Marshall used a 21-point burst in the first quarter that included a two-hour-plus delay moments after its first score, then racked up 21 in a row to close the contest and spoil homecoming for Middle Tennessee, 42-28, Saturday night at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The three-touchdown outburst in the fourth showcased quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson at quarterback. He threw four scoring passes and ran for one to spark the comeback win as the Thundering Herd trailed 28-21 going to the fourth.
Marshall is 2-2 and it's the first road win for new coach Tony Gibson. Marshall ends a two-game losing streak at Middle Tennessee and now leads the overall series 7-5. The Blue Raiders are 1-3.
Del Rio-Wilson, a transfer from Syracuse who made his debut as starter in a win over Eastern Kentucky last week. On Saturday, he completed 18-of-22 passes for 261 yards and the four scores to go with his rushing TD. Michael Allen led the Herd with 90 rushing yards and Demarcus Lacey caught five passes for 116 yards.
Marshall had 449 total yards. While the Herd scored three times in the fourth, the Blue Raiders came up empty.
Middle Tennessee quarterback Nick Vittiato completed 19-of-32 passes for 299 yards, two scores and one interception. The Blue Raiders totaled 373 yards, but Marshall held the host to just 25 yards in the fourth period.
In the third quarter, Middle Tennessee got the only points on a 67-yard drive. The Herd punted, and after a hold call on the home team, the Blue Raiders started at their 33. Vittiato threw for 26 yards to Amorion Walker on first down. He later hit Jekail Middlebrook a 20-yard gain down to the 3. Vittiato would score on a 3-yard run and then find Hunter Tipton a pass for two and 28-21 lead.
Marshall would respond and get help from Middle Tennessee as a personal foul on a punt and pass interference in the end zone got the Herd to the 2 as the period ended. Del Rio-Wilson tossed a 4-yard TD pass to tight end Toby Payne for the tying score with 14:54 left to play. Marshall marched 65 yards total to get the equalizer.
In the fourth, Del Rio-Wilson found De'Andre Tamarez for a 24-yard score to go ahead 35-28. He earlier hit Tamarez for a 20-yard gain to keep the drive alive.
After a punt by the Blue Raiders, Del Rio-Wilson found Lacey for a 21-yard strike on the left sideline. After a review, the play stood as Lacey did get a foot down. Antwan Roberts would run 21 yards to the home team 24. Allen got the last 11 for the clinching TD and 42-28 lead.
In the first quarter, teams had to wait out a 2-hour plus lightning delay. Before the delay, Del Rio-Wilson moved Marshall to a score. He hit Payne for 19 yards to the Blue Raiders' 6, then found Payne for a 3-yard TD.
The delay came moments later. After the break, the fireworks began. The Blue Raiders needed just two plays to go 75 yards. Middlebrook ran for 72 yards and Vattiato found Nahjzae for 3 yards and score.
On its next possession, Demarcus Lacey took a short pass from Del Rio-Wilson and sprinted 68 yards for the score with just over a minute left in the quarter.
Middle Tennessee game right back. Ricky Hunt Jr. caught a 34-yard pass and then Amorion Walker hauled in a 41-yard strike from Vattiato for the tying score with 6:03 left in the quarter.
Marshall's offense came right back. Demarcus Lacey picked up 32 yards on a jet sweep. Del Rio-Wilson hooked up with Payne for 21 yards and first-and-goal at the 10. Del Rio-Wilson capped the drive with 2-yard run and 21-14 lead. The Herd had 204 total yards to 168 for the Blue Raiders.
Scoring slowed in the second quarter. The Blue Raiders cut the deficit to 21-17 with 9:32 left in the quarter on a career-long 50-yard field goal by Jacob Hathaway.
A fumble by the Herd's Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw on a reverse attempt got scooped up by the home team. Vittiato passed the Blue Raiders down to the visitor's 3, but the second hold call negated a big play and eventually Middle Tennessee settled on a 38-yard field goal by Hathaway to get with 21-20 at 1:37. Hathaway had one field goal for his career entering the game.
Marshall would punt on its next possession and Nathan Totten's punt carried 58 yards and the half finally ended.
In the first half, Middle Tennessee rolled up 282 yards to 252 for the Herd. Vittiato completed 13-of-18 passes for 208 yards, two scores and one pick.
Del Rio-Wilson, making his second career start, hit on 10-of-13 passes for 167 yards and two scores.
Marvae Myers, a cornerback who played for Middle Tennessee last season and made 10 starts, is now at Marshall.