CHENEY, Wash. — A cornerback's job can be thankless. They're asked to guard the other team's top receivers, often one-on-one. If they are successful, it can go unnoticed. But the receiver scores, and the attention, and blame, go right to the corner.
Three years in, Ambrose Marsh embraces the challenge and continues to develop his skills at the position.
"You have to be confident at this position. The more confident you are, the better you'll be. Last year, especially the first couple of games, I didn't trust myself as much. I was still learning how offenses work and adjusting to the speed of college football. I came in this year, and I'm not nervous. I wouldn't say I'm too confident, because that can be a bad thing, but I'm confident. I'm calm and collected out there, and I don't get overly amped up."
Marsh found himself thrown into the starting role for Eastern Washington last season, starting 11 of 12 games.
"Honestly, I just didn't expect to have such a big role on the team, especially playing corner. You have to be really trusted out there, because when the DBs mess up, it's usually a touchdown. I definitely appreciate the opportunity, and I tried to make the most of it."
Marsh tallied two interceptions, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble last season, while ranking seventh on the team with 43 tackles, making 33 solo.
Looking back at 2025, Marsh's second career interception was his favorite memory from his unexpected breakout season.
"It was probably my pick against Weber State at the end of the game. That was really fun. It was our first road win of the season, and we'd talked about getting a win on the road. It was really big for our team's confidence. I think it was our third win in a row at that point."
As an underclassman, Marsh carried the lessons of how to be a D1 athlete from the veterans on the roster,
"The guys before me taught me a lot. Jon [Landry], DaJean [Wells], Darren [Sampson] and Cage Schenck. It was definitely a big impact, especially when I first got here. I feel like every freshman, especially when they first get to college, kind of has a big head. They think they're kind of better than they are. It was definitely a good, humbling experience to be around those guys. They always brought good energy and just showed you the way. Those guys always brought good practice energy, and they showed a good example. I feel like a lot of those habits I picked up on, and now I can carry them and transfer them to my own game."
Becoming the starting corner last season, it was even more important for Marsh to learn from the experienced guys in the room,
"DaJean was a big part, especially last year when recovering from injuries. He was basically like an extended coach on the sideline, especially for me. I hadn't played a lot, and he was always staying on top of me, whether it was in practice or just giving me little tips and reminders on my technique. Even off the field, he helped me in film sessions and with what to focus on. It helped me prepare better and learn how to approach the game like a vet, like a pro, and I was just able to adapt to that really quickly."
As a Washington native, Marsh is supported by his mom Michelle and dad Kenny, who are consistent fans at every EWU game, home or away.
"It's great to have a support system like that, and they're at almost all the games. Not everyone has that, so knowing I've got people always in my corner, supporting me and wanting the best for me every step of the way, helps a lot. Me being in Washington helps them too because it makes travel easier. I have a lot of family in Washington, and they want to come to the games. I love having that support, not only for me, but for the rest of the team."
Being close to Cheney, Marsh has a unique memory of supporting Eastern and being at Roos Field,
"I actually remember Coach Bruce and Cooper Kupp's last game. It's a vivid memory. I think it was one of the first times I ever watched Eastern, and they unfortunately lost to Youngstown State. It's crazy, because I have this random memory of watching my current coach and Kupp at Eastern play, and now it is a full-circle moment. I'm on the same red turf, protecting the red the same way they were. It's a really cool feeling, especially coming to Eastern Washington. The Eastern community as a whole, it's really cool to have that connection and stay in my home state."
Memories like Marsh's from the end of the 2016 Eagle football season have helped craft his growth as a player. He understands the history at Eastern and embraces the role of the current class of carrying on the legacy,
"It's a really unique opportunity, and you just don't take it for granted. You only get so many games in football, and you only get so many on a surface this famous, one that so many people have played on and come through. With it being red and so unique, I feel like it's something special because only a certain number of people have ever played on a surface like this. It really holds a piece of your identity. When you think of Eastern, you think of the red turf. As someone who's played in this program and is an Eastern Type of Guy, it holds a big piece, because every time you think of that red turf, you represent it."
Marsh continues to develop into a top corner in the Big Sky this season, ranking fifth on the team with 34 tackles, 24 solo. He has already matched his INT and PBU totals from last season, with picks on Northern Iowa and Cal Poly.
After two years on the team, Marsh has experienced the rivalry with Montana and is in full preparation mode for the upcoming battle,
"I'm really excited for this game. It's a rivalry game, and it's obviously a big game. This is my first time getting to play them on the Red. I played them last year, but I didn't get a chance to play them when they last came to the Red. It's a big opportunity. They have an electric offense, and I think we're ready for the challenge, offensively and defensively."
Marsh is also ready to see several familiar faces on the Griz sideline next weekend,
"It'll also be nice because Coach [Wes] Nurse, Coach [Eric] Sanders, and Coach [Jaylon] Johnson are all over there. My high school head coach, Dom Daste, is their running backs coach now."
Nurse, Sanders, and Johnson were on EWU's staff last season.
Eastern Washington football hosts the 15th-ranked Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 31, with kickoff at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.
2026 EWU football tickets are on sale! Join Spokane County's team for its two remaining home games on Oct. 31 vs. Montana and Nov. 21 vs. Portland State. For more info, visit goeags.com/fbtickets or contact the EWU Ticket Office at 509-359-6059 or tickets@ewu.edu.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season tickets and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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