9/2/2024
Though clouds darkened the skies above Joan C. Edwards Stadium during Saturday evening’s contest, Marshall shined bright during its 45-3 victory over the Stony Brook Seawolves as it featured a new offensive scheme and overhauled roster.
After an offseason of speculation at the quarterback position, North Texas transfer Stone Earle took the role of QB1 for the opening contest. However, mother nature further delayed both the debut of Earle and new offensive coordinator Seth Doege’s air raid offense.
After an hour-long weather delay, AJ Turner and the Marshall offense lit up the scoreboard as quickly as the lightning bolts flashed before play resumed. Turner, third on the running back depth chart heading into the contest, made a name for himself by breaking free for an 80-yard touchdown that gave the home side an early lead.
With a 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter, the Herd continued to rely heavily on its ground game. The home side used seven rushing plays to set up a 45-yard field goal, giving Marshall a 10-0 lead with 4:15 to play in the first half.
After a three-and-out by the Seawolves offense, Earle connected with wide receiver Elijah Metcalf in the left corner of the end zone, entering half time with a 17-0 advantage over the Seawolves.
Though Marshall rushed for 163 of its 220 yards during the first half, the home side made use of Doege’s air raid offense exiting halftime. With 11:49 to go in the third quarter, Metcalf’s second touchdown reception became the first of four touchdown passes thrown by Marshall’s quarterback trio in the second half.
Cole Pennington, the last of the trio to take the field, made use of his limited time by tossing the first touchdown reception of his collegiate career to a wide-open Bralon Brown.
The native of nearby Versailles, Kentucky became the second generation of Pennington to throw a touchdown pass for the Herd, as Brown received the first touchdown of his respective collegiate career.
With a 1-0 record, Marshall football travels south to Blacksburg, Virginia for its week two contest against the Virginia Tech Hokies. With two road games against power four foes on the horizon, Marshall seeks to build on Saturday’s impressive performance during the coming weeks.