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Wednesday, October 4
Marshall and Western Michigan ready to battle again

By Andy Spradling
Special to ESPN.com

It's simply a rematch of a classic.

Western Michigan visits Marshall less than a year after the two played in what is one best games in Mid-American Conference history. Marshall rallied from a 23-0 deficit to score a 34-30 victory in what Marshall coach Bob Pruett called the best comeback he's ever been associated with.


	Marhsall's Bob Pruett called last year's game against Western Michigan the "best comeback he's been associated with."

"That was a great comeback for us," Pruett said. "I haven't been involved in one like that. And it was a special day because it was a championship game."

Then-Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington would lead the Thundering Herd to four scores in the next 8:20 on touchdown passes to Nate Poole and James Williams (now with the Seattle Seahawks) and two TD runs by Doug Chapman (Minnesota).

The Broncos reclaimed the lead, 30-27, on a Tim Lester to Jake Moreland four-yard pass with 7:20 remaining, but Pennington, with just over three minutes left to play, led the Herd on a final game winning drive capped on the game's final play, when he hit backup tight end Eric Pinkerton with a one-yard pass in the end zone for the first catch and touchdown of his career.

Marshall won the MAC. Western Michigan learned a lesson.

"I learned we got our butt beat," WMU coach Gary Darnell said. "But we use that not as much for motivation as for experience. We want to win championships, we didn't get it done, but the smart guys didn't think we'd be there to begin with.

"It was the championship game, but we just put it in the pile with the rest of the tapes for future plans, number one being playing them again one day."

That day has come. It seems time has been slightly kinder to the Broncos. Western Michigan (4-1 overall, 1-0 in the MAC West) face the Herd (2-2, 1-0 in the MAC East) on ESPN's Thursday Game of the Week.

Also on the line is Marshall's 33-game home winning streak, the nation's longest. As the streak goes, so goes Marshall's three-year dominance of the MAC. The teams don't need the win to win their respective divisions, but a Marshall loss could certainly signify newfound parity in the league.

Marshall enjoyed a 47-14 win over Buffalo in its East Division opener last Saturday, but didn't prove that the troubles that have plagued it, mainly the offensive line, are over.

"I'm pleased with the effort we gave in the second half," Pruett said. "Our defense held them to 44 yards of total offense in the second half. We're an improved team. Hopefully we're growing up."

Western Michigan return 14 starters -- eight offensive -- from last year, but seem to be more improved on the defensive side of the ball.

"They've played great," Pruett said. "Their biggest improvement has been their defensive team. (Defensive coordinator) Chuck Driesback has done a great job. They've only given up five touchdowns and average less than 13 points (12.8) allowed per game.

"They have great intensity. Their hot button is pushed all the time."

Darnell was quick to point out that Marshall is last in the league in time of possession at 28:49, but leads the league in points scored with 37.3.

The biggest change from the title matchup will be the two new quarterbacks: Jeff Welsh for Western Michigan and Byron Leftwich for the Herd.

Leftwich leads the MAC with 257.5 yards passing per game, on 85-of-135 attempts (.630). The sophomore has passed for 1,030 yards with five interceptions and nine touchdowns.

Welsh is third in the MAC with 241.2 yards on 94-of-158 attempts (.595), 1,206 yards, four interceptions and six touchdowns.

Leftwich and Welsh are 1-2 in passing efficiency with 141.6 and 131.1, respectively.

"Welsh is an outstanding QB," Pruett said. "He directs the team, threw for over 300 yards last week, handled the checks well. To me on both sides of ball they're a better team. They have a chance to be a Top 25 team. They have our vote."

On the Herd's side, Leftwich is also drawing raves.

"He's Chad plus two inches and maybe a year behind," Darnell said. "But he's got the arm and he's got the feet. Byron is just a few snaps away of being in that same category."

Western's Steve Neal and Marshall's Poole will lead two great receiving corps. Neal is poised to soon become the MAC's all-time leading yardage and receptions leader. He needs just 307 yards and 30 catches to overtake Kent's Eugene Baker and his marks of 3,513 and 229.

The Broncos also have two-time 1,000 yard rusher Robert Sanford, a 5-11, 220-pound senior averaging 94.2 yards per game, second in the MAC. Herd tailback Brandon Carey has a strained knee ligament and is out at least two weeks. Chanston Rodgers and Franklin Wallace will share the rush duties for Marshall in his place.

Around the MAC

Akron
The East Division-leading Zips travel to Bowling Green, after its 37-20 win over Miami in Akron, but don't think coach Lee Owens is feeling confident. "I'm concerned about this game," Owens said. "I worry about our team and our attitude. Sometimes coming off two big wins we have a tendency to relax. And I know what kind of players Bowling Green recruit." ... Running back Brandon Payne was the MAC's offensive player of the week after rushing for 188 yards on 24 carries and scoring three TDs in the win over Miami. ... Cornerback Dwight Smith picked off two more passes for a season total of eight which leads the nation.

Ball State
The Cardinals' have now lost 21 in a row after falling to Northern Illinois, 43-14. BSU gained just 66 yards rushing, and didn't score until the fourth quarter. "Northern is a good team that a lot of teams are going to have trouble with," coach Bill Lynch said. ... The Cardinals travel to Miami this weekend and Lynch said "There's not a team on our schedule that our kids have more respect for."

Bowling Green
The Falcons earned their first win of the season -- an 18-11 win over Kent State -- following coach Gary Blackney's announcement that he will resign following the 2000 season. "With some of the events, our players and coaches handled the situation with great poise," Blackney said. "I'm proud of how they responded. It was a hard-fought win." ... Freshman Janssen Patten intercepted three passes (74-yard return for score, two in the red zone) to take MAC defensive player of the week honors. ... BG defense is allowing under three yards per rush. ... BG hosts Akron and the dangerous QB Butchie Washington. "They have so many weapons, Butchie (Washington) doesn't have to win it for them. He just has to make sure he doesn't lose it for them," Blacknet said. "He just has to make good decisions."

Buffalo
The Bulls played Marshall tough for awhile, trailing just 17-14 at the half, before the Herd exploded in the second half en route to the 47-14 victory. "We played a solid game for the first half," coach Craig Cirbus said. "It was a good, physical game, with good hitting on both sides. In the third quarter our offense sputtered and you can't do that against Marshall." ... QB Joe Freedy is sixth in the MAC with 203.8 yards per game passing. ... Receiver Andre Forde averages 107.4 all-purpose yards per game, ninth in the MAC.

Central Michigan
The Chippewas host Kent State in what coach Mike DeBord called a dangerous game after falling to Toledo, 41-0. "I'm frustrated by the way they've played," DeBord said. "We haven't had great blocking and tackling. We've got to get better fast. Kent flies around on defense with great spirit and attitude." ... CMU is gaining just 80.4 yards rushing per game. "When you don't run the ball people think your offensive line isn't worth a crap," DeBord said. "While our line is inconsistent, we need more help from our tight end, our fullback and our tailback." ... CMU has been penalized fewer yards (168) than any team in the league.

Eastern Michigan
The Eagle, after a 31-10 loss to UCF, host Toledo Saturday. Coach Jeff Woodruff said the Eagles "got handled" up front. "We've got to get a bunch of tough guys to rally together to get something happening," Woodruff said. "Our backs are a little beat up. We're looking for help there." ... QB Walt Church is fourth in the MAC with a 231.6 yards per game average and just three interceptions to six TDs. ... Kenny Christian leads the MAC with 9.0 receptions per game. ... The quote of the week is by Woodruff, "When you prune a tree sometimes it looks ugly for a while."

Kent State
The Golden Flashes travel to Central Michigan Saturday after falling to Bowling Green, 18-11. "We had good play on defense," coach Dean Pees said. "The key was a long run that hurt. When we had an opportunity we didn't capitalize. We're our own worst enemy right now, no doubt about it. We're just inconsistent, we just have to learn." ... KSU is fifth in the MAC in rush defense at 137.4.

Miami
The RedHawks stumbled against Akron last week in a key East Division matchup, but coach Terry Hoeppner wasn't upset with his team's performance. "We dominated the third quarter to get right back in the game, 23-20," Hoeppner said. "Akron reseized the momentum. Butchie (Washington) was poised. They made plays and we failed to. They moved the ball when it counted. It wasn't our effort, the guys played hard. It was the execution." ... The RedHawks average 426.8 yards of total offense, which is second in the MAC.

Northern Illinois
The Huskies are elated after traveling to Ball State and scoring a 43-14 victory. "It's always good to go on the road and get a win," coach Joe Novak said. ... Northern was led by Justin McCareins, who caught four passes for 150 yards, including a MAC record 99-yard TD reception. The 6-3, 205-pound senior leads the MAC with 124.3 yards receiving per game and is third with 6.25 catches per contest. ... The Huskies look to find help for kicker Brian Grinder, who's bruised heel has hurt his ability to plant his foot and kick solidly.

Ohio
The Bobcats are still reeling from a 23-10 loss to Western Michigan. "We went into fourth quarter with chance to win but didn't do what we needed to do," coach Jim Grobe said. "But we got beat by a good team. That's a tough place to play." ... Ohio lost offensive guard Nick Glowacki to a hyper-extended elbow and is doubtful for Saturday. ... Despite the early struggles, Ohio knows it will get better. "We're a talented team, but we start nine sophomores," Grobe said. "We've lost to veteran teams. We're still doing the dumb things you do to get beat."

Toledo
The Rockets travel to Eastern Michigan after blanking Central Michigan, 41-0. "It was good to get back in winner's circle," coach Gary Pinkel said. "Anytime you can shut someone out that says a lot. Now it's on to Eastern, who has beat us last two times we faced them." ... Tailback Chester Taylor is running away with the MAC rushing title with a 134.6 yards per game average. Consequently, UT leads the MAC in time of possession at 32:23. The Rockets also have 17 more first downs than either Ohio or Miami, with a MAC-leading 122.

Andy Spradling covers Marshall University and the MAC for the Charleston Daily Mail.

ALSO SEE
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WAC notebook

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