Marshall looks to replace stars Bradshaw, McClellan
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - Star power has dwindled at Marshall.
The Thundering Herd must replace two marquee players who made unexpected, early exits. If their young fill-ins aren't significant contributors, Marshall could have its own premature departure from the Conference USA East Division race in 2007.
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw compiled the second-best season in school history last year with 1,523 yards, which was sixth best in the nation. He left school one year early and was selected by the New York Giants in the NFL draft.
Albert McClellan, the returning conference defensive player of the year, tore ligaments in his left knee during preseason practice and will miss the entire season. The junior defensive end led the league with 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last season.
Talk about a challenge for a team that hasn't had a winning record in four years and hasn't been to a bowl since 2004.
Yet there are players hoping to make significant impacts in place of Ahmad Bradshaw and McClellan.
"It's an opportunity for some young kids to step up and get some playing time," coach Mark Snyder said.
Freshman running back Darius Marshall entered fall camp no higher than third on the depth chart but is getting some of the same preseason hype that Ahmad Bradshaw received as a freshman, including a 96-yard scoring run during one practice.
Marshall is challenging junior Chubb Small, last year's backup to Ahmad Bradshaw, for the starting job. Small ran for 193 yards and a score in 2006.
McClellan's likely replacement is either redshirt freshman Michael Janac or freshman Vinny Curry. Others vying for the job are freshman Johnny Jones and converted offensive tackle Joe Bragg, a junior who originally signed as a tight end.
The losses of Ahmad Bradshaw and McClellan leave center Doug Legursky and defensive back Curtis Keyes as the most decorated players at Marshall. Both were first team all-conference selections last year.
The 311-pound Legursky has started 23 straight games. He injured an ankle during preseason practice but it wasn't considered serious.
Keyes ranked fourth in the conference with 104 tackles and his two interceptions tied for the team lead. The defense is under the watch of new defensive coordinator Steve Dunlap.
Two-year starter Bernard Morris returns at quarterback amid pressure from himself and his coaching staff to perform better.
Morris is 9-14 as a starter and played through toe and ankle injuries last season. He threw more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (eight) and surpassed 200 yards in the air in only one game. He was the team's second-leading rusher with 324 yards and two touchdowns, including 151 yards against Division I-AA Hofstra.
"There's really no excuse for the kind of play we've had in the past," Morris said. "I just want to go out there and play my best season. We need to get to a bowl game."
Morris should have arguably his deepest set of receivers.
Tight end Cody Slate had 43 catches for 684 yards and six touchdowns a year ago, becoming the first freshman to lead Marshall in receiving since Randy Moss in 1996.
Marshall lost three of its top five receivers from a year ago but has second-leading receiver Emmanuel Spann; 6-foot-6 Shawn Lauzon, who missed the 2006 season with a hip injury; senior Marcus Fitzgerald; and junior college transfer Darius Passmore, who sat out last season for academic reasons.
"We have a lot of depth and a lot of speed. It's always a plus to have a couple of guys you just throw the ball up and let them make a couple of plays," Morris said. "Now we can get back to throwing the ball as much as we want whenever we want."
Marshall, picked to finish fourth in the East Division by conference coaches, will have two tough tests to start the season at Miami, Fla., and at home the following week against West Virginia. The rest of the nonconference schedule includes games Sept. 15 at home with Division I-AA New Hampshire and a Sept. 22 contest at Cincinnati.
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