Ohio has won five straight home openers, but that streak will be at risk when the Bobcats host bitter rival Marshall in Saturday night’s “Battle for the Bell.”
“It’s a rivalry game and both teams obviously know about the rivalry,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “It does mean something to everybody associated with both programs.”
Fresh off a 45-28 victory at Idaho, Ohio (1-0, 0-0 MAC) will hope for a better result than the last time they faced the Herd. A year ago in Huntington, the Bobcats were all but run out of the “The Joan” by Rakeem Cato and Co., and traveled the 90 minutes back to Athens with a 44-14 defeat.
Ohio quarterback J.D. Sprague is sacked by Marshall defensive lineman Steve Dillion during last season’s 44-14 Thundering Herd victory. (Photo by Zak Kolesar)
Cato graduated along with some of his weapons, but don’t think for a second that this will be a down year for Marshall’s program.
“It’s not a rebuilding year for them by any stretch of the imagination,” Solich said. “They are a very, very good football team.”
The Thundering Herd could be the Bobcats’ toughest test of 2015.
Marshall defeated Purdue 41-31 on Sunday, giving them only five days to prepare for their trip to Athens. Thundering Herd coach Doc Holliday noted that the short week gave Ohio an advantage.
“Playing Sunday didn’t help us,” Holliday said. “It was great exposure for us; we had to do what we did, but it makes it tough going into this week. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
Marshall is quarterbacked by Michael Birdsong, a transfer from James Madison. In his Kelly Green debut, the junior signal caller completed 23 of his 36 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Birdsong also led the Herd on the ground with 43 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Despite the blowout defeat last season, the Green & White isn’t exactly eyeing revenge.
“You don’t play the game for revenge,” Solich said. “If that’s your motive, you will find yourself struggling as you go through the season.”
Following Saturday’s game, these rivals won’t square off until 2019, when the series resumes in Huntington. Given the circumstances, the Bobcats don’t need any more motivation to keep the Bell in Athens for the next four years.
“The game means an awful lot,” Solich said. “You don’t have to look for ways to build the game up. It builds itself up.”
Ohio leads the all-time series vs. Marshall 32-20-6. (Photo by the Huntington Herald-Dispatch)
About the Opponent: Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0, 0-0 C-USA)
Location: Huntington, West Virginia
Established: 1837
Colors: Kelly Green and White
Mascot: Marco The Buffalo
Notable Alumni: Former NFL wide receivers Randy Moss & Troy Brown, NBA coach Mike D’Antoni, actor Billy Crystal, former NFL quarterbacks Chad Pennington & Byron Leftwich
Players in the NFL: Eagles defensive lineman Vinny Curry, Steelers center Doug Legursky, Ravens linebacker Albert McClellan, Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson and Raiders tight end Lee Smith
Previous Bobcat Game: 44-14 Marshall win at Joan C. Edwards Stadium – Sept. 13, 2014
Current Matchup: Saturday at 7 p.m. — Peden Stadium
Ohio players to watch
Offense: TE Keith Heitzman – The Michigan transfer impressed in his Ohio debut with four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown. His big frame can pose matchup problems for opposing defensive backs. Heitzman was targeted by Vick three times on the Bobcats first two drives last week. If his success continues, Bobcat fans will forget all about Troy Mangen’s injury.
Defense: LB Quentin Poling – Poling earned himself MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week with his 12 tackle, one sack and one forced fumble performance at Idaho. His ballhawking skills seem to have improved since last season and he’s highly likely to lead Ohio in tackles this year. Poling had three interceptions in last season’s home opener. He’s unlikely to repeat that feat on Saturday night, but the sophomore will have to do more pass coverage than usual against the Herd.
Marshall players to watch
Offense: WR Davonte Allen – Birdsong’s top target hauled in five passes for 59 yards in Marshall’s win over Purdue, but that’s a bad week by Allen’s standards. In limited action last season, Allen averaged 90.6 receiving yards per game, including a standout 137 yard, two touchdown performance against the Bobcats.
Defense: DB Tiquan Lang – The junior safety had arguably the best game of anyone in football last week. Lang picked off two passes – one on the first play of scrimmage, one late in the 4th quarter to seal the win – and returned them both for touchdowns. The man scored as many, if not more, points as 10 FBS teams in Week 1. And as if that wasn’t enough, Lang also finished the game with 17 tackles. You won’t have to search hard to find #21 on Saturday.
Prediction
Marshall 35, Ohio 27 – Both offenses will come to play in this one, but the ‘Cats secondary will be tested much more this week than at Idaho. The game should be close into the second half, but I see the Herd scoring a late TD to seal it, keeping the Bell in Huntington ’til at least 2019.
