Published: August 12, 2008 10:31 pm            

Cann still working to claim quarterback slot

HUNTINGTON — Republican presidential hopeful and Arizona Sen. John McCain visited Marshall’s football team last Wednesday, but there’s another politician at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

At least, that’s how Mark Cann sounds.

The left-handed redshirt freshman from South Carolina is the No. 1 quarterback on the Thundering Herd’s depth chart as camp continues through its first week. Offensive coordinator John Shannon dubbed Cann the starter if the season were to start today and not Aug. 30.

But Cann remains diplomatic about the race to replace Bernard Morris behind center.

“The job’s still open,” Cann decreed. “We’re still competing for the job and there’s no starter right now. No job is safe at the quarterback position right now. We’re coming into camp and getting ready for the season. We’ll see who comes out on top of it.”

Sounds innocent enough, but, whether he admits it or not, Cann is the favorite to lead Marshall the next four years.

The 6-foot-4, 238-pound Landrum, S.C., native threw his name into the hat with an impressive performance at April’s Green and White Game. He completed 16-of-21 passes for 181 yards on April 26.

By all accounts, Cann had an impressive summer and got off to a good start Tuesday on the first day of camp. He connected with tight end Cody Slate and big-play receiver Darius Passmore for long touchdowns.

Cann isn’t conceding anything, but he does have the confidence to lead if chosen.

“It’s just a matter of knowing the stuff and getting the team in the right plays at the right time,” Cann said. “I feel like I can do that, as do the other guys. It’s going to be fun to see what happens.”

Cann was one of the top players in South Carolina. Playing for his dad, John, at Landrum, Cann threw for 5,549 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior.

Those battling Cann are Jonathan Garner, a Georgia Tech transfer who was 16-of-35 for 154 yards and an interception in the spring game; redshirt sophomore Brian Anderson, 12-of-28 for 94 yards and three picks last year as Morris’ backup; and redshirt junior Wesley Beardain, 1-of-2 for 10 yards late in last year’s game at Central Florida.

Whoever gets the nod can count on protection from the guys up front.

“We will block for whoever is back there,” said guard Josh Evans, a Fayetteville native.

Slate, the Herd’s leading receiver two years running, said the next quarterback needs to have a swagger about him.

“All of them are equally talented, it’s just a matter of who is going to step up and lead us,” Slate said. “It’s a lot of pressure, so you’ve got to be able to handle it.”

Does Cann have that swagger?

“I don’t know. I guess you’ve got to go ask other people about that,” Cann said, smiling. “I just go out there and, like I said, try to get the team in the right play and lead any way I can and try to put points on the board.”

For Cann, that’s as close as it gets to an acceptance speech.

— E-mail: gfauber@

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