Coming off a 38-14 win last weekend against the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers, the Marshall Thundering Herd football team will travel to Ruston, Louisiana to take on the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 17.

This will be the Herd’s (3-0, 1-0 Conference USA) second away game of the season and the second conference matchup.

The Bulldogs (3-1, 2-0 C-USA) are coming off a 21-17 conference win against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners last weekend.

Captains for this week’s game are redshirt senior linebacker Tavante Beckett, redshirt junior defensive lineman Koby Cumberlander on defense, redshirt junior running back Sheldon Evans and redshirt senior offensive lineman Josh Ball on offense.

Marshall head coach Doc Holliday said it’s tough to travel during this time right now due to the coronavirus.

“Leadership is so important when going on the road and toughness,” Holliday said. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. Our kids have to handle it the right way. This week can’t be any different.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Grant Wells said it’s important to stay on pace on the offensive side.

“Staying on pace is one of the biggest things,” Wells said. “Taking the big shots during the game and taking it one at a time and taking what the defense gives us while in conference play on the road.”

Wells said third down conversions are a big focus in the quarterback room when deciding what plays to go with compared to the opposing defense that is being presented to him and the offensive line.

“We take big pride in the quarterback room on third down. That’s one of the main downs when defenses like to come after me. One thing that (Offensive Coordinator Tim) Cramsey takes seriously is pace. As long as we stay to those guidelines and stay on pace, we’re going to be just fine.”

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. CST at Joe Alliet Stadium on CBS Sports Network.

Taylor Huddleston can be contacted at [email protected].