Quarterback Grant Wells scored on a 12-yard run late in the third quarter, Marshall’s defense came up with stop after stop and the Thundering Herd beat No. 23 Appalachian State 17-7 on Saturday.
Marshall (2-0) defeated a ranked opponent for the first time since winning at No. 6 Kansas State in 2003. It also was the Thundering Herd’s first victory over a ranked opponent at home since 1976.
Appalachian State (1-1) squandered a couple of late opportunities and was held scoreless in the second half.
Wells finished 11 of 25 for 163 yards after throwing four TD passes in his debut two weeks ago, a 59-0 win over Eastern Kentucky.
Brenden Knox rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown for Marshall.
At Huntington
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
AS (1-1)……..7 0 0 0 – 7
MAR (2-0)…7 3 7 0 – 17
Scoring:
First Quarter
MAR – Brenden Knox, 2-yard run (Shane Ciucci kick), 12:29
AS – Jalen Vigil, 11-yard pass from Zac Thomas (Staton kick)
Second Quarter
MAR – Shane Ciuuci, 29-yard field goal, 2:28
Third Quarter
MAR – Grant Wells, 11-yard run (Shane Ciuuci kick), 4:44
Fourth Quarter
No scoring
Next up: Marshall (2-0) ay Western Kentucky (0-2), Oct. 10.