Boca Raton Bowl: TV Schedule, Picks and Players to Watch for Marshall vs. NIU
Do you love offense? Then the 2014 Boca Raton Bowl is for you.
This year's spectacle should be a shootout between offensive heavyweights Marshall and Northern Illinois. The Thundering Herd rank fifth in the nation, averaging 45.1 points per game, and the Huskies' versatile running game has led to an average of 32.2 points per contest, including a 51-point showing against Bowling Green to close out the season.
With Marshall emerging as Conference USA champs and Northern Illinois taking the MAC title, this is the only non-New Year's bowl game to feature two conference champions. Needless to say, you won't want to miss this very underrated contest.
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As we await these teams to return to the gridiron, here's a look at the game's complete schedule, key players to watch from each team and a prediction for the 2014 Boca Raton Bowl's ultimate outcome.
Viewing Information
When: Tuesday, December 23
Where: FAU Football Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Info (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 67
- Spread: Marshall -10
Players to Watch
Rakeem Cato, QB, Marshall
Marshall's offense runs through this prolific senior signal-caller. He's been lighting up scoreboards all season long, completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 3,622 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while adding 457 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
One number that will be different on Tuesday will be on his jersey, as he will be honoring an injured teammate, according to Dr. Saturday of Yahoo Sports:
While Cato has been a big-play threat this year, he's been prone to throw costly picks at times, tossing four interceptions in the team's lone loss to Western Kentucky. He will have room to maneuver against a Northern Illinois defense ranked 63rd in the nation against the pass, but he must be careful, as the Huskies are tied for 27th in the nation in takeaways and have recorded 14 picks in 13 games this season.
Cato will need to rely heavily on his most trusted target, senior wide receiver Tommy Shuler. While Shuler's receptions are down this year—he's accumulated 74 after two years of 100-plus catches—he is averaging a career-high 12.9 yards per reception.
Devon Johnson, RB, Marshall
This running back will need to be at full speed against NIU, as he's been dealing with a rash of injuries recently, limiting him to a total of just seven carries in his last two games combined. However, there is good news for the Thundering Herd, as Derek Redd the Charleston Daily Mail reports he's expected to play.
On the season, Johnson is averaging an impressive 8.6 yards per carry while rushing for 1,636 yards and 16 touchdowns. His presence gives Marshall much-needed balance on the offensive side of the ball, and the team has struggled recently without being able to fully utilize him.
Northern Illinois ranks 56th against the run, allowing an average of 158.5 yards per game, and has given up a total of 21 rushing touchdowns this season. If Johnson is healthy enough to shoulder a full workload, he could be poised for a very big day.
Drew Hare, QB, Northern Illinois
Hare is a major dual-threat quarterback who could give Marshall's shaky defense fits. So far this season, he's passed for 2,097 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for another 850 yards and eight scores. Careful with the football, the quarterback has only thrown a total of two interceptions this season.
While this sophomore signal-caller isn't overly experienced, he resides in an offense that perfectly complements his skill set. He isn't asked to do much through the air, passing more than 30 times in a game just twice this season while having the freedom to utilize his ability to gain yards with his legs often.
With a solid backfield and prolific wide receiver Da'Ron Brown at his disposal, Hare has plenty of options to circumvent a Marshall defense that has found some success this season, ranking 29th in the nation, allowing an average of 351.8 total yards per game.
Cameron Stingily, RB, Northern Illinois
At 6'1" and 235 pounds, Stingily is a formidable threat out of the backfield for the Huskies. The offense transitioned into more of a committee approach this season, limiting Stingily's carries slightly, but he's still managed 895 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
The senior ball-carrier is looking for a big win on Tuesday to help the program's future, according to NIU Huskie Athletics:
An integral part of keeping defenses honest and opening up running and passing lanes for Hare, Stingily needs to get going early for NIU to get off to a fast start against Marshall. The Thundering Herd's defense has been a bit weak up front this season, ranking 52nd in the nation against the run and allowing an average of 157.2 yards per game on the ground along with a total of 14 rushing touchdowns.
If Stingily can get a good amount of carries early in the game, he'll help the Huskies offense wear down Marshall's defense quickly, leading to more big-play opportunities and points on the board.
Prediction
With two high-powered offenses set to go at it on Tuesday, we should be in for some excitement on the amateur gridiron. Certainly, both teams have the kind of potent offense necessary to get points on the board and come away with a win, so other factors will have to play a part in the game's ultimate outcome.
Marshall has been able to hold up better on the defensive side of the ball throughout the season, allowing 34 total touchdowns and 351.8 yards per game against Northern Illinois' average of 382.9 yards per game and 38 total touchdowns. A slight advantage goes to the Thundering Herd in this department.
Another difference-maker in this contest will be experience. While Northern Illinois does have some upperclassmen in its ranks, it does boast a sophomore quarterback. Marshall, on the other hand, has seniors at quarterback and wide receiver, along with two junior lead tailbacks. That's enough to give the Thundering Herd the slight overall edge.
Prediction: Marshall 42, Northern Illinois 38
All team statistics and rankings courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 22.
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