C-USA NEWS

Marshall campaigns for playoff

The Sports Xchange

October 23, 2014 at 8:18 pm.

Rakeem Cato is one of the nation’s best playmakers. (Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)

Undefeated and eyeing a shot at the first College Football Playoff, Marshall University has joined with Conference USA to hire public relations firm to help the Thundering Herd be seen and heard around the country.

Marshall (7-0) will have a tough time gaining playoff consideration because its schedule does not include a Top 25 team. And so it’s hoping Los Angeles-based Brener Zwikel & Associates can help make a case for the Herd being one of the four teams in the playoff.

As a member of Conference USA, Marshall (7-0) is not one of the teams affiliated with the five power conferences. But the Herd is one of three remaining unbeaten teams in major college football and ranked No. 23 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25.

The PR firm, which represents high-profile clients such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Speedo, sent a release Thursday touting the Thundering Herd’s undefeated record, its ranking in the coaches poll and quarterback Rakeem Cato’s statistics (2,135 total yards and 24 touchdowns).

The first poll issued by the playoff committee is due out next week.