After Marshall University quarterback Michael Birdsong’s lackluster performance in the team’s loss, the junior transfer will share repetitions in Saturday’s match against Norfolk State University.

Head coach Doc Holliday said the plan is for Birdsong and freshman quarterback Chase Litton to split the team’s snaps during the upcoming game.

“We have to get better offensively,” Holliday said during his press conference on Tuesday. “So, we’ll play two quarterbacks and see what happens.”

Birdsong, who won the starting quarterback position following a strong performance in the spring and the preseason, led the Herd on a game-winning drive in its season-opener against Purdue University.

However, Birdsong completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 106 yards and two interceptions in Saturday’s loss to Ohio University.

Holliday said his decision is due to Birdsong’s failure to make plays and complete passes to open receivers in the team’s loss.

“We were struggling to get the ball to where the receivers would have the opportunity to make plays,” Holliday said. “And that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. I think Davonte Allen and [Deon-Tay] McManus are good players. I think we have good players. But we have to give them the opportunity to make plays, and we didn’t do that. So, we got to get a quarterback that’s going to give those guys a chance to make plays and to give us a chance to be good.”

Holliday said while Birdsong had a strong performance during the offseason, Litton impressed the coaching staff as well with his ability to make big plays despite his inexperience at the college level.

“Chase does a lot of things very natural,” Holliday said. “He’s very athletic. He makes throws. He does all those things.”

Holliday added that despite Litton’s age, the coaching staff thinks he can help the team.

“He’s a talented young freshman,” Holliday said. “And when you play a freshman, you’ll go through some growing pains. We all know that. But when they’re talented, some of those growing pains are a little easier to go through.”

Marshall faces Norfolk State 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

Malcolm Walton can be contacted at [email protected].