In what was a laboring Saturday grudge match that saw almost as many penalties committed as it did points scored, the Marshall Thundering Herd yet again found a way to win behind stifling run defense and the legs of Brenden Knox with a 17-7 final over the #23 ranked Appalachian State Mountaineers at Joan Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
Analyzing the two opening drives, even the casual college football fan could’ve assumed this one was set to be a barn burner. Reigning Conference USA MVP Brenden Knox basically handled the initial touchdown drive for the Herd by himself in seven plays, while three defensive penalties on the coinciding possession set Mountaineer QB Zac Thomas up to find Jalen Virgil for the touchdown tie for a 7-7 total early in the first quarter.