1999: Commanding respect

The Herald-Dispatch

Short of begging its Mid-American Conference counterparts to bring their football programs up a level in the near future, and playing a somewhat suspect non-conference schedule, Marshall did everything it possibly could do in 1999 to earn respect nationwide.

With a victory over tradition-rich Brigham Young University in the Motor City Bowl, the Thundering Herd finished the season 13-0 -- one of only two NCAA Division I-A teams unbeaten in the nation.

"It'll help in the national public eye," said senior linebacker Andre O'Neal. "Other people will now realize that we have great athletes and coaches."

The criticism of Marshall had not been of its performance on the field, but of its weak schedule. The Herd played the likes of lowly Buffalo and Kent, matchups it couldn't avoid because of MAC scheduling. Marshall also whipped up on I-AA Liberty and I-A Temple, a school that rarely wins more than a couple of games a year.

But, Marshall also won at Clemson, Miami (Ohio) and Western Michigan, three impressive victories in front of large, noisy crowds.

Marshall coach Bobby Pruett called the victory over BYU wonderful.

"We keep making improvements each year. We've made great strides," he said.

The 1999 MAC Championship Game played at Marshall Stadium was one for the ages.

Western Michigan led 23-0 early in the third quarter of the title contest when quarterback Chad Pennington started bringing Marshall back. With three seconds left to play, on third down at the Broncos' 1, Pennington connected with tight end Eric Pinkerton for the winning touchdown.

In perfect storybook fashion, it was the only TD catch of Pinkerton's career.

Marshall finished the 1999 season undefeated for the second time in four years. Coach Bobby Pruett said the Herd's second consecutive Motor City Bowl victory, combined with victories over well-known schools from other conferences should earn Marshall respect. "Up until tonight, I thought the I-AA team we had in 1996 was the best we've had," Pruett said after the bowl victory over BYU. "This is the best team we've had." The respect came when Marshall was ranked No. 10 at the end of the season.