Herd holds off UConn rally to win Myrtle Beach Bowl

CONWAY, S.C. — The Marshall Thundering Herd raced out to an early four touchdown lead and then held off a late charge from UConn to defeat the Huskies 28-14 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

The first half was highlighted by Marshall's defense, that limited UConn to 132 yards and two turnovers.

The first takeaway came on the Huskies first offensive snap of the game when Isaiah Norman recovered a fumble that lead to a Cam Fancher touchdown pass to Corey Gammage to give the Herd a 7-0 lead with 11:15 in the opening quarter.

The second turnover immediately turned into Marshall points, as big man Damion Barber returned an interception 34-yards for the score and extended the Herd's lead to 14-0 after one quarter of play.

Following a missed field goal by UConn, Rasheen Ali gained 48-yards on three straight carries to set up another Her score. Fancher would hit Devin Miller on a 10-yard scoring toss to give Marshall a 21-0 lead at the break.

Ali returned to the lineup after stepping away from the team before the season with an undisclosed injury. The sophomore running back, who led the country in rushing a year ago, was named the game’s MVP with his performance of 92 rushing yards and a touchdown score.

When Ali scored from 2-yard out midway through the third quarter, it seem Marshall had the game well in hand at 28-0.

But then UConn's offense came to life and made things a little interesting.

The Huskies (6-7) rallied with two touchdown runs by Victor Rosa and, after an interception, drove to the Marshall 45 with 10 minutes to play.

However the Herd defense would halt the drive making UConn turn the ball over on downs.

UConn would get one more chance, driving all the way to the Herd 8, but Micah Abraham would intercept Zion Turner's pass to slam the door shut on another Huskie scoring threat.

Marshall's offense would run the clock out to get the win and end the program’s three-game bowl losing streak.

Fancher finished the game 10-of-20 passing for 93 yards, Khalan Laborn ran for 90 yards as Marshall finished 210 yards on the ground.

Turner was 9 of 27 passing for 166 yards with three interceptions and a fumble.

Damion Babers Jr. had a 34-yard pick six off Turner’s interception for a 14-0 lead.

Marshall 14 7 7 0 = 28

Uconn 0 0 14 0 = 14

First Quarter

MRSH–Corey Gammage 9 pass from Cam Fancher (Rece Verhoff kick), 11:15.

MRSH–Damion Barber 34 interception return (Rece Verhoff kick), 3:23.

Second Quarter

MRSH–Devin Miller 10 pass from Cam Fancher (Rece Verhoff kick), 7:05.

Third Quarter

MRSH–Rasheen Ali 2 run (Rece Verhoff kick), 9:51.

CONN–Victor Rosa 14 run (Noe Ruelas kick), 5:35.

CONN–Victor Rosa 24 run (Noe Ruelas kick), :00.

A–12,023.

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MRSH CONN

First downs 19 18

Total Net Yards 303 316

Rushes-yards 45-210 38-144

Passing 93 172

Punt Returns 0-0 3-5

Kickoff Returns 3-55 3-56

Interceptions Ret. 3-34 1-0

Comp-Att-Int 10-20-1 11-30-3

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-1 1-2

Punts 7-32.857 5-31.4

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-1

Penalties-Yards 11-112 10-115

Time of Possession 38:09 44:04

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Marshall, Ali 15-92, Laborn 21-90, E.Payne 3-18, Fancher 6-10. Uconn, Rosa 16-75, Houston 5-40, Z.Turner 6-25, Brewton 5-5, Burns 3-3, Millen 3-(minus 4).

PASSING–Marshall, Fancher 10-20-1-93. Uconn, Z.Turner 9-27-3-166, Millen 2-3-0-6.

RECEIVING–Marshall, Gammage 3-50, De.Miller 2-17, C.Montgomery 2-8, Laborn 1-9, Ahmed 1-5, McMillan 1-4. Uconn, A.Turner 5-65, Marion 2-69, Ross 2-21, Joly 1-12, Flynn 1-5.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–Uconn, Ruelas 45.