HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Southern Miss came into Saturday’s game at Joan C. Edwards Stadium averaging 40.2 points per game but Marshall limited the Golden Eagles to just one touchdown in the first quarter, preventing Southern Miss from reaching the endzone over the final three quarters in a 31-10 win.
Southern Miss got out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Nick Mullens completed a 6-yard pass to Michael Thomas, capping off a 9-play, 89-yard drive. However it did not take long for Marshall to answer. Devon Johnson, back in the lineup after missing most of the last two games with injury, punched the ball into the endzone from a yard out. The touchdown was the 30th of Johnson’s career, putting him in 12th place all-time at Marshall.
The Golden Eagles edged in front again early in the second quarter. Parker Shaunfield connected on a 33-yard field goal with 11:55 left in the first half. Southern Miss did not dent the scoreboard again. The Herd scored the final 24 points of the ball game. Nick Smith drilled a 34-yard field goal to tie the game at the 8:36 mark and with just 25 seconds left in the half, Chase Litton found tight end Ryan Yuracheck for a 3-yard touchdown pass to give Marshall a 17-10 advantage at the break.
Marshall kept the pressure on in the third quarter, hitting on big plays. Litton threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Deandre Reaves with 7:58 left in the third.
It was the defense that delivered the final blow late in the third quarter. With Southern Miss backed up on the goal line, Gary Thompson blew threw the line and sacked quarterback Nick Mullens, jarring the ball loose. It landed in the hands of Jarquez Samuel who took two steps and dove into the endzone, giving Marshall a 31-10 lead. The defensive score marked the eighth defensive touchdown since Chuck Heater took over as defensive coordinator three years ago.
In his return to the line up, Devon Johnson carried the ball 22 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. Remi Watson also returned for the Herd after suffering an injury that kept him sidelined the last several weeks. Watson gained 18 yards on eight touches.
Chase Litton was efficient and effective. Litton completed 11-of-21 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception. His second touchdown pass to Deandre Reaves in the second half gave him 10 touchdowns through his first four games as a starter, setting a new Marshall record, passing Byron Leftwich who threw nine touchdowns in his first four games.
Southern Miss rolled up 439 yards of total offense but needed 93 plays to do so. Quarterback Nick Mullens threw 58 passes, the fifth most ever by an opposing quarterback versus Marshall.
Marshall is on the road next week at Florida Atlantic. Kickoff is set for noon.