BLACKSBURG, Va. -- For a second straight college football Saturday, Marshall University's touted defense largely underachieved.

One week after allowing 28 points and repeated third down conversions to NCAA Division I-AA Southern Illinois, the Thundering Herd surrendered 605 yards, the most in recent school history, in a 52-10 pounding by No. 14 Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech backup tailback David Wilson rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Starter Ryan Williams totaled 164 and three scores on just 16 handoffs, part of a relentless 444-yard rushing performance, again setting a recent standard.

"A lot of it probably was from last week and we didn't come together and have a gut check," Thundering Herd middle linebacker Kellen Harris said. "We have to grow from this.

"This is every defense's nightmare. We have to give them credit. They have two very good running backs. Tyrod Taylor is a good quarterback and he scrambles pretty well. "We didn't help ourselves at all. There were a lot of things we could have fixed.

With that score, it's simple stuff, simple stuff that we have to work on."

Illnesses affecting defensive end Albert McClellan and defensive tackle Johnny Jones certainly didn't aid the effort. Still, players and Marshall head coach Mark Snyder dodged excuses following a 42-point loss.

"Some of it was the same from last week and some of it was that back is pretty good," Snyder said. "Give them credit now. They have two good backs."

Virginia Tech also was more than inspired, playing its home opener and rebounding from a physical defeat to No. 4 Alabama last week. Saturday set up as a potential trap game, but it proved anything but.

"They were fired up and brought it, and brought it good," Snyder said.

CORNERBACKS BACK: DeQuan Bembry and T.J. Drakeford, starting cornerbacks in 2008, returned to their roles Saturday.

Bembry, a 5-foot-10, 178-pound sophomore was suspended for last week's season opener. Drakeford (5-11, 188, soph.) was sidelined last week because of a foot injury.

Courtney Edmonson, Marshall's top wide receiver throughout preseason camp, did not play Saturday, one week after missing the second half with a leg injury.

NOTES: Marshall featured tailbacks Darius Marshall and Martin Ward in the backfield together, a new look from offensive coordinator John Shannon. ... Darius Marshall's 61-yard touchdown run served as the longest against a Virginia Tech defense since LSU's Keiland Williams scored from 67 yards in 2007. ... Redshirts were lifted from Marshall running back Andre Booker and wide receiver Aaron Dobson.

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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