For a new quarterback, the home opener can be rather intense. Thousands of screaming fans can sometimes disrupt timing and rhythm during a game.

That didn’t seem to be the case for Marshall University quarterback Michael Birdsong last Sunday.

Poised and relaxed was Birdsong as he completed 7 out of 8 passes while conducting an 11-play 84-yard drive to give the Thundering Herd the lead late in the final period.

Having waited over a year to play in a game, Birdsong was excited to finally see some action.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve played another team,” Birdsong said. “Just to finally be out there again and playing with this great team here at Marshall, it’s awesome.”

Birdsong transferred to Marshall from James Madison University after the 2013 season, but was forced to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. With JMU being an FCS school, Birdsong knew the opponents would only get larger at Marshall.

“Obviously they were bigger than any other team I’ve ever faced before,” Birdsong said. “Fortunately we’ve got some big guys on our side of the ball so we were good.”

Head coach Doc Holliday said he was pleased with Birdsong’s performance but said in order to continue such success minimizing mistakes is key heading into this weekend’s road contest against Ohio University.

“I thought he was tremendous,” Holliday said. “We had a couple of turnovers which we can’t have, but I thought for his first start he went in there and played extremely well.”

Birdsong also said turnovers were a major problem that needed to be corrected but said he expects the offense to be solid going into its first road test.

“Getting more comfortable as an offense and eliminating turnovers will be key,” Birdsong said. “We’ll be fine.”

The Herd’s contest against rival Ohio is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Peden Stadium.