HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Tron Martinez scored on a 4-yard run with 1:48 to play to lift Marshall to a 24-20 win over Rice on Saturday.
Marshall (3-4, 2-1 Conference USA) trailed 20-17 when it recovered a Rice fumble at the Owls’ 23-yard-line with 3:31 remaining in the game. Six plays later, Martinez scored the game-winning touchdown. A.J. Graham rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns as the Thundering Herd gained 217 yards on the ground.
It was Marshall’s second straight win over Rice.
Sam McDuffie gave Rice (2-4, 1-2) its only lead of the game, 20-17, on a 4-yard run with 4:08 to play in the third quarter.
Trouble converting on third downs and difficulty scoring touchdowns in the red zone hampered the Owls. Rice was only 2 of 12 on third down conversions, and settled for field goals on two of its three trips inside the Marshall 20-yard line.
