College Football

Marshall, WKU fight before game, then tally 91 points in wild first half

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:08 p.m. ET

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If you tuned in to No. 24 Marshall's game Friday against Western Kentucky, it was likely to see if the 11-0 Thundering Herd could stay undefeated and keep up their candidacy for the Group of 5 spot in a major bowl.

What you've been treated to instead is the season's most incredible offensive showcase. The Herd and Hilltoppers combined for a whopping 91 points in the first half, easily the highest total of the season and just three off the all-time record of 94.

Oh, and Western Kentucky was leading 49-42 at halftime, threatening Marshall's perfect season.

The Hilltoppers racked up 462 yards of total offense in the half, 310 through the air. The Thundering Herd talled 378 total, 246 through the air.

Here's the very busy scoring summary from the first half:

FIRST QUARTER

(12:15) -- WKU -- Brandon Doughty pass to the left to Tyler Higbee for 11 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 7-0.

(11:32) -- WKU -- Brandon Doughty pass to the right to Leon Allen for 17 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 14-0.

(9:10) -- MAR -- Rakeem Cato pass to the middle to Tommy Shuler for 26 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Justin Haig extra point is good. WKU leads 14-7.

(8:56) -- WKU -- Brandon Doughty pass to the right to Taywan Taylor for 75 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 21-7. You can see this play right here:

(7:20) -- MAR -- Rakeem Cato pass to the right to Hyleck Foster for 14 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Justin Haig extra point is good. WKU leads 21-14.

(4:35) -- WKU -- Brandon Doughty pass to the right to Tyler Higbee for 20 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 28-14.

(2:45) -- MAR -- Rakeem Cato pass to the left to Davonte Allen for 40 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Justin Haig extra point is good. WKU leads 28-21.

SECOND QUARTER

(13:22) -- WKU -- Leon Allen rush to the right for 10 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 35-21.

(10:43) -- WKU -- Brandon Doughty pass to the middle to Joel German for 9 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 42-21.

(8:10) -- MAR -- Rakeem Cato pass to the left to Eric Frohnapfel for 2 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Justin Haig extra point is good. WKU leads 42-28.

(7:30) -- MAR -- Steward Butler rush to the middle for 48 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Justin Haig extra point is good. WKU leads 42-35.

(2:20) -- WKU -- Brandon Doughty pass to the right to Tyler Higbee for 7 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Garrett Schwettman extra point is good. WKU leads 49-35.

(1:30) -- MAR -- Rakeem Cato pass to the left to Davonte Allen for 33 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Justin Haig extra point is good. WKU leads 49-42.

Turnovers are killing the Herd, as Cato also had three interceptions in the first half to go along with those five touchdowns.

The action calmed down significantly in the third quarter, as it took 14:02 to score the only points of that frame, with Marshall tying it on a 22-yard touchdown scamper from Steward Butler. Each team notched 10 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

In overtime, Marshall scored first to go up 66-59, but the Hilltoppers answered right back and went for two to win the game -- and got it. Final score: 67-66. The Thundering Herd drop to 11-1 on the season and almost assuredly won't get the Group of 5 nod to a Jan. 1 bowl.

This all came, by the way, after a pregame skirmish on the field between the two teams: