HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Redshirt freshman Grant Wells threw a season-high 5 landing passes and No. 16 Marshall commemorated the 50th anniversary of the worst catastrophe in U.S. sports activities historical past throughout a 42-14 victory over Center Tennessee on Saturday.

Marshall (7-0, 4-Zero Convention USA) received one other standout efficiency from its protection and turned three turnovers into scores on a day when the college and surrounding group remembered 75 folks killed in a Nov. 14, 1970, airplane crash.

”Only a nice day,” Marshall coach Doc Holliday mentioned. ”A big day.”

Marshall wore particular black uniforms and the No. 75 on its helmets to honor those that have been misplaced, which included a lot of the Thundering Herd soccer crew. The crash occurred because the crew’s airplane was coming back from a recreation at East Carolina. There have been no survivors.

Wells grew up 50 miles away in Charleston and realized concerning the Marshall tragedy as a younger baby. He mentioned this week that enjoying within the crash’s silver anniversary recreation was going to be surreal.

After a number of early overthrows, Wells discovered his groove and Marshall saved the momentum for good. Wells completed 25 of 37 for 336 yards, all season highs. Two of his TD passes every went to Corey Gammage and Willie Johnson.

”I see it each week now,” Holliday mentioned. ”I see a younger child that is rising up. His teammates have a lot respect for him. Simply happy with the best way he is maturing and rising up. He is getting higher every week.”

Late within the second quarter, Wells discovered Johnson in stride for a 44-yard achieve to arrange tight finish Hayden Hagler’s first profession TD catch.

Then, after Center Tennessee quarterback Asher O’Hara fumbled the ball away on a success by Marshall’s Darius Hodge, Wells ran for six yards and made three straight completions. His 17-yard throw to Gammage put the Thundering Herd forward 21-7 at halftime.

Wells saved it going after security Nazeeh Johnson ripped the ball away from Center Tennessee large receiver Marquel Tinsley contained in the Marshall 10 early within the third.

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A 46-yard go to Johnson and a 14-yarder to Gaines have been adopted by Gammage’s second TD seize. Gammage went up excessive for a 28-yard catch in the long run zone for a 28-7 lead.

Marshall shifted to its passing assault after Center Tennessee held operating again Brenden Knox in verify. Knox, who entered the sport averaging 112 yards on the bottom, was held to 70 yards on 16 carries.

”We shut the run down very well,” Center Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill coach. ”The run being stopped so effectively, they went to the go and he did a pleasant job. (Wells) picked us aside.”

Center Tennessee (2-6, 2-4) could not do a lot towards the nation’s high rush protection. O’Hara, whose 476 dashing yards getting into the sport have been the third most for a quarterback nationally, was restricted to 39 yards on 11 carries. He ran for a rating, threw for an additional and accomplished 29 of 44 passes for 241 yards.

THE TAKEAWAY

Center Tennessee: The Blue Raiders had not performed in three weeks after Charlotte known as off final week’s recreation towards them as a consequence of COVID-19 points. The postponement got here a day earlier than the sport and saved Center Tennessee from getting additional work for Marshall.

Marshall: It was a particular efficiency on an emotional day for the Thundering Herd, which piled up 520 complete yards.

UP NEXT

Center Tennessee, which misplaced at residence to Troy earlier this season, is scheduled to play the Trojans on the street subsequent weekend to complete a uncommon in-season home-and-home sequence. However Troy’s recreation Saturday towards No. 15 Coastal Carolina was postponed Friday as a consequence of a mix of optimistic COVID-19 assessments and accidents for a selected place group throughout the Troy soccer crew.

Marshall: Hosts Charlotte subsequent Saturday.

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