OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT: Marsh carries Leopard attack

Lafayette senior running back Erik Marsh did not waste any time when he first stepped on the field as a freshman in 1991. The first time he touched the ball, he ran a kickoff back for 45 yards. He went on to finish his first collegiate game with 154 all-purpose yards. It was not surprising to many that Marsh made a big impact in Lafayette's football program -- he was recruited by many Division I-A schools, including Illinois. But not many could have expected such an immediate display of Marsh's talent. Nor could anyone have predicted that Marsh would be able to produce at such a high level for three straight years. Marsh has already run his way into Lafayette's record books. In 1993, he notched 1,441 rushing yards and upped his career total to an impressive 3,585 yards, both Lafayette records. These feats came despite an ankle injury suffered in the preseason last year. "Last year after he hurt his ankle in preseason, I honestly don't think he was ever 100 percent all season," Lafayette coach Bill Russo said. "But he still goes out and puts up school record numbers." Marsh rushed for more than 100 yards on eight separate occasions, and posted 221- and 249-yard performances. He consistently gets more than 30 run attempts per game and is a threat up the middle or around the ends. Both Marsh's statistics and his style of play remind many of an old Quaker nemesis -- Princeton's Keith Elias. Both shattered their respective school's record books, and both play drag-em-out, smash-mouth football. Marsh is slightly bigger and faster than the Tiger phenom, who is now a member of the New York Giants. And Russo expects to see a slightly improved Marsh if he remains injury-free for the 1994 season. "You're going to see a different phase of Erik Marsh," Russo said. "He's always been one of those tough, hard-nosed kids that is going to run over you and then make extra yards after contact. "With that in mind, we want to get him out on the corners more because that is where he is most dangerous." Penn is well aware of Marsh's talent and drive, and is focusing on him as the key to neutralizing Lafayette's attack. The Quakers are approaching this game much like the contest with Princeton last season. "He's going to carry the same kind of burden that Elias did for Princeton," defensive coordinator Mike Toop said. "He's a kid that we have to control or we're going to struggle very badly." The Leopards will test the Quaker defense with Marsh early in hopes of establishing a consistent running attack. Due to Marsh's versatility in the backfield, Penn's entire defense will be called on. The linebackers will attempt to plug the middle, while the defensive ends will attempt to contain Marsh's outside rushes. The Quakers will not be able to call upon the secondary for run support because Lafayette also possesses a solid receiver corps. "We're just going to play our regular game plan," Toop said. "We're just going to show up, and our kids have to make plays." However, one possibility of slowing down Marsh lies within the offensive realm. If Penn takes a lead early on, the Leopards will have to turn to the air in an effort to catch up. Then Lafayette will not be able to rely solely upon Marsh's persistent ground attacks. "Hopefully, we can get on top a little bit score-wise and make them throw the ball," Toop said. "That might be to our advantage." Last season, Penn proved it was able to stop a back of Marsh's caliber. Elias only garnered 59 yards in the contest, but the Quaker defense was anchored by linebacker Andy Berlin and defensive lineman Dave Betten, both of whom graduated. Emotions were high since the contest was a turning point in the race for the Ivy title. Saturday's matchup is significantly different since it's the opening game for Penn, and the rivalry and intensity of a league game is lacking. Whether or not the Penn defense can neutralize Marsh is still uncertain. However, Marsh's talent has not be questioned since he first stepped on the field three years ago.

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