WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
June 21, 2005
MU COUNTDOWN
#10–Nov. 12. 2002: Five's alive for Hill in 36–34 victory over Miami
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.
HUNTINGTON–Marshall quarterback Stan Hill made his first career start a memorable one, accounting for five touchdowns including the game–winning 1–yard TD run with five seconds left to lift Marshall to a 36–34 victory over rival Miami.
Hill's fireworks were somewhat of a dream for any quarterback. The sophomore was making his first career start against a hated rival on national television while substituting for an injured Heisman candidate.
Not only did Hill prove to be a worth backup quarterback, he seemed to be able to lead the team through adversity with the season on the line.
Miami held a 34–29 lead after reeling off 17 straight points in the second half. The RedHawks punted the ball back to the Thundering Herd with 1:39 left, leaving Hill to take the team 57 yards for a win.
Calmly, the sophomore completed three straight passes and then ran seven more yards to place Marshall at the Miami 16 with just under 40 seconds left.
Hill's next throw appeared to give Marshall the lead, but Darius Watts–already with three touchdown catches in the game–dropped the ball in the end zone to the chagrin of 28,000+ fans.
Faced with fourth down and season, Hill delivered a ball to Josh Davis that fell incomplete, but a yellow handkerchief donned on the green Astroturf…it was a pass interference call against Miami that gave Marshall first and goal from the 2–yard line.
Hill came back with another pass into the end zone with the same result: pass interference on Miami.
Time to set the mood! Imagine Miami's sideline going nuts due to the calls, 28,000 fans standing huddled together for warmth and comfort because the suspense was too much to bear and a quarterback in his first start not seeming to notice any of it.
After a timeout, Hill took the ball from center and appeared to want to lob the ball to Watts in the end zone. However, Miami had that shut down well and Hill stood frozen for a second as the crowd roared.
Hill then took the ball around the left side of his line, and dove toward the end zone. A Miami defender hit Hill as he spun sideways in the air. When Hill landed, he was on the "R" in the end zone being mobbed by teammates.
The unproven, unknown and virtually unannounced quarterback had gone from top clipboard carrier to the King of Huntington in a three–hour span.
The fireworks did not end there. After the 36–34 win, Marshall fans stormed the field to celebrate the accomplishments of their new best friend. One such fan–Robert Flaugher of Pickerington, OH–crossed paths with Miami coach John Wauford who sent him to the turf.
Wauford was led away in handcuffs while Flaugher was sent to the hospital with a concussion. Obviously, Wauford was not the only Miami coach upset. Miami coaches trashed the away team coaching boxes and alleged that Marshall had microphones in the visitor's locker room.
Wauford was later fired and Miami University was forced to pay for damages to the press box.
Marshall went on to the MAC Championship Game where Leftwich would match heroics with a 40–yard TD to Watts to give Marshall the 2002 MAC Title. Then, the Thundering Herd would cap the 11–2 season with a 38–15 victory in the GMAC Bowl over Louisville.
