HOUSTON -- No one celebrates following a third-straight loss, eliminating your team from postseason contention.

A singular source for personal pride was extracted, however, from Marshall University's 35-10 loss to Rice Saturday afternoon. Sophomore tailback Darius Marshall gained 118 rushing yards on 24 carries, upping his season total to 1,001 yards.

Yes, disappointment was the story of the Thundering Herd's sixth setback in seven games. Still, Marshall's rough running and offensive line redemption during the season's second half landed their tailback in the program's record books.

"I didn't know that until you just told me, but I'm definitely proud of him," Thundering Herd center Brian Leggett said. "He definitely deserved it. He works hard off the field and it's just something for us to hang our hats on."

Marshall's run of four consecutive 100-yard performances opened with a 102-yard outing against Houston. Next, came 123 yards against East Carolina, followed by 142 against UCF and, then, Saturday.

The 5-foot-10, 189-pound Marshall earns his yards, often powering through first contact.

"Great player," Marshall quarterback Mark Cann said. "He seems to break runs when we need them."

Marshall's Darius Marshall can add to his impressive totals next Saturday. The Herd (4-7, 3-4 Conference USA) concludes the season at home against Tulsa. Kickoff at Joan C. Edwards Stadium is 3:30 p.m.

"Today we dedicated this game to someone special in our life and everybody carried that with them throughout the game," Marshall said. "I think we played great in the first half and in the second half we got a little shaky.

"I really can't say I did it all by myself. I enjoyed it with my O-line and my receivers. Without them, I wouldn't have gotten to 1,000 today."

Respect obviously is mutual.

"It's always good to be an offensive lineman and have a 1,000-yard rusher," right guard Matt Altobello said. "Give credit to him because he runs hard. Everybody out there plays hard and it's a pleasure blocking for him."

Thundering Herd head coach Mark Snyder shared praise when acknowledging his running back's signature accomplishment.

"How about that offensive line?" Snyder rhetorically asked. "I've noticed those guys the last couple of weeks on Friday's during walk-through, those offensive linemen hugging him walking off the field together.

"They've got a little bit of mojo going right now. That's going to bode well for Marshall in the future."

Cann echoed his coach.

"That goes hand and hand with the running game," the freshman signal-caller said. "The O-line's done a great job and a good job by Darius."

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