By Garin Turner
The Marshall Thundering Herd battled to the wire in a wild, back-and-forth showdown but came up short in double overtime, falling 54-51 to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday. The loss drops Marshall to 2-3, while Louisiana improves to 2-3.
How It Happened
After trading field goals in the opening quarter, Marshall grabbed its first lead when Michael Allen powered in from nine yards out to make it 7-3. Louisiana responded with back-to-back touchdowns before the Herd closed the half strong. With just 23 seconds left before the break, quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson connected with Demarcus Lacey on a 32-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit and setting up a second-half surge.
Marshall seized control in the third quarter, outscoring the Ragin’ Cajuns 17-3. Allen broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run, and Daniel Beale added a defensive highlight with a 46-yard interception return for a score. A pair of field goals made it 34-20 in favor of the Herd entering the fourth.
The lead didn’t last. Louisiana rallied with two touchdowns to tie the game before Del Rio-Wilson once again found Lacey, this time from 27 yards out, to put Marshall back in front. But the Cajuns answered in the closing seconds, tying the game at 41 and forcing overtime.
Both teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, with Adrian Norton hauling in a three-yard score for Marshall. In the second overtime, the Herd managed only a field goal, opening the door for Louisiana, who sealed the victory with a touchdown.
Team Leaders
• Passing: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson — 24 of 31, 258 yards, 3 TDs
• Rushing: Michael Allen — 19 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
• Receiving: Demarcus Lacey — 10 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs
What’s Next
The Thundering Herd will look to bounce back at home when they face Old Dominion on October 11.
