Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
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#5 Georgia
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Marshall Football Falls To No. 5 Georgia, 45-7
8/30/2025 8:15:00 PM | Football
Barbie’s TD provides offensive bright spot in Gibson’s opener as HC
Box Score | Coach Gibson Post-Game Press Conference |
ATHENS, Ga. – Marshall Football ushered in the Tony Gibson era on Saturday as the new-look Thundering Herd fell in a tough 45-7 loss to No. 5 Georgia in front of 93,033 fans at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
"I'll take this one on me and our staff," Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said. "We have to do a better job getting our guys better prepared. That was the first of many, and I promise, Herd Nation, that we will be better next week."
Defensively, the Herd got strong performances from Cam Smith, Kerion Martin and Caleb Clark-Glover.
Smith finished with seven tackles, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss while Martin and Clark-Glover each had seven tackles as well.
Marshall's offense struggled to get going for much of the game, but punter Nathan Totten helped flip the field, averaging 45.4 yards per punt with a long of 59 yards on the day.
The Herd broke up the shutout with 10:27 left in the game when Zion Turner connected on completions of 34 yards to Antonio Harmon and 44 yards to Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Jo'Shon Barbie.
"Zion came in there and led the offense," Barbie said. "He knew exactly what he had to do, made his reads and took exactly what they were giving us. We had the receivers make plays and everybody did exactly what they were supposed to in that moment and we were able to score.
Marshall now comes back to Joan C. Edwards Stadium at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6 when Coach Gibson hosts his first home game against Missouri State. For tickets to that game, click HERE.
For all the latest information about Marshall Football, follow @HerdFB on Twitter and @Herd_FB on Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
---HerdZone.com---
Team Stats
MAR 0, UGA 7
UGA - Phillips Jr.,Dwight 17 yd run (Woodring,Peyton kick), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:17
MAR 0, UGA 14
UGA - Stockton,Gunner 13 yd run (Woodring,Peyton kick), 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:33
MAR 0, UGA 21
UGA - Stockton,Gunner 11 yd run (Woodring,Peyton kick), 3 plays, 20 yards, TOP 01:08
MAR 0, UGA 24
UGA - Woodring,Peyton 43 yd field goal 9 plays, 44 yards, TOP 01:03
MAR 0, UGA 31
UGA - Branch,Zachariah 47 yd pass from Stockton,Gunner (Woodring,Peyton kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:47
MAR 0, UGA 38
UGA - Humphreys,London 2 yd pass from Stockton,Gunner (Woodring,Peyton kick) 8 plays, 55 yards, TOP 04:23
MAR 0, UGA 45
UGA - Williams,Elyiss 23 yd pass from Puglisi,Ryan (Woodring,Peyton kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:23
MAR 7, UGA 45
MAR - Barbie,Joshon 1 yd run (Quinn,Lorcan kick), 7 plays, 84 yards, TOP 03:46
