Musil Trying to Keep From Being Blocked Out
Many have been pointing to this as the year when Marshall Musil takes over the fullback position at Oklahoma. Musil was recruited as a big athlete out of high school and fullback position coach Kevin Wilson sees the former high school linebacker and tight end as a potential standout at the position.
Fans have been looking for a premiere fullback in the OU offense since the departure of J.D. Runnels.
Musil showed why coaches are excited about his athletic abilities when he starred in last spring's Red & White Game as a running back. But this fall, Musil is working hard to become a better lead blocker so he's not left on the sidelines holding his helmet in 2010.
Q: Marshall, you come into fall camp after having a huge spring game. Did that performance give you any kind of boost into the summer and now into fall workouts?
Marshall Musil: Well in that game I was mostly running and that's not really what I've been trying to work on. Right now, I'm working on my blocking, because that's what I need to get down first.
Q: Coach Wilson said after the spring game, if you want to get on the field that you're blocking needs to get better. How far along are you in that aspect of your game?
Musil: I can't really put a number on it. I just want to be able to contribute at the end of two-a-days and by the time Utah State comes around. The running and catching aspect of my game will come after I get the blocking down. After I get that down then I can do the rest.
Q: You must have made some improvement though, they have you as the first team fullback. Is there any part of blocking you feel like you've improved on?
Musil: I really don't know. Right now, I'm working on just moving my feet when I make contact. I think if I keep doing that over the rest of the two-a-days, then hopefully I will get it down.
Q: Do you know a lot about the history of the fullbacks under Coach Stoops? Obviously you were here with Brody Eldridge, but do you know of guys like J.D. Runnells and others?
Musil: I never watched J.D. play, but I know he played tight end too. In his picture on the wall he has a ball in his hands, so I know he got the ball a time or two (laughing). So I know they were able to move guys around. Coach likes to do that, kind of like he did with Brody.
Q: Were you surprised at how many carries you got in the spring game?
Musil: It really flew by. I think someone told me afterwards I had like 25 carries. My reaction was, 'Really? I only had 92 yards!' I have to at least break triple digits if I'm going to have that many caries.
Q: What did that spring game do for you?
Musil: I think it just showed the coaches that I could run and catch a little. It showed that I could contribute, now it's all up to the blocking.
Q: How tough is it to play fullback? A lot of high schools don't have the position anymore.
Musil: Well I played fullback in high school, we ran the I (formation). I don't know how hard it is, I've never really thought about it. I just go out there and do it.
Q: A lot of college coaches have said they're trying to do away with it since a lot of high schools are doing away with it.
Musil: Yeah, well I went to a smaller school and we didn't run the spread and we didn't play the teams who could spread it out.
Q: Do you think it's an undervalued position?
Musil: Yeah, I think so. I think when you can run the ball, that's when you win games. Look at Florida and Alabama. When we are able to run the ball, we're always near the top of the nation.
Q: Do you spend time with both the running backs and the tight ends?
Musil: No, I'm mostly with the tight ends.
Q: Who recruited you out of high school?
Musil: Well everybody else had me at linebacker. Oklahoma was the only one who wanted me as a full back.
Q: Is that one of the reason's you liked OU?
Musil: Yeah, I wanted to play offense.
Q: What did Kevin Wilson tell you about playing fullback when he recruited you?
Musil: Wow, that was a really long time ago (laughing). I don't remember. I guess he said something I liked because I'm here?right?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
3 Down, 1 to go for 2-a-days!
Was that enough numbers for you in the title? Thought so! Today was the 3rd set of 2 practices for the OU football team and Mother Nature was thoughtful enough to send some clouds in for the evening and provide some much needed relief from the sweltering heat.
The TEs and FBs were featured in one video today. Check it out here!
Blocking
Also, this article appeared in the Tulsa World today (August 16th.) Lots of hype
about this year's fullback position!
OU Analysis: Sooners amp up fullback spot
I don't know about the rest of you football fans, but seeing NFL preseason on TV is making it THAT much harder to wait until September 4th! Are YOU ready for some football?!?!
The TEs and FBs were featured in one video today. Check it out here!
Blocking
Also, this article appeared in the Tulsa World today (August 16th.) Lots of hype
about this year's fullback position!
OU Analysis: Sooners amp up fullback spot
I don't know about the rest of you football fans, but seeing NFL preseason on TV is making it THAT much harder to wait until September 4th! Are YOU ready for some football?!?!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday Scrimmage
Saturday the Sooners hit the field at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for their first scrimmage of preseason practice. The Scrimmage was open to family and those in attendance were the faithful Sooner fans, willing to bake for 2.5 hours in the unforgiving Oklahoma heat.
Marshall preformed well during his time on the field. He was even given the chance to run the ball and picking up some yardage, juking the defensive players. His blocking looked strong as well, as far as I could tell from the stands! Overall he was very pleased with his performance, even though the offense did struggle a bit with penalties.
I don't know how those boys practice day after day in that heat. It was exhausting just sitting there and it gives me a whole new perspective about how tired they are when they actually do have a few free hours.
In other news: There was an article in the Norman Transcript about the use of Fullbacks at OU. Marshall and senior FB Brandon Crow were interviewed. Here's the link.
Despite its waning popularity, OU says fullback is key to run game
The countdown is on! 2 more weeks of preseason practice and then school is in session once again. September 4th is just around the corner!
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."--Matthew 11: 28-30
Marshall preformed well during his time on the field. He was even given the chance to run the ball and picking up some yardage, juking the defensive players. His blocking looked strong as well, as far as I could tell from the stands! Overall he was very pleased with his performance, even though the offense did struggle a bit with penalties.
I don't know how those boys practice day after day in that heat. It was exhausting just sitting there and it gives me a whole new perspective about how tired they are when they actually do have a few free hours.
In other news: There was an article in the Norman Transcript about the use of Fullbacks at OU. Marshall and senior FB Brandon Crow were interviewed. Here's the link.
Despite its waning popularity, OU says fullback is key to run game
The countdown is on! 2 more weeks of preseason practice and then school is in session once again. September 4th is just around the corner!
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."--Matthew 11: 28-30
Monday, August 9, 2010
Interview
Oklahoma continues to be excessively humid and the Sooners continue to plow through practice after practice. After their morning workouts today Marshall was interviewed by Jason M. from Soonersports.com. His first video interview at OU! You can imagine how excited we were to see it :)
Check it out!
Marshall's Interview
In other news, Rivals posted this article today. Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson talks about this year's offense. Marshall is mentioned once.
Wilson Wants to Become Balanced Again
Kevin Wilson heads into the 2010 season wanting to establish a better identity on the offensive side of the ball. In 2009, injuries and inexperience forced the Sooners into becoming a strict passing team down the stretch. Wilson hopes a healthy offensive line, a fresh start and a wealth of talent at the running back position can bring some balance back to the offense this season.
SoonerSportsPhotos.com
Wilson is working to improve the running game behind offensive linemen like Stephen Good
Q: Everyone talks about losing guys like Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham, but how hard is it going to be to replace a guy like Brody Eldridge?
Kevin Wilson: I think you saw how much it affected that offense last year with all the scenarios he was put through. You saw what it did to tight end when we had to move him to the offensive line and then you saw what it did to the team when we lost him for the last few games when he got hurt.
I think another other guy people don't bring up is Matt Clapp. After he got hurt we really lost three big lead-blocking ends of that line last year due to injury and I think you saw then how much those guys meant to our offense.
Hopefully this year we can use guys like Marshall Musil and Austin Haywood coming in. And hopefully with guys like Trent Ratterree and James Hannah having played last year then they will be mature.
Q: Having had those injuries though, you had to throw some young guys in there that got some valuable experience. Can you talk about how much that means now?
Wilson: It was exposed last year publicly when they weren't quite as mature or ready to roll with the injuries at the time. But now those guys have played and that's the beauty of that. There's a saying in our locker room right now that if you keep doing the same things over and over then you'll continue to get the same results.
So, hopefully our practice habits will be better and we'll be stronger and more mature to practice like great teams do. Last year when we got into two-a-days, and then into the season, we didn't practice like a good team does. Yes, we had some injuries exposed and then some lack of experience, but we didn't really have the toughness that a good team needs. Hopefully since some of these guys played, we're going to be tougher.
I don't know if we're going to be any flashier, but hopefully we're going to be a team that can take better care of the ball and win some games that last year we didn't.
Q: Do you feel confident that you have more receivers who can step up and make some catches for you this year?
Wilson: Well, when you run the ball the passing game becomes so much easier. So we're going to try and re-establish an identity of having some toughness and being a football team that can have some balance and some direction. A team who runs the ball and is committed to it.
With that, you hope that the pass game gets set up.
Again, that group right there was probably as inconsistent as any group we had. There were a lot of young guys or guys that hadn't played that much besides Ryan Broyles. It's a lot easier when you have a great receiver who can make a guy miss versus having to block them up front and then beat nine, ten or eleven guys to get a touchdown.
When we had guys like Mark Clayton, Juaquin Iglesias and Malcolm Kelley, it was a lot easier to get the chunk plays. Demarco (Murray) on the other hand has to take on nine and ten guys sometimes to get a 40 or 50-yard play. The receiver is a one-on-one guy. So hopefully they can step up.
There were several factors last year that limited us and that was one. That entire group is back and they look better in short term right now. So we'll see if that group can step up and make some big plays this year.
Q: The last couple of years you have had a complimentary back with Chris Brown to Demarco Murray. This year, the only back with experience is Jermie Calhoun. How do you feel about the depth at that position?
Wilson: Well we also have Mossis Madu back there as well. Mosis can be another hybrid-type back like Demarco. He can play a little tailback and a little wide out. John Miller showed some flash before he had the slight knee injury and we've seen a little from Clahoun but you don't know.
I'm really intrigued by Brennan Clay and Roy Finch, I think those two guys got a chance. Now we have yet to put on pads, but just running around, those two look like they're going to be some exciting players.
Again, the competition is going to be a lot better than it was last year because of so many guys who are returning and with what we think is a pretty strong freshman class.
We've yet to put on pads and hit anyone, but our thought is to push every freshman to see if he can play. We're not going to sit here and look and think what you could be in five years because of so many kids who are coming out early. Our thought is, if a kid can play then we're going to get him ready to roll.
We approached yesterday's practice with every freshman in the mix playing.
Q: Do you think any of the players lost confidence with how last season turned out or do you think they've come to understand that last year was a result of a lot of bad things happening in one season?
Wilson: I don't know if they've lost confidence by any means, because I think everyone who comes here comes to play for championships. I think everyone here thinks that they're going to go on and play professional football.
What I really think, Is we're a little hungrier. Our attention to detail, and our sense of purpose and urgency is significantly greater because our performance, particularly on offense last year, was unacceptable. I think our guys have a greater sense of the level they need to play at.
I don't think they said it happened last year and it will never happen again. I think they say some of that happened because some guys weren't ready to play.
At the same time, I don't think we've lost any confidence. I think we have a hungrier group and a more driven group. We've had a lot of positive energy as we finished off the last game last season.
I think these kids are excited about two-a-days. While most years we might be talking about how hot it is and how hard it's going to be, I think you're going to see a lot of energy.
September 4th is coming quickly! Boomer Sooner! Beat Utah State!
Check it out!
Marshall's Interview
In other news, Rivals posted this article today. Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson talks about this year's offense. Marshall is mentioned once.
Wilson Wants to Become Balanced Again
Kevin Wilson heads into the 2010 season wanting to establish a better identity on the offensive side of the ball. In 2009, injuries and inexperience forced the Sooners into becoming a strict passing team down the stretch. Wilson hopes a healthy offensive line, a fresh start and a wealth of talent at the running back position can bring some balance back to the offense this season.
SoonerSportsPhotos.com
Wilson is working to improve the running game behind offensive linemen like Stephen Good
Q: Everyone talks about losing guys like Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham, but how hard is it going to be to replace a guy like Brody Eldridge?
Kevin Wilson: I think you saw how much it affected that offense last year with all the scenarios he was put through. You saw what it did to tight end when we had to move him to the offensive line and then you saw what it did to the team when we lost him for the last few games when he got hurt.
I think another other guy people don't bring up is Matt Clapp. After he got hurt we really lost three big lead-blocking ends of that line last year due to injury and I think you saw then how much those guys meant to our offense.
Hopefully this year we can use guys like Marshall Musil and Austin Haywood coming in. And hopefully with guys like Trent Ratterree and James Hannah having played last year then they will be mature.
Q: Having had those injuries though, you had to throw some young guys in there that got some valuable experience. Can you talk about how much that means now?
Wilson: It was exposed last year publicly when they weren't quite as mature or ready to roll with the injuries at the time. But now those guys have played and that's the beauty of that. There's a saying in our locker room right now that if you keep doing the same things over and over then you'll continue to get the same results.
So, hopefully our practice habits will be better and we'll be stronger and more mature to practice like great teams do. Last year when we got into two-a-days, and then into the season, we didn't practice like a good team does. Yes, we had some injuries exposed and then some lack of experience, but we didn't really have the toughness that a good team needs. Hopefully since some of these guys played, we're going to be tougher.
I don't know if we're going to be any flashier, but hopefully we're going to be a team that can take better care of the ball and win some games that last year we didn't.
Q: Do you feel confident that you have more receivers who can step up and make some catches for you this year?
Wilson: Well, when you run the ball the passing game becomes so much easier. So we're going to try and re-establish an identity of having some toughness and being a football team that can have some balance and some direction. A team who runs the ball and is committed to it.
With that, you hope that the pass game gets set up.
Again, that group right there was probably as inconsistent as any group we had. There were a lot of young guys or guys that hadn't played that much besides Ryan Broyles. It's a lot easier when you have a great receiver who can make a guy miss versus having to block them up front and then beat nine, ten or eleven guys to get a touchdown.
When we had guys like Mark Clayton, Juaquin Iglesias and Malcolm Kelley, it was a lot easier to get the chunk plays. Demarco (Murray) on the other hand has to take on nine and ten guys sometimes to get a 40 or 50-yard play. The receiver is a one-on-one guy. So hopefully they can step up.
There were several factors last year that limited us and that was one. That entire group is back and they look better in short term right now. So we'll see if that group can step up and make some big plays this year.
Q: The last couple of years you have had a complimentary back with Chris Brown to Demarco Murray. This year, the only back with experience is Jermie Calhoun. How do you feel about the depth at that position?
Wilson: Well we also have Mossis Madu back there as well. Mosis can be another hybrid-type back like Demarco. He can play a little tailback and a little wide out. John Miller showed some flash before he had the slight knee injury and we've seen a little from Clahoun but you don't know.
I'm really intrigued by Brennan Clay and Roy Finch, I think those two guys got a chance. Now we have yet to put on pads, but just running around, those two look like they're going to be some exciting players.
Again, the competition is going to be a lot better than it was last year because of so many guys who are returning and with what we think is a pretty strong freshman class.
We've yet to put on pads and hit anyone, but our thought is to push every freshman to see if he can play. We're not going to sit here and look and think what you could be in five years because of so many kids who are coming out early. Our thought is, if a kid can play then we're going to get him ready to roll.
We approached yesterday's practice with every freshman in the mix playing.
Q: Do you think any of the players lost confidence with how last season turned out or do you think they've come to understand that last year was a result of a lot of bad things happening in one season?
Wilson: I don't know if they've lost confidence by any means, because I think everyone who comes here comes to play for championships. I think everyone here thinks that they're going to go on and play professional football.
What I really think, Is we're a little hungrier. Our attention to detail, and our sense of purpose and urgency is significantly greater because our performance, particularly on offense last year, was unacceptable. I think our guys have a greater sense of the level they need to play at.
I don't think they said it happened last year and it will never happen again. I think they say some of that happened because some guys weren't ready to play.
At the same time, I don't think we've lost any confidence. I think we have a hungrier group and a more driven group. We've had a lot of positive energy as we finished off the last game last season.
I think these kids are excited about two-a-days. While most years we might be talking about how hot it is and how hard it's going to be, I think you're going to see a lot of energy.
September 4th is coming quickly! Boomer Sooner! Beat Utah State!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Media Day 2010
Today proved to be another exciting day here in Sooner country. Fans lined up starting at 2:30 AM for the annual Sooner Media Day festivities. Yes, you read that right...2:30 AM! Now those are some dedicated fans. Coach Stoops and a few select Sooners surprised fans at 7:00 AM, bringing them donuts and arms ready for hours of signing autographs.
After a year on the team and a phenomenal Spring Game, this year's Media Day proved to be a very rewarding and humbling experience for Marshall.
Marshall is pictured signing a football for a young fan in the Media Day photo album. He even told me that one fan brought a copy of the Sooner Illustrated and had Marshall sign the page where his bio was featured this summer!
Here's the link to the Media Day photo album. The album is titled 2010 Meet the Sooners Day. Marshall is in picture #31
Autographs
Also, Media Day included many professional photos for the players. Marshall was also featured in this photo album on Soonersports.com
Here's the link to the next album. The album is titled 2010 Media Day Photo Gallery. Marshall is in picture #56 and #57
Photos
For any Sooner fans wanting to check out the action from the source, head over to Soonersports.com for a in-depth experience of preseason practice. The guys that run that site are fantastic!
Link:
Soonersports
After a year on the team and a phenomenal Spring Game, this year's Media Day proved to be a very rewarding and humbling experience for Marshall.
Marshall is pictured signing a football for a young fan in the Media Day photo album. He even told me that one fan brought a copy of the Sooner Illustrated and had Marshall sign the page where his bio was featured this summer!
Here's the link to the Media Day photo album. The album is titled 2010 Meet the Sooners Day. Marshall is in picture #31
Autographs
Also, Media Day included many professional photos for the players. Marshall was also featured in this photo album on Soonersports.com
Here's the link to the next album. The album is titled 2010 Media Day Photo Gallery. Marshall is in picture #56 and #57
Photos
For any Sooner fans wanting to check out the action from the source, head over to Soonersports.com for a in-depth experience of preseason practice. The guys that run that site are fantastic!
Link:
Soonersports
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Thank you, Conor!
Conor Nicholl, a sports writer for the Hays Daily News, recently wrote another fantastic piece on our Sooner! It was posted on the kpreps.com website, but the link below will take you right to it!
Enjoy!
LaCrosse Native Looks to Play Key Role for OU
Conor, thank you for another great piece on a small-town kid. You have such a gift for telling the stories that truly matter and our family and friends always enjoy reading your work, even when it's not about our Marshall :) Hays is blessed with a wonderful writer and person. I hope western Kansas appreciates your work as much as the Musil clan does!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The 2010 Season: It begins!
It's August 4th and all Sooner fans know what that means. Only one more triple digit temperature month before the Sooners kick off the 2010 season! And the Musil clan couldn't be more excited. Family members are planning which games they'll be attending and little cousins Brandon and Corey are already worried about whether they'll get to go out on the field after the game or not.
The Sooners met today for team meetings and physicals. If you go to Soonersports.com
you can view a short video of the team meeting with Blake, the equipment guy (as Marshall calls him...) Marsh is near the front in a black shirt. I tried to get it uploaded to this blog, but the website wasn't working with me. Here's the link:
Meeting
Coming up: Thursday is the first day of 2-a-days! Soonersports.com will begin their ritual of chronicling the whole sweaty ordeal. I'll be sure to update daily so you faithful Football Freelancer followers will be informed!
Thanks for following my blog. Marshall appreciates everyone's support and love. We're all looking forward to an amazing season of growth and learning. Boomer Sooner, GO OU!
The Sooners met today for team meetings and physicals. If you go to Soonersports.com
you can view a short video of the team meeting with Blake, the equipment guy (as Marshall calls him...) Marsh is near the front in a black shirt. I tried to get it uploaded to this blog, but the website wasn't working with me. Here's the link:Meeting
Coming up: Thursday is the first day of 2-a-days! Soonersports.com will begin their ritual of chronicling the whole sweaty ordeal. I'll be sure to update daily so you faithful Football Freelancer followers will be informed!
Thanks for following my blog. Marshall appreciates everyone's support and love. We're all looking forward to an amazing season of growth and learning. Boomer Sooner, GO OU!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Feature in the Sooner Spectator
Marshall was featured in the June/July issue of the Sooner Spectator magazine. Here's a transcript of the article!
He was also feature in a few articles in a recent issue of Sooner Illustrated. Those will be up soon!
Boomer Bio: Marshall Musil
An Inside Look At Fullback's Fortunes
By John E. Hoover
Sooner Spectator
Marshall Musil was all smiles after his big debut at the annual Red-White Game back in April. And why not?
“That felt good,” Musil said, his bruises and scratches still glowing after he ran 29 times for 92 yards in the rain at the end of spring practice.
It was the kind of performance Sooner fans will remember years from now just because, other than a few big passes, he was the only offensive weapon the coaches were willing to use.
Still, the affable Musil seized the opportunity and enjoyed the day. After a year spent in redshirt, he was just ready to play.
The last time he did, way back in 2008, he was a high school senior, rushing for 1,271 yards and 21 touchdowns on 110 carries. And catching 27 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns. And making 92 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions on defense.
That was the kind of workload Musil became used to at LaCrosse (Kan.) High School. And it’s the kind of workload he missed on Saturdays last season, when he was a workhorse for the scout team offense.
“Marshall is a really good player,” coach Bob Stoops said. “We’ve known that, going against us last year on scout team. We like the way he runs, the way he blocks. He’s a bigger guy (6-foot, 220 pound). He’s going to do a lot for us in different ways. He’s a talented guy. He’s strong. He’s physical. He catches the ball well. He protects, and he runs the ball well. I just like guys that are versatile that way, and that can play special teams.”
In Kevin Wilson’s break-neck offense, Musil wants to be versatile and valuable. Substituting only slows things down, and if he can stay on the field as a blocker, as a receiver and maybe sometimes as a runner, all the better.
“I like to be able to do more than one thing,” Musil said. “It makes me feel more useful, I guess.”
Twenty-nine carries in the spring game is pretty useful, even if he did average just 3.2 yards per carry — even if he finished with a 45-yard burst late in the game.
“Well, I was waiting for that one,” Musil said. “I was hoping it would be closer to the goal line because if it was on the opposite 20 yard line then I knew someone was going to catch me. And sure enough, they did.”
Afterward, as Sooner fans took shelter from the drizzle, Musil shared an enduring personal moment with family they’ll never forget, whether his football career evolves into that of a blocker, a runner, a receiver, a tackler — or even just a career spring scrimmage and scout team star.
“I think I made my mom proud, that’s for sure,” he said with a laugh. “She was really happy after the game. She gave me a big hug.”
It was at that moment that Musil and his mom, Connie Weber, thought back to his dad, Terry Musil. Terry, a one-time football coach, tragically lost his battle with cancer when Marshall was little, and his mom raised Marshall and his sister by herself.
“She was a single parent for 10 years,” Musil said. “That takes a lot of sacrifice.”
Last year, Musil’s mom, his sister and his stepfather, Tim Weber, drove almost five hours to Norman each Saturday to watch him stretch, warm up and stand on the sideline. Maybe this year, their drives will have a greater reward.
“I’ve gotten all the plays down,” Musil said. “I know where to go. It’s just being able to stay on my track and trust the offense of Coach Wilson, trust the fullback position, trust the concepts that he has for me.”
Musil said he can’t be the next Matt Clapp — “I don’t really have the hair. I guess not many people do,” he joked — but is starting to warm up to his expected role as an effective blocker.
But will he ever love it like Clapp, J.D. Runnels and other OU fullbacks have in the past?
“Eh, I don’t know. Love’s a strong word,” he said. “I don’t know. Maybe not love. But I’m liking it a lot more now that I’m getting the technique down.”
And if he doesn’t become the world’s greatest blocker? Maybe he can run the football like he did in high school — like he did that melancholy, rainy Saturday at Owen Field. OK, maybe not.
“It felt good to run the ball again, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But it’s a whole new game. They’re a lot bigger here, a lot faster.”
(Editor's Note: This story appears in Sooner Spectator's 2010 Football Preview Issue that is due out in stores on June 18. To read more or subscribe, call 1-405-488-0242)
That's our Sooner :)
He was also feature in a few articles in a recent issue of Sooner Illustrated. Those will be up soon!
Boomer Bio: Marshall Musil
An Inside Look At Fullback's Fortunes
By John E. Hoover
Sooner Spectator
Marshall Musil was all smiles after his big debut at the annual Red-White Game back in April. And why not?
“That felt good,” Musil said, his bruises and scratches still glowing after he ran 29 times for 92 yards in the rain at the end of spring practice.
It was the kind of performance Sooner fans will remember years from now just because, other than a few big passes, he was the only offensive weapon the coaches were willing to use.
Still, the affable Musil seized the opportunity and enjoyed the day. After a year spent in redshirt, he was just ready to play.
The last time he did, way back in 2008, he was a high school senior, rushing for 1,271 yards and 21 touchdowns on 110 carries. And catching 27 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns. And making 92 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions on defense.
That was the kind of workload Musil became used to at LaCrosse (Kan.) High School. And it’s the kind of workload he missed on Saturdays last season, when he was a workhorse for the scout team offense.
“Marshall is a really good player,” coach Bob Stoops said. “We’ve known that, going against us last year on scout team. We like the way he runs, the way he blocks. He’s a bigger guy (6-foot, 220 pound). He’s going to do a lot for us in different ways. He’s a talented guy. He’s strong. He’s physical. He catches the ball well. He protects, and he runs the ball well. I just like guys that are versatile that way, and that can play special teams.”
In Kevin Wilson’s break-neck offense, Musil wants to be versatile and valuable. Substituting only slows things down, and if he can stay on the field as a blocker, as a receiver and maybe sometimes as a runner, all the better.
“I like to be able to do more than one thing,” Musil said. “It makes me feel more useful, I guess.”
Twenty-nine carries in the spring game is pretty useful, even if he did average just 3.2 yards per carry — even if he finished with a 45-yard burst late in the game.
“Well, I was waiting for that one,” Musil said. “I was hoping it would be closer to the goal line because if it was on the opposite 20 yard line then I knew someone was going to catch me. And sure enough, they did.”
Afterward, as Sooner fans took shelter from the drizzle, Musil shared an enduring personal moment with family they’ll never forget, whether his football career evolves into that of a blocker, a runner, a receiver, a tackler — or even just a career spring scrimmage and scout team star.
“I think I made my mom proud, that’s for sure,” he said with a laugh. “She was really happy after the game. She gave me a big hug.”
It was at that moment that Musil and his mom, Connie Weber, thought back to his dad, Terry Musil. Terry, a one-time football coach, tragically lost his battle with cancer when Marshall was little, and his mom raised Marshall and his sister by herself.
“She was a single parent for 10 years,” Musil said. “That takes a lot of sacrifice.”
Last year, Musil’s mom, his sister and his stepfather, Tim Weber, drove almost five hours to Norman each Saturday to watch him stretch, warm up and stand on the sideline. Maybe this year, their drives will have a greater reward.
“I’ve gotten all the plays down,” Musil said. “I know where to go. It’s just being able to stay on my track and trust the offense of Coach Wilson, trust the fullback position, trust the concepts that he has for me.”
Musil said he can’t be the next Matt Clapp — “I don’t really have the hair. I guess not many people do,” he joked — but is starting to warm up to his expected role as an effective blocker.
But will he ever love it like Clapp, J.D. Runnels and other OU fullbacks have in the past?
“Eh, I don’t know. Love’s a strong word,” he said. “I don’t know. Maybe not love. But I’m liking it a lot more now that I’m getting the technique down.”
And if he doesn’t become the world’s greatest blocker? Maybe he can run the football like he did in high school — like he did that melancholy, rainy Saturday at Owen Field. OK, maybe not.
“It felt good to run the ball again, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But it’s a whole new game. They’re a lot bigger here, a lot faster.”
(Editor's Note: This story appears in Sooner Spectator's 2010 Football Preview Issue that is due out in stores on June 18. To read more or subscribe, call 1-405-488-0242)
That's our Sooner :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Not Just A Player, A "Type"
As many of you surely know, there has been much debate lately about the future of the Big 12 as a conference in college sports. Luckily, at this point it appears that OU will continue to stay a part of our Midwest conference and we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief! There were many Musil family members/friends that were worried about trips to faraway lands such as California and Oregon!
In the process of this week-long debate, there were numerous articles posted on Rivals.com. One of these articles mentioned Marshall. As you read you'll see how. :)
OU Coaches Would Embrace Move to the Pac-10
Publish date: JUNE 10
With Oklahoma's football camps going on the last six days, it's been awfully busy around here. But clearly we haven't been as busy as Joe Castiglione, DeLoss Dodds and Pac-10 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott or Nebraska's Tom Osborne.
The crazy thing about all of this is that while trying to shoot video and take pictures and just watch some of the best recruits in the region the last few days, I've had plenty of coaches come up to me and ask what was going on in conference realignment scenarios.
Will the Sooners still be playing in College Station in the year's to come?
I've also had a chance to get a lot of opinions on the matter.
The one thing I can tell you about the mood of the OU coaching staff, is that they are overwhelmingly in favor of a move to the Pac-10 Conference. They all seem to be excited about it.
It was brought up to me that OU has always wanted to recruit California more heavily, that Arizona is a state that has given them several players over the years and they would love a chance to cultivate those relationships even further.
But that doesn't mean they are going to abandon Texas. In fact, they like the scenario of Oklahoma moving with Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech to the Pac-10 Conference.
Why? Because they can maintain their roots in Texas, but they can also extend out west and be a real player for recruits in California.
Missouri and Kansas have been fertile recruiting grounds for Oklahoma over the years. I don't think Oklahoma will totally abandon the state of Kansas because they still have great connections up there.
And to be honest, Oklahoma will probably be the most attractive destination for those types of players. Who knows where Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri will end up? If they are not in BCS conferences, OU will have a decided advantage over those teams in recruiting.
But if you can go to California or Arizona for your Brody Eldridges and your Marshall Musils, you can now go to California, or Arizona, or just back to Kansas.
The other good thing about a Pac-10 merger is that the conference fits Oklahoma's style of play. California kids have been wanting to throw and catch the football since John Elway became a legend and Bill Walsh invented the West Coast Offense.
Oklahoma can continue playing the type of offensive football Bob Stoops, Kevin Wilson and Josh Heupel want to play.
No one has told the staff as of this morning that Oklahoma is definitely headed to the Pac-10 Conference. Joe Castiglione's comments to Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World certainly paint a grave picture for the future of the Big 12.
"It feels like somebody died," Castiglione told the World after reports surfaced that Nebraska was leaving for the Big 10. ""It's that emotional for so many people who put so much into creating the Big 12."
Castiglione is still putting on a brave front. He's not one to tip his hand before the cards have all been dealt.
This is the same guy who keeps all of his hirings top secret, the same guy who shocked every media member in the state when Bob Stoops was announced as head coach. The same guy who hired Jeff Capel when no one had mentioned his name as a possible candidate.
It's just in Castiglione's nature to surround himself with people who value the bond of silence.
And it's in his nature to not speak on things regarding The University of Oklahoma until they happen.
As of this afternoon, there have been no meetings between the athletics department and the Oklahoma football coaching staff. But that doesn't mean OU isn't working hard to make sure they end up in the best possible situation.
OU has had talks with the SEC, but as we've stated numerous times, the Sooners are best served to remain in business with Texas. Castiglione confirmed that philosophy to the Tulsa World late last night.
"I think it would be a horrendous decision for OU and Texas to break up," Castiglione said. "We're going to stick together if it's at all possible."
There are still a few wrinkles to be ironed out before OU and Texas make their move. Even though Castiglione isn't completely giving up the Big 12, others already are leaving.
The Pac-10 Conference announced today that Colorado was leaving the Big 12 and joining their league.
"This is an historic moment for the Conference, as the Pac-10 is poised for tremendous growth. The University of Colorado is a great fit for the Conference both academically and athletically and we are incredibly excited to welcome Colorado to the Pac-10," said Commissioner Larry Scott in a statement released by the conference.
So OU and Texas are joined together. The only question now remains whether A&M is ready for the switch.
Reports say officials from Texas and Texas A&M are meeting to discuss their futures and whether both institutions are ready for a move as well.
If A&M is ready for the move, Oklahoma will be ready as well.
The move to the Pac-10 is ready to move forward.
And that's just fine with members of the Oklahoma football coaching staff.
Yes, his name was only mentioned once, but to be considered a type of player coaches are looking for AND to be mentioned in the same sentence as Brody Eldridge is quite an honor!
In the process of this week-long debate, there were numerous articles posted on Rivals.com. One of these articles mentioned Marshall. As you read you'll see how. :)
OU Coaches Would Embrace Move to the Pac-10
Publish date: JUNE 10
With Oklahoma's football camps going on the last six days, it's been awfully busy around here. But clearly we haven't been as busy as Joe Castiglione, DeLoss Dodds and Pac-10 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott or Nebraska's Tom Osborne.
The crazy thing about all of this is that while trying to shoot video and take pictures and just watch some of the best recruits in the region the last few days, I've had plenty of coaches come up to me and ask what was going on in conference realignment scenarios.
Will the Sooners still be playing in College Station in the year's to come?
I've also had a chance to get a lot of opinions on the matter.
The one thing I can tell you about the mood of the OU coaching staff, is that they are overwhelmingly in favor of a move to the Pac-10 Conference. They all seem to be excited about it.
It was brought up to me that OU has always wanted to recruit California more heavily, that Arizona is a state that has given them several players over the years and they would love a chance to cultivate those relationships even further.
But that doesn't mean they are going to abandon Texas. In fact, they like the scenario of Oklahoma moving with Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech to the Pac-10 Conference.
Why? Because they can maintain their roots in Texas, but they can also extend out west and be a real player for recruits in California.
Missouri and Kansas have been fertile recruiting grounds for Oklahoma over the years. I don't think Oklahoma will totally abandon the state of Kansas because they still have great connections up there.
And to be honest, Oklahoma will probably be the most attractive destination for those types of players. Who knows where Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri will end up? If they are not in BCS conferences, OU will have a decided advantage over those teams in recruiting.
But if you can go to California or Arizona for your Brody Eldridges and your Marshall Musils, you can now go to California, or Arizona, or just back to Kansas.
The other good thing about a Pac-10 merger is that the conference fits Oklahoma's style of play. California kids have been wanting to throw and catch the football since John Elway became a legend and Bill Walsh invented the West Coast Offense.
Oklahoma can continue playing the type of offensive football Bob Stoops, Kevin Wilson and Josh Heupel want to play.
No one has told the staff as of this morning that Oklahoma is definitely headed to the Pac-10 Conference. Joe Castiglione's comments to Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World certainly paint a grave picture for the future of the Big 12.
"It feels like somebody died," Castiglione told the World after reports surfaced that Nebraska was leaving for the Big 10. ""It's that emotional for so many people who put so much into creating the Big 12."
Castiglione is still putting on a brave front. He's not one to tip his hand before the cards have all been dealt.
This is the same guy who keeps all of his hirings top secret, the same guy who shocked every media member in the state when Bob Stoops was announced as head coach. The same guy who hired Jeff Capel when no one had mentioned his name as a possible candidate.
It's just in Castiglione's nature to surround himself with people who value the bond of silence.
And it's in his nature to not speak on things regarding The University of Oklahoma until they happen.
As of this afternoon, there have been no meetings between the athletics department and the Oklahoma football coaching staff. But that doesn't mean OU isn't working hard to make sure they end up in the best possible situation.
OU has had talks with the SEC, but as we've stated numerous times, the Sooners are best served to remain in business with Texas. Castiglione confirmed that philosophy to the Tulsa World late last night.
"I think it would be a horrendous decision for OU and Texas to break up," Castiglione said. "We're going to stick together if it's at all possible."
There are still a few wrinkles to be ironed out before OU and Texas make their move. Even though Castiglione isn't completely giving up the Big 12, others already are leaving.
The Pac-10 Conference announced today that Colorado was leaving the Big 12 and joining their league.
"This is an historic moment for the Conference, as the Pac-10 is poised for tremendous growth. The University of Colorado is a great fit for the Conference both academically and athletically and we are incredibly excited to welcome Colorado to the Pac-10," said Commissioner Larry Scott in a statement released by the conference.
So OU and Texas are joined together. The only question now remains whether A&M is ready for the switch.
Reports say officials from Texas and Texas A&M are meeting to discuss their futures and whether both institutions are ready for a move as well.
If A&M is ready for the move, Oklahoma will be ready as well.
The move to the Pac-10 is ready to move forward.
And that's just fine with members of the Oklahoma football coaching staff.
Yes, his name was only mentioned once, but to be considered a type of player coaches are looking for AND to be mentioned in the same sentence as Brody Eldridge is quite an honor!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
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.
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