— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Quarterback Isaiah Green threw two touchdown passes, Justin Rohrwasser booted three field goals and the defense gave another lights-out effort to power Marshall past UTSA, 23-0, in Conference USA action Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
The announced crowd for Senior Day was 18,502 — a season-low for the Thundering Herd.
Marshall (7-3, 5-2 C-USA) had 17 seniors take the field for the final time. The shutout was the first for the Herd since a 21-0 decision over Kent State last season at home. Marshall improved to 13-0 all-time at home against teams from Texas.
The Roadrunners (3-8, 2-5 C-USA) saw their losing streak extended to five. The Herd now leads the series, 2-1, with both wins coming at home. Marshall won 34-10 in 2013. UTSA prevailed last year in San Antonio, 9-7.
Marshall closes out the regular season next Saturday against FIU in Miami. Game time is noon. The Panthers lead C-USA East by a game over Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders are home next week against C-USA West winner UAB.
The Herd took the lead for good on its opening drive, going 41 yards when Rohrwasser came on to kick a 26-yard field goal. The Roadrunners fumbled the ball away on the ensuing kickoff and Marshall recovered at the visitor’s 37. Marshall needed just a play to score as Green hooked up with leading receiver Tyre Brady for a 37-yard TD with 9:17 left in the first period.
The Herd marched 90 yards in five plays for a TD in the second period. Artie Henry caught an 8-yard TD pass from Green for a 17-0 lead with 3:00 left on the clock. The Herd then got another chance to score a TD, but the Roadrunners held for three downs at their 4 and Rohrwasser came on to kick a 21-yard field goal on the final play of the period for a 20-0 lead.
UTSA’s offense, ranked No. 14 in the league in scoring and No. 10 in total defense, had 19 yards offense in the first period and 73 for the half. The Roadrunners made their first first down with 12:00 left in the second period. For the day, they had 137 total yards. Marshall allowed a school-record rushing low of minus-26 yards. UTSA had no first downs rushing.
In the third period, Marshall moved 76 yards and watched Rohrwasser come in to boot a 25-yard field goal and 23-0 lead with 9:32 left. Green finished 19 of 36 for a career-best 387 yards. Brady had six catches for 162 yards with a long of 50. Obi Obialo had five catches for 103 and long of 45.
“Great effort by the defense, good special teams play and no turnovers. Do that and you have a chance to win every game,” Herd coach Doc Holliday said. “There have been some really good defensive teams come through here. Our defense is special.”
“Played with pride,” linebacker Chase Hancock said. “Look around. We were 3-9 two years ago and a lot of the guys are still around. This shows how much we’ve grown.”
“The defense played fantastic,” Green said. “We saw the weakness was their secondary, we wanted to take advantage of that and we obviously did. It’s frustrating to move the ball like that (505 total yards) and not put more points on the board. We’ve got to focus on that and get things right in the red zone.”
Marshall had 17 seniors take the field at home for the final time. Senior Day featured eight players on offense and nine on defense. Offense included linemen Jordan Dowrey and Nate Devers; running backs Anthony Anderson and Keion Davis; and receivers Brady, Marcel Williams, Nick Mathews and Donquell “Gator” Green. Defense featured linemen Ryan Bee, Juwon Young, Malik Thompson and Aaron Dopson; linebackers Hancock, Donyae Moody, Artis Johnson and Frankie Hernandez; and defensive back Terence Ricks.
“We wanted to send the seniors out the right way,” safety Malik Gant said. “On defense, we’ve been doing our job.”
Hancock gave an emotional talk at a team function Friday night.
“He got choked up, teared up,” Gant said. “We had in our mind to make a statement today.”
This class had started a combined 242 games, and 16 of the 17 seniors have made at least one start. Dowrey, who has primarily played left guard, is the active leader with 45 career starts. He ranks in the top 15 in program history in that category.
Other games started leaders among seniors: Bee (38), Hancock (30), Brady (20), Johnson (19), Hernandez (16), Williams (15), Davis (14) and Devers (14). The Herd’s focus now shifts to FIU, which beat Marshall last year at home. Green said the Herd offense has plenty of weapons to feature against the Panthers to go along with a strong defense.
“Tyre today, Obi today. Marcel and Artie and both tight ends,” Green said. “That’s even more scary for any secondary. And we know the defense will be ready again.”