1996: The greatest season

The Herald-Dispatch

Was Marshall's 1996 national champion the greatest NCAA Division I-AA football team ever?

Marshall's 49-29 demolition of defending champion and previously unbeaten Montana in the 1996 title game left no doubt in the minds of many coaches and players that the Thundering Herd could boast that it was.

Oh, yes, Marshall also blew through the 1996 season with a perfect 15-0 record.

"That's the best I-AA team ever and I don't see any way anyone can say any different," said Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore following a 24-10 loss to the Herd. "They have everything. There are absolutely no weaknesses."

Marshall coach Bobby Pruett was on record before the national championship game saying the winner would likely be considered the best ever in I-AA. Afterward, Pruett just smiled.

The Herd had 11 players named to various All-American teams -- quarterback Eric Kresser, receiver Randy Moss, defensive lineman Billy Lyon, guard Aaron Ferguson, tackle Jamie Wilson, linebacker Jermaine Swafford, cornerback Melvin Cunningham, defensive end B.J. Cohen, kicker Tim Openlander, punter Chris Hanson and linebacker Larry McCloud.

"I think we're the best team ever," Wilson said. "I'd have to say we are. To go 15-0 and win the championship game like that, I'd say we're the best."

Seventeen players from Marshall made the All-Southern Conference team.

The Herd didn't have less than a two-touchdown margin in any of its games while outscoring its opposition by a 658 to 210 margin.

"I don't think there's any doubt. That team had it all," said former East Tennessee State coach Mike Cavan after losing to Marshall, 34-10.

Bobby Pruett, in his first season as head coach at his alma mater, was named as the National Coach of the Year by Chevrolet and the All-American Football Foundation.