— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall hopes to end a two-game losing streak on Saturday when it plays at home for the first time in nearly a month against Gardner-Webb.
The game against an opponent from the Big South Conference of the FCS at Joan C. Edwards Stadium starts at 3:30 pm and will be shown on ESPN+.
Gardner-Webb (1-3) lost to nationally-ranked FCS foe Mercer last Saturday, 45-13. The Bulldogs opened this season with a 56-21 win over Division II Limestone, but they’ve also lost to Sun Belt member Coastal Carolina and Elon.
Marshall (2-2, 0-1) is out to get back on track in its second contest against an FCS team. The Thundering Herd beat Norfolk State to start the season, before winning at Notre Dame.
Since then, however, MU has lost at Bowling Green in overtime, before struggling mightily in offense in last weekend’s 16-7 setback at Troy.
What to watch for in Saturday’s game:
CAN’T BEAT YOURSELF: Marshall head Charles Huff is using a new term to describe plays that have been preventing his team from winning the past two weeks — “Herd Beaters.”
Huff said there was a combined 42 of them in the two losses, plays that include turnovers, penalties, a sack allowed or missed tackle.
The obvious solution to these problems is better execution. Marshall’s offensive line must perform better in order to keep quarterback Henry Colombi upright while opening holes for back Khalan Laborn.
Reducing the penalty numbers after committing seven at Troy is also a goal.
Huff is seeking a clean performance against the Bulldogs in hopes of setting a tone for the rest of the season.
BUMP UP THE NUMBERS: Marshall’s offensive numbers were anemic last week. After out-gaining Bowling Green by 170 yards the prior week, Marshall was out-gained by 247 yards against the Trojans.
Marshall struggled to move the ball against the Trojans, picking up only 174 yards, including a disappointing 78 yards through the air. The Herd’s veteran receivers were frustrated by Troy’s defensive backs and Caleb McMillan led MU pass catchers with 37 yards. Normally reliable wideout Corey Gammage had one catch for 3 yards.
Those aren’t winning numbers and Huff and his coaching staff are seeking balance this week against Gardner-Webb.
It all starts with offensive line play eliminating the number of free pass rushers that have hurt the production of Colombi and fellow quarterback Cam Fancher.
DON’T LOOK AHEAD: Gardner-Webb arrives in Huntington with a losing record and most would assume an easy win is in store for the Herd.
However, Gardner-Webb was quite competitive in a 31-27 loss to Coastal Carolina, and the Bulldogs’ version of the Air Raid offense could be a recipe to continue the big plays that Marshall’s defense has surrendered of late.
Troy had pass plays that went for 63, 60 and 50 yards.
The Bulldogs are also tough defensively with an FCS preseason All-American in junior defensive end Ty French.
Gardner-Webb has been stingy in the red zone, allowing touchdowns only 56 percent of the time.
The underdog mentality will also factor in, with this being an opportunity for Gardner-Webb to gain national attention.
NOTE: Gardner-Webb freshman offensive lineman Evan Ferguson is the son of Marshall Hall of Famer and All-American offensive lineman Aaron Ferguson. Ferguson at Spring Valley High School, where his father is an assistant coach. Evan Ferguson missed his senior year with the Timberwolves after injuring a knee prior to the 2021 season.