Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Tulane
Herd Football Rolls Past Green Wave, 31-10
10/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Complete Game Stats in PDF Format 
Oct. 10, 2009
NEW ORLEANS - Brian Anderson completed 18-of-22 passes for 207 yards as the Marshall University football team dominated Tulane, 31-10, in Conference USA action Saturday at the Louisiana Superdome.
Anderson completed his first seven pass attempts of the game for the Thundering Herd (4-2, 2-1 C-USA), who improved to 3-0 all-time against Tulane (2-3, 0-2 C-USA). Junior running back Darius Marshall, held to a season-low 98 yards, made his presence known, scoring two touchdowns for the Herd.
Despite Tulane holding onto the ball for over 20 minutes in the first half, Marshall held a decided advantage on the scoreboard, taking a 21-7 advantage into the locker room at the half.
Each team scored on its opening possession of the game. The Green Wave took the opening kickoff eight plays and 67 yards into the endzone as Jordan Sullen scored on a 32-yard run. Less than three minutes later, the Herd knotted the score at 7-7 as Darius Marshall rushed for his conference-leading eighth touchdown of the season. That play capped off a 44-yard drive, which was set up by a failed onside kick attempt by Tulane.
Following a three-and-out by each team, the Herd punted the ball to the Green Wave with 5:17 left in the first quarter. Little did it know that it would be another 15:35 of playing time before its offense would step foot back on the field. Tulane received the punt at its own 7-yard line.
After moving the ball 44 yards to the Marshall 49, the Herd defense made its first big statement. John Youboty sacked Tulane QB Joe Kemp for a loss of six and on the next play, Albert McClellan forced Jeremy Williams to fumble. The ball was picked up by Ashton Hall, who ran in for the score to give MU its first lead of the game.
On the ensuing drive, the Green Wave offense once again moved the ball, going 81 yards over 19 plays to the one yard line, but the Herd defense stood tall once again, stuffing Tulane on third and fourth down at the one to turn the ball back over to the Herd. That marked the first time in over a quarter that the MU offense touched the ball.
The offense took full advantage of the rest, marching the ball 99 yards over the next four minutes to go up 21-7. Anderson completed 5 out of 6 passes for 93 yards on the drive. That capped off a strong first half for the junior, who completed his first seven passes of the game before finishing the half 10-of-11 for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Marshall added to its lead in the second half. Craig Ratanamorn connected on a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter, the only score of that period, to remain perfect on the season. He has made his first seven attempts of 2009 and has made all 16 extra point attempts.
Early in the fourth quarter, Marshall found the endzone for the second time in the game. Following a Brandon Burns interception, which gave the Herd the ball at the Tulane 5-yard line, the junior scored on the first play of the drive to put MU up 31-7.
Tulane added a field goal in the fourth to cut the deficit to 31-10.
Anderson had his top effort of the year, finishing the game with 207 yards through the air. Tulane starting quarterback Joe Kemp completed 14-of-23 passes for 116 yards. He was replaced in the second half by Ryan Griffin, who was 7-12 with 73 yards.
Darius Marshall was the leading rusher in the contest, gaining 98 yards on 20 carries. Andrew Anderson led Tulane with 92 yards on the ground.
Antavious Wilson led all receivers with 65 receiving yards. He caught six Anderson passes. Jeremy Williams of Tulane led all players with eight receptions. He finished the day with 53 yards.
Tulane finished with an advantage in total offense, gaining 404 yards while holding Marshall to 323, but turnovers played a big role. The Herd forced four Green Wave turnovers while Tulane intercepted one Anderson pass, which slipped through the hands of Cody Slate.
Today's road win marked the first time since 2004 that the Herd has posted back-to-back road victories. Marshall defeated Memphis 27-16 on September 26 before defeating Tulane today. The last time Marshall accomplished the feat was following road wins over Ohio and Kent State in October of 2004.
Next weekend, Marshall will remain on the road as it will travel to face in-state rival West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. next Saturday and will be carried on the Big East Network.
