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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1997
| team = Marshall Thundering Herd
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = [[Mid-American Conference]]
| division = East Division
| short_conf = MAC
| record = 10–3
| conf_record = 7–1
| head_coach = [[Bob Pruett]]
| hc_year = 2nd
| cooff_coach1 = [[Gunter Brewer]]
| cooc1_year = 2nd
| cooff_coach2 = Tim Nunez
| cooc2_year = 1st
| off_scheme =
| def_coach = [[Kevin Kelly (American football coach)|Kevin Kelly]]
| dc_year = 2nd
| def_scheme =
| captain = [[John Wade (American football)|John Wade]]
| captain2 = Brian Reed
| captain3 = [[Chad Pennington]]
| captain4 = Thomas Maxwell
| captain5 = [[B. J. Cohen]]
| captain6 = Larry McCloud
| stadium = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall University Stadium]]
| champion = MAC champion MAC East Division champion
| conf_champ = [[1997 MAC Championship Game|MAC Championship Game]]
| conf_champ_result = W 34–14 vs. [[1997 Toledo Rockets football team|Toledo]]
| bowl = [[1997 Motor City Bowl|Motor City Bowl]]
| bowl_result = L 31–34 vs. [[1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss]]
}}
{{1997 Mid-American Conference football standings}}

The '''1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team''' represented [[Marshall University]] as a member of the East Division of the [[Mid-American Conference]] (MAC) during the [[1997 NCAA Division I-A football season]]. Led by second-year head coach [[Bob Pruett]], the Thundering Herd compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, winning the MAC's East Division title. Marshall beat [[1997 Toledo Rockets football team|Toledo]] in [[1997 MAC Championship Game|MAC Championship Game]] to win the conference championship and then lost to [[1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss]] in the [[1997 Motor City Bowl|Motor City Bowl]].

After winning the [[Southern Conference]] (SoCon) tile and the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship]] in 1996, Marshall returned to [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|NCAA Division I-A]] play for the first time since 1981 and the MAC for the time since 1968. The Thundering Herd played home games at [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall University Stadium]] in [[Huntington, West Virginia]].

Wide receiver [[Randy Moss]] and quarterback [[Chad Pennington]] were the centerpiece of an explosive offense. Moss caught 26 touchdown passes, at the time an NCAA Division I-A record, and was a unanimous first-team [[1997 College Football All-America Team|All-American]].<ref name="classic">{{cite web |title=Moves, Emotions Have Moss Causin' a Commotion|first=Bob|last=Carter|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Moss_Randy.html|work=[[ESPN]]|access-date=February 22, 2007}}</ref> For the season, Moss had 96 receptions for 1,820 yards, won the [[Fred Biletnikoff Award]] as the nation's best wide receiver, and was a finalist for the [[Heisman Trophy]], finishing fourth in the balloting, behind [[Ryan Leaf]], [[Peyton Manning]], and [[Charles Woodson]], who won the award. Moss left Marshall with 168 receptions for 3,467 yards and a school record 53 touchdowns in two seasons.

The Herd became only the second team to win a conference championship in its first NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) season, following the [[1992 Nevada Wolf Pack football team]] that won the [[Big West Conference]]. The feat was not repeated until 2014, when [[2014 Georgia Southern Eagles football team|Georgia Southern]] won the [[Sun Belt Conference]] title.

==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 1997
| poll = AP
| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = August 30
| time = 12:00 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = [[1997 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
| site_stadium = [[Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| gamename = [[Friends of Coal Bowl]]
| tv = [[ESPN Events|ESPN Plus]]
| score = 31–42
| attend = 65,492
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-west-virginia-su/152135021/|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|title=West Virginia survives rally by Marshall|date=August 31, 1997|accessdate=July 27, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 6
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = [[1997 Army Cadets football team|Army]]
| site_stadium = [[Michie Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[West Point, New York|West Point, NY]]
| tv =
| score = 35–25
| attend = 30,358
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 13
| time = 3:30 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = [[1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football team|Kent State]]
| site_stadium = [[Dix Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Kent, Ohio|Kent, OH]]
| tv =
| score = 42–17
| attend = 11,021
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 20
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[1997 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team|Western Illinois]]
| site_stadium = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall University Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| tv = [[WSAZ-TV|WSAZ]]
| score = 48–7
| attend = 26,724
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 27
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = [[1997 Ball State Cardinals football team|Ball State]]
| site_stadium = [[Scheumann Stadium|Ball State Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Muncie, Indiana|Muncie, IN]]
| tv = [[WVAH-TV|WVAH]]
| score = 42–16
| attend = 20,415
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 11
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1997 Akron Zips football team|Akron]]
| site_stadium = Marshall University Stadium
| site_cityst = Huntington, WV
| tv =
| score = 52–17
| attend = 26,642
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18
| time = 2:00 pm
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = [[1997 Miami RedHawks football team|Miami (OH)]]
| site_stadium = [[Yager Stadium (Miami University)|Yager Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Oxford, Ohio|Oxford, OH]]
| tv = WSAZ
| score = 21–45
| attend = 29,027
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 25
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1997 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team|Eastern Michigan]]
| site_stadium = Marshall University Stadium
| site_cityst = Huntington, WV
| tv =
| score = 48–25
| attend = 21,474
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 1
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = [[1997 Central Michigan Chippewas football team|Central Michigan]]
| site_stadium = [[Kelly/Shorts Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan|Mount Pleasant, MI]]
| tv = WSAZ
| score = 45–17
| attend = 15,324
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 8
| time = 3:30 pm
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| opponent = [[1997 Bowling Green Falcons football team|Bowling Green]]
| site_stadium = Marshall University Stadium
| site_cityst = Huntington, WV
| tv = WSAZ
| score = 28–0
| attend = 23,509
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 15
| time = 3:30 pm
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1997 Ohio Bobcats football team|Ohio]]
| site_stadium = Marshall University Stadium
| site_cityst = Huntington, WV
| gamename = [[Battle for the Bell (Marshall–Ohio)|Battle for the Bell]]
| tv =
| score = 27–0
| attend = 32,012
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 5
| time = 7:30 pm
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1997 Toledo Rockets football team|Toledo]]
| site_stadium = Marshall University Stadium
| site_cityst = Huntington, WV
| gamename = [[1997 MAC Championship Game|MAC Championship Game]]
| tv = [[ESPN2]]
| score = 34–14
| attend = 28,021
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 26
| time = 8:00 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| opponent = [[1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss]]
| site_stadium = [[Silverdome|Pontiac Silverdome]]
| site_cityst = [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac, MI]]
| gamename = [[1997 Motor City Bowl|Motor City Bowl]]
| tv = [[ESPN College Football|ESPN]]
| score = 31–34
| attend = 43,340
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-new-bowl-ole-miss/152115592/|work=Detroit Free Press|title=New bowl, Ole Miss|date=December 27, 1997|accessdate=July 27, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
}}
}}

==Game summaries==
===At West Virginia===
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Thundering Herd
| V1=3 |V2=7 |V3=21 |V4=0
| Host = '''Mountaineers'''
| H1=21 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=14
| Date = August 30
| Location = [[Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]] [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| StartTime = 12:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 65,492
| Weather = {{convert|70|F}}, Partly Cloudy and Mild, Wind NW {{convert|4|mph|abbr=on}}
| Referee = Jim Maconaghy
| TVAnnouncers = [[John Sanders (sportscaster)|John Sanders]] and [[Jeff Bostic]]
| TVStation = [[ESPN Events|ESPN+]]
}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=4 |Time=12:30 |Team=WVU |Event=Gary Thompkins 7-yard blocked punt return (Jay Taylor kick) |Score=WVU 7–0 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=6:04 |Team=WVU |Event=Amos Zereoué 10-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) |Score=WVU 14–0 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=2:24 |Team=MAR |Event=Billy Malashevich 25-yard field goal |Score=WVU 14–3}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=0:02 |Team=WVU |Event=Amos Zereoué 52-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) |Score=WVU 21–3 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=10:51 |Team=WVU |Event=Curtis Keaton 11-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) |Score=WVU 28–3 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=3:34 |Team=MAR |Event=LaVorn Colclough 24-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=WVU 28–10 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=13:08 |Team=MAR |Event=Randy Moss 15-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=WVU 28–17 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=9:24 |Team=MAR |Event=Llow Turner 53-yard run (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=WVU 28–24 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=0:35 |Team=MAR |Event=Randy Moss 25-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 31–28 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=11:07 |Team=WVU |Event=Chad Wable 15-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jay Taylor kick) |Score=WVU 35–31 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=7:56 |Team=WVU |Event=Amos Zereoué 1-yard run (Jay Taylor kick) |Score='''WVU 42–31''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

{{see also|1997 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|Friends of Coal Bowl}}

After trailing 28–3, the Thundering Herd scored 28 straight to take a 31–28 lead into the 4th quarter. West Virginia responded with two fourth quarter touchdowns to win this much anticipated season opener, 42–31. Randy Moss had seven receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Of His Game |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-20-sp-24122-story.html |date=August 20, 1997 |access-date=January 3, 2019 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cut Off From The Herd Randy Moss, The Most Gifted Player In College Football, Is Leading The Revival Of A Marshall Program Still Haunted By A Devastating 1970 Plane Crash |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1997/08/25/8116465/cut-off-from-the-herd-randy-moss-the-most-gifted-player-in-college-football-is-leading-the-revival-of-a-marshall-program-still-haunted-by-a-devastating-1970-plane-crash-but-moss-cares-little-about-the-thundering-herds-past--and |date=August 25, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=Marshall Makes It Close |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-31-sp-27756-story.html |date=August 31, 1997 |access-date=January 3, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===At Army===
{{see also|1997 Army Cadets football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = '''Thundering Herd'''
| V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=14 |V4=7
| Host = Cadets
| H1=0 |H2=12 |H3=6 |H4=7
| Date = September 6
| Location = [[Michie Stadium]] [[West Point, New York|West Point, NY]]
| StartTime = 1:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 30,358
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=1 |Time=8:09 |Team=MAR |Event=Randy Moss 90-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 7–0 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=14:22 |Team=MAR |Event=LaVorn Coclough 36-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 14–0 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=8:24 |Team=ARMY |Event=Joe Hewitt 7-yard run (kick failed) |Score=MAR 14–6 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=0:18 |Team=ARMY |Event=Ty Amey 2-yard run (conversion failed) |Score=MAR 14–12 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=14:41 |Team=MAR |Event=Randy Moss 79-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 21–12 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=10:37 |Team=MAR |Event=Ricky Hall 43-yard fumble return (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 28–12 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=4:23 |Team=ARMY |Event=Ty Amey 1-yard run (conversion failed) |Score=MAR 28–19 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=11:07 |Team=MAR |Event=Javonne Darling 3-yard run (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 35–19 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=4:23 |Team=ARMY |Event=Johnny Goff 7-yard run (Eric Olsen kick) |Score='''MAR 35–25''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had five receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 90-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army Gets Thumped by Moss and His Teammates |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/sports/army-gets-thumped-by-moss-and-his-teammates.html |date=September 7, 1997 |access-date=January 3, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Marshall Rolls As Army Can't Gather Moss |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/09/07/marshall-rolls-as-army-cant-gather-moss/eec96cf6-3623-47f0-bea7-cb4374875672/ |date=September 7, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===At Kent State===
{{see also|1997 Kent State Golden Flashes football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = '''Thundering Herd'''
| V1=14 |V2=7 |V3=14 |V4=7
| Host = Golden Flashes
| H1=0 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=7
| Date = September 13
| Location = [[Dix Stadium]] [[Kent, Ohio|Kent, OH]]
| StartTime = 3:30 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 11,021
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss hauled in 8 receptions for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns.

{{Clear}}

===Western Illinois===
{{see also|Western Illinois Leathernecks football}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Leathernecks
| V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=0
| Host = '''Thundering Herd'''
| H1=14 |H2=0 |H3=20 |H4=14
| Date = September 20
| Location = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall Stadium]] [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| StartTime = 7:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 26,724
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had 5 receptions for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns.<ref>{{cite news |title=Western Illinois-Marshall Game Provides A Variety Of Attractions |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-19-9709190219-story.html |date=September 19, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gallery: Marshall vs. Western Illinois, Sept. 20, 1997 |newspaper=[[The Herald-Dispatch]] |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/photos_marshall_sports/gallery-marshall-vs-western-illinois-sept/article_68c159a5-4e02-5c7a-a679-4d33ff66fca4.html |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===At Ball State===
{{see also|1997 Ball State Cardinals football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = '''Thundering Herd'''
| V1=14 |V2=10 |V3=14 |V4=7
| Host = Cardinals
| H1=3 |H2=13 |H3=0 |H4=0
| Date = September 27
| Location = [[Scheumann Stadium|Ball State Stadium]] [[Muncie, Indiana|Muncie, IN]]
| StartTime = 1:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 20,415
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss caught 13 passes for 205 yards and a [[Marshall Thundering Herd football statistical leaders#Receiving touchdowns|school-record 5 touchdowns]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A High Five for Moss in Marshall Win |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-28-sp-37254-story.html |date=September 28, 1997 |access-date=January 3, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===Akron===
{{see also|1997 Akron Zips football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Zips
| V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=3 |V4=0
| Host = '''Thundering Herd'''
| H1=28 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=14
| Date = October 11
| Location = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall Stadium]] [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| StartTime = 7:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 26,642
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had 6 receptions for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns.

{{Clear}}

===At Miami (OH)===
{{see also|1997 Miami RedHawks football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Thundering Herd
| V1=7 |V2=14 |V3=0 |V4=0
| Host = '''RedHawks'''
| H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=24
| Date = October 18
| Location = [[Yager Stadium (Miami University)|Yager Stadium]] [[Oxford, Ohio|Oxford, OH]]
| StartTime = 2:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 29,027
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had 10 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown.

{{Clear}}

===Eastern Michigan===
{{see also|1997 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Eagles
| V1=3 |V2=7 |V3=15 |V4=0
| Host = '''Thundering Herd'''
| H1=14 |H2=7 |H3=13 |H4=14
| Date = October 25
| Location = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall Stadium]] [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| StartTime = 7:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EDT
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 21,474
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had 8 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.

{{Clear}}

===At Central Michigan===
{{see also|1997 Central Michigan Chippewas football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = '''Thundering Herd'''
| V1=20 |V2=6 |V3=12 |V4=7
| Host = Chippewas
| H1=7 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=7
| Date = November 1
| Location = [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan|Mount Pleasant, MI]]
| StartTime = 1:00 p.m.
| TimeZone = EST
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 15,324
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had 7 receptions for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns.

{{Clear}}

===Bowling Green===
{{see also|1997 Bowling Green Falcons football team}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Falcons
| V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0
| Host = '''Thundering Herd'''
| H1=14 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=0
| Date = November 8
| Location = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall Stadium]] [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| StartTime = 3:30 p.m.
| TimeZone = EST
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 23,509
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had 7 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown.

{{Clear}}

===Ohio===
{{see also|1997 Ohio Bobcats football team|Battle for the Bell (Marshall–Ohio)}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Bobcats
| V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0
| Host = '''Thundering Herd'''
| H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=13
| Date = November 15
| Location = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall Stadium]] [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| StartTime = 3:30 p.m.
| TimeZone = EST
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 32,012
| Weather =
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had seven receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
<ref>{{cite news |title=Marshall Thrashes Ohio U. For Title |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/16/marshall-thrashes-ohio-u-for-title/d8045d96-937e-48c2-a319-f96d3581e1c3/ |date=November 16, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===Toledo (MAC Championship game)===
{{see also|1997 Toledo Rockets football team|1997 MAC Championship Game}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = Rockets
| V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=7
| Host = '''Thundering Herd'''
| H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=14 |H4=17
| Date = December 5
| Location = [[Joan C. Edwards Stadium|Marshall Stadium]] [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington, WV]]
| StartTime = 7:30 p.m.
| TimeZone = EST
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 28,021
| Weather = Snow
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers =
| TVStation = [[ESPN2]]
}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1 |Time=10:51 |Team=Marshall |Event=Billy Malashevich 22-yard field goal |Score=Marshall 3–0 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time=13:16 |Team=Toledo |Event=Ray Curry 56-yard pass from Chris Wallace (Chris Merrick kick) |Score=Toledo 7–3 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=6:46 |Team=Marshall |Event=Randy Moss 4-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Malashevich kick) |Score=Marshall 10–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=3:48 |Team=Marshall |Event=Randy Moss 86-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Malashevich kick) |Score=Marshall 17–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=4 |Time=10:42 |Team=Marshall |Event=Billy Malashevich 25-yard field goal |Score=Marshall 20–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=7:01 |Team=Marshall |Event=Randy Moss 20-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Malashevich kick) |Score=Marshall 27–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=6:24 |Team=Marshall |Event=Doug Chapman 5-yard run (Malashevich kick) |Score=Marshall 34–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=3:02 |Team=Toledo |Event=Mel Long 33-yard pass from Chris Wallace (Merrick kick) |Score='''Marshall 34–14'''|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Randy Moss had seven receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Best Campaign For the Heisman Is . . . |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/21/sports/on-college-football-the-best-campaign-for-the-heisman-is.html |date=November 21, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 |first=William C. |last=Rhoden }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=Moss Herds Thundering Marshall Return |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-23-sp-56764-story.html |date=November 23, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=Moss Sets Touchdown Record as Marshall Beats Toledo, 34-14 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-06-sp-61349-story.html |date=December 6, 1997 |access-date=January 3, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===Vs. Ole Miss (Motor City Bowl)===
{{see also|1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team|1997 Motor City Bowl}}
{{AFB game box start
| Title =
| Visitor = '''Rebels'''
| V1=7 |V2=0 |V3=14 |V4=13
| Host = Thundering Herd
| H1=10 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=14
| Date = December 26
| Location = [[Pontiac Silverdome]] [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac, MI]]
| StartTime =
| TimeZone =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance = 43,430
| Weather = Indoors
| Referee =
| TVAnnouncers = [[Jerry Punch]] and [[Mike Gottfried]]
| TVStation = [[ESPN]]
}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=14:36 |Team=MISS |Event=John Avery 1-yard run (Lindsey kick) |Score=MISS 7–0 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=14:19 |Team=MAR |Event=Randy Moss 80-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=Tied 7–7 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=0:22 |Team=MAR |Event=Billy Malashevich 36-yard field goal |Score=MAR 10–7 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time=9:04 |Team=MAR |Event=LaVorn Colclough 19-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Bill Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 17–7 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=11:46 |Team=MISS |Event=Andre Rone 13-yard pass from Stewart Patridge (Lindsey kick) |Score=MAR 17–14 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=6:00 |Team=MISS |Event=Deuce McAllister 20-yard pass from Stewart Patridge (Lindsey kick) |Score=MISS 21–17 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=4 |Time=10:12 |Team=MAR |Event=Doug Chapman 6-yard pass from Chad Pennington (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 24–21 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=5:39 |Team=MISS |Event=Grant Heard 19-yard pass from Stewart Patridge (kick failed) |Score=MISS 27–24 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=2:57 |Team=MAR |Event=Doug Chapman 9-yard run (Billy Malashevich kick) |Score=MAR 31–27 }}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Time=0:31 |Team=MISS |Event=Deuce McAllister 1-yard run (Lindsey kick) |Score='''MISS 34–31''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

Playing in its first bowl game since the [[1948 Tangerine Bowl]], Marshall lost a back-and-forth matchup with Ole Miss. Randy Moss had 6 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown, including an 80-yard bomb from Chad Pennington, in his final collegiate game.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Grand Marshall |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-14-sp-63887-story.html |date=December 14, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=N.C.A.A.: Football -- Motor City Bowl; Mississippi Captures Wild One |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/27/sports/ncaa-football-motor-city-bowl-mississippi-captures-wild-one.html |date=December 27, 1997 |access-date=January 3, 2019 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=Mississippi Tops Marshall In A Seesaw Battle, 34-31 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/27/mississippi-tops-marshall-in-a-seesaw-battle-34-31/563dfa29-0645-4618-a5b5-46a3852a81b6/ |date=December 27, 1997 |access-date=January 5, 2019 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Roster==
{{American football roster/Header
| year = 1997
| team = Marshall Thundering Herd
| teamcolors = f
| offensive_players =
{{American football roster/Player|num=22|class=So|first=Doug|last=Chapman|dab=Doug Chapman (American football)|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=18|class=Jr|first=LaVorn|last=Colclough|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=63|class=So|first=Mike|last=Guilliams|pos=OT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=So|first=Randy|last=Moss|pos=WR|link=y|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=So|first=Matthew|last=Harris|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=So|first=Chad|last=Pennington|pos=QB|link=y|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=52|class=Sr|first=Brian|last=Reed|pos=OG}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class= |first=Jamie|last=Rodgers|pos=OT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=65|class=Jr|first=Burt|last=Scarbrough|pos=OG}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=So|first=Jason|last=Starkey|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=So|first=Llow|last=Turner|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=66|class=Sr|first=John|last=Wade|dab=John Wade (American football)|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=87|class=Jr|first=John|last=White|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=2|class=Sr|first=Mark|last=Wicks|pos=WR}}
| defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=42|class=So|first=Rogers|last=Beckett|pos=FS|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=Sr|first=B. J.|last=Cohen|pos=DE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=4|class=So|first=John|last=Grace|dab=John Grace (Canadian football)|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=6|class=Jr|first=Ricky|last=Hall|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=Sr|first=Thomas|last=Maxwell|pos=ROV}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=28|class=Sr|first=Larry|last=McCloud|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=Sr|first=Larry|last=Moore|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=55|class=So|first=Andre|last=O'Neal|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=8|class=Sr|first=B. J.|last=Summers|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=58|class=Jr|first=Paul|last=Totten|pos=DE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=97|class=Jr|first=Joe|last=Zeglowitsch|pos=DT}}
| special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=41|class=Jr|first=Chris|last=Hanson|pos=P|link=y|dab=Chris Hanson (American football)}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Fr|first=J. R.|last=Jenkins|pos=K|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=49|class=So|first=Billy|last=Malashevich|pos=K}}

}}
{{American football roster/Footer
| head_coach = *[[Bob Pruett]]
| asst_coach =
| accessdate=
}}

==Awards and honors==
*'''[[Randy Moss]]''' – [[Fred Biletnikoff Award]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biletnikoffaward.com/ |title=Home |website=biletnikoffaward.com}}</ref> [[Heisman Trophy]] Finalist (4th in Voting), Unanimous [[1997 College Football All-America Team|First-Team All-American]], [[Mid-American Conference football individual awards|MAC Offensive Player of the Year]]

==Team players in the 1998 NFL draft==
{|class="wikitable"
|- align="center" style="background:green;color:#FFFFFF;"
| '''Player''' || '''Position''' || '''Round''' || '''Pick''' || '''Team'''
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
| [[Randy Moss]]|| Wide receiver ||1 ||21 || [[1998 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
| [[John Wade (American football)|John Wade]] ||Center||5 || 148 || [[1998 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]]
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|}
<ref>{{cite web |title=1998 NFL Draft |work=Pro Football Reference |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1998.htm |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221030108/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1998.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Marshall Thundering Herd football navbox}}
{{Mid-American Conference football champions}}

[[Category:1997 Mid-American Conference football season|Marshall]]
[[Category:Marshall Thundering Herd football seasons]]
[[Category:Mid-American Conference football champion seasons]]
[[Category:1997 in sports in West Virginia|Marshall Thundering Herd football]]

1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team - Revision history

imported>Jweiss11: bypass redir