2000: MAC champions, again

The Herald-Dispatch

Marshall cornerback Danny Derricott owned four Mid-American Conference championship rings and was a part of three Motor City Bowl winners.

The senior's only regret was that he wouldn't be a part of the 2001 Thundering Herd.

"Coach (Bobby) Pruett probably will get mad at me when I say this, but the MAC is in trouble," Derricott said, drawing a wry smile from Pruett. "This is my last game, so I can say this. The MAC is in trouble."

Pruett knew that Derricott's comments might wind up on opponents' bulletin boards, but it made little difference. Marshall was already the target of every MAC school anyway.

Marshall (8-5) started the 2000 season by losing four of its first six games. The Herd then won six of its last seven, including the Motor City Bowl, a 25-14 victory against Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati coach, Rick Minter called Marshall the "Florida State" of the MAC.

With the bowl victory Marshall showed that it could win a bowl for the first time without wide receiver Randy Moss or quarterback Chad Pennington, both first-round NFL draft choices.

Minter reflected on that, too.

"They say the rich get richer," Minter said. "Bob Pruett's done a great job. Randy and Chad, their presence will be felt for years to come. Marshall is a bell-cow program of the MAC. Everybody thought there was a little chink in the armor this year, but they're hoisting the trophy over their head at the Silverdome at our expense."

The Thundering Herd would welcome back seven starters on offense and five on defense for the 2001 season, likely making it the favorite to win a fifth consecutive league title. No other MAC football program had won more than four.

Maybe they'll rename it the Marshall City Bowl. Marshall notched its third consecutive Motor City Bowl championship to end the 2000 season. "You see this," Marshall coach Bobby Pruett said, pointing to the team's "We Play for Championships" logo on the chest of quarterback Byron Leftwich's sweatsuit. "When a championship is on the line you'd better hold onto your. ... whatever you need to hold onto. We set high standards -- win the Mid-American Conference championship, go to a bowl and win the bowl."