— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — As Marshall’s football team begins spring practice today at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, one of the potentially toughest schedules in Herd program history awaits down the line.
Marshall will practice on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout spring. All practices are closed to the public. Marshall wraps up its 2024 spring practice sessions with the annual Green-White Spring Game on April 20 at 4 p.m. inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
The 2024 schedule features six home games and six road contests. Both non-league road games are nearby, though September matchups at Ohio State and Virginia Tech will undoubtedly present stiff challenges.
“The schedule release is always a good time of year because it means we are one step closer to football season,” Marshall head coach Charles Huff said. “As always, we are excited about the opportunity to play some really good opponents. The Sun Belt Conference continues to be extremely competitive week in and week out. This gives us some guidance into what we are up against for this extremely challenging season.”
Marshall opens the season at home on August 31 against Stony Brook of the Colonial Athletic Association. The following Saturday, the Herd have a short trip to Blacksburg, Virginia to face the Hokies. Marshall defeated Virginia Tech in Huntington last fall, 24-17.
After a mid-September bye week, Marshall makes another short trip to Columbus, Ohio to face perennial power Ohio State on September 21. This will be the third meeting at Ohio Stadium between the Herd and the Buckeyes, with Ohio State seeking a 3-0 lead in the series.
Marshall ends September at home on September 28 against a former Mid-American Conference rival in Western Michigan.
Sun Belt Conference competition starts on October 5 at home for the Herd as Appalachian State visits Huntington for Homecoming. The Herd is back on the road October 12 at Georgia Southern, before welcoming Georgia State for a Thursday night game October 17.
After another a second bye week, the Herd returns to action at home November 2 against Louisiana-Monroe, then heads south to face Southern Mississippi on November 9.
Marshall’s final home game is November 16 against Coastal Carolina, and it wraps up the 2024 regular season with Sun Belt Conference road games at Old Dominion on November 23 and James Madison on November 30.
“Nothing can change our belief in Marshall football or our steadfast belief in our student-athletes,” Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears said. “Our team is resilient and determined, and we will stand with them as we approach a schedule with some great opponents and some awesome opportunities to show the country what it means to play at Marshall! We are ready to get after it this year.”
2024 Marshall Football Schedule
8/31 (Sat.) — vs. Stony Brook
9/7 (Sat.) — at Virginia Tech
9/21 (Sat.) — at Ohio State
9/28 (Sat.) — vs. Western Michigan
10/5 (Sat.) — vs. Appalachian State
10/12 (Sat.) — at Georgia Southern
10/17 (Thurs.) — vs. Georgia State
11/2 (Sat.) — vs. University of Louisiana at Monroe
11/9 (Sat.) — at Southern Mississippi
11/16 (Sat.) — vs. Coastal Carolina
11/23 (Sat.) — at Old Dominion
11/30 (Sat.) — at James Madison