Quote:Koehl, Marshall, Kolb receive preseason notice
By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Football is back at the University of Houston, and you need look no further than the preseason awards watch lists for evidence of that.

Outside linebacker Wade Koehl was on the Lombardi Award watch list, which honors the nation's top lineman (including tight ends and linebackers), and Vincent Marshall was named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list, which honors the nation's top wide receiver.

They join junior quarterback Kevin Kolb, who is on the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award watch lists, which honor the nation's best quarterback.

"I think us getting on these watch lists shows that our program is up and coming again, and that people are recognizing us as having players here again," said Koehl, a junior. "That should be just another step in our goal to get back to where we're winning conference championships."

A two-year starter at outside linebacker, Koehl finished last season with a team-high 115 tackles. In 2003, Koehl was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team after finishing with 61 tackles in six games as a starter.

Marshall had 61 receptions for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns last season. For his efforts, Marshall, who enters the season looking to become the sixth receiver in school history to top 2,000 career receiving yards, was named to the C-USA second team.

"Not to be down on myself, but I was kind of surprised, to be honest," Marshall said. "It's an honor to me. I didn't think I had that good of a season last year. I could have done better. A lot of people know I could have done better.

"But the good thing is that it puts the school's name out there. I think we're going to be real good this year, so me being on the list, Wade being on his list and Kevin being on his, it kind of shows people that Houston must be pretty good."