By: Kyle Curley

The Parthenon

The Marshall football team (6-2, 3-1) will try to bounce back this week in Boca Raton, Florida where they will face Florida Atlantic University (5-3, 4-0). Marshall leads the all-time series between the two schools, 4-0. Captains for this week will be Chase Hancock, Blake Keller and Ryan Yurachek.

“I’ve always felt that FAU has some of the best talent as anybody in our league,” head coach Doc Holliday said. “They should considering where they’re located. They’ve developed that talent now and they’re playing really well.” Holliday said. 

Florida Atlantic’s lead rusher, Devin Singletary has garnered much attention over the course of his season thus far. Eight games played, 1053 yards. Singletary is averaging 131 yards per game on the ground. He has eclipsed the 100 yard mark in last six games and in his previous game against WKU he rushed for 244 yards on 36 carries.   

“He’s physical, he’s tough, he makes all the cuts,” Holliday said. “He’s a good back. We have a couple of coaches who know some guys who were on their previous staff and they think he’s an NFL-caliber talent. When you watch him on tape that’s what he looks like.” Holliday said.

The Florida Atlantic defense is spearheaded by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker Rashad Smith and Safety Jalen Young. The talented trio lead FAU in tackles with a combined 170 total tackles.

“They do a great job of jumping routes, they do a great job of causing fumbles,” Starting tight end Ryan Yurachek said. “They have caused more fumbles than they have recovered, so their turnover stats could be that much higher. They take pride in causing turnovers. You look at the yardages and you think how are teams not putting up X amount of points on them but they do such a great job of creating turnovers. We have to make sure we take care of the ball this week.” Yurachek said.

In Marshall’s previous game, the offense turned the ball over on its second play from scrimmage. Slow starts have stifled Marshall before and Holliday is hoping to start fast this upcoming contest against the Owls.

“That’s one of our goals, to always start fast,” Holliday said. ”Unfortunately we did not do that Saturday. We didn’t do anything well to be honest. We didn’t play great defense, we didn’t take care of the ball on offense, and we didn’t dominate on special teams, which we had done in just about every game we played up to that point. We’ve got to be sure to get back to starting fast Friday night.”

Marshall starting quarterback, Chase Litton fumbled and threw two interceptions last week against FIU. Litton believes he threw the ball fine, but his reads were off against the Panthers.

“Make the right reads, that’s what it was last week,” Chase Litton said. “It was not bad throws it was bad reads. Last week, I put the ball on the ground three times and that’s on me. It is not anyone on this offense, its not the offensive line, receivers or tight ends, no that was on me. I have to come here and be ready go and bust my tail in the film room and be ready to make all my right reads.” Litton said.

Marshall will look to continue its search for Conference USA supremacy in Boca Raton, Florida this Friday against FAU. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

Kyle Curley can be contacted at [email protected].