That reality played out Saturday when Chad Pennington received quite the ovation during Green-White Game ceremonies. Marshall's annual spring practice finale coincided with a reunion of the undefeated 1999 Thundering Herd team, spurred by Pennington behind center.
From Carl Fodor through Pennington's successor, Byron Leftwich, Marshall football enjoyed virtually uninterrupted dynamic play at quarterback. Mark Cann started 11 games last season as a redshirt freshman, starting solid but struggling late.
His former backup, Brian Anderson, has pounced this spring, leap-frogging Cann and besting junior college transfers Press Taylor and Jake Laudenslayer. Anderson, a junior, completed eight of 13 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the Green's 31-8 victory Saturday before 8,436 fans at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Taylor connected on five of seven attempts for 58 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown to safety Ashton Hall, who temporarily moonlighted as a wideout. Laudenslayer threw for 78 yards on four-of-13 passing with an interception and was sacked four times. Cann completed five of 17 passes for 47 yards with two interceptions.
Quarterback struggles this spring linked to lack of wide receiver production. Junior college transfer Wayne Bonner excelled in limited action, but missed the final two weeks because of injury. Senior Tavaris Thompson similarly was sidelined for a majority of Marshall's 15 practices.
"It's going to have to get a lot better," Snyder said.
"I'm very excited that I could come in this spring and even get my name in to be the starter for next season," Anderson said. "I definitely need to be here all summer and work hard to get ready for next season and keep working hard to keep this spot for the fall.
"When you know you're either going to be the starter or have a chance to be the starter it does change the way you approach the practices."
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