The Old Dominion Monarchs and the Marshall University Thundering Herd will face off in the Military Appreciation Game in Huntington with both teams looking for their first conference win. 

The Marshall University football team is coming off a loss last week against Middle Tennessee that dropped the Herd to 2-3 and 0-1 in Conference-USA on the season. 

“Your best you is going to be good enough,” Head Coach Doc Holliday said to his team in regards to the mindset against Old Dominion. “When your number is called and you get the opportunity to make a play, that’s what you have to do. These kids are an unbelievable bunch that work extremely hard and care, so they will go back to work to prepare for Saturday.”

Although the Herd gained more in total yards, first downs and time of possession than Blue Raiders, they only accounted for 13 points, all of which came in the first half. However, Marshall led in a negative category: turnovers. 

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Isaiah Green was intercepted three times and also fumbled the ball once, accounting for four Marshall turnovers that made a difference since the Blue Raiders had zero. 

“We just have to find a way to put the ball in the end zone when we get the opportunity,” Green said. “The film was frustrating to watch. It was not hard for us to move the ball, but we just have to finish drives.”

Old Dominion is entering its sixth game of the season (1-4 and 0-1 in Conference-USA) with its 24-21 win over Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s Norfolk State that resulted in 24-21. 

The Monarchs also struggled finding the end zone in its conference opener against Western Kentucky University being held to only three points that accounted for a total of 163-yards, just 15 more than the program low against North Carolina State in 2015. 

Captains for Marshall against Old Dominion for offense will be redshirt sophomore running back Brenden Knox and redshirt junior lineman Alex Mollette.  Captains for defense are senior linebacker Omari Cobb and redshirt senior defensive back Kereon Merrell. 

Kickoff between Marshall and Old Dominion is at 2:30 p.m. EST Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

Brigham Warf can be contacted at [email protected].