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NEWS
MU earns conditional bowl eligibility with win over SMU
HUNTINGTON -- The Marshall University Thundering Herd earned conditional bowl eligibility after defeating the Southern Methodist University Mustangs 34 to 31 at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Saturday.
The Herd, which hasn't been to a bowl since 2004, played before 19,646 fans during the team's last home game of the season. With six wins, the Herd would be expected to be offered a bowl bid. One likely candidate appears to be the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 29.
Before the game, tailgaters were hopeful of a win but said they'd always come out to games no matter the outcome. Diehard Marshall fans said they come out on Saturdays to have fun, meet up with friends and family and support the Herd.
Charin Hanlon of Charleston brought her family to the game Saturday, a tradition they've had for the past 10 years. Hanlon said they usually meet up with a large crowd of friends and tailgate before heading into the stadium.
Supporting the Herd, Hanlon said, means coming to all of the home games no matter the record.
"I have much greater respect for the people that stay at the games no matter what," Hanlon said. "We won't quit (coming)."
Phil Daniel of Lavalette said he attends every home game with a big group of friends, family and employees.
"This is a good time to meet everybody," Daniel said of the pre-game tailgating. "More times it's more fun out here than in the games."
Daniel, a 1978 Marshall grad, said he wants more people from the community come out and support the team. He said it is typical to see a lot of fans out when the team is doing good but a lot of fans don't stick around when the times get tough.
"I wished more people think about the past and support them no matter when we win or lose," Daniel said. "Huntington is Marshall, and Marshall is Huntington."
Mike Preston of Winfield, W.Va. said he comes down to Huntington for the games simply because "There's nothing better than tailgating and football."
Huntington High School sophomore Dakota Render said he likes the environment of Marshall tailgating. It's a time when everyone can come together to support the team and have fun, Render said.
