Thoughts from the Pizza Bowl - 3rd Quarter

As the Third starts, Marshall will have the ball, and nearly 200 yards of total offense to Ohio's 34. Ohio has also yet to convert a third down and Marshall is 6 of 8 on third.

Martin Ward gets stood up at the line on the first play of the half, and I have to put up a question mark here as Coach Shannon seems to be wanting to live an die by the run, which is fine when it works, but it isn't.

BA again looking like the BA of the second half of the UCF game, throwing at the receiver's foot when he has all day to throw. A halfway blown screen pass nets Marshall a pair of yards on their opening drive of the second half and Whitehead has to punt it away. Ohio will take over at their own 45.

Ohio finally gets a good look on a pass play for a 21 yard gain. The defense showing a bit of weakness and with the Herd's offense not able to keep momentum going into the endzone it's only a matter of time before the defense has too much on it's plate.

All-Conference selection Albert McClellan again showing why he was one of the top defenders in the nation a few years back and continues to play close to that level as he chases Scott away from the play.

A beautiful play fake by Theo Scott, gets the linebacker to bite on it, but Brandon Burns playing heads up and gets Scott in the backfield, third down Bobcats. The Cats marked a yard shy of the first down, and now face with a 4th and 1 which they will attempt to convert.

A hard downhill run by the Bobcats will put them close to the marker, and that play was impressive on both ends. The run by Ohio showing some power, and Marshall's linebackers stepping up to force the turnover on downs as Ohio was about an inch from converting.

Now the Herd gets the ball back on downs after Ohio gives up a possible long field goal to go for the gold and came up with bronze.

*Interesting side note, after the hire of Doc Holliday, there were rumors that he wouldn't make the trip to Detroit. I believe he probably has better things to do and if he wants to see what the players have he can watch the tape. However some people got rubbed the wrong away about that and apparently he decided to go. ESPN has him in the booth for an interview, so this should be interesting.

The drive for Marshall doesn't start to hot, and neither does Pam Ward's interview of Doc Holliday. Holliday is pretty much regurgitating what he said in his press conference, I don't blame him though Pam is asking him the same kinda things he said in that press conference.

Meanwhile on the field, nothing spectacular for the Herd, Ohio's defense steps up and snows under Brian Anderson, and a terrible kick for Kase Whitehead will give Ohio the ball inside Marshall territory.

And now with Ohio in good position, Janac gives them 15 more with the blatant facemask, this is where the Herd defense starts to crumble under the pressure. Garrett bursts off a big run up the middle with the Herd blitzing to the outside, and 15 more yards for the Bobcats have them knocking on the door.

Marshall, for their credit continues to apply pressure on Theo Scott forcing him to throw off the back foot and make uncatchable throws. Scott took his time getting to the line, not really paying attention to the game clock but saved by the coaching staff who quickly call a time out.

The lack of a power back becomes painfully obvious for Ohio now inside the ten as Garrett is hammered down by James Burkes. However the Bobcats get it done, Theo Scott botches the snap, throws up a jump ball and Bembry gets burnt for the Ohio touchdown.

7:11 left in the third quarter, Marshall struggling, Ohio creeping back, 21-14 Marshall leads.

Marshall in the second half has -1 total yards as it stands, and on 3rd and 10 has yet to get a good look in the half. John Shannon is currently coaching this team in a "not to lose" mentality instead of coaching them to win as was done in the first half of the contest. This team is not responding well to the pressure as the punt is blocked. Ohio will have the ball in even better territory than their last possession.

Ohio starts on the Herd 35, a swing pass will get them five yards on their first play of the drive. Already in scoring position and only down by a touchdown with 5:30 left in the quarter. The Herd's rushing defense still showing they are there to play, however every other phase of the Herd squad has seemingly packed it in.

Mario Harvey with another pass between his numbers but he drops the interception marking the fourth drop by Marshall defenders, this could be a completely different ball game, but nevertheless Marshall gets the stop. Ohio gets the field goal and the Bobcats have scored 17 unanswered points on the Herd. 21-17, Marshall leads, but for how much longer?

The running game, much like the passing game, isn't producing much for the Herd as Darius Marshall nets a yard. A second straight run was almost blown up, but a quick cut for Marshall gets 4 yards. Marshall University on 11 plays has 3 yards in the second half of this game.

A quick pass over the middle to Chuck Walker finally has the Herd with a first down after a long break without one. BA to Walker 12 yard gain on the clear out route. Following the first, Edwards-Maye is met by a wall of green jerseys up the middle and gets stuffed.

Play-action from BA to Tay Wilson gets a big recrption, but a holding call on the Herd line brings it back and then some. What would have been a 26 yard gain is negated. Anderson scrambles on a roll out and gains about a yard, and I continue to question the playcalls at this point in the game.

3rd and 19 the Herd takes a shot down field to Dobson, which was a questionable choice to throw to at best, as he didn't have his man beat even remotely. With under a minute left in the third quarter, the Bobcats will get the ball back from a Craig Ratanamorn punt. The Bobcats muff the punt and barely recover the ball.

Misdirection from the Bobcats will net a 13 yard gain on the passing play, and the option looks that have been rumored all week start to emerge and become successful in this game. The Herd responds big as Mario Harvey punishes Theo Scott with his 6th sack of the year, and Scott is down on the turf.

And that is how the 3rd Quarter will end, Bobcats with the ball, Herd with the lead 21-17.