Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Tough Down Stretch of 28-23 Win Over ULM
11/2/2024 8:31:00 PM | Football
Fitzpatrick’s TD catch, hard-nosed play in trenches help Herd top Warhawks on Senior Day
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football got a pair of fourth quarter scores and saw toughness in the trenches in the game's decisive moments to earn a 28-23 win over ULM in front of 21,478 fans at Joan C. Edwards Stadium for Senior Day.
With the win, Marshall moves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in Sun Belt Conference play.
"It was a really good job by the players of keeping their composure and keeping their competitive spirit – continuing to battle and continuing to respond," Marshall Football coach Charles Huff said. "We needed a win like this where we needed to battle through. We showed the ability today against a really good football team to battle."
The game came down to an exciting fourth quarter in which the Herd made key plays to get the win.
Marshall took the lead for good on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Braylon Braxton to Christian Fitzpatrick, who made a highlight-reel catch over a defender to get the score that put the Herd up 21-17.
"The touchdown was a progression read for Bray, but sometimes you just get that feeling in your stomach that the ball is about to find you," Fitzpatrick said. "I knew it was about to find me that play. I just made sure I had position on my DB and when that ball was up there, I know that no one is going to reach it but me."
Fitzpatrick's catch came on a two-play, 78-yard drive that started with a 45-yard run by Jordan Houston in which he broke several tackles to put the Herd into ULM territory.
The drive was set up by one of the day's biggest defensive plays – a good read by Marshall defensive back Jacobie Henderson, who stayed home on a quarterback option for a big tackle for loss of ULM quarterback Aidan Armenta that forced a short field goal, but gave the Herd momentum.
Henderson's play was indicative of the Herd defense in the fourth quarter as they made several stops behind the line of scrimmage in the game's most critical juncture to limit the ULM rushing attack and force the Warhawks to go to the air, which resulted in a change in field position.
Marshall cashed in after one of those stops as the offensive line took over, spearheading a six-play, 48-yard drive that culminated with Ethan Payne's 8-yard touchdown run.
On the play, Payne was hit at the 4-yard line, but the offensive line kept pushing until he reached the end zone to make it 28-17 with 3:17 left in the contest.
It was Payne's second touchdown of the game – the first coming with 3:52 left in the first half that helped the teams go to the locker room tied at 14.
Braxton finished the game 10 of 19 for 166 yards and a score while Houston led the Herd with 80 yards on the ground. Payne added 51 and two scores while A.J. Turner added 49 and a touchdown (6-yard score) in the first quarter.
"We knew this was going to be a tough game offensively because we knew they would try to limit us possession-wise with the style of offense they play," Braxton said. "Finding rhythm at the beginning of the game, it was a little tough, but once we were able to get into a rhythm, we made the plays that needed to be made."
On the defensive end, Jaden Yates finished with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss while Mike Green added nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. Josh Moten also had an interception for the Herd.
Marshall next will head to Southern Miss to take on the Golden Eagles at 3 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. CT at M.M. Roberts Stadium on Nov. 9.
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---HerdZone.com---
