Injuries and repeated special teams miscues defined the Southern Miss victory over Marshall on Saturday.

Marshall's undisputed top offensive playmakers, tailback Darius Marshall and tight end Cody Slate, did not finish the pivotal Conference USA East Division matchup because of injuries.

Slate, a leading John Mackey Award candidate, ended the game dressed in sweats and on crutches after suffering a knee injury.

Darius Marshall, the nation's No. 5 running back (averaging 129 rushing yards a game), was aided to the Shewey Building in the third quarter after leaving the field with a left leg injury. With his left ankle bagged in ice, Darius Marshall joined Slate on crutches in the fourth quarter.

Slate's injury to his right knee clearly appears more serious. Darius Marshall will be evaluated in the coming days.

In Slate's absence, tight end Lee Smith hauled six passes for 77 yards, running many of the same routes of his teammate.

"In my opinion Cody Slate is the best receiving tight end in the country," Smith said. "He's irreplaceable as a player and as a person. His leadership on and off the field, his ability to make plays in crucial situations is irreplaceable.

"I'm just going to do my best to help my team get through these last two games."

Terrell Edwards-Maye gained 12 yards on three handoffs following Darius Marshall's injury.

An anticipated matchup between two of Conference USA's top tailbacks -- Marshall and Southern Miss' Damion Fletcher -- never materialized. Marshall averaged just two yards on 11 carries and Fletcher was limited to 55 yards on 13 attempts.

"We do believe in this two-game season that we have left that we can get to a bowl game," Edwards-Maye said. "It is a disappointment but we have to put it aside and look to the goals we have ahead."

SPECIAL TEAMS SNAFUS: Meanwhile, the Thundering Herd and Southern Miss traded glaring special teams mistakes throughout.

Marshall punter Kase Whitehead and his counterpart, Peter Boehme, were roughed, resulting in 15-yard penalties.

Southern Miss speedster Tracy Lampley sprinted 93 yards untouched to the end zone, a kickoff return highlighting his school-record 211 total yards in returns.

Marshall's Michael Janac blocked an extra point, but a Johnny Jones personal foul penalty extended a Southern Miss drive, leading to a score.

Included in the surreal volume of special teams miscues was Marshall's DeQuan Bembry muffing a punt return, preceding Martevious Young's 39-yard touchdown toss to Damion Fletcher for a 20-13 Golden Eagles lead.

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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