1997: A great I-A beginning

The Herald-Dispatch

For Marshall's first-year NCAA Division I-A football program, the 1997 Motor City Bowl was as much about the Thundering Herd's future as it was the present.

Minutes after Marshall's 34-31 bowl loss to Mississippi, coach Bobby Pruett talked of his team getting bigger, stronger and faster, a goal he wants to accomplish quickly.

And winning.

While coming within 31 seconds of beating a team from the acclaimed Southeastern Conference was impressive, it's not the result Pruett wanted. His quest was for Marshall to be a Top 25 team every year.

"Our seniors won 49 games the last four years," Pruett said. "Hopefully, next year's seniors will be even better."

Marshall began believing in itself -- and making believers of others -- in the much-anticipated season opener at West Virginia. Although Marshall lost, 42-31, it proved it could play with the big boys -- even the mighty Mountaineers.

"We've been Division I for three weeks," Pruett said after the game. "I'm proud of our guys."

Marshall, helped immensely by Heisman Trophy finalist Randy Moss, received enormous national publicity throughout the year, capped by the Motor City Bowl which was televised live by ESPN.

With a 10-3 record, Marshall recorded the most wins ever by a first-year NCAA Division I-A team. Marshall also captured its first Mid-American Conference championship.

The Herd figured to be strong again in 1998. At least eight, possibly nine starters, returned to an offense that averaged 39 points per game. The defense returned four players who started in the bowl game and four others who saw considerable playing time.

The wild card was Moss, a wide receiver who was expected to declare for the NFL Draft.

Marshall played its first game back as a Division I-A football program on Aug. 30, 1997 at West Virginia -- the first meeting between the schools in 74 years. A crowd of 65,492 swarmed Mountaineer Field and although WVU won the game, 42-31, it was the state that had won. "Without question, no matter what the results of the ballgame, everybody's a winner," Marshall coach Bobby Pruett said.