Laborn, Herd muscle their way past Bulldogs

HUNTINGTON — Henry Colombi threw for two touchdown passes in the first half, Khalan Laborn ran for two touchdowns in the second half and Marshall secured to a 28-7 victory over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs on Saturday.

The win was a much needed one for the Herd, who had lost two-straight coming into this game.

Marshall (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) got the scoring started as Colombi connected with A.J. Turner for a 24-yard touchdown to cap off a 7-play, 41-yard drive. Rece Verhoff added the extra point and the score was 7-0 with 9:30 remaining in the opening period.

Gardner Webb's (1-4) lone score of the game would be defensive score. With the Herd driving to near midfield, Colombi would have a pass picked off by Ty Anderson and returned 45-yards to tie the game at 7,

The Herd would take a 14-7 lead when Colombi passed to Corey Gammage from 10-yards out for the score with 5:48 remaining in the second quarter.

Marshall would extend it's lead early in the third period, as Laborn's 1-yard touchdown run pushed the Thundering Herd's lead to 21-7.

Laborn would end the scoring with a 78-yard touchdown run on a first down play to mark the final score of 28-7.

Laborn finished the game with a career-high 191 yards on 35 carries. Colombi completed 13 of 20 passes for 138 yards.

Marshall's defense held the Bulldogs to just 19 yards on the ground and seven first downs for the game.

Bulldog quarterback Bailey Fisher completed just 9 of 28 passes for 114 yards with three interceptions.

The Herd will have a bye next Saturday but will be back in action on Oct. 12 as they host the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in their inaugural Sun Belt Conference home game,

Gardner Webb 7 0 0 0 = 7

Marshall 7 7 7 7 = 28

First Quarter MAR — A.J. Turner 24 pass from Henry Colombi (Rece Verhoff Kick), 9:30 GW — Ty Anderson 45 Yd Interception Return (Jay Billingsley Kick), 3:03 Second Quarter

MAR — Corey Gammage 10 pass from Henry Colombi (Rece Verhoff Kick), 5:48 Third Quarter MAR — Khalan Laborn 1 Run (Rece Verhoff Kick), 11:09 Fourth Quarter MAR — Khalan Laborn 78 Yd Run (Rece Verhoff Kick), 8:11