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Chat Reel: Byron Leftwich

Crowd size in the Swamp familiar to Marshall QB

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Byron Leftwich - welcome and thanks for joining us.
Byron Leftwich: Thanks, good to be here.

From Adam Fazakas in Gainesville, Fla.: How do you feel about starting your season against the number one team in the nation, and have you ever played in front of 85,000+ people for one game? What are your thoughts?
Byron Leftwich: I think it'll be a great opportunity for me and the program. It'll be very exciting and fun. I played at South Carolina, Clemson and Michigan State and North Carolina - so we're used to that kind of situation.

From Randy Short in Hurricane, W.V.: Due to Stan's injury and quitting football, there is no real experienced back-up QB. Does this mean that the coaches will limit the number of times you run the ball, either planned or scrambling? You are such a big QB and good open field runner--I would like to see you have more opportunities to be going forward when you get hit instead of backwards. Good luck to you and the Herd!
Byron Leftwich: We're going to run pretty much the same thing we did last year. It's not like we run the option. If I have to run the ball I will, knowing that my backups can come in and do the job if I get injured. My main goal is to lead this team to a MAC championship and to win at all times.

From Lile Cremeans in Independence, Ky.: If Marshall were to finish with 10 or more wins this season, would you stay for your senior year or consider leaving for the NFL?
Byron Leftwich: As of right now, I haven't thought of the NFL. I'm just trying to get 10 or more wins for this team. I haven't had any thoughts of the NFL.

From David Wickham in San Francisco, Calif.: How do you think you compare to Chad Pennington at this point in your career?
Byron Leftwich: I don't know -- it's tough. Chad was a great QB. It's hard to compare yourself to your mentor. When Chad was a sophomore, I was in high school. So I really don't know how he was a sophomore. He showed me the ropes and taught me so much last year.

From Mike in Hazard, Ky.: Do you expect to throw the ball a lot against Florida and what types of pass plays do you expect to be available against a tough defense at home?
Byron Leftwich: We want to be equal – when you play a team like that you don't want to be 1-dimensioonal. We've been working hard and we'll just have to see how it comes out on Sept. 1.

From Ed Havens in Lesage, W.V.: If it turns out that Marshall has to play Toledo in the MAC Championship game this year, how much of a revenge factor do you believe there will be in that game considering how bad they beat you there last year?
Byron Leftwich: We can use it as motivation, but we shouldn't have to use it because the championship game itself is enough motivation. But if we have to, we can use it for that.

From notredame: Do you think that the success of Randy Moss and Chad Pennington while playing for the Herd attracted more recruits, like yourself to go to Marshall?
Byron Leftwich: I think Randy put us on the map and Chad kept us on the map. It's the job of the guys that are here to keep us rolling each year.

From D-money: Hello Byron, glad to have you here, just wondering, how do u replace a such a player as Doug Chapman?
Byron Leftwich: It's tough. He's an NFL player and he was drafted high. We have three running backs who at any time could step up and be like Doug Chapman, or even better.

From t-bone: Who would you like to throw to in the NFL?
Byron Leftwich: All of them are good on the next level. I'd like to throw to any of them!

From Chris Brown in Chicago, Ill.: Florida is supposed to have an awesome secondary. Do you think they will overmatch your receivers? Do you worry about interceptions and if so what do you do to get some people open and deal with the loud crowd and pass rush?
Byron Leftwich: They do have a great defense. If we execute on offense we can move the ball and have some successful plays. We just have to execute on offense.

From Kevin in Bloomington, Ind.: If Marshall can beat Florida and win out the rest of the season the new BCS rules will still hurt you. Does Marshall have any chance of going to a BCS Bowl? And if they did what would it mean to the Marshall Football program and to the MAC?
Byron Leftwich: It would mean a lot for Marshall and the MAC because it would be the first time for a MAC team to be in a BCS game. Hopefully we'll be undefeated and see what it's like to be in the BCS.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Byron Leftwich. Thank you very much for joining us today and good luck this season.
Byron Leftwich: Thank you! And thanks for having me!

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