Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
2-1 , 0-0
Missouri State
1-2 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 14 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Missouri St. | 10 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
Marshall Football Takes Down Missouri State, 30-24
9/19/2026 10:55:00 PM | Football
Herd defense gets late stop to preserve road win in exciting affair
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Marshall Football is learning how to win close games early in the 2026 season.
The Herd defense got a fourth-down stop inside its own 10-yard line when Javae Gilmore swatted down a Skyler Locklear pass in the final minute of Marshall's 30-24 victory in front of 16,010 fans at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Mo.
"I'm just really proud of our kids for the way they finished," Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said. "Defensively, we gave up way too much stuff, but we got tight when we needed to and held them out before the half with a blocked field goal, which ended up being really big, and then the goal-line stand at the end. We're not close to where we need to be, but it's a lot better to go back with a win."
For the second straight year, the matchup between the teams came down to the wire with both making plays in a back-and-forth affair.
Marshall never trailed in the game, thanks in part to a heady play off the edge by Gilmore, who used all his 6-foot-4 frame to get up and tip Locklear's pass to the outside.
"We had a lot of ups and downs tonight, but I'm just glad we kept on trucking and kept on playing," Gilmore said. "We're starting to figure it out with each other and having that bond. There's a lot of new people, but we're starting to know each other and who we can depend on."
The Herd then sealed the game when quarterback Khalil Wilkins lined up in the slot, came in motion and out-raced the defense to the outside for a first down that put the Herd in victory formation.
It was part of a strong all-around performance for Marshall, who got an efficient effort from quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and several time-consuming drives in the second half that aided the victory.
Del Rio-Wilson was 16 of 25 for 176 yards and a touchdown through the air while also rushing for another 73 yards.
"It feels great seeing the team chemistry we've got," Del Rio-Wilson said. "Knowing that my team had my back (after a fumble) and told me they would make up for it and keep my head up. It felt great to have that chemistry and bond."
His rushing effort was part of a Marshall ground attack that churned out 267 yards on the ground with the offensive line paving the way and getting stronger as the game went on.
"One of our keys to victory on the board this week was to dominate the line of scrimmage," Gibson said. "Tonight, we did that."
Marshall started and finished each half strong to earn the win on Saturday night in front of the fourth-largest crowd in Missouri State history.
The Herd scored touchdowns on each half-opening drive and got defensive stops on each half-closing drive – signs that Gibson said were strong.
Marshall took a 17-10 lead into the locker room after defensive lineman Kenyatta Hardge gave the Herd momentum by blocking a Missouri State field goal attempt late in the first half.
That momentum translated to the second half as Marshall went on a 4-play, 48-yard drive capped by Del Rio-Wilson's 6-yard touchdown run after a failed Missouri State onside kick attempt.
Del Rio-Wilson opened the scoring in the first quarter when he found T.J. Lester out of the backfield for a 39-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-2 play.
The lead ballooned to 14-3 in the first quarter when Jo'Shon Barbie capped a 7-play, 60-yard drive with a 1-yard run. Barbie finished the game with 81 yards on 12 carries and the score.
Jorge Diaz Nicolas added the first field goal of his career – a 28-yarder – to cap a 13-play, 65-yard drive with 8:14 left in the first half.
Diaz Nicolas finished with three field goals in the contest, adding two more from 32 and 31 yards for the Herd.
Marshall returns home next weekend for Homecoming 2026 as Gardner-Webb comes to Joan C. Edwards Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday in Huntington.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
MAR 7, MSU 0
MAR - Lester,TJ 39 yd pass from Del Rio-Wilson,Carlos (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:17
MAR 7, MSU 3
MSU - Obeid,Yousef 25 yd field goal 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 03:39
MAR 14, MSU 3
MAR - Barbie,Joshon 1 yd run (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:14
MAR 14, MSU 10
MSU - Edwards,Witt 38 yd pass from Locklear,Skyler (Obeid,Yousef kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:13
MAR 17, MSU 10
MAR - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 28 yd field goal 13 plays, 65 yards, TOP 06:51
MAR 24, MSU 10
MAR - Del Rio-Wilson,Carlos 6 yd run (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick), 4 plays, 48 yards, TOP 01:20
MAR 24, MSU 17
MSU - Dubar,Jambres 1 yd run (Obeid,Yousef kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:40
MAR 27, MSU 17
MAR - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 32 yd field goal 10 plays, 46 yards, TOP 04:10
MAR 27, MSU 24
MSU - Askren,Jeron 25 yd pass from Locklear,Skyler (Obeid,Yousef kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:34
MAR 30, MSU 24
MAR - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 31 yd field goal 13 plays, 64 yards, TOP 06:40