The Marshall University football team wrapped up its homecoming week Saturday with a home conference win over the Florida Atlantic University Owls with a final score of 20-9.

The Herd (5-0, 3-0 Conference USA) remains undefeated overall this season.

Marshall head coach Doc Holliday said there are games like this one where you have to fight until the end.

“Sometimes at some point in the season, you have to grind one out and that was the game,” Holliday said. “Just so pleased with our team to get that victory and go 5-0. We’re happy where we are, we’re still on the right track.”

The Herd was the first to score and the only one to score in the first quarter. Redshirt junior running back Brenden Knox caught a 58-yard pass from redshirt quarterback Grant Wells for Marshall’s first touchdown of the game. Redshirt sophomore kicker Shane Ciucci completed the extra point, giving the Herd an early 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Owls’ junior running back Malcom Davidson rushed 11-yards for its first touchdown of the game. The extra point attempt was blocked by the Herd’s redshirt freshman offensive lineman Ethan Driskell to keep the lead 7-6.

FAU extended its lead in the third quarter when redshirt junior kicker Vladimir Rivas completed a 43-yard field goal, taking the lead 9-7.

Marshall took back the lead again in the third quarter when Wells threw a 41-yard pass to redshirt senior wide receiver Artie Henry for a touchdown. Ciucci completed the extra point and extended the Herd’s lead 14-9.

Following Henry’s touchdown for the Herd, Ciucci completed a 35-yard field goal, keeping the Herd ahead 17-9.

In the fourth quarter, Ciucci completed a 22-yard field goal to cap off the Herd’s win, 20-9.

Overall, the Herd had 385 total yards while the Owls had 234.

Marshall led with 251 passing yards compared to FAU’s 148.

For the defense, Marshall had five total sacks, while the Owls had none.

Up next for Marshall, it will travel to Miami, Florida to take on the Florida International University Panthers on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

Taylor Huddleston can be contacted at [email protected].