— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Following a needed Saturday away from the gridiron, Marshall is back in action at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when it takes on Louisiana at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Marshall’s Sun Belt Conference home opener has been designated a “Blackout” game, with the Herd set to don black uniforms and black helmets for the first time.
The game will be shown nationally on ESPN2.
Marshall (3-2, 0-1) last played on October 1 when it secured a 28-7 home win over FCS opponent Gardner-Webb.
Louisiana (2-3, 0-2) has struggled in recent games, losing three straight to Rice, Louisiana-Monroe and South Alabama.
Michael Desormeaux is in his first season as Louisiana’s head coach and has a 3-3 overall record. One of the three victories came when Desormeaux helped guide the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 36-21 victory over Marshall in last season’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl after he replaced former coach Billy Napier, who’s now at Florida.
Here are three things to look for when both Marshall and Louisiana pursuer their first Sun Belt win Wednesday night:
STRETCH THE FIELD: Marshall has been a run-heavy team so far this season and the early-season performances of tailback Khalan Laborn are a big reason why.
However, an inability to his explosive pass plays has hampered the Herd, whose offensive line is still in the development stages while trying to provide adequate time for quarterback Henry Colombi.
Balance has been lacking and the Herd has nearly 100 more run plays (239) than pass (143).
Louisiana is likely to load the box in order to slow Laborn, so it’s crucial for the Herd find ways to get the ball into the hands of wideouts Corey Gammage, Talik Keaton and Shadeed Ahmed and tight end Devin Miller.
After five games, Gammage and Keaton have combined for only 35 catches and 356 yards, numbers well below their expectations.
KEEP THE QUARTERBACK PROTECTED: Colombi has brought veteran leadership to Marshall’s offense after transferring from Texas Tech. He’s not been afraid to run the ball when needed and his pass completion percentage of 73.7 is No. 5 nationally.
He’s thrown for 875 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions, yet with an offensive line still working to improve, he’s often not had a stable pocket to operate from.
That has led to a surplus of scrambling and on one of those scrambles, Colombi suffered tweaked a knee in the most recent outing and did not play in the second half.
Marshall coach Charles Huff says that Colombi could have played in the second half, but Marshall operated with backup quarterback Cam Fancher instead.
Much of Marshall’s success this fall depends on a healthy Colombi, and the MU offensive line has a tough task in trying to keep a talented Louisiana defensive front out of the Thundering Herd backfield.
APPLY PRESSURE: Fresno State transfer Ben Wooldridge starts at quarterback for Louisiana as he replaces injured starter Chandler Fields.
Wooldridge isn’t being thrown into the fire as he’s appeared in all five games this season and recorded respectable numbers of 440 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
He’s not exactly a typical backup, but he still must face a Marshall defense that has been tough against quarterbacks this season.
Marshall has 12 sacks, led by Owen Porter’s three.
Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is known to bring heat and allowing doubt to creep within Woodridge’s mind could prove crucial to getting the Ragin’ Cajuns off the field.
Marshall has allowed opponents to convert only 24 percent of third downs thus far, and with Louisiana having scored only 55 points in its ongoing losing streak, the Herd defense is looking to prevent the Ragin’ Cajuns from hitting their stride.