Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton looks out to the crowd after scoring a touchdown during a Sun Belt Conference football game against Appalachian State, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton looks out to the crowd after scoring a touchdown during a Sun Belt Conference football game against Appalachian State, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON — It’s not yet classified as a one-hit wonder, but Marshall University quarterback Braylon Braxton’s debut start will be a tough number to follow.
In his second appearance of the season, Braxton tallied 269 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in a 52-37 win over Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon, a performance that helped him take home the Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the week award, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Braxton threw for three scores and 129 yards, spreading the ball around to seven different pass-catchers on just 14 attempts, but used his legs as his primary weapon, carrying 15 times for 140 yards and two scores, the sixth-highest single-game rushing total for a Thundering Herd quarterback.
It was his first start at Marshall after transferring from Tulsa. He played in the season opener but didn’t play in the following three games as Stone Earle led the offense.
Braxton’s appearance was a surprise to most, but not coach Charles Huff.
“I told you guys at the beginning of year I thought we had three capable quarterbacks,†Huff said. “I threw the curve ball today. Now we’ve got options.â€
HUNTINGTON — Marshall football coach Charles Huff didn't tip his pitches on Saturday afternoon, and his curveball was a killer.Â
“We had prepared for both because we knew they had two really good quarterbacks and both could run the football,†Clark said. “They have a great offensive scheme that allows them to do that and you have to have an extra hat in the box to try and stop them.â€
Braxton’s five touchdowns were supplemented by a touchdown from the Herd defense.
Braxton credited offensive coordinator Seth Doege for calling the game to his strengths on Saturday, even if the Air Raid offense looked a little more like Air Run.
“I think he does a great job,†Braxton said. “We talk about it all the time, sometimes I’m gonna make him right, sometimes he’s gonna make me right, so I feel like if when both of us are on our ‘A’ game and clicking it, we’re a tough duo to stop.â€
Doege’s style is one that Georgia Southern coach Clay Helton said is a unique challenge to prepare for because of the run and pass combination with personnel rotations.
“He’s created a sense a balance within the Air Raid offense by running the ball a little bit more than he is passing it right now,†Helton said. “It’s taking some pressure off two quarterbacks that have played really well for him this year, so going to be a unique challenge.â€
The two once coached on the same staff at Southern California but will stand on opposite sides of the field Saturday when the Herd travels to Statesboro, Georgia, for an 8 p.m. matchup to be televised on ESPNU.
Luke Creasy is a sports reporter for HD Media. He can be reached by phone at 304-526-2800.
