HUNTINGTON Ƶ Marshall UniversityƵs first-team offense scored 41 points, total 180 rushing yards and 186 passing yards in two quarters of action during its spring game Saturday.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson had 21 rushing yards on seven carries with a touchdown. He also had 113 passing yards on 5-of-7 passing.
It gave Marshall coach Tony Gibson opportunity to praise Del Rio-Wilson and the Green Team Ƶ one that he said was put together in a way to prioritize chemistry among players projected to play a bigger role.
ƵI thought Carlos did some really good things with moving the ball and having a lot of scoring drives,Ƶ Gibson said. ƵBut we still have a lot of work to do. We have a few more weeks in the semester, so weƵre not going to stop now.Ƶ
Jalen Slappy has been a vocal focal point for the offensive line as a player who is returning from last seasonƵs Sun Belt Conference championship roster. He says thereƵs room to grow on offense, particularly with the five interceptions brought down between both the Green and White defenses.
ƵI think the offense did pretty well, especially the green team,Ƶ Slappy said. ƵBut we have got to clean up a lot of things Ƶ like the turnovers canƵt happen a lot. That was coming from both teams, and we canƵt have that.Ƶ
It was a point of emphasis for Gibson and Slappy both Ƶ limiting unwanted stoppage of the fast-paced drives that put up points at a blistering rate.
ƵWe got to line up faster. Like come on, run up on the field with authority,Ƶ Slappy said. ƵWe want to score every play. We have to expect to score.Ƶ
Del Rio-Wilson says that part of his role Ƶ despite being one of the two most impressive quarterback options between himself and Zion Turner Ƶ is to continue to improve the little things that could lead to miscues.
ƵEverything looked on point, but there was some stuff I could have cleaned up,Ƶ Del Rio-Wilson said. ƵI definitely focused on being more determined with my decision making. Sometimes, I was a little too determined. I would pre-judge it, and then based on the play, I would need to move. But I feel like I definitely went out there with a leadership mentality today and helped lead the offense.Ƶ
Slappy says that the differences between former coach Charles HuffƵs ways and the new culture surrounding Gibson are found with simplicity.
ƵItƵs been different. Me and (offensive lineman) Eric Meeks were talking about it today. We love the way everything is situated,Ƶ Slappy said. ƵEverything is more simple, and itƵs for our benefit, really. I liked the spring game and how it went. I love it. I love coach Gibson.Ƶ
Slappy is one of the most experienced members of the team in terms of in-game snaps.
ƵI feel like my voice has been big,Ƶ Slappy said. ƵThey count on me to be the guy here Ƶ to lead everybody in. I was just talking to (assistant coach) Ralph Street about how we got to get everyone closer together in the summer. ItƵs going to be big for our connection, so I feel like IƵve been a voice, and IƵm trying to do a good job with it. I can always improve, though.Ƶ
Ƶ for what he has been saying:
ƵI basically tell everyone to come out and play with confidence, really,Ƶ Slappy said. ƵEverybody is still vibing out with each other. We just need to come in and play with confidence Ƶ trusting each other. ThatƵs the big thing Ƶ trusting everyoneƵs jobs, what they have to do every play. ThatƵs big.Ƶ
Del Rio-Wilson says that MarshallƵs community is unlike the one he had at Syracuse Ƶ his last stop. He feels that he is able to be more open with the fans. His daughter latched to his shoulder throughout the fan-fueled second half Ƶ waving at fans while he signed autographs and took photos.
ƵThat was my main thing when I committed here Ƶ feeling the atmosphere, the fans and the hospitality that everybody has,Ƶ Del Rio-Wilson said. ƵI love it. Me being able to come out, interact and socialize with everybody in the community Ƶ supporters or not Ƶ thatƵs one thing that I love.
ƵI feel like other places IƵve been that I couldnƵt really do that. I feel like, here, IƵm an open book for everybody.Ƶ
He also said the experience of the Spring Fountain Ceremony was unlike anything he has experienced as a college football player.
ƵThat was amazing to me. IƵve never experienced anything like that,Ƶ Del Rio-Wilson said. ƵI didnƵt know too much about it, so I didnƵt know what was going on. To be here and see how many people came out Ƶ the people that were speaking Ƶ it was an amazing experience for me. I want to be back next year, just to see that.Ƶ
