Hope you enjoyed your visit and had safe travels home. I know you hoped for better in the game.

I've read through the various threads here concerning the game and have come to the conclusion that I'm probably higher on your team and coaches than a lot of your fans. I like your team, smart players, you play good assignment football, few penalties, and protected the ball. I think your staff does a great job with the players they can get given the academic requirements of your school. The difference I see between your team last year and this year is the confidence of the QB, just seems unsure of himself at times versus the senior leadership you had at the position last year.

I've been a Marshall fan for a long time and, simply put, this is the best collection of talent we have had here. Some would argue the 1999 team was better, but the difference with this team is depth. We can rotate a lot of guys and stay fresh. The main difference from last year is the quality of our offensive line, the addition of Devon Johnson at RB, and the addition of talent at the X and Z receiver spots (we had no real outside threats last year so it was all about Shuler and our TE last year). Cato gets a lot of the press, as he should, but if you look at our stats we run and pass for equal yardage most games. We've got power running, speed backs, and a good passing game to all three levels.

I've seen comments making fun of your "take what the defense gives you" offense. Funny thing is that is the most quoted line from our coaches and from Cato, who makes every play call at the line. If you have 5-6 in the box, we run almost every time. If you bring a safety down, we throw almost every time. For it to work you have to have the personnel to execute on all levels. That's where your issue is right now, you don't have enough WR talent to make people respect the pass, coupled with your QB confidence mentioned earlier. We just started jamming Taylor on obvious passing downs (he was still good enough to get some catches) and your QB just looked like he didn't know where to go with the ball with his #1 option taken away.

You guys will be fine and you're still the only team to beat us in our last 17 games. Hopefully we can run that 16-1 streak to at least 20-1.

Thanks for those thoughts. In my opinion that's a pretty good assessment of our situation. In any case, I believe most of us will be pulling hard for you to win out and make some waves. Good luck!

Go get that Peach Bowl...it's worth $4M to Conference USA! We have 4 million reasons to root for you now. Good luck on the rest of your season.

Know this Rice Owls' fans: all MU fans that I know respect the heck out of your team and couldn't be more proud to be in a conference w/ you folks. MU got the better of it today, not unlike the thumping your guys put on our team last yr., but we love playing you folks. Every one of our kids and coaches espoused as much in post game interviews at how much they respect your program. Hope you win out and GL.

(11-15-2014 10:24 PM)banker Wrote:  I've read through the various threads here concerning the game and have come to the conclusion that I'm probably higher on your team and coaches than a lot of your fans. I like your team, smart players, you play good assignment football, few penalties, and protected the ball. I think your staff does a great job with the players they can get given the academic requirements of your school.

There's some residual frustration from 2007 and 2009-2011 (myself included), but I think most of us are getting over that. Also, some of our fans just like to complain.

Quote:I've seen comments making fun of your "take what the defense gives you" offense.

It makes sense on 1st and 10, but not so much on 3rd and 20. (Somebody else, I think Hambone, said this in the game thread. Obviously I agree.)

Thanks for the post. We're rooting for y'all the rest of the way, unless we get a rematch, but that's looking unlikely.

(11-15-2014 10:24 PM)banker Wrote:  Hope you enjoyed your visit and had safe travels home. I know you hoped for better in the game.

I've read through the various threads here concerning the game and have come to the conclusion that I'm probably higher on your team and coaches than a lot of your fans. I like your team, smart players, you play good assignment football, few penalties, and protected the ball. I think your staff does a great job with the players they can get given the academic requirements of your school. The difference I see between your team last year and this year is the confidence of the QB, just seems unsure of himself at times versus the senior leadership you had at the position last year.

I've been a Marshall fan for a long time and, simply put, this is the best collection of talent we have had here. Some would argue the 1999 team was better, but the difference with this team is depth. We can rotate a lot of guys and stay fresh. The main difference from last year is the quality of our offensive line, the addition of Devon Johnson at RB, and the addition of talent at the X and Z receiver spots (we had no real outside threats last year so it was all about Shuler and our TE last year). Cato gets a lot of the press, as he should, but if you look at our stats we run and pass for equal yardage most games. We've got power running, speed backs, and a good passing game to all three levels.

I've seen comments making fun of your "take what the defense gives you" offense. Funny thing is that is the most quoted line from our coaches and from Cato, who makes every play call at the line. If you have 5-6 in the box, we run almost every time. If you bring a safety down, we throw almost every time. For it to work you have to have the personnel to execute on all levels. That's where your issue is right now, you don't have enough WR talent to make people respect the pass, coupled with your QB confidence mentioned earlier. We just started jamming Taylor on obvious passing downs (he was still good enough to get some catches) and your QB just looked like he didn't know where to go with the ball with his #1 option taken away.

You guys will be fine and you're still the only team to beat us in our last 17 games. Hopefully we can run that 16-1 streak to at least 20-1.

Great assessment. Glad it came from someone from opposing team because is the truth yet sometimes our fans and coaches don't want to hear it from the Rice faithful. We could get away with it against the lower tier teams but it was a matter of time before it caught up to us. Our QB and our play calling got exposed today. Looked lost. Worst thing is that we never made a move to change things up. Anywhere else you look for a spark yet we continued with the same personnel and with the same play calling, straight up the middle and 1 yard passes to JT hoping and praying that he makes a play. All of this should not take away from you great win.. Best of Luck the rest of the season.

(11-15-2014 10:24 PM)banker Wrote:  Hope you enjoyed your visit and had safe travels home. I know you hoped for better in the game.

I've read through the various threads here concerning the game and have come to the conclusion that I'm probably higher on your team and coaches than a lot of your fans. I like your team, smart players, you play good assignment football, few penalties, and protected the ball. I think your staff does a great job with the players they can get given the academic requirements of your school. The difference I see between your team last year and this year is the confidence of the QB, just seems unsure of himself at times versus the senior leadership you had at the position last year.

I've been a Marshall fan for a long time and, simply put, this is the best collection of talent we have had here. Some would argue the 1999 team was better, but the difference with this team is depth. We can rotate a lot of guys and stay fresh. The main difference from last year is the quality of our offensive line, the addition of Devon Johnson at RB, and the addition of talent at the X and Z receiver spots (we had no real outside threats last year so it was all about Shuler and our TE last year). Cato gets a lot of the press, as he should, but if you look at our stats we run and pass for equal yardage most games. We've got power running, speed backs, and a good passing game to all three levels.

I've seen comments making fun of your "take what the defense gives you" offense. Funny thing is that is the most quoted line from our coaches and from Cato, who makes every play call at the line. If you have 5-6 in the box, we run almost every time. If you bring a safety down, we throw almost every time. For it to work you have to have the personnel to execute on all levels. That's where your issue is right now, you don't have enough WR talent to make people respect the pass, coupled with your QB confidence mentioned earlier. We just started jamming Taylor on obvious passing downs (he was still good enough to get some catches) and your QB just looked like he didn't know where to go with the ball with his #1 option taken away.

You guys will be fine and you're still the only team to beat us in our last 17 games. Hopefully we can run that 16-1 streak to at least 20-1.

Thanks, I think the vast, vast majority of Rice fans, if not all of us, hope you win out (unless we somehow get to play you in the championship game, but . . . ) and then put a hurting on someone in your bowl game.

You've clearly put together a great team this year. Well deserved win, and well deserved season.

I will be pulling for Marshall ... unless ODU upsets LaTech and Rice beats UTEP and LaTech...

I had no idea what Rice would face in Marshalls defense and rushing game, in spite of the numbers that Marshall had put up this year. That is just a very good and very complete team that your staff has assembled, and Cato's leadership is outstanding.

(11-16-2014 12:12 AM)Lumberjack99 Wrote:  Anywhere else you look for a spark yet we continued with the same personnel and with the same play calling, straight up the middle and 1 yard passes to JT hoping and praying that he makes a play.

But that's the point. We didn't run straight up the middle. If Marshall had shown any defensive vulnerability, it was to quick hitting plays right up the middle, but we don't have those in our offense. We tried running slow stuff off tackle and outside because that's our offense, and that played into their defensive speed.

Marshall is where we need to be. If they can sustain at this level, they will be moving up at some point. Geographically they could fit ACC (probably best bet), B1G, or SEC, or even XII as a travel pair with WVU. Their only shot at a signature victory this year will come in their bowl. But if they sustain at this level, they will get shots in the future, and they will win some of them. Getting to their level and sustaining (which they haven't done yet, of course) is what it takes to move up.

thanks for the post. Marshall BETTER be ranked in the playoff poll Tuesday. And I sure think they deserve the one spot for a big-time bowl that will come down to them and Colorado State most likely (assuming they win out).

(11-16-2014 08:38 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  thanks for the post. Marshall BETTER be ranked in the playoff poll Tuesday. And I sure think they deserve the one spot for a big-time bowl that will come down to them and Colorado State most likely (assuming they win out).

As it stands now, Colorado State could finish 11-1 and NOT be eligible for that bowl slot. The slot will be filled by the highest ranked champion from a non-P5 conference. Should Boise State continue winning, the Broncos will win their division of the MWC (by virtue of their victory over Colorado State). Colorado State is in the same division, and thus, cannot play in the MWC championship game, and, ofcourse, cannot be the champion. The committee won't pick an 11-2 Boise State team over a 13-0 Marshall.

(11-16-2014 07:23 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Marshall is where we need to be. If they can sustain at this level, they will be moving up at some point. Geographically they could fit ACC (probably best bet),

Thanks for the compliment but Marshall will never be in a power conference, and def not the ACC. Heck the Triangle has blocked WVU for years. WVU has wanted in the ACC 10-15 years before the BE even started playing football.

I used to think when I was younger, when the BE 1st started that Marshall would play there one day. Now that Im headed to 43 I realize that Marshall will never be in a P5 conference and Im fine with that. I would rather have great student athletes than those just at a college school hoping to be an NFL draftee. And that's exactly what most are at P5 schools.

(11-16-2014 08:38 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  thanks for the post. Marshall BETTER be ranked in the playoff poll Tuesday. And I sure think they deserve the one spot for a big-time bowl that will come down to them and Colorado State most likely (assuming they win out).

Marshall has 2 things or should I say people working hard against them there. Both Mike Tranghese, former BE commish and Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck's daddy and AD at WVU. Tranghese once said that if Marshall ever got a vote to join the BE that would be the day he resigned as BE commish. And Oliver Luck wouldn't even discuss a deal for the Marshall/WVU game to continue. Truth is I wish we would cancel the basketball series and be done with them.

I believe both Tranghese and Luck would do anything in their power to screw Marshall over.

(11-16-2014 12:26 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  Marshall has 2 things or should I say people working hard against them there. Both Mike Tranghese, former BE commish and Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck's daddy and AD at WVU. Tranghese once said that if Marshall ever got a vote to join the BE that would be the day he resigned as BE commish. And Oliver Luck wouldn't even discuss a deal for the Marshall/WVU game to continue. Truth is I wish we would cancel the basketball series and be done with them.

I believe both Tranghese and Luck would do anything in their power to screw Marshall over.

Luck was QB for the Oilers. His wife is a Rice Graduate, and I believe he was on the board of Trustees at Rice for several years, I think that includes when Andrew Luck committed to Stanford... we all kind of hoped his Rice connections would lure him there.

(11-16-2014 03:29 PM)I45owl Wrote:  Luck was QB for the Oilers. His wife is a Rice Graduate, and I believe he was on the board of Trustees at Rice for several years, I think that includes when Andrew Luck committed to Stanford... we all kind of hoped his Rice connections would lure him there.

He was a QB for WVU from 80-82 and Doc Holliday's 1st ever recruit that he got when he was 1st hired at WVU in 1979. That all means nothing now though since Doc works for Marshall. As I said I really believe that Tranghese and Luck would do everything in their power to screw us over. I ask a few WVU fans a few weeks ago if Tranghese and Luck's knee's were healed up yet. I mean they did get in the CFP with 3 losses.

(11-16-2014 03:29 PM)I45owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 12:26 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  Marshall has 2 things or should I say people working hard against them there. Both Mike Tranghese, former BE commish and Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck's daddy and AD at WVU. Tranghese once said that if Marshall ever got a vote to join the BE that would be the day he resigned as BE commish. And Oliver Luck wouldn't even discuss a deal for the Marshall/WVU game to continue. Truth is I wish we would cancel the basketball series and be done with them.

I believe both Tranghese and Luck would do anything in their power to screw Marshall over.

Luck was QB for the Oilers. His wife is a Rice Graduate, and I believe he was on the board of Trustees at Rice for several years, I think that includes when Andrew Luck committed to Stanford... we all kind of hoped his Rice connections would lure him there.

I don't think he was ever on the Rice Board of Trustees??

(11-16-2014 08:03 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 03:29 PM)I45owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 12:26 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  Marshall has 2 things or should I say people working hard against them there. Both Mike Tranghese, former BE commish and Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck's daddy and AD at WVU. Tranghese once said that if Marshall ever got a vote to join the BE that would be the day he resigned as BE commish. And Oliver Luck wouldn't even discuss a deal for the Marshall/WVU game to continue. Truth is I wish we would cancel the basketball series and be done with them.

I believe both Tranghese and Luck would do anything in their power to screw Marshall over.

Luck was QB for the Oilers. His wife is a Rice Graduate, and I believe he was on the board of Trustees at Rice for several years, I think that includes when Andrew Luck committed to Stanford... we all kind of hoped his Rice connections would lure him there.

I don't think he was ever on the Rice Board of Trustees??

Didn't he have some relationship with Rice other than his wife?

(11-17-2014 01:06 AM)I45owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 08:03 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 03:29 PM)I45owl Wrote:  Luck was QB for the Oilers. His wife is a Rice Graduate, and I believe he was on the board of Trustees at Rice for several years, I think that includes when Andrew Luck committed to Stanford... we all kind of hoped his Rice connections would lure him there.

I don't think he was ever on the Rice Board of Trustees??

Didn't he have some relationship with Rice other than his wife?

Searching within "rice.edu" for either "Oliver Luck" or "Kathy Wilson" turn up only articles about their son Andrew or Oliver's position with the Houston Dynamo or West Virginia. The Google hits include no articles that indicate any administrative or advisory connection with Rice.

(11-17-2014 02:21 AM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 01:06 AM)I45owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 08:03 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 03:29 PM)I45owl Wrote:  Luck was QB for the Oilers. His wife is a Rice Graduate, and I believe he was on the board of Trustees at Rice for several years, I think that includes when Andrew Luck committed to Stanford... we all kind of hoped his Rice connections would lure him there.

I don't think he was ever on the Rice Board of Trustees??

Didn't he have some relationship with Rice other than his wife?

Searching within "rice.edu" for either "Oliver Luck" or "Kathy Wilson" turn up only articles about their son Andrew or Oliver's position with the Houston Dynamo or West Virginia. The Google hits include no articles that indicate any administrative or advisory connection with Rice.

I searched for that as well, and I guess it was pretty stupid to post that without finding anything. I couldn't find archives of the BoT, either. But, I was pretty sure there was talk of Luck having a quasi-official role at Rice.

My son and I drove over, saw us get our tails whipped, but the Marshall fans, before, during and after were very gracious. That team is very good.