Drive Chart
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Braxton, Marshall beat Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3, win Sun Belt Conference title
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) Braylon Braxton threw two touchdown passes and Jordan Houston had 117 yards rushing, including a 9-yard TD, on 17 carries to help Marshall beat Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3 on Saturday night and win the Thundering Herd's first Sun Belt Conference Championship.
Marshall (10-3), which joined the Sun Belt in 2022 after 17 seasons in Conference USA, has won seven games in a row in the same season for the first time since 2020 and has double-digit wins for the first time since the 2015 campaign.
Kenneth Almendares kicked a 40-yard field goal for Louisiana (10-3) to open the scoring with 6:42 left in the first quarter. The Thundering Herd immediately answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive to take the lead for good when Braxton hit a wide-open Tychaun Chapman in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown.
Rece Verhoff made a 32-yard field goal and Ethan Payne ran for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Braxton threw a 20-yard TD pass to Bralon Brown in the third to make it 24-3.
Freshman Daniel Beale replaced starter Chandler Fields midway through the second quarter and completed 10 of 25 for 96 yards with an interception for the Ragin' Cajuns. Fields, who became the starter when Ben Wooldridge suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 24-22 loss to South Alabama on Nov. 16, finished 4-of-8 passing for 104 yards. Wooldridge passed for 2,392 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games and was named the conference's offensive player of the year.
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Key Players
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B. Braxton
1 QB 193 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, 66 RuYds |
 |
H. Broussard
3 WR 81 ReYds, 5 RECs |
1st Quarter
Field Goal
6:42
K.Almendares 40 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Milliron Holder-D.Cambre.
5
plays
52
yds
2:05
pos
0
3
Touchdown
4:04
B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by T.Chapman for 37 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
7
plays
65
yds
2:38
pos
6
3
Point After TD
4:04
R.Verhoff extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
7
3
2nd Quarter
Field Goal
7:54
R.Verhoff 32 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Davis Holder-A.Clark.
9
plays
39
yds
4:14
pos
10
3
Touchdown
2:47
E.Payne rushed for 15 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
7
plays
56
yds
3:04
pos
16
3
Point After TD
2:47
R.Verhoff extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
17
3
3rd Quarter
Touchdown
7:43
B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by B.Brown for 20 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
9
plays
56
yds
4:29
pos
23
3
Point After TD
7:43
R.Verhoff extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
24
3
4th Quarter
Touchdown
2:04
J.Houston rushed for 9 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
8
plays
66
yds
5:44
pos
30
3
Point After TD
2:04
R.Verhoff extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
31
3
| Team Stats | |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 25 | 11 |
| Rushing | 15 | 2 |
| Passing | 7 | 7 |
| Penalty | 3 | 2 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 8-15 | 2-16 |
| 4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 3-6 |
| Total Net Yards | 410 | 255 |
| Total Plays | 70 | 60 |
| Avg Gain | 5.9 | 4.3 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 217 | 56 |
| Rush Attempts | 44 | 28 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 4.9 | 2.0 |
| Yards Passing | 193 | 199 |
| Comp. - Att. | 18-26 | 13-32 |
| Yards Per Pass | 6.8 | 5.5 |
| Penalties - Yards | 6-60 | 9-98 |
| Touchdowns | 4 | 0 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Punts - Avg | 5-39.8 | 5-38.0 |
| Return Yards | 0 | 15 |
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 2-15 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Safeties | 0 | 0 |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
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B. Braxton
1 QB
|
B. Braxton | 18/26 | 193 | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
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J. Houston
6 RB
|
J. Houston | 17 | 117 | 1 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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B. Braxton
1 QB
|
B. Braxton | 16 | 66 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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E. Payne
28 RB
|
E. Payne | 9 | 39 | 1 | 15 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
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T. Chapman
2 WR
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T. Chapman | 8 | 8 | 86 | 1 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Montgomery
10 WR
|
C. Montgomery | 5 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Chester
7 WR
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C. Chester | 4 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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B. Brown
8 WR
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B. Brown | 1 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Fitzpatrick
16 WR
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C. Fitzpatrick | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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T. Payne
81 TE
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T. Payne | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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E. Payne
28 RB
|
E. Payne | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
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M. Green
15 DL
|
M. Green | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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M. Beard III
8 LB
|
M. Beard III | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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J. Moten
1 DB
|
J. Moten | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
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R. Verhoff
90 K
|
R. Verhoff | 1/1 | 32 | 4/4 | 7 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
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A. Clark
98 P
|
A. Clark | 5 | 39.8 | 2 | 48 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
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Z. Perry
21 RB
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Z. Perry | 6 | 25 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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D. Washington
20 RB
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D. Washington | 8 | 19 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Fields
18 QB
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C. Fields | 2 | 14 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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D. Beale
16 QB
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D. Beale | 7 | 1 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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B. Davis
7 RB
|
B. Davis | 4 | -2 | 0 | 1 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
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L. LeGendre
9 WR
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L. LeGendre | 4 | 4 | 81 | 0 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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H. Broussard
3 WR
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H. Broussard | 8 | 5 | 81 | 0 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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T. Smith
80 WR
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T. Smith | 4 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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D. Washington
20 RB
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D. Washington | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Jensen
88 TE
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C. Jensen | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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J. Bernard
4 WR
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J. Bernard | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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R. Williams
15 WR
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R. Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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T. Carter
0 TE
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T. Carter | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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R. Dennis
8 WR
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R. Dennis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Z. Perry
21 RB
|
Z. Perry | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
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C. Whitfield
19 LB
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C. Whitfield | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
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K. Almendares
45 K
|
K. Almendares | 1/1 | 40 | 0/0 | 3 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
|
N. Torney
92 P
|
N. Torney | 5 | 38.0 | 1 | 54 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
|
R. Williams
15 WR
|
R. Williams | 2 | 21.5 | 54 | 0 |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
|
J. Bernard 4 WR
|
J. Bernard | 2 | 7.5 | 12 | 0 |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 13:01 | MRSHL 9 | 4:14 | 9 | 36 | Punt |
| 6:42 | MRSHL 25 | 2:38 | 7 | 75 | TD |
| 2:18 | MRSHL 23 | 2:18 | 5 | 17 | Punt |
| 2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 12:08 | MRSHL 32 | 4:14 | 9 | 54 | FG |
| 5:51 | MRSHL 44 | 3:04 | 7 | 56 | TD |
| 1:03 | MRSHL 9 | 0:46 | 5 | 37 | Punt |
| 3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | MRSHL 24 | 1:24 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
| 12:12 | MRSHL 44 | 4:29 | 9 | 56 | TD |
| 4:14 | MRSHL 31 | 3:48 | 7 | 28 | Punt |
| 4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 7:48 | MRSHL 29 | 5:44 | 8 | 71 | TD |
| 1:21 | UL 50 | 1:21 | 2 | -5 | Game |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | UL 29 | 1:59 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
| 8:47 | UL 25 | 2:05 | 5 | 52 | FG |
| 4:04 | UL 25 | 1:46 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
| 2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | UL 27 | 2:52 | 7 | 41 | Downs |
| 7:54 | UL 8 | 2:03 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
| 2:47 | UL 25 | 1:44 | 5 | 40 | INT |
| 0:17 | UL 6 | 0:17 | 1 | -1 | Half |
| 3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 13:36 | UL 29 | 1:24 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
| 7:43 | UL 25 | 3:29 | 7 | 13 | Punt |
| 0:26 | UL 25 | 7:38 | 20 | 65 | Downs |
| 4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 2:04 | UL 25 | 0:43 | 5 | 25 | Downs |
- Punt (3 plays, 8 yards, 1:59 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) N.Totten kicks 63 yards from MSH 35 to the ULL 2. R.Williams returns the kickoff. Tackled by MSH at ULL 29. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - UL 29 (14:54 - 1st) Z.Perry rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by MSH at ULL 29. PENALTY on ULL-L.LeGendre Personal Foul / Offense 15 yards accepted. No Play. |
| No Gain | 1 & 25 - UL 14 (14:38 - 1st) C.Fields steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Bernard. |
| +9 YD | 2 & 25 - UL 14 (14:33 - 1st) C.Fields pass complete. Catch made by H.Broussard for 9 yards. Tackled by MSH at ULL 23. |
| +14 YD | 3 & 16 - UL 23 (13:56 - 1st) C.Fields pass complete. Catch made by L.LeGendre for 14 yards. Tackled by MSH at ULL 37. |
| Punt | 4 & 2 - UL 37 (13:14 - 1st) N.Torney punts 54 yards to MSH 9 Center-C.Milliron. Downed by C.Milliron. |
- Punt (9 plays, 36 yards, 4:14 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| +6 YD | 1 & 10 - MRSHL 9 (13:01 - 1st) J.Houston rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 15. |
| +14 YD | 2 & 4 - MRSHL 15 (12:38 - 1st) J.Houston rushed for 14 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 29. |
| +6 YD | 1 & 10 - MRSHL 29 (12:01 - 1st) B.Braxton scrambles for 6 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 35. |
| No Gain | 2 & 4 - MRSHL 35 (11:43 - 1st) B.Braxton rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 35. |
| +5 YD | 3 & 4 - MRSHL 35 (11:08 - 1st) B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by C.Fitzpatrick for 5 yards. Pushed out of bounds by ULL at MSH 40. |
| +2 YD | 1 & 10 - MRSHL 40 (10:42 - 1st) B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by T.Chapman for 2 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 48. PENALTY on MSH-C.Chester Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. |
| No Gain | 1 & 18 - MRSHL 32 (10:27 - 1st) B.Braxton steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Chester. |
| +5 YD | 2 & 18 - MRSHL 32 (10:18 - 1st) B.Braxton rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 37. |
| +8 YD | 3 & 13 - MRSHL 37 (9:33 - 1st) B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by T.Chapman for 8 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 45. |
| Punt | 4 & 5 - MRSHL 45 (9:04 - 1st) A.Clark punts 42 yards to ULL 13 Center-C.Davis. J.Bernard returned punt from the ULL 13. Tackled by MSH at ULL 25. |
- Field Goal (5 plays, 52 yards, 2:05 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| +47 YD | 1 & 10 - UL 25 (8:47 - 1st) C.Fields pass complete. Catch made by L.LeGendre for 47 yards. Tackled by MSH at MSH 28. |
| +2 YD | 1 & 10 - MRSHL 28 (8:23 - 1st) D.Washington rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MSH at MSH 26. |
| +3 YD | 2 & 8 - MRSHL 26 (7:43 - 1st) D.Washington rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by MSH at MSH 23. |
| No Gain | 3 & 5 - MRSHL 23 (6:59 - 1st) C.Fields steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for R.Williams. |
| Field Goal | 4 & 5 - MRSHL 30 (6:47 - 1st) K.Almendares 40 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Milliron Holder-D.Cambre. |
- Touchdown (7 plays, 75 yards, 2:38 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (6:42 - 1st) K.Almendares kicks 65 yards from ULL 35 to the MSH End Zone. Touchback. |
| Penalty | 1 & 10 - MRSHL 25 (6:42 - 1st) B.Braxton steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Payne. PENALTY on ULL-A.Baylis Roughing the Passer 15 yards accepted. No Play. |
| Penalty | 1 & 10 - MRSHL 40 (6:35 - 1st) PENALTY on MSH-J.Jones False Start 5 yards accepted. |
| +5 YD | 1 & 15 - MRSHL 35 (6:35 - 1st) J.Houston rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 40. |
| +9 YD | 2 & 10 - MRSHL 40 (6:18 - 1st) B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by T.Chapman for 9 yards. Tackled by ULL at MSH 49. |
| +4 YD | 3 & 1 - MRSHL 49 (5:52 - 1st) J.Houston rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by ULL at ULL 47. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - UL 47 (5:24 - 1st) B.Braxton steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Payne. |
| +1 YD | 2 & 10 - UL 47 (5:19 - 1st) B.Braxton rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by ULL at ULL 46. |
| +9 YD | 3 & 9 - UL 46 (4:38 - 1st) B.Braxton scrambles for 9 yards. Tackled by ULL at ULL 37. |
| +37 YD | 1 & 10 - UL 37 (4:15 - 1st) B.Braxton pass complete. Catch made by T.Chapman for 37 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
| PAT Good | (4:04 - 1st) R.Verhoff extra point is good. |
- Punt (3 plays, 8 yards, 1:46 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (4:04 - 1st) R.Verhoff kicks 65 yards from MSH 35 to the ULL End Zone. Touchback. |
| +3 YD | 1 & 10 - UL 25 (4:04 - 1st) Z.Perry rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by MSH at ULL 28. |
| +4 YD | 2 & 7 - UL 28 (3:31 - 1st) C.Fields rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by MSH at ULL 32. |
| +1 YD | 3 & 3 - UL 32 (3:02 - 1st) Z.Perry rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by MSH at ULL 33. |
| Punt | 4 & 2 - UL 33 (2:23 - 1st) N.Torney punts 44 yards to MSH 23 Center-C.Milliron. Fair catch by C.Montgomery. |