3 takeaways from Marshall football win over UConn in Myrtle Beach Bowl

Marshall football ended its season on a high note after a 28-14 win over UConn in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and here are three takeaways. 

The Myrtle Beach Bowl offered an interesting matchup between Marshall Football and UConn — two teams trending up — but it was clear that one program is still farther along.

At least it looked that way on Monday as the Marshall Thundering Herd rolled on their way to a 28-14 victory which clinched a bowl win and a nine-win season.

Here are three takeaways:

Marshall football is dominant on defense

We talked about this in our preview, but the running game was always going to decide this one and it did. The Thunder Herd was able to grind over 210 yards on 45 carries. Two running backs went over 90 yards including Rasheen Ali, a sophomore who ripped off a game-long 38-yard run.

However, the real difference in the outcome was the play of the Marshall football defense. UConn averaged 4.9 yards per attempt during the season on the ground but was limited to 3.8 and just 144 total yards in this one.

Marshall was able to make UConn be one-dimensional and it led to three interceptions by Zion Turner, who had the throw the ball a lot more (27 times) than the Huskies probably wanted him to.

Marshall should be pretty solid again in 2023

Head coach Charlie Huff led his team to a win over Notre Dame earlier this season and capping the season with a ninth win is impressive.

Marshall will lose starting running back Khalan Laborn, who had over 1,500 rushing yards this season but Ali will be back and he seems more than ready to take on the role.

Quarterback Cam Francher will need to develop during the offseason or the Herd could look to upgrade via the transfer portal but as long the Huff can keep the running game productive — a specialty of his — and the defense playing at a high level, this is a team to watch in the Sun Belt next season.

However, the transfer portal might be needed to add some depth as some of the top players on the defense will be graduating.

UConn is relevant again

The Huskies weren’t expected to win this game or even make a bowl game in 2022. They were one of the worst programs in college football prior to Jim Mora Jr.’s arrival and now, there is some actual momentum.

Zion Turner got a baptism by fire but it ended up working out and I’d expect the Huskies to continue to be active in the transfer portal as they were last offseason.

Jim Mora Jr. has always been able to recruit. He also had a solid eye for talent and thanks to him, the arrow is pointing up for the Huskies.