MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Marshall’s season opener at East Carolina has been delayed two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Herd will visit the Pirates on Saturday, September 12. The game will originally scheduled in the ‘Week Zero’ slot on August 29.
IT’S OFFICIAL! @HerdZone and @ECUPiratesFB will hit the gridiron on Saturday, September 12! #WeAreMarshall pic.twitter.com/y2D96k79yn
— Marshall Football (@HerdFB) August 14, 2020
The 75 members and supporters of the Marshall football program who died in the 1970 plane crash while returning from a game in Greenville will be remembered in ceremonies.
“We are grateful to (Athletic Director) Jon Gilbert and everyone at East Carolina University for their efforts in making sure this game stayed on the schedule due to the tremendous significance for both institutions,” said Marshall Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick. “Our people, our universities and our football programs will forever be linked by the tragedy that occurred 50 years ago.”
Marshall and ECU are also set to meet three more times: September 18, 2021 in Huntington, September 9, 2023 in Greenville and September 13, 2025 in Huntington. ECU leads the all-time series 10-5.
Speaking on MetroNews Talkline on Wednesday, Hamrick said Marshall is still looking to fill vacant slots on their schedule caused by the cancellation of the Pittsburgh, Ohio and Boise State games.