Starting middle linebacker Pat Lazear won’t play Friday night at Marshall. His knee/tibia injury remains. Branko Busick, the backup MLB, is doubtful (hand), which likely means Anthony Leonard will again slide over and play MLB and Najee Goode will start in Leonard’s vacated spot at SLB.

Tight end tyler Urban (knee) is also doubtul, which is perhaps a bigger blow to the running game than the passing game … and he’s a factor in the passing game. Speaking of running game, RG/RT Cole Bowers (knee) is probable.

By the way, if the Big East mandated these injury reports for just its conference games, Marshall would be none the wiser going into the game. The Thundering Herd, meanwhile, may have no or many players injured or out going for the game and there’s no incentive for them to disclose their injuries.