75 Game Preview
By: Connor Brown, Production Director, FM88 Sports
56 years after a plane crash changed Marshall University forever, the Thundering Herd will take the field Saturday on the anniversary of that tragedy, carrying the memory of the 75 into a game with major consequences for the 2026 season. Marshall welcomes longtime rival Appalachian State to Joan C. Edwards Stadium with both teams sitting at 5-4 overall and 2-3 in Sun Belt play.
The annual 75 game brings together two programs with a long history, but Saturday’s matchup also has postseason implications. The winner will earn its sixth victory and become bowl eligible with two regular-season games remaining. For Marshall, the opportunity comes on a day dedicated to remembering the 75 lost in the November 14th , 1970, crash. The Herd will wear uniforms inspired by the 1970 team, while the university and community gather to honor their legacy.
Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said honoring the 75 has been a priority since he took the job.
“My number one goal when I took this job is we’re always going to honor the 75 and we’re always going to play for them,” Gibson said.
The team has spent the week learning about the people it is honoring. Gibson said the names of the 37 players have been placed on lockers, family members have spoken with the team, and veteran players help pass the tradition along to younger teammates. The program also visits the cemetery and watches the movie “We Are Marshall” during fall camp.
The Herd will have to balance those emotions with the task of preparing for an Appalachian State team that has also been searching for answers after dropping back-to-back games.
Marshall is coming off a 49-13 loss at Georgia Southern, a game in which the Eagles controlled the line of scrimmage and took advantage of the Herd’s struggles. Gibson said Marshall has to get better in short yardage situations to be successful.
“We had 300 yards at halftime and seven points,” Gibson said. “So, you know, if we can’t get it on fourth and half a yard, we’re going to struggle no matter who we play.”
The Herd will look to respond by establishing a more consistent offense, especially on the ground. Gibson said Marshall has shown the ability to produce explosive runs, but the offense needs to sustain drives and finish possessions with points.
The running game could be especially important against an App State defense that Gibson described as aggressive, with an active defensive line and one of the top linebackers in the Sun Belt.
“Anytime, you know, to win a football game, you’re going to have to run the football and be effective at it,” Gibson said. “We have to be able to consistently move the ball down the field and when we get in the red zone put points up.”
The quarterback situation remains another question for Marshall entering Saturday. Gibson said he had not settled on a starter during his weekly press conference, emphasizing that the team needs someone who can lead the offense and put points on the board.
Appalachian State has dealt with its own offensive problems, particularly along the offensive line. The Mountaineers have made several personnel changes because of injuries, forcing players into unfamiliar positions and creating challenges with communication and consistency.
Head coach Dowell Loggains said App State used four players in positions they had not played before in its most recent game. The changes have affected the team’s ability to protect the quarterback and establish the run.
“You lose your two tackles, your center, then you move a guard who was playing good football from guard to tackle,” Loggains said. “And the quarterbacks have done a really good job understanding, look, you can only control what you can control.”
The Mountaineers have also struggled to produce on the ground. App State rushed for just 50 yards in its most recent game, and Loggains said the team has been unable to consistently execute in the running game.
“It’s not just Mike, it’s the whole staff,” Loggains said. “It takes 11 guys on offense to gain four yards running the football, and we’re not running the football the way we want to.”
Loggains said the team needs better execution, stronger blocking and more consistency from everyone involved in the offense. Those struggles have also created longer third-down situations and placed additional pressure on the quarterbacks.
Turnovers have been another major issue for the Mountaineers. Loggains said App State has a minus-seven turnover margin over its last two games, a stretch that has contributed to consecutive losses.
App State is coming off a 39-23 loss to Georgia State after falling to Georgia Southern the week before. The Mountaineers had reached 5-2 following an overtime win against James Madison, but the two losses have put additional importance on Saturday’s trip to Huntington.
Loggains said the team cannot lose sight of the progress it has made, but understands the importance of responding.
“We need to go win this game,” Loggains said.
The Mountaineers will face a Marshall defense led by Gibson and defensive coordinator Brad Lambert. Loggains recognized the experience on the Herd’s defensive staff and expects a challenge from its defensive front.
“Brad does a good job on defense with Tony,” Loggains said. “You’re talking about two really good defensive coaches.”
Loggains also pointed to Marshall’s aggressive approach and the challenges its front presents against the run. For App State, finding a way to protect its quarterback and produce more consistent rushing yards will be a major part of the matchup.
The rivalry adds another layer to the game. Marshall and Appalachian State have a long history, including their years as conference opponents, and the Mountaineers have not won in Huntington since 1995. Marshall has won its last four home meetings against App State.
Loggains said his team understands the challenge of playing at Joan C. Edwards Stadium and the importance of ending that stretch.
“We need to get back to being us,” Loggains said. “And I want to see a team that plays with relentless effort that has an edge to it.”
For Marshall, the challenge will be putting together a complete performance after last week’s loss while keeping the meaning of the 75 game in perspective. Gibson said the team must honor those being remembered while staying focused on the game itself.
“We have to honor them. We have to do our part, but then when that whistle blows and they put the ball down, we have to focus in on that 60 minutes that we’re about to face,” Gibson said.
With bowl eligibility at stake and the anniversary falling on game day, Marshall will take the field Saturday night with both the season and the memory of the 75 on its mind.
FM88 Sports’ Connor Brown and Ethan Patrick will be on the call with pregame coverage scheduled for 5 p.m. and kickoff at 6 p.m.
You can tune in on FM88.1 or on stream one at https://www.marshall.edu/wmul/.