HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Marshall’s offensive line didn’t have a chip on its shoulder Saturday afternoon when it lined up across from UAB. It was downright angry, and played that way throughout the day.
The “Iron Five” as they have become known, dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the game not just opening holes for The Herd’s trio of running backs, who each gained over 100 yards rushing, they were opening up five line boulevard’s to run through.
“They made it easy for us,” said Essray Taliaferro, who rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns. “The way they were blocking I think one of them could have run through those holes.”
That might be a bit of a stretch but Marshall’s line certainly felt it had something to prove, wanting to make up for last year’s loss in Birmingham.
“Last year they stuck it to us and we couldn’t move the ball very well. We busted a few runs pretty early and we said this is our game and we’re going to run the ball and that’s what we did,” said center Chris Jasperse.
The Herd rushed for 381 yards on the day and for the first time in school history had three running backs over the century mark. Not only was the running game dominant, quarterback Rakeem Cato was unmolested in the pocket when he dropped back to throw.
“That’s what happens when you run the ball,” Jasperse said with a grin.
“The offensive line did a great job blocking and the three running backs did a tremendous job with the ball in their hands,” complimented coach Doc Holliday.
Taliaferro now has three consecutive 100-yard performances. Darius Marshall was the last Herd player to do that when he registered four consecutive in 2009. The Herd also surpassed 630 yards of total offense for the second straight game and the fourth time in school history.
“I think the offensive line deserves a lot of the credit,” noted Holliday.