Solid beginning leads to joyous end

HUNTINGTON -- When Marshall's coaching staff looks back at Saturday's game, they will see the fruition of seven weeks of preaching, cussing and all the in-between.

First off, the Thundering Herd did not spot its opponent a three-score lead as Bernard Morris put Marshall on top early in the second quarter and gave Marshall momentum it had not felt since the West Virginia game.

Second, the running game, which had not surfaced throughout the first few contests thanks in part to going airborne while playing catch-up, made its impact felt with 152 yards in the first 30 minutes. The Herd had been averaging 115 yards per game coming into the contest, and finished with 254 against Rice in Saturday's 34-21 win.

The sustained running attack also helped Marshall double the Owls in total yards, time of possession and plays run with the second quarter being the catalyst. It also did not hurt that Marshall was 7-of-10 on third-down attempts early.

Marshall ran 26 plays and chewed up 13:00 even in the second quarter en route to 17 points; Rice ran just seven plays and had the ball for 2:00.

It is hard for Rice's star receiver Jarrett Dillard to make game-changing plays when he is watching from the sideline for more than 65 percent of the first half.

To put it bluntly, the things Marshall head coach Mark Snyder has pleaded for his team to correct, the team collectively fixed in one fell swoop against the Owls.

Marshall's play in the trenches was much improved aside from a couple of early penalties, the skill positions all executed well, the team did not turn the ball over and the defense stepped up and limited one of Conference USA's more potent offenses.

The defense also got an interception from John Saunders -- the first of his career, the first by a Marshall defensive back and first for the team since Maurice Kitchens had one against Miami.

Special teams also fared well with two field goals by Anthony Binswanger and solid punt and kick coverage throughout the game.

Marshall's energy could be seen on the field and felt throughout the crowd.

These are just several of the elements that helped erase the empty feeling from Marshall's season as seven weeks of frustration gave way to smiles and high fives.

It was a good beginning that helped lead Marshall to the end that players, coaches and fans had all so desperately needed.

And in the end, they got the big plays they needed to secure a win that had eluded them for the last two months.

It might be just one win in the record book, but there were several victories on Saturday that the Herd can build on for the rest of the season.

JACOBS WREAKING HAVOC: John Jacobs continued his assault on opposing quarterbacks in Saturday's win. Jacobs finished the game with three tackles for loss and a sack to his credit.

FOURTH-AND-NOTHING: On two separate occasions, Rice had fourth-and-1 and could not convert as Marshall's defense stopped Rice backup quarterback James Casey.

Both occasions resulted in Marshall touchdowns with the first coming on a 14-play, 96-yard drive that ate up seven minutes of clock.

GETTING A RUSH: The ground attacks for both teams went through the quarterbacks with Bernard Morris leading Marshall with 120 yards and two scores while Rice's Chase Clement rushed for 66 yards and a score.

STREAK INTACT: With the win, Marshall has now won 15 straight Homecoming contests, dating back to a 37-34 loss to Appalachian State in 1992.

EARLY FUTILITY CONTINUES: After the scoreless first quarter, Marshall still does not have a first quarter touchdown on the season.

However, it was the first time that Marshall has not trailed at the end of the first quarter since last season against UTEP. Consequently, UTEP was also Marshall's last victory before Saturday's win.

HALL OF FAME: Marshall inducted eight new members to the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame as part of Homecoming Weekend.

Mike Bartrum, Ron Darby, Aaron Ferguson, Rodney Holden, Frank Huffman, Mike Kaufman, Billy Lyon and John Taft all were inducted during Friday night's banquet at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

M CLUB BLANKET: Danny Canada was given an M Club Blanket at the end of the first quarter on Saturday.

Canada was a member of the Young Thundering Herd and was named as the Distinguished M Club Member of the Year.

CLEMENT SETS RECORD: With a touchdown toss to James Casey at the 7:02 mark of the fourth quarter, Rice quarterback Chase Clement threw his 39th touchdown pass of the season, an Owls' record.