HUNTINGTON, West Virginia - Central Florida's first
taste of conference play was bittersweet.
Byron Leftwich threw two touchdowns to Josh Davis and Brandon
Carey rushed for a season-high 142 yards as Marshall held on for
a 26-21 victory over Central Florida in the Mid-American
Conference opener for both teams.
The Golden Knights are the newest member of the MAC after 23
years of non-conference play. They had the daunting task of
beginning the program's new era against Marshall, which has won
four of the last five league titles.
Byron Leftwich completed 28-of-49 passes for 340 yards and overcame
two interceptions as the Herd totaled 511 yards. His favorite
target was Josh Davis, who caught six passes for 87 yards, including
TDs of 18 and 36 yards.
Brandon Carey, who had just 40 yards rushing in the first two games of
the season, carried 28 times as the Herd won their 10th
consecutive conference opener.
Brandon Carey gave Marshall (2-1) the lead for good at 17-14 with a
one-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter.
Curtis Head kicked a 22-yard field goal late in the first half
and Byron Leftwich threw his second TD pass to Josh Davis seven minutes
into the third quarter for a 26-14 lead.
Central Florida's Ryan Schneider capped a 67-yard drive with a
19-yard pass to Alex Haynes 98 seconds into the fourth quarter.
But the Golden Knights were unable to draw closer in the final
13 minutes.
Central Florida (0-3) was forced to punt on consecutive
possessions before Schneider threw interceptions on the final
two drives.
The Golden Knights had the ball at the Marshall 47 with two
minutes left when Terrence Tarpley intercepted Schneider's final
pass to seal the outcome.
Schneider was 17-of-34 for 269 yards and two touchdowns for the
Golden Knights, who committed three turnovers. Alex Haynes ran
26 times for 131 yards and a score for UCF.
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