MU RECORD: 1-2 (1-0 Conference USA) (L 44-7 against Ohio)
VT RECORD: 3-0 (W 26-7 against Arkansas State)
SCORE: (13) VT – 30 MU – 10
GAME SUMMARY: The pregame atmosphere was somber, as both teams took time to remember the 1970 plane crash that killed 75 members of the Marshall football program, including two graduates of Virginia Tech, Rick Tolley and Frank Loria. Loria, a fellow defensive back and teammate of Frank Beamer, was the first All-American at Virginia Tech. Like in their game against West Virginia, Marshall came out of the gates quick, moving the ball effectively against Tech until Jayron Hosley forced a fumble after giving up a 32-yard completion to Aaron Dobson. The defense quickly settled in, holding Marshall to just 251 yards total offense and sacking true freshman quarterback Rakeem Cato 5 times (J.R. Collins had half the team’s sacks).
LOCK IT IN THE LUNCHPAIL: By this point in the season, some trends regarding this Hokie squad had become recognizable: the offense depended on David Wilson’s success on the ground (third 100-yard outing of the season), Logan Thomas (who sprained his shoulder on a TD run) can be serviceable but not spectacular (215 yards passing), the defense has returned to elite status, and punting remained a concern (to put it lightly; Scott Demler and Danny Coale combined to average less than 35 yards per punt). It was not hard to find possible areas of improvement, even with a 20-point victory. The Hokies effort at the end of the game was disappointing, as second half drives ended by means of a missed field goal (37 yard attempt), an interception, and a fumble. These were problems that needed to get addressed quickly, with the Hokies commencing ACC play the following week against Clemson.
MU SEASON RECORD: 6-6 (5-3 Conference USA), 2nd C-USA East.
SEASON RECAP: This may not have been the most talented Marshall team of late (101st ranked offense, 84th ranked scoring defense), but to say that the 2011 season was a disappointment would be unfair. Marshall played one of the toughest schedules in the country (15th) with a true freshman quarterback at the helm. The Herd was able to hang tough in Morgantown for the better part of three quarters, rallied to defeated a Louisville squad that won a share of the Big East title 17-13, and beat a Southern Mississippi team that finished the season as Conference USA champions and ranked 21st in the polls. The youth on offense showed, though, in losses to Ohio (44-7), UCF (16-6), and Tulsa (59-17). After the loss to Tulsa, Marshall sat at 4-6, needing to win out to become bowl-eligible. They did just that, rallying from a 12-point deficit to beat Memphis 23-22 and intercepting a Dominique Davis pass in overtime to preserve a 34-27 win over East Carolina.
OFFENSIVE MVP: WR Aaron Dobson. 42 REC – 587 YD – 10 TD.
Dobson led the team in touchdowns, and had half of his season total go against Marshall’s top competition (2 TD against Southern Miss, 1 against VT, 2 against Houston). The junior receiver earned All-Conference honorable mention recognition.
DEFENSIVE MVP: DE Vinny Curry. 72 TK – 21 TFL – 11 SK – 6 FF – 1 FR.
The stat-line speaks for itself, but let’s delve a little deeper. Curry finished the regular season tied for 5th in the nation in sacks, and is ranked 2nd in career active sacks. The senior ranks 2nd in the nation in tackles for loss and forced fumbles. Curry, a Second Team AP All-American and the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, also blocked 3 kicks and recorded a safety. He will be playing on Sundays.
POSTSEASON: Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl vs. Florida International 8-4 (5-3 Sun Belt).
