couldƵve cleaned up,Ƶ Del Rio-Wilson said. ƵIƵm focused on being more determined with my decision making. Sometimes out there, I was too determined and would pre-judge it. I feel like I went out there with a leadership mentality and led the offense.Ƶ
DEFENSE IS AHEAD AS ADVERTISED: GibsonƵs background as a defensive coordinator means that heƵs going to get on a playerƵs case if he doesnƵt get it right.
ƵThatƵs the standard, and they know that,Ƶ Gibson said. ƵI told them from day one that theyƵre going to get coached different on that side of the ball because thatƵs my background. ThatƵs what got me to this job. WeƵre going to be aggressive. WeƵre going to be tough. WeƵre going to fly around.Ƶ
ThatƵs how you come across players like Javae Gilmore. He had four consecutive tackles in a single drive at one point and put major emphasis on himself at linebacker.
ƵHeƵs a creature,Ƶ Gibson said with a chuckle. ƵI love the way he plays. HeƵs starting to really come into his own. It took him a few weeks to get adjusted to how we play and what we want out of him with coming off the edge. HeƵs long, athletic and physical.Ƶ
Boogie Trotter had the most impressive stat line. In just two quarters, the safety had two pass breakups, two interceptions and two solo tackles.
ƵCoach Gibson knows a lot about football, especially with him being a defensive coach,Ƶ Trotter said. ƵHe knows the details and insides and outs of this defense. It has helped me learn faster, and it really helped me become a better corner and defensive back.Ƶ
The secondary echoed earlier statements that corners are taught as if they were safeties and vice versa. It creates an easier brand of communication while also showcasing versatility. It felt like everyone on the field could fly to the ball, a sign of depth to come.
ƵItƵs really crazy. WeƵre taught to be versatile, so weƵre taught to do everything in the defensive back room,Ƶ Trotter explained. ƵƵ a corner, we are taught to do the jobs of the safeties. The same with the nickel backs. You never know who could go down or who might need to step in, so itƵs good to learn everything. It helps us make plays Ƶ we had five interceptions (between both teams). Everyone is being versatile.Ƶ
SPRING UNCERTAINTIES: ThereƵs only so much that can be said at this point about two quarters of football. The offense moved the ball enough to score 40 points in two quarters thanks to a tempo-based style that had the stat keepers catching their breath.
The defense is as advertised. It pitched a shutout against its competition. Rece Verhoff also has improved as a kicker, connecting on one field goal from nearly 40 yards to close the game out with ease. Punts also had plenty of hang time.
The spring transfer portal opens on April 16. Gibson says his staff will meet with each player individually. They have a plan for retention of the roster they built this winter over everything else.
ƵWeƵll give the kids a couple of days off and then have a lot of one-on-one meetings with position coaches and myself to let every guy know where they stand on our football team,Ƶ Gibson said. ƵWeƵll have some open weight room hours for guys to get in and work out. We also have to finish strong academically. ThatƵs the most important thing.Ƶ
