Marshall University Thundering Herd

Transcription

1 Marshall University Thundering Herd 2015 Football Game Notes Marshall Thundering Herd (7-1, 4-0 C-USA) at Charlotte (2-5, 0-4 C-USA) Saturday, Oct. 31, :30 p.m. ET - Jerry Richardson Stadium (15,314) - Charlotte, N.C. TV: FOX Sports Net (Mark Followill-Play-by-Play, Brian Baldinger-Analyst, Lesley McCaslin-Sideline) Marshall Media Relations Contact Information Jason Corriher (Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations) Work: Cell: corriher@marshall.edu Website: HerdZone.com Online Resources HerdZone.com Herdzone.com is Marshall Athletics official website. Roster, biographical information, Marshall s football record book, complete statistics and historical information regarding Thundering Herd football can be found here. Each week game notes, statistics and other media resources can be found here. CollegePressBox.Com Collegepressbox.com is the official media website for Conference USA football. Access and download weekly game notes, quotes, statistics, media guides and more for the conference and each of its 13 member schools throughout the season. Login information will be distributed to accredited media or you can apply for a password by sending an to password@collegepressbox.com. ConferenceUSA.com Weekly conference statistics and an interactive online conference media guide are available at com Game-by-Game Captains Purdue-22 D.J. Hunter, 54 Michael Selby, 78 Clint Van Horn, 94 Jarquez Samuel Ohio-17 Taj Letman, 54 Michael Selby, 71 Sebastian Johansson, 93 Steve Dillon Norfolk State- 3 Davonte Allen, 10 Corey Tindal, 54 Michael Selby, 94 Jarquez Samuel Kent State- 17 Taj Letman, 19 Deandre Reaves, 22 D.J. Hunter, 47 Devon Johnson ODU- 31 Evan McKelvey, 54 Michael Selby, 85 Ryan Yurachek, 94 Jarquez Samuel Southern Miss- 3 Davonte Allen, 31 Evan McKelvey, 85 Ryan Yurachek, 93 Steve Dillon Florida Atlantic-10 Corey Tindal, 30 Evan McKelvey, 38 Tyler Williams, 85 Ryan Yurachek North Texas-3 Davonte Allen, 17 Taj Letman, 22 D.J. Hunter, 54 Michael Selby Charlotte- Marshall University Information Location Huntington, W.Va. Founded 1837 (as Marshall Academy) Enrollment 14,000 Nickname Thundering Herd Colors Green (PMS 356C) and White Stadium Joan C. Edwards Stadium Capacity 38,148 Year Opened 1991 (as Marshall University Stadium) Surface FieldTurf Conference Conference USA (East Division) Interim President Gary White Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick (Marshall, 1980) Head Coach Doc Holliday (West Virginia, 1979) Record at Marshall overall, C-USA Career Record same Marshall s 2014 Record C-USA Record/Finish 7-1 (1st, East) Offense Multiple Defense Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost 7/4 Letterwinners Returning/Lost 67/15 Marshall Football Staff Head Coach Doc Holliday (West Virginia, 1979) Offensive Coord./QBs Bill Legg (West Virginia, 1985) Defensive Coord./Secondary Chuck Heater (Michigan, 1975) Running Backs Chris Barclay (Wake Forest, 2009) Defensive Ends Sean Cronin (Georgetown, Ky., 2003) Linebackers Adam Fuller (Sacred Heart, 1998) Wide Receivers Mike Furrey (Northern Iowa, 2000) Tight Ends/Recruiting Coord. Todd Goebbel (Northern Iowa, 1998) Offensive Line Alex Mirabal (FIU, 1993) Defensive Tackles J.C. Price (Virginia Tech, 1998) Assistant AD for Football Ops Mark Gale (Oklahoma State, 1981) Stat Comparison (Conference USA Ranks) Marshall Charlotte Scoring Offense 31.6 (5th) 17.9 (12th) Scoring Defense 16.9 (1st) 34.0 (9th) Total Offense (8th) (12th) Total Defense (1st) (3rd) Rushing Offense (T-2nd) (T-2nd) Rushing Defense (8th) (3rd) Passing Offense (10th) (13th) Passing Defense (1st) (4th) 2015 Marshall Football Schedule Date Opponent (TV) Time (ET)/Result Sept. 6 PURDUE (FS1) W, Sept. 12 at Ohio (ASN/ESPN3) L, Sept. 19 NORFOLK STATE (ASN-WVAH) W, 45-7 Sept. 26 at Kent State (ASN/ESPN3) W, (2OT) Oct. 3 OLD DOMINION (ASN/WCHS) W, 27-7 Oct. 9 SOUTHERN MISS (CBSSN) W, Oct. 17 at Florida Atlantic (FOX College Sports) W, Oct. 24 NORTH TEXAS (FOX Sports Net) W, Oct. 31 at Charlotte (FOX Sports Net) 3:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at Middle Tennessee (FOX Sports TBA) TBA (12-day window) Nov. 14 FIU (FOX Sports TBA) TBA (12-day window) Nov. 27 at Western Kentucky (FS1) 12 p.m. Bold - Indicates a C-USA game Home games in CAPS All times are Eastern Time Zone and subject to change.

2 North Texas Notes Marshall game captains versus North Texas, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff -- Offense: Michael Selby, center; Davonte Allen, wide receiver; Defense: Taj Letman, safety; D.J. Hunter, linebacker. With wide receiver Justin Hunt making his first career start and running back Remi Watson making his first start of 2015, Marshall has had 34 players make a start on offense and defense this season. Defensive end Blake Keller s 20-yard half-sack of DaMarcus Smith is the first of Keller s Marshall career. Marshall s 89-yard touchdown drive (1:30, second quarter; Hyleck Foster 3-yard run) is the Herd s longest drive of the season (by yards). Marshall s 20 quarterback hurries is a season high, eclipsing 17 in the win over Southern Miss (Oct. 9). Placekicker Nick Smith s 32-yard field goal (11:08, fourth quarter) was his 11th straight in 11 attempts this season and the 18th in a row converted by the Herd. Justin Haig made his final seven last season. The last miss was Haig s 23-yarder in the first quarter (11:26) against UAB at Legion Field on Nov. 22, Running back Hyleck Foster had 105 rushing yards on 17 carries. It is the 22nd time in the last 22 games and 33rd time in the last 36 games that Marshall has had a 100-yard rushing performance. It is Foster s second in as many weeks. Marshall has won 19 of its last 20 home games, dating to an Oct. 27, 2012 loss to UCF (last two home games in 2012, 6-0 in 2013, 6-1 in 2014, 5-0 this season). The Herd has allowed only five TDs in four league wins this month, ranking in the top five nationally. Marshall also has gained 11 turnovers in those four games, also a top-five FBS number. Isabelle Izzy Rogner, the Marshall Student Government Association vice president and a Herd cross country and track and field runner, was voted Miss Marshall for Homecoming Rogner is a junior from Lewisburg, W.Va. Mr. Marshall was Nigel Wallace, a senior from Logan, W.Va. Turning Up The Heat Marshall defensive coordinator Chuck Heater and his troops are off to a fast start in several national statistical categories. The Herd is in the top 20 in the following: 1st: Pass breakups (51) 1st: Fourth-down stops (12) T-1st: Passes defended (62) 2nd: Pass efficiency defense (87.67) 2nd: Yards/Pass Attempt Allowed (4.9) T-2nd: Turnovers Gained (19) 3rd: Completion Percentage Allowed (46.1) T-4th: Defensive touchdowns (3) 7th: 3-and-outs (5.75/game) T-9th: Interceptions (11) T-9th: Fumbles Recovered (8) T-12th: 3-and-out percentage (40.0, ) 15th: Red Zone Defense (.739) 17th: Scoring Defense (16.9) 19th: Pass Yards Allowed/Game (180.9) Topping the League (Team) Marshall leads Conference USA in: Scoring Defense (17.4 points/game) Pass Defense (189.7 yards/game) Pass Defense Efficiency (89.8) Kickoff Return Average (27.8 yards/game) Net Punting (40.1 yards/punt) Field Goal Percentage (1.000, 8-8) PAT Percentage (1.000, 27-27) Individually, Nick Smith is first nationally in field goal percentage (1.000, 11-11). The 11 makes are the most in the nation among kickers who have yet to miss this season. Evan McKelvey s 84 tackles is third nationally and first in the league by seven. Also, Taj Letman s three interceptions are tied for the league lead. Polling The Thundering Herd received one points in the latest Amway/USA Today Coaches Poll, effectively placing the program 38th nationally. Leaves Fall, Herd Wins The Herd is 21-6 after Oct. 28 in Doc Holliday s four-plus years as head coach, including a 12-1 mark at home. Perfect vs. Texas at Home Interestingly enough, Marshall has never lost to a school from Texas at home. The Thundering Herd is a perfect 12-0 against Texas schools in games played in Huntington. Marshall owns two wins over North Texas (1988, 2015), two wins over Houston (2008, 2012), three wins over Rice (2007, 2011, 2014), two wins over SMU (2005, 2009), two wins over UTEP (2006, 2010) and one victory over UTSA (2013). The Best...and... Among Group of Five programs, Marshall has the best winning percentage in the seasons. A look at the top G5 teams during that span: Marshall (20-2,.909) Memphis (17-3,.850) Boise State (18-4,.818) Toledo (16-4,.800) Houston (15-5,.750)...Nearly the Best With back-to-back seasons of double-digit victories 10 in 2013 and 13 in Marshall entered 2015 owning one of the best FBS totals in that twoplus-season span. Currently, only three FBS teams have more victories since the start of the 2013 season. Ohio State-34 Florida State-33 Michigan State-32 Marshall-30 Next Man Up Coach Holliday talks frequently about the program s Next Man Up philosophy as it relates to reserves playing well in place of injured starters. It s been a season-long situation for Holliday s team, which continues to endure through depth. The Herd has had 34 players start on offense or defense in of those on the offensive side. Perfection Placekicker Nick Smith s 32-yard field goal (11:08, fourth quarter) against North Texas was his 11th straight in 11 attempts this season and the 18th in a row converted by the Herd, a figure that leads the nation. Justin Haig made his final seven last season. The last miss was Haig s 23-yarder in the first quarter (11:26) against UAB at Legion Field on Nov. 22, UCLA s 12 consecutive makes are the next closest total. Marshall s Craig Ratanamorn holds the school record for consecutive field goals with 16 (last two of 2008, first 14 of 2009). Three and Outs Marshall has forced a three-and-out by the opposition 46 times on 115 drives this season. The 5.75 per game average is seventh nationally. Marshall has registered a three-and-out on 40.0 of the drives it has defended, a figure that is tied for the 12th-highest mark nationally. Efficiency at its best The Herd has averaged more yards per play than the opposition in 21 of its last 23 games (Ohio and Kent State in 2015). What s up? Doc Marshall Coach Doc Holliday enters his sixth season on the Herd sideline, and the only current Conference USA head coach who was in the Texas-based league when Holliday arrived is Rice s David Bailiff. Holliday, named at Marshall in December 2009, was part of a 23-man FBS coaching-hire class prior to the 2010 season. Of those 23 coaches, only six remain on the job at the schools hiring them in 2010 Holliday, Florida State s Jimbo Fisher, Notre Dame s Brian Kelly, Ruffin McNeill at East Carolina, Virginia s Mike London and Todd Berry of Louisiana-Monroe. Holliday is (.644) in five-plus seasons. The only coaches in his hiring class with better records are Fisher (64-12,.842) and Kelly (51-21,.718). Holliday received a six-year contract extension this past spring, through June 2021, bumping his base and supplemental salary to $755,500. Herd Finishes Under Holliday Since Doc Holliday became head coach in 2010, the Herd has an excellent record of finishing off its opponents once it takes the lead. Marshall is 34-6 when it scores first, 34-3 when leading after the first quarter, 37-2 when leading at halftime and 36-3 when leading after three quarters. 10+ Since the start of the 2012 season (48 games), MU boasts yard plays, an average of 18.6 per contest. As you might imagine, those numbers have yielded the following: In that same period, offensive coordinator Bill Legg s attack has 27 games of 500 or more yards total offense and 27 games with 40 or more points.

3 Feel The Rush With a 105-yard effort by Hyleck Foster vs. Charlotte, the Herd has 22 of those 100-yard rushing performances in the last 22 games, and 33 in the last 36 games. Protecting the Home Turf Marshall is nationally known for being one of, if not the, toughest places to play in college football. The program has won 85.0 percent (147-26) of its home games in Joan C. Edwards Stadium, the second-highest mark in the country. Baylor, who is in just its second season in McLane Stadium, is first at 10-0 (1.000). Marshall has won 19 of its last 20 home games, dating to an Oct. 27, 2012 loss to UCF (last two home games in 2012, 6-0 in 2013, 6-1 in 2014, 5-0 this season). Tyler, too Herd senior Tyler Williams impressed quickly upon his 2012 arrival in the program, winning the punting job as a true freshman walk-on and then setting the school single-season record with a yard average. Now, he has a shot at the career average record. The Fort Wayne, Ind., resident currently has a 44.0-yard average over his three-plus seasons. The school record of 43.4 belongs to Pat Velarde ( ). And only 67 of Williams 193 career punts have been returned, or 1 for every 2.9 kicks. In three-plus seasons, Williams has had 56 punts of 50 or more yards, including 12 of 60-plus. He has placed 63 inside the 20, with only 21 touchbacks. Williams has been especially clutch in 2015, as he is second nationally with 22 kicks that have been downed inside the 20. Williams 52 punts rank fifth nationally, and his 2,338 yards ranks fourth. His stellar performance in the 2013 Military Bowl was a key to the Herd s victory over Maryland, as Williams pinned the Terps at their own 1, 5, 1 and 8 among his seven kicks. His career-long boot was a 66-yarder at Rice in Williams is the fifth four-year starting punter in Marshall annals, following Bob Esbaugh ( ), Chris Hanson ( ), Curtis Head ( ) and Kase Whitehead ( ). Happy returns Herd kick return man Deandre Reaves has set the school record for singleseason return yards in each of the last two years 924 in 2013 and 931 last season. In the loss at Ohio, he also claimed the school s career record. Reaves has 2,217 career kick return yards. The school mark that lasted nearly four decades was Ray Crisp s. who posted 1,966 yards from Reaves has gotten his kick runback yardage in the last two-plus seasons. He didn t have a kick return as a freshman in He has two career kick returns for touchdowns, both for 93 yards (vs. Northern Illinois-2014, at Kent State-2015). Through eight games, Marshall is eighth nationally with a average on kick returns. Extra Points Seconds after Tiquan Lang returned an interception 30 yards seven seconds into the win over Purdue, placekicker Nick Smith trotted onto the field for the ensuing extra point. Smith has a PAT streak to continue. Justin Haig made his final 102 extra points last missing Nov. 2, 2013 in a win over Southern Miss (third quarter), and Smith kicked one in last season s victory at FIU. With three in the win over North Texas, the Herd streak is 133 when the Marshall faces Charlotte on Saturday. Marshall had a streak of 156 straight when Haig missed in So far in 2015, Smith has been perfect on all 41 of his kicks. He has made all 11 goal attempts and all 30 of his extra point tries. Only LSU (44) has made more kicks this season without missing any. Hang on! It s easy to see why Herd Coach Doc Holliday talks about ball security so often. His five previous Marshall teams have provided a strong indicator of why turnover margin is so important. Holliday s six Herd teams have a combined record. When Marshall has an edge in turnover margin, it is When the turnover number is equal, Marshall is But when the opponent is more sure-handed, the Herd is Of Marshall s 73 games under Holliday, the Herd has played 36 while producing zero or one turnover. Favored When Alabama kicked off as the underdog against Georgia on Oct. 3, it snapped the Crimson Tide s 72-game streak of being the favorite. The Thundering Herd now holds the distinction of having the longest such streak...32 games. Next is Georgia at 23, followed by Oklahoma (20) and TCU (15). 50+ Marshall s win over NIU last season was the 14th time that the Thundering Herd has reached the 50+-point plateau under coach Doc Holliday. Jim Donnan ( ) holds the all-time school mark in that department with 15, while Bob Pruett ( ) also reached that mark 14 times and Cam Henderson ( , ) did it on 13 occasions. The graduates Marshall will play the 2015 season with 13 players already owning their MU undergraduate degrees a record for a Herd football team. MU had five 2015 seniors (athletic eligibility) graduate last December wide receiver Davonte Allen, linebacker D.J. Hunter, safety Taj Letman and tight end Joe Woodrum in management, and offensive guard Sebastian Johansson in sports management/marketing. The roster gained four more graduates in May cornerback Keith Baxter (health science), defensive end Joe Massaquoi (criminal justice), offensive tackle Clint Van Horn (political science) and punter Tyler Williams (marketing). Then, four summer graduates were added in August defensive end Armonze Daniel (management), defensive tackle Steve Dillon (Regents bachelor of arts), kick returner Deandre Reaves (marketing) and linebacker Evan McKelvey (marketing and management). In addition, former offensive lineman Cam Dees gained his finance degree. Dees had to give up football because of multiple knee injuries. Florida Atlantic Notes Marshall s captains against Florida Atlantic, as selected by coach Doc Holliday and staff, are tight end Ryan Yurachek and center Michael Selby on offense, cornerback Corey Tindal and linebacker Evan McKelvey on defense, and punter Tyler Williams. On the second play from scrimmage, senior running back Devon Johnson passed Mickey Jackson ( ) and Erik Thomas ( ) with his 25th career touchdown, good for 11th place all-time at Marshall. Johnson s 83-yard day put him over 2,300 rushing yards for his career at 2,335. Johnson s 75-yard touchdown was his longest run of the year, besting his previous mark of 73. Tyler Williams had two punts of 50 yards or more to give his 16 for the season, with eight of 55 yards or more. Marshall s defense recorded its first safety of the season, with D.J. Hunter and Nyquan Harris on the stop. The play marked the Herd s first safety since Sept. 10, 2011, against Southern Miss, when Vinny Curry took down Kendrick Hardy. On the first play of the second quarter, Remi Watson had his first touchdown of the season, the 14th of his career. The Herd defense forced three three-and-outs on FAU drives, giving Marshall 44 for the season. Hyleck Foster earned his first rushing attempts of the season, carrying 17 times for 122 yards. Nick Mathews 12-yard reception in the second quarter is his longest gain of the year. Davonte Allen s 22-yard touchdown gives him three for the season and 11 for his career, tied for 22nd all-time at Marshall with Eric Ihnat ( ), Bruce Hammond ( ) and Brian Swisher ( ). Freshman quarterback Chase Litton s touchdown pass to Allen in the second quarter gives him 11 for the season, tying with Eric Kresser for No. 2 in Marshall history in his first five starts. Tyler Williams punt in the third quarter was downed at the nine-yard line, giving him 22 punts downed inside the 20 this season. In the third quarter, Amoreto Curraj had a kickoff downed in the end zone, giving him 25 on the year. Ricardo Williams recorded the first sack of his career in the third quarter. Hyleck Foster s 66-yard touchdown run at 5:42 in the third quarter was the longest run of his career and his first rushing touchdown. Nick Smith connected on his 11th consecutive extra point of the year to give the Herd 130 in a row.

4 Marshall had three players each with 60 yards rushing or more for the first time since Sept , against Rhode Island (Devon Johnson 137, Steward Butler 68, Remi Watson 66). Hyleck Foster had 122 yards on 17 carries, Devon Johnson had 83 on three attempts and Remi Watson had 66 on 11. Hyleck Foster s day of 17 carries and 122 yards gives Marshall 20 performances of 100 rushing yards in the last 21 games, and 30 in the last 34 games. Rodney Allen s fourth-quarter interception is his second of the season, and the second of his career. Deandre Reaves had a career-high seven catches for 55 yards. Smith converted his eighth consecutive field goal. Marshall has now made 15 in a row dating back to last season at UAB. Marshall had over 300 yards rushing (326) for the first time since Nov. 8, 2014, at Southern Miss. Marshall had a season-high 500 yards of total offense. The last time the Herd gained 500 or more yards of offense was at the Boca Raton Bowl against Northern Illinois on Dec. 23, 2014 (505 yards). Marshall s 35:18 of possession is the largest figure in a win since holding it for 36:08 in a win over Ohio in the 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Southern Miss Notes Marshall game captains versus Southern Miss, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff -- Offense: Ryan Yurachek, tight end; Davonte Allen, wide receiver; Defense: Evan McKelvey, linebacker; Steve Dillon, defensive tackle. Redshirt freshman defensive end Ryan Bee made his first career start for Marshall. Sophomore right tackle AJ Addison made his first career start for Marshall. He s the third starter in six games at right tackle for the Herd (Clint Van Horn, Tom Collins). Devon Johnson s 1-yard touchdown run (3:05, first quarter) is his 30th career touchdown, moving him into 12th place in Herd history. It also was his 24th rushing touchdown, putting him in a tie for 11th with Mickey Jackson ( ) and Erik Thomas ( ). The first-quarter sack by Nyquan Harris (on the intentional grounding flag for USM) was the redshirt freshman tackle s first career sack. Placekicker Nick Smith s 34-yard field goal at 8:36 (second quarter) is Marshall s 14th consecutive field goal conversion. Smith is 7-for-7 this season and Justin Haig made his final seven last season. The last miss was Haig s 23-yarder in the first quarter (11:26) against UAB at Legion Field on Nov. 22, Defensive end Ryan Bee s block of Southern Miss s field goal attempt (4:25, second quarter) is the Herd s first blocked kick of the season and the 24th blocked kick in Coach Doc Holliday s five-plus Marshall seasons. With Devon Johnson s 82-yard day, he took his career rushing yardage total to 2,252, surpassing Larry Fourquean (2,232 yards from ) for No. 11 on the Marshall career list. Chase Litton s 61-yard touchdown pass to Deandre Reaves is the 10th scoring pass by Litton in his fourth start, a Marshall school record for a quarterback s first four starts. The 61-yarder also was the longest pass play of the Herd season and the longest since Angelo Jean-Louis caught 77- and 61-yarders from Rakeem Cato in last season s win over Ohio on Sept. 13, Defensive end Ryan Bee s fumble recovery (4:42, third quarter) is his second in as many weeks. Punter Tyler Williams 53-yard kick late in third quarter is his 20th inside the 20 this season, which leads the FBS in that category. It also is his 13th punt of 50 or more yards in Defensive tackle Jarquez Samuel s fumble return for a touchdown is Marshall s first fumble-to-touchdown since defensive end Ra Shawde Myers had one on Nov. 22 last season in a win at UAB. Samuel s touchdown was the eighth defensive touchdown for the Herd in coordinator Chuck Heater s three seasons at Marshall. Cornerback Rodney Allen s interception (9:22, fourth quarter) is the first of his Marshall career. Nick Mullens 58 pass attempts (1:39 left) rank fifth for a Herd opposing quarterback. The record is 64 by Ryan Griffin of Tulane in The last time consecutive foes had so few points against the Herd came before Marshall joined C-USA in In the final two games of 2003, the Herd won at UCF, 21-7, then closed an 8-4 season at home with a 28-0 spanking of Ohio. The five Southern Miss turnovers were the most the Herd has gained since UAB had five giveaways in an October 2011 loss at The Joan. The five unsuccessful fourth-down attempts were the most by a Marshall opponent in at least the last 16 years of Thundering Herd football. Old Dominion Notes The National Anthem in the pregame Military Appreciation Day ceremony was sung by Beckley s Aretha Gaye Franklin Van Horn, a retired U.S. Army Captain and the mother of Herd All-Conference USA right tackle Clint Van Horn. Marshall game captains versus Old Dominion, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff, were center Michael Selby and tight end Ryan Yurachek on offense, and linebacker Evan McKelvey and nose tackle Jarquez Samuel on defense. It is Selby s team-leading fourth captaincy of the 2015 season. Redshirt sophomore running back Tony Pittman made his first career start for Marshall. Nick Smith s third point-after-touchdown of the game was the 122nd straight conversion for the Herd. The last miss was by Justin Haig on Nov. 23, 2013, at FIU. Smith is 25-for-25 on kicks this season (6-of-6 FG and 19-of-19 PAT). Corey Tindal s first-quarter interception was the second of his career (first this season). The pick by Kendall Gant to end the game was Marshall s eighth of the season. Redshirt freshman defensive end Ryan Bee had the first two sacks of his Herd career, both in the second quarter. He finished the game with 12 tackles, making him only the seventh Herd defensive lineman with at least that many stops in a game since Tyler Williams had four punts inside the 20 in the game, giving him 18 of those this season. That s already the senior s most inside-the-20 punts in a season, topping his 16 as a 2012 freshman. Tight end Ryan Yurachek s 31-yard reception (9:10, third quarter) is the longest in his two Herd seasons. Yurachek and slot receiver Deandre Reaves each had a career-high six receptions against the Monarchs. Pittman s 127-yard rushing day against ODU gives Marshall yard rushing performances in the last 19 games. Smith s 39-yard field goal (11:10 remaining) is the 13th consecutive field goal conversion for Marshall. Smith is 6-for-6 this season and Justin Haig made his final seven last season. The last miss was Haig s 23-yarder in the first quarter (11:26) against UAB at Legion Field on Nov. 22, Pittman s 32 rushes are the most for a Herd running back in a single game since Darius Marshall rushed 32 times for 133 yards against UAB in The seven points for ODU are the fewest allowed by Marshall in a Conference USA game since a 27-7 win over UAB in ODU s 2.8 yards per pass is the fewest Marshall has allowed since UCF managed just 1.7 in a UCF win in Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Nov. 15, Marshall has won 17 of its last 18 games at home. Kent State Notes Marshall game captains at Kent State, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff, were running back Devon Johnson and wide receiver Deandre Reaves on offense and safety Taj Letman and linebacker D.J. Hunter on defense. Antwan Dixon s 47-yard run for Kent State s first touchdown (11:33, first quarter) is the longest run against the Marshall defense this season. Herd running back Tony Pittman s two touchdowns (3:54, first quarter; double overtime) were his first this season, and the second and third, respectively, of his career (first at Southern Miss, 2014). Tony Pittman s 129 yards rushing is his career high for a game (previous was 37 at Southern Miss, 2014). Deandre Reaves 93-yard kick return for a touchdown (8:51, third quarter) was his second career kick return for a touchdown, matching his career long of 93 for a touchdown in last year s Boca Raton Bowl victory.

5 Reaves kick return touchdown was the third in Coach Doc Holliday s fiveplus Marshall seasons Reaves two and a 100-yarder by Troy Evans versus Southern Miss in Linebacker Evan McKelvey s third-quarter fumble recovery was the first of his Herd career. Tyler Williams 12 punts are his career high number, topping nine in the loss at Ohio on Sept. 12 (two weeks ago). Tight end Ryan Yurachek s 17-yard touchdown catch (12:32, fourth quarter) gave him four receptions on the day, matching his career high (multiple times). Twenty-four punts by the teams combined (Marshall , Kent State ) ties a Marshall record set on Sept. 14, 1985 at Fairfield Stadium, a 31-7 Marshall win over Ohio (Herd ; Ohio ). Tyler Williams 562 punt yards in the game (12 kicks) breaks the Herd singlegame record for punt yards belonging to Bob Eshbaugh, 513 vs. Western Michigan in 1972 (Eshbaugh had 14 punts). Marshall is 8-6 all-time in overtime (includes Division I-AA era). The Herd is 5-6 in FBS era in overtime, the first of those being the win in 2001 GMAC Bowl. Norfolk State Notes Captains for the game were Jarquez Samuel, Corey Tindal, Davonte Allen and Michael Selby. True freshman quarterback Chase Litton, redshirt senior right tackle Tom Collins, sophomore safety Kendall Gant and redshirt senior wide receiver Deandre Reaves each recorded their first start. The Herd has made 11 consecutive field goals (final seven last season by Justin Haig, four this season by Nick Smith (2 vs. Purdue; 1 at Ohio, 1 vs. Norfolk State); last miss was Haig 23-yarder in first quarter (11:26) at UAB (Legion Field), Nov. 22, Redshirt freshman Emanuel Beal recorded his first catch in the first quarter on a five-yard pass from Chase Litton. Tyler Williams s 65-yard punt in the first quarter set a new season long (previously 60 vs. Purdue). His career high is 66, which he set at Rice as a freshman (Sept. 22, 2012). Redshirt sophomore Tony Pittman s two carries on the first-quarter touchdown drive are his first of the season. Chase Litton recorded his first two touchdown passes to redshirt senior Deandre Reaves (0:04 first quarter, 11:14 second quarter). The TD receptions are the first of Reaves career. With 122 yards against Norfolk State, running back Devon Johnson moved to 12th all-time in career rushing yards with 2,161, passing Steward Butler (2,063) and Orlando Hatchett (2,143). In the second quarter, Tony Pittman s reception for eight yards on a first down was the first of his career. Devon Johnson s one-yard rushing touchdown at the 4:48 mark in the second quarter was his 23rd career rushing touchdown and his 29th career touchdown. He now sits at 13th all-time in career rushing touchdowns and tied for 12th all-time in touchdowns with Orlando Hatchett ( ). Deandre Reaves had a career-high 82 yards against Norfolk State. His 36-yard touchdown reception is his longest reception of his career. In the third quarter, Devon Johnson reached the 100-yard rushing mark for the 12th time in his career. Since World War II, only Chris Parker (31) and Doug Chapman (20) have more for the Thundering Herd. At the 8:28 mark in the third quarter, redshirt senior Davonte Allen recorded his first touchdown of the season (11 yards). Redshirt freshman running back Keion Davis rush at the 3:56 mark in the third quarter was the first of his career. His one-yard touchdown with 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter was the first of his career. Chase Litton tied the Marshall record for a first-time starter with four touchdown passes, held by Stan Hill (as a sophomore in 2002). His four touchdown passes are the most by a Herd freshman quarterback debut. Redshirt senior safety Taj Letman s interception at the 13:41 mark of the fourth quarter was his third of the season and his third-straight game with a pick. Junior wide receiver Justin Hunt caught his first touchdown of the year, a 25-yarder, at 9:22 in the fourth quarter. True freshman wide receiver Nick Mathews (nine yards) made the first catch of his career at 7:39 of the fourth quarter. The Herd is 16-1 all-time vs. FCS (former Division I-AA opponents) since moving to FBS level in 1997, losing only to New Hampshire, 48-35, in The Herd shutout Norfolk State in the second half, a first for the Herd since Nov. 8, 2014, at Southern Miss, where Marshall won 63-17, and outscored the Golden Eagles 35-0 in the second half. Ohio Notes Marshall game captains at Ohio, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff, were guard Sebastian Johansson and center Michael Selby on offense and tackle Steve Dillon and safety Taj Letman. Selby was a captain for the second straight game. Junior Devontre a Tyler made his first career start at middle linebacker for the Herd. The Herd 2015 roster has only two players who played in the 2011 game at Ohio redshirt seniors Keith Baxter (cornerback) and Evan McKelvey (linebacker). Redshirt freshman right guard Jordan Dowrey made his first career start for the Herd. Herd safety Taj Letman s interception (2:56 first quarter) was his second this season and seventh of his career. It s the Herd s fifth pick in Devon Johnson s 73-yard touchdown run (10:07 second quarter) was the second-longest run of his Herd career. He had a 75-yard yarder (no touchdown) in a 2014 win at UAB. It also was Johnson s 28th touchdown (rush and receive) in his last 19 games. Devon Johnson passed the 100-yard rushing mark in the second quarter with his 73-yard touchdown run. He has 11 games of 100 or more yards rushing in his Herd career, tied for fifth with Ahmad Bradshaw. The top four are Chris Parker (31), Doug Chapman (20) and Ron Darby and Darius Marshall (12) tied for third. With 28 career touchdowns (22 rushing, six receiving), Devon Johnson has tied former teammate and tight end Gator Hoskins for No. 13 on the all-time Marshall career touchdown list. No. 12 is Orlando Hatchett (29 from ). With a 42-yard kick return to start the second half, senior Deandre Reaves reached 1,982 career kick return yards, eclipsing the former Herd record of 1,966 set by Ray Crisp from With 7:30 remaining in the game, Devon Johnson totaled 2,039 rushing yards for his Herd career. He is the 15th back in Herd history to reach 2,000. Herd redshirt senior defensive end Armonze Daniel s first-down sack (late third quarter) was the first of his career. Tyler Williams nine punts in the game are the most in his 42-game Herd career. Purdue Notes Marshall game captains versus Purdue for the 2015 opener, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff, were tackle Clint Van Horn and center Michael Selby on offense and nose tackle Jarquez Samuel and linebacker D.J. Hunter on defense. Marshall had eight players make their first Herd career starts, including six on the offensive side of the ball. The new starters on offense were quarterback Michael Birdsong, receivers Hyleck Foster and Deon-Tay McManus, tight end Ryan Yurachek, right guard Nate Devers and left tackle Sandley Jean-Felix. The two first-time starters on defense were end Joe Massaquoi and nickel back Antavis Rowe. Birdsong, a transfer from FCS member James Madison, previously had made 14 starts for the Dukes. Junior safety Tiquan Lang s two interceptions returned for touchdowns (first quarter, 14:53; fourth quarter, 1:20) are a first for the Herd. No other player in Marshall history has returned two interceptions for scores in a single game. His two interceptions for touchdowns ties the Marshall season record for a single player. Marshall had two versus Akron in 1997 (by Tim Dempsey and B.J. Summers) and two against East Carolina in 2001 (by Ralph Street and Terence Tarpley). Lang s first pick-six may very well be a record. Nebraska also scored seven seconds into its 1996 meeting with Texas Tech on a fumble return and Marshall Media Relations research following the game did not produce anything faster. Lang joins Shawn Ferguson of Cincinnati in 1998 as the only C-USA players

6 with two interceptions for touchdowns in one game. Lang s picks are the third and fourth of his career, and the first two touchdowns of his career. They are the fifth and sixth interception touchdown returns for the Herd in defensive coordinator Chuck Heater s three Marshall seasons. There were three in 2013 (Raheem Waiters, Gary Thompson, Monterius Lovett), one in 2014 (Corey Tindal) and Lang s two Sunday. Marshall s team total of 117 interception return yards is the third most in school history (164 vs. Weber State 1987 on seven INTs and 141 vs. Akron 1997 on three INTs). Lang had a career high 17 tackles. His previous high was 10 in a 2014 home victory over Ohio University. Marshall s first punt of the season, a 54-yarder by senior Tyler Williams, was the senior s 39th punt of 50 or more yards in his Herd career. The 60-yard punt by Herd senior Tyler Williams (6:46, third quarter) was the 10th of his career to travel 60 or more yards. Senior running back Devon Johnson s first-quarter touchdown reception was his 26th career touchdown (20 rush, six receiving), tying him for 15th on the Herd career list with Mike Barber ( ) and Erik Thomas ( ). Slot receiver Nick Mathews (0:38 left, first quarter), of Haymarket, Va., became the first true freshman to play for Marshall this season. Coach Holliday s team played 10 redshirt freshmen against Purdue. Marshall s four interceptions were the most for the Herd since getting four picks in a victory at Miami (Ohio) in October That game was the Herd s first win in Oxford, Ohio, in 60 years. Only four times in history has Marshall intercepted more than four passes in a game seven against Weber State in 1987 and Appalachian State in 1990, and five against Western Michigan in 1956 and East Tennessee State in Sunday s attendance of 38,791 is the third largest crowd in Joan C. Edwards Stadium history (1991-present; capacity is 38,148). It was the opening game of the 25th season for The Joan. Here s a look at the largest crowds: 41,382 West Virginia 24, Marshall Sept. 10, ,383 West Virginia 48, Marshall Sept. 8, ,791 Marshall 41, Purdue Sept. 6, ,914 Kansas State 21, Marshall Sept. 10, ,424 Virginia Tech 30, Marshall Sept. 24, 2011 Bowling for wins With a 9-3 all-time record in bowls, Marshall ranks at the top of major college teams in postseason percentage success (.750), among schools that have played in at least 10 bowl games. Utah is next at 14-5 (.737), followed by Miami (Ohio) at 7-3 (.700). Marshall has won nine of its last 10 bowl appearances, including four in a row, three of those under Coach Doc Holliday. The Herd s current four-game postseason win streak also shares the FBS lead with Michigan State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Louisiana-Lafayette. Watch out The 2015 Herd has three players on six of the preseason watch lists for major national awards, led by running back Devon Johnson. A look at the Herd on those watch lists: Walter Camp Award RB Devon Johnson Maxwell Award RB Devon Johnson Doak Walker Award RB Devon Johnson Rimington Trophy C Michael Selby Outland Trophy OT Clint Van Horn Rotary Lombardi Award LB D.J. Hunter, OT Clint Van Horn Tops again Marshall placed a league-best six players on the 2015 All-Conference USA Preseason Football Team announced July 14. The 34-player team was selected by the league s 13 football coaches. The six selections for Coach Doc Holliday s team included running back Devon Johnson and right tackle Clint Van Horn on offense, nose tackle Jarquez Samuel and strongside linebacker D.J. Hunter on defense, and punter Tyler Williams and long snapper Matt Cincotta on special teams. All six are 2015 seniors. Johnson, Van Horn, Williams and Cincotta were among the Herd s league-record 10 All-C-USA first team selections for the 2014 season last December. Following the Herd s six selections were five for FIU and four each for Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. CAREER STARTS OFFENSE TIGHT ENDS QUARTERBACKS RUNNING BACKS OFFENSIVE LINE WIDE RECEIVERS #85 Ryan Yurachek (8) #11 M. Birdsong (2) #8 Remi Watson (6) #71 Sebastian Johansson (33) #3 Davonte Allen (22) #14 Chase Litton (6) #47 Devon Johnson (18) #78 Clint Van Horn (25) #4 Deon-Tay McManus (7) #23 Tony Pittman (1) #54 Michael Selby (22) #2 Hyleck Foster (2) #67 Sandley Jean-Felix (8) #19 Deandre Reaves (6) #76 Nate Devers (1) #9 Justin Hunt (1) #58 Jordan Dowrey (7) #68 Tom Collins (2) #74 A.J. Addison (3) DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE BACKS SAFETIES LINEBACKERS #94 Jarquez Samuel (26) #10 Corey Tindal (34) #17 Taj Letman (35) #22 D.J. Hunter (36) #93 Steve Dillon (10) #5 Keith Baxter (21) #21 Tiquan Lang (16) #31 Evan McKelvey (20) #59 Gary Thompson (8) #7 Antavis Rowe (1) #14 Kendall Gant (3) #51 Devontre a Tyler (7) #13 Armonze Daniel (7) #73 Joe Massaquoi (1) #91 Ryan Bee (3) THUNDERING HERD SPECIALISTS LONG SNAPPER #88 Matt Cincotta (48) KICKER #48 Nick Smith (8) PUNTER #38 Tyler Williams (48) HOLDER #38 Tyler Williams (22)

7 Marshall vs. Ranked Opponents Since moving to Division I-A (FBS) in 1997, the Herd has enjoyed a pair of landmark victories against nationally-ranked opponents. The following is the Marshall Thundering Herd s game-by-game results against NCAA FBS opponents ranked in the Associated Press (since 1936), UPI ( ), CNN ( ), ESPN/USA Today ( ) or USA Today (since 2005) Top 25 polls since Date Opponent Result 9/11/76 Miami (Ohio) W, #20 (Associated Press) 8/31/95 NC State L, #25 (CNN) 12/27/99 BYU (Motor City Bowl) W, 21-3 #25 (ESPN) 9/9/00 Michigan State L, #24/23 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/1/01 Florida L, #1 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/12/02 Virginia Tech L, #7 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/6/03 Tennessee L, #11 (Associated Press/#12 (ESPN) 9/20/03 Kansas State W, #6 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/11/04 Ohio State L, #9 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/18/04 Georgia L, 3-13 #3 (Associated Press/ESPN) 10/7/05 Virginia Tech L, #3 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/2/06 West Virginia L, #5 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/23/06 Tennessee L, 7-33 #15 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/8/07 West Virginia L, #3 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/6/08 Wisconsin L, #11 (Associated Press) 9/12/09 Virginia Tech L, #14/#15 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/2/10 Ohio State L, 7-45 #2 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/10/10 West Virginia L, OT #22/#23 (Associated Press/ESPN) 9/4/11 West Virginia L, #24 (Associated Press/USA Today) 9/24/11 Virginia Tech L, #13/#11 (Associated Press/USA Today) 10/22/11 Houston L, #21/20 (Associated Press/USA Today) 9/1/12 West Virginia L, #11/11 (Associated Press/USA Today) Marshall Football on National TV Marshall football games began appearing on local television as far back as the 1950s, however the Thundering Herd made its national television debut in the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship game against Northeast Louisiana. Marshall has appeared on national television (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN3, CSTV, Fox, CBS, ABC, American Sports Network) 112 times posting a record of The following is a list of Herd national television appearances with results: 12/19/87...NE Louisiana (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...Western Michigan (ESPN2)...W, /27/99...BYU (ESPN2)... W, /9/00...Michigan St. (ESPN)... L, /5/00...Western Michigan (ESPN)... L, /2/00...Western Michigan(ABC)...W, /27/00...Cincinnati (ESPN2)...W, /1/01...Florida (ESPN2)... L, /30/01...Toledo (ESPN)... L, /19/01...East Carolina (ESPN2)...W, /12/02...Virginia Tech (ESPN)... L, /20/02...UCF (ESPN2)...W, /12/02...Miami (ESPN)...W, /30/02...Ball State (ESPN2)...W, /7/02...Toledo (ESPN2)...W, /18/02...Louisville (ESPN2)...W, /6/03...Tennessee (ESPN2)... L, /12/03...Toledo (ESPN)... L, /13/03...Kansas State (Fox Sports Net)...W, /12/03...Miami (ESPN2)...L, /19/03...UCF (ESPN2)... W, /11/04...Ohio State (ABC)... L, /29/04...Miami (ESPN2)...W, /5/04...Akron (ESPN2)... L, /23/04...Cincinnati (ESPN)... L, /10/05...Kansas State (ESPN2)... L, /1/05...SMU (CSTV)... W, (OT) 10/8/05...Virginia Tech (ESPN2)... L, /15/05...UAB (CSTV on i)...w, /22/05...UTEP (CSTV on i)...l, /29/05...Tulane (CSTV)...W, /8/05...Southern Miss (ESPN2)...L, (OT) 11/26/05...Memphis (CSTV)...L, /16/06...Kansas State (FSN)...L, /4/06...UCF (ESPN2)... L, /4/06...Tulane (CSTV)...W, /25/06...Southern Miss (CSTV)...L, /1/07...Miami (Fla.) (ESPNU)...L, /8/07...West Virginia (ESPN2)... L, /2/07...Memphis (ESPN2)... L, /21/07...Southern Miss (ESPN)... L, /27/07...Rice (CSTV)...W, /3/08...Cincinnati (ESPN)... L, /28/08...Houston (ESPN2)...W, /8/ East Carolina (CBSSN)...L, (OT) 11/22/ Rice (CBSSN)... L, /24/ East Carolina (CBSSN)... L, /1/ UCF (ESPN)... L, /26/ Ohio (ESPN)...W, /2/ Ohio State (Big Ten)...L, /10/ West Virginia (ESPN)...L, (OT) 10/2/ Southern Miss (CBSSN)... L, /13/ UCF (ESPN)... L, /27/ Tulane (CBSSN)...W, /4/ West Virginia (ESPN)... L, /10/ Southern Miss (CSS)...W, /17/ Ohio (ESPN3)...L, /24/ Virginia Tech (CBSSN)... L, /12/ Tulsa (Fox Sports Net)... L, /17/ Memphis (Fox Sports Net)...W, /26/ East Carolina (CBSSN)... W, (OT) 12/20/ FIU (ESPN)...W, /1/ West Virginia (FX)... L, /8/ Western Carolina (FCS)...W, /29/ Purdue (Big Ten)... L, /6/ Tulsa (CBSSN)... L, /20/ Southern Miss (CBSSN)...W, /27/ UCF (CBSSN)... L, /23/ East Carolina (CBSSN)... L, (2OT) 8/31/ Miami (Ohio) (CBSSN)...W, /14/ Ohio (ESPNews)... L, /21/ Virginia Tech (ESPNU)... L, (3OT) 10/12/ Florida Atlantic (FCS)...W, /24/ Middle Tennessee (FS1)... L, /2/ Southern Miss (CBSSN)...W, /14/ Tulsa (FS1)...W, /23/ Florida International (FCS)...W, /29/ East Carolina (CBSSN)...W, /7/ Rice (ESPN2)... L, /27/ Maryland (ESPN)...W, /31/ Miami (Ohio) (ESPN3)...W, /6/ Rhode Island (American Sports Network)... W, /13/ Ohio (CBSSN)...W, /20/ Akron (ESPN3)...W, /4/ Old Dominion (Fox Sports Net)...W, /11/ Middle Tennessee (Fox Sports Net)...W, /18/ FIU (American Sports Network)...W, /25/ Florida Atlantic (FS1)...W, /8/ Southern Miss (American Sports Network)...W, /15/ Rice (FOX Sports Net)...W, /22/ UAB (American Sports Network)...W, /28/ WKU (FS1)...L, (OT) 12/6/ Louisiana Tech (FS1)...W, /23/ Northern Illinois (ESPN)...W, /6/ Purdue (FS1)...W, /12/ Ohio (American Sports Network/ESPN3)... L, /19/ Norfolk State (American Sports Network)... W, /26/ Kent State (American Sports Network/ESPN3)...W, (2OT) 10/3/ Old Dominion (American Sports Network)... W, /9/ Southern Miss (CBS Sports Network)...W, /17/ Florida Atlantic (FOX College Sports)...W, /24/ North Texas (FOX Sports Net)...W, 30-13

8 2015 Season Superlatives Overall Record Current Streak... W-6 C-USA Record Division Record Non-Conference Record Home Record Current Home Streak... W-6 Road Record Current Road Streak... W-2 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 MU trails after 3rd Quarter In September In October In November In December 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 American Sports Network On ESPN On CBS Sports Network On Fox Sports Net On Fox College Sports On Fox Sports THE LAST MEETING... This is the first meeting between the two schools Conference USA Standings Conf. Overall EAST DIVISION W L W L Marshall WKU FIU Middle Tennessee Old Dominion Florida Atlantic Charlotte WEST DIVISION W L W L Louisiana Tech Southern Miss Rice UTSA UTEP North Texas UPCOMING CONFERENCE USA SCHEDULE (all times ET) Saturday, Oct. 31 WKU at Old Dominion, 12 p.m. (FSN) UTEP at Southern Miss, 2:30 p.m. (FOX College Sports) FIU at Florida Atlantic, 3:30 p.m. (ASN) Marshall at Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. (FSN) UTSA at North Texas, 7 p.m. (ASN)

9 Doc Holliday Head Coach - Sixth Season (47-26 overall, C-USA) In five seasons, Marshall Coach John Doc Holliday has brought Thundering Herd football back into the national picture. His 2014 Herd (13-1) won the school s first Conference USA Championship with a thrilling comeback, title-game win over Louisiana Tech. MU headed to the Boca Raton Bowl, where it routed Mid-American Conference champion Northern Illinois, The Herd finished the season in the major polls No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches poll and No. 23 in the Associated Press media poll. The Herd coach was named the 2014 Conference USA Coach of the Year in voting by his peers. Holliday received a six-year contract extension (through July 2021) for $755,500 annually on April 8. He takes a record into the 2015 season, and the Herd has won 19 of its last 21 games overall and 14 of the last 15 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The 2014 title season followed a successful 2013, as Marshall went 10-4, won the C-USA East Division crown and downed ACC member Maryland in the Military Bowl -- the Terps last game before heading to the Big Ten. In December 2014, Holliday was named the 15th annual Gazett Sportsman of the Year by Charleston Newspapers. In April 2015, the Herd coach was honored as the 2014 Lowell Cade Sportsperson of the Year by The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington). Holliday, named as Herd coach on Dec. 17, 2009 in his first collegiate head coaching job, is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in the nation. He has more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, including previous stops at Florida, North Carolina State and West Virginia, his alma mater. Marshall displayed balance on offense and a strong defense throughout the 2014 season and boasted 10 all-conference first team selections as voted by C-USA coaches, as star players like quarterback Rakeem Cato, center Chris Jasperse, defensive tackle James Rouse and cornerback Darryl Roberts were team leaders. In 2013, Holliday took the Herd where it hadn t been in its previous eight years in Conference USA nine regular-season victories, seven league wins and a berth in the C-USA title game, mostly on the strength of an unblemished 6-0 mark at home for the first time since The Herd s win over Maryland was one of only two bowl victories by teams from non-aq BCS conference teams over BCS league schools in the 2013 postseason. Marshall also boasted the best (scoring) defensive turnaround in the nation (19.9 fewer points allowed per game). In five seasons, Holliday s program has had 33 All-Conference USA selections (first and second team, and honorable mention), including 17 this season. During his time in Huntington, Holliday s teams have consistently improved as the season stretches into the winter months. The Herd is 21-6 under Holliday after Oct. 29, including an eye-popping 12-1 mark in the friendly confines of Joan C. Edwards Stadium. In 2011, the Herd went 7-6 against the 16th-toughest schedule in the nation, a slate that was ranked second among non-bcs schools. Two of those victories came against eventual C-USA champion Southern Miss and Big East co-champ Louisville, the latter coming on the road for the program s first non-conference road win since the early 2000s. Marshall also won five Conference USA games, the most for the program since it had joined the league in During his coaching career, Holliday has coached in 23 bowl games, three national championship games and coached 12 players that have gone on to the National Football League. He has also coached five All- Americans. A native of Hurricane, W.Va., Holliday was a three-year letter-winner at linebacker at West Virginia ( ) and has earned bachelor s (1979) and master s (1981) degrees from WVU. He won a state high school wrestling title at 175 pounds (all divisions) in 1975 at Hurricane. Holliday and his wife, Diana, have four children -- Meghan, Cade, Chase and Cody.