Marshall Football: 3 QB Combining To Complete 65 Percent Of Their Passes With 5 Touchdowns And No Turnovers.

Marshall Football Flies Past Stony Brook, 45-3

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football kicked off its 2024 season with a convincing win, defeating Stony Brook 45-3 on Saturday afternoon in front of 25,032 fans at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

“This was a complete team effort tonight – not just from the players on the field, but from the entire staff and everyone involved,” said Marshall head coach Charles Huff. “We still have a lot of work ahead with 40 new players, but it was great to see them perform in a live setting.”

This game marked Marshall’s first use of the new Air Raid offense, yet the rushing game was equally impressive. The Herd compiled a total of 549 yards, with 259 yards on the ground and 290 through the air. Three quarterbacks collectively completed 65 percent of their passes, throwing five touchdowns and making no turnovers.

A.J. Turner was the standout runner for the Herd, rushing for 119 yards on eight carries, including an 80-yard run that initiated the scoring for Marshall with 2:33 left in the first quarter.

Quarterback Stone Earle started for the Thundering Herd, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 55 yards in the victory.

“It took me a little time to get into the groove, but once I did, I felt I could just play my game,” Earle shared. “There were some things I noticed that I could improve on, but ultimately, it’s about learning from those mistakes.”

Earle found his rhythm during the game, connecting on eight of nine passes over a span between halves, including two touchdown throws to wide receiver Elijah Metcalf, who had three receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns in his first game with the Herd.

“It felt amazing,” Metcalf said. “There’s nothing like college football. I was thrilled to be out there today, and I aimed to make some plays. I’m just grateful that my teammates and the coaches have faith in me. Each week, I’m committed to improving and getting better.”

Later on, two players notched their first touchdowns in Marshall uniforms as quarterback Braylon Braxton found wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick wide open for a 67-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick led the team with 97 receiving yards, while Braxton completed 7 of 11 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Braxton also threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Carl Chester in the fourth quarter, and Cole Pennington connected with Bralon Brown for a 16-yard scoring pass. Pennington finished the game 4 of 5 for 52 yards.

Marshall’s scoring onslaught followed a lengthy weather delay that left the teams scoreless for 1 hour and 34 minutes, starting with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter.

After the delay, the Herd forced a punt, and Turner took Marshall’s first offensive play 80 yards for his first rushing touchdown with the team.

Defensively, Mike Green set a career high with nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Chris Thomas also achieved a personal best with six tackles and two pass breakups, while Jordan Reagan had an interception for the Herd.

Marshall is now focused on its first road game of the 2024 season, as they prepare to visit Lane Stadium for a 4:30 p.m. matchup against Virginia Tech next Saturday in Blacksburg, Virginia.