MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A scoring recap from Marshall’s 38-10 win over Middle Tennessee State on Friday night:
First Quarter
Marshall: Tyler King 15-yard touchdown run (10:55)
Marshall started the game off on the right foot with an opening drive touchdown. On third down, receiver Tyre Brady drew a pass interference to keep the drive alive. Willie Johnson’s 37-yard catch moved the Herd into MTSU territory, and then Tyler King bounced a run outside and got some blocking from Brady for the score.
Marshall leads 7-0
MTSU: 50-yard field goal by Canon Rooker (7:25)
The first drive for Middle Tennessee was its best of the night as quarterback John Urzua moved the ball 30 yards on two pass plays. Brad Anderson ran the ball multiple times for 30 yards, putting the Raiders in the red zone. On third-and-2 defensive lineman Channing Hames, who was coming off a breakout performance last week, got through the line and took Urzua down for a 10-yard sack bringing the drive to an end. MTSU settled for a long field goal.
Marshall leads 7-3
Second Quarter
Marshall: Artis Johnson returns interception 17-yards for a touchdown (13:24)
Facing a three-and-out from its own 19, MTSU dialed up a pass for Urzua on third-and-9. A hit by lineman Ty Tyler as MTSU’s quarterback let the ball go sent the ball right into the hands of linebacker Artis Johnson, who took it to the house.
Marshall leads 14-3
Marshall: Keion Davis 9-yard touchdown run (11:48)
After the pick-6 for Marshall, it took only one offensive play by MTSU for the Herd to take the ball again. What looked like an easy 6-yard completion to MTSU receiver CJ Windham was anything but when linebacker Omari Cobb came in to strip the ball. Fellow linebacker Chase Hancock recovered and returned the ball to the Raider’s 19-yard line. It took just three plays for Marshall to capitalize on the turnover when running back Keion Davis went up the middle untouched for the Herd’s second rushing touchdown of the game.
Marshall leads 21-3
MTSU: John Urzua 9-yard touchdown pass to Richie James (7:03)
It looked to be another quick and ineffective drive for Middle Tennessee, but an offsides on defensive lineman Ryan Bee set up a 33-yard third-down conversion by receiver Ty Lee. Another 33-yard catch by Tavonn Salter put the Raiders in scoring position, where dangerous receiver and the NCAA’s active reception leader Richie James finally made an impact with a 9-yard catch in the endzone.
Marshall leads 21-10
Marshall: Keion Davis 1-yard touchdown run (3:19)
Marshall got some help from MTSU’s defense on this drive thanks to multiple unsportsmanlike penalties. It started on a third and long when quarterback Chase Litton found receiver Marcel Williams for a 29-yard conversion. MTSU defender Jordan Ferguson put the crown of his helmet in Litton’s chest after the throw, and was penalized and ejected for roughing the passer with targeting. A late hit by MTSU’s Walter Brady at the end of a 6-yard Keion Davis run gave the Herd 15 more yards and put the ball at the 1-yard line, where Davis once again saw his number called.
Marshall leads 28-10
Marshall: 25-yard field goal by Kaare Vedvik (:17)
Marshall failed to capitalize on a ten play drive at the end of the first half when Litton threw a little too far left to Marcel Williams, who made a diving catch attempt in the endzone. Kicker Kaare Vedvik was called onto the field to give the Herd a 21 point halftime lead.
Marshall leads 31-10
Fourth Quarter
Marshall: King 1-yard rushing touchdown (12:47)
Marshall put the nail in the coffin just four plays into the last quarter. After a 17-yard catch by Ryan Yuracheck put Marshall at the one, King fought through two defenders for his second touchdown of the game and the Herd’s fourth rushing touchdown of the game.
Marshall leads 38-10
—By Troy Alexander