Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Postgame Notes
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Marshall game captains at Kent State, as selected by Coach Doc Holliday and his staff, were running back Devon Johnson and wide receiver Deandre Reaves on offense and safety Taj Letman and linebacker D.J. Hunter on defense.
Antwan Dixon's 47-yard run for Kent State's first touchdown (11:33, first quarter) is the longest run against the Marshall defense this season.
Tyler Williams' second punt of the game for Marshall (5:46, first quarter) was the 50th of his career inside the 20.
Herd running back Tony Pittman's two touchdowns (3:54, first quarter; double overtime) were his first this season, and the second and third, respectively, of his career (first at Southern Miss, 2014).
Tony Pittman's 129 yards rushing is his career high for a game (previous was 37 at Southern Miss, 2014).
Tyler Williams' punt of 56 yards in the fourth quarter was the 49th of 50 or more yards in his career, and 11th of that distance this season.
In first half, senior Tyler Williams had punts of 49, 40, 54, 52 and 60 yards. His last punt of 60 is his 12th of 60 or more in his career.
Deandre Reaves' 93-yard kick return for a touchdown (8:51, third quarter) is his second career kick return for a touchdown, matching his career long of 93 for a touchdown in last year's Boca Raton Bowl victory.
Reaves' kick return touchdown was the third in Coach Doc Holliday's five-plus Marshall seasons - Reaves' two and a 100-yarder by Troy Evans versus Southern Miss in 2010.
Linebacker Evan McKelvey's third-quarter fumble recovery was the first of his Herd career.
Tyler Williams' 12 punts today are his career high number, topping nine in the loss at Ohio on Sept. 12 (two weeks ago).
Tight end Ryan Yurachek's 17-yard touchdown catch (12:32, fourth quarter) gave him four receptions on the day, matching his career high (multiple times).
Twenty-four punts by the teams combined (Marshall 12-562, Kent State 12-515) ties a Marshall record set on Sept. 14, 1985 at Fairfield Stadium, a 31-7 Marshall win over Ohio (Herd 10-368; Ohio 14-601).
Tyler Williams' 562 punt yards in the game (12 kicks) breaks the Herd single-game record for punt yards belonging to Bob Eshbaugh, 513 vs. Western Michigan in 1972 (Eshbaugh had 14 punts).
Marshall is 8-6 all-time in overtime; last one a 67-66 loss last Nov. 28 to Western Kentucky at Edwards Stadium (8-6 includes Division I-AA era). The Herd is 5-6 in FBS era in overtime, the first of those being the win in 2001 GMAC Bowl.
Marshall's last overtime win was at Rice, 54-51, in 2012.
Among Group of Five programs, Marshall has the best record in the 2014-15 seasons. A look at the top G5 teams in 2014-15:
- Marshall 16-2 1 win over Power 5
- Boise State 15-3 3 wins over Power 5
- Memphis 14-3 1 win over Power 5
- Northern Illinois 13-5 1 win over Power 5
