Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Eastern Kentucky
Marshall Football Set For Battle With Eastern Kentucky
9/11/2025 2:56:00 PM | Football
‘We Are … Thankful For Heroes’ game brings Colonels to town
2025 Marshall Football Tickets | Tony Gibson Weekly Press Conference - Eastern Kentucky | Player Interviews – Marshall vs. Eastern Kentucky | Know Before You Go
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –Marshall Football faces Eastern Kentucky in the 'We Are … Thankful For Heroes' game at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The game will be broadcast by ESPN+.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Live
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Game notes: Marshall | EKU
Twitter: @HerdFB
Instagram: @Herd_FB
PRE-GAME NOTES
Saturday's contest between Marshall and Eastern Kentucky is the 22nd all-time meeting between the programs in a series that dates back 99 years. The two programs are separated by just under two hours, making it a fun regional matchup.
The contest is Marshall's annual "We Are … Thankful For Heroes" game in which Military Personnel and First Responders are honored. There will be several pre-game and in-game festivities surrounding the theme, including a military flyover with a Big American flag for the National Anthem and recognitions of gratitude and valor during the contest.
This game is the first meeting between the teams since the 2020 season when they set up an impromptu contest in Huntington amidst COVID-19 scheduling. The Herd won the contest, 59-0, in what proved to be the first game for current EKU head coach Walt Wells.
Marshall's Steve Cotton – "The Voice of the Herd" – will be starting his 30th home season as the play-by-play voice for Marshall Football. Cotton's first season was in 1996 when Randy Moss helped lead the Herd to a perfect 14-0 record and a Division I-AA Championship.
EKU is in its first year of play within the United Athletic Conference – a conference in which it is a football-only member for 2025 before becoming a full member in 2026-27.
For a look at more items surrounding Gameday and the Gameday experience, click on our Know Before You Go segment.
ABOUT MARSHALL
Marshall head coach Tony Gibson is in his first year with the Herd and has 9 new assistant coaches and 75 new players on the roster.
The Herd is currently 0-2 after losses to No. 5 Georgia and Missouri State.
Offensively, the Herd is led by running backs Jo'Shon Barbie and Justin Williams-Thomas – each of whom have seen success in the early part of the season. Both players are over 80 yards on the season with a touchdown each.
Defensively, Marshall linebacker Kerion Martin had a breakout game last week with a career-high 13 tackles while defensive lineman Jammal Whyce also had a breakout game with nine tackles and 1.5 sacks.
For a more in-depth look at Marshall football, visit HERE.
ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY
EKU comes into Joan C. Edwards Stadium at 1-1 overall following a win over Houston Christian last week.
The Colonels are coached by Walt Wells, who is in his sixth season leading the team. Wells has an overall record of 31-27 overall.
EKU's offense is led by quarterback Myles Burkett who is 18 of 33 passing for 155 yards this season. Brayden Latham leads the Colonels with 78 rushing yards.
Defensively, EKU has been terrific at forcing turnovers, notching seven takeaways in the first two weeks of the season.
The Colonels have turned those turnovers into 27 points, which includes a pick-6 against Louisville and a 75-yard fumble return against Houston Christian.
For more information surrounding the Eastern Kentucky football program, visit HERE.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
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