1996 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1996 Marshall Thundering Herd football 350px Southern Conference SoCon 1http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/misc/1996_poll.htm Final Sports Network's 1996 Division I-AA College Football Poll The Sports Network June 1, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110604061324/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/misc/1996_poll.htm June 4, 2011 dead 15–0 8–0 Bob Pruett 1st Gunter Brewer 1st Larry Kueck 1st Spread Kevin Kelly 1st 3–4 Eric Kresser Tim Martin Aaron Ferguson Melvin Cunningham Billy Lyon Jermaine Swafford Marshall University Stadium NCAA Division I-AA championSoCon champion NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game W 49–29 vs. Montana 250px The 1996 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University as a member of Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Bob Pruett, the Thundering Herd compiled an overall record of 15–0 with mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the SoCon title. Marshall advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship playoffs, where they beat Delaware in the first round, Furman in the quarterfinals, Northern Iowa in the semifinals, and Montana in the NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game to win the program's second NCAA Division I-AA title. 1996 was Marshall's final season competing at the NCAA Division I-AA level as they moved to NCAA Division I-A competition and joined the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 1997. Schedule 1996 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network Eastern September 7 7:00 pm w y 1 Howard Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV 55–27 26,054 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-marshall-55-how/125764862/ Marshall 55, Howard 27 Lexington Herald-Leader September 8, 1996 June 2, 2023 Newspapers.com September 14 7:00 pm w y 1 1996 West Virginia State Yellow Jackets West Virginia State Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV 42–7 21,851 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post-marshall-wins-in-rout/176097163/ The Salisbury Post Marshall wins in rout September 15, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com September 21 3:30 pm w y 1 Georgia Southern 13 Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA WSAZ 29–13 13,977 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-marshall-clobbers-ge/176097273/ The Macon Telegraph Marshall clobbers Georgia Southern September 22, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com September 28 7:00 pm w y 1 Western Kentucky 12 Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV 37–3 20,755 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-western-loses-quarte/176097400/ The Courier-Journal Western loses quarterback, then Marshall romps 37–3 September 29, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 7:00 pm w 1 Chattanooga Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV WSAZ 45–0 22,078 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ironton-tribune-marshall-crushes-utc/176097465/ The Ironton Tribune Marshall crushes UTC October 6, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com October 12 1:00 pm w y 1 VMI Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA 45–20 9,165 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94400485/marshall-thunders-past-vmi/ The Daily News Leader Marshall thunders past VMI October 13, 1996 February 6, 2022 Newspapers.com October 19 7:00 pm w 1 Western Carolina Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV WSAZ 56–21 19,330 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-catamounts-crunc/176097585/ Asheville Citizen-Times Catamounts crunches by Thundering Herd October 20, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 1:00 pm w y 1 Appalachian State 20 Kidd Brewer Stadium Boone, NC rivalry SS 24–10 23,458 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89720885/ground-assault-buries-asu/ The Charlotte Observer Ground assault buries ASU October 27, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 1:00 pm w y 1 The Citadel Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV WSAZ 56–25 21,038 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ironton-tribune-moss-herd-rout-cita/176097720/ The Ironton Tribune Moss, Herd rout Citadel November 3, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 2:00 pm w y 1 East Tennessee State 7 Memorial Center Johnson City, TN WSAZ 34–10 13,131 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-herd-thunders-past/176097845/ Kingsport Times-News Herd thunders past Bucs November 10, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com November 16 1:00 pm w 1 Furman 12 Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV 42–17 22,615 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110023654/marshall-downs-furman-for-conference-cro/ The Times and Democrat Marshall downs Furman for conference crown November 17, 1996 September 22, 2022 Newspapers.com November 30 1:00 pm w y 1 Delaware 11 Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV NCAA Division I-AA First Round WSAZ 59–14 15,429 https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-marshall-rolls-over/176097941/ Great Falls Tribune Marshall rolls over Delaware December 1, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com December 7 1:00 pm w 1 Furman 13 Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal WSAZ 54–0 14,096 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110024089/marshall-rips-furman-in-i-aa-quarterfina/ The Charlotte Observer Marshall rips Furman in I-AA quarterfinal December 8, 1996 September 22, 2022 Newspapers.com December 14 1:00 pm w y 1 Northern Iowa 3 Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal WSAZ 31–14 14,414 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-panthers-trampled-by-herd/176098047/ The Courier Panthers trampled by Herd December 15, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com December 21 2:00 pm w y 1 Montana 2 Marshall University Stadium Huntington, WV NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game ESPN 49–29 30,052 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-griz-smothered-by-m/176098148/ The Billings Gazette Griz smothered by Moss December 22, 1996 July 6, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Howard Howard at #1 Marshall Bison 10 10 7 0 Thundering Herd 10 14 24 7 September 7 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 26,054 Past and Passes Key Moss's Future The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/31/past-and-passes-key-mosss-future/f854bac8-b608-4a0b-ab85-a18db559094d/ August 31, 1996 January 12, 2019 West Virginia State West Virginia State at #1 Marshall Yellow Jackets 0 0 0 7 Thundering Herd 21 14 7 0 September 14 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 21,851 at Georgia Southern 1996 Georgia Southern Eagles football team #1 Marshall at #13 Georgia Southern Thundering Herd 10 7 6 6 Eagles 0 7 6 0 September 21 Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA 13,977 yes 1 2 Marshall Tim Openlander 26-yard field goal Marshall 3–0 4:08 Marshall Randy Moss 42-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 10–0 1 2 GSU Corey Johnson 1-yard run (kick) Marshall 10–7 4:52 Marshall Randy Moss 4-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 17–7 3 2 GSU Grant Chestnut fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed) Marshall 17–13 Marshall Doug Chapman 3-yard run (conversion failed) Marshall 23–13 4 Marshall Jason Wellman 6-yard pass from Eric Kresser (conversion failed) Marshall 29–13 yes Marshall 29, Georgia Southern 13 Associated Press https://www.apnews.com/a81b32019e6328ca895167f480d82388 September 21, 1996 January 13, 2019 Western Kentucky 1996 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team #12 Western Kentucky at #1 Marshall Hilltoppers 0 3 0 0 Thundering Herd 10 7 6 14 September 28 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 20,755 yes 1 2 10:57 Marshall Randy Moss 3-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 7-0 0:21 Marshall Tim Openlander 22-yard field goal Marshall 10–0 1 2 2:11 WKU Jeff Poisel 37-yard field goal Marshall 10–3 1:12 Marshall Doug Chapman 19-yard run (Openlander kick) Marshall 17–3 3 2 7:55 Marshall Tim Openlander 42-yard field goal Marshall 20–3 4:30 Marshall Tim Openlander 37-yard field goal Marshall 23–3 4 2 9:11 Marshall Mark Wicks 35-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 30–3 1:49 Marshall Llow Turner 15-yard run (Openlander kick) Marshall 37–3 yes Western loses quarterback, then Marshall romps 37-3 The Courier-Journal via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/image/?spot=11223924&fcfToken=374733794639683837546f69622b667769746646365475547666367231556e3758342f7931667739416f5232685369546e57395265522f622b70685432624977437142554c6a6e494442593d September 29, 1996 January 13, 2019 Chattanooga Chattanooga at #1 Marshall Mocs 0 0 0 0 Thundering Herd 17 14 7 7 October 5 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 22,078 at VMI #1 Marshall at VMI Thundering Herd 21 14 0 10 Keydets 7 0 10 3 October 12 Alumni Memorial FieldLexington, VA 9,165 Western Carolina Western Carolina at #1 Marshall Catamounts 0 7 7 7 Thundering Herd 28 21 7 0 October 19 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 19,330 at Appalachian State #1 Marshall at #20 Appalachian State Thundering Herd 7 0 10 7 Mountaineers 7 3 0 0 October 26 Kidd Brewer StadiumBoone, NC 23,458 The Citadel The Citadel at #1 Marshall Bulldogs 7 9 3 6 Thundering Herd 7 14 14 21 November 2 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 21,038 at East Tennessee State 1996 East Tennessee State Buccaneers football team #1 Marshall at #7 East Tennessee State Thundering Herd 0 10 14 10 Buccaneers 3 0 0 7 November 9 Memorial CenterJohnson City, TN 13,131 Furman #12 Furman at #1 Marshall Paladins 0 17 0 0 Thundering Herd 7 7 14 14 November 16 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 22,615 Delaware (Division I-AA First Round Playoff Game) 1996 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team #11 Delaware at #1 Marshall Fightin' Blue Hens 0 14 0 0 Thundering Herd 7 14 24 14 November 30 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 15,429 Randy Moss caught 8 passes (3 TD) for a school record 288 yards.Marshall 59, Delaware 14 Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-12-01-9612010293-story.html December 1, 1996 January 5, 2019 Furman (Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game) #13 Furman at #1 Marshall Paladins 0 0 0 0 Thundering Herd 14 10 16 14 December 7 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 14,096 Marshall Routs Furman in NCAA I-AA Playoffs Tulsa World https://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/marshall-routs-furman-in-ncaa-i-aa-playoffs/article_699fd366-e71f-5b7f-8d64-c5205050d5ec.html December 8, 1996 January 5, 2019 Northern Iowa (Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game) #3 Northern Iowa at #1 Marshall Panthers 0 0 0 14 Thundering Herd 7 3 14 7 December 14 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 14,414 Marshall 31, N. Iowa 14 Associated Press https://www.apnews.com/a8be489c68c03ccef42c373175402b5d December 14, 1996 January 5, 2019 Montana (Division I-AA National Championship) 1996 Montana Grizzlies football team 1996 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game #2 Montana at #1 Marshall Grizzlies 0 6 0 23 Thundering Herd 14 9 16 10 December 21 Marshall StadiumHuntington, WV 2:00 p.m. EST 3:25 30,052 39 F, Sunny, Wind NE 10 - 15 mph on Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson ESPN yes 1 2 9:13 Marshall Randy Moss 19-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 7–0 2:09 Marshall Doug Chapman 61-yard run (Openlander kick) Marshall 14–0 2 4 14:08 Marshall Randy Moss 70-yard pass from Eric Kresser (kick blocked) Marshall 20–0 8:14 Marshall Openlander 20-yard field goal Marshall 23–0 5:05 Montana Larson 40-yard field goal Marshall 23–3 0:15 Montana Larson 27-yard field goal Marshall 23–6 3 3 14:05 Marshall Randy Moss 54-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 30–6 5:03 Marshall Doug Chapman 9-yard run (Openlander kick) Marshall 37–6 3:34 Marshall Safety, intentional grounding by Ah Yat in the end zone Marshall 39–6 4 5 14:51 Marshall Randy Moss 28-yard pass from Eric Kresser (Openlander kick) Marshall 46–6 10:52 Montana Douglass 4-yard pass from Ah Yat (Neil pass from Ah Yat) Marshall 46–14 7:09 Montana Branen 2-yard run (Douglass from Ah Yat) Marshall 46–22 4:18 Marshall Openlander 37-yard field goal Marshall 49–22 2:09 Montana Paffhausen 18 pass from Ah Yat (Larson kick) Marshall 49–29 yes Randy Moss hauled in 9 passes for 220 yards and 4 TD as the Thundering Herd avenged the previous season's loss to Montana in the title game.Moss, Marshall Thunder Montana The Spokesman-Review http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/dec/22/moss-marshall-thunder-montana/ December 22, 1996 January 5, 2019 No Slipping for Marshall, Moss Chicago Tribune https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-22-sp-11717-story.html December 22, 1996 January 5, 2019 Roster 1996 Marshall Thundering Herd t 39 Fr Jason Balwanz RB 22 Fr Doug Chapman Doug Chapman (American football) RB y 18 So LaVorn Colclough WR 63 Fr Mike Guilliams OT 15 Sr Eric Kresser QB y 1 Sr Tim Martin WR 88 Fr Randy Moss WR y 10 So Chad Pennington QB y 52 Sr Brian Reed OG y 65 So Burt Scarbrough OG 62 Fr Jason Starkey C y 3 Sr Erik Thomas RB 32 Fr Llow Turner RB 66 Jr John Wade John Wade (American football) C y 60 Sr Jamie Wilson Jamie Wilson (American football) OT y 87 So John White TE 2 Jr Mark Wicks WR 7 Jr Mark Zban QB 89 So Jerrald Long WR 59 Sr Aaron Ferguson C 42 Fr Rogers Beckett DB y 5 Jr B. J. Cohen DE y 12 Fr Andy Cowan DB 25 Sr Melvin Cunningham DB y 4 Fr John Grace John Grace (Canadian football) LB y 6 So Ricky Hall DL 86 Sr Billy Lyon DT y 94 So Mike Williams DE 9 Jr Thomas Maxwell CB 21 Sr Scott Smythe SS 28 Jr Larry McCloud LB 93 Fr Giradie Mercer DE y 11 Jr Larry Moore DB 55 Fr Andre O'Neal LB y 8 Jr B. J. Summers CB 58 So Paul Totten DE 97 So Joe Zeglowitsch DT 41 So Chris Hanson Chris Hanson (American football) P y 40 Sr Tim Openlander K *Bob Pruett Kevin Kelly Defensive coordinator Larry Kueck co-Offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer co-Offensive coordinator Brian Dowler – Wide receivers References Marshall Category:Marshall Thundering Herd football seasons Category:NCAA Division I Football Champions Category:Southern Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Marshall Thundering Herd football Marshall