Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Hosts Western Michigan Saturday
11/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Marshall Football Hosts Western Michigan Saturday
11/15/2004
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -Marshall enters a senior day match-up with the visiting Western Michigan Broncos in search of its 21st consecutive winning season, an NCAA career record for senior receiver Josh Davis, and a victory in its final Mid-American Conference game.
The Thundering Herd (5-5 overall, and 5-2 MAC) is looking to extend the sixth-longest consecutive non-losing seasons streak in major college football. Marshall has not had a losing season since finishing 4-7 overall in 1983.
Marshall is also fighting for the all important sixth win that would make the Herd bowl eligible and finish the regular season on a winning note for the team?s 25 seniors. The senior class of 2004 has posted a record of 35-13 over the last four years, won two MAC East titles, won the 2002 MAC Championship, and posted wins in two GMAC Bowls.
Among Marshall?s 25 seniors is receiver Josh Davis. The Mid-American Conference?s all-time receptions leader (295) enters Saturday?s game only five catches away from the all-time NCAA receptions record of 300 that was set by Louisville?s Arnold Jackson (1997-2000). Davis is currently tied for third all-time in NCAA receptions with Taylor Stubblefield of Purdue, who will play Indiana at noon on Saturday. Both Davis and Stubblefield, are expected to join Jackson as the only players ever to surpass the 300-catch mark in major college football.
Western Michigan is coming off of a 42-21 loss at home to Miami and has lost nine straight since a season opening win over Tennessee-Martin. The Broncos boast one of the MAC?s top receivers in Greg Jennings who has 67 catches fo 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Jennings also has 284 yards in punt returns and leads the Broncos with an average of 130.3 all-purpose yards per game.
Defensively, the Broncos are led by senior linebacker Mike Giorgianni who has 80 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception.