Marshall wide receiver Jadarius Green-McKnight (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Marshall wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) reaches for a pass under pressure from James Madison safety Chase Regan (22) during the second half of an NCAA football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
James Madison safety Chris Shearin (10) laterals the ball as he gets tackled by Marshall tight end Cade Conley (87) during the final play of regulation time in an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Daniel Lin | Daily News-Record via The Ƶsociated Press
Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton (1) fires off a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
Marshall head coach Charles Huff directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
Marshall wide receiver Jadarius Green-McKnight (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Daniel Lin | Daily News-Record via AP
Marshall wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) reaches for a pass under pressure from James Madison safety Chase Regan (22) during the second half of an NCAA football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Daniel Lin | Daily News-Record via AP
James Madison safety Chris Shearin (10) laterals the ball as he gets tackled by Marshall tight end Cade Conley (87) during the final play of regulation time in an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Daniel Lin | Daily News-Record via The Ƶsociated Press
Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton (1) fires off a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
Daniel Lin
Marshall head coach Charles Huff directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
HARRISONBURG, Va. Ƶ With a berth in the Sun Belt Conference football championship game on the line, Marshall pulled out all the stops.
A fake field-goal attempt set up the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter and ultimately forced overtime. Then, after trading field goals in the first extra period, the Thundering Herd stopped James MadisonƵs two-point conversion in the second overtime period, tied the game on an end-around rush by Tychaun Chapman and won it on a pass from Braylon Braxton to Chuck Montgomery.
The 35-33 win was MarshallƵs sixth consecutive to end the regular season, which it finished 9-3, and it clinched the Sun Belt East Division and earned the Herd its first-ever berth into the SBC championship game.
ƵOne of the last things I said to the coaches was, be prepared to win it for them late. Be prepared to win it for the kids late,Ƶ Herd coach Charles Huff said. ƵSometimes youƵve got to make an aggressive call and put the guys in position to execute.
ƵI felt today that if we could get it to the end of the game, we knew we could make that kind of call to win it.Ƶ
Marshall fell behind quickly, giving up touchdown drives of 75 and 90 yards in the first quarter as James Madison raced to a 14-0 lead on a 1-yard run from George Pettaway and 9-yard reception by Omarion Dollison.
The Herd then came up with a red-zone stop to force a 23-yard field goal, which Noe Ruelas hit to extend the lead to 17-0 halfway through the second quarter.
The Thundering Herd defense was gashed for 269 yards before halftime while the offense ran just 16 plays for 51 yards and was shut out in a half for the first time since a Sept. 21 loss at Ohio State.
But the Thundering Herd had things level again by the end of the third quarter after kicking a field goal on the opening drive, coming within one score when Braxton found Toby Payne for a 6-yard touchdown with 2:18 left in the third quarter. Jadarius Green-McKnightƵs 28-yard interception return for a touchdown on the first play of James MadisonƵs next drive tied the game just seven seconds later, setting up an exciting finish at Bridgeforth Stadium in front of more than 23,000 fans.
ƵI knew we were in Cover 2 and I saw the tight end go out and I grabbed it, then saw the QB line the ball up, so I took off and went all-out to make that play,Ƶ McKnight said of his first career interception, which was the second touchdown in seven seconds late in that third quarter and just the fourth pick thrown by Dukes quarterback Alonza Barnett III this season.
Jobi Malary led the Dukes in rushing with 106 yards on 16 carries and he scored to give James Madison a 24-17 lead with 11:07 left in regulation, but Marshall responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive to tie it up again on BraxtonƵs 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal with 5:04 remaining.
The two teams traded field goals to stay tied at 27 after one overtime, and after Barnett connected with Wayne Knight for the go-ahead touchdown, Ahmere Foster sacked him on the conversion attempt to leave the door open for MarshallƵs game-winning score.
On the final drive of the night, Braxton found Christian Fitzpatrick for a key third-down conversion and then capped his 13-for-24, 120-yard outing with the toss to Montgomery, who hauled it in and landed in the end zone, cueing the celebration.
ƵI told one of our (graduate assistants) that when Chuck catches this ball, IƵm running all the way down the field and not stopping,Ƶ Braxton said. ƵIt was like slow motion, itƵs turning end-over-end and looks like a punt, and I was just saying Ƶplease catch it.Ƶ
ƵHe got it, I took off running and I threw my helmet. I donƵt even know where it went.Ƶ
The win sets up MarshallƵs date in the Sun Belt championship game against Louisiana, which clinched the West Division with a win over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.
The championship game host will be determined based on a composite average of selected computer rankings that include all games on the final weekend of the conference regular season. The host site will be announced on Sunday, when these rankings become available, according to the league.
The championship game will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and will air nationwide on ESPN.
Luke Creasy is a sports reporter for HD Media. He can be reached by phone at 304-526-2800.
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