Teams: Marshall (11-1) vs. Louisville (7-4)

When: Tonight, 8.

Where: Pontiac, Mich.

TV: ESPN2.

Line: Louisville by 3 1/2 .

Series record: Louisville leads 16-9.

Last meeting: 1987, Marshall won, 34-31.

Career bowl records: Marshall 0-1; Louisville 3-1-1.

Last bowl appearances: Marshall lost to Mississippi, 34-31, in 1997 Motor City Bowl; Louisville beat Michigan State, 18-7, in the 1993 Liberty Bowl.

Coaches: Bob Pruett, third season at Marshall (36-4); John L. Smith, first season at Louisville (76-43 overall).

Outlook: The Thundering Herd improved on last year's 10-2 record after losing Randy Moss to the NFL. Junior QB Chad Pennington has thrown for 3,419 yards, 24 TDs and only seven INTs. Junior RB Doug Chapman has 1,184 yards rushing and 15 TDs and WR LaVorn Colclough has 48 catches (six for TDs). At Louisville, Smith quickly resurrected a program that went 1-10 last year. QB Chris Redman, who averages over 400 ypg passing, leads an explosive offense averaging 559.6 ypg -- best in the country -- and 40.4 ppg. WR Arnold Jackson has 90 catches (10 TDs).

Pub Date: 12/23/98

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