Much-Anticipated Tilt With Toledo To Settle MAC Championship

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1 GAME WEEK NOTEBOOK GAME FACTS Date... November 30 Time... 7:30 p.m. EST Site... Toledo, Ohio Stadium...Glass Bowl Capacity... 26,248 Live TV...ESPN PxP... Mark Jones Color... Chris Spielman Sideline... Holly Rowe THE HERD 2001 Record MAC Record AP Poll... 20th ESPN Poll... 18th Coach... Bob Pruett Alma Mater...MU, 65 Record/Year /6th THE ROCKETS 2001 Record MAC Record AP Poll... 30th ESPN Poll... 34th Coach... Tom Amstutz Alma Mater... Toledo, 77 Record/Year /1st MEDIA INFO MU SID... Ricky Hazel Work Home Cell Toledo SID...Paul Helgren Work Home GAME TWELVE NOVEMBER 30, 2001 AT TOLEDO Much-Anticipated Tilt With Toledo To Settle MAC Championship From the first day of summer two-a-days it is the goal for every college football team. At Marshall, it is more than a goal, it is expected. Playing for championships. Since Coach Bob Pruett arrived in Huntington as head coach in 1996 the Thundering Herd has played for 15 championships. The results have been incredible -- five MAC East Division titles, four MAC championships, one Southern Conference title, one Division I-AA national crown, and three bowl titles. Only once in Pruett s tenure has the Herd gone into a game with a championship on the line and not come away with the trophy. The theme for the entire 2001 season at Marshall has been One For The Thumb in From the very start, the Marshall players knew that winning a fifth straight MAC title would likely take them back to Toledo to face the Rockets. They knew it and, in reality, that is what they wanted. Despite winning the MAC crown in 2000, the Herd players always felt the sting of the beating they took at the hands of the Rockets on Oct. 14. That game was the turning point in the 2000 season, but it was also the reason Marshall s players wanted to face Toledo for the 2001 title. It will give them a chance to settle things with the Rockets, once and for all. Neither team comes into the MAC title game on anything close to a role. Toledo got whipped by rival Bowling Green last Friday night. The Rockets played the game without star quarterback Tavares Bolden, who was out with what was described as back spasms. The 35-point margin in the game was the most against the Rockets in the MAC game since a 36-point loss to Northern Illinois in Marshall fared better, surviving a scare from old rival Youngstown State to take a victory. The game was much closer than the 14-point final margin, with Marshall stopping the Penguins on fourth and goal from the one with 2:35 to play to preserve a seven-point lead. Marshall then closed the deal with a 76 yard interceptions return for a touchdown with 53 second left by redshirt freshman Roberto Terrell. Continued on Page MARSHALL (10-1, 6-0 MAC EAST) FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date... Opponent... Time... TV... Series/Result...Last Meeting/Notes Sept. 1. at Florida... 7:25 pm.. ESPN2.. L, Largest crown to ever see Herd play Sept. 8. Massachusetts... 7 pm... THN... W, Trod Buggs saves the day for Herd Sept. 29 Bowling Green... 7 pm... None... W, Bob Pruett s 60th career victory Oct. 6.. at No. Illinois... 2 pm... MAC+... W, Herd scores two defensive TDs Oct. 13 at Buffalo... 1 pm... ESPN+.. W, Byron Leftwich throws for 455 yards Oct. 20 Central Mich pm... THN... W, Watts-Davis combine for 358 rec. yards Oct. 27 Akron... 7 pm... THN... W, Franklin Wallace runs for 196 yards Nov. 3.. at Kent State... 3 pm... FOX... W, Leftwich 3 TD passes leads Herd Nov. 10 at Miami... Noon... FOX... W, Two TD passes by RB Brandon Carey Nov. 17 Ohio... 3 pm... FOX... W, Leftwich fires six TD passes Nov. 24 Youngstown St... 7 pm... YSU... W, th quarter goal line stand seals win Nov. 30 at Toledo*... 7:30 pm.. ESPN... UT leads Toledo won 42-0 in 2000 Dec. 19 at GMAC Bowl.. 7 pm... ESPN2.. First trip... Herd to play C-USA opponent * Mid-American Conference Championship game. Marshall has won four straight MAC titles.

2 HERD NO STRANGER TO TELEVISION When the Thundering Herd squared off with top-ranked Florida in Gainesville in the 2001 seasonopener it continued Marshall s long run of TV appearances. Marshall football games began appearing on local television as far back as the 1950s, but the Herd made their national television debut in 1987 in the Division I-AA national championship game against Northeast Louisiana. Since making the move to Division I in 1997 the Herd has appeared on national television (ESPN, ESPN2, Fox or ABC) 13 times, posting a record of 9-4. Counting I-AA Title games, the Herd has a record of 11-8 on national TV. In addition to those appearances, every Marshall game since 1991 has been televised on either a local or regional basis either through the Thundering Herd Network, ESPN Plus, of Fox Sports. Following is a list of Herd national television appearances with results. 12/19/87 NE La. (ESPN) L /21/91 YSU (CBS) L /19/92 YSU (CBS) W /18/93 YSU (ESPN) L /16/95 Montana (ESPN) L /21/96 Montana (ESPN) W /5/97 Toledo (ESPN2) W /26/97 Ole Miss (ESPN2) L /4/98 Toledo (ESPN2) W /23/98 Louisville (ESPN2) W /14/99 Toledo (ESPN) W /26/99 Ohio (Fox) W /3/99 W. Mich. (ESPN2) W /27/99 BYU (ESPN2) W /9/00 Mich. St. (ESPN) L /5/00 W. Mich. (ESPN) L /2/00 W. Mich (ABC) W /27/00 Cincinnati (ESPN2) W /1/01 Florida (ESPN2) L Marshall at Toledo Page 2 This will be the third time in five years that Marshall and Toledo have met to decide the league title. Marshall won the first two games (in 1997 and 1998) to secure trips to the Motor City Bowl. There will be two huge differences between those games and the game this Friday night -- 1) both teams already have bowl bids securely in hand and 2) the game this time will be played at Toledo s Glass Bowl instead of Marshall Stadium. Entering the Herd s final regular season game (bowl game stats do not count toward season or career totals), Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich is within range of rewriting several Mid-American Conference season records. With 3,804 yards, he has already broken Chad Pennington s MAC season record for total offense (3,799); he is four touchdowns, rushing or passing, shy of Pennington s MAC record of 40 in a season; he is 15 pass completions shy of the MAC season record set by Bowling Green s Brian McClure (298) in 1983; he is 98 yards passing shy of Pennington s MAC standard (3,799); and he stands five TD passes shy of Pennington s league mark of 39. But Leftwich isn t the only Herd player bearing down on MAC records. Junior Curtis Head is tied for the MAC mark for PAT kicks made in a season (53). WATTS NAMED AA: Sophomore receiver Darius Watts was named second team All-American by Football News on Nov. 21. Other receivers chose to the first and second team were Lee Evans of Wisconsin, Jabar Gaffney of Florida and Josh Reed of LSU. The other three were all selected as finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. INJURY UP- DATES: Running back Franklin Wallace sat out the Youngstown State game with an ankle injury he aggravated in the Ohio game. His status for the MAC title game is probable. Receiver Denero Marriott suffered a mild concussion against the Penguins, but is also probable for the Toledo game. There are several other players, most notably receiver Josh Davis (knee) who are bruised right now, but all will play against the Rockets. YOUNGSTOWN GAME NOTES: With the victory over the Penguins, Marshall coach Bob Pruett tied the school record for career wins, equalling the 68 career victories posted by Cam Henderson from Junior running back Brandon Carey had the first 100- yard rushing game of his career in the game. He had 104 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He is the third different back to rush for more than 100 yards in the game for Marshall this year. The YSU defense found a way to limit the damage inflicted by the Herd passing game by dropping seven and eight defenders into pass coverage on virtually every play. The result was a normal number of completions for the Herd, but for much fewer yards than normal as quarterback Byron Leftwich was forced to throw short all evening. Junior kicker Curtis Head missed his first field goal attempt of the season in the game. He failed from 32 yards out, but came back to connect from 20 yards. He is now 8- of-9 on the year on field goals. He has also tied the MAC record for PAT kicks in a season with 53. Despite surrendering 422 yards of total offense, including 372 yards on the ground, it was the Marshall defense that came up with big plays in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory for the Herd. The Herd defense kept the Penguins out of the end zone Weekly Teleconference Mid-American Conference Football MAC Championship Teleconferences Number to call for media: Monday 10-10:15 am...toledo Coach Tom Amstutz 10:15-10:30 am... Marshall coach Bob Pruett Tuesday 10-10:15 am...two Toledo players, TBA 10:15-10:30 am...marshall QB Byron Leftwich &... LB Max Yates

3 STATISTICALLY SPEAKING 2001 Team Statistical Comparison. MU... Toledo Total Offense Rushing Offense Passing Offense Passing Efficiency Scoring Offense First Downs For %... Third Down Conv % 6/9...Turnovers (INT/Fum)...8/ Total Defense Rushing Defense Passing Defense Passing Eff. Defense Scoring Defense First Downs Against %... Third Down Defense... 31% 12/10 TOs Forced (INT/Fum).. 11/ Turnover Margin :32... Time of Possession... 32: Penalties-Yards POSITION COMPARISON MU... Toledo 6-4, Offensive Line...6-4, , Tight End , , Receivers , , Backs , , Quarterback...6-1, , Defensive Line...6-3, , Linebackers...6-1, , Defensive Backs , 192 NEXT WEEK Following their fifth consecutive appearance in the MAC Championship game, the Herd will have almost three weeks before playing in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Dec. 19. Going into the championship game, the Herd still does not know who their opponent in the bowl game will be. Remaining games between Southern Miss and Alabama (11/29), Southern Miss and TCU (12/7) and UAB and Pittsburgh (12/1) will likely determine who that opponent will be. The Rockets will also have plenty of time off before their next game, which will be against a Conference USA team in the Motor City Bowl. That game is scheduled for Dec. 29 in Pontiac, Mich. Marshall at Toledo Page 3 on fourth and goal from inside the one when junior Chris Crocker knifed through to hit YSU s Mike Burns for no gain with 2:35 to play. Then, after punting the ball back to the Penguins with 1:04 to play, redshirt freshman Roberto Terrell sealed the victory by stepping in front of a Jeff Ryan pass at the 24 and racing 76 yards for a game-clinching touchdown. Terrell finished the game with a total of 169 yards on returns. For the second straight game, Marshall held an opponent to less than 100 yards passing. GOING BOWLING: For the sixth time in school history, and for the fifth consecutive season, the Thundering Herd will go bowling this December. The change will be the location. Instead of having to win the MAC Championship game to earn a berth into the Motor City Bowl, this year the Herd got an early present with an invitation to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Only nine schools in Division I-A have longer guaranteed bowl streaks than the five straight for the Herd. Marshall will face an as yet unnamed opponent from Conference USA in the Dec. 19 game slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN2. Current Bowl Streaks (Including this year) Nebraska Michigan Florida State Tennessee Florida 6. 9 Virginia Tech 7. 7 Washington, Ohio State, Oregon 8. 5 Marshall, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Purdue, Texas A&M Kansas State (8) has a streak that is currently in jeopardy. OHIO GAME NOTES: The Thundering Herd continued their dominance of Ohio in games played at Marshall Stadium. The last three meetings between the two teams in Huntington have finished with a combined score of Ohio did break and almost 12 quarter scoreless streak this season in the final minute of the second quarter on a four-yard TD pass by Freddie Ray. The score was set up as Ohio gave Marshall a taste of it s own medicine with a fake punt for a 31-yard gain. Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich tied the school single-game record with six touchdown passes against the Bobcats. Chad Pennington set the mark in 1997 with six against Ball State. Leftwich also failed to throw an interception in a game for the sixth time this season. Herd sophomore receiver Darius Watts fell just one TD catch shy of the school single game mark of five set by Randy Moss in that same 1997 game. Senior Trod Buggs once again stepped to the front for the Herd on the ground, rushing for 87 yards on 10 carries. He scored his second TD of the season on a pass from Leftwich, but has still yet to score a TD on the ground. In a head-to-head matchup of the two top punters in the MAC, Marshall Marshall Championship Game Performances Under Coach Bob Pruett (1996-Present) Date Opponent Score Title at Stake 11/16/96 Furman W, Southern Conference 12/21/96 Montana W, Division I-AA National Title 11/15/97 Ohio W, 27-0 MAC East Division 12/5/97 Toledo W, Mid-American Conference 12/26/97 Mississippi L, Motor City Bowl 11/7/98 Central Michigan W, 28-0 MAC East Division 12/4/98 Toledo W, Mid-American Conference 12/23/98 Louisville W, Motor City Bowl Western Michigan W, MAC East Division 12/3/99 Western Michigan W, Mid-American Conference 12/27/99 Brigham Young W, 21-3 Motor City Bowl 11/11/00 Miami W, MAC East Division 12/2/00 Western Michigan W, Mid-American Conference 12/27/00 Cincinnati W, Motor City Bowl 11/10/01 Miami W, MAC East Division Toledo??? Mid-American Conference

4 COACHING NOTEBOOK CONSISTENCY: In reality, that is the last word observers would use when referring to the offensive coordinator position at Marshall. This fall coach Ed Zaunbrecher breaks a sixyear run of changes on the Herd staff at that position as he returns for his second year on the job. Before Zaunbrecher took over for the 2000 season, the Herd had not had the same offensive coordinator since Chris Scelfo, the current head coach at Tulane, held the job from Here is a list of other Herd OCs in recent years and where they are now: Year Off. Coordinator Now 1995 Chris Scelfo Tulane 1996 Larry Kueck SMU 1997 Tim Nunez Texas 1998 Tony Peterson Minnesota 1999 Marty Galbraith N.C. State 2000 Ed Zaunbrecher Marshall IN THE BOOTH: On game days expect Herd coordinators Ed Zaunbrecher (Off.), Kevin Kelly (Def.) and Bill Wilt (ST) to watch the action from the coaches booth along with receivers coach Dwayne Nunez, tight ends coach Bill Legg and secondary coach Lou Anarumo. Between Pruett, Zaunbrecher and Kelly the Herd has 63 years of combined experience in college football. CHART CLIMBING: Marshall head coach Bob Pruett posted his 60th career victory with the win over Bowling Green (9/27). Pruett, who currently stands at in his sixth season as Herd coach, is now tied for the all-time lead on the career wins list at Marshall. He equalled the mark, set by Cam Henderson, in 41 fewer games. Coach Years Record Cam Henderson Bob Pruett Jim Donnan George Chaump Marshall at Toledo Page 4 Curtis Head held his own with Ohio s Dave Zastudil. Head averaged 45.8 yards on four punts while Zastudil averaged 50.6 on five. After getting the defensive grade sheets from the Herd coaching staff, a trio of Marshall defenders were credited with 14 tackles in the game. Alonzo Jones and Michael Owens both had season highs while Max Yates just continued at his regular pace. The large number of tackles in the game is a reflection on Ohio s ground control offense, which held the ball more than 37 minutes. The Herd had a season-low 22:37 time of possession in the game and ran 23 fewer plans than did the Bobcats. RADIO STAR: Marshall fans had better pay attention to their radios because they never know when Herd quarterback Byron Leftwich might show up. The Marshall signal-caller is becoming more and more popular among the national radio networks, having made appearances on the Sporting News Radio Network, Fox Sports Radio and ESPN Radio in the past two weeks. The radio networks are all clamoring to get a few words with the nation s top QB. Following the Ohio game, he made appearances on both ESPN Radio and the Fox Sports Radio Network before he ever got out of uniform. Last week he made another appearance on the Sporting News Radio Network to accept the Nissan Frontier Athlete of the Week honor. Then, on Friday night, he appeared on ESPN Radio s On Campus with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit program. ANOTHER MAC POW: Junior receiver Denero Marriott became the latest Herd player to be recognized by the Mid-American Conference as an East Division Player of the Week for his performance against Miami. Marriott had seven receptions for a career-high 132 yards and one touchdown in the game. He joins Byron Leftwich (twice) and Trod Buggs as Marshall players to win on offense, Max Yates on defense and Roberto Terrell and Curtis Head on special teams. MIAMI GAME NOTES: It had been 17 games since someone other than Byron Leftwich had been on the front end of a touchdown pass. The date was Sept. 20, 2000, when Stephen Galbraith connected with Lanier Washington on a 90-yard TD pass. That changed in the second quarter against the RedHawks when the Herd broke out the halfback pass. It worked so well the first time, the Herd went back to it in the third quarter. Both plays resulted in touchdown passes for running back Brandon Carey. The first was a 37-yard strike to Denero Marriott. The second pass came on a throw back pass, fulfilling a dream of Leftwich to catch a TD pass. His score came from 11-yards out. Leftwich has now thrown for 25 TDs this year, rushed for two and caught one. Ironically, it was the first game this season in which Leftwich has not thrown for a score, snapping a streak of 12 straight games with at least one TD pass. Leftwich was also held to less than 300 yards passing for just the third time this season. Leftwich did surpass 3,000 yards passing for the season and he moved fourth on the Marshall career completions list, and to sixth on the career passing yards list. He is also now fourth in career total offense at Marshall... Two Herd receivers surpassed 100-yards through the air in the game, and neither of them was named Watts. The Herds Biletnikoff Award semifinalist was held to a season-low 44 yards on eight receptions. Receiving mates Josh Davis (9-102) and Denero Marriott ( ) both went over the century mark. It was the third straight game for Marriott over 100 yards. In addition, senior tight end Gregg Kellett had three receptions in the game, giving him a career-high 15 catches on the season. Kellett had recorded 12 receptions in each of his first three seasons at Marshall... Sophomore Franklin Wallace scored a rushing touchdown for the fifth straight game and rushed for 91 yards on a career-high 26 carries... Kicker Curtis Head connected on a pair of field goals in the game to remain perfect (7-of-7) on field goals this year. His 41-yard field goal equalled a career-best. Head also pinned the RedHawks inside their own five yard line on punts twice... The Marshall offensive line finally suffered a breakdown after going four games without allowing a sack. The RedHawks late third quarter sack of Leftwich was the first allowed by Marshall since the Northern Illinois game.

5 SEASON SUPERLATIVES Overall Record Current Streak...W10 MAC Record Division Record Non-Conference Record Home Record Home Streak...W9 Road Record Road Streak...W4 Day Games Night Games Natural Grass Artificial Turf MU Wins Coin Toss MU Loses Coin Toss MU leads after 1st Quarter MU trails after 1st Quarter MU leads at Halftime MU trails at Halftime MU leads after 3rd Quarter. 8-0 MU trails after 3rd Quarter. 1-1 In September In October In November vs. Top 25 teams vs. unranked teams With 100-yard rusher vs. 100-yard rusher With 300-yard passer vs. 300-yard passer When MU scores first When Opp. scores first On ESPN On ESPN On ESPN Plus On Fox Sports Net On Herd Network No Television Marshall at Toledo Page 5 KENT STATE GAME NOTES: Marshall faced a situation against Kent State the Herd had not seen all season, losing the coin toss. The run of seven straight correct calls on the toss apparently had no affect, with KSU deferring the option and Marshall, as it has done in every game this year, taking the ball... Quarterback Byron Leftwich didn t need much time to surpass the 6,000 yard mark for career passing, reaching the milestone on his third completion of the game. Leftwich also moved into fifth place on the Marshall career charts for pass completions, TD passes and total offense... After having gone two games without throwing an interception, Leftwich surrendered the ball twice against KSU, although neither can be directly laid at his feet. The two passes both hit receivers in the hands before deflecting to KSU defenders. Of the six interceptions allowed by Leftwich this year, three came on passes deflected by Herd receivers... Senior Trod Buggs had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, coming on to carry the load for the Herd in the second half after Franklin Wallace left the game with a sprained ankle. Buggs needed just 13 carries to rush for 107 yards. Despite his effort, Buggs has still not rushed for a touchdown this season, but he does have one touchdown reception... The Herd had two receivers -- Darius Watts and Denero Marriott -- go over 100 yards receiving in the game. It was the third straight game in which at least two Marshall receivers topped the century mark... For Watts, it was his seventh 100- yard game in eight games this year. It was Marriott s second straight 100-yard game... Herd tight end Gregg Kellett had two receptions in the game, running his season total to 12, equalling his career season-high for receptions. Kellett recorded 12 receptions in 1998 as a freshman, 12 in 1999 as a sophomore and 12 in 2000 as a junior... Converted defensive lineman Eddie Smolder thought he had his first career reception during the second quarter but, after hauling in a 23-yard pass with a diving catch over the middle, Smolder s efforts were erased by a holding flag against the Herd... KSU freshman quarterback Joseph Cribbs became the sixth player to rush for more than 100 yards in a game against the Herd this year, running for a career-high 159 yards on 20 carries... For the fourth straight game, the Marshall offensive line failed to surrender a sack of quarterback Bron Leftwich. HEAD EARNS MAC HONOR: Marshall junior kicker/punter Curtis Head became the fifth Herd player this season to earn one of the Mid-American Conference East Division s weekly honors by earning Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the Herd s victory over Kent State. Head averaged 42.3 yards on three punts against the Golden Flashes, placing two of his three kicks inside the KSU 20 yard line. KSU also did not have a single yard in punt returns in the game. In addition to his punting, Head also connected on all six of his point-after touchdown kicks as well as handling Marshall s seven kickoffs. Head also recorded a tackle on special teams after one kickoff. For the season Head is averaging 42.4 yards on punts, he is a perfect 5-of-5 on field National Ranking Comparison Marshall Toledo Category Rank Actual Rank Actual National Leader Actual Rushing Offense Nebraska Passing Offense Florida Total Offense Florida Scoring Offense Brigham Young Rushing Defense UAB Pass Eff. Defense Miami (Fla.) Total Defense Virginia Tech Scoring Defense Miami (Fla) 7.90 Net Punting Ohio Punt Returns Colorado Kickoff Returns Hawaii Turnover Margin Miami (Fla.) 2.30 Pass Defense West Virginia

6 THUNDERING HERD/ ISP SPORTS NETWORK NEW CREW: Marshall fans dialing up the Herd on the radio this year will hear a revamped lineup in the radio booth. Steve Cotton is back for his sixth season as The Voice of the Herd and his ninth year as a member of the broadcast team, but he will be joined by a new color commentator as well as a new sideline reporter. Taking over the color role for this season is Marshall grad, and longtime West Virginia high school football coach Greg Cyrus. In recent years Herd fans in the Kanawha Valley have heard Cyrus on a regular basis with John Dickensheets in the afternoon on WBES-AM. He retired last year as head football coach at St. Albans HS. Robert Harper, the new host of Sideline Sports on WRVC-AM in Huntington, takes over as sideline reporter on the THN this year. Harper is also a Marshall grad and has won numerous awards in his role as sports director at MU student station WMUL. Woody Woodrum, who has served as the THN color commentator for the last couple of years, is remaining as a part of the broadcast team in his role of pregame and postgame show host. Fans will have an opportunity to give their thoughts on the air with Woody before and after every Marshall game. The THN television crew will return for a select number of games again this year with Keith Morehouse back in the booth as the play-by-play voice. Morehouse also returns as host of the weekly television show The Bob Pruett Show on WSAZ-TV. Morehouse will again be joined in the booth by long-time Marshall favorite Sonny Randle. The former Herd football coach and NFL receiver will be back with his unique analysis for a 10th season of Thundering Herd football. Jason Toy will continue to handle sideline duties for television games. Marshall at Toledo Page 6 goals and he has connected on 34-of-39 extra-point kicks. BILETNIKOFF TABS WATTS: Marshall University sophomore receiver Darius Watts was named today as one of 11 semifinalists for the 2001 Biletnikoff Award by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. The Biletnikoff Award, founded in 1994, is given annually to the top wide receiver in Division I college football. Past winners have included Bobby Ingram of Penn State (1994), Terry Glenn of Ohio State (1995) and Marshall s own Randy Moss (1997). Watts, a sophomore from College Park, Ga., is the only player among the 11 semifinalists from a school that has produced a previous winner. The other semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award this year are: Reche Caldwell (Florida), Kelly Campbell (George Tech), Kevin Curtis (Utah State), Lee Evans (Wisconsin), Jabar Gaffney (Florida), Ashley Lelie (Hawaii), Nakoa McElrath (Washington State), Josh Reed (LSU), Marquise Walker (Michigan) and Kelley Washington (Tennessee). The list of semifinalists was narrowed to three finalists on November 14, with LSU s Reed, Florida s Gaffney and Wisconsin s Evans earning the nod. The Biletnikoff Award will be presented on Thursday, December 6, in Orlando, Fla., as a part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. AKRON GAME NOTES: The scoreboard was ringing like a pinball machine and the records were falling quicker than anyone could keep track of. That was the kind of night it was when the Herd defeated Akron The start, the 83 combined points ties for the second most scored in a game at Marshall Stadium. The record of 91 was set in 1992 in a victory over Eastern Illinois. Quarterback Byron Leftwich became the first player in school and MAC history with three consecutive 400 yard passing games with 434 yards against the Zips. Leftwich also took over sole possession of the MAC lead for passing yards among active players. His 5,979 career yards moves him past Northern Illinois Chris Finlen... Sophomore receiver Darius Watts continued his amazing season with nine catches for 144 yards and a pair of scores. It was his sixth 100-yard game on the year and he has already surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the season. His 11 TD catches are tops in the country... In addition to Watts, The Herd also got 100-yard receiving games from Josh Davis and Denero Marriott, making it the first time in school history that three receivers have gone for more than 100 yards in the same game... Running back Franklin Wallace also did his part, rushing for a career-high, and Marshall Division I-A record, 196 yards against the Zips... The Herd and Zips combined for 1,249 yards of offense in the game, setting a new MAC record. With the victory, Marshall coach Bob Pruett tied his predecessor Jim Donnan for second on the school s all-time wins list. With 64 victories, Pruett is just four back of the school record of 68, set by Cam Henderson from Mid-American Conference Top Active Passing Leaders 1. Byron Leftwich (MAR) 7, Chris Finlen (NIU) 6, Joe Freedy (UB) 5, Jeff Welsh (WMU) 4, Tavares Bolden (UT) 4,761 CMU GAME NOTES: Quarterback Byron Leftwich had another banner day. Leftwich threw for a career-high 471 yards and ran for another 24 yards, setting a new school single-game total offense record with 495 yards (493 by Michael Payton vs. VMI in 1991)... Darius Watts turned in his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season and Josh Davis had his first... Sophomore Marcus Hairston saw his first action in the backfield for the Herd, rushing for 46 yards on seven carries... Joey Stepp made his first career start at center in place of injured Jeff Edwards... The Herd failed to allow a sack of quarterback Byron Leftwich for the second straight game... Backup quarterback Stan Hill completed the first pass of his career, good for a 13-yard gain to Josh Davis... Junior Duran Smith turned in a career-high 11.5 tackles in the game... Redshirt freshman Roberto Terrell continues to do a good job returning kicks, averaging 22 yards on two kickoff returns against the Chippewas... The Marshall

7 POLL WATCHING Keep up with where the two major national polls rank the Herd throughout the coming season. Marshall s highest ever national ranking was 10th in both polls at the end of the 1999 season. Listed in poll position, not vote totals. Date... AP... ESPN Preseason Aug Sept Sept NR Sept NR Sept NR Oct NR Oct NR Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Jan. 6 Marshall at Toledo Page 7 defense surrendered 483 yards of total offense to the Chips, who had two players -- Terrence Jackson (107) and Kenan Lawhorne (100) -- rush for 100 yards or more in the game. LEFTWICH TAKES MAC HONOR: Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich was named Mid-American Conference East Division Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Central Michigan. Leftwich completed 30 of 44 passes for a career-high 471 yards and also set a new school record for total offense in a game with 495 yards. His 86-yard touchdown pass to Josh Davis in the game was a career-best as well. This is the second time this season for Leftwich to win the weekly award. He was also recognized for his performance against Bowling Green on Sept. 29. HERD AMONG NATION S BEST: Since making the move from Division I-AA to Division I-A in 1997, Marshall has posted one of the top records in college football s top division. The Herd is since making the move up in divisions, which is now all alone as the second best record in Division I-A since the start of the 1997 season. Following is a look at the top I-A winning percentages since Nebraska Marshall Tennessee Michigan Florida State Kansas State Florida Virginia Tech Miami Oregon Colorado State Georgia Air Force Wisconsin Texas A&M A COMFORTABLE HOME: Since first opening Marshall Stadium for the 1991 season, the Thundering Herd has been virtually unbeatable on their home field. With a 6-0 record this season, the Herd now has an all-time mark of 88-5, good for a winning percentage of 94.6%. Under Coach Bob Pruett the Herd is an amazing 42-1 at Marshall Stadium, a 97.7 winning percentage. The Herd averaged 25,455 per game in attendance in six games this year. HOMECOMING: The Thundering Herd played the 101st homecoming game in school history against Central Michigan. With the victory, Marshall now has an alltime record of in homecoming Pepsi Players of the Week Game... Offense... Defense... Special Teams Florida... Byron Leftwich... Yancey Satterwhite... Eddie Smolder Massachusetts... Trod Buggs... Max Yates... Curtis Head Bowling Green... Josh Davis... Yancey Satterwhite...Roberto Terrell Northern Illinois... Jeff Edwards... Max Yates... Curtis Head Buffalo... Byron Leftwich... Chris Crocker... Curtis Head Central Michigan... Leftwich/Watts/Davis... Max Yates... Curtis Head Akron... Franklin Wallace / Steve Sciullo... Charles Tynes... Trod Buggs Kent State... Byron Leftwich... Max Yates... Curtis Head Miami... Denero Marriott...Entire Unit... Curtis Head Ohio... Byron Leftwich / Darius Watts... Yancey Satterwhite... Curtis Head Youngstown State... Leftwich / Carey... Roberto Terrell... Chris Massey Toledo (MAC) GMAC Bowl

8 CHARTING LEFTWICH Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich is steadily climbing several Marshall passing charts. Keep up with his progress below. PASS ATTEMPTS: 1. Chad Pennington... 1, Todd Donnan Byron Leftwich PASS COMPLETIONS: 1. Chad Pennington... 1, Michael Payton Byron Leftwich YARDS PASSING: 1. Chad Pennington...13, Michael Payton... 9, Byron Leftwich... 7,214 TOUCHDOWN PASSES: 1. Chad Pennington Michael Payton Todd Donnan Byron Leftwich TOTAL OFFENSE: 1. Chad Pennington...13, Michael Payton... 9, Byron Leftwich... 7,397 TOP PERFORMANCES Following is a listing of the top passing games in the career of Herd QB Byron Leftwich. PASSING YARDS vs. Central Michigan (2001) at Buffalo (2001) vs. Akron (2001) vs. Ohio (2001) at Akron (2000) vs. Buffalo (2000) PASS COMPLETIONS at Buffalo (2001) vs. Kent State (2000) vs. Central Michigan (2001) vs. WMU (2000)* TOUCHDOWN PASSES vs. Ohio (2001) vs. Massachusetts (2001) vs. Bowling Green (2001) 4...vs. Akron (2001) seven times * MAC Championship game Marshall at Toledo Page 8 games and now has a nine-game win streak on homecoming, the longest such streak in school history. Also, according to recently uncovered information, it appears that Marshall s Nov. 28, 1895 game against Kingsbury High was the first homecoming game in football history. The previously recognized first homecoming game was played in 1897 by the University of Michigan. UB GAME NOTES: After turning in a less than stellar performance against Northern Illinois, the Marshall offense bounced back in a big way against Buffalo. The passing game clicked on all cylinders as quarterback Byron Leftwich shredded the Buffalo defense for 455 yards through the air... In addition to career-high passing yards, Leftwich also set a school record with 37 completions... Darius Watts had his fourth 100-yard game of the season and already has more yards receiving in five games this year than he had in 12 games as a freshman... Redshirt freshman Josh Davis had nine catches in the game for the Herd, moving him to within one (35-34) of Watts for the team lead this year... Junior Curtis Jones scored his first career touchdown in the third quarter on a 4-yard pass from Leftwich... Senior tight end Gregg Kellett also had a career receiving game with four catches for 66 yards. Kellett had recorded as many as four catches in a game just once in his career, against North Carolina in Junior running back Brandon Carey saw his most significant playing time of the year with 15 carries in the game for 40 yards and another two receptions for 23 yards... In addition to his passing numbers, Leftwich also recorded his second career rushing touchdown. The TD came on a 6- yard quarterback sneak in the first quarter... Leftwich hit on 14 of his first 18 passes in the game, all in the first quarter, for 225 yards. The Buffalo defense had been surrendering just passing yards per game this season... The two TD passes by Leftwich moved him past Eric Kresser into seventh place on the Marshall career list. Leftwich also recorded his 400th career completion in the game and surpassed 5,000 yards passing... On defense Alonzo Jones had his best game of the season with nine solo tackles and three assists... Junior tackle Orlando Washington and sophomore linebacker Charles Tynes both recorded their first career interceptions... Junior Curtis Head doubled his career total with two field goals in the game. Head connected from 24 yards in the second quarter and 37 yards in the fourth quarter. NIU GAME NOTES: The Thundering Herd's game-opening touchdown drive in the win over Northern Illinois was the longest for the team in number of plays and time of possession this season. The 88-yard drive took 16 plays and consumed the first 7:51 off the game clock.... Marshall scored two defensive touchdowns against the Huskies, one on a fumble return and the other on an interception return. The Herd had not scored a defensive touchdown since Rogers Beckett returned an interception 19 yards for a TD against Buffalo (10/23/99). The last time Marshall had two non-offensive scores in a game was 10/25/97 against Eastern Michigan when John Grace returned an interceptions 42 yards for a score and Javonne Darling recovered a blocked put for another score.... Sophomore Franklin Wallace recorded his third career 100-yard rushing game.... Herd defenders Chris Crocker, Larry Davis and Michael Owens all recorded their fourth career interceptions in the game against the Huskies. It was Marshall's first three pick game since the same two teams met in 1999 (10/30).... Marshall was flagged for 17 penalties in the game, just three shy of the school record of 20 in a game set in NIU was flagged for just four violations in the game.... Quarterback Byron Leftwich completed his first seven passes before misfiring on nine straight attempts. The streak of incompletions was preceded by a blow to the head that left Leftwich groggy for the rest of the half.... Leftwich threw just his second interception of the season in the second half. He has now been picked twice in his last 271 pass attempts. His three TD passes in the game leaves him one shy of tying Eric Kresser (35) for seventh on the Marshall all-time list. MORE MAC HONORS: The Marshall defense got in on the act at the Northern Illinois game. Senior linebacker Max Yates joined quarterback Byron Leftwich, running back Trod Buggs and defensive back Roberto

9 FUTURE SCHEDULES While Complete Schedules for future seasons will not be known for some time to come, Marshall does have contracts for non-conference games through the end of the current decade. Here is a look at the games Marshall is currently scheduled to play in coming seasons. As always, dates of games are subject to change Sept at Virginia Tech Sept vs. Appalachian State Sept vs. Texas Christian Oct vs. Troy State 2003 Aug at Troy State Sept at Tennessee Sept at LSU Oct vs. Central Florida 2004 Sept vs. Troy State Sept at Georgia Oct. 2...at Central Florida 2005 Sept at Virginia Tech 2006 Sept at Tennessee 2007 Sept at Wisconsin 2008 None announced 2009 Sept vs. Tennessee 2010 Sept at Tennessee Marshall at Toledo Page 9 Terrell (who won for special teams) as Herd players to earn Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week. Yates recorded 10 solo tackles, six assists and four tackles for loss in the Herd s victory over Northern Illinois on Oct. 6. TOP COMBINATION: The Marshall passing game is producing remarkable numbers so far this season. Whether it is the passing of quarterback Byron Leftwich, or the receiving of Darius Watts, the numbers are startling. The Herd pitch and catch combo has hooked up for 18 touchdowns so far this season, that is more than 72 other Division I-A TEAMS have produced this year, a total of 63.1% of the schools in Division I-A. Among that list are nine of the other 12 schools in the Mid-American Conference, or 75 percent of the league. Other teams that are yet to throw for as many as 17 TDs this year are LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA, Auburn, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Colorado, Ohio State, Kansas State and Nebraska. HERD RECEIVING DUO: Marshall is blessed this season with one of the top receiving tandems in college football in sophomore Darius Watts and redshirt freshman Josh Davis. Here is a look at how the Herd duo stacks up against the other top receiving tandems in college football this season in receptions, yards and touchdowns per game. Receptions Per Game (min. 10.0) 1. Darius Watts/Josh Davis, Marshall Kevin Curtis/Emmett White, Utah St Rodney Wright/Bernard Berrian, Fresno St Delwyn Daigre/John Simon, Louisiana Tech Ricky Williams/Mickey Peters, Texas Tech Ashley Lelie/Justin Colbert, Hawaii Josh Reed/Michael Clayton, LSU Jabar Gaffney/Reche Caldwell, Florida Robert Redd/David Bautista, BGSU LaDaris Vann/Tye Keith, Cincinnati Deion Branch/Zek Parker, Louisville Edell Shepherd/Charles Pauley, S.J. State Nakoa McElrath/Mike Bush, Wash. St Roydell Williams/Mewelde Moore, Tulane Receiving Yards Per Game (min 140.0) 1. Josh Reed/Michael Clayton, LSU Gaffney/Caldwell, Florida Lelie/Colbert, Hawaii Watts/Davis, Marshall Wright/Berrian, Fresno State Shepherd/Pauley, San Jose St Curtis/White, Utah State McElrath/Bush, Wash. State Daigre/D.J. Curry, La. Tech Branch/Parker, Louisville Brandon Lloyd/Walter Young, Illinois Donte Stallworth/Kelly Washington, Tenn TD Receptions Per Game (min 1.0) 1. Gaffney/Caldwell, Florida Watts/Davis, Marshall Lelie/Channon Harris, Hawaii Wright/Berrian, Fresno St McElrath/Bush, Wash. State Daigre/Curry, Louisiana Tech Williams/Moore, Tulane Curtis/White, Utah State Lloyd/Young, Illinois Shepherd/Pauley, San Jose St Reed/Clayton, LSU Stallworth/Washington, Tenn Darrell Hill/PJ Fleck, NIU Kunle Patrick/Sam Simmons, NW Chris Collins/Doug Ziegler, Ole Miss 1.00 Branch/Parker, Louisville BGSU GAME NOTES: Quarterback Byron Leftwich put together the sixth 300-yard passing game of his career in the win over Bowling Green... Leftwich threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns against the Falcons... Over the last two games the junior has thrown for 658 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing just one interception... In fact, Leftwich has thrown just one interception in his last 242 regular season pass attempts while, during the same time, throwing for 17 touchdowns and almost 2,000 yards (1,965)... Leftwich also produced the 4th fourth quarter comeback victory in his career as the Herd s starting QB... Other fourth quarter comeback wins came last year against Akron (31-28), Bowling Green (20-13) and Western Michigan (19-14 for the MAC title)... Sophomore receiver Darius Watts posted his third straight 100-yard receiving game of the season against the Falcons... His performance allowed him to surpass 1,000 career receiving yards (1,090)... Sophomore running back Franklin Wallace appeared to be recovered from a hamstring injury that has bothered him all season. Wallace had 24 carries against BG for 84 yards and a touchdown. The 24 carries were a career high... Redshirt freshman receiver Josh Davis also set career highs for receptions (nine) and yards (92)

10 WATTS VS. MOSS So far this season Marshall sophomore receiver Darius Watts has been turning in his best Randy Moss impression. The nation s top receiver this year has put up numbers almost identical to those posted by Moss during his 1997 sophomore campaign for the Herd. Here is a game-by-game look at Watts numbers from this year as well as Moss through the same point in the 1997 season Darius Watts Opponent Rec. Yds. TD Florida UMass BGSU NIU Buffalo CMU Akron KSU Miami Ohio YSU game total Toledo 1997 Randy Moss Opponent Rec. Yds. TD WVU Army KSU W. Ill Ball St Akron Miami EMU CMU BGSU Ohio game total Toldeo Total Marshall at Toledo Page 10 against the Falcons... Junior Curtis Head connected on the first field goal of his career, a 41-yarder, in the third quarter... The victory over Bowling Green was the 60th in the career of Herd head coach Bob Pruett... Defensive back Yancey Satterwhite had a pair of interceptions in the game, including one late in the fourth quarter to seal the Marshall victory... Prior to the game, senior linebacker Michael Owens performed the national anthem... The announced crowd at the game of 32,034 made it the fourth largest in Marshall Stadium history... The Herd now has an all-time record of 84-5 in games at Marshall Stadium. MAC HONORS: A pair of Marshall players were honored by the Mid-American Conference as Eastern Division Players of the Week for their performances against Bowling Green. Junior quarterback Byron Leftwich, who completed 21 of 35 pass attempts for 327 yards and four touchdowns, was named the Offensive Player of the Week. It is the second time Leftwich has won the honor, having picked up the award last Oct. 30 for his performance against Akron, another game in which he led the Herd on a late fourth quarter drive to clinch a victory. Redshirt freshman Roberto Terrell was named the MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against BGSU. Terrell recorded three kickoff returns against Bowling Green for 92 yards, including a 60-yard return in the first quarter to set up a game-tying touchdown. The redshirt freshman was also thrown into the fire in the secondary, posting seven tackles against BGSU. BUGGS EARNS MAC EAST HONOR: Marshall senior Trod Buggs was named the MAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Massachusetts. Buggs took over as the Herd s primary runner after both Franklin Wallace and Chanston Rodgers went down with injuries, with Brandon Carey already sitting out with an injury. A converted linebacker and standout special teams performer, Buggs rushed for 128 yards on only 12 carries for an average of 10.7 yards per carry. Also had two receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown and one kickoff return for 17 yards. Coming into the game, Buggs had nine career rushing attempts for 16 yards and one career reception for three yards. His first play after Rodgers went down was a screen pass where Buggs appeared to have been tackled after a gain of 15 yards, but kept his feet by putting down a hand and spun free to go 25-yards for a touchdown. It was the best single-game rushing performance for the Herd since Doug Chapman went for 133 yards in the 1999 Motor City Bowl, a performance which earned him game MVP honors. Before the UMass game, Buggs was best known for his hard-hitting effort on special teams and as a linebacker. He has amassed 123 career tackles including four double-digit tackle games. ALL-STAR INVITE: Marshall senior linebacker Max Yates already has a good idea of where he will be spending early January. Yates has been invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game at PacBell Park in San Francisco. The game is scheduled for January 12 at 1:30 pm. RODGERS DONE: Junior running back Chanston Rodgers was finally playing the way he had always hoped he would, but he likely saw his season come to an abrupt end in the first quarter against UMass. Rodgers was hit on the left knee at the end of a 25-yard run against the Minutemen, causing an injury to his ACL. It is the same injury he suffered in the spring of 2000 that hampered his production all of last year. The injury that time was to his right knee. He had surgery on Sept. 28 and is expected to be in rehab for the next several months. Rodgers had already gained 49 yards on five carries, including a 14-yard touchdown run, by the time he suffered the injury. UMASS GAME NOTES: Quarterback Byron Leftwich threw for a career-high five touchdowns against UMass... It was the most TD passes in a game for a Herd QB since Chad Pennington threw for five TDs against Buffalo ( ) and was one shy of the school record of six TD passes in a game set by Pennington against Ball State ( )... Leftwich also threw for 331 yards in the game, giving him five career 300-yard games... Leftwich did have his string of consecutive regular season pass attempts without an in-

11 TOP PERFORMANCES Marshall and the MAC have accounted for some of the top team and individual offensive performances in the nation this year.. Here is a look at where selected performances rank on the national scene. Total Offense Player, Team Yds Opp. 1. Brian Lindgren, Idaho 657 MTSU 2. Rohan Davey, LSU 540 Bama 7. Byron Leftwich 495 CMU 8. Byron Leftwich 493 Akron 18. Byron Leftwich 461 UB 63. Byron Leftwich 385 Ohio Rushing Player, Team Yds Opp. 1. DeShaun Foster, UCLA 301 UW 2. Larry Ned, SD State 285 E. Ill. 41. Franklin Wallace 196 Akron Pass Completions Player, Team Yds Opp. 1. Ian Lindgren, Idaho 49 MTSU 2. Kliff Kingsbury, TTU 40 Texas 7. Byron Leftwich 37 UB 36. Byron Leftwich 30 CMU 63. Byron Leftwich 28 Miami 78. Byron Leftwich 27 UF Passing Yards Player, Team Yds Opp. 1. Brian Lindgren, Idaho 637 MTSU 2. Rohan Davey, LSU 528 Bama 7. Byron Leftwich 471 CMU 11. Byron Leftwich 455 UB 20. Byron Leftwich 434 Akron 40. Byron Leftwich 399 Ohio Receiving Yards Player, Team Yds Opp. 1. Nate Burleson, Nev. 326 S.J. St. 2. Josh Reed, LSU 293 Bama 18. Darius Watts 198 BGSU 27. Darius Watts 183 CMU 39. Josh Davis 175 CMU 72. Darius Watts 160 Umass Team Total Offense Team Yds Opp. 1. San Jose State 849 Nevada 3. Nevada 791 SJ St. 6. Marshall 726 Akron 15. Marshall 647 CMU 37. Marshall 605 KSU 71. Marshall 563 UB 89. Marshall 545 Umass Marshall at Toledo Page 11 terception stopped at In addition, Leftwich surpassed 4,000 yards (4,108) in career passing, making him the seventh player in school history to reach that plateau... With six TD passes on the year he has also moved into 8th on the Marshall career list with Sophomore receiver Darius Watts nine receptions for 160 yards were both career highs, as were his three TD receptions... Watts has already doubled the number of 100-yard receiving games he had as a freshman this year with two... The 160 yards were the most by a Marshall receiver since James Williams had 164 yards against Miami ( )... The Marshall defense saw an influx of young talent for the UMass game. A total of six true freshmen and six redshirts saw action for the Herd on defense against the Minutemen... Throw in a true freshman and a redshirt on offense and 14 first-year players saw action against UMass, including nine who made their collegiate debut... With the win over UMass Marshall ran it s streak of home-opening win to 18 games and its winning streak over Division I-AA teams to 21 games. FLORIDA GAME NOTES: Here are some notes of interest on the Herd coming out of the Florida game... The 85,445 in attendance at Florida was the largest crowd ever to witness a Marshall University athletic event, surpassing the crowd of 80,250 that saw Marshall defeat Clemson in the 1999 seasonopener... The Herd was held scoreless in the first half for the first time since trailing Toledo 35-0 last October Florida was just the second team Marshall has faced that was ranked in the Division I-A top 25 at game time. The top-ranked Gators joined BYU, which came into the 1999 Motor City Bowl ranked 25th... Four Marshall players made their first collegiate starts in the Florida game -- RG Steve Perretta, WR Josh Davis, DE Kelvin Smith and DT Toriano Brown... The 343 yards passing posted by Florida in the first half was more than the Herd allowed in any game in Junior punter Curtis Head had the first extra-point attempt of his career blocked... Darius Watts 62-yard TD reception was the longest of his career in a regular season game. He did have a 77-yard TD catch against Cincinnati in the Motor City Bowl... Quarterback Byron Leftwich ran his streak of consecutive regular season pass attempts without and interception to Junior Chanston Rodgers rushed for a career-high 85 yards against the Gators... Several Marshall players got their first collegiate playing time in the game, including DB Roberto Terrell, LB Dionte Wilson, WR Chris Ray, DL Jonathan Goddard, WR Brad Bates, DT Josh Cordell, TE Joe Deifel, TE Marcus Hairston, not to mention Perretta, Davis and Brown, who all started. MARSHALL APPEAL DENIED: Fourteen Marshall University student-athletes have had their eligibility reinstated by the NCAA, with conditions. The student-athletes, 12 football players and two men s basketball players, were originally declared ineligible by the University as a result of receiving extra work benefits prior to February of The conditions of the reinstatement are that the student-athletes must sit out a percentage of games during the coming seasons. Two football players were required to miss 10 percent of the season, or one game. Ten football players were required to miss 30 percent of the season, or three games. The two men s basketball players will both be required to miss 30 percent of their season. An appeal of these penalties was denied by the NCAA Reinstatement Committee prior to the UMass game. BOY WONDER: Marshall redshirt freshman receiver Josh Davis didn t want to feel left out when it came to superhero nicknames. The Hickory Grove, SC, native has taken on the moniker of Boy Wonder to compliment teammate and fellow wideout Darius Watts, who is known to his teammates as Spiderman. Davis, who spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy before redshirting last year, made his first college start against top-ranked Florida, recording a team-high seven receptions for 67 yards. TOP-RANKED OPPONENTS: When Marshall played the top-ranked team in Division I-A at Florida, it was not be the first time that a Marshall team has faced a team ranked No. 1. Twice in the early 1990s Marshall played the top-ranked team in the nation in the Division I-AA playoffs. Marshall faced top-ranked McNeese State in 1995 in the I-AA semifinals, taking a decision from the Cowboys in Lake

12 SEASON CHARTS Here is a look at Herd players as they progress up the school season charts. Pass Attempts Tony Petersen Byron Leftwich Chad Pennington Chad Pennington Byron Leftwich 2001 Passes Completed Tony Petersen Byron Leftwich Chad Pennington Byron Leftwich Yards Passing 1. 4, Tony Petersen , Chad Pennington ,711.. Byron Leftwich 2001 Touchdown Passes Chad Pennington Chad Pennington Tony Petersen Eric Kresser Byron Leftwich 2001 Total Offense 1. 4, Tony Petersen , Chad Pennington ,804.. Byron Leftwich 2001 Passes Caught Mike Barber Troy Brown Sean Doctor Randy Moss Darius Watts Mike Barber Randy Moss Josh Davis Yards Receiving 1. 1, Mike Barber , Sean Doctor , Mike Barber ,316.. Darius Watts Josh Davis Touchdown Receptions Randy Moss Randy Moss Darius Watts Marshall at Toledo Page 12 Charles, La. The first time the Herd squared off with a top-ranked foe was in 1989 when George Chaump s team went to Statesboro, Ga., to face the No. 1 Georgia Southern Eagles. Things didn t go nearly as well that day, with Marshall dropping a decision. SWITCHING DEFENSE: For the last several years Marshall fans have become accustomed to the smothering 4-3 style of defense employed by the Thundering Herd. That all started to change toward the end of the 2000 season, and entering 2001 the defense has a completely new look. The Herd will employ more of an eight-man front, or a 4-4 defense, this year. The team began making the change at the end of last season with positive results victories over Western Michigan in the MAC title game and Cincinnati in the Motor City Bowl. The change is most noticeable for the Herd s safeties, who are now lining up at outside linebacker. The move paid off for senior Michael Owens last year as he earned Lineman of the Game honors for the Motor City Bowl and was named to Sports Illustrated s All-Bowl Team as a linebacker. The new defense is designed to apply more pressure to opposing quarterbacks and help against the run. The trade-off is that it will often leave Herd corners in man-to-man coverage on the outside with little help. CHASING THE TROPHY: First it was Randy Moss, and then Chad Pennington, but now the tag of Heisman Trophy Candidate has been placed firmly on the shoulders of Marshall junior quarterback Byron Leftwich. While there will not be $250,000 New York City billboards featuring Leftwich, there are plans in place to assist the Herd QB in gaining the national spotlight. Of course, nothing the University can do will top performing at the top of his game on the field, but to help along the way there is a CD being produced that will include highlights of Leftwich as well as the Herd s Lombardi and Butkus Award candidate, linebacker Max Yates. In addition the CD includes the 2001 Marshall Football Media Guide, a Marshall football screen saver and several other items for the media and fans to enjoy. In addition, launched early in the season with even more video highlights, stats and anything else to do with the Herd signal-caller. MORE TROPHIES: Senior linebacker Max Yates has been placed on the watch lists for both the Lombardi Award, which goes to the nation s top lineman, and the Butkus Award, which goes to the top linebacker in college football. Sophomore receiver Darius Watts is also listed on the Biletnikoff Award watch list and junior offensive tackle Steve Sciullo is one of 26 players named to the Outland Trophy watch list. In addition, junior punter Curtis Head has been nominated for the Ray Guy Award. FACING BIG CROWDS: Since moving up to Division I-A in 1997 the Marshall football team has seen it s share of large and intimidating opposing crowds. The Herd faced the largest crowd in school history when the team visited Florida. An announced crowd of 85,445, eclipsing the previous largest crowd to see a Marshall game, 80,250, at Clemson in The crowd was also the largest opening-day crowd at Florida Field, surpassing the crowd of 85,439 for the 1997 opener against Southern Miss. The Herd also played in front of 78,717 at South Carolina in 1998, 72,983 at Michigan State last year and 65,492 in Morgantown for the West Virginia game in All of those numbers will be eclipsed in 2003 when the Herd visits Tennessee s 107,000 seat Neyland Stadium IMPRESSIVE FRESHMAN: Anyone who spent any time watching Marshall prepare for the 2001 season inevitably asked the same question at some point during a practice, Who is that No. 2? Redshirt freshman defensive back Roberto Terrell, a native of Dunnellon, Fla., spent much of camp opening eyes, and dropping jaws. At a generous 5-10, Terrell isn t going to impress with his size, but his knack for being around the football has been quite noticeable. Hardly a day went by during camp in which Terrell didn t made some kind of spectacular interception or play on a pass. HOME OPENERS: To say that Marshall fans are accustomed to winning in home-openers would be an understate-

13 MAC RECORD WATCH Here is a look at Herd players stand on the MAC record lists. Total Offense (Season) 1. 3,804 Byron Leftwich (MU) ,799 Chad Pennington (MU) ,604 Tim Lester (WMU) Touchdowns - Run/Pass (Season) Chad Pennington (MU) Chad Pennington (MU) Byron Leftwich (MU) Pass Attempts (Season) Tim Lester (WMU) Brian McClure (BG) Byron Leftwich (MU) Byron Leftwich (MU) Pass Completions (Season) Brian McClure (BG) Byron Leftwich (MU) Tim Lester (WMU) Byron Leftwich (MU) Yards Passing (Season) 1. 3,799 Chad Pennington (MU) ,711 Byron Leftwich (MU) ,639 Tim Lester (WMU) Touchdown Passes (Season) Chad Pennington (MU) Chad Pennington (MU) Tim Lester (WMU) Byron Leftwich (MU) Touchdown Passes (Career) Chad Pennington Tim Lester Brian McClure Jose Davis Byron Leftwich Completion Percentage (Season) Chad Pennington Byron Leftwich Mike Neu (BSU) Completion Percentage (Career) Byron Leftwich Chad Pennington Pass Receptions (Season) Eugene Baker (KSU) Dave Petzke (NIU) Randy Moss (MU) Darius Watts (MU) Yards Receiving (Season) 1. 1,647 Randy Moss ,549 Eugene Baker (KSU) ,316 Darius Watts Yards Rec. By Freshman (Season) 1. 1,085 Jammari O Neal (CMU) Josh Davis (MU) Touchdown Receptions (Season) Randy Moss (MU) Eugene Baker (KSU) Darius Watts (MU) Marshall at Toledo Page 13 ment. The Herd has won it s last 17 homeopeners, going back to the 1983 season when Illinois State spoiled the home debut During that time the Herd s average margin of victory in home openers has been 36 points and the team has posted five shutouts. The numbers are even more impressive in the 10 years at Marshall University Stadium. In addition to posting a 10-0 record in home openers there, the Herd s average margin in those games has been 41 points. Going back in history, Marshall has an overall record of in home-opening games. ON THIS DATE: The Thundering Herd has played on Nov. 30 eight times in school history, posting a record on this date. The Herd last played a game on this date during the 1996 run through the Division I-AA playoffs, on the way to the national title. The Toledo media guide indicates that the Rockets have played just once on this date, dropping a 35-6 decision at Temple in Following is a look at games in Herd history played on this date. Year Opponent Result 1996 Delaware W, Western Illinois W, WV Wesleyan L, Louisville W, Ohio Northern W, Georgetown W, Miami L, at Catlettsburg T, 0-0 RUNNING ON EMPTY: One of the biggest areas of concern for Marshall last year has turned into a concern again for the 2001 season.. After the graduation loss of Doug Chapman and Llow Turner following the 1999 season, and the devastating knee injury suffered by Chanston Rodgers in the spring of 2000, Marshall entered last year without a proven back. This year, the Herd entered the season with three runners to count on, but that number has quickly dwindled. Rodgers finally recovered from surgery to repair the torn ACL he suffered to his right knee in the spring of 2000, but he apparently suffered a similar injury to his left knee in the second game of the season against UMass. Rodgers had rushed for a career-high 85 yards against Florida in the season opener. Junior Brandon Carey (ankle) and sophomore Franklin Butchie Wallace (hamstring) both missed the Florida game with nagging injuries. Wallace came back against UMass bust lasted just two plays before leaving the game. Carey has not been physically able to take the field yet this season. That leaves senior Trod Buggs, who moved over from linebacker last year set to be the blocking back, as the only running back the Herd can count on. Buggs responded to the challenge against UMass with 128 yards on 12 carries to earn MAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Week honors. HERD LINEAGE: Long-time Marshall fans will certainly recognize the last name of freshman tight end Nick Slack. The Tallmadge, Ohio, native is the grandson of all-time Marshall basketball great, and MU Hall of Famer, Charlie Slack. His uncle Joe was also a hoops player at Marshall. Nick s grandfather set an NCAA record during his playing days at Marshall by averaging 25.6 rebounds per game during the season and he still owns school marks for rebounds in a season and career. DOUBLE DUTY: Junior punter Curtis Head will likely spend more time on the field this fall than in either of his first two seasons at Marshall. No, the Shelbyville, Ky., native does not expect to be punting more than the 54 times he has averaged the last two seasons (for a 40.9 average). What he does expect to do is take over the Herd s kicking duties, including kickoffs and PAT/field goals. Head has been knocking his kickoffs in practice inside the five yard line and has proven to be consistent of field goal attempts out to beyond 35 yards. The trade off for Head, now that he is handling the kicking duties, is that he has to give up his role as holder, a job that now goes to sophomore receiver Chris Martin. Should Head struggle in his new role, freshmen kickers Sam Erny and Nick Kelly have both worked hard to be ready should their numbers be called. Head had his first extra-point attempt of the season blocked in the third quarter of the Florida game but came back against UMass to connect on all seven of his tries. PASS CATCHING A RACQUET: You see it almost every day at the start of

14 GMAC BOWL INFO Marshall at Toledo Page 14 Mobile hosts the following events and more during the week of the GMAC Bowl. Mark your calendar now to visit Mobile prior to the big game by attending the events listed below! Governor Don Siegelman s Welcoming Reception Friday, December 14, 2001, 7 p.m. Basketball Luncheon Friday, December 14, 2001, Noon Former Louisiana State Basketball Coach Dale Brown will speak. Tickets: $20 each Players Hospital Visit Saturday, December 15, 2001, 9:30 a.m. Coors Classic Basketball Saturday, December 15, 2001 Georgia vs. South Alabama, 5 p.m. Marshall vs. Auburn 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 Low Level, $15 Up Level, $5 Up End Zone. Team Luncheon & Tour on the Battleship USS Alabama Sunday, December 16, 2001, 11 a.m. 5K Run Sunday, December 16, 2001, 3 p.m. FCA Breakfast Monday, December 17, 2001, 7 a.m. Florida St. coach Bobby Bowden will speak. Tickets: $12 for students and FCA members/$20 for general public Learning Through Reading Program Monday, December 17, 2001, 9 a.m. Wives Day Out Monday, December 17, 2001, 9:30 a.m. Concert Monday, December 17, 2001, 7 p.m. A Christmas concert featuring nationally known Truth. Admission is free. Media Night Monday, December 17, 2001, 7 p.m. Mayor s Luncheon Tuesday, December 18, 2001, Noon This years featured speaker will be NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. Tickets: $30 each Mardi Gras Parade & Street Party Tuesday, December 18, 2001, 6:30 p.m. COORS Alumni Golf Tournament Wednesday, December 19, 2001, 8:30 a.m. Interested players should contact Frank Modarelli at or John Raccheti at Limited to the first 120 golfers. GMAC BOWL Wednesday, December 19, 2001, 7 p.m. Marshall practices. Quarterbacks loosening up with receivers, running backs stretching, defensive players cranking up the intensity and tight end playing racquetball? That s right, racquetball. Firstyear Herd tight ends coach Bill Legg has his charges playing catch with racquetballs in order to improve their pass catching skills. They throw the small rubber spheres back and forth, they bounce them off the side of the facilities building and they dribble them around the practice field, all in an effort to improve their hand-eye coordination. The Herd hopes the extra attention to receiving will pay off at tight end, where three-year starter Gregg Kellett has recorded 12 receptions in each of the past three seasons. NEXT IN LINE: While there was no controversy at the quarterback position for the Herd this summer, there was a race on at the position to determine the No. 2 job. When senior Stephen Galbraith was forced to give up his final season due to chronic back problems, the Herd was left with a pair of redshirt freshmen and one true freshman in the race to backup starter Byron Leftwich. Training camp quickly decided the No. 2 spot as Tupelo, Miss., native Stan Hill took firm control of the job. That dropped classmate Andrew English into a race with true freshman Scott Wilks for the third spot. English missed much of the spring with a broken collar bon and Wilks has been slowed by a sprained knee, leaving the race for the third spot wide open heading into the season. TEAM CAPTAINS: Marshall enters the 2001 season with a host of team captains. The official Herd team leaders for the season include quarterback Byron Leftwich, offensive lineman Steve Sciullo, defensive end Ralph Street, linebacker Max Yates, linebacker Michael Owens and long snapper Chris Massey. NUMBERS GAME: Several Herd players will be sporting different numbers for the 2001 season. Among the players switching jerseys this fall are Gladstone Coke (34 to 1), Stan Hill (10 to 4), Brandon Carey (26 to 8). Ralph Street (53 to 34) and Marlan Hicks (98 to 51). Street s move was prompted by the possibility that he will play some tight end in goal line situations, the others were made due to personal preference. GOING BOTH WAYS: A number of Herd players have found themselves on both sides of the ball during their playing careers, and that will likely continue this fall. Among the Marshall players who have played both ways, or may this season, are Gladstone Coke (DB, RB, OLB), Yancey Satterwhite (DB, WR), Trod Buggs (RB, LB), Ralph Street (DE, TE), Luke Salmons (OL, DL), Nathan Leslie (TE, DT) and Eddie Smolder (DT, TE). FUTURE SECURE AT TE: With Senior Gregg Kellett entering his fourth and final season as the Herd s starting tight end, the future of the position would seem to be in doubt. That is no longer the case. St. Albans, WV, native Jason Rader has transferred from Georgia to Marshall in order to play closer to home. Rader originally signed with the Bulldogs because of his relationship with former Herd coach Jim Donnan, but when Donnan was let go following last season, Rader decided it was time to go home. He will sit out this season as a Division I-A transfer and will have two years of eligibility remaining. MISSING SIGNEES: Marshall s 2001 signing class got a lot lighter over the summer when a number of signees failed to qualify. The list of no-shows includes linebacker Kiel Angry, running back Wilbur Hargrove, wide receiver Kendrick Starling and defensive back Dennis Thornton. All will continue to work to gain their eligibility, either by attending junior college, or working to finish junior college. In addition, players listed on the roster in the Marshall media guide that are no longer on the team include QB Stephen Galbraith (back), DL Josh Kannell (left team), OL Jesse Peck (left team), DB Shawn Wilkerson (left team), LB Jesse Wisnewski (left team), and OL Matt Zahn (left team).

15 Marshall at Toledo Page 15 Offense X Receiver 40 Darius Watts SO... College Park, GA 83 Brad Bates FR... Chillicothe, OH 23 Robby Issacs FR...Chesapeake, OH Slot Receiver 82 Josh Davis FR... Hickory Grove, SC 87 Chris Martin SO... Nitro, WV 39 Chris Ray JR... Dawsonville, GA Left Tackle 75 Steve Sciullo JR... Pittsburgh, PA 65 Paul Hardy JR... Chesapeake, VA 63 Dwayne Robinson FR... Bunker Hill, WV Left Guard 56 Steve Content SR...Miami, FL 78 Luke Salmons SO... Cottageville, WV Center 70 Joey Stepp SO... Warfield, KY 58 Jeff Edwards JR... Kenova, WV 67 Doug Gast FR... Jacksonville, FL Right Guard 66 Steve Perretta JR... Garden City, NY 73 Anthony Bonds JR... McComb, MS 62 Ricardo Phillips FR... Chesapeake, VA Right Tackle 71 Nate McPeek SO... Russell, KY 72 Ryan Baynes FR... Augusta, GA 60 Nate Griffin FR... Newport News, VA Tight End 45 Gregg Kellett SR... Columbia, MD 96 Eddie Smolder JR...Ripley, WV 86 Joe Diefel FR... Lexington, KY Z Receiver 13 Denero Marriott JR...Inwood, WV 80 Curtis Jones JR...Okeechobee, FL 88 Demetrius Doss JR... Virginia Beach, VA Running Back 24 Franklin Wallace SO... Myrtle Beach, SC 8 Brandon Carey JR... Bridge City, LA 32 Trod Buggs SR... Orlando, FL 89 Marcus Hairston SO... Martinsville, VA Quarterback 7 Byron Leftwich JR...Washington, DC 4 Stan Hill FR... Tupelo, MS 12 Scott Wilks FR... Maryville, TN 14 Andrew English FR... Prospect, KY Kickoff Returns 2 Roberto Terrell FR...Dunnellon, FL 40 Darius Watts SO... College Park, GA 80 Curtis Jones JR...Okeechobee, FL Punt Returns 82 Josh Davis FR... Hickory Grove, SC 80 Curtis Jones JR...Okeechobee, FL 87 Chris Martin SO... Nitro, WV 2001 Depth Chart Defense Left End 34 Ralph Street SR... Mims, FL 91 Maurice McKinney SO.. District Heights, MD 59 Paul Sinclair SO... Virginia Beach, VA Tackle 95 Orlando Washington JR... Accoville, WV 94 Toriano Brown SO... Batesville, MS 98 Reggie Hayes FR... Wilmington, NC Nose Tackle 51 Marlan Hicks SO... Hampton, VA 93 Nathan Leslie SO...Emma, KY 84 Josh Cordell FR... Apple Grove, WV Right End 99 Kelvin Smith SR... Gautier, MS 97 Jamus Martin FR... Martinsville, VA Outside Linebacker 44 Charles Tynes SO... Bluefield, WV 1 Gladstone Coke SO... Moore Haven, FL Linebacker 57 Alonzo Jones SR... Jacksonville, FL 55 Sam Goines SR... Landover Hills, MD 43 Kevin Atkins FR... Richmond, VA Linebacker 5 Max Yates SR...Alexandria, VA 48 Duran Smith JR... Soddy-Daisy, TN 25 Dionte Wilson FR... Largo, MD Outside Linebacker 31 Michael Owens SR... Logan, WV 33 Larry Davis SR...Okeechobee, FL 30 J.T Rembert FR... Columbia, MD Left Cornerback 21 Terence Tarpley JR...Atlanta, GA 2 Roberto Terrell FR...Dunnellon, FL Free Safety 19 Chris Crocker JR...Chesapeake, VA 3 Moriah Anderson FR Fort Washington, MD 29 Fardan Carter SR... Columbia, MD Right Cornerback 15 Yancey Satterwhite JR... Tupelo, MS 42 Renaldo Williams FR... Jupiter, FL 20 Jimmy Tyson FR... Conway, SC Specialists Snapper 54 Chris Massey SR... Chesapeake, WV 68 Corey Dennison Jr... Barboursville, WV Kicker 36 Curtis Head JR... Shelbyville, KY 16 Nick Kelly FR... Chesapeake, VA Punter 36 Curtis Head JR... Shelbyville, KY 16 Nick Kelly FR... Chesapeake, VA Holder 87 Chris Martin SO... Nitro, WV 4 Stan Hill FR... Tupelo, MS

16 Marshall at Florida Game Recap Page 16 Gators 49, Herd 14 Sept. 1, 2001 Florida Field Gainesville, Fla. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Rex Grossman looked like the right choice at quarterback, and Florida put on an opening-night show worthy of its No. 1 ranking, against Marshall Saturday night. Grossman set his career high by halftime and finished with 375 yards passing Saturday night to lift the Gators to a victory over the Thundering Herd. The sophomore quarterback, who won the job over Brock Berlin this offseason, threw for three touchdowns and Earnest Graham scored three times as the Gators improved to 12-0 in openers under Steve Spurrier. No opening-day opponent in recent times has come to Florida with the pedigree of the Thundering Herd, the fourtime defending Mid-American Conference champions. But through a dominating first half, the Gators made it clear that they meant business. Somebody asked Marshall coach Bob Pruett the former Gators defensive coordinator if he thought that was the best team he would see this year. I hope so, Pruett said. They might be the best team anybody sees all year long. It wasn t all because of Grossman. Pass-rush specialist Alex Brown, who chose to stay for his senior season, had two sacks, as did Andra Davis, the senior linebacker who missed last year with a knee injury. It felt great to finally be out on the field with my teammates for the real thing, Davis said. Playing almost exclusively with seven defensive backs, Florida made things tough on quarterback Byron Leftwich and forced Marshall to pick and poke its way downfield to little avail. Marshall s only big play came in the third quarter, when Leftwich hit Darius Watts for a 62-yard score that cut the deficit to Leftwich did finish the game with a solid 27- for-43 for 274 yards effort with the TD and no interceptions. Florida s Jabar Gaffney, caught five passes for 102 yards. A crowd of more than 85,000 was on hand in the Swamp - the largest crowd ever to watch Marshall play and the largest opening day crowd in Florida history. Score by Quarters Score Thundering Herd Record: (0-1) Gators Record: (1-0) Scoring Summary: 1st 07:02 UF Earnest Graham 7 run (Talcott kick), :33 UF 7 - MU 0 05:49 UF Graham 6 run (Talcott kick), :54 UF 14 - MU 0 01:33 UF Reche Campbell 28 pass from Rex Grossman (Talcott kick), 3-43, 1:12 UF 21 - MU 0 2nd 04:18 UF Robert Gillespie 27 pass from Grossman (Talcott kick), :09 UF 28 - MU 0 00:32 UF Taylor Jacobs 64 pass from Grossman (Talcott kick), :24 UF 35 - MU 0 3rd 06:30 MU Darius Watts 62 pass from Byron Leftwich (kick failed), :13 UF 35 - MU 6 4th 14:13 UF Graham 1 run (Talcott kick), :46 UF 42 - MU 6 05:53 MU Chanston Rodgers 2 run (Watts pass), :51 UF 42 - MU 14 02:42 UF Carlos Perez 25 pass from Brock Berlin (Talcott kick), :11 UF 49 - MU 14 MU... UF FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time... 29: :02 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Thundering Herd-Chanston Rodgers 16-85; Team 1- minus 1; Byron Leftwich 9-minus 18. Gators-R. Gillespie 9-60; Earnest Graham 14-53; Ran Carthon 1-2; Taylor Jacobs 1-minus 2; Rex Grossman 3-minus 2. PASSING: Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich Gators- Rex Grossman ; Brock Berlin RECEIVING: Thundering Herd-Josh Davis 7-67; Darius Watts 6-116; Curtis Jones 4-12; Chris Martin 3-28; Demetrius Doss 2-30; Gregg Kellett 2-6; Chanston Rodgers 1-9; Brad Bates 1-5; Jeff Edwards 1-1. Gators-Jabar Gaffney 5-102; R. Gillespie 5-60; Reche Caldwell 4-87; Ran Carthon 2-40; Kirk Wells 2-22; Aaron Walker 2-19; Earnest Graham 2-4; Taylor Jacobs 1-64; Carlos Perez 1-25; Ben Troupe 1-7. Game Facts Kickoff: 7:20 pm End: 10:42 pm Time: 3:22 Weather: Cloudy Wind: North at 6 Temp: 82 Officials: Harold Mitchell (R), Ronnie Jones (U), Gus Morriss III (L), Mike Shirey (LJ), Greg LeFils (BJ), Tom Szymanski (FJ), Don Shanks (SJ) Attendance: 85,445

17 Marshall vs. Massachusetts Game Recap Page 17 Herd 49, Minutemen 20 Sept. 8, 2001 Marshall Stadium Huntington, WV HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich passed for 331 yards and five touchdowns as Marshall beat Massachusetts on Saturday night. Sophomore receiver Darius Watts caught three of Leftwich's scoring tosses, a 15-yarder in the first quarter and 20- and 10-yard strikes in the third quarter. Despite the four-touchdown victory, the game wasn't the cakewalk over the Division I-AA Minutemen most Marshall fans expected. Marshall (1-1) moved the ball almost at will throughout the contest and finished with 545 yards of offense. The Thundering Herd scored four of the first five times they had the ball, jumping to a 28-7 lead midway through the second quarter. But UMass (0-2) also moved seemingly at ease for much of the contest. The Minutemen finished with 355 yards and scored twice in the final two minutes of the first half to pull to at halftime. The Minutemen opened the second half by driving to the Marshall 41 before stalling when quarterback Matt Guice missed on a fourth-down pass. Marshall then took control. The Thundering Herd scored three times in the third quarter to stretch their lead to Senior Trod Buggs -- playing in place of injured tailbacks Franklin Wallace and Chanston Rodgers -- rushed 12 times for 128 yards and caught two passes for 44 yards. Buggs scored the first time he touched the ball, on a 25- yard pass into the right flat. 2nd 08:47 MU Gregg Kellett 5 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :02 UM 7 - MU 28 01:58 UM Omari Howard 1 yd run (kick blockd), :49 UM 13 - MU 28 00:03 UM Matt Guice 2 yd run (Doug White kick), :49 UM 20 - MU 28 3rd 10:15 MU Darius Watts 20 pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :36 UM 20 - MU 35 07:41 MU Denero Marriott 10 pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :32 UM 20 - MU 42 01:37 MU Darius Watts 10 pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :10 UM 20 - MU 49 UMASS... MU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFF. PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time... 35: :17 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Minutemen-Kevin Quinlan 16-96; Omari Howard 22-85; Jason Peebler 2-28; Cabral Edley 4-24; Nate Long 1-3; Jimmie Howard 1-0; DeShon Hardy 1-minus 2; Matt Guice 9-minus 23. Thundering Herd-Trod Buggs ; Chanston Rodgers 5-49; Gregg Kellett 2-15; Stan Hill 2-11; Darius Watts 1-10; Josh Davis 1-6; Garrett Morrison 4-5; Franklin Wallace 2-3; Byron Leftwich 3-minus 13. PASSING: Minutemen-Matt Guice ; Kelly Seibert Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich ; Stan Hill RECEIVING: Minutemen-DeShon Hardy 4-90; Neal Brown 3-20; Jason Peebler 2-13; Jimmie Howard 2-10; Pete Cariello 1-11; Kevin Quinlan 1-0. Thundering Herd-Darius Watts 9-160; Denero Marriott 3-37; Josh Davis 3-16; Gregg Kellett 2-59; Trod Buggs 2-44; Demetrius Doss 1-8; Chris Martin 1-7. Score by Quarters Score Minutemen Record: (0-2) Thundering Herd Record: (1-1) Scoring Summary: 1st 12:04 MU Chanston Rodgers 14 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :56 UM 0 - MU 7 09:56 MU Darius Watts 15 pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :14 UM 0 - MU 14 04:11 UM DeShon Hardy 22 pass from Matt Guice (Doug White kick), :48 UM 7 - MU 14 01:32 MU Trod Buggs 25 pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :39 UM 7 - MU 21 Game Facts Kickoff: 7:06 pm End: 10:40 pm Time: 3:34 Weather: Sunny Wind: North at 10 Temp: 85 Officials: Nick Define (R), David Foley (U), Steven Furjanic (L), Richard Fetchiet (LJ), Craig Griffith (BJ), Robert McElwee (FJ), James Visingardi (SJ) Attendance: 27,533

18 Marshall vs. Bowling Green Game Recap Page 18 Herd 37, Falcons 31 Sept. 29, 2001 Marshall Stadium Huntington, WV HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich threw four touchdown passes, including a 10-yarder to Josh Davis with 2:48 left to lift Marshall past Bowling Green Saturday night. Marshall (2-1, 1-0 Mid-American) overcame an 11-point deficit early in the third quarter to spoil a stellar night for the Falcons' Andy Sahm and Robert Redd. Sahm threw three TD passes and Redd had a schoolrecord 215 yards receiving for Bowling Green (3-1, 1-1), which lost for the first time under new coach Urban Meyer. Leftwich hit Davis with a bullet pass across the middle to cap a 10-play, 66-yard drive. Leftwich completed 21 of 35 passes for 327 yards. Two of his TDs were to sophomore Darius Watts, who had eight catches for 198 yards. Leftwich has 10 TD passes and just one interception this season. After Marshall went ahead, Bowling Green got the ball at its 12 and drove to the Marshall 40, but Sahm was intercepted by Yancey Satterwhite at the Herd 3 in the finals seconds. Sahm's third TD pass -- a 3-yarder to Kurt Gerling -- put Bowling Green ahead early in the third quarter, but the Falcons were shut down on their next four possessions. Marshall's Curtis Head kicked a 41-yard field goal and Leftwich hit Franklin Wallace with a 12-yard scoring pass to cut the deficit to midway through the quarter. Watts later dropped a 20-yard pass in the end zone late and Leftwich was sacked on the next play, pushing Marshall out of field goal range. Davis, a redshirt freshman, caught nine passes for 92 yards. Sahm was 16-of-30 for 264 yards. Joe Alls rushed for 107 yards. Score by Quarters Score Falcons Record: (3-1,1-1) Thundering Herd Record: (2-1,1-0) Scoring Summary: 1st 06:57 BG Robert Redd 7 yd pass from Andy Sahm (Sean Suisham kick), :24 BGSU 7 - MU 0 05:29 MU Darius Watts 8 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :28 BGSU 7 - MU 7 00:38 MU Darius Watts 11 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (kick failed), :58 BGSU 7 - MU 13 2nd 12:48 BG Sean Suisham 28 yd field goal :50 BGSU 10 - MU 13 07:02 MU Franklin Wallace 2 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :46 BGSU 10 - MU 20 02:02 BG Robert Redd 59 yd pass from Andy Sahm (Sean Suisham kick), :15 BGSU 17 - MU 20 00:02 BG Khary Campbell 45 yd fumble recovery (Sean Suisham kick) BGSU 24 - MU 20 3rd 11:44 BG Kurt Gerling 3 yd pass from Andy Sahm (Sean Suisham kick), :16 BGSU 31 - MU 20 09:08 MU Curtis Head 41 yd field goal :36 BGSU 31 - MU 23 06:54 MU Franklin Wallace 12 pass from Byron Leftwich (pass failed), :46 BGSU 31 - MU 29 4th 02:48 MU Josh Davis 10 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Darius Watts pass), :30 BGSU 31 - MU 37 BGSU... MU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time...27: :28 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Falcons-Joe Alls ; John Gibson 4-12; Josh Harris 5-10; Godfrey Lewis 3-5; Andy Sahm 5-minus 15. Thundering Herd-Franklin Wallace 23-78; Brandon Carey 5-11; Byron Leftwich 12-7; Darius Watts 1-minus 2. PASSING: Falcons-Andy Sahm Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich RECEIVING: Falcons-Robert Redd 9-215; Kurt Gerling 3-24; David Bautista 1-11; Craig Jarrett 1-9; James Hawkins 1-5; John Gibson 1-0. Thundering Herd-Josh Davis 10-92; Darius Watts 8-198; Denero Marriott 3-25; Franklin Wallace Game Facts Kickoff: 7:06 pm End: 10:28 pm Time: 3:22 Weather: Clear Wind: Calm Temp: 60 Officials: David Neal (R), James Thomas (U), Norman Eubank (L), Harold Deines (LJ), Thomas Workman (BJ), Jeff Szink (FJ), David Chesney (SJ) Attendance: 32,034

19 Marshall at Northern Illinois Game Recap Page 19 Herd 37, Huskies 15 October 6, 2001 Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL DEKALB, Ill. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich threw three touchdown passes and Marshall's defense turned two turnovers into scores Saturday as the Thundering Herd routed Northern Illinois Leftwich hit Darius Watts with scoring passes of 5 and 3 yards and also connected with Denero Marriott on a 31- yarder. Leftwich did have his struggles in the game. High winds and a blow to the head early in the second quarter turned a 7-for-7 passing start into nine straight incomplete passes by halftime. Fortunately, the oft-maligned Herd defense stepped to the fore. Orlando Washington returned a fumble 25 yards for a first-quarter touchdown for the Thundering (3-1, 2-0 Mid- American Conference). And Michael Owens picked off a Chris Finlen pass and took it 25 yards for a score in the third quarter to put Marshall up Marshall had not scored a defensive touchdown in almost two years before Saturday. Robers Beckett recorded the last defensive score for the Herd, returning an interception 19 yards for a touchdown against Buffalo on Oct. 23, Franklin Wallace rushed 23 times for 109 yards to lead Marshall's ground attack. It was the first 100-yard game of the season for Wallace, who has been slowed all year by a hamstring injury. Marshall overcame 17 penalties for 132 yards in the game. The school record for penalties in a game is 20, set in In contrast, NIU was flagged just four times for 30 yards in the game. In addition to the two scores by the Marshall defense, the Herd recorded three interceptions in a game for the first time since recording three picks against the Huskies in Northern Illinois (2-3, 0-2) managed just 127 yards rushing on 46 attempts, and Finlen completed only 9-of-20 passes with three interceptions. Thre Huskies scored on a 1-yard run by Finlen and a 4- yarder by Thomas Hammock Score by Quarters Score Thundering Herd Record: (3-1,2-0) Huskies Record: (2-3,0-2) Scoring Summary: 1st 07:51 MU Darius Watts 5 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :09 MU 7 - NIU 0 06:39 MU Orlando Washington 25 yd fumble recovery (Curtis Head kick) MU 14 - NIU 0 00:52 NIU Thomas Hammock 4 yd run (Steve Azar kick), :47 MU 14 - NIU 7 2nd 02:53 MU Curtis Head 26 yd field goal 4-3 0:44 MU 17 - NIU 7 3rd 09:21 MU Denero Marriott 31 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :28 MU 24 - NIU 7 02:24 MU Michael Owens 25 yd interception return (Curtis Head kick) MU 31 - NIU 7 4th 11:25 MU Darius Watts 3 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (kick blockd), :35 MU 37 - NIU 7 08:52 NIU Chris Finlen 1 yd run (P.J. Fleck pass), :33 MU 37 - NIU 15 MU... NIU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time... 31: :30 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Thundering Herd-Franklin Wallace ; Trod Buggs 9-49; Josh Davis 1-15; Byron Leftwich 8-2; Team 1- minus 1. Huskies-Thomas Hammock 18-67; Michael Turner 11-60; Darrell Hill 1-34; Chris Finlen 14-minus 13; Josh Haldi 2-minus 21. PASSING: Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich Huskies-Chris Finlen ; Josh Haldi RECEIVING: Thundering Herd-Darius Watts 5-72; Josh Davis 5-39; Denero Marriott 4-62; Franklin Wallace Huskies-Matt Dunker 3-16; Keith Perry 2-51; P.J. Fleck 2-43; Michael Turner 1-16; Kandras Bledsoe 1-14; Darrell Hill 1-1; Alan Rood 1-1. Game Facts Kickoff: 1:05 pm End: 4:13 pm Time: 3:08 Weather: Sunny Wind: NW Temp: 45 Officials: Raymond Vaughn (R), David Nowak (U), Paul Wzontek (L), Jeff Bauer (LJ), Rob Luklan (BJ), Michael Perry (FJ), Richard Ames (SJ) Attendance: 17,367

20 Marshall at Buffalo Game Recap Page 20 Herd 34, Bulls 14 October 13, 2001 UB Stadium Amherst, NY AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich passed for a career-high 455 yards on a school-record 37 completions to lead Marshall to a victory over Buffalo on Saturday. Leftwich threw for 225 yards in the first quarter, as the Thundering Herd (4-1, 3-0 Mid-American) picked apart a Buffalo defense that entered the game allowing yards passing per game, ninth in the nation. Darius Watts had seven receptions for 132 yards, and Josh Davis had nine catches for 69 yards. Buffalo's Joe Freedy completed 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards. Derrick Gordon rushed for 137 yards for the Bulls (1-5, 0-4). Buffalo recovered Franklin Wallace's fumble on the game's first drive, but had to punt. On the ensuing drive, Leftwich connected with Davis for a 19-yard touchdown. Then, when Marshall forced Buffalo to punt after three plays, Leftwich guided a 56-yard drive that culminated in his 6-yard scoring run. Marshall made it 24-0 in the second quarter behind a 24-yard field goal by Curtis Head and a 1-yard rush by Wallace. Buffalo got on the board in the third quarter, scoring on Albert Grundy's 2-yard run. But Marshall countered with a 4- yard pass from Leftwich to Curtis Jones to make it Head added a 37-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter, and Gordon capped the scoring with a 2-yard TD run. In addition to his numbers in the game, Leftwich also continued his steady climb up the Marshall career passing charts. He now has 416 career completions and 5,074 yards. His two TD passes give him 36 for his career, moving him past Eric Kresser for seventh on the Herd career list. The 455 yards passing Leftwich turned in was the fourth best single-game performance in school history. The school record of 496 yards was set by Michael Payton against VMI in Score by Quarters Score Thundering Herd Record: (4-1,3-0) Bulls Record: (1-5,0-4) Scoring Summary: 1st 06:40 MU Josh Davis 19 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :16 MU 7 - UB 0 03:18 MU Byron Leftwich 6 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :35 MU 14 - UB 0 2nd 13:44 MU Curtis Head 24 yd field goal :24 MU 17 - UB 0 04:01 MU Franklin Wallace 1 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :56 MU 24 - UB 0 3rd 12:09 UB Albert Grundy 2 yd run (Dallas Pelz kick), :51 MU 24 - UB 7 01:22 MU Curtis Jones 4 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :55 MU 31 - UB 7 4th 08:06 MU Curtis Head 37 yd field goal :53 MU 34 - UB 7 04:47 UB Derrick Gordon 2 yd run (Dallas Pelz kick), :19 MU 34 - UB 14 MU... UB FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time...33: :11 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Thundering Herd-Franklin Wallace 13-49; Brandon Carey 15-40; Trod Buggs 4-13; Byron Leftwich 4-6. Bulls- Derrick Gordon ; Joe Freedy 3-13; Albert Grundy PASSING: Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich Bulls-Joe Freedy RECEIVING: Thundering Herd-Josh Davis 9-69; Darius Watts 7-132; Denero Marriott 6-73; Curtis Jones 5-52; Gregg Kellett 4-66; Chris Martin 3-34; Brandon Carey 2-23; Franklin Wallace 1-6. Bulls-Andre Forde 5-81; Matt Knueven 3-40; Chad Bartoszek 3-37; Albert Grundy 2-6; Zeke McKine 1-22; Maurice Bradford 1-21; Derrick Gordon 1-0. Game Facts Kickoff: 1:05 pm End: 4:37 pm Time: 3:32 Weather: Sunny Wind: S 4-12 mph Temp: 72 Officials: Stan Evans (R), Jeff Carr (U), Paul Beuerle (L), Dana McKenzie (LJ), Tom McCabe (BJ), Rich Grube (FJ), Tony Robinson (SJ) Attendance: 12,438

21 Marshall vs. Central Michigan Game Recap Page 21 Herd 42, Chippewas 21 October 20, 2001 Marshall Stadium Huntington, WV HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich threw for a career-high 471 yards and three touchdowns as Marshall beat Central Michigan Saturday. Leftwich surpassed 450 yards for the second straight week in which he has picked apart two of the Mid-American Conference's top pass defenses. He completed 30 of 44 passes. Marshall (5-1, 4-0 MAC) scored 42 consecutive points and amassed 647 total yards against the Chippewas (2-4, 1-3). It was the most yards for the Herd since compiling 631 last year against Buffalo. It marked the second time in Marshall history that a quarterback surpassed 400 yards passing in consecutive games. Michael Payton did it against Appalachian State and Western Carolina in Payton holds the school record of 496 yards against VMI in Leftwich, a junior, threw for 455 yards last week at Buffalo. He rushed for 25 yards Saturday to finish with 496 allpurpose yards, breaking Payton's mark of 493 set against VMI. Marshall's Franklin Wallace ran for scores of 6 and 12 yards to put the Herd ahead 21-7 midway through the third quarter. Marshall needed just three plays combined for its next two touchdowns. From the Central Michigan 47, Leftwich found an open Darius Watts across the middle. Watts stopped on the 10, changed directions, put his hand down to balance himself and ran by Tedaro France into the end zone. Late in the quarter, Leftwich hit an open Josh Davis across the middle at the Marshall 35. A block from Watts put Davis into the clear and he ran up the left sideline untouched for an 86-yard score and a 35-7 lead. Davis caught 10 passes for 175 yards while Watts, who entered the game fourth in Division I-A with 678 yards, had nine catches for 183 yards. Central Michigan's Terrence Jackson rushed 27 times for 107 yards, his third-straight 100-yard game. Score by Quarters Score Chippewas Record: (2-4,1-3) Thundering Herd Record: (5-1,4-0) Scoring Summary: 1st 06:21 CMU Tory Humphrey 4 yd pass from Derrick Vickers (Paul Savich kick), :02 CMU 7 - MU 0 2nd 06:32 MU Franklin Wallace 6 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :48 CMU 7 - MU 7 03:17 MU Denero Marriott 16 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :16 CMU 7 - MU 14 3rd 06:49 MU Franklin Wallace 12 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :41 CMU 7 - MU 21 04:48 MU Darius Watts 47 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :48 CMU 7 - MU 28 01:46 MU Josh Davis 86 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :18 CMU 7 - MU 35 4th 09:43 MU Brandon Carey 1 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :10 CMU 7 - MU 42 05:11 CMU Terrence Jackson 2 yd run (Paul Savich kick), :32CMU 14 - MU 42 00:00 CMU Dante McKnight 31 yd pass from Derek Gorney (Paul Savich kick), :18 CMU 21 - MU 42 CMU... MU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time... 29: :28 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Chippewas-Terrence Jackson ; Kenan Lawhorne ; Derrick Vickers 8-28; Derek Gorney 1-11; Alan Parks 2-11; James Reese 1-4. Thundering Herd-Franklin Wallace 14-81; Marcus Hairston 7-46; Byron Leftwich 4-24; Brandon Carey 6-9; Trod Buggs 1-6; Stan Hill 1-minus 3. PASSING: Chippewas-Derrick Vickers ; Derek Gorney Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich ; Stan Hill RECEIVING: Chippewas-Roderick Means 4-38; Rob Turner 3-74; Kenan Lawhorne 3-35; Tory Humphrey 3-19; Dante McKnight 2-48; Jacob Brown 1-8. Thundering Herd-Josh Davis ; Darius Watts 9-183; Franklin Wallace 4-30; Denero Marriott 3-35; Gregg Kellett 2-30; Brandon Carey 2-22; Chris Martin 1-9. Game Facts Kickoff: 4:05 pm End: 7:16 pm Time: 3:11 Weather: Sunny Wind: NW 3-5 mphtemp: 72 Officials: William Alge Jr (R), Karl Lowell (U), Tom Krispinsky (L), Steve Barnes (LJ), Dennis Morris (BJ), Dennis Jackson (FJ), Samuel Williams (SJ) Attendance: 30,063

22 Marshall vs. Akron Game Recap Page 22 Herd 50, Zips 33 October 27, 2001 Marshall Stadium Huntington, WV HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) Byron Leftwich surpassed 400 yards passing for the third straight game, throwing for four touchdowns in Marshall s victory over Akron on Saturday night. The Herd (6-1, 5-0 Mid-American) did little wrong against the league s worst defense. Leftwich was 25-of-39 for 434 yards, becoming the first quarterback in conference history with three straight 400-yard games. Franklin Wallace ran for a career-high 196 yards on 23 carries, including a pair of fourth-quarter TD runs. Three Marshall receivers surpassed 100 yards in one game for the first time ever. The Herd s 726 total yards were the most given up this season by Akron (2-6, 2-3). The teams combined for a conference-record 1,249 yards of offense. Despite Marshall s firepower, Akron had a chance to close within a touchdown at the start of the second half. The Zips drove 89 yards to the Marshall 1, but the Herd s Charlie Tynes sacked Charlie Frye on fourth down. Marshall then drove the length of the field with Leftwich hitting Denero Marriott on a 35-yard TD toss for a lead. Leftwich needed just four plays on the Herd s next drive, finding an open Josh Davis, who put several moves on the Zip defenders and scored untouched on a 69-yard TD play. Akron then weaved through the Herd defense for two long touchdown drives but couldn t get closer than 10 points the rest of the way. Marshall s Darius Watts matched his Division I-A-best average of 144 yards on nine catches, including TD receptions of 61 and 23 yards. Davis had four catches for 115 yards and Marriott had seven for 108. Akron s Bob Hendry had a career-high 192 yards on 35 carries. Score by Quarters Score Zips Record: (2-6,2-4) Thundering Herd Record: (6-1,5-0) Scoring Summary: 1st 13:00 MU Curtis Head 32 yd field goal :00 AKR 0 - MU 3 02:23 MU Darius Watts 61 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :12 AKR 0 - MU 10 2nd 12:52 AKR Charlie Frye 13 yd run (Zac Derrkick), :31 AKR 7 - MU 10 09:34 MU Brandon Carey 6 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :18 AKR 7 - MU 17 07:03 MU Darius Watts 23 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :00 AKR 7 - MU 24 03:16 AKR Zac Derr 35 yd field goal :47 AKR 10 - MU 24 3rd 10:09 MU Denero Marriott 35 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (kick failed), :36 AKR 10 - MU 30 05:57 MU Josh Davis 69 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (kick failed), :40 AKR 10 - MU 36 03:27 AKR Mike Brake 5 yd pass from Charlie Frye (Bob Hendry rush), :30 AKR 18 - MU 36 4th 11:27 AKR Bob Hendry 8 yd run (Tim Ritley pass), :34 AKR 26 - MU 36 07:29 MU Franklin Wallace 1 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :47 AKR 26 - MU 43 02:17 MU Franklin Wallace 36 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :24 AKR 26 - MU 50 02:00 AKR Matt Carter 92 yd kickoff return (Zac Derr kick) AKR 33 - MU 50 AKRON... MU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFF. PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time...35: :47 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Zips-Bob Hendry ; Matt Zuercher 5-19; Charlie Frye 7-18; Ty Washington 1-14; Junior McCray 2-8; Ashanti Barbee 1-0. Thundering Herd-Franklin Wallace ; Byron Leftwich 5-59; Brandon Carey 4-27; Trod Buggs 1-6; Marcus Hairston 3-4. PASSING: Zips-Charlie Frye Thundering Herd- Byron Leftwich RECEIVING: Zips-Jake Schifino 7-96; Matt Cherry 6-86; Tim Ritley 3-24; Mike Brake 3-12; Andrew Wilson 2-23; Matt Zuercher 1-11; Bob Hendry 1-11; Nick Fortner 1-9. Thundering Herd-Darius Watts 9-144; Denero Marriott 7-108; Josh Davis 4-115; Curtis Jones 2-32; Franklin Wallace 2-21; Brandon Carey Game Facts Kickoff: 7:06 pm End: 10:39 pm Time: 3:33 Weather: Clear Wind: SE 10 mph Temp: 44 Officials: Raymond Vaughn (R), David Nowak (U), Paul Wzontek (L), Jeff Bauer (LJ), Rob Luklan (BJ), Michael Perry (FJ), Richard Ames (SJ) Attendance: 22,129

23 Marshall at Kent State Game Recap Page 23 Herd 42, Flashes 21 November 3, 2001 Dix Stadium Kent, Ohio KENT, Ohio (AP) -- Byron Leftwich ran for one score and passed for 333 yards and three touchdowns as Marshall beat Kent State The victory was the seventh in a row for the Thundering Herd (7-1, 4-0 Mid-American Conference). Kent State (4-5, 2-3) was seeking its first four-game winning streak since 1976 and its first five-win season since The win moved Marshall coach Bob Pruett into sole possession of second place on the school wins list with 65. Marshall has scored at least 34 points in every game since losing its opener at Florida, Leftwich completed 24-of-34 passes and was intercepted twice -- both on passes deflected by his receivers. His scoring passes covered 9 and 24 yards to Darius Watts and 23 yards to Curtis Jones. Leftwich had passed for at least 400 yards in his last three games. He moved past the 6,000-yard platue for his career. Two of Leftwich's receivers topped 100 yards. Denero Marriott had eight catches for 110 yards; Watts 107 yards on eight receptions. Trod Buggs rushed for 107 yards on 13 carries for the Herd, while Franklin Wallace scored on a 2-yard run, Brandon Carey on a 10-yard run and Leftwich added a 2-yard keeper for a touchdown. Wallace left the game early with a sprained ankle. Quarterback Joshua Cribbs completed 17-of-29 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown for Kent State. He also ran for 159 yards on 20 carries. Marshall had 605 total yards; the Golden Flashes 448. Marshall has now won seven straight games from Kent State. Score by Quarters Score Thundering Herd Record: (7-1,4-0) Golden Flashes Record: (4-5,2-3) Scoring Summary: 1st 10:01 MU Franklin Wallace 2 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :59 MU 7 - KSU 0 00:06 KSU Dave Pavich 22 yd field goal :49 MU 7 - KSU 3 2nd 11:34 MU Darius Watts 9 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :32 MU 14 - KSU 3 07:11 MU Darius Watts 24 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :47 MU 21 - KSU 3 01:10 MU Byron Leftwich 2 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :33 MU 28 - KSU 3 3rd 12:27 KSU Dave Pavich 40 yd field goal :33 MU 28 - KSU 6 04:36 MU Brandon Carey 10 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :44 MU 35 - KSU 6 4th 13:45 KSU DeMarlo Rozier 2 yd run (Dave Pavich kick), :00 MU 35 - KSU 13 05:40 MU Curtis Jones 23 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :37 MU 42 - KSU 13 02:50 KSU Maurio Medley 2 yd pass from Joshua Cribbs (Jurron Kelly pass), :50 MU 42 - KSU 21 MU... KSU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFF. PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time... 32: :40 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Thundering Herd-Trod Buggs ; Franklin Wallace 14-83; Brandon Carey 10-40; Byron Leftwich 4-18; Marcus Hairston Golden Flashes-Joshua Cribbs ; Chante Murphy 13-77; Jurron Kelly 1-11; Mikal Lundy 4-10; Eddie Beccles 2-8; DeMarlo Rozier 1-2; Darrell Dowery 1-minus 1. PASSING: Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich ; Stan Hill Golden Flashes-Joshua Cribbs ; Ben McDaniels ; TEAM RECEIVING: Thundering Herd-Denero Marriott 8-110; Darius Watts 8-107; Josh Davis 3-52; Brandon Carey 3-24; Gregg Kellett 2-25; Curtis Jones Golden Flashes-Jurron Kelly 6-93; Matt Curry 3-41; Daryl Moore 2-18; Joshua Bostick 2-16; Chante Murphy 1-10; Eddie Beccles 1-7; Maurio Medley 1-2; Antonio King 1-minus 5. Game Facts Kickoff: 3 pm End: 6:18 pm Time: 3:18 Weather: Sunny Wind: W 5-10 mphtemp: 57 Officials: David Neal (R), James Thomas (U), Norman Eubank (L), Harold Deines (LJ), Thomas Workman (BJ), Jeff Szink (FJ), David Chesney (SJ) Attendance: 12,607

24 Marshall at Miami Game Recap Page 24 Herd 27, RedHawks 21 November 10, 2001 Yager Stadium Oxford, Ohio OXFORD, Ohio (AP) Marshall used some trickery to capture its fifth consecutive Mid-American Conference East Division title. Running back Brandon Carey threw two touchdown passes to lead the Herd past Miami of Ohio Saturday. Marshall (8-1, 5-0 MAC East) will play for the conference championship on the home field of the West Division winner on Nov. 30. ``Their safeties were playing great all day long. They were rushing and putting a good amount of pressure on Byron (Leftwich)," Pruett said. ``We used Carey on those two passes to keep them honest and try to stop the constant rush." Leftwich completed 28-of-41 passes for 285 yards, putting him over 3,000 yards for the season. He didn't throw any touchdowns for the first time all year and was held under 300 yards for the third time. But Leftwich did catch an 11-yard TD pass from Carey to give Marshall a lead with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Carey also threw a 37-yard TD pass to Denero Marriott in the second quarter. Marriott had seven catches for 132 yards, and Josh Davis had nine catches for 102 yards. Franklin Wallace rushed 26 times for 91 yards, including a 6-yard TD in the first quarter. Miami's Steve Little rushed 13 times for 65 yards. He scored on a 15-yard run in the first quarter and added a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to cut the deficit to Miami's Ben Roethlisberger was 16-of-29 for 210 yards. Roethlisberger took a hard hit from two Marshall players with 9:17 remaining in the game. He left for one play but showed no signs of slowing down, taking Miami down the field on an 18-play, 95-yard drive. On fourth-and-8, Roethlisberger found Jason Branch at the Marshall 1-yard line. Luke Clemens scored from there to cut the deficit to with 5:02 left. ``We were just trying to get down the field as fast as we could," Roethlisberger said. ``We were trying to get some points on the board. I thought if we could get the ball back one last time, we could score. ``You've got to give Marshall credit. They made the big play when they had to." Marshall got the ball back on its 20. On third-and-11, Denero Marriott dropped a pass as he was hit, but Miami was called for holding to give the Herd a first down at the 42 with 2:47 left. On third-and-5, Leftwich hit tight end Greg Kellett for a first down at the Miami 39 and Marshall ran out the clock. ``It came down to us not making the big play when we had to," said Miami defensive lineman Gino DiGiandomenico. Score by Quarters Score Thundering Herd Record: (8-1,7-0) RedHawks Record: (7-3,6-1) Scoring Summary: 1st 11:01 MIA Steve Little 15 yd run (Jared Parseghian kick), :54 MU 0 - MIAMI 7 06:33 MU Franklin Wallace 6 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :28 MU 7 - MIAMI 7 01:59 MU Curtis Head 30 yd field goal :14 MU 10 - MIAMI 7 2nd 10:01 MU Denero Marriott 37 yd pass from Brandon Carey (Curtis Head kick), :59 MU 17 - MIAMI 7 3rd 13:31 MIA Steve Little 17 yd run (Jared Parseghian kick), :29 MU 17 - MIAMI 14 08:51 MU Byron Leftwich 11 yd pass from Brandon Carey (Curtis Head kick), :40 MU 24 - MIAMI 14 00:06 MU Curtis Head 41 yd field goal :48 MU 27 - MIAMI 14 4th 05:02 MIA Luke Clemens 1 yd run (Jared Parseghian kick), :29 MU 27 - MIAMI 21 MU... MIAMI FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFF. PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time...35: :39 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Thundering Herd-Franklin Wallace 26-91; Brandon Carey 2-5; Trod Buggs 3-2; Team 3-minus 4; Byron Leftwich 3-minus 4. RedHawks-Steve Little 13-65; Ryan Hawk 2-26; Luke Clemens 6-25; Ben Roethlisberger PASSING: Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich ; Brandon Carey RedHawks-Ben Roethlisberger RECEIVING: Thundering Herd-Josh Davis 9-102; Darius Watts 8-44; Denero Marriott 7-132; Gregg Kellett 3-31; Franklin Wallace 2-13; Byron Leftwich RedHawks-Jason Branch 4-40; Steve Little 3-13; Eddie Tillitz 2-47; Michael Larkin 2-24; Robert Frazier 1-50; Chauncey Henry 1-21; Matt Brandt 1-13; Randy Stegman 1-4; Cal Murray 1-minus 2. Game Facts Kickoff: 12:08 pm End: 3:30 pm Time: 3:22 Weather: Sunny Wind: SW 9 mph Temp: 52 Officials: Stan Evans (R), Jeff Carr (U), Paul Beyerle (L), Dana McKenzie (LJ), Thomas McCabe (BJ), Rich Grube (FJ), Tony Robinson (SJ) Attendance: 24,286

25 Marshall vs. Ohio Game Recap Page 25 Herd 42, Bobcats 18 November 17, 2001 Marshall Stadium Huntington, WV HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich didn't think Ohio's ball-control offense would allow him to have a big game. Leftwich passed for 399 yards and six touchdowns to lead Marshall (No. 25 ESPN/USA Today, No. 24 AP) to a victory over Ohio on Saturday. It didn't matter that Ohio's offense held the ball for more than 37 minutes. "We wanted to come out and get in our rhythm tonight," Leftwich said. "It's tough to get possession time with that team. We wanted to score every time we got the ball, on every possession." The junior narrowly missed his fourth 400-yard game. He tied the school record for TD passes in a game set by Heisman Trophy finalist Chad Pennington against Ball State in Leftwich, who completed 28-of-39 passes, left the game in the final minutes after giving Marshall a first down at the Ohio 26. In avenging a loss to the Bobcats last year, Marshall (9-1, 6-0 MAC East) won the Battle of the Bell, a symbol of the Ohio River separating West Virginia and Ohio. Four of Leftwich's TD tosses went to Darius Watts, who has drawn comparisons to former Herd standout Randy Moss and entered the game third in Division I-A receiving with 128 yards per game. Watts caught 10 passes for 136 yards and was one TD catch short of the school record of five set by Moss against Ball State in Ohio, which is third in the nation with rushing yards per game, compiled 318 against the Herd, but the Bobcats squandered two early scoring chances. Kevin Kerr missed a 44-yard field goal on the opening possession. After Ohio recovered a fumble at the Marshall 27, Alonzo Jones intercepted Dontrell Jackson and returned it to the Ohio 48. Early in the second quarter, Marshall's Sam Goines recovered a fumble at the Herd 48. Watts went high to snare a bullet pass from Leftwich for a 3-yard score. Leftwich passed for all 85 yards of Marshall's next possession, finding Watts on a fade pattern from 9 yards out for a 21-0 lead. Ohio's Joe Mohler took the snap on a fake punt and ran 31 yards to the Marshall 44. A 26-yard pass from backup Freddie Ray to Jason Caesar moved the ball to the 13. On fourth-and-1 at the 4, Ray scrambled to his right and threw across the field to a sliding Chris Knaack in the end zone with 25 seconds left until halftime for Ohio's first points in 12 quarters. Score by Quarters Score Bobcats Record: (1-9,1-7) Thundering Herd Record: (9-1,8-0) Scoring Summary: 1st 02:42 MU Darius Watts 26 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :34 OU 0 - MU 7 2nd 09:26 MU Darius Watts 3 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :41 OU 0 - MU 14 03:11 MU Darius Watts 9 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :42 OU 0 - MU 21 00:25 OU Chris Knaack 4 yd pass from Freddie Ray (Kevin Kerr kick failed), :46 OU 6 - MU 21 3rd 12:27 MU Trod Buggs 3 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :33 OU 6 - MU 28 04:17 OU Jamel Patterson. 16 yd run (Jason Caesar rush failed), :07OU 12 - MU 28 01:28 MU Darius Watts 6 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :49 OU 12 - MU 35 4th 08:30 OU Stafford Owens 17 yd pass from Freddie Ray (Stafford Owens rush failed), :58 OU 18 - MU 35 07:28 MU Curtis Jones 29 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :02 OU 18 - MU 42 OHIO... MU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFF. PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time... 37: :37 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Bobcats-Freddie Ray 9-88; Jamel Patterson 16-73; Joe Mohler 2-46; Jason Caesar 12-38; Stafford Owens 2-27; Joe Sherrill 8-18; Dontrell Jackson 9-14; Ray Huston Thundering Herd-Trod Buggs 10-87; Brandon Carey 7-31; Franklin Wallace 2-7; Marcus Hairston 1-3; Team 1- minus 1; Byron Leftwich 3-minus 14. PASSING: Bobcats-Freddie Ray ; Dontrell Jackson ; Joe Mohler Thundering Herd-Byron Leftwich RECEIVING: Bobcats-Joe Mohler 3-23; Jason Caesar 2-38; Chris Knaack 2-8; Stafford Owens Thundering Herd- Darius Watts ; Josh Davis 6-78; Curtis Jones 3-80; Gregg Kellett 3-54; Denero Marriott 3-23; Trod Buggs 2-14; Brandon Carey Game Facts Kickoff: 3:06 pm End: 6:34 pm Time: 3:28 Weather: Sunny Wind: Calm Temp: 70 Officials: Don Amicon (R), William Zurcher (U), Dan Kett (L), Michael Dolce (LJ), Max Schwarzel (BJ), William Simons (FJ), George Plesac (SJ) Attendance: 24,932

26 Marshall vs Youngstown State Game Recap Page 26 Herd 38, Penguins 24 November 24, 2001 Marshall Stadium Huntington, WV HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Byron Leftwich threw three touchdown passes, including a 14-yarder to Josh Davis in the fourth quarter as No. 20 Marshall held off Division I-AA Youngstown State Marshall (10-1) needed Roberto Terrell's 76-yard interception return with 11 seconds left to stop a Youngstown State comeback and avoid possibly becoming the first ranked team to lose to a I-AA opponent. Fighting for a I-AA playoff berth, Youngstown State (8-3) played a more physical game and its defense guarded against the long pass, making Leftwich earn every yard. Leftwich was held to 218 yards on 25-of-35 passing, 131 below his average. Marshall had to overcame Youngstown State's P.J. Mays, who rushed 30 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns. His 6-yard TD run on fourth down to start the second half gave the Penguins a lead. But after Youngstown's Jake Stewart kicked a 39-yard field goal on the next series, the Penguins failed to move the ball again until late in the game. Davis, who had been quiet for most of the game, caught four passes for 49 yards on the drive that gave the Herd a lead with 12:43 left. Youngstown State was stopped on fourth down at the Marshall 1 with 2:30 left when Chris Crocker tackled Mike Burns for a loss. Marshall punted after three running plays and Youngstown State got the ball back with 1:04 left at the Marshall 49. Quarterback Jeff Ryan scrambled for 12 yards on fourth down to the 29. On the next play, Terrell stepped in front of Eugene Mintze at the 23, intercepted Ryan's pass and ran untouched down the left sideline. Marshall got a pass interference call in the end zone to keep alive a drive that tied the game. Brandon Carey scored from 2 yards out to cap the 13-play series late in the third quarter. Carey rushed 20 times for 104 yards, his first 100-yard game of the season. The win tied Marshall's coach Bob Pruett with Cam Henderson for the most coaching victories in school history. Henderson went from Pruett is in six seasons. Score by Quarters Score Penguins Record: (8-3,5-2) Thundering Herd Record: (10-1,8-0) Scoring Summary: 1st 11:26 YSU P.J. Mays10 yd run (Jake Stewart kick), :27 YSU 7 - MU 0 00:22 MU Darius Watts 11 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :20 YSU 7 - MU 7 2nd 12:20 MU Curtis Head 20 yd field goal :35 YSU 7 - MU 10 05:19 YSU P.J. Mays 2 yd run (Jake Stewart kick), :01 YSU 14 - MU 10 02:58 MU Curtis Jones 20 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :21 YSU 14 - MU 17 3rd 10:16 YSU P.J. Mays 6 yd run (Jake Stewart kick), :44 YSU 21 - MU 17 06:00 YSU Jake Stewart 39 yd field goal :57 YSU 24 - MU 17 01:49 MU Brandon Carey 2 yd run (Curtis Head kick), :11 YSU 24 - MU 24 4th 12:43 MU Josh Davis 14 yd pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick), :06 YSU 24 - MU 31 00:11 MU Roberto Terrell 76 yd interception return (Curtis Head kick) YSU 24 - MU 38 YSU... MU FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFF. PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time...32: :18 Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: Penguins-P.J. Mays ; Mike Burns 13-86; Jeff Ryan 17-74; Colby Street Thundering Herd-Brandon Carey ; Trod Buggs 7-31; Byron Leftwich PASSING: Penguins-Jeff Ryan Thundering Herd- Byron Leftwich RECEIVING: Penguins-P.J. Mays 2-24; Dennis Dlugosz 1-15; John Schumacher 1-9; Mike Burns 1-2. Thundering Herd- Josh Davis 8-82; Curtis Jones 4-49; Gregg Kellett 4-23; Darius Watts 3-24; Trod Buggs 3-19; Denero Marriott 2-16; Brandon Carey 1-5. Game Facts Kickoff: 7:06 pm End: 10:16 pm Time: 3:10 Weather: Rain Wind: SSE 8 mph Temp: 70 Officials: Stan Evans (R), Jeff Carr (U), Jeffrey Baur (L), Dana McKenzie (LJ), Thomas McCabe (BJ), Rich Grube (FJ), Tony Robinson (SJ) Attendance: 16,041