Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Gardner-Webb
Marshall Football Faces Gardner-Webb For Homecoming 2026
9/24/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
Herd, Runnin’ Bulldogs set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at The Joan
2026 Marshall Football Tickets | Coach Gibson Weekly Press Conference – Gardner-Webb | Player Interviews – Gardner-Webb | Know Before You Go
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football celebrates Homecoming 2026 on Saturday afternoon when the Thundering Herd hosts Gardner-Webb at 3:30 p.m. from Joan C. Edwards Stadium in a game shown on ESPN+.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Live
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Game notes: Marshall | Gardner-Webb
Twitter: @HerdFB
Instagram: @Herd_FB
PRE-GAME NOTES
Saturday's contest will be the 125th Homecoming contest in Marshall Football history. The Herd is 70-46-8 all-time in Homecoming games. The Sept. 26 date for Homecoming in the 2nd-earliest in Marshall Football history.
Marshall comes into the game having won two straight games against foes from Conference USA – the Herd's previous conference.
Herd quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson had the highest passing grade among all FBS quarterbacks for Week 3 according to Pro Football Focus. Del Rio-Wilson had a rating of 92.9 after going 16 of 25 for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Marshall safety Caleb Clark-Glover is tied for fourth nationally in solo tackles with 20 through three games. Overall, Clark-Glover is T-18 in tackles in FBS with 27 on the season.
Herd fans will see plenty of familiar faces on the other side of the football this weekend. Gardner-Webb is led by quarterback Cole Pennington, a former Marshall quarterback and the son of Herd star Chad Pennington.
Former Marshall running back Randy Young is also the starting running back for Gardner-Webb while reserve tight end Beau Blankenship also is on the offensive side for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
To see more information about logistics and policies for Saturday's home game, click HERE.
ABOUT MARSHALL
Marshall comes into Saturday's Homecoming contest with two straight wins after earning a 30-24 victory at Missouri State last week.
The Herd offense was led by a powerful rushing attack that produced 267 yards on the ground with 117 coming in the fourth quarter. Jo'Shon Barbie led the ground attack with 81 yards while quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson added 73. Reserve backs Judah Price (55 yards) and T.J. Lester (39-yard TD reception) also made big contributions in the win.
Defensively, Caleb Clark-Glover is now in the top-5 nationally in solo tackles after finishing with 8 tackles last week and defensive lineman Kenyatta Hardge had a key field goal block late in the first half. Defensive back Eddie Pleasant also logged the first interception of his Herd career in the win.
For a more in-depth look at Marshall football, visit HERE.
ABOUT GARDNER-WEBB
Gardner-Webb comes into Saturday's contest at 1-3 after a convincing 44-20 win over previously undefeated NC Central last week.
A pair of names familiar to Marshall fans led the way for the Gardner-Webb offense as quarterback Cole Pennington threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns while running back Randy Young rushed for 92 yards and a score.
Defensively, linebacker Tre Yanez continued his strong early season play, finishing with 12 tackles and a sack for the Runnin' Bulldogs. He has 43 tackles and three sacks on the season.
For more information about Gardner-Webb, click HERE.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the third all-time meeting between Marshall and Gardner-Webb with the Herd earning victories in both prior meetings. The most recent meeting came in 2022 when the Herd earned a 28-7 victory in Huntington in a game played in a heavy downpour throughout.
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