Spring Game = Success!

The 2010 Spring Game is officially over and what a day! From the rainy, dreary weather to the outstanding performances on the field. Due to injuries on the team, our Sooner was the highlight of the day, starring at tailback, kick-off return, and kick-off.

Marshall had a whooping 29 carries for 92 yards. It's hard to put into words how great it was to see him doing what he does best. Doing what he's always done. And doing it well. As you'll see in the articles below, his teammates and coaches all had good things to say about him.

But no one was more proud of him Saturday than his family.

Norman Transcript

The Oklahoman


Tulsa World

Tulsa World - Monday


Highlights


Rivals Article:



April 18, 2010

SoonerScoop.com Staff

Marshall Musil Becomes the Red & White Ironman

Marshall Musil, for two yards, Marshall Musil on the carry for a four-yard gain... That was a recurring refrain from the public address announcer during Saturday's Red & White Game in Norman. Because star running back Demarco Murray was being held out, and because Jermie Calhoun was out with an ankle sprain, Musil became the main ball carrier for the White offense. Musil was grinding out yardage until he finally popped a 45-yard run late in the scrimmage.


Associated Press
Musil finished the Red & White Game with 39 carries for 96 yards
Q: Marshall, how does it feel to have a spring game like the one you just had?
Marshall Musil: It felt good. I think I made my mom proud that's for sure (laughing). She was really happy after the game, she gave me a big hug.

Q: Landry Jones called you the x-factor today.
Musil: I don't know about that (laughing). I only had one carry over seven yards, the rest were under.

Q: Was it one of those things where you always knew you had this talent, you've just been waiting for the opportunity?
Musil: Yeah, I've been running the ball since the fourth grade, I mean since contact football I've been a runner. So I know what I can do, it's just transferring it to bigger and faster guys like the ones at this level.

Q: Did you know they were going to run the wheels off you before the game started, or was it one of those things where they just kept feeding you the ball because of the success?
Musil: I didn't know how many carries I was going to get really. I was told to just go in there and whatever happens, happens.

Q: You kept pounding and pounding all day and finally broke one, how did that feel?
Musil: Well I was waiting for that one. I was hoping it would be closer to the goal line because if it was on the opposite 20-yardline then I knew someone was going to catch me. And sure enough they did.

Q: You came in here as a tremendous running back out of high school knowing that you had to make the transition to fullback. Talk about the blocking assignments and the things that you've tried to pick up, and how that's coming along for you.
Musil: Well I've gotten all of the plays down. I know where to go. It's just being able to stay on my track and trust the offense that Coach Wilson has, and trust the fullback position and the concepts he has for me.

Q: Coach Wilson said that once you get the blocking part of the position down, then you could be a versatile aspect to this offense.
Musil: That's what Coach Wilson talks to me about all the time. He wants me to be able to do a whole lot of different things so I can stay out in the field and that way we don't have to change personnel as much.

Q: So have you gotten to the point where you love blocking yet?
Musil: I don't know, love is a strong word. Maybe not love, but I like it a lot more now that I'm getting more of the technique down. Technique helps a lot I've figured out. I didn't have a lot of that in high school.

Q: It seems like versatile guys really become useful in this offense, whether it's a Matt Clapp or others. Do you like the idea of playing different positions, fulfilling different needs for different things they could use you for?
Musil: Yeah I do. I like to be able to do more than one thing, it makes me feel more useful I guess. If we're talking about Matt Clapp then I guess I'm out because I don't really have the hair (laughing). I guess not many people do though. I'm trying but this is about as long as it gets.

Many Apologies

To my faithful followers: Sorry for being so late with this next post! Due to the lateness of the hour I'm only going to update you on the last practice (Thursday, April 15th) before the Spring Game. Recently, Marshall has been playing tailback in practice so he hasn't been featured in any TE/FB drills if you've been following Soonersports.com.

Today, during the Oklahoma Drill, he got lots of time running the ball! How fun to see our Marshall doing what he does best!

Oklahoma Drill #1

Oklahoma Drill #2

Oklahoma Drill #3

Last Saturday was the team's 2nd scrimmage. Marshall played tailback at this scrimmage, instead of fullback.

This Saturday is the big day, Spring Game 2010! Mom and Tim will be making the journey to Norman for the weekend to help me cheer on our Sooner. There are many other family members that wish they could also be here, but due to prom and 1st Communion it was just a busy weekend back in good ol' Kansas!

Here's to a fun-filled weekend of football and safe drive to all those visiting Norman this weekend!

BOOMER SOONER.

April Fool's

Last week the Sooners' Thursday practice fell on April 1st. And Soonersports.com pulled an April Fools joke of their own by bypassing the football practice and heading to San Antonio to follow the Women's Basketball Team in the NCAA Tournament. So, unfortunately, there are no updates from last Thursday.

April 6th the Sooners resumed practice after a couple days off for Easter. As of the 6th there are only 2 weeks left in Spring Ball. Soonersports.com was back in Norman to follow the football team. Here are the links to a few videos from practice. These videos are of the Oklahoma Drill.


Oklahoma Drill #1

There's no sound on the next 2 videos.

Oklahoma Drill #2


Oklahoma Drill #3

Practice resumes on Thursday, so look back for updates then! Also, there will be another scrimmage on Saturday the 10th.

Out Like a Lion

When I lived in Kansas and the wind blew 50mph I used to say, "Dang Kansas wind!" Turns out that same phrase can be used in Oklahoma, just change the state.

The Sooners suited up for the first practice of the week today. It was a gorgeous, WARM day, besides the wind. The TEs and FBs were featured in one video on Soonersports.com. It's the same drill that was posted a few days ago, but trust me, it's not the same video! Check out our Sooner working on his blocking!

Go Marshall!

One more practice to go!

In preparation for Easter:
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" John 11:25-26

Gotta Play Catch Up

My apologies for being so late on this post. Due to sickness, I was not up to doing any blogging the past couple days, but here's to a new week and new football news. Last Friday (March 26th) marked the last practice in full pads for the Sooners that week. The TEs and FBs were featured in 2 videos that day! Links below:

Video #1

Video #2

The Sooners suited up for a windy scrimmage on the morning of Saturday, March 27th. This was Marshall's first scrimmage during Spring Ball. From the fan and sister's perspective it was another one of those "ohmygoshIcan'tbeliveI'mherewatchingthis" moments.

Check out some funny footwork...or warm-ups with Schmidty here:
Warm-up

And here's the highlights from the scrimmage. Because of the angle it's hard to see when Marshall is even in the play! But to get an idea of what the scrimmage was like, take a look!
Also, if you see the tiny people in the stands behind the players, one of those cold, little dots is me...freezing. Brrrrr!
Scrimmage

This week the Sooners only have 2 full practices and the entire weekend off for Easter (and to celebrate my birthday!!) ;)

Check back for updates this week!

***Did you know??
It takes 3,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year's supply of footballs.

Springing Back

While March is still debating on whether it shall end like a lion or a lamb, the Sooners are back from Spring Break and on the field for their first outdoor practice. Monday, after the snow cleared, the Sooners were in full pads and ready for some contact.

Soonersports.com again featured some videos of the practice. Marshall is featured in the one titled: "Wilson Drills TEs on Blocking" Just click the word "video" below and it will take you right to the website!

VIDEO

In April: The Spring Game will take place on April 17th at 2:00. Tickets are available for $5 each through the end of the day on Tuesday, April 13. After April 13, tickets will be $10 each.



AND, for those wondering what a Sooner does on Spring Break. Here's your answer:

Just Keep Blocking

The last practice before Spring Break concluded today and even though they've just started, I think the boys are ready for a week at home! But Marshall ended his first week of Spring Ball on a high note and was featured in one of the videos on Soonersports.com. I'm adding the link to the website.

The video can be found underneath the calendar in the middle of the page. Look for the date 3/10. It will be the video labeled "Coach Gundy, Running Backs"

The video features the running backs, quarterbacks, and fullbacks. Marshall is blocking!

Enjoy!

VIDEO

Greetings Football Followers!

The Football Freelancer is BACK!

I realize that, in fact, the beginning of football season doesn't officially kick off for 6 long months. However, now that Marshall is a college football player, we are without track season to distract us in the spring. But we DO have an interesting 2 months known as Spring Football. It was the anticipation for Spring Football, and a new article on Rivals.com, that prompted the Football Freelancer to once again dig for that all-important gridiron news and send it your way.

Instead of posting the link to the Rivals.com article, I'll be copying and pasting it here. Since Rivals.com is a paid site I'm not sure everyone would see the actual article and picture.

Lately, Oklahoma's Rivals has been counting down the top 20 players to watch in the spring, starting with #20 and counting up to #1. Marshall is this spring's # 13!

March 8, 2010

Spring Watch: No. 13 Marshall Musil

Carey Murdock
SoonerScoop.com Editor

During Oklahoma's spring football practices coming up next month, there will be plenty of veterans like Demarco Murray and Jeremy Beal who won't have a lot to prove. For them, spring practices might be a bit repetitive or even mundane at times.

But for some of the younger players on the Oklahoma roster, spring football will be a chance to springboard their way into star status next season. SoonerScoop.com Editor Carey Murdock takes a look at which players will need to have key springs in order to become an even bigger factor for the Sooners next fall.

No. 13
Marshall Musil


Position: Fullback
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Size: 6-2, 218
La Crosse (KS) La Crosse HS
2009 Season: Redshirted.

Why he makes the list: The Sooners head into 2010 looking to re-establish the fullback position after injuries and a shift in offensive philosophy derailed the use of the fullback in 2009. The most likely candidate to bring the fullback position back from life support is Musil.

Musil's background fits the blueprint for Kevin Wilson to find a capable blocker. The small-town Kansas prospect was offered almost immediately two years ago after showing up and working out sans pads during an OU summer camp. Wilson tabbed him as his fullback of the future before he even played a down as a senior in high school.

Since arriving at Oklahoma, Musil has continued to impress Sooner coaches and he will battle former linebacker Brandon Crow for the starting fullback job in spring practices.

Best case scenario: Musil comes out of the spring as the next great fullback prospect. It's a pretty open and shut case if he proves he can be a solid lead blocker for Demarco Murray and others. He'll have every opportunity to make that happen and more.

Musil was recruited because of his athleticism and Oklahoma likes to throw the football to the fullback out of the backfield. If he has a great spring, he'll prove he can do just that.

Reynolds can fit in as the triple threat, who can get behind defenses focused on containing Broyles and taking away Miller across the middle of the field. That's truly how he can most effectively affect the passing game in 2010.

Questions to be answered: Is Musil ready to be dominating as a blocker taking on linebackers and creating seams in the running game? Can he be a consistent and dependable receiver out of the backfield when Landry Jones needs an outlet in short-yardage situations.

Crow comes into spring camp with Kevin Wilson's eye as a lead blocker, but he's not considered an accomplished receiver. Musil should have an edge on Crow in that respect. But he still has to prove it.

Best guess: Musil doesn't completely nail down the starting spot coming out of the spring. Part of that is due to the fact Oklahoma just doesn't do a lot in the running game during spring practices. But there should be enough tape gathered during inside drills to help Wilson determine if Musil is ready to be that dominant lead blocker.

I think Brandon Crow comes out of the spring as a viable option. He's already a grizzled veteran and he understands how physical players have to be at this level.

Musil will have to amp up his intensity even further into the fall to prove he is the best option at the position. In the end, I think Musil becomes the guy in 2010 because of his overall athletic ability.

But coming out of the spring, I'm not sure the OU coaches will be ready to go back to the fullback quite yet. The days of J.D. Runnels being the standard bearer at the position will still be around for at least another year.



Keep checking back for more Spring Football updates!!

We love our Sooner <3

Spring Practice

March 6th and 7th Mom, Marshall, and I journeyed to Norman once again for some Spring Practice. Marshall spent lots of time with the coaches and players, getting to know the system of spring ball, watching film, and other football related activities that Mom and I were not involved in.

We also went because I had an interview in the English department with the Director of the Graduate Studies. It went very well and hopefully I'll have my application in by the end of the semester. We also visited the high school where I'll be student teaching next fall. The school is Norman North High School and is actually quite close to the college. Marshall was again paraded around like a celebrity, but I was glad I brought him. Made me feel cooler than I really am ;)

We had a great weekend and Marshall and I are both ready to be in Norman!

Kansas Pregame Magazine--Winter Edition

Ok Folks, I'm a little behind on the happenings of Mr. Marshall, but I think being out of the country and at big, fancy English conferences constitute good enough excuses as to my negligence. I'll try my very best, in the midst of the busiest time of the year, to get this blog updated, as is my duty....

SO....The Kansas Pregame Magazine Winter Edition came out, uh...awhile ago. More importantly, the cover featured a picture of our very own Marshall-along with Jaydan Bird. There was also a very nice article, which seemed to be a multitude of other articles we've all seen before put into one big one, with a few new parts. Still cool though and you should read it in the scrapbook when you get the chance. It's not on the Internet so I can't link it for you.