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“There’s other teams that we’ve played that have done some really good things offensively or defensively had some advantages, but this team stresses you across the board,� Marshall coach Charles Huff said. “Our players are very aware of who ULM is. This is not the ULM of old, by any means.�

It’s only the second-ever meeting between the Herd and Warhawks and first as FBS opponents. They last met in the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA title game, so there is no recent history, but it’s difficult to ignore just how much the Warhawks have improved, Marshall center Logan Osburn said.

For ULM, it starts with a fast and physical defense. The Warhawks have an explosive running back in freshman Ahmad Hardy, who Huff praised as one of the best backs in the league. He’s run for more than 600 yards and six scores in the first seven games of his career.

Slowing Hardy down will be paramount to Marshall’s chances of maintaining a perfect home record in 2024.

“That’s our breakdown before every game, you know, is to stop the run,� Herd defensive lineman Chris Thomas said. “Once we stop run, it’s kind of obvious when you’re passing the ball on third-and-15, you know, when you have no choice but to pass the ball. That’s what we take pride in.�

Marshall last played on Oct. 17, a 35-20 win over Georgia State at home. The Herd will be the third consecutive opponent that ULM has faced coming off an extended rest.

“These are good football teams in this league,� ULM coach Bryant Vincent said. “Any time you can have 10 days off before your opponent, and that’s three in a row for us that guys have had at least 10 days off before they play us, I think that’s a disadvantage for us.�

Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton said the Herd’s break was a great opportunity to rest its bodies and recover from the first seven games before playing five straight weeks to end the year, a stretch that includes three road games.

“I just really focused on taking care of my body, getting my nicks and bruises taken care of,� Braxton said. “Relaxing my mind, watching other teams play because I love football ... but the main thing was just getting my body ready for the five-game stretch we’ve got coming up.�

The Warhawks benched quarterback General Booty in Week 4 and handed the offense to Aidan Armenta. He led ULM to wins over Troy, James Madison and Southern Miss before its first stumble in Sun Belt play, a blowout loss to South Alabama last week after leading at halftime.

“Obviously disappointed in the second half on the execution side, but we’ve got to learn from it,� Vincent said of allowing 34 unanswered points against the Jaguars. “This is a really good Marshall team. We all know the history of Marshall. It’s a tough place to play, so we’ve got to have a great week of preparation and be able to put four quarters together to have a shot to go there and win.�

Huff was equally as complimentary of the Warhawks and said the Herd will need a complete effort in order to pick up its second consecutive win in Huntington on senior day.

“They don’t turn it over a lot and defensively, they’re physical,� Huff said of ULM. “Probably the most physical team we will play at our level ... and we’ve got to be prepared for that.�

The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. For Marshall, 18 players will be recognized before kickoff as part of the senior day ceremony. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.