HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — For the third time since moving to the FCS, Marshall has finished the season ranked in the Associated Press poll. The Thundering Herd was No. 23 in the final AP poll released after Monday night’s national championship game.
The Thundering Herd went 13-1 in 2014, capturing its first Conference USA championship and rolling over Mid-American Conference champion Northern Illinois in the inaugural Boca Raton Bowl.
It’s the first time in 12 seasons that Marshall has appeared in the final AP Poll.
Marshall was in the top 25 for seven weeks during the regular season in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll. It climbed up to No. 18 before falling from both polls after a 67-66 overtime loss to Western Kentucky in the final week of the regular season.
The Thundering Herd is the second-highest ranked Group of 5 team in the poll, behind Fiesta Bowl champion Boise State at No. 16. The Broncos (12-2) won the WAC and defeatedArizona in the Fiesta Bowl.
This is the fifth time a Conference USA team has finished in the final AP poll since Marshall joined the league in 2005.
In 1999, Marshall reached its highest ever ranking, finishing a perfect 13-0 and ranked 10th in the country. The Herd was ranked 24th in the final AP Poll in 2002.
The final coaches poll is due to be released on Tuesday.