Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Downs Kent State, 27-17
10/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Marshall Downs Kent State, 27-17
10/16/2004
- Box Score
KENT, Ohio ? Behind two touchdowns from freshman Ahmad Bradshaw, the Thundering Herd scored 20 unanswered points to down the Kent State Golden Flashes 27-17 to improve to 3-0 in the Mid-American Conference.
Marshall (3-3, 3-0 MAC) got off to a slow start in the first half and trailed the Golden Flashes 17-7 heading into halftime, but used a strong defensive effort led by senior Jamus Martin with three sacks to shutout Kent in the second half. The Herd remains the only unbeaten team in MAC East play, while the Flashes fall to 1-6, 0-4 in the MAC.
?We challenged our guys at halftime and they stepped up and met that challenge and made some plays in the second half,? Marshall head coach Bob Pruett said.
The Herd got a break early in the second half when the Golden Flashes were flagged for an illegal kicking penalty for attempting to punt the ball from the ground. As a result, Herd received the ball on the Kent State three yard-line and punched in two plays later on Bradshaw?s first career touchdown from one yard out to cut the lead to 17-14.
Marshall then picked up the lead two possessions later on a 75-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Stan Hill to Bradshaw to put the Herd up 21-17 with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Ian O?Connor tacked on two field goals of 26, and 24 yards under intense windy conditions to set the final score at 27-17.
Defensively, the Herd shut out Joshua Cribbs in the second half and received strong efforts from a host of players. Senior lineman Reggie Hayes led the way with eight tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Defensive ends, Jamus Martin and Jonathan Goddard both recorded seven tackles, with Goddard continuing his stellar play with 1.5 sacks for a loss of 15 yards and 2.5 total tackles for a loss of 16 yards. Martin added two sacks of his own and 2.5 tackles for a total loss of 18 yards.
Marshall?s secondary finished the night with three interceptions. Willie Smith, Roberto Terrell, and Chris Royal all managed to intercept Cribbs.
Offensively, MU freshman running back Ahmad Bradshaw finished the day with three catches for 92 yards and a score. He also carried the ball seven times for 11 yards and a touchdown. Senior Earl Charles rushed for 67 yards on 14 carries.
Marshall?s Hill finished 9-of-23 passing for 143 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. Senior Graham Gochneaur, who sparked the Herd?s first scoring drive after entering the game on Marshall?s third possession, finished 6-of-12 for 55 yards and a score.
Kent?s Cribbs finished the night 13-of-34 for 122 yards, three interceptions, and one touchdown. He rushed the ball sixteen times for 37 yards.
