WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
June 26, 2005
MU COUNTDOWN
#5—Nov. 2, 2002: Leftwich Wins Over Nation in Loss to Zips at Akron
by Grant Traylor
Huntington News Network Sportswriter
As Marshall officially winds down the final ten days of being a member in
the Mid-American Conference, the talk has certainly shifted to Marshall
football in Conference USA.
But, before shutting the gates on the MAC career, HNN would like to take a
chance to look back at some of the great moments in Marshall football.
The following is one part of a 10-day series of the greatest football games
over Marshall’s eight years in the Mid-American Conference…from ashes to
glory and beyond.
Here’s a look at our #5 classic: Byron Leftwich’s triumph, even in a loss at
Akron.
Akron, Ohio—Any time Marshall lost a Mid-American Conference game, it was a
huge deal in the conference. However, Marshall’s 2002 trip to Akron was
greater loss than any Marshall had suffered in the MAC before.
Marshall was driving in the first half when quarterback Byron Leftwich
stepped into a throw. As he stepped into the throw, an Akron linebacker hit
the bottom part of his leg awkwardly, causing Leftwich to crumble in pain.
Akron was not exactly a football metropolis and it is safe to say that over
half of the fans in the Rubber Bowl that evening were Marshall fans. The
stadium fell silent as the Heisman hopeful lay writhing in pain on the
ground.
Not only did his Heisman chances hang in the balance; so did Marshall’s
season and the chance for a MAC title.
The game was already a struggle for Marshall as Akron grabbed a 7-0 lead on
a 98-yard fumble return by Rickey McKenzie.
Marshall took a 10-7 lead following a 2-yard touchdown by Franklin Wallace
and a 37-yard field goal by Curtis Head.
As the team was driving, Leftwich was hit and preliminary indications showed
that he would not return in the game.
Meanwhile, Akron was busy trying to make sure that Marshall’s ego was just
as injured as their quarterback.
The Zips scored 17 points in the second quarter to take a 24-10 lead at
halftime. While Marshall was busy trying to regroup from the second quarter
debacle, Leftwich was busy getting X-rays at the hospital.
Fans in green and white were awe-struck to see Leftwich stroll back onto the
field early in the third quarter after going to the hospital and returning
to play.
Leftwich came in and gave the team an instant lift and then, following a
long pass, his lineman gave him a lift by carrying him to the huddle because
he could not walk that far before the 25-second clock was used up.
Marshall could not overcome the deficit, but the image of total sacrifice
for the good of the team instantly won over fans nationally and caught the
attention of many coaches nationally.
The display also won Leftwich an ESPY award, giving him the distinction of
gutsiest on-field performance in the nation.
Even more, Leftwich missed only one game before leading the team to
victories against Ohio, Ball State, Toledo (MAC Championship game) and
Louisville (GMAC Bowl).
Leftwich threw for over 1,200 yards in the final four games, an impressive
statistic for any quarterback. He was doing it on one leg.
Marshall went 4-0 while Leftwich played injured beating Ohio (24-21), Ball
State (38-14), Toledo (49-45) and Louisville (38-15).
It was Leftwich coming back against Akron that sparked the cohesion of the
team to close out the 2002 season.
They say that sometimes when you lose, you win. Marshall might have lost
against Akron, but Leftwich definitely won over the nation with his gutsy
performance…Nov. 2, 2002.
