— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall coach Tony Gibson rolled the dice to determine the starting quarterback for Tuesday night’s Sun Belt Conference contest against South Alabama.
Zion Turner’s No. 1 emerged to take the snaps at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Turner took over for previous starter Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, the league’s preseason offensive player of the year, who has struggled and was intercepted three times in the first half during his last outing against Coastal Carolina.
Turner’s stats didn’t overwhelm, but he was efficient and completed 21-of-33 passes for 181 yards, while rushing nine times for 45 and a touchdown on a 3-yard dive into the end zone. Combined with a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Judah Price with just inside 2 minutes remaining, and most importantly, the best effort of the season by the defense, Marshall knocked off the Jaguars, 20-13.
“Our best effort all year long on defense,” Gibson said. “That’s why I do what I do. I love great defense. Wanted to play physical and did. Saw that on both sides of the ball.”
𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧.
@judah_price puts @HerdFB back on top with 1:49 to play. ☀️🏈 https://t.co/VAiHOnkUO2
— Sun Belt Football (@SunBeltFB) October 21, 2026
South Alabama (4-3, 2-1 SBC) had tied the game at 13 with 4:38 left on a 19-yard TD run by P.J. Martin. It capped a series in which the visitors pulled off a successful fake punt in their own territory.
Then Turner, along with fellow quarterback Khalil Wilkins, led the Thundering Herd (4-3, 1-2) on the winning drive. Marshall covered 70 yards on all runs, and Price crossed the goal line with 1:49 remaining.
Wilkins, a West Virginia transfer like Price, had runs of 19 and 22 yards on the winning drive. With the Jaguars maybe keying on Wilkins, that opened the way for Price to score the winning TD without much resistance.
“Quit beating us,” Gibson said. “That’s the kind of football we can play. The first time all year. Sustain for 60 minutes and finish it off.”
On the winning TD, Gibson said he had a good feeling.
“I was praying,” he said. “I was confident we could move the ball. They were loading the box. All the eyes were on Khalil and Judah took it home. I was glad the defense got to go back out one more time and finish like they did.”
South Alabama had one last chance, but Marshall made one last stop to regain possession and run the clock out in the victory formation.
Turner’s 3-yard TD run in the third quarter allowed the Herd to lead by seven after three frames. He completed a 38-yard pass to Adrian Norton on that series as well.
“Zion managed the game well,” Gibson said.
The contest had entered halftime tied at 6 after the Jaguars’ Davis Little made a 42-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
Earlier, Marshall capitalized on an interception to take the lead when Charles McCartherens deflected a pass into the arms of Cole Funderburk.
Herd placekicker Jorge Diaz Nicolas made field goals 47 and 48 yards, but two missed two others, including one from close range.
South Alabama entered with the No. 1 offense in the Sun Belt. The Herd gained 328 yards and held the Jaguars to 326.
Jaguars’ quarterback Jared Hollins completed 12-of-33 passes for 148 yards with one interception. Keenan Phillips had 73 yards rushing and Martin 60. Brendan Jenkins led in receiving with four catches for 75 yards.
Toby Payne led Marshall pass-catchers with seven receptions for 69 yards.
Marshall wore black uniforms with a pick feature on the helmet and jersey as a tribute to coal miners in the Mountain State.
Senator Jim Justice attended the game and took part in the pregame coin toss.