HUNTINGTON - After two mistake-ridden losses to Big East opponents, Marshall gets a much-needed week to work on itself.

The Thundering Herd (3-3) wobbled into its midseason intermission with a 33-10 loss to Cincinnati before a lively and perhaps undercounted crowd of 29,237. Marshall has an extra week before returning to Conference USA action Oct. 18 at Alabama-Birmingham.

That may be one of the most well-timed bye weeks in recent MU history, though the players might beg to differ - particularly those on the offensive line, where a few positions may be re-examined.

"We can go back and work on us, and try some different mixtures up front," said Herd coach Mark Snyder. "Obviously, we're going to work in the red zone quite a bit this week, and make sure that we understand that it's OK to kick a field goal. We don't have to have it all and end up going backwards. Shoot, we had to throw Craig [Ratanamorn] out there for a 50-yard field goal, for crying out loud."

Technically, the Herd didn't even dent the "red zone" by the classic 20-yard line definition. But four times it crossed the 50 (not counting Mark Cann's 57-yard touchdown pass to Cody Slate), and all four times it didn't end well. A recount:

HUNTINGTON - After two mistake-ridden losses to Big East opponents, Marshall gets a much-needed week to work on itself.

The Thundering Herd (3-3) wobbled into its midseason intermission with a 33-10 loss to Cincinnati before a lively and perhaps undercounted crowd of 29,237. Marshall has an extra week before returning to Conference USA action Oct. 18 at Alabama-Birmingham.

That may be one of the most well-timed bye weeks in recent MU history, though the players might beg to differ - particularly those on the offensive line, where a few positions may be re-examined.

"We can go back and work on us, and try some different mixtures up front," said Herd coach Mark Snyder. "Obviously, we're going to work in the red zone quite a bit this week, and make sure that we understand that it's OK to kick a field goal. We don't have to have it all and end up going backwards. Shoot, we had to throw Craig [Ratanamorn] out there for a 50-yard field goal, for crying out loud."

Technically, the Herd didn't even dent the "red zone" by the classic 20-yard line definition. But four times it crossed the 50 (not counting Mark Cann's 57-yard touchdown pass to Cody Slate), and all four times it didn't end well. A recount:

"Your opportunities in the red zone are going to be limited," Snyder said. "You've got to make the most of them and we're going backwards, we're going the wrong way. That was a little disappointing.

"Their defense is very, very fast and they whipped us up front. They were able to put six or seven guys in the box to stop our running game, and play [man] coverage all night."

While there could be some changes up front, there won't be behind center. Snyder is maintaining his confidence in Cann.

"There's no quarterback controversy, and we're not going there," Snyder said. "He's young, we've got to know that he's young, I understand that he's young, and he's going through a little bit of a tough time right now.

"It's not all him. I just told those guys we win as a team, we lose as a team. There's a lot of things you guys don't see, whether it be a wrong route run or offensive line protection breaking down. There are a lot of things that go into a quarterback's play, especially when he's young.

"They were pressuring him - I don't know if they sacked him that much, but they were in his face and Mark had to let the ball go early. And that's a good defense we just played. They're fast now."

The Herd has much work to do, but there isn't any panic. Marshall remains in first place in the East Division of C-USA, and will remain there until the UAB game. With a victory at Legion Field, the Herd stays in first 10 days beyond that.

"Our goals are still in front of us, still attainable. Season starts all over again," Snyder said.

Reach Doug Smock at 348-5130 or dougsm...@wvgazette.com.