Marshall Completes Miraculous Comeback to Defeat Western Michigan

Undefeated Thundering Herd to face BYU in Motor City Bowl

Marshall's Chad Pennington will face BYU's Kevin Feterik in the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 27.
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Dec. 4, 1999

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall preserved its perfect season and clinched its only chance at a bowl trip with one of the greatest comebacks in school history.

Chad Pennington threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Eric Pinkerton with four seconds left and No. 11 Marshall rallied from a 23-point deficit in the second half, defeating Western Michigan 34-30 Friday night in the Mid-American championship game.

The win gave the Thundering Herd (12-0) their third straight MAC title and sent them to the Motor City Bowl, where they will play BYU (8-3) on Dec. 27. A loss would left Marshall out of postseason play.

Pennington's 100th career touchdown pass gave Marshall its 16th straight win, the longest streak in Division I-A.

Western Michigan (7-5) lost for the second time to Marshall in three weeks and failed in its bid for its first MAC title since 1988.