MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Thundering Herd piled up four rushing touchdowns, doubling their season total, and coasted to a 38-10 win at Middle Tennessee State.
Tyler King ran for 129 yards and combined with Keion Davis as each scored two touchdowns for Marshall (6-1, 3-0 C-USA).
“We were able to run the ball extremely well,” coach Doc Holliday said. “Those young backs are starting to get better. Tyler really showed flashes of what he could do today, and as we go along he is going to get better and better.”
Over the past two games Marshall has rushed for 195 and 198 total yards.
The passing game had a quiet night as Chase Litton finished 16-of-24 for 168 yards. He failed to throw a touchdown for the first time in 26 games, ending the NCAA’s second-longest streak behind Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.
Litton spent the fourth quarter on the sideline before returning for the victory formation on the final two plays of the game.
The Herd’s defense remained dominant despie yielding a touchdown for the first time in two games.
“Defensively we were sensational, we shut them out in the second half,” Holliday said. “They are well coached and play extremely hard. We have good young players who are starting to develop. We are adding pieces to the puzzle and playing well.
One of those pieces was linebacker Artis Johnson, who returned a pick-six after defensive lineman Ty Tyler hit MTSU quarterback John Urzua mid-throw.
A strip by linebacker Omari Cobb on the following drive gave Marshall the short field, which they converted into an 18-point lead.
“It was big, scoring that touchdown, creating turnovers back to back,” Johnson said. “That got us ready to go and the offense finished it off.”
Marshall’s defense racked up six sacks, two by Channing Hames. Safety Malik Gant lead the team in tackles with five, and pass breakups with two.
While the Herd only had one interception, they could have had two or three more if it wasn’t for smart plays from MTSU’s receivers, who broke up what would have been multiple picks.
MTSU’s Urzua struggled to 14-of-30 passing for 220 yards with several potential interceptions broken up by his receivers. He was benched in the fourth quarter after taking hits throughout the game.
Middle Tennessee’s running game was stifled to 53 yards on 31 carries.
Richie James, the NCAA’s active leader in receptions, was mostly held in check with five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown before he exited the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Receiver Ty Lee finished the night as MTSU’s most productive receiver with 95 yards.
Middle Tennessee’s frequent blitzing defense wasn’t able to get a sack against a Herd team ranked third in the nation in sacks allowed.
“Obviously it is disappointing,” Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill. “Give Marshall credit, they did a great job and whooped us pretty good.”
Marshall is bowl-eligible with their sixth win of the season, but it has grander goals to pursue.
“We are happy to be bowl-eligible but our expectations and standards are a whole lot higher than that,” said Holliday. “It is nice to be there at this point, but we have a lot of unfinished business we need to take care of.”
Said senior tight end Ryan Yuracheck, who finished his night with three catches for 36 yards: “We are worried about winning the East Division and winning this conference — that is our No. 1 goal.”
Notes from the Herd
Marshall finished 5-of-5 in the red zone, including four touchdowns. … Running back Anthony Anderson once again came in for the final drive and ran the ball six straight times to ice the game. … Marquis Couch returned from injury and registered four tackles (two TFLs) a sack, and a forced fumble. … Marshall’s defense gave up a touchdown for the first time in two games. … Marcel Williams and Tyre Brady led the team with four catches and Willie Johnson led with 55 receiving yards.
—By Troy Alexander