MOBILE, Ala. Ƶ The turning point in MarshallƵs incredible 64-61 double-overtime victory over East Carolina in the 2001 GMAC Bowl could spark an argument for the ages.
East Carolina coach Steve Logan, though, has a definite opinion on where the game shifted from ECUƵs control and the door to a comeback opened for the Thundering Herd.
ƵThat 30-point lead meant nothing to me,Ƶ Logan said of his teamƵs 38-8 halftime advantage. ƵI told our guys they had to decide if they were going to win this game. Then our quarterback came out and threw an interception that was the beginning. One hundred different plays could have been pointed to, but that was the one.Ƶ
On the second play of the third quarter, ECU quarterback David Garrard was intercepted by MU defensive end Ralph Street, who returned the pick 25 yards for his first career touchdown. That started a 28-3 run that allowed Marshall to climb back into a game many fans thought was all but over.
The Herd (11-2) mounted maybe the greatest rally in school history, surpassing the comeback from a 23-0 deficit in the 1999 Mid-American Conference championship game in which the Herd defeated Western Michigan 34-30.
ƵMarshallƵs good,Ƶ said ECU tailback Leonard Henry, who carried 29 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. ƵTheyƵre faster than I thought they were. They donƵt quit. They donƵt give up. TheyƵre a good team. A lot of people donƵt give them the respect they deserve because of the schedule they play, but theyƵre good.Ƶ
Marshall won the game on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Byron Leftwich to Josh Davis on the final play. LeftwichƵs pass zipped over the hands of receiver Denero Marriott and into the grasp of Davis.
ƵMan, I donƵt know what Denero was doing,Ƶ Leftwich playfully said as Marriott laughed behind him. ƵThat was for Josh all the way. Denero was supposed to be on the other side.Ƶ
Leftwich had a career night, completing 41 of 70 passes for 576 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions. Marriott caught 15 passes for 234 yards, while Darius Watts snagged seven passes for 133 yards and Davis hauled in eight for 87 yards.
Leftwich said he was motivated by coach Bobby PruettƵs halftime speech.
ƵI canƵt tell you what he said, but he got on us,Ƶ Leftwich said. ƵHe told us it was embarrassing, which it was.Ƶ
Pruett said the key to the comeback was defense.
ƵThe only way we were going to win the game was to turn it around on defense,Ƶ Pruett said. ƵEven if we scored on every possession, we werenƵt going to catch them if we didnƵt stop them. Our defensive coaches did a good job adjusting and our players believed.Ƶ
The loss baffled Logan, who had seen his team experience second-half collapses all season. The Pirates (6-6) lost two other games after building big leads and nearly lost two others.
ƵThis is the strangest football team IƵve ever been around in my life,Ƶ Logan said. ƵWe tried to correct it, but we couldnƵt do it. We played our hearts out, but itƵs a strange dynamic.Ƶ
Henry was at a virtual loss for words to describe his teamƵs loss.
ƵItƵs tough,Ƶ Henry said. ƵThe guys in our locker room are shocked.Ƶ
Tim Stephens is a sports writer with The Herald-Dispatch. He has covered Marshall University football since 1984. You may reach him at 304-526-2759 or tstephens@hdmediallc.com.
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