Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Houston
Marshall Turns Back Houston, 37-23
10/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2008
Final Stats | AP Photo Gallery 
HUNTINGTON - Sporting green helmets and a new look offense, Marshall University raced out to a 16-3 first half lead Tuesday against Houston and never looked back, cruising to a 37-23 victory.
Marshall (4-4, 3-1 C-USA) kept the Cougar defense off balance early with a new offensive package, featuring wide receiver Darius Passmore at quarterback. For the night Passmore carried eight times for 42 yards from the quarterback position and had three catches for 71 yards at wideout.
Marshall physically dominated Houston on the ground producing 249 rushing yards. Darius Marshall led the way with 102 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Senior Chubb Small had a career high 81 yards rushing. Quarterback Mark Cann produced a solid performance as well, completing 15-of-25 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
The Herd defense surrendered 423 yards to the vaunted Houston offense but limited the Cougars to a season-low 23 points. Houston's Case Keenum threw for 317 yards, completing 22-of-41 passes.
Turnovers proved to be the difference as Marshall turned three Cougar giveaways into points. Linebacker Maurice Kitchens had an interception and a fumble reovery. Ashton Hall had an interception as well.
Marshall got on the board first on its second possession. The Herd drove 71-yards in 13 plays to set up Ratanamorn's first field goal of the night from 28 yards out.
The teams traded punts on their next two drives before Marshall linebacker Maruice Kitchens picked off a Keenum throw and returned it to the Houston 43 yard-line. Ten plays later, Cann made the Cougars pay with a nine-yard touchdown to Slate to put the Herd up 10-0.
After a quick three-and-out, Marshall was on the move once again. Cann hit Passmore down the sideline on a 65-yard strike down to the Houston 10. The Cougar defense was able to hold and Marshall settled for another Ratanamorn field goal.
Houston finally made it on to the scoreboard on the ensuing possession, stringing together a 12-play, 64-yard march to set up a Ben Bell 22-yard field goal. However, Marshall extended the lead back to 13 before the half with 36-yard kick by Ratanamorn.
Marshall got the ball to open the half but was forced to punt. On the ensuing possession, Houston moved the ball to the Marshall 1 yard-line, but Maurice Kitchens came up big once again, scooping up a fumble and returning it 80 yards to the Cougars' 17. Cann then recorded his second touchdown strike of the game with a 5-yard toss to Emmanuel Spann in the back of the endzone.
On the first play Houston's next possession, Keenum sailed a pass over the head of his intended receiver. The Herd's Ashton Hall intercepted the ball and broke tackles all the way back to the Houston 3 yard-line. Cann plunged over the goal line four plays later to put Marshall ahead 30-3 and blow the game open for the Herd.
Houston cut into the Herd's lead with a 60-yard scoring drive, capped by a 14-yard pass from Keenum to Bryce Beall. Bell missed the point after and Marshall led 36-9.
The Herd immediately regained the momentum as Darius Marshall returned the kickoff to Houston's 32-yardline. Four plays later, Darius Marshall scampered 22-yards off right tackle and reversed field for the touchdown.
Just as quickly as Marshall extended its lead Houston cut it back. Keenum hit Kierre Johnson on a post pattern for a 59-yard scoring strike.
Houston was able to score again with 2:27 remaining as Beall scored on a two-yard rush. However, that would be all for the Cougars as the Herd recovered the onside kick to seal the win.
