The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

October 1, 2008

Marshall pushing for ‘whiteout’ Saturday

By Gary Fauber

Georgia’s “blackout” didn’t work against Alabama. Marshall is hoping for better results with a different color.

Friday night has been designated as a “whiteout,” meaning Thundering Herd fans are encouraged to wear white Marshall gear to Joan C. Edwards Stadium when Big East member Cincinnati visits for an 8 p.m. ESPN game.

The first 7,500 fans through the gate will receive a free white Marshall T-shirt. The first 1,000 students get white rally towels.

Coach Mark Snyder asked fans to be as loud as they could when Memphis’ offense lined up in a game the Herd won 17-16 Sept. 13. He’s asking them to do it again Friday.

“It’s a night game, and when we come out of that tunnel with the smoke going, we would like to see everyone up, making as much noise as they can with their white on,” Snyder said.

Friday’s game will feature two of the top three kick returners in the country.

Cincinnati’s Marshawn “Mardy” Gilyard leads the country, averaging 36.33 yards on nine returns. The Herd’s Darius Marshall is third at 35.44, also on nine returns.

“We’re going to have to play superior special teams,” Snyder said. “We can’t let them get points in the kicking game.”

Gilyard, who had a touchdown return against Oklahoma, also leads Cincinnati (3-1) in receiving yards (435) and touchdowns (five). He is second on the team with 26 receptions.

Last season, Gilyard had 36 catches for 536 yards and three scores, one year after sitting out a season because of academic reasons.

“He has come a long way because he made the decision that he needed to come a long way,” Bearcats coach Brian Kelly said. “We can talk all we want about preparation and things of that nature. I would like to take credit for it, but he deserves all the credit.”

Marshall, meanwhile, had 203 yards on four kick returns last Saturday at West Virginia.

“It (the return game) adds a little explosiveness to the offense,” Snyder said.

Not only will Marshall defensive coordinator Rick Minter be going against the team he used to coach, but he will be looking across the field at his own flesh and blood.

Minter’s son, Jesse Minter, is a defensive graduate assistant at Cincinnati.

Rick Minter was the head coach at UC from 1994-2003. He coached against Marshall in the 2000 Motor City Bowl.

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010