Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Middle Tennessee
Marshall Football Opens Home Slate Against Middle Tennessee
9/10/2026 2:03:00 PM | Football
New lights, new experiences for fans in 7 p.m. contest vs. Blue Raiders
2026 Marshall Football Tickets | Coach Gibson Weekly Press Conference – Middle Tennessee | Player Interviews – Middle Tennessee | Know Before You Go
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football kicks off the home portion of the 2026 season at 7 p.m. on Saturday night when the Thundering Herd hosts former Conference USA rival Middle Tennessee under the new lights at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Live
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Game notes: Marshall | Middle Tennessee
Twitter: @HerdFB
Instagram: @Herd_FB
PRE-GAME NOTES
Marshall and Middle Tennessee is a non-conference matchup that brings former conference rivals together. The Thundering Herd and Blue Raiders were each part of Conference USA's East Division and met annually from 2013-21.
At the end of the first quarter, Marshall will honor the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 on the field. Members include Kellie Beckelheimer Wood, Christian Brand, Jon Elmore, Shayna Gore, Otto "Swede" Gullickson, Mario Harvey, Michaela Kissell Eddins, Cody Slate and Morgan Zerkle.
Herd tight end Toby Payne eclipsed his career mark for receptions in a game when he caught eight passes in the loss at Penn State.
Marshall safety Caleb Clark-Glover set a career-high in tackles last week with 11.
Middle Tennessee is looking to play its first full game of the 2026 season after having the season-opener against Murray State cut short in the fourth quarter due to weather.
The Blue Raiders are looking to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2001.
Ironically, Marshall and Middle Tennessee's matchup in Murfreesboro in 2025 also had lengthy delays due to inclement weather. That delay lasted 2 hours, 12 minutes.
To see more information about logistics and policies for Saturday's home game, click HERE.
ABOUT MARSHALL
Marshall comes into its home opener for the 2026 season as a hungry team after suffering a 45-0 loss to No. 18 Penn State last week in the season opener at Beaver Stadium.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson was efficient, connecting on 17 of 25 passes, but for only 102 yards. Del Rio-Wilson, the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference, did lead the Herd with 30 yards rushing.
Tight end Toby Payne was the recipient of many of those completions from Del Rio-Wilson, catching a career-high eight passes for 55 yards in the loss.
Defensively, Caleb Clark-Glover made 11 tackles from his safety position while defensive end Kelvon McBride recorded six tackles, including two tackles for loss with the Herd's first sack of the 2026 season.
For a more in-depth look at Marshall football, visit HERE.
ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee is coached by Derek Mason, who has gone 7-18 in his third season with the Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee comes into the contest at 1-0 following a 38-14 win over Murray State in the season-opener, which was shortened due to inclement weather.
Quarterback Roman Gagliano was 20 of 26 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the win while Antonio Martin, Jr., rushed 15 times for 104 yards in a balanced offensive effort.
Defensively, the Blue Raiders' Kalen Woods notched seven tackles and had a fumble recovery.
For more information about Middle Tennessee, click HERE.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 13th all-time meeting between Marshall and Middle Tennessee. The series started in 1992 when the two teams met in the I-AA (now FCS) playoffs as the Herd earned a 35-21 win and went on to win the National Championship. The Herd leads the all-time series by a 7-5 margin and is 5-1 in games played in Huntington.
For all the latest information about Marshall Football, follow @HerdFB on X 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.
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