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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Mark Snyder (2nd season, 4-7) 2005 record: 4-7 C-USA finish: 3-5 (t-5th East) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 84th (123.9 ypg) Passing: 70th (205.1 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 75th (161.8 ypg) Passing: 12th (178.5 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 at West Virginia Sept. 9 Hofstra Sept. 16 at Kansas State Sept. 23 at Tennessee Oct. 4 UCF Oct. 14 at SMU Oct. 21 at UAB Oct. 28 Memphis Nov. 4 Tulane Nov. 11 at East Carolina Nov. 18 UTEP Nov. 25 at Southern Miss Depth Chart: Offense 9 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 6 Shawn Lauzon Jr. - Darius Passmore Jr. WR 7 Hiram Moore Sr. 1 Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. WR 24 Emmanuel Spann So. 11 E.J. Wynn So. LT 73 Seth Cook Sr. 64 Chris Barnes Sr. LG 74 David Ziegler Jr. 77 Zane Bruhin Fr. C 66 Doug Legursky Jr. 65 Brian Leggett So. RG 63 John Inman Jr. 62 Matt Altobello So. RT 78 Wesley Jones Sr. 79 Daniel Baldridge Fr. TE 13 Brian Shope Jr. 85 Cody Slate Fr. QB 14 Bernard Morris Jr. 16 Jimmy Skinner Sr. RB 44 Ahmad Bradshaw Jr. 28 Chubb Small So. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 96 Albert McClellan So. 98 E.J. Rasco So. DT 99 Juan Underwood Sr. 90 Blake Merritt So. DT 95 Chris Terrell Sr. 94 Byron Tinker Jr. DE 91 Shavar Greer Sr. 93 Ryland Wilson Jr. SLB 21 Ian Hoskins So. 45 Maurice Kitchens So. MLB - Josh Johnson So. 55 Brandon Souder Sr. WLB 30 Dennis Thornton Sr. 47 Matt Couch Sr. CB 8 J.J. Johnson So. 37 Chuck Roberts Fr. CB 28 Jeremy Frazie Sr. - Ashton Hall Fr. SS 25 Curtis Keyes Sr. 19 John Saunders Fr. FS 2 Geremy Rodamer Jr. 4 C.J. Spillman So. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 41 Anthony Binswanger Jr. P 31 Marty Biagi So. KR 28 Chubb Small So. PR 28 Chubb Small So.

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What was new in 2005 now thankfully has become a bit more seasoned at Marshall University. Head coach Mark Snyder, hired only two days prior to the 2005 spring game, now has a full recruiting class and session of spring drills to build upon.

Last season, Snyder's limited ammo featured only six returning starters, the second-fewest in Division I-A. The second-year coach welcomes back 16 starters this fall, including nine on offense. Stability certainly isn't an issue, but one specter from 2005 remains a potential concern entering the Sept. 2 season opener against in-state rival West Virginia. Quarterback, which for so long has been Marshall's signature position, is somewhat unsettled for the second straight year.

Bernard Morris and Jimmy Skinner, who traded starts in '05, are back and again competing for the top spot. Neither distinguished himself, although Morris likely will win the job.

"That is our biggest question mark," Snyder says.

OFFENSE

The quarterback position remains unsettled, and Marshall traditionally is defined by who's under center. Junior Bernard Morris likely will win the job, but fifth-year senior Jimmy Skinner remains a contender. Offensive coordinator Larry Kueck will lessen the load on whoever starts by adding some two-back sets to the base three-wideout look.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw is the team's top talent. He posted team-best totals of 997 rushing yards and 56 receptions last season and should benefit from the presence of fullback Will Albin. Bradshaw is the one given in an offense lacking consistency at quarterback and speed at wide receiver.

The offensive line returns four starters, but tackles are question marks. Seth Cook switches to the left tackle, and fellow senior Wesley Jones takes over on the right side. Both must work on defending speed rushes. Starting guards David Ziegler and John Inman were sidelined for spring practice with injuries but will form a sound interior with center Doug Legursky.

DEFENSE

Opponents attacked on the perimeter last season because of undersized defensive ends, but the problem is being addressed. Albert McClellan, who totaled 40 tackles and three sacks as a true freshman, has gained 15 pounds, and junior college transfer Ryland Wilson adds needed bulk at 6'3" and 255 pounds.

A pair of 300-plus pound seniors, Juan Underwood and Chris Terrell, head a sturdy rotation at tackle that also includes Blake Merritt and Byron Tinker.

Depth was lost in the interior, however, when returning starter Adrian Davis was dismissed from the team following spring practice.

Top tacklers Dennis Thornton and Matt Couch, who combined for 201 stops in 2005, return but could compete for playing time at the same weak-side linebacker spot. Couch started 11 games in the middle last season but switched to the weak side this spring. Former Georgia signee Josh Johnson arrives in August and is expected to start immediately.

Strong safety Curtis Keyes, the team's most punishing hitter, is the secondary's lone returning starter. J.J. Johnson, who played at nickel back as a true freshman last year, has secured one cornerback spot. The secondary is young and physical, but pass coverage is an unknown.

SPECIALISTS

Anthony Binswanger, a former Cal kicker, will be counted on to provide stability at placekicker. Marshall kickers combined to misfire on 9-of-17 field goals last season. Ian O'Connor, 7-of-14 on field goals in 2005, could lose placekicking duties to Binswanger but is challenging incumbent punter Marty Biagi.

Chubb Small averaged 25.9 yards on kickoff returns as a true freshman, including a 92-yard touchdown. He helped Marshall rank first in Conference USA in kickoff return average at 22.6 yards.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Pieces are in place for a bounce-back season at Marshall. But playmakers beyond Bradshaw could be scarce. Ideally for Snyder, newcomers such as wideout Darius Passmore and tight end Cody Slate can help stretch the field.

Working against Snyder is an out-of-conference schedule that includes trips to Sugar Bowl champion West Virginia, Tennessee and Kansas State. Marshall opens Conference USA play at home against defending East Division champ UCF and caps the regular season at perennial C-USA favorite Southern Miss.