SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 29, 2013
Marshall 59, East Carolina 28: Rakeem Cato threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Thundering Herd captured their first Conference USA East title with a decisive victory over the visiting Pirates.
Cato was 17-for-28 for 272 yards through the air, while Essray Taliaferro led the way with 161 rushing yards for Marshall (9-3, 7-1). Steward Butler added 90 yards and a score on the ground, and Devon Johnson scored twice on three carries for the Thundering Herd.
Vintavious Cooper rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns, but Shane Carden threw three interceptions on 29-for-52 passing, dooming East Carolina (9-3, 6-2). The Pirates were also outgained 539-440.
Marshall jumped out to an early advantage as Cato ran for one score and threw for another to help the Thundering Herd build a 24-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Pirates, helped by a Taliaferro fumble and a Cato interception, rallied to make it 24-10 at halftime.
Thatกฏs as close as the Pirates would get, as Marshall gashed them on the ground to the tune of 267 yards and five touchdowns on their way to sealing the victory. The Thundering Herd will play for the C-USA championship next week against Rice, Tulane or Texas San-Antonio.