1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football 350px Mid-American Conference East Division MAC 10–3 7–1 Bob Pruett 2nd Gunter Brewer 2nd Tim Nunez 1st Spread Kevin Kelly 2nd 3–4 John Wade Brian Reed Chad Pennington Thomas Maxwell B. J. Cohen Larry McCloud Marshall University Stadium MAC championMAC East Division champion MAC Championship Game W 34–14 vs. Toledo Motor City Bowl L 31–34 vs. Ole Miss 1997 marshall jerseys.png The 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by second-year head coach Bob Pruett, the Thundering Herd compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, winning the MAC's East Division title. Marshall beat Toledo in MAC Championship Game to win the conference championship and then lost to Ole Miss in the Motor City Bowl. After winning the Southern Conference (SoCon) tile and the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship in 1996, Marshall returned to NCAA Division I-A play for the first time since 1981 and the MAC for the time since 1968. The Thundering Herd played home games at Marshall University Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. Wide receiver Randy Moss and quarterback Chad Pennington were the centerpiece of an explosive offense. Moss caught 26 touchdown passes, at the time an NCAA Division I-A record, and was a unanimous first-team All-American.Moves, Emotions Have Moss Causin' a Commotion Bob Carter https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Moss_Randy.html ESPN February 22, 2007 For the season, Moss had 96 receptions for 1,820 yards, won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth in the balloting, behind Ryan Leaf, Peyton Manning, and Charles Woodson, who won the award. Moss left Marshall with 168 receptions for 3,467 yards and a school record 53 touchdowns in two seasons. The Herd became only the second team to win a conference championship in its first NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) season, following the 1992 Nevada Wolf Pack football team that won the Big West Conference. The feat was not repeated until 2014, when Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt Conference title. Schedule 1997 AP Eastern August 30 12:00 pm l y y West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV Friends of Coal Bowl ESPN Plus 31–42 65,492 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-west-virginia-su/152135021/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette West Virginia survives rally by Marshall August 31, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 6 1:00 pm w y y Army Michie Stadium West Point, NY 35–25 30,358 September 13 3:30 pm w y Kent State Dix Stadium Kent, OH 42–17 11,021 September 20 7:00 pm w y Western Illinois Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV WSAZ 48–7 26,724 September 27 1:00 pm w y Ball State Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN WVAH 42–16 20,415 October 11 7:00 pm w Akron Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV 52–17 26,642 October 18 2:00 pm l y Miami (OH) Yager Stadium Oxford, OH WSAZ 21–45 29,027 October 25 7:00 pm w Eastern Michigan Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV 48–25 21,474 November 1 1:00 pm w y Central Michigan Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, MI WSAZ 45–17 15,324 November 8 3:30 pm w y Bowling Green Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV WSAZ 28–0 23,509 November 15 3:30 pm w Ohio Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV Battle for the Bell 27–0 32,012 December 5 7:30 pm w Toledo Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV MAC Championship Game ESPN2 34–14 28,021 December 26 8:00 pm l y y Ole Miss Pontiac Silverdome Pontiac, MI Motor City Bowl ESPN 31–34 43,340 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-new-bowl-ole-miss/152115592/ Detroit Free Press New bowl, Ole Miss December 27, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com Game summaries At West Virginia Thundering Herd 3 7 21 0 Mountaineers 21 7 0 14 August 30 Mountaineer FieldMorgantown, WV 12:00 p.m. EDT 65,492 70 F, Partly Cloudy and Mild, Wind NW 4 mph on Jim Maconaghy John Sanders and Jeff Bostic ESPN+ yes 1 4 12:30 WVU Gary Thompkins 7-yard blocked punt return (Jay Taylor kick) WVU 7–0 6:04 WVU Amos Zereoué 10-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) WVU 14–0 2:24 MAR Billy Malashevich 25-yard field goal WVU 14–3 0:02 WVU Amos Zereoué 52-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) WVU 21–3 2 2 10:51 WVU Curtis Keaton 11-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) WVU 28–3 3:34 MAR LaVorn Colclough 24-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) WVU 28–10 3 3 13:08 MAR Randy Moss 15-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) WVU 28–17 9:24 MAR Llow Turner 53-yard run (Billy Malashevich kick) WVU 28–24 0:35 MAR Randy Moss 25-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 31–28 4 2 11:07 WVU Chad Wable 15-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jay Taylor kick) WVU 35–31 7:56 WVU Amos Zereoué 1-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) WVU 42–31 yes 1997 West Virginia Mountaineers football team Friends of Coal Bowl After trailing 28–3, the Thundering Herd scored 28 straight to take a 31–28 lead into the 4th quarter. West Virginia responded with two fourth quarter touchdowns to win this much anticipated season opener, 42–31. Randy Moss had seven receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns.Top Of His Game Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-20-sp-24122-story.html August 20, 1997 January 3, 2019 Cut Off From The Herd Randy Moss, The Most Gifted Player In College Football, Is Leading The Revival Of A Marshall Program Still Haunted By A Devastating 1970 Plane Crash Sports Illustrated https://www.si.com/vault/1997/08/25/8116465/cut-off-from-the-herd-randy-moss-the-most-gifted-player-in-college-football-is-leading-the-revival-of-a-marshall-program-still-haunted-by-a-devastating-1970-plane-crash-but-moss-cares-little-about-the-thundering-herds-past--and August 25, 1997 January 5, 2019 Marshall Makes It Close Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-31-sp-27756-story.html August 31, 1997 January 3, 2019 At Army 1997 Army Cadets football team Thundering Herd 7 7 14 7 Cadets 0 12 6 7 September 6 Michie StadiumWest Point, NY 1:00 p.m. EDT 30,358 yes 1 1 8:09 MAR Randy Moss 90-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 7–0 2 3 14:22 MAR LaVorn Coclough 36-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 14–0 8:24 ARMY Joe Hewitt 7-yard run (kick failed) MAR 14–6 0:18 ARMY Ty Amey 2-yard run (conversion failed) MAR 14–12 3 3 14:41 MAR Randy Moss 79-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 21–12 10:37 MAR Ricky Hall 43-yard fumble return (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 28–12 4:23 ARMY Ty Amey 1-yard run (conversion failed) MAR 28–19 4 2 11:07 MAR Javonne Darling 3-yard run (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 35–19 4:23 ARMY Johnny Goff 7-yard run (Eric Olsen kick) MAR 35–25 yes Randy Moss had five receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 90-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter.Army Gets Thumped by Moss and His Teammates The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/sports/army-gets-thumped-by-moss-and-his-teammates.html September 7, 1997 January 3, 2019 Marshall Rolls As Army Can't Gather Moss The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/09/07/marshall-rolls-as-army-cant-gather-moss/eec96cf6-3623-47f0-bea7-cb4374875672/ September 7, 1997 January 5, 2019 At Kent State 1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football team Thundering Herd 14 7 14 7 Golden Flashes 0 10 0 7 September 13 Dix StadiumKent, OH 3:30 p.m. EDT 11,021 Randy Moss hauled in 8 receptions for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns. Western Illinois Western Illinois Leathernecks football Leathernecks 0 0 7 0 Thundering Herd 14 0 20 14 September 20 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 7:00 p.m. EDT 26,724 Randy Moss had 5 receptions for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns.Western Illinois-Marshall Game Provides A Variety Of Attractions Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-19-9709190219-story.html September 19, 1997 January 5, 2019 Gallery: Marshall vs. Western Illinois, Sept. 20, 1997 The Herald-Dispatch https://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/photos_marshall_sports/gallery-marshall-vs-western-illinois-sept/article_68c159a5-4e02-5c7a-a679-4d33ff66fca4.html May 22, 2015 January 5, 2019 At Ball State 1997 Ball State Cardinals football team Thundering Herd 14 10 14 7 Cardinals 3 13 0 0 September 27 Ball State StadiumMuncie, IN 1:00 p.m. EDT 20,415 Randy Moss caught 13 passes for 205 yards and a school-record 5 touchdowns.A High Five for Moss in Marshall Win Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-28-sp-37254-story.html September 28, 1997 January 3, 2019 Akron 1997 Akron Zips football team Zips 7 7 3 0 Thundering Herd 28 10 0 14 October 11 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 7:00 p.m. EDT 26,642 Randy Moss had 6 receptions for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns. At Miami (OH) 1997 Miami RedHawks football team Thundering Herd 7 14 0 0 RedHawks 7 7 7 24 October 18 Yager StadiumOxford, OH 2:00 p.m. EDT 29,027 Randy Moss had 10 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. Eastern Michigan 1997 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team Eagles 3 7 15 0 Thundering Herd 14 7 13 14 October 25 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 7:00 p.m. EDT 21,474 Randy Moss had 8 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. At Central Michigan 1997 Central Michigan Chippewas football team Thundering Herd 20 6 12 7 Chippewas 7 3 0 7 November 1 Mount Pleasant, MI 1:00 p.m. EST 15,324 Randy Moss had 7 receptions for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bowling Green 1997 Bowling Green Falcons football team Falcons 0 0 0 0 Thundering Herd 14 7 7 0 November 8 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 3:30 p.m. EST 23,509 Randy Moss had 7 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Ohio 1997 Ohio Bobcats football team Battle for the Bell (Marshall–Ohio) Bobcats 0 0 0 0 Thundering Herd 7 7 0 13 November 15 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 3:30 p.m. EST 32,012 Randy Moss had seven receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Marshall Thrashes Ohio U. For Title The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/16/marshall-thrashes-ohio-u-for-title/d8045d96-937e-48c2-a319-f96d3581e1c3/ November 16, 1997 January 5, 2019 Toledo (MAC Championship game) 1997 Toledo Rockets football team 1997 MAC Championship Game Rockets 0 7 0 7 Thundering Herd 3 0 14 17 December 5 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 7:30 p.m. EST 28,021 Snow ESPN2 yes 1 10:51 Marshall Billy Malashevich 22-yard field goal Marshall 3–0 2 13:16 Toledo Ray Curry 56-yard pass from Chris Wallace (Chris Merrick kick) Toledo 7–3 3 2 6:46 Marshall Randy Moss 4-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Malashevich kick) Marshall 10–7 3:48 Marshall Randy Moss 86-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Malashevich kick) Marshall 17–7 4 4 10:42 Marshall Billy Malashevich 25-yard field goal Marshall 20–7 7:01 Marshall Randy Moss 20-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Malashevich kick) Marshall 27–7 6:24 Marshall Doug Chapman 5-yard run (Malashevich kick) Marshall 34–7 3:02 Toledo Mel Long 33-yard pass from Chris Wallace (Merrick kick) Marshall 34–14 yes Randy Moss had seven receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns.The Best Campaign For the Heisman Is . . . The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/21/sports/on-college-football-the-best-campaign-for-the-heisman-is.html November 21, 1997 January 5, 2019 William C. Rhoden Moss Herds Thundering Marshall Return Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-23-sp-56764-story.html November 23, 1997 January 5, 2019 Moss Sets Touchdown Record as Marshall Beats Toledo, 34-14 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-06-sp-61349-story.html December 6, 1997 January 3, 2019 Vs. Ole Miss (Motor City Bowl) 1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team 1997 Motor City Bowl Rebels 7 0 14 13 Thundering Herd 10 7 0 14 December 26 Pontiac SilverdomePontiac, MI 43,430 Indoors Jerry Punch and Mike Gottfried ESPN yes 1 3 14:36 MISS John Avery 1-yard run (Lindsey kick) MISS 7–0 14:19 MAR Randy Moss 80-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) Tied 7–7 0:22 MAR Billy Malashevich 36-yard field goal MAR 10–7 2 9:04 MAR LaVorn Colclough 19-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Bill Malashevich kick) MAR 17–7 3 2 11:46 MISS Andre Rone 13-yard pass from Stewart Patridge (Lindsey kick) MAR 17–14 6:00 MISS Deuce McAllister 20-yard pass from Stewart Patridge (Lindsey kick) MISS 21–17 4 4 10:12 MAR Doug Chapman 6-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 24–21 5:39 MISS Grant Heard 19-yard pass from Stewart Patridge (kick failed) MISS 27–24 2:57 MAR Doug Chapman 9-yard run (Billy Malashevich kick) MAR 31–27 0:31 MISS Deuce McAllister 1-yard run (Lindsey kick) MISS 34–31 yes Playing in its first bowl game since the 1948 Tangerine Bowl, Marshall lost a back-and-forth matchup with Ole Miss. Randy Moss had 6 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown, including an 80-yard bomb from Chad Pennington, in his final collegiate game.The Grand Marshall Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-14-sp-63887-story.html December 14, 1997 January 5, 2019 N.C.A.A.: Football -- Motor City Bowl; Mississippi Captures Wild One The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/27/sports/ncaa-football-motor-city-bowl-mississippi-captures-wild-one.html December 27, 1997 January 3, 2019 Mississippi Tops Marshall In A Seesaw Battle, 34-31 The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/27/mississippi-tops-marshall-in-a-seesaw-battle-34-31/563dfa29-0645-4618-a5b5-46a3852a81b6/ December 27, 1997 January 5, 2019 Roster 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd f 22 So Doug Chapman Doug Chapman (American football) RB y 18 Jr LaVorn Colclough WR 63 So Mike Guilliams OT 88 So Randy Moss WR y y 85 So Matthew Harris WR 10 So Chad Pennington QB y y 52 Sr Brian Reed OG 78   Jamie Rodgers OT 65 Jr Burt Scarbrough OG 62 So Jason Starkey C y 32 So Llow Turner RB 66 Sr John Wade John Wade (American football) C y 87 Jr John White TE 2 Sr Mark Wicks WR 42 So Rogers Beckett FS y 5 Sr B. J. Cohen DE y 4 So John Grace John Grace (Canadian football) LB y 6 Jr Ricky Hall DL 9 Sr Thomas Maxwell ROV 28 Sr Larry McCloud LB 11 Sr Larry Moore CB 55 So Andre O'Neal LB y 8 Sr B. J. Summers CB 58 Jr Paul Totten DE 97 Jr Joe Zeglowitsch DT 41 Jr Chris Hanson P y Chris Hanson (American football) 43 Fr J. R. Jenkins K y 49 So Billy Malashevich K *Bob Pruett Awards and honors Randy Moss – Fred Biletnikoff Award,https://www.biletnikoffaward.com/ Home biletnikoffaward.com Heisman Trophy Finalist (4th in Voting), Unanimous First-Team All-American, MAC Offensive Player of the Year Team players in the 1998 NFL draft Player Position Round Pick Team Randy Moss Wide receiver 1 21 Minnesota Vikings John Wade Center5 148 Jacksonville Jaguars 1998 NFL Draft Pro Football Reference https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1998.htm January 5, 2019 December 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221030108/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1998.htm dead References Marshall Category:Marshall Thundering Herd football seasons Category:Mid-American Conference football champion seasons Marshall Thundering Herd football