HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall rolls into Middle Tennessee riding high on a four-game win streak that has seen them hold three opponents to three points or less.
The Thundering Herd (5-1, 2-0) will look to continue their defensive dominance against Middle Tennessee (3-4, 1-2), which is coming off a two-point loss to UAB. Coach Doc Holliday
“Doc always says any Saturday any team can be beat,” said defensive end Blake Keller. “If you look at college football this past week that proves to be true.”
The Blue Raiders already demonstrated that this season with a 30-23 upset win over a Syracuse team that just handed the Clemson Tigers their first loss of the season.
“You don’t prepare for a team any differently,” Keller said. “We just have to go and put it all together.”
Marshall is currently ranked second nationally in red-zone defense and ninth in scoring defense.
Marshall (5-1, 2-0) at Middle Tennessee (3-4, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Friday in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (ESPN2)
When the Herd has the ball: Marshall comes off its second straight game of 100-plus yards rushing. Tyler King and Keion Davis had 77 and 73 yards respectively against Old Dominion, while Anthony Anderson came in on the last drive to run the clock out and added another 46 yards on just seven carries. In total the Herd’s ground game combined for 195 yards, their highest total of the season.
The offense will look for a faster start on the road after scoring just seven points in the first half versus ODU.
“With the start we had last week and not being able to finish the game we had the week before, this is a team you can’t do that against,” quarterback Chase Litton said. “You have to play all four quarters against this team.
Marshall had just 21 total yards in the first quarter of last week’s matchup and didn’t put up points until the closing minute of the half.
Middle Tennessee’s defense sports playmakers at every level. Linebacker Khalil Brooks has five and a half sacks on the year, as well as ten tackles for a loss.
In the secondary cornerback Mike Minter has six pass breakups on the year to go along with one interception.
When Middle Tennessee has the ball: The biggest threat by far on the Raider’s offense is receiver Richie James, the NCAA’s active career leader in catches, receptions per game, and receiving yards per game.
While James has battled injury this season missing three games, he returned last week against UAB and coach Doc Holliday said they waisted no time getting the dangerous receiver involved in the offense.
“Last week was his first game back and they targeted him 19 times,” Holliday said. “That shows you what kind of player he is—they are going to do whatever it takes to get the ball in his hands—and he is a week healthier. There is no doubt they are going to try and get the ball in his hands.”
Holliday also highlighted freshman running back Brad Anderson who has made an immediate impact for the Raiders this season.
Anderson leads the team in rushing, is second on the team in receiving yards, and has the most all-purpose yards by a Middle Tennessee player with 130 yards more than the next player.
With starting quarterback Brent Stockstill injured, Marshall will once again face backup John Urzua, who the team faced in last year’s matchup.
Wildcard: While Marshall holds a 4-2 series lead, neither team has ever won on the road, with the closest being a 2-point loss by the Herd in 2013.
Line: Marshall by 2.5
— By Troy Alexander