HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After Marshall delivered in its home opener last week, the Herd looks to pull off a road upset against N.C. State.
Marshall enters the game as a 19-point underdog.
“If we don’t play perfect, we will need to be damn near perfect,” said Herd quarterback Chase Litton. “I can’t harp enough on how good of a program (N.C. State) is. This will be a hell of a test for us.”
The Wolfpacks’ defense projects be the best Marshall will face all season.
“Their defensive line is the best in the country, but it’s not just those four guys up front,” Litton said. “They have guys behind them that if the quarterback steps up they come and hit you in the mouth.”
N.C. State is coming off an upset loss to South Carolina, while Marshall edged Miami (Ohio) in Week 1.
“A lot of people had them picked to win their side of the ACC, and watching the tape they should have been,” Marshall coach Doc Holliday said. “They have NFL-type guys on that defensive line and their secondary is very athletic.”
Marshall (1-0) at N.C. State (0-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m., Saturday in Raleigh, N.C. (ESPN3)
When the Herd has the ball: Marshall’s offense will look to recover from a slow start in Week 1. They cannot expect Keion Davis to produce another two touchdowns on special teams.
Litton played effectively with his new receiving corps but acknowledged he missed throws and left points on field with a bad turnover to end the half. Marshall will need more of the Litton that led the team on a 98-yard touchdown drive last week.
Trey Rodriguez ran for 54 yards on an average of 3 yards a carry in his first game for Marshall. A few ankle tackles prevented Rodriguez from having a much more productive day, but the run defense doesn’t get any easier against N.C. State.
The Herd’s backs ran for only 70 yards in the opener, they will need to be more effective against a defensive line that would love the chance to rush the passer all day if Marshall’s offense becomes one-dimensional.
Looking past the daunting front seven of N.C. State, the secondary produced two interceptions against South Carolina. With Herd receiver Tyre Brady questionable for Saturday, converted running back Hyleck Foster might have to step up.
When N.C. State has the ball: Quarterback Ryan Finley attempted a whopping 64 passes last week for over 400 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Running back Nyheim Harris carried 15 times for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Receiver Jaylen Samuels caught 15 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Kelvin Harmon also proved to be a big threat with 10 receptions for 114 yards.
Marshall’s Brandon Drayton and Chris Jackson, who both forced huge turnovers in Week 1, will need to be up to the challenge.
Wild card: N.C. State is 3-0 all time against the Herd. … Marshall coach Doc Holliday returns to face the program where he was an assistant from 2000 to 2004. In his time at N.C. State as an associate head coach and wide receivers coach, he oversaw big names like Phillip Rivers, Mario Williams, and Jerricho Cotchery who all went on to produce at a high level in the NFL.
Line: N.C. State favored by 19.5
— By Troy Alexander