Opening Day at the Joan: Marshall vs Morgan State

TV/stream: BeIN

Radio: 93.7 wdgg FM; 88.1 WMUL

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. EST

Weather: cloudy, 40% chance of rain; 100% chance of Thunder

Time to get excited Marshall fans. After having their bye week in the first week of the season, Doc Holliday leads the Thundering Herd out on to the field for the season home opener on Saturday against FCS school Morgan State (0-1).

The Bears will be making their trip to Huntington for the team's first meeting. Morgan State started their season last week losing to Holy Cross at home 24-51.

Chase Litton will be under center for the game. Last year as a true freshman Litton threw for over 2,600 yards. Litton, while missing Davonte Allen, will still have some familiar targets to hit. Ryan Yuracheck, who caught for 44 passes for 477 yards last year will return. Tight end Emanuel Byrd will also be returning this year in addition to running back Hyleck Foster. Foster put up 450 yards with three touchdowns in the 2015 season.

Marshall's defense has raised a lot of questions in the off-season and defensive coordinator, Chuck Heater, has his hands full. After holding opposing teams on average to under 18 points per game last year the defense knows it will have it's work harder this season.

Six out of the seven players who earned at least all league mentions in 2015 will not return. Defensive end Gary Thompson will be the only player returning from last year on that list. Sophomore Nyquan Harris is looking to fill a leadership role this year as well.

This week will be a good test to see how everything is lining up for the Herd, as the rest of the season is uphill.

The Herd looks to make this the first of at least 10 wins this season, a mark they have hit the last two seasons. When asked about last season Chase Litton responded, "Ten wins is great and all, but we don't play for ten wins. We play for championships."

That was Marshall's old mantra, brought about during Bob Pruett's time as head coach in the 90's when he lead the Herd to 6 MAC championships.

A Thunderstorm is brewing in Huntington. The road to the CUSA championship and a bowl game starts this week.