Thoughts from the Pizza Bowl - 1st Quarter

First off in this contest, that I will state I am watching on ESPN, the broadcast crew is not fun to listen to. Well let me edit that, Pam Ward is not fun to listen to. They seem under prepared at times, but never the less I am glad the game is on TV.

In the beginning the Marshall Defense looked stout in this contest, but kind of let me down a little bit not looking as ferocious on the second possession. The Bobcats proved that their their defense should be on the field.

However, Ohio's lack of a big bruiser running back is what I think is going to be their undoing in this contest. Marshall has had plenty of practice against raw speed over the course of the season with games against WVU and VT, it has a fairly good handle on how to defeat it.

When Marshall got it's second possession things look a little shakey again, trying to rely on the running game a little too much, but the coaching staff apparently saw the same thing I did and started taking shots down field. A big Lee Smith reception and a run by Darius Marshall later things were set for Martin Ward to bruise his way into the endzone for Marshall's first touchdown of the game.

So far Ohio has decided to stick to it's guns with under a minute left in the first, they might want to take a shot to the air, as that's what has been talked up about their ability all week long. Scott shows some mobility, but his receivers don't appear to be on the same page with him just yet.

And the first quarter will end with another quick three-and-out for the Bobcats, and they have yet to convert a third down...

It would appear in this season I have forgot how explosive this Herd team can be as I was wrapping up this post getting ready for the second quarter as Andre Booker returned the punt 58 yards for the touchdown.

Herd leads 14-0 going into the second quarter.

Marshall looking explosive after one, Ohio looking like the very team that has never won a bowl game.