HUNTINGTON - Friday nights, or whatever night it is before a game, have become a sacred ritual at many college football programs, and that certainly is the case at Marshall.
It's an evening of preparation, dining and perhaps getting a glimpse of a game that might be on television. But the underlying theme is bonding, forging a single-mindedness among several dozen athletes.
Remember this about college football: No team on campus has a larger roster than a football team. The effort in getting all these men together is difficult, and it doesn't always succeed.
Beginning in 2013, MU's team captains have been selected for each game. There are some reliable standbys who serve often, such as Chris Jasperse in 2014. There are some first-timers, and they're not always upperclassmen - Corey Tindal served three times as a freshman.
One of the captain's tasks is to give a talk to the team. What is said is certainly a private matter, but bits and pieces occasionally come out after a win.
Evan McKelvey served last week for the first time since November 2013, speaking before the Thundering Herd roughed up Old Dominion 27-7.
McKelvey's speech probably wasn't needed to actually win the game, per se, but it sounds like it may have a far-reaching effect.
"He was unbelievable," said MU coach Doc Holliday. "Maybe one of the best talks I've heard. I didn't know he could talk like that. I don't mean [that in disrespect]. He's just tremendous.
"The message he sent to our team last night was unbelievable. He's not only a big-time player, but he's become a big-time leader. When great things happen for kids that overcome adversity [major knee injury] not once, but twice ... I'm just proud of him."
For one, the weak-side linebacker has 60 tackles in five games, with his 12.0 a game placing him third in the NCAA stat rankings. Only Stanford's Blake Martinez (12.6) and Tulsa's Michael Mudoh (12.3) are higher.
He has done this while leading a team with some personnel challenges. That starts with his next-door neighbor at middle linebacker, where Shawn Petty missed four games before finally making his MU debut. There have been some youngsters rotating in at tackle and freshman Ryan Bee has come on at defensive end.
Do they play harder, smarter with No. 31 behind them?
I figure they do, though it's tough to quantify. This much I do know: My postgame grades for this defense have been B+, C+, A, B and A. Somebody's doing something right.
McKelvey's interviews are interesting, and fun. At first, he looks as if he's a raw freshman without a clue to what he wants to say. Then he raises up and says something profound, funny or both.
He said of delivering his speech: "Well, I actually rehearsed the speech 50 times, but I could never get past the first two sentences. So going into the speech, I actually had a paper, but then I kind of got mad at myself - not because I was mad at the team, I just was mad at myself, so I didn't use the paper.
"I went off ... my thoughts just came straight from the heart, so that's how I said it."
He'll get a few more chances, I figure.
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In nearly all games, Marshall's defense hits the field first. If MU wins the coin toss, the Herd defers the option to the second half. Most opponents, if they win the toss, elect to receive.
But the Monarchs won the toss Saturday and deferred, throwing McKelvey for a loop. The Moncks Corner, South Carolina, native showed mock disgust for who called the toss for ODU.
McKelvey didn't mention him by name, though it was quarterback Shuler Bentley.
"A freshman from the other team. He's from Byrnes [High]," McKelvey said. "I know him, not personally, but I just know he's from South Carolina."
But McKelvey and his defensive mates didn't have long to hit the field, as Hyleck Foster fumbled away the opening kickoff. No problem, No. 31 thought. And four plays later, the Herd had the ball back.
"When he fumbled the ball, I actually smiled," McKelvey said. "It was like, 'We get to go out there again.' I love being on the field. Nobody loves when they turn over the ball, but I love being on defense."
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It had to happen at some point, but it appears that Southern Mississippi is no longer the "free spot" on the Herd's Bingo card.
The Golden Eagles (3-2, 1-0 Conference USA), who come to Huntington for the 7 p.m. bout Friday, appear to be worthy of rekindling what was a good rivalry.
A 49-14 win over North Texas does not a contender make. Neither does a 56-50 win at Texas State and a "we played hard" 36-28 loss to not-so-good Nebraska.
Still, this is not a Southern Miss team who will attempt onside kicks until one fails, as the Eagles did a year ago against the much more powerful Herd. After that nonsense ended, MU outscored the Eagles 63-3 and won 63-17.
After losing five of the last six to begin the series, the Herd has won the last four, the last three by a combined 183-54. The Herd has torched the Eagles for more than a mile of total offense - 1,786 yards, to be exact.
In five games this season, Southern Miss' Nick Mullens has almost thrown for that much, covering 1,691 yards and 14 touchdowns. Both of those numbers are second in Conference USA, only behind Western Kentucky's Brandon Doughty's 2,000 yards and 15 scores.
Much more on that in this short week, but just remember this: This series should be competitive once again, beginning Friday night.