Herd offense gears up for another big season

With all the talk surrounding the Marshall University quarterbacks, the rest of the offense is starring in a football version of "The Other Guys."

The rest of the Thundering Herd offensive unit may not be getting the limelight, but senior center Chad Schofield said expectations are high.

"We want a bowl game, but it's not just a bowl game; it's that conference championship," said Schofield, a native of Strongsville, Ohio.

To achieve the high expectations, the offense has to replace 1,000-yard rusher Darius Marshall, as well as All-Conference tight end Cody Slate.

Lee Smith, a pre-season All-Conference USA selection, is set to replace Slate in the lineup. Smith hauled in 23 passes for 335 yards last year and looks to continue the hot streak into his senior year. Replacing Marshall may be a bit harder, but that job falls to Martin Ward and Andre Booker. The two sophomores accounted for all three of the Herd's touchdowns in last year's Little Cesar Pizza Bowl victory.

"Darius set some high standards, and I feel like with him not coming back, it's up to the rest of us backs to step up and make plays for this offense," Booker said.

The wide receiver slot may be the only position the Herd doesn't have any questions about. It's leading receiver, Antavious Wilson, who was a Conference USA All-Freshman selection last year after racking up 724 yards. Aaron Dobson, who boasted a 24.1 yards-a-catch last year, also returns along with Wayne Bonner to give the Herd two big downfield targets.

Although the quarterbacks get the attention, the rest of the Herd's offense is preparing for a big year.

"We fittin' to go for it all; we got a lot of athletic cats on the team and we want it all," Booker said. "We want it all."

Justin Prince can be contacted at prince26@marshall.edu.