‣ 2028 CFB Regular Season, Week 4 - Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, West Virginia (3-0, 1-0) #5 Wisconsin Badgers at Marshall Thundering Herd (2-1, 0-1)WISC | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 MRSH | 3 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 20
S Rico Smith: 6 tkl, 2 TFL LB Coco Generals: 5 tkl, 2 TFL S David Zelenka: 1 tkl, INT
Offense: 13 rushes, 5 yds, 0.4 yds per rush QB Benjamin Thompson: 20-29, 282 yds, 2 TD, INT WR Zach Ruegamer: 4 rec, 112 yds, TD
Coach Singleton's Post Game
Q: You guys got off to a slow start on defense, allowing two long touchdowns in the first half, how were they able to settle down in the second half?
A: We have the better guys, the more talented roster so it's really just about guys doing their jobs and executing.
Q: Was this perhaps a let down spot after last week's big win?
A: I think there was just a lack of energy overall from within and when you come out to a flat stadium, honestly, the motivation needs to come internally. I don't know how motivated you have to be when you're the better player, the better team to beat a team you're better than so hopefully we don't need that juice from the crowd or externally to come and play. At this level, just show up, be a pro, act like a pro and play like a pro. This isn't high school where you need the marching band and all the circus to play a game.
Q: Wasn't much of a pass rush after getting a ton of plays from the front last week, what was Marshall able to do to neutralize what might be the best defensive line in the Big Ten?
A: They just blocked well, were sound up front and did a good job of getting the ball out quick.
Q: David Zelenka continues to be a big contributor for you guys at safety, making that move from linebacker. He had the interception today, has played a lot of snaps this year, perhaps more than some anticipated. Has his switch to safety been more of a smoother one, compared to Thomas Heiberger's attempted transition two years ago?
A: He's got natural coverage skills so its been an easier transition for him, particularly in space. Thomas [Heiberger] is still one of our better coverage guys but he's more of a box player where David [Zelenka] does have that versatility to be in space, in the box, on the boundary and feel comfortable.
Coach Singleton's Notes:
‣ After last week's near disaster, can't take anyone for granted
‣ A good diverse group of receivers for Illinois but nothing that's scary
‣ Coco had a nice bounce back game so he's back in the driver seat at linebacker but want to continue to rotate guys
Coach Singleton's Post Game
Q: Two late touchdowns in what was a dominant performance, what was Illinois' offense able to do in those final two drives?
A: They converted a long fourth down that was an obvious offensive pass interference, missed call there but we also have to execute. Second touchdown drive, they just made plays, whooped us.
Q: We saw a lot more rotation today, over twenty players taking defensive snaps. Was that the plan coming into the game or did it just play out that way?
A: [Illinois] runs a lot of tempo so we came in expecting to use different guys, keeping our guys fresh for the fourth quarter and for the most part, I thought we were. I think some guys showed that they deserve to play more and some guys didn't and still have a lot of work to do until we feel comfortable with them being out there, playing multiple consecutive snaps.
Q: Cole Chocolatey continues to be a mainstay, playing most of the snaps so far this year. Is it fair to call that free safety spot his?
A: Until he does something to prove otherwise, yes. The same way this job is my job until I [mess] up and then they'll call somebody else to do this for me.
Week 6 Preview: at Iowa Hawkeyes
Record: 3-2, 1-1 Big Ten
Results: L 27-24 at Georgia State, W 34-23 vs. Iowa State, W 28-14 vs. Western Michigan, W 22-17 vs. UCLA, L 27-24 at Washington
Team Leaders
Passing: Mike Werner (77 cmp%, 282 yards per game, 9 TD, 3 INT)
Rushing: DeAngelo Bourne (46.4 yards per game, 3 ypc, 3 TD)
Receiving: Juan Moncrief (28 receptions, 379 yards, 3 TD)
Coach Singleton's Notes:
‣ While they have some older guys, they are not necessarily experienced as they are only returning two starters on the offensive line in Knapp and Craft
‣ Werner continues to improve as a quarterback, will be more of a threat than last year when they relied on their running game
‣ We have yet to beat them in three seasons and this will be a tough environment, at night in their own stadium with those fucking kids.