WKU Football: Marshall Q&A with Moonshine Throwdown
We’re just three days away from WKU’s trip to Huntington to take on rival Marshall. There is a lot a stake in this one. Not only are the…
We’re just three days away from WKU’s trip to Huntington to take on rival Marshall. There is a lot a stake in this one. Not only are the Tops playing a now hated rival but the Conference USA East division lead is on the line as well as bowl eligibility. Needless to say, this is a big game. With that in all of that in mind, we thought that we’d get a Marshall perspective on the game. Luckily for us, we got KD (the host) & Trace Johnson (Marshall expert) from the Moonshine Throwdown podcast to give us their thoughts on the Marshall program, the rivalry, the game, and some predictions. Without further adieu, here is our conversation with the guys from the Moonshine Throwdown.
It has been an inconsistent season for the Thundering Herd (4–3) thus far. What has been the biggest reason for the variance in results?
KD: There are a couple of reasons for The Herd’s ups and downs in the first half of the season. The Offense has been wildly inconsistent at times. The Herd has been able to move the ball up and down the field most of the season, but sometimes those yards don’t translate into points. Kickoff coverage has been a bit of a weakness too. Opposing teams have had the luxury of great starting field position a bunch this season. But the biggest reason is turnovers. When Marshall has them, they tend to come up short. Look no further than the MTSU game. Marshall lost by just 11 but had 4 official turnovers (3 INTs, 1 Fumble) and another 3 turnovers on downs.
Trace: Marshall’s offense hasn’t been nearly consistent enough this season. You just never know what you’re going to get from the unit and Isaiah Green in general from week to week. That’s not been the only inconsistent part of the team, but it stands out more than others.
Doc Holliday is now in his 10th season in Huntington which is very long for a C-USA coach. Are fans getting anxious with him since he hasn’t had a CUSA Championship since 2014?
KD: There is definitely a section of the fanbase that would like to move on from Doc Holliday. So many Marshall fans are used to consistently playing for a conference championship, and to have only played for 2 (2013 & 2014) and only winning 1 (2014) in 9+ seasons doesn’t sit well with them. Plain and simple, those fans think 8 or 9 wins, and a bowl win isn’t good enough, especially considering CUSA’s lack of top to bottom competitive teams. I often see folks tweet that 8 wins should be considered the minimum for Marshall in CUSA 3.0
Trace: Fans are getting very anxious with Doc. Many feel the program has stagnated and it might be time for a change. He can silence the doubters with a strong end to this season, however. It’s definitely gotten to the point where it’s conference title or bust with a large portion of the fan base.
The Moonshine Throwdown has really blossomed since the memorable 2014 game. What makes the rivalry so special compared to other conference rivalries?
KD: The Moonshine Throwdown spans multiple sports, which is awesome because it allows fans to constantly take jabs at one another & rep their squad pretty much all year long. We never go very long between a WKU/Marshall matchup. We all know this rivalry is primarily driven by football and men’s basketball, but no matter the sport, there’s always at least a few fans letting @MoonshineTD know about it… and which squad was victorious. It also doesn’t hurt that I’m on social media basically every day interacting with fans, sharing information, and always trying to make this thing bigger, better, and more intense. Having the Moonshine Throwdown Podcast available for the fans is another reason the MSTD keeps gaining in popularity amongst the fanbases. Trace and Moff do such a great job, we’re all really lucky to have them put in the work that they do.
Trace: The Moonshine Throwdown has caught on so well for a multitude of reasons, but just look back at some of the games and what they meant. 2014 ended an undefeated season, 2015 determined the East Division champs, 2016 was an all-time bad home loss, 2017 was the plane crash anniversary game in Huntington, and 2018 was the C-USA opener. Rivalry games mean something every year no matter what’s at stake, and this rivalry has quickly developed into that mold.
Quarterback Isiah Green has been a lightning rod for the Marshall fanbase. What makes him such a polarizing player?
Trace: Isaiah Green’s inconsistency is what divides the fan base. His upside is very high, but it doesn’t show up consistently enough. To be considered an all-time great Herd QB, you have to be consistently great. Maybe he can still get there, but he hasn’t nearly made the jump most expected from his freshman season to his sophomore season.
Running Back Brenden Knox rumbled for 220 yards last week against FAU. How do you see him faring against WKU’s stout defensive front?
KD: Brendan Knox is a special talent. Each week he reminds me more and more of another great Herd running back, Ahmad Bradshaw. Knox runs with attitude, just like Bradshaw did for Marshall. But running backs are often only as good as their O-Line, and Marshall has a really good one, especially when it comes to run blocking. WKU’s Defensive Line, in my opinion, is the best in CUSA. I’m not sure they’ll face a tougher O-Line than what Marshall will field. Knox does a lot of his running between the tackles, so if WKU can’t stay fresh at the DT position, Knox could have a big day. Fair is fair though, Knox will not face a tougher D-Line than WKU’s the remainder of the season. This is strength on strength and is my most intriguing matchup within the 2019 Moonshine Throwdown.
Trace: Brenden Knox is a special player. By my estimation, he’s the best RB Marshall has had since Devon Johnson. If he gets enough carries and the offensive line plays well, he could have a big game even against a stout WKU run defense.
Who are some other skill position players that WKU should worry about on Saturday?
KD: I could write you a book on a number of guys the Marshall Offense has in the arsenal, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. Aside from Brendan Knox, Topper fans had better hope that WKU Defensive Coaches have a solid gameplan to nullify Herd TE’s Armani Levias & Xavier Gaines. Levias is Marshall’s leading receiver this season and Gaines has lined up at TE, WR, & QB. Gaines was a QB in high school and was very highly recruited. He’s a legit threat to catch, throw, and run. If he’s not properly accounted for, he will demoralize a defense. Levias just simply makes big plays. He runs solid routes, has soft hands, and will run around you, past you, or through you. At 6'4", 245lbs, look out when that guy gets a head of steam.
Trace: The Tops have to focus on Brenden Knox, but they also have to know where Xavier Gaines is. He’s the Herd’s most versatile player and when he gets going, Marshall can do damage offensively. The WR unit is rather depleted at the moment, but look out for the TEs too. Armani Levias is a reliable playmaker.
Marshall’s defense has had moments of dominance (Boise State), impotence (Cincinnati) & averageness (Ohio, FAU). How good do you think the Herd’s defense actually is? Where do they excel & struggle?
KD: Marshall’s Defense has hit a real stride these past few weeks. 15 QB sacks in 2 games is utterly ridiculous. Seriously? This Herd defense is, like WKU, the strength of the team. Where the Tops have seen consistent results each week, Marshall has taken a bit longer to work the kinks out. They’re battle-tested though. The Herd is really good at getting into the backfield. They routinely push the line of scrimmage back at the snap. They smother running backs and rush the passer really well. Running between the tackles is usually futile. Marshall does struggle in pass coverage. It’s no secret. Teams that can provide solid pass protection will have opportunities to complete more passes on The Herd. The problem is, The Herd’s Front Seven gets after the QB really well. They’re fast and strong. WKU should be able to find success in the quick pass game and by hitting the RB out of the backfield. Marshall has also struggled with mobile QBs. Ohio QB Nathan Rourke ran for 118 yards against Marshall, MTSU’ Asher O’Hara tallied 72 yards rushing and both also had solid passing numbers. That plays right into the hand of Ty Storey.
Trace: Honestly, it’s hard to say just how good Marshall’s defense is right now. Their pass rush has been a strength most of the year, especially the last two games with a combined 15 sacks. The linebackers are solid, especially Tavante Beckett. However, the secondary is where things can get a bit dicey. That unit will be the determining factor as to how good the defense ends up.
How do you see the game playing out? What is your prediction?
Trace: This should be a great game in vintage Moonshine Throwdown fashion. It certainly feels like a close game regardless of who wins. I think, though, that FAU win could wind up being the season-changing win for Marshall. Now back at home for homecoming in a rivalry game with an extra pep in their step, I like the Herd to get it done. Marshall 24 WKU 16.
I want to thank KD & Trace for taking the time to do this q&a with us. You can listen to their podcast weekly here and follow their twitter accounts @MoonShineTD & @Trace_Johnson94 for fun analysis and reaction to Saturday’s in-state matchup.