Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Southern Miss
No. 23 @HerdFB Soars Past Golden Eagles
11/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
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| Final Stats
HATTIESBURG, Miss.- The No. 23 Marshall Thundering Herd overcame a 14 point first quarter deficit to defeat the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 63-17 Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg. The Herd went on a 63-3 run after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter.
Marshall moves to 9-0 and 5-0 this season in Conference USA, while Southern Miss drops to 3-7 and 1-5 in conference.
After electing to receive the ball, the Golden Eagles went to work on a 13 play, 75 yard drive that took 6:20 off the clock. Ito Smith capped off a successful drive with a two yard rushing touchdown to make the score 7-0.
Southern Miss would then convert an onside kick and launch another methodical drive, six plays, 56 yards in 2:56. Smith would again rush for a two yard score to make the Southern Miss lead 14-0.
After an offsides on another onside kick attempt, Marshall was able to finally receive the ball and start its first possession. Senior quarterback Rakeem Cato (Miami) capped off the drive with a scrambling two yard touchdown to junior Remi Watson (Lakeland, Fla.) to make the score 14-7.
Marshall would score again shortly after. Redshirt junior running back Steward Butler (Lakeland, Fla.) broke free through a hole on the left side and sprang into the secondary and past the Southern Miss defense for a 30 yard score to tie the score 14-14.
The Herd would make it 21 unanswered points when Watson raced in from seven yards out for his second touchdown of the evening, putting the Herd in front 21-14.
After a 35 yard field goal by the Golden Eagles brought Southern Miss to a four point deficit at 21-17, Cato continued the trusted connection to senior wide receiver Tommy Shuler (Miami) with a two yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-17 Marshall. The score would stay the same heading into the half after redshirt junior defensive back Taj Letman (Elberton, Ga.) intercepted a Hail Mary attempt.
The Herd would get the scoring started in the third quarter as well. After a big gain through the air to Deon-Tay McManus (Baltimore), Cato faked a handoff and scored on a 10 yard rush to the left side. That finished up a six play, 64 yard drive to make the score 35-17.
Marshall would continue to add touchdowns later in the third quarter, this time in only four plays, as Watson scored his second touchdown of the day from seven yards to complete a 47 yard drive.
In the fourth quarter, Butler would break free on the first play of the drive, using his quick feet and acceleration to score an 83 yard touchdown and make the score 49-17.
Not to be outdone, Watson would score his fourth touchdown with 7:55 to go in the game to finish an eight play, 66 yard drive. Later in the quarter, freshman running back Tony Pittman (Hampton, Va.) would make the score 63-17 after a 26 yard rush to the house.
Next Saturday, Nov. 15, Marshall will return to Joan C. Edwards Stadium to face the Rice Owls in a rematch of the 2013 Conference USA Championship game. The game will start at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on FSN.
