Marcus Cox Closing In

[MDaniels84]

Just looked at gameday preview and noticed that Marcus just needs 159 yards to pass Armanti, 207 to pass John Settle, and 602 to eclipse Kevin Richardson's all time rushing total. Come on Marcus, you can get to #2 after this Saturday.

[Deano]

I love Marcus and I hope he ends up breaking the record. For me its hard to make comparisons between him and Richardson, KR was the perfect fit for the style of offense we were running at the time. KR's cuts were impressive and watching him flip into the end zone during our 2006 National Championship is something I can't forget. I wasn't around for the John Settle years so for me KR is the best running back we have ever had.
Marcus, to me get his numbers from Yeomans work. He's not the fastest, hardest or shiftiest runner. He doesn't run people over, but he just executes and he has good vision. I love his attitude and he deserves the record for all of his hard work.

[Goapps15]

My lasting memory of Kevin was the game clinching 7 yard run during the 2005 NC game. He bounced off of a few guys and fell forward right over the first down.

We have been very fortunate with our stable and history of great running backs at Appalachian. Go Apps!

[firemoose]

It's just me but I would prefer that it's not this week that he goes for 200 MD. He got beat up pretty good at TN and I want to see us get up early and get some 2's and 3's more time, including Moore and Evans, to help with rest and depth for Miami.

[bigdaddyg]

It's just me but I would prefer that it's not this week that he goes for 200 MD. He got beat up pretty good at TN and I want to see us get up early and get some 2's and 3's more time, including Moore and Evans, to help with rest and depth for Miami.

I agree. Would almost like to see JM alternate series with MC then then once we have firm control see what the 3 and below can do in the 4th. Hope it works that way and our horses have 100 each

[Yosef84]

If Cox is dinged up at all, I certainly hope we are able to give him some rest and let Moore handle more reps. That being said, if he can pick up 200 yards on 10 carries, I wouldn't complain about that either. Haha I'm sure ODU will have something to say about that, but I think our running game matches up very well with them.

[Black Saturday]

Moore is a heck of a good back in his own right. He would produce just as well as Cox had he entered without Cox firmly entrenched and seasoned a year, imo.

KR will always be the best for me. He was the consummate back for the dawning of the spread offense and our those glory years.

[ukappfan]

If you put KR behind a o line like we have now and he will tear it up. It is nice that we always have great rb.

[appstate77]

I'm old enough to remember Settle. Tough, brusing RB who was often the game plan. I remember one game against WCU where the game plan was Settle right, Settle left, Settle up the middle. WCU planned for that and still couldn't stop him.

[CornCobPipes]

However cliché my following comment....I just hope we don't overlook ODU.....They, I understand like to go to the air and hope they don't slip up on us out of the gate with quick strikes changing our game plan......I did not feel that Tennessee tested us strongly with the passing game. I'm with Moose in that I hope we can play solid kick ass while being able to limit time for some #1s to heal up ahead of Miami. We have the depth to do this but easier said than done add to that we didn't explore some facets of our game vs Tenn because we went with the best strategy to beat the Vols.....so in with that in mind hope we don't get sloppy.

[CornCobPipes]

I still give the trophy to John Settle as the best RB to ever wear a Mountaineer uniform even though I have loved watching many. I hope Marcus can shatter the records or even change my mind on that. But even though he was QB, No One has ever been more exciting to watch run the ball down the field than AE!

[appstate77]

I still give the trophy to John Settle as the best RB to ever wear a Mountaineer uniform even though I have loved watching many. I hope Marcus can shatter the records or even change my mind on that. But even though he was QB, No One has ever been more exciting to watch run the ball down the field than AE!

Amen on both points.

[MDaniels84]

And just so you all know , I was saying that about the 200 yards this week tongue in cheek. I agree that we should rest Marcus if the pace of the game dictates that. To go along with everyone elses thoughts, I loved watching the pure speed and power of John Settle. KR was probably the most well rounded and hardest runner of the crew. Time and again, he would pick up 4 or 5 yards on 3rd and 3 and that is some accomplishment. KR was also the best receiver out of the backfield (although Marcus is close in that regard). AE was the most "fun" to watch because you never knew if he was going to outrun someone , jump over them, or run them over (just ask lb's from jawja suthern). Finally, Marcus is the most like KR in all respects. Doesn't out run people , but has surprising burst when needed and will definitely finish plays going forward. We have a lot to be thankful for.

[Yosef84]

I still give the trophy to John Settle as the best RB to ever wear a Mountaineer uniform even though I have loved watching many. I hope Marcus can shatter the records or even change my mind on that. But even though he was QB, No One has ever been more exciting to watch run the ball down the field than AE!

My thoughts precisely. We have been blessed with some outstanding RBs over the years and I have TONS of respect for all of them but Settle was unbelievable. As an overall player, you're absolutely right....AE was a unique athlete and I can't imagine anyone ever being more exciting to watch on a football field.

[bigdaddyg]

I think you always have to use apples to apples comparisons with players from different eras. Settle and KR didn't run against the defenses that Cox does and the O-line in front of Cox is probably a little better than the lines those two guys had- hard to really judge that. If I'm not mistaken JS had some crazy recorded stat that he rarely or never got stopped for negative yardage. Hard to recall that exactly but he put up crazy game stats. Of course KR had the luxury of having the added playoff games to add to his stats. At any rate if there was a Mt Rushmore of App backs those 3 would be on it.

[t4pizza]

I really think Marcus gets a short shrift from many of our fan base. He is clearly the best back we have on our roster currently and I think a really strong argument can be made that he is the best to wear the black and gold. As good as all the other guys that were mentioned were (I love KR, AE, JS and respect their game and what they did at App), a huge thing to remember is that they all got their yards against FCS talent whereas Marcus has gotten the majority of his yards against full blown FBS talent. While I will agree that there are plenty of FCS teams that have good defenses and some good individual players on defense, it should be obvious to everyone that has watched our transition over the last few years that even in the Sunbelt the talent and defenses are much better. The man will end up holding all of our significant rushing records, amassed against tougher competition, I think that stands on its own and puts him at the top. He is shifty, hits all the right holes, has enough speed to pick up bunches of yards and is a durable back. For my money, I would take him over anyone else that we have had lined up back there.

[bigdaddyg]

I really think Marcus gets a short shrift from many of our fan base. He is clearly the best back we have on our roster currently and I think a really strong argument can be made that he is the best to wear the black and gold. As good as all the other guys that were mentioned were (I love KR, AE, JS and respect their game and what they did at App), a huge thing to remember is that they all got their yards against FCS talent whereas Marcus has gotten the majority of his yards against full blown FBS talent. While I will agree that there are plenty of FCS teams that have good defenses and some good individual players on defense, it should be obvious to everyone that has watched our transition over the last few years that even in the Sunbelt the talent and defenses are much better. The man will end up holding all of our significant rushing records, amassed against tougher competition, I think that stands on its own and puts him at the top. He is shifty, hits all the right holes, has enough speed to pick up bunches of yards and is a durable back. For my money, I would take him over anyone else that we have had lined up back there.

Agree. If there has to be one chosen as the top I go with Cox. The other three were definitely great but each of them had several games with crazy numbers against horrible teams. Even many of the SOCON teams we faced during those guys careers were bad. We were an elite FCS program for the most part when all three played and that was a huge advantage. As great as AE was there isn't a QB today throwing up his kind of rushing stats.

[Yosef84]

The statements about opposing defenses are true, but that is true any time you compare stats. The players are never competing against the same opponents or in the same system. Just remember that, although the defenses were FCS.....so were the OLs that these players ran behind. Settle ran wild for well over 100 yards against an 18th ranked South Carolina team (I think it was 1985) and was on a much less balanced team than the others. I would never detract from the accomplishments of Richardson or Cox by attempting to "prove" which was better because it's a valid discussion, but it's just that: A discussion.

For the record...I think that Cox's best season is still ahead of him! There is no question about his accomplishments or value. When he first exploded onto the scene, I was afraid that the defenses would "figure him out" and his productivity would drop. That hasn't happened and I obviously under-estimated him. His field vision, decision making and quickness are uncanny.

Each of these young men is a great story and each has stepped up and exceeded expectations when needed. Settle was a true NFL caliber (and style) RB and I would pick him as the all time great App RB, but for those who disagree...I completely respect your opinion and understand how you get there. Which one you favor just depends on the angle you're looking from at the time.

[CornCobPipes]

Thing folks forget about Settle is we took him out of game a lot in 3rd and 4th quarter.......So many times he would have nearly 200 yds rushing at halftime add to that with the fact we had some punishing defenses then we blew out lot of teams.

[CornCobPipes]

I watched KRich and I loved him same for Marcus and others we have had but None of them come close to Settle and you can't appreciate that if you never saw him play every game.