Craig Ratanamorn News

He doesn't have the height or overall size - yet - but Marshall Coach Mark Snyder believes free safety Omar Brown compares favorably to C.J. Spillman, a former Herd defender who plays for the San Diego Chargers.

For Marshall University's 15 football seniors, it must have seemed as if Saturday's 34-31 win over Southern Methodist was a matching bookend to their careers on their home field.

Brian Anderson threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns and the Marshall Thundering Herd hung on to defeat the SMU Mustangs, 34-31, in Conference USA action at Edwards Stadium.

For Marshall to win today against Conference USA West Division leader Southern Methodist, the gap in special teams must be closed.

SMU at Marshall 4:30 p.m., Joan C. Edwards Stadium , Huntington TV: none. Line: Marshall by 3. Series: Tied 1-1. Last game: SMU 31, Marshall 21, Oct.

Visiting Marshall this Saturday will be the SMU Mustangs - your Conference USA West Division leaders.

Marshall Thundering Herd placekicker Craig Ratanamorn is one of 20 semi-finalists for the Lou Groza Award that signifies the top kicker in Division I-A college football.

Martevious Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Southern Miss Golden Eagles to a 27-20 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd in Conference USA action.

Stingy defense versus high-octane offense. Something has to give Saturday afternoon when Marshall University plays host to Southern Miss.

On a typical fall Saturday, quarterback Brian Anderson would spend his afternoon looking for Cody Slate on a passing route across the middle.

When Central Florida place-kicker Nick Cattoi prepared for a 48-yard attempt in the Thundering Herd's loss last Sunday, Marshall Coach Mark Snyder and special units coordinator Jared Smith sent safety Ashton Hall back deep.

Only three times since the Marshall plane crash of 1970 has the Thundering Herd played a football game on the anniversary of that tragedy.

Ratanamorn is still perfect on the season. WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. -- COURTESY: MARSHALL SPORTS INFORMATION The Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Monday that Marshall University senior kicker Craig Ratanamorn is one of 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl.

For three frames, it seemed like the Herd would head home to Huntington, still tied atop the C-USA East Division standings.

Brett Hodges threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Ross with 23 seconds left and Nick Cattoi added the extra point to give UCF a 21-20 victory over Marshall on Sunday night.

Herd hasn't beaten UCF since the Knights joined C-USA. COURTESY: MARSHALL SPORTS INFORMATION Marshall travels to Orlando this weekend for a prime time Conference USA East Division game with UCF.

Marshall place-kicker Craig Ratanamorn didn't hesitate when asked who the Herd's most important player will be in Sunday night's game at Central Florida.

After eight consecutive Saturdays of football and little time to rest, Marshall players received a much-needed day off Sunday.

Twice this season, Marshall was unable to convert on fourth-and-1. For a man who has a reputation for being conservative, Mark Snyder deserves credit for giving it another shot in the third quarter of Saturday's 27-7 win over UAB.

Marshall's Thundering Herd wins conference game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.