The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Sports Front

October 12, 2011

Cato out, Graham in as Marshall QB

By Gary Fauber Assistant Sports Editor

Doc Holliday is a man of his word.

When quarterback Rakeem Cato threw four interceptions in a 44-7 loss at Ohio the third week of the season, Holliday let it be known that the true freshman would be benched if he continued to struggle.

Cato followed that up with better performances in a loss to Virginia Tech and a win at Louisville. Then, on a rainy night in Orlando, it all unraveled.

The Miami native had his worst game in the state of Florida, completing just 11 of 29 passes for 87 yards in last Saturday’s loss to Central Florida, failing to spark a struggling offense. Now, change is coming.

Holliday confirmed Tuesday that sophomore A.J. Graham will start Saturday when Rice visits Marshall for a 3 p.m., non-televised game.

It will be Graham’s first career start.

“It’s great,” Graham said Tuesday after practice. “It’s definitely a different feeling in practice this week. I’m ready to take it on and see where it leads.”

Graham did not appear in the game at UCF but did replace Cato in the fourth quarter at Ohio.

“We’re going to see (what Graham can do),” Holliday said. “We’re going to find out. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. He’s going to get a chance to play, and we’ll see how he does. We’re going to find out Saturday what Graham can do in the starting role, and I think that is the right, fair thing to do.”

Holliday was also a bit cryptic in his reasoning for the switch, saying “it’s not totally about Cato’s play. I’m not going to get into everything with you, but A.J. will start the game on Saturday.”

Word is that Cato made an obscene gesture toward fans at UCF and got into an argument with one of Marshall’s assistant coaches, presumably quarterbacks coach Tony Petersen, on the sideline phone. The argument apparently could be heard by television viewers.

“We have certain standards and expectations that we expect every player to live up to,” Holliday said. “If they don’t, they sit and watch with me and the other guy plays.”

Even when Cato has played well, the Marshall offense has been dreadful most of the year. The Herd (2-4, 1-1 Conference USA) is last in the league in total offense at 271.7 yards per game and next to last in scoring (13.2 points).

There could be changes beyond quarterback, although Holliday didn’t give specifics.

Graham has been able to watch the offense from the sideline and has faith that things can be turned around.

“We just need to execute and stay focused,” he said. “Everybody has to be on the same page and just not think about it too much.

“We need to keep working hard like we have all year and have fun heading into this long stretch of conference play.”

— E-mail: gfauber@register-herald.com

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