The 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by second-year head coach Bob Pruett, the Thundering Herd compiled an overall record of 10-3 with a mark of 7-1 in conference play, winning the MAC's East Division title. After winning the Southern Conference (SoCon) title and the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship in 1996, Marshall returned to NCAA Division I-A play for the first time since 1981 and the MAC for the time since 1968.
The centerpiece of an explosive offense was wide receiver Randy Moss and quarterback Chad Pennington.
Randy Moss, wide receiver for the Marshall Thundering Herd
Randy Moss: A Record-Breaking Season
Moss caught 26 touchdown passes, at the time an NCAA Division I-A record, and was a unanimous first-team All-American. For the season, Moss had 96 receptions for 1,820 yards, won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth in the balloting, behind Ryan Leaf, Peyton Manning, and Charles Woodson, who won the award.
Randy Moss was unstoppable in the 1996 FCS championship
Chad Pennington: Leading the Charge
James Chadwick Pennington (born June 26, 1976) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, winning the Sammy Baugh Trophy as a senior, and was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. During his career, Pennington led the league twice in completion percentage and once in passer rating.
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Pennington set school records in several passing categories and established an NCAA season-record for most touchdown passes (24) from a passer to a single receiver (Randy Moss), breaking the previous mark of 19. He helped clinch a division title with the Jets in 2002 and the Dolphins in 2008, both of which are the most recent for either franchise. Pennington was also the first player to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year multiple times, receiving the award in 2006 and 2008.
Originally the Thundering Herd's fourth-string quarterback in 1995 and slated to be redshirted, Pennington led Marshall to the 1995 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game, which Marshall lost to Montana, 22-20. The following year, Pennington was redshirted in favor of Eric Kresser, a transfer from the Florida Gators, who guided the Herd's return to the I-AA Championship game (a victory) in 1996. Pennington returned to play in 1997 as Marshall moved from Division I-AA to Division I-A.
In his senior year (1999), Marshall went undefeated at 13-0 as Pennington led the team to its third consecutive Mid-American Conference championship. Pennington finished fifth in 1999 Heisman Trophy voting. In addition to his success on the football field, Pennington excelled academically, graduating with a degree in journalism, a 3.83 grade point average and becoming a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.
Chad Pennington with the New York Jets in 2003
Key Games and Moments
The Herd became only the second team to win a conference championship in its first NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) season, following the 1992 Nevada Wolf Pack football team that won the Big West Conference.
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The season included several memorable games:
- Vs. West Virginia: This much anticipated season opener saw Marshall trailing 28-3 before scoring 28 straight to take a 31-28 lead into the 4th quarter. West Virginia responded with two fourth quarter touchdowns to win, 42-31.
- MAC Championship Game: Marshall defeated Toledo 34-14.
- Motor City Bowl: Playing in its first bowl game since the 1948 Tangerine Bowl, Marshall lost a back-and-forth matchup with Ole Miss 31-34.
Chad Pennington's NFL Career
After making only three appearances during his first two seasons, Pennington emerged as the Jets' starting quarterback after filling in for Vinny Testaverde during the fifth game of the 2002 season. Pennington helped reverse the Jets' fortunes by leading the 1-4 team to an eventual 9-7 record and an AFC East division championship. Despite starting less than a full season, Pennington threw for 3,120 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 104.2 quarterback rating set a team record.
NFL Career Pass Completion % Leaders
After their 2002 performance, Pennington and the Jets were given lofty expectations entering the 2003 pre-season; however, in the fourth pre-season game against the New York Giants, Pennington endured a fracture-dislocation on his left (non-throwing) hand after suffering a hit from linebacker Brandon Short. The injury forced him to miss the first six games of the season. Into the 2004 season, the Jets signed Pennington to a team-record contract for seven years and $64.2 million and Pennington led the Jets to a 5-0 record.
Pennington underwent surgery on his right shoulder in Birmingham, Alabama on February 4, 2005. Entering the 2006 season, Pennington trained with new throwing coaches, and worked significantly on the strength of his torso and throwing mechanics. Pennington won the Jets pre-season quarterback competition, and started the 2006 season in pre-injury form. For his stellar season, Pennington was awarded the Comeback Player of the Year Award, just one year after tearing his rotator cuff.
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In 2008, upon entering training camp, Eric Mangini announced a competition for the starting quarterback position between Pennington and Clemens. On August 8, Pennington signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Dolphins. His 67.4 completion percentage led the NFL and broke Miami's single-season record of 64.2 set by Dan Marino in 1984. For his role in the Dolphins' ten-win turnaround, Pennington received notable MVP consideration from several major media outlets. Pennington was the starter for the Miami Dolphins 2009 season.
On March 5, 2010, Pennington was re-signed by the Dolphins to a one-year deal.
Legacy and Achievements
Pennington serves on Marshall’s Board of Governors, and he was inducted into Marshall’s W. In 2017, Pennington was named the head football coach at the Sayre School in Lexington, Kentucky, which restarted its high school football program after more than 40 years.
Chad and Robin Pennington created the 1st and 10 Foundation in 2003 with the mission to build stronger communities by funding programs and institutions that seek to improve quality of life throughout West Virginia, Tennessee, and the New York metropolitan area.
Table of Key Statistics
| Statistic | Randy Moss | Chad Pennington |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdown Passes (to Moss in 1997) | 26 | 24 |
| Receptions (1997 Season) | 96 | N/A |
| Passing Yards (1997 Season) | N/A | 3,480 |
| Heisman Trophy Finish | 4th | 5th (1999) |
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