Week 10 Preview: Marshall vs Coastal Carolina

The Marshall Thundering Herd will travel to the beach for a mid-week clash with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in a matchup that is shaping up to have major conference implications heading into the final stretch of the season. This latest installment will be just the fourth time these programs will square off, Coastal currently holds the overall series at 2-1.

Marshall

After an 0-2 start to the season, the Thundering Herd has found their footing after a quarterback change three games into the season. Since then, Marshall has won four of their last five games, three of those wins against conference opponents.

The Thundering Herd are coming off of a bye week after their 2OT thriller against conference rival, Texas State. Enhancing their conference record to 3-1 on the year, keeping the defending champions in the fight for a competitive Sun Belt East division.

Marshall’s offense has exploded since handing the reins to quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, putting up 40 or more points in the last four games they have played (3-1 in that stretch). The duel-threat QB has completely revitalized the Thundering Herd offense, leading the team in passing yards, rushing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. Marshall now ranks 30th in scoring offense in the entire NCAA, averaging 35.1 points per game heading into Week 10.

Coastal Carolina

Similar to the Thundering Herd, the Chanticleers have had an up-and-down season. However, Coastal Carolina has seemingly found their footing after their third quarterback swap of the season.

The Chanticleers are coming out of the bye week with a 4-3 record and on a two-game win streak. Prior to the bye week, Coastal had arguably their best game of the season against bitter rival Appalachian State. Mounting a 14-point comeback against the Mountaineers and bringing their conference record to 3-1, keeping themselves even with Marshall and just one game behind James Madison in the Sun Belt East.

Coastal is on their third quarterback this season, with redshirt senior Samari Collier taking the reins during the Chanticleers two-game win streak. After Tad Hudson left early against ULM, Collier stepped in and finished the game with 37 passing yards, 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Collier would carry that momentum into Boone, N.C. and gutted out a 14-point comeback win. Collier got it done on the ground and through the air, passing for 118 yards, rushing for 74 yards, posting two touchdowns (1 rushing and 1 passing) and throwing one interception.