WKU Football: Marshall Q&A with Moonshine Throwdown
We’re just two days away from WKU’s return to Bowling Green to take on rival Marshall. There is a lot a stake in this one. Not only is…
We’re just two days away from WKU’s return to Bowling Green to take on rival Marshall. There is a lot a stake in this one. Not only is Marshall undefeated but WKU now has an opportunity to show they’re Conference contenders again after a slow start. 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 game, and some predictions. Without further adieu, here is our conversation with the guys from the Moonshine Throwdown.
The first two games of the season have gone about as well as possible for the Herd. What do think are the biggest reasons for their 2–0 start?
KD: The main reason is the utter dominance of The Herd’s Defense. Allowing 7 total points through 2 games, one of which was to a Top 25 Appalachian State team is shocking, even to the most informed fan. A close second is quarterbacking. Redshirt freshman Grant Wells is playing like a 3rd-year starter. Really though, a lot of players at a lot of positions have just simply elevated their game
Trace: Marshall’s defense has been spectacular so far. It has given up 7 points in two games, and those 7 points came against a highly-touted Appalachian State offense that returned many starters from a 13–1 team from 2019. The offense, led by Brenden Knox and new QB Grant Wells, has been solid as well, but it’s been the defense leading the charge so far.
How will the travel & two weeks off effect Marshall’s early-season momentum?
KD: I’m not sure the travel aspect will matter. It's a short 5 and a half hour road-trip to BGKY from Huntington. WKU stands to benefit more from the potential of rust on Marshall. Doc Holliday coached Herd teams have historically struggled coming off a Bye, especially to WKU. We’ll see if that holds true in 2020.
Trace: The big layoff could really affect the Herd. That’s always a potential issue, but Marshall hasn’t played a game since Sept. 19. A layoff that long coupled with the fact it’s a road game against a rival could lead to some rust, without question.
Doc Holliday entered the season with a lukewarm seat as some in the Herd fan base have called for new blood at the top. Has the fast start quieted those his doubters?
KD: Fans always simmer down when their team is winning, but one slip up, again, especially to WKU, & those fans will push to the forefront again. Ultimately though, the expectation at Marshall is Championships. One in 10+ seasons of the Holliday aren’t forgotten. Remember, Holliday is in the final year of his contract, so some folks think he’ll leave after this season anyway.
Trace: The fast start has helped Doc Holliday’s perception with much of the fanbase. He notched his first-ever win over a ranked team by knocking off App State, but the bulk of the fanbase realizes it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And Marshall has had issues finishing the past few years, especially in crucial, late-season conference title implicating games. It’s still championship or bust in Huntington.
With quarterback Isaiah Green’s unexpected departure, freshman Grant Wells has taken over with mixed results (amazing against EKU, below average against App State). What kind of player is he and what are your expectations for him on Saturday?
KD: I can fully agree with “mixed results.” Wells dominated a sub-par EKU team in his 1st ever start, on ESPN no less. He played quite well against a very, very good App St Defense. Though he had no TD passes, he did have one dropped and juuuust missed another. He did have a rush TD, though. Grant Wells is more of a traditional pocket-passer, but he has the speed and just enough shiftiness to move the chains. He’s poised, accurate, strong-armed, confident, & surrounded by a ton of weapons… all while having a top tier OL unit protecting him.
Trace: Grant Wells has been honestly outstanding so far. The EKU statline speaks for itself, and while his numbers looked pedestrian against App State, he made big-time plays when the game was hanging in the balance. He’s a gamer, and he appears to be the complete package at QB. He’s mobile, accurate, poised, and can really spin the football. Fans are justified in the excitement surrounding Wells so far.
Brendan Knox is Marshall’s workhorse at running back (already 223 yards on the season), How do you slow down the preseason CUSA offensive player of the year?
KD: If I could answer that one, I’d have a job as a CUSA Defensive Assistant. Brendan Knox is one of the best RB’s in America, bar none. He can run past you, around you, & over you. Just when you think you have him contained, he busts loose. Ask FAU from last season.
Trace: Brenden Knox is hard to slow down. He’s the best RB in C-USA, but it goes deeper than that. His talent tells its own story, but the Herd’s offensive line appears to be flat out dominant and it leads the charge out there. Knox and that line are as good as it gets in C-USA.
Who are Marshall’s biggest threats in the receiving corps?
KD: The top threat is TE Xavier Gains. He’s a complete mismatch anywhere he lines up. He’s too fast for most LB’s and too big for most DB’s. On the outside be weary of WRs Broc Thompson & Talik Keaton. Willie Johnson can slice the inside up with ease.
Trace: Broc Thompson has shown really nice flashes so far this season. He needs to become more consistent, but he’s got #1 WR potential. The WR unit is deep, even if it has yet to reach its fullest potential yet. Corey Gammage, Jarron Woodyard, Willie Johnson, Talik Keaton, and others are all names to remember.
Marshall’s defense has been lights out early (3.5 points per game & 265 yards per game), are Tavante Beckett & company that good or will they come down to earth a bit?
KD: You can toss the stats out the window in a rivalry game. WKU will find the End Zone on Marshall. But make no mistake, The Herd Defense is fast. They swarm, and they create turnovers. Linebacker Tavante Beckett is as advertised. He’s a tackling machine. Tyson Helton and Bryan Ellis have a really tough task this week.
Trace: The defense will start giving up more points, undoubtedly, but it’s a superb unit. Looks to be the best in C-USA and even if things slow down a bit, it will still be the driving force of the team in all likelihood.
How do you see the game playing out? What is your prediction?
KD: As with every, Moonshine Throwdown, sans 2016, I see a closer than expected game. If steady rain remains in the forecast, then the better running, the least penalized team should come out on top. It will be interesting to see that if one team has the chance to blow out the other, will they take it. Helton is no doubt still a little frustrated over the 2019 game with the ending FG sequence. Surely, he feels he owes Marshall one. Doc Holliday was blown out in 2015 in BGKY 49–28, as then Tops HC Jeff Brohm went for 2, in the 4th Qtr, leading by 3 scores. He then turned around and beat Doc and The Herd 60–6 at The Joan in 2016. If this is truly Holliday’s final season at Marshall, would he pound WKU if the opportunity arises? We’ll see.
Trace: I see this game being very ugly, honestly. The rain in the forecast could play a big role. WKU hasn’t been very good so far and while Marshall is off to a fantastic start, it hasn’t played since Sept. 19 and could be rusty. Even at that, I think the Herd gets the job done. Won’t be easy, but I’ll say Marshall pulls off a 27–17 win.
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. They also have started a gofundme to set up a scholarship that supports the HAF. You can donate here:
The WKU Moonshine Throwdown Scholarship, organized by KD Hudnall
The Moonshine Throwdown is so much more than your average college rivalry. The Marshall & Western Kentucky players…www.gofundme.com