MARSHALL 31, COLORADO STATE 28
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Keion Davis rushed for 141 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown run, and Marshall had two other big scoring plays in a 31-28 victory over Colorado State on Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl.
Chase Litton threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Thundering Herd (8-5) hold off the Rams (7-6).
Tyre Brady had 165 yards receiving and gave the Thundering Herd the lead in the second quarter with a 76-yard touchdown reception. Tyler King added a 90-yard rushing touchdown.
"The offense started us off, and the defense won it in the end," Brady said.
The Thundering Herd are 11-2 in bowl games -- 5-0 under current head Coach Doc Holliday.
For Colorado State, it was another disappointing postseason. The Rams have lost four consecutive bowl games, and lost four of their last five this season after a 6-2 start.
Nick Stevens threw for 320 yards and ran for two touchdowns for the Rams, but was sacked five times. Olabisi Johnson had 119 yards receiving, but Stevens was unable to connect consistently with standout Michael Gallup.
"I got to hit Gallup in those shots. I think it's a different ballgame," Stevens said. "There were a number of them that he was open, and protection was solid."
Colorado State's offense began to surge in the fourth quarter with 14 points, but Marshall's defense was able to hold the Rams.
Colorado State is 6-11 in bowl games.
The Rams continued to struggle despite having being ranked 10th in the FBS in yards per game with 501.1. Stevens and Gallup failed to challenge Marshall's stingy defense and couldn't respond to Marshall's big plays despite a late game scoring surge.
"This hurts but we'll regroup and get ready for next year," head Coach Mike Bobo said.
Marshall's defense also kept constant pressure on Colorado State's high-octane offense preventing the Rams from threatening with an air attack most of the game.
Sports on 12/17/2017