HUNTINGTON -- Impressive statistics served as little more than sidenotes to Bernard Morris' day.

Yes, numbers jumped off the stat sheet. Marshall University's quarterback -- Conference USA's second-leading passer -- threw for 227 yards and added 120 more on the ground.

Those in attendance and watching on CSTV know the rest of the story, however.

It wasn't a matter of Morris resting in a comfortable pocket, selecting receivers at his convenience; nor did a series of called quarterback draws result in Morris' season-best rushing total.

Saturday afternoon was about Morris making his own plays. Over and again, the fifth-year senior sensed pass rushes -- often from the blind side -- and escaped for long gains.

Bottom line, Morris made it look easy. Unrehearsed mastery in the open field set the stage for a 34-21 Thundering Herd victory.

"I'm very, very proud of him," Marshall coach Mark Snyder said. "I thought he did a good job of leading, and obviously he did a lot of good things with his feet."

One play encapsulated a career-best performance in front of a Homecoming crowd. Midway through the third quarter, Morris again avoided a backside rush, spun a Rice defender to the ground at the 19 and sprinted down the seam for a 26-yard touchdown run and 24-0 lead. Marshall's most consistent offensive performer of '07 entered the end zone with arms overhead in celebration, setting off a wild ovation.

"Everybody keeps asking me about the spin move," Morris said. "I don't know where it came from. It just happened. I made two guys miss tackles and I just found my way in the end zone."

Morris' overall play, combined with defensive aggression, netted win No. 1 of 2007. Marshall (1-7, 1-3 Conference USA) entered as 8.5-point favorites, but victory was anything but secured after a scoreless opening quarter.

The Herd's offensive leader and team captain then went to work. Morris' 9-yard scoring run provided a 7-0 advantage and a 12-yard scramble on third and 10 set up a second score, Kelvin Turner's 2-yard rumble.

Mirroring much of his afternoon/evening, Morris outmaneuvered four defenders on the third down conversion. His ability to anticipate pressure frustrated Rice throughout.

"He's starting to get that sixth sense, and that's what good quarterbacks do," Snyder said. "And it drives defenses crazy."

Morris' senior season has been defined by resiliency. After leading his team through offseason workouts, Morris appeared steered toward a breakout season; instead, he was hamstrung throughout September with turf toe.

Despite the injury and a winless record, Morris lunchpailed his way to work daily, encouraging underclassmen and delivering on gamedays. He entered Saturday ranked second among C-USA quarterbacks with 1,876 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.

"I'm close to 100 percent right now," Morris said. "I can't really count all the times I've been down in the treatment room. But (athletic trainers) Josh (Signs) and (Daniel Ricci) do a great job down there and tonight they almost got me back to 100 percent."

Morris' 100-yard rushing performance was the Herd's first this season. Again, it was the nature -- not the number -- that ushered this performance aside. By a large majority, Morris' yards were earned after option No. 1 broke down.

"We practice with a little clock so I've kind of got a clock in my head," Morris said. "Once you hold the ball for too long you can't expect the (offensive) line to hold their blocks for three, four seconds.

"If it's not there you have to make something happen with it."

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Marshall's Bernard Morris and teammates celebrate Morris' touchdown run in the first half Saturday, October 26, 2007, during the Herd's homecoming game against Rice.

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