Birmingham, AL (SportsNetwork.com) – Ra’Shawde Myers recovered a fumble in the
end zone with 7:35 remaining and No. 18 Marshall remained undefeated with a
23-18 win over UAB on Saturday.
With its offense struggling, Marshall overcame an 18-17 deficit with big plays
on special teams and defense.
The Thundering Herd downed Tyler Williams’ punt at the 1-yard line and Arnold
Blackmon stripped UAB quarterback Cody Clements in the end zone on third down.
The ball ended up with Myers, whose touchdown gave Marshall (11-0, 7-0 C-USA)
its 12th straight win dating back to last December’s Military Bowl.
Marshall coach Doc Holliday said there was “no question” the defense won the
game for his team.
“When they had to make a play they did,” he said. “We punted them down there
and they got the touchdown off Arnold Blackmon down there and they ended up
having to make a stop (at the end of the game) and they did.
“I’ve said it a lot of times, it’s hard to go 11, 12 games and not have to
grind one out. That’s unusual, I’ve never had that.”
Rakeem Cato passed for 284 yards and two touchdowns for Marshall, but threw an
interception in the fourth quarter then led to a go-ahead touchdown for UAB.
Devon Johnson rushed for 171 yards and Tommy Shuler had 10 catches for 132
yards and a touchdown in the win. Angelo Jean-Louis scored Marshall’s other
touchdown on a tipped pass in the first half.
Jordan Howard had 168 yards rushing and two touchdowns for UAB (5-6, 3-4),
which has one more game left to attempt to become bowl eligible for the second
time in program history.
Clements threw for 141 yards and Shaq Jones had the interception that led to
Howard’s go-ahead 10-yard score in the fourth quarter.
UAB’s final 17-play drive ended on the Marshall 10-yard line with a failed
fourth-down try.
“We talked before about moral victories and that is not us,” said UAB coach
Bill Clark. “That is not what we are about. I am so proud of (our players).
With all the adversity and turmoil that has been surrounding them, to come out
here and fight like they did today was unbelievable. That is what I expected.
That’s how we practiced this week.”
A 1-yard touchdown by Howard capped UAB’s opening drive in the second half and
drew the Blazers within 17-12 after a two-point conversion attempt failed.
The next four Marshall drives ended in a punt, a fumble, a failed fourth-down
try and the interception by Jones.
The Thundering Herd are fighting to earn the College Football Playoff’s
guaranteed berth in one of the six New Year’s bowls for a team outside the
traditional five power conferences.
They have yet to be included in the CFB’s weekly top-25 rankings even though
they were one of just two unbeaten teams entering this week, the other being
reigning national champion Florida State.
Justin Haig missed a 23-yard field goal try at the end of Marshall’s first
drive and Ty Long kicked a 36-yarder for UAB later in the first quarter.
Cato’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Shuler gave the Thundering Herd a 7-3 lead
with 3:46 remaining in the quarter.
Cato spun out of a sack and got lucky on his second touchdown throw, which
went off the hands of UAB cornerback Jimmy Jean near the 15-yard line and
caught by Jean-Louis for a 43-yard score in the second quarter. The play came
after Long hit a 40-yard field goal for UAB.
Haig’s 33-yarder as time ran out in the first half gave Marshall a 17-6 lead.
Game Notes
Marshall finishes the regular season on Friday against Western Kentucky …
UAB ends the regular season next Saturday at Southern Mississippi. The Blazers
played in their only bowl game in 2004, losing to Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.
