MAVS SLAY DRAGONS 42-28 TO CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH

PHOTO CREDIT TO GEOFF MCKAY

Nacogdoches entered Maverick Stadium Friday night on a five game winning streak and sitting at (6-1) on the season.  Marshall was celebrating their homecoming festivities, looking to extend their Hoco winning streak to 40 consecutive.

Marshall opened the game with an impressive 71 yard drive that was capped off with a 15 yard run by Ashtin Sparks to give the Mavs a 7-0 lead with 9:52 showing in the first stanza.

Nacogdoches would then gift the Mavs a fumble that linebacker Da'Vaughn Tucker would scoop and score 32 yards for a quick 14-0 lead with 8:19 left in the opening quarter.

Nac then put together an impressive drive of their own that put them on the Marshall 11 yard line, but the Mav defense held on fourth down to preserve the 14-0 lead.

The Dragons put together another long drive of 69 yards but again were turned away by the Mav defense at the Marshall 15 yard line.

Marshall's offense went into hibernation after the game's opening dive with three straight possessions that ended in punts.

Nac was finally able to take advantage of Marshall's offensive slumber just before halftime when they needed only 45 yards to find the endzone to cut the Maverick lead to 14-7 with only 19 seconds left before halftime.

The Dragons retained the momentum to open the third quarter with a 61 yard drive that tied the game at 14-14 with 8:46 left in the third.

That's when the Maverick offense woke up and the wheels fell off for Nac.

Mav strong safety Justin Murry stepped in front of a pass and took the pick six 44 yards for the score and a 21-14 Marshall lead with 5:20 left in the third stanza.

QB Alton Henderson then hit WR Jamarion Sparks for a perfect 41 yard pass to open the fourth quarter to increase the Marshall lead to 28-14 with 11:54 left in the game.

Free Safety Monta Haynes ended another Nac threat with a huge interception at the Mav 20 to stop the Dragon march.

Marshall took advantage of the Nac miscue and drove 80 yards to take a 35-14 lead on a spectacular 32 yard run by Henderson.

In a completely bizarre turn of events Marshall's ensuing kickoff was from NAC's 30 yard line thanks to a pair of unsportsmanlike penalties on the Dragons.  The Mavs then recovered the squib kick at the Nac 15.

Marshall would score again thanks to the short field to take a commanding 42-14 lead,

Nacogdoches tacked on a pair of late scores to make the final 42-28.

Marshall finished with 307 total yards.  251 on the ground and 56 through the air.

Nacogdoches had 385 total yards.  274 through the air and 111 on the ground.

Marshall improves to (6-2) (3-1) while Nac falls to (6-2) (3-1). 

Both teams have clinched playoff berths and are battling for a home playoff game.