— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — When their numbers got called Saturday night, quarterback Zion Turner, defensive back Zah Jackson and receiver/running back Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw delivered in a big way for Marshall.
Turner sparked a fourth-quarter rally, Jackson recorded his first career interception and nearly returned it for a score and Turner-Bradshaw caught a touchdown pass and recovered a fumble in the end zone for his second TD after Turner lost possession.
Middle Tennessee, down eight points with 4:18 left, drove to the Herd 15-yard line, where Roman Gagliano threw a TD pass to A.J. Jones to cut the deficit to 28-26.
The subsequent 2-point conversion was unsuccessful when Gagliano’s pass fell incomplete.
The Blue Raiders then unsuccessfully tried an onside kick, allowing Marshall to run out of the clock and secure the two-point win for its first victory this season.
“What I’ve been through, this means a lot,” said Turner. “This means a lot. A lot led up to this moment. It’s been a long time coming.”
Turner’s lone start last season came against Missouri State, a game the Bears won, 21-20.
Turner struggled that day, but shined late Saturday when he threw for 57 yards and rushed for 15 in the final quarter to play a pivotal role in the outcome.
He was the third quarter utilized by Marshall after Carlos Del Rio-Wilson started and West Virginia transfer Khalil Wilkins took over late in the second period.
“We knew what zones they were in and where to attack,” Turner said. “Don’t be afraid. At times, I wished I played better.”
Especially on that fumble at the 1 before Turner-Bradshaw recovered for the score to bail out his teammate.
“I thought don’t let the ball go out the back of the end zone,” Turner said. “My teammate was there and grabbed the ball. Relief. I couldn’t stop crying.”
Turner wants all past hardships, especially those from a year ago when the Herd dropped several close games that led to a 5-7 mark, to go away.
“It’s all about handling adversity,” Turner said. “Had a lot last year. We carried it through tonight. You could feel the energy on the field.”
Herd coach Tony Gibson opted to stick with Turner down in the fourth.
“He had the juice going into it,” Gibson said.
Jackson made his mark at Huntington High before joining the Herd (1-1). The pick becomes an addition to his highlight reel.
At that moment, the Blue Raiders faced third-and-10 at their 35 and Gagliano thought he saw an open receiver. Jackson jumped the route and returned the pick back 54 yards. After a personal foul, the ball got moved to the 2 and T.J. Lester went over the goal line from there for the TD and a 28-20 lead with 4:18 left.
“Stay ready. Coach told me this week I would get a lot of reps (in practice),” Jackson said. “Your number might be called. It was. The quarterback threw it, I jumped the route and got it. No doubt it gave us a lot of mo (momentum). I loved proving a whole of people were wrong.”
The interception was the first in Gagliano’s role as the starter.
On Middle Tennessee’s try for two to tie and perhaps force overtime, Jackson believed his defense would come through.
“Last year it was make one more play and we didn’t. We’ve got to finish games. Tonight that’s what we did,” Jackson said.
Bradshaw started the fireworks on the Herd’s second possession in the first period when Del Rio-Wilson found Bradshaw open at the 31 and he sprinted past all defenders for the 69-yard TD.
“I was glad to see all that green,” Turner-Bradshaw said. “I didn’t see anyone stopping me.”
The fumble recovery was every bit as important.
“In a situation like that everyone’s fighting for the ball,” Turner-Bradshaw said. “I got on it and they called TD.” Officials would review the play and the TD call stood.
“The big thing is you fight through adversity,” Turner-Bradshaw said. “This has been a long time coming for me. After that play, my head was down. I didn’t want them to review it. The atmosphere tonight … I loved it. It was like that all around us.”
It was an especially sweet night for Turner-Bradshaw. His dad, Ahmad, played at Marshall and then went on to win two Super Bowls in the NFL with the New York Giants. The two are in constant contact.
“He found me,” Turner-Bradshaw said. “Gave me a pep talk at the half. We get closer to each other every day.”
Turner-Bradshaw led the Herd in all-purpose yards with 84 (79 receiving and 5 rushing).
It so happens the Herd returns to action next Saturday against Missouri State in Springfield, Mo.
“Crazy thing about college football is it’s different every week,” Gibson said. “Who thought Michigan would beat Oklahoma? After last week they were ready to write Michigan off. Our goal is to be 1-0 at the end of the week. We did that. We have to keep working. Don’t give up on us yet. The kids know that, the staff knows that. We’re one game better off than a year ago. We’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s a lot easier to do with a win rather than a loss.”