Recap: Memphis vs. Marshall

Published online on Saturday, Sep. 26, 2009

Darius Marshall erupted for 203 rushing yards and three touchdowns, as the Marshall Thundering Herd opened their Conference USA schedule with a 27-16 road win over the Memphis Tigers.

Marshall averaged 8.1 yards per carry and also completed a 27-yard pass on a halfback option. Herd (3-1, 1-0 C-USA) quarterback Brian Anderson was 10-of-18 for 97 yards and was sacked four times.

Duke Calhoun led Memphis (1-3, 0-1) with five catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. Tigers quarterback Tyler Bass threw for 232 yards and a score, though he was also intercepted twice.

Marshall took a 3-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal by Craig Ratanamorn at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter.

But on the first play of the Tigers' ensuing possession, Bass hooked up with Calhoun for an 80-yard scoring strike to give Memphis a 7-3 lead.

The Thundering Herd drove 60 yards in nine plays on their next drive, and Marshall scored on a two-yard plunge.

Marshall burst free for a 69-yard touchdown run to give the Herd a 17-7 lead with less than three minutes remaining until halftime.

Memphis responded with a 12-play, 60-yard drive, capped by Matt Reagan's 20- yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Reagan cut the deficit to 17-13 on a 22-yarder at the 9:17 mark of the third quarter.

But Marshall answered again with a five-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Reagan's 25-yard field goal made it a 24-16 game with 8:20 to play, but the Tigers would draw no closer.

Ratanamorn iced it with an 18-yard field goal following a six-minute drive by the Herd offense.

Marshall's victory marked the first time a road team has won in the head-to- head series.

Game Notes