HUNTINGTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” As Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green was holding his celebration pose following a strip sack in the Thundering HerdÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s win over Coastal Carolina, his teammate Chris Thomas was in the process of stealing his thunder.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI looked up and hear the crowd going crazy, then I look over and they are celebrating for Chris,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Green joked after SaturdayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s game. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m proud of him, but I was like, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜what are they cheering for him for?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Then I see our turnover belt, and I realized it was a strip sack and he recovered.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Thomas, who had a lane to the end zone after scooping the ball off the turf, came up just short of a touchdown despite his best effort to stretch the ball across the goal line before his 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame hit the deck.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI broke a tackle, and on the left side, I heard the running back (chasing) me down, and I thought somebody was going to block him, but I guess they didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Thomas said Tuesday afternoon. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIf I had, like, one blocker, I would have scored. I played running back when I was a kid ... I played running back, receiver, I played it all, but I guess I donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t got it no more.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Thomas is in his second year with the Thundering Herd, transferring to Marshall the same year as Green. The former Florida Gator has been a key role player on the defensive line and has started nine out of 10 games this year. He has 38 tackles, two pass break-ups and four quarterback hurries.
- By LUKE CREASY lcreasy@hdmediallc.com
That play in particular, though, only happened because Thomas was anticipating the sack by Green, and instead of rushing the quarterback, put himself in position to make an even bigger play.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI knew Mike was gonna get the sack, so I went around to see if he was gonna rush, and when I saw the ball, it took a minute for it to register,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Thomas said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI thought they were going to blow the whistle.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
But they didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t, and after a 10-yard return, the turnover set the Marshall offense up at the 2-yard line. Marshall scored one play later to extend its lead over the Chanticleers to three touchdowns.
Though it cut into GreenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s celebration on Saturday, he said he was proud of Thomas for finishing the play in one of the gameÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s biggest moments. Thomas said having that support means everything to him and that heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s proud to be part of a defense that is filled with playmakers all over the field.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt feels as if everywhere you go, youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got bodyguards with you,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Thomas said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI know the guys behind me are going to do their jobs at all times, and that just gives us a boost of confidence.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Marshall is plus-five in turnover margin over the last two games, both wins, over Southern Miss and Coastal Carolina, and plus-seven for the season. The Herd has only been in the negative in turnovers three times this year.
This week, Marshall will face a team that has the third-highest number of turnovers in the Sun Belt Conference, Old Dominion. The Monarchs have lost 10 fumbles and thrown eight interceptions and are minus-three in turnover margin this season.
