Week 4: Marshall at Southern Miss

Marshall is giving embattled coach Mark Snyder a reprieve with its strong start. The Thundering Herd won their Conference USA opener, 17-16, over Memphis behind a balanced attack. It marks the first time Marshall has won its league opener since joining the league in 2005.

Against Memphis, the Thundering Herd got a career-high 140 rushing yards from running back Darius Marshall. Receiver Darius Passmore had six catches for 128 yards and also had the game-winning 18-yard reception from quarterback Mark Cann late in the third quarter.

Southern Miss, however, will pose a much more difficult challenge than Memphis. The Golden Eagles rank first in the league in rushing (198 yards per game) and their only loss this season has come against nationally ranked Auburn.

The Golden Eagles are led by junior running back Damion Fletcher, who has averaged 113 yards per game. Freshman quarterback Austin Davis is off to a solid start and has passed for six touchdowns.

Notes:

Darius Marshall and Darius Passmore continue to pace the Thundering Herd offense. Marshall, a running back, has gained 100 or more yards in two of the team's three games. Passmore, a receiver, is averaging 111 yards per game.

Southern Miss tight end Shawn Nelson had 110 receiving yards last weekend at Arkansas State to move into fourth on the Golden Eagles' career receiving list with 1,760 yards. Nelson has had two straight 100-yard games.

Marshall junior kicker Craig Ratanamorn, a goalkeeper on the Thundering Herd soccer team last fall, made his first career field goal attempt in last week's win over Memphis. Ratanamorn connected from 31 yards out in the second quarter. He later lined up for a 49-yard attempt with Marshall clinging to a 17-16 lead in the fourth quarter, but faked the field goal and pinned Memphis on its 1-yard line with a 31-yard punt.
 
Key player (Thundering Herd) — Darius Passmore, WR

Passmore, a senior, is developing into the go-to guy for freshman quarterback Mark Cann. As sophomore running back Darius Marshall continues to be effective, Passmore is finding passing lanes a bit less congested. He is averaging 111.3 yard receiving and has three touchdown catches.

Key player (Golden Eagles) — Damion Fletcher, RB

One of the league's top running backs, Fletcher turned receiver to help Southern Miss defeat Arkansas State. He caught a career-best six passes for 61 yards and his first career touchdown reception.

Southern Miss by 10