There are game-day decisions and then there was Marshall University's backfield scenario.

Junior Darius Marshall, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, rehabbed throughout the week, working to return from a injured ankle suffered last week. No. 5 dressed but did not play, leaving handoffs to sophomore Terrell Edwards-Maye and redshirt freshman Martin Ward.

"I found out right before the game, during warmups," Edwards-Maye said. "We all prepare during practice that we're going to be in playing situations and that definitely paid off today."

Each resoundingly responded, combining for 249 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Thundering Herd's 34-31 victory over Conference USA West Division leader SMU before an Edwards Stadium crowd of 19,646. Edwards-Maye carried 25 times for 136 yards and a touchdown, and Ward added a score and 113 yards on 22 attempts.

The dual performance marked the first time two Thundering Herd running backs topped 100 rushing yards in a game since 2006 against Hofstra. Marshall (6-5, 4-3) last had a pair of backs exceed 100 yards in the same game against an NCAA Division I-A opponent against Ohio in 2003.

"Martin and Terrell both going over 100 yards rushing and getting a touchdown each, I don't think you can expect that going in," said Thundering Herd quarterback Brian Anderson, who threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns. "They came out and were ready to play. They made a lot of big plays and got into the end zone."

Spurring those efforts was an intact offensive line. Following assorted injuries the past two weeks, each starting lineman returned to his normal position against SMU (6-5, 5-2).

"The offensive line set it up for me to bounce, get outside and do really whatever I wanted to do," Edwards-Maye said. "It gave us the option to really do what we wanted."

Both Edwards-Maye and Ward agreed that confidence continued to build throughout the win, which earned the Thundering Herd conditional bowl eligibility. Each established career bests for rushing yards and carries.

"You always have to break the ice in any game," Edwards-Maye said. "That first hit determines how your mindset is going to be. The first carry I had a lot of success and I got more and more confident as the game went on."

LAUNDRY OVERLOAD: Players and coaches were more than pleased with earning a sixth win, but penalties admittedly remain an issue, particularly on special teams. Marshall was flagged 15 times for 144 yards overall, including six times in the game's third phase.

"Way too many penalties in the special teams," Snyder said. "We need to re-evaluate -- again -- some of our personnel (and) what we're asking them to do because we continue to have way too penalties in the special teams."

REVERSED FORTUNES: Margus Hunt of SMU, lauded throughout the season for kick-blocking prowess, was spotlighted under different circumstance early Saturday. Having blocked seven kicks, one short of Division I-A's single-season record, the 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman was flagged for a personal foul against long-snapper Sean McClellan on an extra point kick.

Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 304-526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.

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