Topic: Marshall football defense shows signs of turnaround

[biggreenarms]

HUNTINGTON — The sample size is small and not necessarily representative, but Marshall’s defense is clearly ahead of the offense.

That was the reverse of what it was in 2013-15, when the Thundering Herd won 33 games. Or was it?

Not exactly, says Herd coach Doc Holliday.

“If you look at it, three years prior to last year, we were No. 1 in total defense,” he said. “We were good in the other phases, too. The year before last, we won 10 games — we weren’t great offensively but we were No. 1 in total defense in the conference.”

He’s close on that statement in 2014. The Herd gave up 357.1 total yards per game that year, just behind Louisiana Tech. In Conference USA play, the Herd fell to fifth at 374.1, swelled by the offensive slugfest with Western Kentucky. But the Herd was second in scoring defense, 22.9.

As for 2015, he is dead-on. In all games, MU was first in scoring defense (17.8) and total defense (360.8). In conference play, the Herd remained first in scoring defense (16.6), and was third in total defense (376.4).

Just as the other phases did in 2016, the Herd defense fell apart.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports-marshall-university/20170922/marshall-football-defense-shows-signs-of-turnaround