Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
5-3 , 2-2
Old Dominion
2-7 , 1-5
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 17 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 36 |
| Old Dominion | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
10/31/2026 5:41:00 PM | Football
Herd defense, special teams haunts Homecoming on Halloween for Monarchs
Box Score | Coach Gibson Post-Game Presser - ODU | Players Post-Game - ODU
NORFOLK, Va. – Marshall kicker Jorge Diaz Nicolas had a Marshall-record five field goals and Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw scored on a 100-yard Kick-Six to end the first half in a wild 36-23 victory at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Va., on Saturday.
With the win, Marshall moves to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Sun Belt Conference play. The Herd is also now 11-1 all-time against Old Dominion.
"I'm excited about the way we played early, especially defensively," Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said. "We set the tone with a big turnover and turned it into points right away - that was great to see – and obviously how we finished the game. Takeaways are a big part of today, so pleased with our defense and special teams."
Marshall got production from all three units with a record-setting special teams day and four takeaways on the defensive side of the football that helped lead to the victory.
The special teams performance was one of the tops in Marshall history with Nicolas becoming the first Marshall player in history with five field goals in a game and Turner-Bradshaw scoring one of the most unique touchdowns possible – a 100-yard missed FG kick return for a touchdown.
Turner-Bradshaw's official 100-yard return of an ODU field goal attempt ended the first half with momentum for the Herd. Instead of going into the locker room with a one-score or 10-point lead, Marshall took a 27-10 lead into the break and never looked back.
It was the first-ever return of a missed field goal attempt in Marshall history and only the fifth 100-yard touchdown scored in program history (2 kickoff returns in 1977 and 2010; 2 INT returns in 1991 and 1994).
"Plays like that rarely happen, but we work on it every Thursday," Turner-Bradshaw said. "it was great to see it translate to the game."
Diaz Nicolas' record-setting day consisted of field goals from 35, 30, 34, 30 and 24 yards as he consistently punctuated drives to keep producing points for the Herd.
"Every opportunity that my offense gives me, I'm ready to go," Diaz Nicolas said. "Part of those five field goals is on them for putting me into position to perform."
Marshall's defense also produced a banner day with three interceptions and fumble to its credit as the Herd won the turnover battle for the second-straight game.
Marshall defensive lineman Kenyatta Hardge was a big factor on the defensive side, finishing with seven tackles, including two sacks, and a forced fumble that led to the Herd's first score of the game.
Defensive back Charles McCartherens also played a large part in producing turnovers, intercepting a pass in the end zone to end an ODU drive while breaking up a pass that ended up in the arms of Marshall's Caleb Clark-Glover for another interception.
Safety Daytione Smith also added a fourth-quarter interception that helped seal the win for the Herd.
Marshall got the day off to a strong start as Hardge forced a fumble on the second play for ODU that Cannon Lewis recovered at the ODU 26.
Four plays later, Marshall running back T.J. Lester scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. It was the first of two first quarter touchdowns for Lester as the Herd jumped out to a 14-0 lead following his 49-yard burst off the left side of the line.
Lester and Judah Price led a balanced rushing attack that produced 196 yards on the ground in the win. Price ended as the leading rusher with 82 yards while Lester added 76 yards and the two scores.
The Herd ends its two-game road swing at 3:30 p.m. next Saturday at Georgia Southern.
For all the latest information about Marshall Football, follow @HerdFB on X and @Herd_FB on Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
---HerdZone.com---
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
MU 7, ODU 0
MU - Lester,TJ 4 yd run (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick), 4 plays, 26 yards, TOP 01:37
MU 14, ODU 0
MU - Lester,TJ 49 yd run (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick), 1 plays, 49 yards, TOP 00:08
MU 14, ODU 7
ODU - James,Maurki 6 yd run (Nelms,Andrew kick), 5 plays, 77 yards, TOP 02:23
MU 17, ODU 7
MU - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 35 yd field goal 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 02:47
MU 17, ODU 10
ODU - Nelms,Andrew 21 yd field goal 8 plays, 64 yards, TOP 03:48
MU 20, ODU 10
MU - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 30 yd field goal 12 plays, 78 yards, TOP 04:27
MU 27, ODU 10
MU - Turner-Bradshaw,Xayvion 100 yd blocked field goal return (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick)
MU 27, ODU 17
ODU - Crutchfield,Brandon 44 yd interception (Nelms,Andrew kick)
MU 30, ODU 17
MU - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 34 yd field goal 5 plays, 15 yards, TOP 02:20
MU 33, ODU 17
MU - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 30 yd field goal 13 plays, 68 yards, TOP 06:33
MU 36, ODU 17
MU - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 24 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 02:13
MU 36, ODU 23
ODU - James,Maurki 14 yd run (), 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 01:50
