Guest Zip88 Posted September 25, 2004 Report Posted September 25, 2004 I guess the rest of us can stop playing now... Thursday, September 23, 2004 — Time: 8:35:58 AM EST Marshall-Miami game to decide MAC East title? By JODY MURPHY HUNTINGTON Even if Marshall wasn't 0-3, Wednesday's game with Miami Ohio (2-2, 1-0) would still be a huge game as far as the Mid-American Conference is concerned. The RedHawks are the only team not named the Thundering Herd to claim the MAC's East Division since Marshall entered the league. While coach Bob Pruett is hesitant to hang his team's post-season hopes on next week's nationally-televised tilt, he concedes it'll set the tone for conference play. "It does put an awful lot on one ball game," he said during his weekly press conference, "because everyone is saying it's for the division title. I don't think that it necessarily is, but it does go a long way." Because the game, which has traditionally been played late in the year, is now an early-season MAC game, Pruett downplays its significance. In 1997, the two schools met in Marshall's third conference game of the year. While Miami won the game, Marshall won the East Division. Even though this is the MAC's last shot at the Herd, who is departing for Conference USA, Pruett doesn't think the intensity will change. As in the past, Marshall will continue to bring out the best in league foes. "They (gave us their best shot) when we weren't leaving," he said, "so that's nothing new. We expect that. But you know what? They are going to get our best shot too." The RedHawks are the only team other than Marshall to win the East Division. Last season, in Oxford, Miami emphatically thumped the Herd 45-6 on the way to the east crown. The year before in Huntington, Marshall rallied to win the game in the closing minutes, which set off a frenzied fan celebration and resulted in Miami coaches vandalizing the visiting coaches box at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium and a one-sided altercation involving a fan and a RedHawk coach, who was later fired. "To be honest, we've had tough games with Akron, we've had tough games with Ohio. Ohio has beaten us as many times as Miami has. Bowling Green has beaten us," Pruett said. "Every game has emphasis. I don't think we can afford to emphasize any conference game over another. "Yes, it's a big ball game, but it's the next one." Its also the Herd's first foray into league play this season, which means it's a big first step towards potential bowl hopes. Aside from being 0-3, Pruett thinks the Herd's outstanding play at nationally-ranked Ohio State and at Georgia will make Marshall an attractive choice. "It really wouldn't make a lot of difference if we were 0-3 or 3-0 going into this game, because this is the one that gets us to a bowl game," he said. "If we can do what I hope we can do, what we did in the first three games will make us a good attraction in a bowl. "I think we are basically starting over, regardless if we won one, two or all three ball games." Contact Jody Murphy via e-mail at jmurphy@newsandsentinel.com Quote
Guest Mastodon Posted September 25, 2004 Report Posted September 25, 2004 If you don't think this game will decide the East you're kidding youreself. Quote
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