By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Quarterback Zion Turner provided the spark for the offense, the defense collectively got the stop when needed at a crucial time and Marshall found a way.
Throw in some contributions from other players on each side of the ball and it allowed the Thundering Herd to turn back Middle Tennessee State, 28-20, in its home opener Saturday night in front of 25,662 fans at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
“They miss that field goal, Zion comes on and there’s a whole different vibe on that field,” Herd coach Tony Gibson said. “It’s never easy to win. We had a bunch of guys go down. It was the next man up. The guys who came on did the job. The stadium was electric tonight. Such a great atmosphere.”
Turner, the third quarterback to see action, got the offense going in the fourth period. It started a play before when Middle Tennessee kicker Dominic Bourgeois saw a 50-yard field goal try hit the left upright and deny the Blue Raiders a two-score advantage (23-14).
Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw, whose dad Ahmad played at Marshall and was drafted into the NFL by the New York Giants and played on two Super Bowl winning teams, started the night strong when he caught with a 69-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Carlos Del-Rio Wilson. He finished in the fourth when he recovered a Turner fumble in the end zone for a score to put his team ahead 21-20 with 12:06 left.
After an interception from Zah Jackson where he jumped a route for the pick, the former Huntington High standout appeared headed for a score before being knocked out of bounds inside the 10. A penalty got tacked on, and moments later, T.J. Lester went over from 2 yards out for a 28-20 lead with 4:18 left.
The Blue Raiders pulled within two on Roman Gagliano’s 15-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Jones with 50 seconds remaining, but the Herd defense then stopped the two-point conversion attempt when its pass defense delivered.
The visitors from Conference USA then attempted an onside kick, but Marshall recovered and ran out the clock.
Turner came on after Del-Rio Wilson and West Virginia transfer Khalil Wilklins were pulled. Gibson spoke highly of his effort.
“Zion’s spark is big for us,” Gibson said. “He had the juice going into it. We know he can throw the ball. What he doesn’t do in as well is in the run game. He was in control, distributed the ball well. Got on him after the run trying to score. Don’t reach out with the ball. I’m glad Bradshaw was there.”
Gibson is glad seeing Turner-Bradshaw excel on offense and special teams.
“As soon as he caught the ball, I put my arms up,” Gibson said. “I knew they wouldn’t catch him. He had a great week and great fall camp. I didn’t see the replay on the fumble. It was a hustle play.”
Jackson is a former standout at Huntington High.
“I just wish he’s scored,” Gibson said. That pick was the first for Middle Tennessee quarterback Roman Gagliano since he became starter late last season. Gagliano competed 25-of-47 for 243 yards and two scores. He also rushed for two TDs. Wideout Cam’ron caught nine passes for 72 yards and a score. Bourgeois made a 52-yard field goal in the second period. It was his career long and No. 5 in school history.
Turner threw for 66 yards and Del-Rio Wilson 92. Wilkins totaled 23 in his stint.
“The goal is to be 1-0 at the end of the week and we did that,” Gibson said. “We have to keep working. The kids know that, the staff knows that. Don’t give up on us yet. I’m proud of this team. Keep fighting, keep coaching, we’ll be fine.”