Huntington - The public portion of the preseason has finished at Marshall, but camp has not.
This is an unusual preseason. The Thundering Herd is the only major-college team to begin the season a week late, doing so Sept. 10 against Morgan State.
The fall semester begins Monday, which will be a day off for players. Those athletes will be in their third week of school when the first game week finally approaches.
As of Monday, there are 19 days before the season kicks off. For fans and observers, the wait will be interminable.
In the meantime, here's something to munch on: some winners and not-winners in the first two weeks of the seventh Thundering Herd camp of the Doc Holliday era. These are presented in no particular order, and is not a ranking:
Running backs Anthony Anderson, Keion Davis: Anderson is pretty much as advertised, a big body who can cut around defenders or bowl them over. Like many other newcomers, a summer in the weight room and a nutrition program has redefined his body - his physique was as striking as any during post-scrimmage interviews Saturday.
He just has to learn not to be too cute. Other important improvements are pad level - most backs get by at lower levels despite running upright - and pass blocking. If/when he masters the latter, it will be fun to watch him punish a pass rusher.
Davis was brought along slowly last year, and that is paying off about now.
But do keep this in mind: Hyleck Foster should still be the first back on opening day.
Garet Morrell: Almost as surely as Chase Litton is the No. 1 quarterback, Morrell is the No. 2. Clearly, his high school background has prepared him well. One thing to remember: His redshirt is out the window. It is foolish and unrealistic to expect Litton to go every snap, even in games that are out of hand.
Slot receivers Josh Knight, Gator Green: These two have as much to prove as anybody, especially with speedy freshman Willie Johnson on their tails. Knight could be one of several high-achieving seniors.
With these two, quarterbacks have to adjust to throwing at different heights. Knight is 6-foot-1, Green 5-8. "You've got to bounce it to him," Litton joked.
Corey Neely: Another candidate for the leap from ordinary junior to outstanding senior. He took the summer very seriously, hit the weight room hard, and it's showing. He will fill a solid four-man rotation at safety with C.J. Reavis, Kendall Gant and Tiquan Lang (pending injury/legal issues).
Rodney Allen: He was expected to be leader of cornerbacks, and he's playing the part. His three break-ups in Saturday's scrimmage were no fluke.
Brandon Rodgers: He is threatening Michael Clark for the No. 2 "X" receiver and may take snaps from Justin Hunt, as well. He might land return duties. Barring injury, he won't redshirt.
Deon-Tay McManus: He's back to the form that made him a big story in 2014, after his move from tight end to "Y" receiver. Once again, he is working to get open and outmuscling defenders on contested balls.
Xavier Gaines: It might be unfair to call him a "project," but he is undergoing a crash course in fundamentals that Morrell has appeared to have mastered. In the off chance Gaines is needed, the offense should incorporate his athletic skills, but a redshirt year will do him good.
Tony Pittman: It's probably unfair to consider that he gained 5 yards Saturday, but it's notable that he got only three carries. Somebody's got to be the No. 4 back to start the season, and he appears to be the one.
Good news for him: MU backs combined for 410 carries in 2015, 420 in 2014. Plenty to go around, especially when injuries strike.
Shawn Petty: Holliday expects him to return in a week or so. When he does come back, can he regain his starting spot at strong-side linebacker? It's tough to see Devontre'a Tyler and Davon Durant dislodged at the other two spots, and Damien Dozier doesn't look bad at "Sam."
Raylen Elzy: He caught a 24-yard pass despite interference Saturday, one of the better catches of the day. But it's one of the few such catches for the sophomore, who still looks lost at times.
Sandley Jean-Felix: He has been out for the last several days, which hasn't helped his cause. Before, he was second-team right tackle behind Clint Van Horn - not a great place to get on the field. Fred Binot and now AJ Addison are impeding any return to left tackle.
Nick Smith: The incumbent field-goal kicker might be the No. 3 candidate behind Amareto Curraj and Grayson Pontius. I haven't been impressed.
Holliday said he wants that issue settled quickly, but history dictates that may go into the final week. I am reminded of the gutsy Justin Haig regaining his place late in the preseason, then nailing big field goals.
Stay tuned.