DAVID WALSH: Execution the difference in Homecoming win

Week after week, as the losses piled up, Marshall coach Mark Snyder would allude to that week's opponent finishing plus-one or better in plays made. As a result, the Thundering Herd entered Saturday's Homecoming contest against Rice 0-7.

Saturday, Marshall experienced a role reversal and that led to an outcome reversal. This time, the Thundering Herd had the edge on the Owls in plays made and eventually prevailed, 34-21, to send alumni in the crowd home happy and those watching on CSTV or listening to the radio call by Steve Cotten and Greg Cyrus back to whatever they were doing in a good mood.

"Finally I get to say it. We made more plays than they did," Snyder said. "Homecoming. All the fans out there. It feels good to win for those guys."

In a season of wrong-way streaks -- a seven-game skid this season and eight losses in a row after Southern Miss won the 2006 season finale -- Marshall (1-7, 1-3 Conference USA) did extend one in the right direction. The Herd's Homecoming win streak reached 15.

When looking for Herd playmakers Saturday, start with quarterback Bernie Morris. The senior who's had his share of detractors ran for a team-high 120 yards and two scores and threw for 227 yards and no interceptions in a turnover-less day.

The defense held the Owls (1-7, 1-3 C-USA) twice on downs, once on a fourth-and-inches at the Marshall 5 and later on fourth-and-1 at the Herd 43. After the stops, the Herd would go on to score. One drive covered 96 yards and the second 45 and each time Morris had the TDs on runs of 9 and 26 yards.

"The goal line stand did set the tone," linebacker Maurice Kitchens said.

On Marshall's second scoring drive, 6-foot-6 wide receiver Shawn Lauzon used that height to go up and snare a pass for a 23-yard gain on a third-and-6 at the Herd 31. Kelvin Turner would cap the 80-yard march with a 2-yard run and 14-0 lead late in the second period.

Right before the half, Rice, which was working against the wind, called timeout after two incomplete passes and then failed to connect on a deep ball on third down. The Herd got the ball at its 9 thanks to a block in the back that wiped out a good punt return. No taking a knee here, though, to preserve a 14-0 lead. Morris moved the Herd into field goal range and Anthony Binswanger hit a 42-yarder with three seconds left to build the margin to 17-0.

Marshall's lead swelled to 24-0, but the Herd's early good fortune began to turn and the Owls, who won at Southern Miss on Oct. 3, battled back to make a game of it. Two fourth-quarter touchdowns and Rice's deficit was down to 27-21. MU fans who once sensed a comfortable win began to squirm in their chairbacks or pace around their tailgating spots in the lots if they'd left early.

"We got a little tired in the fourth quarter," Snyder said. "We're not deep. We started to make mental mistakes at the end and go in the tank."

Time for more plays to be made. Rice tried an onside kickoff with 3:12 left and Lauzon recovered it. On a third-and-2 at the Owls 35, Chubb Small ripped off a 26-yard run. Turner raced in from 8 yards out with 1:23 left and the outcome was settled. The losing streak was ended and it was time for Herd players to run over to the student section to say thanks for the support.

"We finished the game," Snyder said.

Back in 1969, Marshall knocked off Bowling Green and coach Don Nehlen on Homecoming, 21-16, in sloppy conditions at Fairfield Stadium to snap a 27-game winless streak dating back to the final game of 1966. The victory triggered a wild celebration at Fairfield and it continued on campus and around town well into the night. The Herd won its next two for a three-game streak before a 38-35 loss to Ohio in the season finale.

The impact of Saturday's win remains to be seen. The Herd, which had made runs of late only to fall short in close losses to Memphis, Tulsa and Southern Miss, finally scaled the mountain Saturday.

When the Herd returns to work today, smiles will be present instead of long faces. Should Central Florida, next week's foe in Orlando take notice? Yes. That's what finishing in the plus column in making plays can do.

David Walsh is a member of The Herald-Dispatch sports department. Call him at 526-2730. His e-mail is dwalsh@herald-dispatch.com.