Topic: Zearrick Matthews to start at CB

[FLORIDA HERD FAN]

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060829/SPORTS0301/60829014

Mathews earns start at cornerback
By Anthony Hanshew
The Herald-Dispatch
hanshew@herald-dispatch.com


HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University’s wide open race for the second starting cornerback spot has finished.

Zearrick Mathews will start Saturday’s season opener against West Virginia, Thundering Herd coach Mark Snyder said on Tuesday. Mathews, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound redshirt freshman, won the job over numerous teammates, including Jeremy Frazie, Ashton Hall, Chuck Roberts and Kevin Perry.

J.J. Johnson and Mathews will form Marshall’s new cornerback tandem. Mathews, a native of Greenwood, S.C., missed the opening two weeks of preseason camp, but finished strong. He’s effective in coverage adds a physical presence in the secondary, despite his size.

Snyder also named Jimmy Skinner as the No. 2 quarterback behind Bernard Morris on Tuesday. Skinner split starting duties with Morris last season, but battled fellow senior Derek Devine for the backup role during August.

Last year, Skinner threw for 1,135 yards and six touchdowns with eight interceptions on 62-percent passing.

[W0lfman]

He must have made a helluva a push because just 5 days ago Hanshew reported that Jeremy Frazie was the first team CB.

[luvherd]

maybe he got burnt on the Bernie pass yesterday

[WVRon]

Any concerns about starting a 5'9" CB going against the likes of 6'3" Myles. 6'5" Bolden and 6'8" Lyons? How big are your other CB's?

If anyone coming to Morgantown for the game has any questions about restaurants, bars, etc. I'd be happy to help.

[marshalljeff]

I think this is the right choice.  I've gone over it a thousand times in my mind and I kept coming back to Matthews.  Again, imo, this is our best option.

[OhYeaahMU]

Any concerns about starting a 5'9" CB going against the likes of 6'3" Myles. 6'5" Bolden and 6'8" Lyons? How big are your other CB's?

If anyone coming to Morgantown for the game has any questions about restaurants, bars, etc. I'd be happy to help.

No, your QB won't be passing much anyways.

[Thunders]

Matthews won't be the only one playing that day though.  If he gets burnt he will sit down and someone else will come in.

[Goherd/85]

with the way White throws the ball it doesn't matter who is a D Back. Face it, he is a faster Rasheed Marshall, who can't throw with accuracy or down field. You need D Backs who can tackle and get off the recievers blocks. The WR position at WVU is a glorified skinny TE. All they do is block.

[Photo by]

with the way White throws the ball it doesn't matter who is a D Back...

Don't you figure they spent the entire off season trying to develop a passing game?

Having said that, I think you want to make them beat you with the pass. If the CBs can cover the WR man to man, then a safety is free to stop the run.

[Herd Fan 4-Life]

Phil Steele had Matthews as the starter in his publication.

[WVRon]

No, your QB won't be passing much anyways

Well, we didn't "need" to pass much last year. If WVU runs for over 300 yards I doubt we see more than 15-18 pass attempts. Also, for those saying White isn't accurate or can't pass then you obviously didn't watch the Sugar Bowl last year. I just hope your defense thinks this way as well.

[jstherd]

I trust the coaches. I'm sure they have thought through all the potential situations.

[PhattyB]

I had a feeling Matthews would win it.  It took alot of will for Snyder not to burn his redshirt last year.

[luvherd]

Ashton Hall came in highly rated. How was Matthews rated coming out of high school? Who signed him, Bobby or Mark?

[PhattyB]

Who signed him, Bobby or Mark?

Bobby.  We got him because he was a late qualifier.  All the big schools passed because of low grades.

Zearrick is one of the fastest players on the team, running a 4.4

[alumni74]

I know Ashton Hall is the CB of the future. Snyder loves this kid....

[PhattyB]

I think Hall, Perry, Matthews and Johnson are all outstanding players.  We'll have no problrms substituting for freshness and not losing skill.  They may make some inexperienced mistakes, but fellas, we'll be just fine at CB for the next 4 years.