The Razor's Edge

October 11, 2018,  Uncategorized  No comments

The World in 1968

By Michael Morgan

A culmination of professors met in the Shawkey Room at Marshall University on Wednesday to talk about movies, reporters, women, and the emergence of new journalism in the year 1968.

Professor Burnis Morris, co-director of the symposium, began by providing an overview to the year and some of the most prolific events in chronological order before introducing the first speaker. Included in these events, was the raising of the fists by Olympians Tommy Smith and John Carlos in the Olympics to stand up for black rights.

Morris was followed by professor Jennifer Sias, who had done extensive research on the reporter, Studs Terkel and his relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr...

October 8, 2018,  Football  No comments

Alex Thomson the Answer for the Herd?

By Michael Morgan

The Marshall Thundering Herd football team were quarterbacked by junior-college transfer, Alex Thomson in the 34-24 loss to Middle Tennessee University on Saturday.

Thomson, starting for the injured Isaiah Green, completed 17 of 33 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, accompanied by two turnovers. This was Thomson’s first game action in 13 months, where he last played healthy at Wagner University in New York.

Thomson had been previously regarded as a “No question” NFL quarterback by NFL hall of famer Phil Simms, who was unreachable over the weekend in efforts to get his opinion on Thomson’s Marshall debut.

The first career touchdown pass in a Herd uniform came late in the second quarter, an 11-yard strike to tight end Arma...

September 26, 2018,  Basketball  No comments

Local Basketball Player Looking to make an Impact for the Herd

By Michael Morgan

The Marshall Thundering Herd men’s basketball team got a big scoring upgrade with the signing of a local high school athlete, who may provide a replacement for the nation’s leading shot-blocker Ajdin Penava.

Luke Thomas, a freshman guard from Proctorville, Ohio, signed with the Herd this past offseason as a walk-on. Thomas had scholarship offers from smaller schools such as Urbana University, the University of Akron, and Marietta College, but decided on the Herd for his collegiate career. Thomas noted the Herd’s success in the NCAA Tournament as a big reason for his signing to play there in 2018...

September 26, 2018,  Football  No comments

Cocoa Tigers win Florida class 3A Title

By Michael Morgan

The Cocoa Tigers overcame kicking difficulties on Saturday to defeat Tallahassee Godby for the first state title in school history at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

The game resulted in the first scoreless tie during regulation in Florida finals history. This was due to the four missed field goals of 34, 27, 4, and 42 yards by Cocoa kicker Bell. “I kept pushing them to the right. I just had a bad day,” Bell said.

In overtime, each team begins with a possession at the opposing team’s 10-yard line. Willie Downs caught a touchdown in the left corner of the end zone, which was then followed by a touchdown reinforced by blockers right up the middle for Wilson.

The sophomore kicker from Cocoa needed to make the extra point to ...

September 24, 2018,  Basketball  No comments

Herd Fans’ Favorite Basketball Player

By Michael Morgan

The 2018 Marshall Thundering Herd Men’s basketball team will finish the season having perhaps the greatest player in the school’s history according to fans.

This fan favorite, senior guard Jon Elmore returns to the Herd for his senior season. Elmore led the Herd and Conference USA in points per game and assists last season, resulting in consideration for being the C-USA player of the year, just slightly being edged by Middle Tennessee forward Nick King.

The Charleston, West Virginia native declared for the NBA draft after the 2017 season with teammates C.J. Burks and Ajdin Penava. Herd fan Taylor Perry was sad about the three leaving Marshall, but wished for their success...

September 19, 2018,  Basketball  No comments

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Land Questionable Recruit

By Michael Morgan

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers landed the No. 9 overall recruit in college basketball according to RSCI Hoops, after he reclassified from the 2019 class into 2018.

In the 2018-19 season, Charles Bassey and Western Kentucky will be seeking revenge on the Thundering Herd, who beat the Hilltoppers 67-66 in the Conference USA championship last season, says Hilltopper fan Taylor Pennington. “I was mad that they lost by just 1 point last season but I think they’ll be better, thanks to the five-star recruit that we (WKU) got. Look out Marshall,” Pennington said.

Bassey may very well be the key piece for WKU in their pursuit of a Conference USA title...

September 18, 2018,  Basketball  No comments

From Fairland High School to the National Championship

By Michael Morgan

Fairland High School, located in Proctorville, Ohio, has 5 alumni currently playing college basketball.

These alumni include, Emily Chapman and Kollin Van Horn (Cedarville University), Isaiah Howell (Kentucky Christian University), Ty Staten (Ohio Northern University), and Luke Thomas (Marshall University). The former members of the Fairland Dragons men’s and women’s basketball team represent the highest amount of signees in a single school year for Fairland.

The Dragons finished the previous season as conference champs, which instills a sense of succeeding and winning within their athletes, that comes with them to college.

The athletes’ motivations began at a young age, and intensified when high school came aroun...

September 13, 2018,  Baseball, Football  No comments

From Fan to Writer

By Michael Morgan

My entire childhood, I always planned to be a professional baseball player. My goal was to become the starting catcher for the Chicago Cubs. As I got older, I began to realize that I needed to have more realistic goals, and I knew that I wanted those to be involved with sports.

I have always had a passion for football and baseball my whole life, and now I will be writing about them for my professional career. Watching the Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Indianapolis Colts are some of the fondest memories. Carlos Zambrano, Ken Griffey Jr., and Peyton Manning were some of my biggest role models.

Throughout high school, interestingly enough, I hated English class...

September 12, 2018,  Football  No comments

Hurricane Florence versus the Thundering Herd

By Michael Morgan

The Marshall Thundering Herd football team plans to travel to play the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday. Hurricane Florence has already led to the cancellation of multiple college football games, and the Herd hope that is does not hinder any more, due to the million dollar payout the school would receive if the game is played.

A few notable games that will not be played are West Virginia University against N.C. State this weekend, as well as the University of North Carolina and the University of Central Florida, and are not likely to be played at all in the future.

The category 3 hurricane is not only a concern for this game and the Carolinas, where up to 40 inches of rain is possible according to the Weather Channel, but ...

September 10, 2018,  Basketball, Football  No comments

Huntington Becoming a Haven for Winning

By Michael Morgan

The Marshall Thundering Herd football team moved to 2-0 on the season with a 32-16 win over the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels. The Herd’s success on the football field was preceded by huge success on the basketball court this past season.

The Jon Elmore-led Herd finished with a 24-10 regular season record in the 2017-2018 season. Elmore led the team in assists per game, steals per game, minutes per game, and led the team and Conference USA in points per game. Longtime supporter Rick Ellison is a huge fan of Elmore. “I swear there isn’t a thing that Elmore can’t do. He can rebound, shoot, and lead the floor as well as anyone in the country,” Ellison said.

Shooting guard C.J...