No quarter in college football is more pivotal than the third period.

It’s when halftime adjustments are implemented. It’s when game-changing momentum is established. It’s often when games are won or lost.

Just ask Marshall University.

The third quarter has been the Herd’s quarter so far this season.

Marshall has out-scored opponents 28-17 during that all-important 15 minutes.

How significant is that?

Only the difference between winning and losing.

During the past four consecutive losing seasons, the Herd didn’t win the third quarter. In 2005, opponents out-scored Marshall by a whopping 80-33 margin. In 2006, foes edged MU, 68-66. In 2007, opponents won the third quarter, 98-82.

And in ’08, the Herd lost, 101-82.

But that has changed this season. As a result, Marshall takes a 2-1 record into its Conference USA opener against Memphis at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Liberty Bowl.

“It’s been real important,” said Marshall coach Mark Snyder. “The three games that we’ve played, we came out smoking in the second half.

“We’ve made some really good halftime adjustments and our kids have responded. A couple of those games we were down. You know you’ve got a good football team when they respond.”

Actually, the Herd has trailed at halftime in all three games. But Marshall turned those deficits into wins over Southern Illinois and Bowling Green.

The catalyst?

The third quarter.

That is without question the most significant improvement in the ’09 Herd.

“The third quarter is real important for us, it seems like,” said quarterback Brian Anderson with a chuckle. “That’s when we score all our points.”

He’s right. Marshall is scoreless in the first quarter, has scored 14 points in the second period and has totaled 16 points in the fourth quarter.

But the Herd has exploded for 28 third-quarter points.

 “Third quarter, that’s the time when you go in at halftime, make some adjustments and come out,” said Anderson, who has thrown three of his four touchdown passes during the third period. “We’ve done a great job at doing that and getting some points up early in the second half.”

That isn’t a coincidence.

“We have a goal board,” revealed Anderson. “And one of our goals for the offense is to win the second half of the game.”

The Herd is accomplishing that goal. So far, Marshall has out-scored opponents 44-34 during the second half.

“It’s a big thing to come out there in the second half,” said Anderson. “People always say, ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.’

“So, we want to continue to play as well as we are in the second half. We’ve just got to step it up a little bit in the first half.”

More specifically, the first quarter.

Yet, Anderson feels that goose egg is an aberration.

“I do,” he said. “During the first quarter against Bowling Green, I was feeling really good about our offense. We had a 12-play drive and, then, a nine-play drive. We were moving the ball well. We just weren’t able to punch it in.

“In two games, we’ve come from behind. As glad as I am that we can do that, I’d rather have the lead the whole game. Hopefully, we can come out Saturday and put some points up early.

Imagine Marshall’s offense playing as well in the first quarter as it has in the third period.

That’s the blueprint for a winning season.

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 304-526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

 

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