HUNTINGTON - Marshall's preseason camp is in the books, with an asterisk.
The fall semester begins today, but the Thundering Herd has an extra week before the season opener Sept. 6 against Purdue. And remember: That is a Sunday game, allowing Marshall even another day of preparation.
So Herd players get a few more days of camp-like work, a few more chances to move up or down the depth chart. But after two-plus weeks, some winners and not-so-winners can be chosen.
The winners:
n Deon-Tay McManus, wide receiver: He's listed at 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, but he's playing bigger. All you little Conference USA cornerbacks can have fun being physical with this guy.
"I know if the corner tries to jam me, one false move [and] I'm gone," he said. "It doesn't matter, though. I'm going to be big, physical and be a playmaker for my offense."
He's still a sophomore, but he may be the Herd's best receiver.
n Josh Knight, wide receiver: He has found a home at slot receiver, and has been pushing Hyleck Foster really, really hard. Will he push Foster to the second unit when the team reconvenes on Tuesday?
n Deandre Reaves, wide receiver: He has been the kickoff returner. He should be the punt returner, for the most part. And now, he's making his case for more snaps at receiver, currently as McManus' backup.
But if Justin Hunt falters as Davonte Allen's backup at "X," do you put Reaves over there?
n Keion Davis, running back: He figured out early he needed to be a more decisive runner, and is thriving. He may be the No. 2-B option behind Devon Johnson and even with veteran Remi Watson.
Pass blocking is the usual question mark with a young back, but Davis showed a nice blitz pick-up or two. He'll make an impact.
n First-string offensive line: If I haven't named them yet, they are (from left tackle across) Sandley Jean-Felix, Sebastian Johansson, Michael Selby, Nate Devers and Clint Van Horn. I've probably taken these guys for granted because they've been indestructible.
Marshall's offense will top 40 points a game again, and it starts with these guys.
"Collectively, it might be the best line we've had since I've been here," said Bill Legg, entering his sixth season as offensive coordinator.
He didn't stutter.
He continued: "And we've had some great individuals. I don't want to take anything away from Chris Jasperse, a great player for us for four years, especially his last two. But a collective group of guys that are playing up there right now, they're used to this system, they're used to [position coach Alex] Mirabal's coaching, have a great understanding of what they're doing. They work extremely hard.
"The other part of it was I knew the defensive guys didn't have everybody out there today [in Saturday's scrimmage]. So let's not get too hyped up."
n Devontre'a Tyler, middle linebacker: Junior-college imports are supposed to make an impact right away, and Tyler is doing so. He took all the No. 1 snaps Saturday in place of the injured Shawn Petty.
n Amareto Curraj, kicker: He's back to knocking kickoffs through the end zone, and if he's not leading the field-goal competition by a good margin, I give up.
n Keith Baxter, cornerback: Hey, he's still healthy!
I won't call anybody a loser at this point. I repeatedly remind all that it's August and the season probably runs to Thanksgiving and beyond.
Still, some units and players are having a tough month, beginning with:
n Defensive ends: Hey, didn't defensive tackle Ricardo Williams originally come to MU as a well-touted end? Would he be able to step out from a relatively deep tackle corps? Not sure it would hurt to try.
I haven't seen a defensive end unit so thoroughly dominated in an officiated August scrimmage in my 14 seasons on this beat. And with top linebackers held out and few blitzes called, the deficiency was more glaring.
But until the Herd faces Purdue, the question remains: How much of the ends' problems are caused by the aforementioned Herd line?
n Gunnar Holcombe - He has a positive attitude, the team's firmest handshake and a solid performance in Saturday's scrimmage. But he has been plagued by occasional interceptions and overshadowed by freshman Chase Litton.
n Hyleck Foster - He is becoming the heir-not-apparent to Tommy Shuler at slot receiver (see: Josh Knight, above).
n Raheim Huskey, linebacker - After a big finish to the 2014 season, he has spun his wheels in the middle linebacker competition. Trying him out as No. 2 "Will" behind Evan McKelvey makes sense.
n Tony Pittman, running back - Over the course of a season, No. 4 backs can get meaningful carries. Emphasis on "can." Fumbles and Keion Davis have put Pittman in this category.
n Nick Smith, kicker - "Pushed right" is a well-used phrase for this field-goal candidate in the past week or so.
n Stefan Houston, somewhere - The 2013 C-USA All-Freshman honoree was moved from linebacker to tight end, and spent Saturday's scrimmage in shorts. Not a good sign.