The Thundering Herd is storming into the 2025 season with a new head coach, a reenergized roster, and a single goal in mind: defend their Sun Belt crown. After dominating Louisiana 31–3 in the 2024 Sun Belt Championship, Marshall firmly cemented its place among the Group of Five’s top programs.
However, with success comes heightened expectations—and tougher challenges. The Herd now face a demanding schedule and the pressure of being the team to beat. Can Tony Gibson’s new era sustain the momentum and keep Marshall charging forward? Let’s take a closer look.
2025 Marshall Football Schedule Preview: The Herd’s Title Defense Journey
Here’s a quick rundown of every key stop on Marshall’s mission to repeat as Sun Belt champions:
Aug. 30 — at Georgia
Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Sept. 6 — vs. Missouri State
Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
Sept. 13 — vs. Eastern Kentucky
Huntington, WV
Sept. 20 — at Middle Tennessee
Murfreesboro, TN
Sept. 27 — at Louisiana
Lafayette, LA
Oct. 11 — vs. Old Dominion (Homecoming)
Huntington, WV
Oct. 18 — vs. Texas State
Huntington, WV
Oct. 30 — at Coastal Carolina (Thursday Night)
Conway, SC
Nov. 8 — vs. James Madison (’75 Memorial Game)
Huntington, WV
Nov. 15 — at Georgia State
Atlanta, GA
Nov. 22 — at Appalachian State
Boone, NC
Nov. 29 — vs. Georgia Southern (Senior Day)
Huntington, WV
Breaking Down the Herd’s 2025 Path
Marshall kicks off its title defense with a major test: a trip to face powerhouse Georgia in Athens. While an upset would shake the college football world, the real value here is in gauging where the team stands early and giving new head coach Tony Gibson a chance to see how his players respond under pressure.
After Georgia, the Herd returns home for winnable non-conference matchups against Missouri State and Eastern Kentucky—critical games for building momentum and giving the revamped roster game-day reps.
Sun Belt play begins on Sept. 20 at Middle Tennessee, followed by a high-stakes rematch at Louisiana. Marshall routed the Ragin’ Cajuns in last season’s championship game, and Louisiana will be looking for revenge. The Herd’s defense, which allowed only 17.4 points per game last season, will need to show up big once again.
October ramps things up with home games against Old Dominion (for Homecoming) and Texas State—both key opportunities to stay atop the East Division. Then comes a tricky Thursday night matchup on the road against Coastal Carolina, a team known for spoiling title runs.
November’s slate is packed with tension. The annual ’75 Memorial Game against James Madison brings both emotion and competition. The Dukes have become a powerhouse in the conference and could be the biggest hurdle in the East. Back-to-back away games at Georgia State and Appalachian State—two programs capable of pulling off upsets—could decide the Herd’s postseason fate. The regular season ends at home on Senior Day against Georgia Southern, a squad never to be taken lightly.
Can Marshall Run It Back?
With a new head coach at the helm, defending a title always brings uncertainty. Tony Gibson, a West Virginia native and former defensive coordinator at NC State, officially took over in December 2024. Known for his aggressive 3-3-5 scheme, Gibson is aiming to infuse the Herd with grit, speed, and toughness.
“We’ll play hard, we’ll play fast, and we’ll play for this community,” Gibson said in his first press conference. “This team won’t be outworked.”
That culture may be what Marshall needs to reload, not rebuild. The Herd brought in over 60 new players via the transfer portal and recruiting. Key pieces remain, including quarterback Tye Felton and standout linebacker Eli Neal, giving the team enough returning firepower to stay competitive.
The road isn’t easy—especially with trips to Coastal, App State, and Louisiana—but there’s a clear route back to the Sun Belt title game. Strong home performances and consistent defensive play could be enough to secure another shot at the crown.
If Gibson can bring his locker room together quickly and the offense finds another gear, don’t be surprised if the Herd are back in the championship spotlight come December.
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