— By David Walsh
Finish is a word Marshall coach Tony Gibson preached a lot about going into the 2026 season.
The Thundering Herd came up short in that phase too often a year ago and it contributed to nearly all its close-game defeats in a 5-7 season.
The reversal of fortune appears to be playing out after three games this year. Both Marshall victories have been nailbiters and each time the defense made the timely play late to preserve a victory, not let one slip away.
The latest came Saturday when Marshall linebacker Javae Gilmore broke up a pass from Skyler Locklear on fourth-and-7 with just over 1 minute left.
Marshall (2-1) would then get a first down from West Virginia transfer Khalil Wilkins on an 11-yard sprint on a jet sweep on third-and-3 to lock up the 30-24 victory over Missouri State (1-2) at Robert W. Plaster Stadium.
“We were in position, the kid made a great play on that last third-down run. It was a gutsy call by them and it paid off. They won the game,” first-year Bears coach Casey Woods said.
A week before, Marshall knocked down a two-point attempt pass in the closing seconds to topple Middle Tennessee State, 28-26.
“I’m just really proud of our kids for the way they finished,” Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said. “Defensively, we gave up way too much stuff, but we got tight when we needed to and held them out before the half with a blocked field goal, which ended up being really big, and then the goal-line stand at the end. We’re not close to where we need to be, but it’s a lot better to go back with a win.”
A year ago, Missouri State scored late to edge the Herd, 21-20, for its first FBS win in its first try.
Marshall never trailed in the rematch. On the pass breakup by Gilmore, he used his 6–foot-4 frame to get up and knock the ball away. It was the fourth straight incomplete pass by the Bears after they drove inside the 10 late. On the first fourth-and-7, teams had offsetting penalties so they had to replay the down. That drive would cover 86 of the needed 93 yards.
“We had a lot of ups and downs tonight, but I’m just glad we kept on trucking and kept on playing,” Gilmore said. “We’re starting to figure it out with each other and having that bond. There’s a lot of new people, but we’re starting to know each other and who we can depend on.”
Herd quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson showed the crowd why he was picked Sun Belt Conference preseason offensive player of the year. He completed 16-of-25 for 176 yards and a TD and ran for 73 more. That’s 249 total yards as he and the Herd offense worked the clock well all night.
Del Rio-Wilson fumbled the ball to set up Missouri State’s close-call finish. He said he believed the defense would respond and bail him out.
“It feels great seeing the team chemistry we’ve got,” Del Rio-Wilson said. “Knowing that my team had my back (after a fumble) and told me they would make up for it and keep my head up. It felt great to have that chemistry and bond.”
Marshall rushed for 267 yards as its offensive line time and again cleared away the Missouri State defenders. The Herd attack generated 464 total yards.
“One of our keys to victory on the board this week was to dominate the line of scrimmage,” Gibson said. “Tonight, we did that.”
“It’s disappointing, but at the end of the day we had plenty of opportunities and didn’t get it done,” Woods said. “They’ve got a good football team. Hats off to them. They ran the ball well and present a lot of defenses to make you earn the yards. There’s a tough football team. I think they’ll win some games in their league.”
The Herd scored touchdowns on each half-opening drive and got defensive stops on each half-closing drive — two of signs that Gibson hoped for. Marshall went 7-of-13 on third down.
Marshall’s first TD came when Del Rio-Wilson hooked up with T.J. Lester on a 39-yard TD pass on a 4th-and-2 at the 39 of the Bears. With 22 seconds left in the half, Herd defensive lineman Kenyatta Hardge blocked a Yousef Obeid’s 22-yard field goal try.
Missouri State tried to surprise the Herd with an onside kick to start the third period and the visitors recovered and made the Conference USA member pay. Marshall needed just four plays to go 48 yards, Del Rio-Wilson getting the last six on a TD run to make it 24-10.
Jo’Shon Barbie went over from 1 yard in the first for a 14-3 lead. He finished with 81 yards on 12 carries. Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw led in receptions with six for 83. And for the second straight week, he had a key fumble recovery. This one came late in the second period after a 15-yard run by his quarterback.
Locklear finished 19-of-28 for 309 yards, two scores and one pick. Myers caught seven for 141 yards. The Bears had 506 total yards.
Marshall’s B.J. Carter kicked off seven times and the Bears had no returns. Placekicker Jorge Diaz Nicolas booted three field goals to stand 3-for-3 in his career. Distances were 28, 31 and 32 yards.
Marshall returns home next Saturday for Homecoming 2026 as Gardner-Webb comes to Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.
Gardner Webb’s quarterback is Cole Pennington, son of former Marshall standout Chad Pennington. The younger Pennington began his career at Marshall and then transferred to Gardner Webb before last season.