Marshall, Down 23-0, Wins, 34-30

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. —  Quarterback Chad Pennington threw three second-half touchdown passes, including a one-yard toss to Eric Pinkerton with four seconds left, to lead No. 11 Marshall to a 34-30 victory over Western Michigan on Friday night and a berth in the Motor City Bowl.

One of the greatest rallies in school history preserved a perfect season for Marshall (12-0), which will play Brigham Young (8-3) on Dec. 27 at Pontiac, Mich.

A loss in the league title game would have left the Thundering Herd out of postseason play.

Pennington’s 100th career touchdown pass gave Marshall its 16th consecutive victory, 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.

Marshall’s 34-point onslaught in the second half was nearly as stunning as its self-destruction in the first half, when it gained only 133 yards and trailed, 20-0, the first time it was held scoreless at halftime in four seasons.

“There was never any doubt we could come back,” Pennington said.

Marshall trailed, 30-27, when it got the ball at its 26-yard line with 3:09 left. Pennington drove Marshall to the Western Michigan one, and was stopped on a sneak. Marshall took its final timeout, and rather than try a field goal that would have forced overtime, Coach Bob Pruett decided to go for the touchdown.

Pennington rolled to his right and threw to a wide-open Pinkerton, a senior tight end who made his second career reception and scored his first touchdown.

Marshall, which trailed 23-0 in the third quarter, scored four touchdowns in an 8:20 span.

Pennington completed 20 of 31 passes for 284 yards. It was the Thundering Herd’s third MAC title in a row.