Marshall University Athletics
Troy Edges Marshall, 17-15
9/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Troy Edges Marshall, 17-15
9/4/2004
- Box Score
HUNTNGTON, W.Va. - The Troy Trojans used an impressive defensive effort to pick-up a rare 17-15 road victory over Marshall University, Saturday, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
"We're going to have to find a way to protect our passer if we're going to do anything at all," Marshall head coach Bob Pruett said. "We only ran 62 plays, so we just had a poor offensive effort. They really put the pressure on us."
Troy defenders sacked Marshall quarterback Stan Hill eight times for -45 yards, and limited Marshall to its lowest offensive output (177 total yards) since recording only 171 yards of offense in a 14-0 loss at UT-Chattanooga on Sept. 23, 1989.
The Thundering Herd (0-1) could never get it going offensively. Marshall managed just 25 total rushing yards and 152 passing yards on the night.
The loss marked the first time ever that Marshall has lost a home opener at Joan C. Edwards Stadium and dropped the Herd's record in the facility that opened in 1991 to 98-7.
"They (Troy) didn't do anything we did not expect them to, but they executed," Pruett said. "When you call pass protection there's a lot of players involved and its not just the line. We gave up a bunch of sacks, but fortunately we've got a good offensive line coach and he will bring them around. We will get better."
Marshall's defense and the kicking of sophomore Ian O'Connor was a bright spot. The Thundering Herd limited the Trojan offense to only 261 yards of total offense and kept the game close throughout.
Senior linebacker Kevin Atkins led Marshall with 11 total tackles. Senior cornerback Roberto Terrell and senior defensive end Jonathan Goddard also reached double figures with 10 total tackles each.
Chris Royal also intercepted two Troy passes and amassed 42 yards in interception returns in the first half that led to two MU scores.
O'Connor, a sophomore, handled the kickoffs, place kicking and punting duties for the Herd. O'Connor was true on all three of his field goal attempts, connecting from 32 yards and 30 yards out in the second quarter and on a 20-yarder in the third. He averaged 35.7 yards per punt on six punts, with a long of 42. In addition, two of his kickoffs were downed in the endzone for touchbacks.
Quarterback Aaron Leak lead the Trojans (1-0) with 196 yards on 13 of 26 passing with one interception. He also scored the game's opening touchdown on a 15-yard run at the 10:36 mark of the first half.
Following that opening score, Marshall would answer with O'Connor's three field goals to go up 9-7 at the 12:04 mark of the third quarter.
Troy answered at the 7:57 mark of the third quarter with a 43-yard field goal from Greg Whibbs and went on to take a 17-9 lead at the 7:33 mark of the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by DeWhitt Betterson.
Following a Brad Bates block of a Troy punt late in the third, Marshall would score for the final time when Stan Hill hit Josh Davis for a 10-yard touchdown at the 2:05 mark to make the final score, 17-15. Neither team could manage a scoring drive in the final quarter.
Hill was 14-of-28 for 152 yards and one touchdown with one interception, while Davis led the Herd in receiving with six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Earl Charles managed a game-high 56 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Marshall now turns its attention to a Saturday, Sept. 11, meeting with nationally-ranked Ohio State (1-0) in Columbus. The game will be televised regionally by ABC (3:30 p.m.) and mark the Herd's first ever visit to Ohio Stadium.
