Herd football keeps the faith

All week leading up to its matchup with Michigan State, Marshall heard about the Spartans' running back T.J. Duckett.

After Saturday's 34-24 loss, the Thundering Herd knew why the experts were talking about Duckett with such high praise.

Although Duckett gained 219 yards on 26 carries, Marshall and the fans who made the trip to East Lansing, Mich., left with a sense of pride.

"We had our chances but the turnovers killed us," Clarksburg freshman, Shawn Jenkins said. "It's a shame we lost but we will bounce back."

Spartans' fans also acknowledged that the Thundering Herd gave their team all they could handle, especially after starting quarterback Ryan Van Dyke left the game with an injury. He was replaced by true freshman Jeff Smoker.

"I thought at half we were going to lose," Michigan State junior Brad Flowers said. "They knocked Van Dyke out of the game and with Smoker in I thought we had no chance. They played well and I don't mind the Spartans playing them again."

The crowd of 72,983 was all in green. Michigan State also wears the same colors as the Thundering Herd and Coach Bob Pruett even went so far as to make a bold prediction to the media before the game.

"The team wearing green will win," Pruett said. "I told the players if they get nervous, think it's a home game. The fans in the stands look the same."

Even though Pruett did not get the result he wanted, Michigan State Coach Bobby Williams said he thought Marshall played well.

"I thought Marshall was an outstanding team that gave us lots of problems," Williams said. "Early in the game they made some great plays. We got the turnovers we needed at the time and our kids hung in there and finished the game."

T.J. Duckett, who ran for a 36-yard touchdown with four minutes left, putting the game out of reach for the Thundering Herd, said he respects Marshall and its fans.

"Marshall played us hard. They brought their fans and gave us a lot of problems throughout the game," he said. "The [our] veteran offensive line played really well in the second half and we saw they were getting tired."

Despite the loss, one thing keeping Marshall fans excited about the season is the Sept. 23 contest with North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"If we play the way we played today, we will beat North Carolina," said Derrick Howe, who traveled from South Point, Ohio, to attend the game.

" We are a lot better than people think we are and we will prove it."

Although Marshall gained respect in the loss, Pruett wanted to win.

"Respect is nice but you have to win," Pruett said. "People asked me when we lost to Louisville in 1997 if I was happy my team played with them. I said no I am not happy, we are here to win championships and not to be close."

According to a spokesman from the Marshall ticket office, 5,500 Marshall students are expected to travel to see the Thundering Herd battle the Tar Heels.