Herd tramples Owls behind Foster's breakout game

By Trace Johnson

Sophomore Hyleck Foster showed signs Saturday of possibly becoming the next breakout star at running back for Marshall. 

The former wide receiver ran for 122 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown to lead the Herd (6-1, 3-0) on the ground in its 33-17 win at Florida Atlantic University Saturday in the team’s first Conference USA road game of the season.

Foster played in his first game at running back for Marshall while filling in for Devon Johnson and Remi Watson, the Herd’s top two running backs who both left the game with injury.  Foster was previously a standout running back in high school, but was recruited to Marshall as a wide receiver. 

           

Marshall got the ball to start the game and wasted little time finding the end zone when on the second play from scrimmage, Johnson broke free for a career-long 75-yard touchdown run to put the Herd in front 7-0 just 17 seconds into the game.  Johnson left the game after only three carries with an injury and did not return.    

            

FAU (1-5, 1-2) answered on its next possession with a 14-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off with a Greg Joseph 23-yard field goal to cut the Herd’s lead to 7-3 with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter. 

           

After an exchange of possessions, Marshall punter Tyler Williams pinned the Owls deep in their own end when his 54-yard punt was downed at the FAU 2-yard line. 

           

Marshall’s defense took full advantage when linebacker D.J. Hunter and defensive lineman Nyquan Harris combined to tackle FAU running back Jay Warren in the end zone for a safety to extend the Herd’s lead to 9-3 with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter. 

            

The Herd’s offense got the ball following the safety and on the first play of the second quarter, Watson found the end zone from 1 yard out to extend Marshall’s lead to 16-3 with 14:55 remaining in the second quarter.  Watson left the game in the third quarter with an injury and did not return. 

           

Following a defensive stand, Marshall’s offense went on a 17-play, 78-yard drive that took up 7:51 of game time.  But the drive ended in disaster when quarterback Chase Litton was intercepted by FAU cornerback Ocie Rose and he returned the interception 95-yards for a touchdown to cut the Herd’s lead to 16-10 with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter. 

            

The Herd’s offense responded with a 6-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by a Litton touchdown pass to wide receiver Davonte Allen from 22 yards out to extend Marshall’s lead to 23-10 with 2:05 remaining in the second quarter.  Marshall took its 23-10 lead into the locker room at halftime.

            

The Herd’s offense found the end zone in the third quarter in a big way when Foster broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run to extend Marshall’s lead to 30-10 with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter. 

           

FAU answered the Marshall touchdown quickly when running Trey Rodriquez found the end zone from 2 yards out to cut Marshall’s lead to 30-17 with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter. 

             

As the fourth quarter began, FAU’s offense was driving.  But on fourth-and-9 from the Marshall 20-yard line, quarterback Jason Driskel’s pass was intercepted by Marshall cornerback Rodney Allen to set the Herd’s offense up at its own 25-yard line. 

            

The Herd’s offense followed with an 11-play, 59-yard drive that was capped off by a Nick Smith 33-yard field goal to extend Marshall’s lead to 33-17 with 9:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.  After a defensive stand, Marshall’s offense ran out the final 8:07 of game time to secure the Herd’s 33-17 victory over FAU. 

           

Johnson finished with three carries for 83 yards and one touchdown, Watson finished with 11 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown and true freshman Keion Davis finished with 11 carries for 59 yards to help pace the Herd on the ground.   Marshall had season highs in total yards and rushing yards with 500 and 326 respectively. 

           

Litton completed 17 of 28 passes for 174 yards with one touchdown and one interception.  Deandre Reaves led all Marshall wide receivers with seven catches for 55 yards.  Safety Tiquan Lang led the Herd in tackles with 10. 

           

With the injury issues of Johnson, Watson and fellow running back Tony Pittman, Foster looks to get more reps at the running back position in the coming weeks. 

            

Marshall returns to action Saturday against the North Texas Mean Green for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Joan C. Edwards Stadium for homecoming.