Herd Poaches Jaguars in Big Win

By the Herd Headset | HerdLine Podcast

The dreaded weekday game is something that comes around every single season for a team like Marshall. It provides national exposure on ESPN and gives the country an opportunity to see what the “little guys” can do without the distraction of Power Four college football.

For many universities, these games can be a problem. Filling a stadium is difficult enough, but asking fans to make the trip on a weekday makes it even more challenging.

For Marshall, however, Tuesday night football is something of a legend.

In 2002, Marshall capped off a miraculous comeback as backup quarterback Stan Hill led the Herd over Miami (Ohio), whose quarterback was none other than Ben Roethlisberger, in what remains one of the most memorable games in Marshall history.

A few years later, a talented Houston team came into Huntington and met a similar fate, thanks in large part to a terrific performance on the ground from Darius Marshall.

And tonight, another chapter has been written in the Herd’s history of successful weekday football.

Marshall faced South Alabama on Tuesday evening in a game that many fans approached with more dread than excitement. The past couple of weeks had been difficult, and the frustration throughout the fan base was impossible to ignore.

Head coach Tony Gibson, his coaching staff, the players on the field, and even athletic director Gerald Harrison had all faced criticism. Following an ugly performance against Coastal Carolina, frustration had reached a boiling point.

But on this Tuesday night, the Herd responded.

Marshall delivered a tremendous performance against a South Alabama team that entered the game as a formidable opponent, earning a victory that could change the trajectory of the season.

For one night, the criticism took a back seat. The players played with purpose, the defense delivered its best performance of the season, and the coaching staff had its team ready to compete.

Let’s break down the grades.

Quarterback

Headset: 3 stars | Trace: 3.5 stars

After the performance against Coastal Carolina, preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Carlos Del Rio-Wilson was benched. Four turnovers and an offensive performance that never found its footing will tend to have that effect.

Carlos didn’t just lose his starting position. He also lost his role as team captain, with redshirt freshman running back Judah Price taking over those responsibilities.

Enter Zion Turner.

Turner is a familiar name to Marshall fans. Over the past couple of seasons, we’ve seen moments when he looked solid and consistent, followed by others that left plenty to be desired. After coming into last week’s game against Coastal Carolina and nearly leading a comeback, Turner had something to prove Tuesday night.

Overall, he delivered a very good performance, and I don’t believe the statistics tell the whole story.

Turner completed 21 of 33 passes for 181 yards, with no passing touchdowns. He also added 45 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

But there were two additional moments that could have dramatically changed his stat line.

The first was a beautifully thrown ball to the back corner of the end zone. The pass hit the receiver right in the numbers, but it was dropped. That should have been a touchdown, and it would have been an impressive one.

The second came later in the game, when Turner broke free for what appeared to be a 70-plus-yard touchdown run that would have put the game away. A controversial holding penalty wiped out the play. Turner also tweaked his ankle and was unable to return.

Take those plays into consideration, and Turner’s performance looks even better.

He faced pressure throughout the evening, and the offensive line didn’t always give him the protection he needed. Nevertheless, he made some solid plays, protected the football, and demonstrated that he can make smart decisions within this offense.

That last point matters. Having a quarterback who understands the system and can make sound decisions is a significant advantage, and Turner took a positive step in that direction.

Khalil Wilkins also deserves recognition for his role in the final drive.

When Wilkins entered the game, it was no secret what Marshall intended to do. Everybody in the building knew he was going to run the football, yet South Alabama struggled to stop him.

As we’ve said on the podcast and in previous write-ups, Wilkins is one of the most dangerous players on the field when he has the ball in his hands. His speed is special, and he runs with an explosiveness and purpose that make him difficult to contain.

I’m still curious about what his long-term role will be. I could envision him becoming a dangerous wide receiver, but if he can continue developing as a passer, his athletic ability could make him an incredibly valuable quarterback.

The bottom line? The quarterback position was good, not great. There is still plenty to improve, but this was a definite step in the right direction. The team appeared to respond well to Turner, and the overall performance was encouraging.

For now, Marshall has reason to be optimistic about what this position can become.

Offense

Headset: 3 stars | Trace: 3 stars

The Marshall offense had its struggles Tuesday night, but there were also moments when the Herd showed exactly what this group is capable of doing.

The biggest concern remains the offensive line.

Pass protection was inconsistent, and there were stretches when the running game was stopped before it had a chance to develop. The line improved as the game progressed, but Marshall needs more consistency in its assignments and fewer costly penalties at critical moments.

Still, there was considerably more good than bad.

Judah Price turned in a hard-nosed performance that the box score doesn’t fully capture. He carried the ball 13 times for 30 yards and scored the touchdown that sealed the victory in the final two minutes.

Thirty yards might not jump off the page, but watching Price run tells a different story.

All night long, he ran with determination. He found yards after contact, fought through tackles, and repeatedly turned difficult situations into positive gains. There were moments when it seemed to take three or four defenders to bring him down.

For a player who is among the smaller backs on the field, that kind of toughness is impressive.

Price is a West Virginia kid who understands the grit and determination that define this state. On a night when Marshall honored coal miners throughout West Virginia, it was fitting to see a young man from coal-mining country deliver the game-winning touchdown.

That was a special moment.

Adrian Norton also made what may have been the catch of the year. After a missed pass-interference call, Norton came down with a Randy Moss-esque, one-handed grab for a significant gain. It was the kind of play that makes you sit up and take notice.

Toby Payne also contributed to the passing game, making several important plays downfield.

Coming off the offensive disaster against Coastal Carolina, this response was encouraging. The offense wasn’t perfect, and there are still plenty of questions to answer, but the players showed fight and found ways to make plays when they needed them.

That deserves recognition for both the players and the coaching staff.

Marshall still needs to become more consistent offensively. The offensive line must improve, the passing game needs to capitalize on opportunities, and the running game must become more efficient.

But after last week’s performance, seeing this group respond with a win against South Alabama is a welcome development.

Defense

Headset: 4 stars | Trace: 4 stars

If you had told me before kickoff that Marshall would hold South Alabama to just 13 points, I probably would have called you a liar.

I expected a much more competitive shootout, with both offenses putting points on the board. Instead, the Marshall defense delivered its best performance of the season.

The difference was evident from the opening stages of the game.

The Herd played with purpose, heart, and determination. Tackling was much more consistent, the physicality was noticeable, and the defense repeatedly found ways to disrupt what South Alabama wanted to do.

Cole Funderburk’s turnover was a significant moment, creating another problem for a Jaguars offense that struggled to find its rhythm.

Whenever Marshall was called upon to make a play, the defense had an answer.

Perhaps most encouraging was the overall improvement in execution. The defense looked more organized, more physical, and more confident than it had in previous weeks.

It appears that defensive coordinator Brad Lambert may be finding the right combination of personnel to give this team a chance to compete at a higher level.

That is an important development.

We’ve had plenty of criticisms of this defense throughout the season. There have been missed tackles, frustrating breakdowns, and performances that left us wondering whether this group could turn things around.

Tonight, those concerns took a back seat.

South Alabama entered the game having enjoyed considerable success this season. This was not an opponent that Marshall could simply overlook. The Jaguars presented a legitimate challenge, and the Herd answered with a defensive performance that deserves to be celebrated.

If Marshall can continue playing defense at this level, it will give itself an opportunity to win a lot of football games down the stretch.

The offense doesn’t have to be spectacular every week if the defense can consistently keep opponents from scoring.

That is the formula Marshall needs.

Hats off to everyone on the defensive side of the ball, from the players making tackles to the coaches preparing the game plan. This was a tremendous effort, and one that could serve as a turning point for the entire season.

Special Teams

Headset: 2 stars | Trace: 1.5 stars

For the first time all season, special teams felt like the weakest unit on the field.

Thankfully, Cooper Heimbach was not part of the problem.

Heimbach punted four times for 202 yards, with three punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Once again, he demonstrated why he is such an important piece of this football team.

He continues to prove just how good he is at his position, and Marshall is fortunate to have him.

Unfortunately, the kicking game was a different story.

Jorge Diaz Nicholas missed two field goals that appeared very makeable. He has a strong leg, and I haven’t lost confidence in his ability to make kicks. Sometimes, a kicker simply has a difficult night, and this was one of those nights.

Nevertheless, those missed opportunities cannot be ignored.

There was also a frustrating fake punt on fourth down that gave South Alabama a fresh set of downs. The decision was especially disappointing given the circumstances and the importance of field position in a close game.

Beyond that, there wasn’t much to celebrate in the kickoff or return game.

Special teams can be an overlooked part of football until something goes wrong. Tonight, the missed kicks and the fake-punt situation made this unit a liability rather than an advantage.

The good news is that Marshall still won the game.

Every unit will have difficult nights, and this performance doesn’t erase the positive things special teams has accomplished throughout the season. But the coaching staff needs to address these issues before they become a recurring problem.

Heimbach deserves his flowers. The rest of the unit has some work to do.

Coaching

Headset: 4 stars | Trace: 4 stars

Tony Gibson and his coaching staff have faced plenty of criticism over the past several weeks.

Marshall fans have expressed their frustration online, and some have gone as far as calling for Gibson’s job.

Personally, I’ve always believed that it was too early to make that judgment. Gibson is still early in his tenure, and the program he is trying to build cannot be evaluated solely on a handful of difficult performances.

That doesn’t mean criticism is never warranted. Coaches should be held accountable, and Marshall’s struggles deserved scrutiny.

But Tuesday night demonstrated why patience can matter.

With all the noise surrounding the program, Gibson and his staff had to prepare a team that was coming off a disappointing loss, facing a difficult opponent, and dealing with a significant change at quarterback.

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson was benched and stripped of his captaincy. Turner was thrust into the starting role, and the entire team needed to respond to a challenging situation.

The coaching staff got the response it needed.

Marshall looked prepared. The players played with energy, competed physically, and appeared committed to the game plan. There was a noticeable difference in the team’s effort and execution compared with the previous week.

Most importantly, the Herd didn’t fold under pressure.

The defensive performance was outstanding, the offense made enough plays to win, and the team found a way to close out a game that could have easily gone the other direction.

Those are meaningful signs of progress.

I hope this game becomes a defining moment in Gibson’s tenure at Marshall. A win like this can give a team confidence, restore belief in the coaching staff, and provide a foundation on which to build.

One victory doesn’t solve every problem, and there is still plenty of football left to play. But this was exactly the kind of response that Gibson and his staff needed to deliver.

Congratulations to the entire coaching staff. They earned a great deal of credit for this performance.

Atmosphere

Headset: 3.75 stars | Trace: 3.5 stars

When kickoff arrived at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, I was honestly surprised by the number of people who showed up.

Coming off two difficult weeks, with plenty of negativity circulating online, I wasn’t sure what kind of turnout we would see. Getting people into the stadium on a Tuesday night is never easy, especially when the team is coming off a disappointing performance.

But Herd fans showed up.

The end zone was packed, and while the overall attendance wasn’t a sellout, the crowd was respectable. I’ve seen comparable crowds at The Joan on Saturdays during some of the tougher seasons in Marshall football history.

To see that kind of turnout on a Tuesday night, amid all the criticism surrounding the program, was encouraging.

And the fans who were there made themselves heard.

After having the opportunity to attend a Penn State game earlier this season, I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for what a top-tier college football atmosphere can sound like. Marshall may not have had a sellout crowd Tuesday night, but when the Herd needed the crowd most, it delivered.

On critical third downs and fourth downs late in the game, the noise was impressive.

The Joan remains one of the best atmospheres in Group of Six football, and nights like this remind us why.

Athletic director Gerald Harrison and his staff also deserve recognition. They have worked hard on promotional campaigns, ticket sales, and efforts to get the student section involved.

Those efforts paid off.

The student section was phenomenal, the crowd brought energy, and the stadium felt alive when Marshall needed it most.

A Tuesday night game against South Alabama may not have the national appeal of a major Power Four matchup, but the people who came out helped make it a memorable night in Huntington.

Hats off to the Herd faithful who showed up and supported this team.

The Joan was rocking when it mattered.

Total Grades

Combined HerdLine average: 3.27 out of 5 stars.

Marshall’s victory was built on its best defensive performance of the season and a much-needed response from the coaching staff and players.

The quarterback position showed encouraging signs, the offense made enough plays to get the job done, and the crowd at The Joan delivered when it mattered.

Special teams was the clear weakness, and the offense still has room to grow.

Nevertheless, this was a significant step forward for a team that desperately needed a win. The overall grade reflects a good, encouraging performance with some obvious areas for improvement.

Final Thoughts: A Turning Point in Huntington?

Marshall needed this one.

After the frustration of the previous couple of weeks, the Herd delivered a gigantic victory that could potentially save the remainder of the season. More importantly, the win gives this team something it desperately needed: momentum.

There is still a long way to go, and nobody should pretend that every problem has suddenly disappeared. The offensive line must improve, the kicking game needs to find consistency, and the quarterback situation will continue to be worth watching.

But there is reason to believe.

Zion Turner showed that he can manage this offense and make plays with his arm and legs. Khalil Wilkins remains an intriguing weapon whose role could become increasingly important. Judah Price continues to demonstrate the toughness and determination that make him such a valuable part of this team.

And the defense? If Marshall can get that level of performance consistently, the Herd will have a chance against just about anybody remaining on the schedule.

Now comes the next challenge.

Marshall has a long week to prepare for Old Dominion, a team that recently earned an Appalachian State road victory in a difficult environment. ODU is no pushover, and this matchup will present another serious test for a Marshall team looking to build on its latest success.

After that, the Herd faces another challenging road trip to Georgia Southern. Those two road games will test whether Marshall can turn Tuesday night’s performance into something more than a one-night turnaround.

My hope and expectation remain that Marshall can win at least six games. I can also envision a scenario in which this team wins seven or eight games over the remainder of the season, provided it builds on what we saw Tuesday night.

That is going to require consistency, better execution, and a continued commitment to the defensive identity that emerged against South Alabama.

The biggest question is whether this performance represents a genuine turning point or simply a great night.

Only time will tell.

But for one Tuesday night in Huntington, the Herd silenced the doubters, reminded everyone what Marshall football can look like, and gave its fans something to believe in again.

The Jaguars came to Huntington expecting to leave with a win. Instead, Marshall poached the Jaguars and protected its home turf.

Now, the challenge is to keep it rolling.

One game doesn’t define a season. But sometimes, one game can change it.

Go Herd!

— The Herd Headset, HerdLine Podcast