Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Stops UCF, 21-7
11/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Marshall Stops UCF, 21-7
11/20/2003
- Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. - Marshall University used a strong running game and defensive performance to pick up a 21-7 victory over the University of Central Florida Golden Knights Wednesday at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
"We gutted this thing out," Marshall head coach Bob Pruett said. "We're tickled to death to get the heck out of here with a win as beat up as we are. We're really excited about this win."
Earl Charles and the Marshall running game came alive in the third quarter to help lead the Thundering Herd to victory and keep its bowl hopes alive. Charles and the Herd racked up 225 yards on the ground to pace a Marshall offensive attack that tallied 364 total yards.
"It's not the way we usually do it," Pruett said. "But, we got the job done."
Charles rushed for 53 yards in the third quarter and capped off a 10-play, 76-yard scoring drive with his 12th rushing touchdown of the season to put the Herd up 14-0 over the Golden Knights.
The Charles touchdown was needed by the Herd after UCF's freshman quarterback Steven Moffett broke off a 55-yard touchdown scamper to pull the Golden Knights within seven at 14-7.
"We tried the outside and it didn't work so we started going inside in the second half and it worked for us," Charles said. "Then we could go inside and outside."
Marshall quarterback Graham Gochneaur got free for a 49-yard touchdown run with just 1:44 to go in the game to put the Herd on top 21-7 and finish off the scoring.
"He had trouble at times getting it down the field," Pruett said of Gochneaur. "But he really came through for us down there in the end."
Gochneaur completed 16-of-24 passes for 139 yards and rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown to help pace the Thundering Herd offense.
Marshall's defense was tremendous throughout the contest and held the Knights to only 170 total yards.
"Our defense really stood up and gave us a chance to win," Pruett said. "They played super."
Marshall's special teams came up big as well. A 70-yard punt return by Chris Royal to the UCF seven yard-line set up Marshall's first score, a Butchie Wallace touchdown run that ended up being the only score of the first half.
Marshall improves to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Knights fell to 3-8 on the season and 2-4 in the MAC.
The win also assured Marshall of a winning season. The Thundering Herd has now posted 20 consecutive winning seasons - the longest such streak in school history.
Marshall spoiled the head coaching debut of UCF interim head coach Alan Gooch after Mike Kruczek was fired last week. Marshall is 2-0 against the Golden Knights in UCF's two years in the MAC. Both teams will be joining Conference USA in 2005.
Marshall hosts Ohio next Friday in the annual "Battle for the Bell" at 12:05 p.m. to round out its regular season.
