Marshall's Chad Pennington will face BYU's Kevin Feterik in the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 27.
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Marshall Completes Miraculous Comeback to Defeat Western Michigan

Undefeated Thundering Herd to face BYU in Motor City Bowl

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.