HUNTINGTON -- Marshall decided to go to the air Saturday in an important game that could help decide the Conference USA East Division title. Quarterback Brian Anderson has season highs in completions, attempts and passing yards.

Anderson finished 29 for 52 for 337 yards with one touchdown pass.

But, Anderson also threw two costly interceptions, both picked off by Southern Miss defensive back Justin Wilson, and the Golden Eagles defeated the Thundering Herd, 27-20.

Anderson's first interception occurred with just more than two minutes remaining in the game on a deep ball intended for Antavious Wilson.

"The first interception that I threw I have to see the safety better," Anderson said. " I saw him (Wilson) beat the DB off the line so bad, I thought I could put it up to him before the safety got over there and the safety made a great play."

The other interception was a pass thrown up grabs on fourth down in the final minute of the game.

For the most part, Anderson played well considering the pressure put on him by the Southern Miss front seven.

"They were bringing great pressure all night," Anderson said. "You have to be willing to step up, throw it and take the hit. It's not something I'm going to shy away from, that is something you have to do."

The Golden Eagles sacked the passer seven times.

Wilson also had his biggest game of the season. The redshirt freshman wide receiver finished with 13 catches for 153 yards.

"I thought he played extremely well, he made some really good catches," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said. "He started out a little slow, but I thought he really came on."

The evolving quarterback-receiver chemistry between Anderson and Wilson was certainly noticeable to Snyder, who said they are really starting to get something going.

Marshall's defense overall had a good showing, limiting Southern Miss to 294 total yards and keeping the Golden Eagles to fewer points than they average.

Linebacker Mario Harvey and defensive end Vinny Curry both made 10 tackles.

"This is pretty tough," Harvey said. "I thought we played pretty good on offense and defense. There were a couple of plays where we could have done better, to eliminate what happened.

"We played as hard as we could until the end, that is about all I can say."

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