AKRON, OH— Marshall’s offense receives most of the attention, averaging over 40 points a game and putting up big numbers on the ground and through the air. The defense’s performance is somewhat lost in the shadow of Cato and the high-powered offense.
But Marshall’s defenders wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We take it as an honor, really. We feel like our offense is supposed to get that glory. As long as they keep scoring 40 points a game I don’t see how we can lose,” said A.J. Leggett.
Leggett, who was back in the lineup after missing action in each of the last two games, had an interception in the endzone to snuff out an Akron scoring drive in the second quarter. The interception was one of four turnovers Marshall forced in the first half.
“I’ve been missing it for two weeks,” said Leggett. “I was just happy to get back out there.”
Four games into the season and The Herd is yet to allow a touchdown in the first half and is outscoring the opposition 103-6 in the first halves of games so far.
Less than a minute in the second quarter against the Zips, Marshall was up 24-0 and limited Akron to just 48 yards of total offense.
“Coach Heater is always on us that defense wins games,” said Leggett.
Akron had chances in the second quarter driving into the redzone twice. However, the Zips were limited to a 24-yard field goal by Robert Stein then were turned away at the two-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, Kyle Pohl’s pass was intercepted in the endzone. It would be the last time Akron would threaten to score in the game.
“We just hate when people score. No matter if it is on the two-yard line we’re not going to let them score,” said linebacker Evan McKelvey. “When we all do our job everything just works.”