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HUNTINGTON -- A close win last week against Florida Atlantic put the Marshall Thundering Herd back in the win column, and a 2:30 p.m. conference tilt with Western Kentucky on homecoming at Joan C. Edwards Stadium could further their cause and put them in the top spot in the Conference USA East division. The WKU Hilltoppers come into this game at 5-2 with bowl eligibility on the mind, and they have the weapons necessary to punch their ticket to a bowl game sooner rather than later.
As for the Herd, its 4-3 record still comes with aspirations of a championship for themselves. While up-and-down results have put Marshall in a do-or-die scenario for this game, the success of the offense still depends on quarterback Isaiah Green. The sophomore signal caller completed 15 of 24 passes for 206 yards and two scores to only one interception in last weeks win. That kind of efficient performance opens the rest of MU's skill players for big days, as running back Brenden Knox had another game to remember against the Owls. Averaging more than 9 yards per carry, the dependable Knox ran for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns.
One adjustment the Kelly green and white will have to make is defensive. In 2019, the Hilltoppers have allowed just 17.8 points per game.
That includes allowing less than ten points per contest during the team's 4-game winning streak. Marshall head coach Doc Holliday gave WKU credit for what they have been able to accomplish, and he wants his team to be ready for anything that may happen in a rivalry game.
"If you're a competitor, and you've got a football team that's got dreams and expectations, this is when you'd better get up for it. They will," Holliday said during his Tuesday press conference.
"Our kids will get up, and they'll be ready to play. Western will as well. It'll be an exciting game."
The biggest playmakers for WKU are also on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Ty Storey had 283 yards passing in a win over the Charlotte 49ers, and wide receiver Lucky Jackson had almost half of those yards in that victory. The win was a coming out party for him in 2019, as the senior is now closer (with 404 yards) to his 552 yards receiving from 2018.
WKU head coach Tyson Helton offered his compliments to Marshall's football team, as he also wants his team to be solidified as the best in Conference USA.
"We've got a big game coming up this week against Marshall. We're very excited for this opportunity," he said during his press conference on Monday. "You talk about how you want to be the best, then you've got to beat the best. Marshall has been the standard in the league for a long time, and they've got a great history there."
The game can be viewed on the Stadium College Football Facebook page, and after the 2:30 p.m. kickoff is blasted through the air, only one team will end on top of the East.