MU trips UAB, 27-7

HUNTINGTON -- Four regular season games remain, but Marshall University football might have experienced its 2009 defining moment.

Leading 17-7 Saturday afternoon, the Thundering Herd marched 89 yards in 19 plays and 9:10, featuring 10 consecutive Darius Marshall carries. The junior tailback bulled in from 1 yard, cementing a pivotal 27-7 victory over UAB before 18,878 fans, the smallest Joan C. Edwards Stadium crowd since 2001.

Marshall (5-3, 3-1 Conference USA) is now tied for the East Division lead with East Carolina, which visits Memphis Tuesday night. Double digit penalties, including several personal fouls, offset a stellar performance by quarterback Joe Webb for UAB (2-5, 2-2).

Thundering Herd quarterback Brian Anderson provided first half highlights, and then -- literally and otherwise -- handed off to Darius Marshall. Anderson surpassed 300 passing yards and Darius Marshall rushed for more than 100. It was the sort of balanced offensive performance sought throughout the season.

It also marked the first time a Marshall duo has accomplished such a feat since quarterback Stan Hill and tailback Earl Charles combined for the 300 and 100 totals respectively in 2003.

Converting several third downs along the way, Marshall opened with an 11-play drive, ending with Craig Ratanamorn’s 43-yard field goal. The senior remains perfect this season, connecting on eight straight kicks.

Uneventful best described the opening quarter (the teams traded five punts), but the script flipped for the first half’s remainder. Each defense stood strong on a fourth down and 1, and Anderson led a dynamic offense.

Anderson's 42-yard hookup with Chuck Walker preceded a 25-yard touchdown strike to Cody Slate. Anderson looked left, scanned the middle then found a leaping Slate in the back of the end zone.

An abbreviated, 47-yard drive, highlighted by a 20-yard Anderson toss, extended the lead to 17-0. Anderson found Walker on a crossing pattern, and the junior sprinted untouched into the end zone.

UAB managed to trim the halftime margin to 17-7, covering 68 yards in just 1:17. Webb’s 12-yard scoring pass to Mark Ferrell set the 10-point margin through two quarters.

Marshall continues its five-game Conference USA stretch run to complete the regular next weekend in a prime time Sunday matchup at UCF. Kickoff in Orlando, Fla., is 8:15 p.m. and ESPN will televise the game.