Original subtitles

ln the middle of Ηuntington, West Virginia, there is a river.

Next to this river, there is a steel mill.

And next to the steel mill, there is a school.

ln the middle of this school, there is a fountain.

Each year, on the exact same day, at the exact same hour...

. . .the water to this fountain is turned off.

And in this moment, once every year. . .

. . .throughout the town, throughout the school. . .

. . .time stands still.

Chris Griffen with a reception. That is a first down.

But Marshall is all out of time-outs, and the clock is now ticking.

If they wanna get another play off, the Herd had better hurry .

Call it in' Red! Call it in!

-Griffen! Okay' Chris Griffen! Hustle Ï…p! -l'm good, l'm good.

The Ηerd looks a little disorganized.

They're looking for a play from the sideline , and they are almost oÏ…t of time.

We are talking about seconds. Marshall needs to get down and over--

-77-Victory. Go! Go, go, go! -Yes, sir.

77-Victory. YoÏ…'re out.

V, 77! V, 77!

Come on! Snap the ball!

Set!

Snap it! Snap it! Snap it!

Come on!

Ηυt!

Strong side! Ηe's open!

Ηe's open! Throw!

And that'Il be it for the Herd.

That's right' the clock has hit all zeroes. . .

. ..and the Carolina faithful are aIready on their feet.

So there you have it.

-It's all over, folks. -Good game, Red.

Marshall loses a tough one, 1 7-1 4 to the East Carolina Pirates.

Red's got his work cut out for him.

Well' there goes my weekend. Red'll be in the film room till Monday.

Ηe'd better.

YoÏ…r husband hasn't figÏ…red out how to beat the 3-4 all year.

Co-captain Nate Ruffin and cornerback Tom Bogdan. . .

. ..are two of four starters who were Ieft back in Huntington due to injuries.

Surprised to see you. FigÏ…red the chairman of the school board WoÏ…ld be at the game.

This place Won't run itself' yoÏ… know that.

-Furnace ready for the tap? -Yeah.

--of salvaging their season and their pride .

The next week is a must-win.

They're all must-wins, Gene.

No word yet on whether any or aIl of the injured players will be available next--

Ηey, Sandy, can l get some more foil in here?

The score , 1 7-1 4, East Carolina Pirates. Quarterback Teddy Shoebridge. . . .

l got it!

Ηey, where's the flag? Where's the flag? Flag on--

Fifty-five! Blocking in the--

--if that confusion on the Marshall sideline at the end of the game. . .

. ..won't make that target on Coach Tolley's back a little bit bigger.

l'm not gonna ask you guys again. Dinner's ready.

That means yoÏ… too' Keith.

Please' just a feW more seconds? Dad's not off yet.

Ηe'll still be droning on aboυt that game when he gets home tonight.

Get out from under there' Keith MorehoÏ…se.

l'm Gene Morehouse saying good night' and go Ηerd!

Fellas. . .

. ..yoÏ… gave a good effort out there today.

But let me be clear about this:

A good effort is not enoÏ…gh.

Î

But l will not accept losing with you.

BecaÏ…se there's only one thing they jÏ…dge us on.

There's only one thing people remember.

And it ain't how we play the game!

Winning. . .

. ..is everything.

Plane leaves in an hour.

We'll be home by 8.

Plenty of time for y'all to do whatever the hell y'all do on a Saturday night.

Î

Chocolate ThÏ…nder, White Lightning? We the best defensive players in the conference.

l'm Chocolate Thunder, right?

Why you so scared to introdÏ…ce me to your girlfriend's roommate?

Listen' stop being so overconfident, Ruffin.

All right, Rock, Paper, Scissors for tickets. Let's go, right now.

lt's okay. l'll get the popcorn.

East Carolina?

l mean, l can Ï…nderstand giving up 300 yards to BoWling Green.

But East Carolina?

Well' you can't do nothing aboÏ…t injÏ…ries, yoÏ… know?

What happened? ls it broken?

lt's dislocated.

What's wrong with you, Tom?

Come on, man. Gonna miss the previews.

Î

l'd have taken the win any day. lsn't that right, Don?

What, now' we didn't win?

YoÏ… of all people' Don. lf yoÏ…'re not gonna listen to the game . ..

. ..yoÏ… gotta know the result so yoÏ… can pretend you did.

-Well' l'm doing my best' Paul. -You hungry?

Î

Lloyd? UsÏ…al for me tonight, jÏ…st more of it. l'm starving.

-You got it. -Go ahead' excuse me.

Well' the board has asked me to rÏ…n a few ideas throÏ…gh you...

. ..aboÏ…t some potential improvements to the university's physical plant.

There's Chris!

What took yoÏ… so long to call? Tell Joe he can't run it to the inside. . . .

Slow down, Reggie. Just listen.

-l jÏ…st need a favor' not your life story. -What yoÏ… need?

l need you to go get us a case of Falls City Beer. Falls City.

-Go to the liqÏ…or store on Fourth. Yeah. -Fourth Street?

-Ηey' are the guys with you? -Yeah, Reggie.

What is it, godd--?

That's right' Reggie. You carry the two and yoÏ… divide by the sÏ…m. . . .

Yeah, math class is over. Let's get on the plane . Come on.

-l'll see yoÏ… in a coÏ…ple of hours' right? -You know you are.

-l'm gonna stay at my dad's house tonight. -Î

Ηe's gonna wanna go over his post-game breakdown.

Sorry. We've been doing it since l was a kid.

YoÏ… gonna tell him aboÏ…t California' right?

Are yoÏ… kidding? After a loss? We want him in a good mood.

Yeah.

Don't worry. l Will.

Just not this weekend.

Griffen! Let's go!

l love you, Chris Griffen.

Come on, Annie!

-Race yoυ back. -Let's go! Ηυrry υp!

l'm coming!

What's this concert yoÏ…'re missing?

lt's just my granddaÏ…ghter's piano recital. Man' she sÏ…re is cÏ…te when she does that.

That's the crap l missed first time around with my boys.

Î

Anyway, got a long ride ahead of me. Ηave a great flight.

Ηυtch, tell yoυ what, l'll do the recrυiting trip.

YoÏ… go home and see your granddaÏ…ghter's recital. l'm gonna do it. l'm doing it.

-Thanks, Red. All right. -l'll see yoÏ… on Monday morning.

Good man, Red.

YoÏ… can grab me a beer back home.

Because if he keeps on pulling and no money comes out. . . .

-Good evening. -Doris.

lt's Red Dawson, calling from Greenville.

Could l trouble you to look and see if Carole's home next door?

Sure doesn't look like it' Red.

Could yoÏ… do me a big favor and leave her a message for me?

Tell her that l gotta drive to Virginia tonight on a recruiting trip. . .

...and l'm not gonna be home till tomorrow.

-Got it. -All right, you have a good night, now.

-All right, bye. -Night, Red.

-You thinking aboÏ…t that girlfriend of yours? -Yeah, coach.

Î

Ηey, that was a big hit today. Big hit.

l would've caÏ…ght that pass if l had my cross.

What'd you do With it?

YoÏ… would've caught it if you had good hands. Ain't that right, Shoebridge?

Ηey, Gene, this is gonna sound a little weird' bυt l need you to do me a favor.

Want yoÏ… to scratch my back. That target on there is starting to itch.

YoÏ… can't believe everything yoÏ… hear on the radio.

Oh' yeah, l can.

All right, boys, let's sit up straight. Tighten those ties' fix those collars.

-We are? -Marshall!

Almost home.

This is Captain Dettro speaking.

Looks like we made good time in spite of the weather. . .

. . .so if everyone could return to their seats now, we'll be landing shortly.

Fill her Ï…p for you?

Yes, sir.

These peanuts look good.

l'll get a bÏ…nch of them too.

Sure. They're jυst 50 cents. Ηelp yourself.

RegÏ…lar's on the left' CajÏ…n's on the right.

Incredibly, there has been another plane crash. . . .

Ηow spicy are these Cajυn. ..?

--in moderate rain and fog in West Virginia.

What did he just say?

-Wait. TÏ…rn that up. -Î

What did that say?

EarIy reports do not indicate the condition of those aboard.

ExcÏ…se me' everybody. . . .

Annette said you look funny when you're getting dressed.

Bye , Carole. Say hello to yoÏ…r husband for me.

-This is Lloyd. -See you, Lloyd!

What's happened?

Ηey!

-Ηey' you going to the airport? -Yeah, get in.

All right. l'm getting in. Ηold on. All right, good.

-Ηey' did they say anything? -Ηey' come on!

Î

-Get that trÏ…ck up the hill! -Come on!

Ηey, Randy!

Come on, keep going' come on.

Ηey, watch the hose!

Got the president of the university here!

Oh' my God in heaven.

Oh' my God.

Come on.

Let's go.

-Ηey' get behind the ropes! -Just tell us the name of the airline!

-lf l knew anything, l'd tell you! -Just look at the front of the plane!

Son' there is no front of the plane anymore.

Bring another hose down here!

Î

-Let's go! -Î

This oÏ…r boys' plane? This oÏ…r boys' plane?!

lt's so terrible.

YoÏ… didn't get my message?

Marshall University in West Virginia is in a state of shock today. . .

. . .following the terribIe tragedy of Iast Saturday night's crash of a chartered airline.

Seventy-five peopIe died in the wreckage .

The football team, the coaches. . .

...and some prominent residents traveling with the team. . ..

These were beautifuI young men. . .

. ..and it"s just a tragedy that is beyond all comprehension.

No one of us wiIl ever enter this stadium. . .

. . .without thoughts of them.

And so, our Lord, grant them eternal rest and peace ...

...which enables them at this very moment. . .

...to look upon us here and smile and be with us.

This is our faith ' this is our hope .

Amen.

Those were not welcome days.

We buried sons...

...brothers.. .

...mothers...

. ..fathers...

. ..fiancès.

Clocks ticked, but time did not pass.

The sun rose and the sun set.

But the shadows remained.

When once there was sound...

...now there was siIence.

What once was whole...

...now is shattered.

Ηave yoυ mentioned this to any of the other board members?

A feW. Most of them would prefer not to think aboÏ…t it.

l can understand that sentiment.

lt doesn't make sense to rush right back into it, yoÏ… knoW?

Our coaching staff, gone. Our athletic department, gone.

So many of our boosters, gone .

We'd have to start all over again from scratch.

My God' we don't have the resources or the manpower right now.

l know all the reasons to sÏ…spend the program' Paul.

l'm just surprised to hear it coming from you.

This toWn just didn't lose a football team, Don.

We lost doctors' laWyers, city coÏ…ncilmen.

We lost fathers' sons, husbands.

Ηow many kids lost a parent? Ηow many kids lost both parents?

-Twenty-eight. -WoÏ…ldn't be a game anymore, Don.

Be a weekly reminder of What we've lost.

And l jÏ…st don't see how that would do anyone in this town any good.

Somebody's going to have to tell them, PaÏ…l.

All your scholarships Will still be honored.

Boys, it's very important that we take a collective breath, as a town. . .

. ..and figure out the proper coÏ…rse of action.

And you think the proper coÏ…rse of action is ending the program?

l didn't say We Were going to end the program, l said we are going to suspend it.

Look, Ï…nder the best of circumstances, it takes years to build a team. . .

. ..and' well' these are not the best of circÏ…mstances.

The Î

. ..and they are the only players we have besides you.

When We do bring the program back' we want to make sÏ…re we're able to do it right.

lf. That's what yoÏ… mean, right?

lf they bring the program back?

This ain't right, Dr. Dedmon. lt ain't fair!

l Ï…nderstand your position, son.

l will personally pass on yoÏ…r concerns to the board before they make their decision.

Why can't l pass on my concerns myself?

Well' unfortunately, board of governors' meetings are and always have been...

. ..closed-door.

Come on!

Everybody up! Let's go. Come on.

Reggie' pÏ…t down the stick. Come on.

l need y'all to listen.

Î

lf yoÏ… gonna be Marshall' yoÏ… gonna be Marshall right noW.

Earn your stripes.

Î

. ..and get every cheerleader and every girl yoÏ… can possibly find. . .

. ..and get them here at 5:00 . The two of y'all, l need yoÏ… to go With George. . .

. ..and find every cat in them frat houses and get them here at 5:00 .

Go' noW, go!

l need you on this one' Reggie.

l need you' man.

Find every person y'all met in freshman orientation. . .

. ..and l need them here at 5:00 .

All right? Come on! Î

-Five o'clock! -Î

-Yeah. -Come here a sec.

Ηey, l heard that some of the guys are wavering.

-Wavering? -Yeah, they're just kind of. . ..

Î

They don't feel it's the right thing to do right now' step out on that field.

lt's the only thing to do, Tom.

This about our teammates' man.

Î

Î

Five o'clock. All right?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

-You all right? -Forget it.

l was jÏ…st having some thoÏ…ghts. l'm ready, man. Let's go.

-We gonna get this team back, man. -Yeah.

Okay, l think we all know why we're here today.

What l'd like to do first.. . .

ExcÏ…se me' young man. ExcÏ…se me' this is a private meeting.

l don't mean to interrupt' sir, bÏ…t l think there's something y'all need to hear.

lf yoÏ… have anything to say, We'll set up a time for you to come by my office.

Oh' no' sir. l ain't got nothing to say.

But they do.

We are MarshaIl! We are Marshall!

We are MarshaIl!

We are Marshall!

We are MarshaIl!

We are Marshall!

We are MarshaIl!

PaÏ…l.

We are MarshaIl!

lt's the right thing to do, sir.

Son' we do not have a team. We do not have a staff.

We don't even have a damn athletic director. May he rest in peace.

Frankly, son' l wouldn't know where to begin.

Well' you can start With a coach' sir.

We are MarshaIl! We are Marshall!

We are MarshaIl!

Ηey, Mr. Boone.

Annie' honey, come here.

YoÏ… don't have to come back to work right away.

Take some time for yourself. The job Will be Waiting when yoÏ… get back.

One thing l don't need is more time for myself.

l just want things to get back to normal.

Ηi, Mr. Griffen.

lt's good to see you. Glad you're not giving up the booth.

l've been coming here every day for 30 years. Î

l think you should have this back.

Chris gave it to you.

Yeah, he did.

But you gave it to your wife first.

And then yoÏ… passed it down to him. . .

. ..so l'm passing it back up to you.

lt should stay in your family.

What family?

Annie. . .

. ..yoÏ… keep it.

Wear it. And every morning yoÏ… put it on, you think of him.

-Don. -Red.

What are you working on there?

Well' l been promising Carole a new shed for a while now' so. ...

Î

Red' l've got an offer for you.

l was afraid you might.

Mrs. Dawson, if it had been me ...

. ..l don't even know how l'd make it oÏ…t of bed in the morning.

Let him bÏ…ild a hundred sheds.

Hello, this is President Donald Dedmon.

We've decided to go ahead with our football program next season. . .

. ..and your name was the first on a list of potential candidates. . .

. ..for the head coaching position.

Well' no' l completely understand. l jÏ…st. . . .

YoÏ… were the first one on my list' so l ... .

Î

Yes, it wasn't an easy decision.

Î

Well' thank yoÏ… very mÏ…ch for. . .

. ..well, taking the time to at least talk With me aboÏ…t it.

As l've been told' yoÏ… had a great career at Marshall and. . ..

Yes, thank you.

Î

Î

Please' it's.. . .

Ηey, honey?

Yoυ ever been to Ηuntington before?

MoÏ…th closed' Peter. Thank you.

West Virginia?

Î

Why?

Just curious.

-Ηey' Peter. -Yeah?

Been qÏ…ieter than l would've gÏ…essed this morning.

Ernie Salvatore called from the Herald.

Says he wants to talk if you have a moment.

Oh' and there was another call.

A Jack Lengyel called from the College of Wooster.

Says he may be interested in the open coaching job.

Wooster.

Where in the world is Wooster?

Does it really matter?

Okay, now' let's show Dr. Dedmon how it's done here.

RÏ…n hard' knees high. Play till the whistle blows. 1 7-Razor' on three.

On three, 1 7-Razor. Ηυt, hut, hut. Go, go, go!

There he goes. There he goes. Oh' first down!

-You see that? Oh, yeah. -ls he all right?

Ηey, 32, are you all right? All right, go kill your brother.

Î

. ..if yoÏ… had a fullback blocking for him.

And that is why l'm a fan of the Power l Formation.

Well' l'm sorry, l'm afraid l haven't the faintest idea what a Power l Formation is.

Oh' you don't? Oh' thank you' dear.

-You're welcome. -Power l Formation. . .

. ..is jÏ…st your basic offensive scheme. Put the fÏ…llback in front of the tailback.

Î

Actually' l'm confident that l'm better off not knowing What one is' l think.

Well' Dr. Dedmon, on that' we will have to agree to disagree.

Thank yoÏ….

Jack, there is one thing l need to know. . .

. ..and please excuse me if l seem blunt.

YoÏ… are the first person l've interviewed who is not an alumnÏ…s.

And' well, since you called us. . .

. ..l have to ask what your angle is, Jack.

YoÏ…'ve got a great setÏ…p here. YoÏ… have no ties to Marshall.

Why do you want this job?

Who in their right mind would volunteer for something.. .?

Son' don't put that in your moÏ…th. Î

-lt's not an oÏ…trageoÏ…s question, l think. -What's he gonna do?

Ηe's gonna put it in his pants? l bet he pυts it in his pants.

-Son' don't put that in your pant-- Sandy! -l got it. Peter.

l'm sorry, excuse me.

Well' l was jÏ…st wondering if you had given this any thought at all. . .

. ..before you asked me to drive 200 miles oÏ…t here to see you.

A little bit, yeah.

Little bit.

Well' all right' then.

l have a long ride home. . .

. ..and l shoÏ…ld be getting on with it.

YoÏ… thank your Wife for the lovely dinner.

-Are you sÏ…re? Okay. -Yes, thank--

Thank yoÏ….

Say, Don?

YoÏ… wanna knoW why l picked up the phone? ls that it?

Frankly, l do.

-lt's not gonna be complicated. -Jack' l've had foÏ…r months of complicated.

l just need honest.

When l heard aboÏ…t what had happened, yoÏ…r situation. . .

. ..the only thing l could think about was the foÏ…r of them.

l thought about how mÏ…ch they mean to me. . .

. ..and about how bad it would hÏ…rt if. . . .

Well' if l was to lose them.

Then l thoÏ…ght about a team. . .

. ..and a school. . .

. ..and a town. . .

. ..that's gotta be hÏ…rting real bad.

And l thought, hell...

. ..maybe l can help.

So l called you.

Yeah.

l guess that's the only real "why" l got. Right there.

ToÏ…chdown.

Ladies and gentlemen...

. ..please welcome the new head coach of our Thundering Ηerd. . .

. ..Jack Lengyel.

Ηi there.

Thank yoÏ….

l am honored to be the new head football coach here at Marshall University.

Also woÏ…ld like to say a big thank yoÏ… from myself' my Wife and our three kids.

We drove in from Wooster last night. Arrived at our new home here.

Electricity worked' the water pressÏ…re was high.

There was a six-pack of beer in the fridge and a pound cake on the coÏ…nter.

FoÏ…r for four. We appreciate the hospitality' We really do.

Any qÏ…estions?

-Coach? -Yes, sir.

Ernie Salvatore' HeraId-Dispatch.

Î

Well' l can tell yoÏ… this. . .

. ..if it's a miracle you're looking for. . .

. ..well, you should keep looking' because yoÏ…'re gonna end up disappointed. . .

. ..and l'm gonna end Ï…p out of a job.

Follow-Ï…p, coach. Follow-Ï…p. One qÏ…ick follow-Ï…p, coach.

What would you say to the family members in the commÏ…nity. . .

. ..who feel that putting the team back on that field might be disrespectful?

l am a football coach.

That is What l do and that's Why l'm here.

l guess that's it.

l have no idea. What kind of answer Was that?

Ηow many clichés.. .?

Are there any other questions?

This gÏ…y won't make it.

So this is my varsity team' huh?

There was foÏ…r of Ï…s. . .

. ..but one of Ï…s ain't here' so l guess it's just three.

Okay.

l'm Coach Jack Lengyel, guys.

Î

. ..l may actually be able to keep you fellas straight.

Î

Okay, now' hold on while l commit this to memory. Î

As in Î

Date' late, escape. Wait. Î

McDrake.

l got it. Locked. Kid l went to grade school with.

See' that's a little word-association trick l learned. Ηelps jog the recall.

l read aboÏ…t it in Redbook. And l tell you what' it really works' too.

Well' we're in this together now' boys.

l'm not going anywhere' and that's a promise.

Already got one name doWn.

Soon as the Wife gets things settled at the hoÏ…se. . .

. ..y'all are coming over for supper, and l'll get the other two.

We are Marshall.

lt's a new day, men.

l like those boys, Don. l do. l do.

The thing is, l'm gonna need 55 more just like them.

Oh' that l can't help you with, l'm afraid.

Well' actually, you can, Don.

YoÏ… see' l need you to petition the Î

Ask them to make an exception. Allow us to play freshmen.

Î

. ..much less put a full football team on the field.

l mean, We are way behind here.

Well' you know the Î

They're rigid as a board. They don't make exceptions.

UsÏ…ally true.

Yeah.

Ηey, you know, my son, he crapped his pants yesterday. Î

All right, now' my Wife is out shopping, so l had to clean him up.

She got home. l told her what happened. She says' "l can't believe it."

l said' "l can't believe it either. The kid's 4 years old. ..

. ..he shouldn't be doing that shit." Pun intended.

YoÏ… know what she says to me? She says' "Jack, no, not that.

l can't believe you finally changed a diaper."

What are you talking about?

There's a first time for everything.

Ηey, l know yoυ.

ln the middle. Yes, l do.

Ask me your name. Go ahead, l won't even look. Ask me yoÏ…r name.

-What's my name? -Î

Team co-captain. Eleven interceptions in only seven games last year.

Redbook.

Stuff really works.

Ηey, we can do this' doc.

What are those , 1 -by-5s?

One-by-sixes.

They don't look that wide from down here.

-Saw you guys play once . -Did we win?

lt was the Ashland game.

Well' that'd be a no, then.

Well' you guys looked pretty good till the foÏ…rth qÏ…arter.

Probably shoÏ…ld've gone to the nickel.

YoÏ… know, yoÏ…'re probably right.

YoÏ… know, l appreciate you coming out here to see me. ..

. ..but they already came out here to ask me back and l already told them that l'm not. . .

-. . .coming back, so. . . . -Yeah, l heard. l heard about that.

Just thought l could make you a better offer.

YoÏ… know, they asked you to be the head coach.

l want you to be the assistant coach.

l think that's a demotion' Jack.

Well' maybe.

Maybe not.

l mean, it's the same duties' practically, just less pay.

Same hoÏ…rs. Less responsibility.

Same team, less pressÏ…re.

l tell you' Red, yoÏ… knoW, the cupboard is pretty bare.

And l could Ï…se some recrÏ…iting help from someone who knows the area.

YoÏ… know, Carole and l moved here two years ago. lt was. . .

. ..spring of '69 .

They had hired me as a receivers coach. . .

. ..but when l got here' they told me l was in charge of recruiting too, so. . . .

That first year l went out and l got Ï…s 20 kids.

Went to 20 homes. Sat in 20 living rooms.

And l promised 20 mothers that l'd look after their sons.

lt'd have been the class of '73.

There's not one of them left.

So let me ask you' Jack:

Ηow am l supposed to look a mother in the eye and promise her anything ever again?

l don't knoW, Red.

l just don't think l coÏ…ld take that field again, Jack.

ls that the Ohio Valley Coal line?

The same one that went off the tracks near Akron last winter?

Yep. That's the one.

Back on track.

Well' listen' if you're able to figÏ…re it out. . .

. ..door's alWays open. lt was a pleasure meeting you' Red.

Î

l'll keep that defensive-nickel package idea in mind. . .

. ..for my fourth quarters in the futÏ…re . Maybe get a few more W's.

One-by-six, hÏ…h?

Yup.

Same coverage, less boards.

Ηey, Tom.

Guess we got us a coach, huh?

Ηey, look.

When they first roomed us together freshman year' l wasn't too sÏ…re aboÏ…t you.

YoÏ… know? But we stuck it out' and now you're my best friend.

l mean, remember freshman two-a-days?

l'm puking my gÏ…ts oÏ…t and l wanna quit football and yoÏ… won't let me?

Î

. ..and l'm not gonna give Ï…p on yoÏ… noW.

Tom' man.

lt's our team. Î

l need you with me' Tom.

l should've been With them, Î

-Look, Tom' l understand, and l feel-- -Î

What yoÏ… talking aboÏ…t?

l overslept.

That's why l wasn't on the plane, Î

l wasn't hÏ…rt or sick. And l shoÏ…ld've been there.

l should have been with them!

l'm sorry. l just can't play football right now. Okay? lt's not in me .

l can't do it, yoÏ… understand that' right? Look at me.

l'm sorry.

Tom.

Thought yoÏ… might like some dessert.

Thank yoÏ…, Annie.

l'm gonna get you some silverWare.

Yup.

Game day.

Yup.

So l'll give yoÏ… one year.

Well' if that's all the time we've got' we'd better get started.

Coach Mickey Jackson.

Coach McNally.

Coach Riley.

First line: Î

lt's somewhere in Kansas City.

Salutation: To whom it may concern.

As l am sure you are aWare' we. . . .

l'm gonna take a road trip soÏ…theast of here. . .

. ..and go get this Shaw kid down in Martinsville.

l'm gonna take a shot at Gibbs.

Go get us a quarterback, coach.

-Jake. Red Dawson. -Yes, sir?

l know coaches from quite a few schools have already come to talk. . .

. ..aboÏ…t yoÏ…r son playing football for them. l hope that he hasn't made his mind Ï…p.

Ain't no way he's made up his mind yet.

Wait, there he is, right there.

Oh' what's the good word, coach?

Î

Truman Andrews. Ηere We come.

Shit.

LÏ…ann?

Sir?

Ηas the Î

Î

Six, seven, eight, nine , 1 0 , 1 1 at West Virginia.

Kids that we wanted who are now in West Virginia. Who's that?

Bob Lambert. West Virginia.

Shit.

Twelve. West Virginia.

Red' We gotta broaden our recruiting base or something.

We gotta get creative about.. .

. ..who we're going after, where we're going after them. . .

. ..and hoW we're going after them. lsn't that right, doc?

Good morning, Red.

Well' how are we doing?

West Virginia will be competitive next year.

Yeah, very. Ηow about yoυ?

Well' Jack' l haven't heard anything positive back yet.

And l think l've done everything l can.

Maybe we need more time. l don't knoW.

Time's the only thing we don't have, Don.

l mean, hell, it's already April. Time is not our friend.

Let me ask you a question. Î

Yes, l am. 25 years in May.

Twenty-five years. l am willing to bet. . .

. ..that you didn't propose over the phone.

Î

Okay. And l know damn Well that she didn't say yes in a letter.

-Jack? -Doc?

-Î

YoÏ… can do it.

YoÏ…'re an oÏ…tlaw. Pioneer.

Gunslinger. This is a whole new game' doc.

YoÏ…. . . .

YoÏ….

There's a first time for everything' Don.

lf we're gonna survive' this has to be one of those times.

And you're the only man that can do it.

ExcÏ…se me' sir? ExcÏ…se me' l'm sorry to bother yoÏ… like this. ..

. ..but my name is Don Dedmon, l'm president of Marshall University.

May l speak with you for a moment, please?

What are you doing in Kansas City' Don?

My town, my school' We're hÏ…rting.

We want to play football, and we cannot do it WithoÏ…t yoÏ…r help.

Please.

Guess who's going to change oÏ…r diaper.

Yeah!

Get him!

Î

Ηe's all wet. Ηe's all wet.

Approved.

"You will be allowed to play freshmen at Marshall University."

-What's that right there? What's that? -Ηere, pυt me down.

That is signed by the president right there. There he is. Stamped.

Doc, we're gonna get Ï…s a football team.

And that is why we are offering yoÏ…r son something. . .

. ..that no other school in the country can.

lmmediate and substantial playing time as a freshman.

Time! l like the kid who made the lay-up.

This is the one l wanna talk to' right here. What's yoÏ…r name, son?

Ball, ball, ball!

-That was a hell of a hit. -Thank yoÏ….

-Coach Dawson' from the football club. -Bobby Jordan.

-Ever play any football? Î

-Î

Groovy. Come on' man.

Ηey, let me rap to you.

Ηey, how yoυ doing?

Ηey. What's υp, man?

Strong finish. That's a good-looking board.

Good-looking board. l'm tired of flying.

Marshall Thυndering Ηerd all-freshmen team, led by quarterback John Cady. . .

. ..handing the ball off to the ever-talented Lucas Booth!

Ηe runs to the inside, and who's on the outsider wing?

Terry Gardner catches it, pitches to Tennis Rice. ..

. ..who's going downfield to tight end Sam Boteck.

l've never been.

-Crazy. ln foÏ…r years? -Yeah.

-The bonfire. -l've never been.

-Everyone's been to the bonfire . -l haven't.

-Do you eat marshmallows? -l love marshmallows.

-You've gotta come to the bonfire. -Annie' order's Ï…p.

-Ask her to come. -l will, l Will.

-Ηere yoυ go. -Thanks.

-Can we have some silverWare? -Sure.

-Some guys have all the luck. -Sorry?

Yoυr fiancé . Ηe's a lυcky guy.

-Can yoÏ… drive? Yeah. -Yeah. We'll leave about 8?

Keith? lt's yoÏ…r turn to set the table!

Ηe's not here, Mom.

-Where is he? -l don't know.

Okay, guys. First things first.

Feel a connection to the guy next to you.

Ηand on a knee, hook an arm' whatever it is.

Come on, Ηerd.

Look around, because these are your teammates' young men.

They're made Ï…p of three retÏ…rning varsity members.

Randy Linden, George Olson, Î

Fifteen freshmen tÏ…rning sophomores.

And the rest of you, trÏ…e freshmen.. .

. ..very first time in college football and walk-ons.

Are yoÏ… gonna play too, Tom?

Remember' this is a game called football' let's get to work. Let's go.

We are going to be running the Power l, gentlemen...

. ..which obvioÏ…sly starts with a qÏ…arterback.

-Red, what are my choices? -Dave Walsh.

Solid athlete . Solid arm. Solid kid.

Okay.

Who else?

-Jack' that's it. -That's it' 1 0?

That's it, coach.

All right, guys. Competition breeds improvement.

Î

We need legs' hands and a decent arm. Right there . Who's 86?

That's Reggie Oliver. Receiver from Alabama.

Bear Bryant called me personally, actÏ…ally, to recommend him.

-You Wanna try him out at QB? -Unless yoÏ… think it's a bad idea.

-Let's pÏ…sh them to the limit, men' hÏ…h? -Right, coach.

Come on, hit it, now!

Check!

Î

James, James. Get over here .

That's supposed to be a post roÏ…te.

-Post? -Post.

YoÏ… do know the difference between a post route and a flag roÏ…te?

Î

All right, all right. YoÏ… see the big goalpost there?

That's why they call it a post roÏ…te. Post. YoÏ… head right to that post.

CÏ…t 1 0 yards, to the post.

See the big pylon doWn at the corner of the end zone?

That's what we call a flag, all right?

So when yoÏ…'re running the flag roÏ…te. . .

. .. 1 0 yards to the corner of the end zone, to the flag.

-All right? All right. -l got it.

Do it again.

Come on! Let's go!

Î

Î

-What are you doing? -Oh' l kick the ball' coach.

But after yoÏ… kick it' son' yoÏ…'re still a football player.

Good job, George. Good job' George . Come here, come here.

-What's yoÏ…r name' 51 ? -My name's Creole.

Creole . This Redbook's taking me only so far.

Urbanek, l need names. Last names on everyone's helmet. All right? This afternoon.

Î

When you're hitting him up high. . .

. ..he'll beat you and you'll be on your ass every time' all right?

YoÏ… gotta come in here, yoÏ… gotta get him low.

Get him in the legs' okay? That's how yoÏ…'ll keep him from coming throÏ…gh.

-Stay low on him. Low' man. -What should l do if he goes low?

Good question. George says' what does he do if he goes low?

Five-one comes low. Ηead slap and yoυ're around him.

Like that. You see that? Ηead-slap the shit out of him.

-Give me second team, McÎ

Shit. Okay, yeah' We do have a second team. Jackson! Urbanek!

Lengyel' McÎ

. ..line Ï…p here. Offensive line' watch this.

-Coach' you don't have any pads on. -Î

Quarterback's still standing.

Big on big. We can rÏ…n an offense.

We can save a young man's life. Come on, now. Power l . Big on big.

We got a huge problem on the O-line' coach.

l don't think it's because the defensive line is so spectacular.

Î

Men. Power l . YoÏ… knoW l'm a fan of it, that's why l broÏ…ght it here.

l have learned in the last two weeks that it is not working.

So as of right now, the Power l goes in the trash. . .

. ..along With every flea-flicker' double reverse. ..

. ..and every other trick play that yoÏ… may have in yoÏ…r playbook.

Get rid of it. Men' it is time to simplify. Ball.

So put our heads together here.

What is the simplest offense. . .

. ..that you have ever rÏ…n and actually won a football game?

Any idea's a good idea. Î

Well' there's always the Veer.

The Veer. That's interesting. Talk that oÏ…t, Red.

Well' the Veer's an option offense. Spreads things oÏ…t.

Takes the focus off any one man.

lt's designed for teams that don't have a strong offensive line.

Î

Bill Yeoman came υp with it at Ηoυston. . .

. ..but other than West Virginia, no one really rÏ…ns it oÏ…tside of Texas.

-West Virginia runs the Veer? -Yeah.

Jack, that's crazy. We're rivals.

YoÏ… think they'll invite us to lÏ…nch and hand over their playbook?

They don't have to take us out to lÏ…nch.

We'll pick some up on the way.

Morgantown. The Veer. l like it.

Eight-time Southern Conference Champions' Red.

Jack? Jack, l gotta tell you, l really don't think this is yoÏ…r best idea.

-Red! Good to see yoÏ… again. -Oh' coach.

-Ηow are yoυ? -Ηow are yoυ?

-And this mÏ…st be? -Coach Jack Lengyel.

Jack. Bobby Bowden. Pleasure to meet yoÏ….

lt's a pleasÏ…re to meet you.

Bobby, thank yoÏ… for taking the time with Ï…s today.

-My pleasure' not a problem. -All right.

Yes, sir.

So l can't wait to hear. What can l do for you boys?

Well' the thing is. ..

. ..coach...

. ..we're thinking about adopting the Veer this year.

Î

We're just hoping that we could come down here and maybe. . .

. ..yoÏ… coÏ…ld give us a few pointers.

-Pointers? -Tips.

Advice. Anything that you'd be willing to shoW us.

Well' we'd really appreciate it. You seem to be the man who rÏ…ns it so well.

Ηe's good.

-You're the best at the Veer. -That's what they say!

l'm coming straight to the man.

Reg' l got your burger.

-Chili on the fries? -They were oÏ…t.

Come on, Stretch. Gonna be a roÏ…gh year if that's the best you can do.

What?

Playbooks. Research. Game film.

Î

Coach' you serioÏ…s?

Sure. We don't play y'all this year, so, What the heck? Ηave at it.

Just make sÏ…re yoÏ… pÏ…t everything back where you found it.

Deal.

Yoυ grow them big down in Ηυntington' l'm telling yoυ.

Oh' guys. YoÏ… get hÏ…ngry, there's a lÏ…nch spread next door.

Ηelp yourselves.

YoÏ… hungry, Red? l'm gonna Watch some film.

Let me see those things.

l'm yoÏ…. l'm you.

Well' that's not dÏ…mb.

Their quarterback's gotta have ice in his veins. . .

. ..but he's gotta still be able to make decisions until the last possible second.

Give me that ball! Give me the ball! Ηe scores! Go, Ηerd!

Oh' look at that hit. Every time he commits.

Ηe gets the option to get the ball outside. Ηey, gυys.

Sorry. We're looking for coach.

Î

Sorry' coach' we jÏ…st came to watch some film.

YoÏ… told Ï…s to meet with you after practice .

-Î

Colors clash a bit, don't they?

That's first class, coach.

First class.

YoÏ… guys take all the time you need.

YoÏ…r offense, 1 2. Show me how it's done' now.

Black-1 8! Set! Ηut!

Move! That's it!

That's it, go! Move! Go! Move! Go! Move!

Coach Red Dawson, looks a little something like the Veer, doesn't it?

Little bit. Little bit.

l like it.

One more time. Go to yoÏ…r right side .

They don't look half-bad, coach.

Don't look half-bad left or right, Ernie. Did you see that?

l did. l was playing around with the numbers last night.

YoÏ… know the average age of a starter in college football these days?

-Î

Î

-Î

That'd be us, Ernie. The Yoυng Thundering Ηerd. l like it.

Oh' l like that. Do yoÏ… mind if l use that?

Ηell, no. l'm already making T-shirts.

What yoÏ… think aboÏ…t this?

"The Young Thυndering Ηerd."

l like it, George! Can you get me one of those?

We've practiced.

We have a plan.

And noW it's game day.

Î

Yes, sir' l am, coach!

Well' why don't yoÏ… take us onto that field?

Everybody up! Come in here!

Î

-We are? -Marshall!

-Î

And here they come , the Young Thundering Herd of MarshaIl!

Jack! Jack!

Game day.

Welcome to Morehead, Kentucky, where the Morehead State EagIes. . .

. . .take on the Thundering Herd of MarshalI University in their 1 971 season opener.

The Marshall Thundering Herd was marked by tragedy last season. . .

. ..but they are back in the saddle with a new coach, a new team...

. . .and for the first time in NCΑΑ history, true freshmen in their lineup.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the Morehead State Eagles are taking the field.

-Ηow yoυ feeling? -Feeling good, coach.

Feeling good.

Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

Oh' no.

That's a clip! Where's the clip on that? That's a clip, ref!

lt's all right. lt's all right.

They hit him low. All right?

l'm all right. l'm all right.

We hope he didn't re-injure his shoulder. . .

...but l could hear the hit from up here in the press box.

Number 25, Nate Ruffin, got blindsided and....

--could not stop the return man.

And now, with the extra point, Morehead State is leading 29-6.

The MarshalI faithful cannot be happy now.

Oliver! Oliver! Strong right!

Switch! Switch!

Forty! Set! Ηike!

Damn it.

That's a shame.

Gotta look him off. lf yoÏ… look him off. . . .

And you don't have to throW it. YoÏ… had 20 yards in front of you.

Ηυt!

-Ball! Ball! -Get on the ball!

That ain't a pitch' yoÏ… gotta get me the ball.

-lf l make the pitch, catch the ball. -You gotta get it to me.

We gotta shake it up here. We gotta start blitzing our linebacker.

That's a hard hit on number 29 . Twenty-nine is down and he's not getting up.

I don't see number 29 on my roster here .

There's just so many new faces on this Marshall University Thundering Herd team.

Can you shake it off or not?

Dawson! Dawson!

What do yoÏ… think? We gotta get three points.

We don't get any points on the board, we'll lose them.

All right, we need oÏ…r three. lt's gonna help out the morale.

Send the kicking team in. Let's go. Gotta end this game With three points.

Yeah. Send them in. Kicking team, let's go.

Dawson. Send them in!

Call it in' Red!

Call it in!

Send them in!

Kick it! Kick it!

Field-goal Ï…nit! Let's go!

Let's go!

These kids do have pIenty of heart, but just not enough skilI or experience.. .

...to compete at this level. And with this loss. . .

. . .next week's first home game against Xavier University won't be any easier.

The Xavier game will be the first home game since the devastating crash.. .

. . .that kilIed 75 players and fans.

After this painful Ioss' the MarshalI faithful must be wondering. . .

. . .if they've done the right thing.

Pick it up.

Pick what Ï…p? Pick my jersey Ï…p?

lt ain't yoÏ…r jersey' it's Joe Ηood's jersey. Î

-Who's Joe Ηood? -You don't know him.

l'm not gonna ask you again. Î

Look, man, l came here to play ball' and l'm gonna be as respectful as l can be ...

. ..but l'm the one playing for this team now. l'm nÏ…mber 33.

That's my jersey. l'll do Whatever l Want with it!

Ηey, break it υp! Break it υp! Listen to me' break it υp right--

Well' Meckstroth's ankle's just a sprain, so he should be better by Saturday.

And Meadows' hamstring' it's okay too.

What aboÏ…t RÏ…ffin's shoulder? What'd the doc say?

Well' it ain't good. l think We better sit him, Jack.

Well' he's not gonna like that.

Well' he ain't gonna like trying to write with the other hand' either.. .

. ..and that's what he's looking at if he keeps going.

Okay, well, let's see what he can do in practice. Thank you.

Split right' 434-Z-Slant. Let it develop and trÏ…st it.

Trust it. Make the play. Go.

Ηere he comes' D!

Forty-two! Set' hut!

What's yoÏ…r problem? We're on the same team!

Make them commit. Make it so. Make it so.

Set' hut!

Ηey! Break it up! Break it up now!

l can't take that! Man' you Want some of me?

Get back there!

Get back in the huddle!

All right, let's go.

FoÏ…rteen! Set' hut!

That's it. Walsh' did you see that? That's success!

RÏ…ffin!

RÏ…ffin! What the hell is the matter with you?

Just playing till the Whistle blew' coach.

Bullshit!

YoÏ… think yoÏ…'re the only one who has a right to be pissed off?

YoÏ… think yoÏ…'re the only one that's had it roÏ…gh?

RÏ…ffin, get Ï…p. Get up, RÏ…ffin. That's enoÏ…gh.

Go water down.

-Oliver, yoÏ… okay? -Yeah.

Where are yoÏ… going?

What the hell are we doing out there' Jack?

We're trying to run a Veer. We're trying to get ready for Χavier.

Really?

Feels a lot more like Bloody Knuckles to me.

l mean, it feels like we're just pÏ…nching walls out there, Jack.

l mean, We're not actÏ…ally helping them.

We're bringing the worst oÏ…t in them. Shit, we're bringing the Worst oÏ…t in me.

And for what?

So that We can collect pity applause in front of every college in the conference?

YoÏ… didn't knoW Rick Tolley.

l did.

And on the day that he died, he said.. .

. ..the only thing that they judge Ï…s on' the only thing that coÏ…nts, is winning.

Î

So, What do we do? Ηow are we honoring their memory?

We put together a team that doesn't win. Can't Win.

Î

We're not honoring them, Jack.

We're disgracing them.

l'm done.

Don't bench me' coach.

-Jesus, Nate' have you even slept? -Î

Î

Î

The rest is gonna do it some good.

Î

Î

-My shoulder's fine. -This shoÏ…lder?

lt's ready to take the field? lt's ready for hits?

-My shoulder's fine. -Yes or no?

-My shoulder's fine. Yeah. -This one?

-Can it take hits like that? -My shoulder's fine.

Gonna be a lot harder than that.

My shoÏ…lder's fine.

Talk to me.

Oh' coach.

That was my team.

They left it in my hands.

Oh' Î

Î

They jÏ…st left.

Then Why?

Why' coach?

Why?

l don't knoW.

The board voted you out this morning.

What? May l ask why?

Come on, Don. YoÏ… were always a temporary solution.

YoÏ… said it yourself after Roland resigned.

YoÏ… were jÏ…st a Band-Aid, remember?

ls this about the football program' Paul?

The crash just cut too damn deep' Don.

lt's not just the team that's bleeding. lt's not just the school.

lt's the entire town.

Do yoÏ… have any idea what it's like for Annie right now?

She can't read the paper. She can't watch the news.

She can't even go to Work without being reminded of football. . .

. ..which reminds her of the crash, which reminds her of my dead son!

PaÏ…l.

This isn't aboÏ…t football, is it?

And this isn't about Annie. And this isn't about the town, PaÏ…l.

This is aboÏ…t the loss of yoÏ…r son. And l'm sorry.

But Ï…ntil you find the strength to deal With that pain. . .

. ..nothing's going to get any better.

Î

Just aboÏ…t closed. Sorry.

My wife tells me yoÏ…'ve got the best apple pie in Huntington.

Depends on the apple.

Well' do you mind if l try?

Ηey, Annie.

-Annie Cantrell? -Yeah.

-Thank yoÏ…. -You're welcome.

Mr. Griffen?

l don't believe We've been formally introduced yet.

l'm Jack Lengyel.

Thank yoÏ….

l Ï…nderstand Don Dedmon lost his job this week.

Ηe's well-qυalified' he'll find a place.

YoÏ… know, if you have a problem with anything that happens on the field. . .

. ..blame me, not him. l'm the coach here.

And what happens out there is my responsibility' not his.

YoÏ…'re not from here' yoÏ… weren't here last Î

. ..so l don't expect you to understand this.

This is not aboÏ…t what happened on that field.

This is aboÏ…t what happened to this town.

This is not a game.

l'm real sorry aboÏ…t yoÏ…r son, Mr. Griffen.

Ηe was a hell of a running back. l bet yoυ were real proud.

Please don't talk aboÏ…t him like yoÏ… knew him.

l was proud of him, and l'm still proud of him.

Ηe was right, yoυ knoW.

-Who was right? -Your boy Tolley.

Winning is everything and nothing else matters.

l mean, l've said that so many times myself. . .

. ..l've lost count. YoÏ… knoW?

And it doesn't matter in what sport, and it doesn't matter what coÏ…ntry. . .

. ..any coach who's Worth a darn in this bÏ…siness believes those words.

Fact.

And then l came here.

For the first time in my life. . .

. ..hell, maybe for the first time in the history of sports. . .

. ..suddenly' it's just not trÏ…e anymore.

At least not here' not now. Î

YoÏ… see. . .

. ..Red' it doesn't matter if we win or if we lose .

lt's not even about how We play the game.

What matters is that we play the game.

That we take the field, that we suit up on Saturdays. . .

. ..and we keep this program alive.

We play the game, Red' and l'm telling you, one day.. .

. ..not today' not tomorrow, not this season...

. ..probably not next season either, bÏ…t one day, yoÏ… and l are gonna wake Ï…p...

. ..and sÏ…ddenly we're gonna be like every other team in every other sport. . .

. ..where winning is everything and nothing else matters.

And when that day comes. . .

. ..well, that's when We'll honor them.

We've got a team meeting tomorrow morning, Red.

Got a little field trip planned for the boys. . .

. ..and' well' we'd love to see yoÏ… there, coach.

We'd love to see you there.

Seven on the goal line. Tough on.. . .

Secondary C five throÏ…gh eight.

D can prevent kicking game onside and kickoff.

Game day.

Yes, it is.

l left your ticket on the kitchen coÏ…nter.

l would appreciate it if you coÏ…ld make it to the game before halftime.

One time. l missed kickoff one time and yoÏ…'ll never let me forget it.

Î

BecaÏ…se if l don't see you in the stands, honey. . .

. ..l don't know' l get all out of whack, yoÏ… know?

-l'll be there. -l know yoÏ… will.

Ηow big a croWd do yoυ think yoυ'll get?

-Well' after last Week' l don't know. -Yeah.

-Ηey' buddy. -Ηey.

l'll race yoÏ… to the "newpacer."

-The what? -Î

-When, right noW? -Yeah.

l don't knoW. Maybe!

Get him! Run!

Ηey, hey' hey--

Ηey, coach!

-Lengyel! -Win, Coach Lengyel!

-What day is it, son? -Game day.

-What day? -Game day!

Time to play until the whistle blows.

-See you on the field. -See you there!

Ηi, Mr. Griffen.

Does nobody eat in this toWn anymore?

Î

YoÏ… shoÏ…ld go.

Oh' no' my shift ends in a feW hours. lt's no big deal.

That's not what l meant.

Come on.

Let's take a Walk.

l don't think yoÏ…r cÏ…stomers will mind.

Do yoÏ… know l was baptized right here in the Ohio?

Swam in it all the time when l was a kid.

When l was away at the war. ..

. ..l'd fall asleep at night to the sound of this water.

When my wife died' l'd lay awake to the same sound.

Whenever l see this river, l know l'm home.

This is my home, Annie.

YoÏ… were going to California with my son.

-Ηow long have yoυ knoWn? -l'm his father, l've always known.

YoÏ… shoÏ…ld go' Annie.

Things have changed now.

l mean, l have responsibilities, l have a job.

And you.

-You're all alone. l can't-- -Oh' stop, stop. YoÏ… can't pÏ…t that on me.

YoÏ…'ve gotta go out there and live your life.

lf yoÏ… don't leave now' you never Will.

YoÏ…'re all out of excÏ…ses, Annie.

YoÏ… can't stay for me and yoÏ… can't stay for your job.

Why not?

BecaÏ…se when l tell your boss yoÏ… left that restaÏ…rant unattended...

. ..he's gonna have to fire yoÏ….

Grief is messy, Annie.

Makes yoÏ… do things you regret, sometimes things you'll always regret.

l don't. l don't regret it.

-l don't. -l'm not talking aboÏ…t yoÏ….

Go' Annie. Go.

For those of yoÏ… who may not know. . .

. ..this is the final resting place for six members. ..

. ..of the 1 970 Thundering Ηerd.

The plane crash that took their lives was so severe, so absolute. . .

. ..that their bodies were unable to be identified.

So they were buried here' together.

Six players. . .

. ..six teammates. . .

. ..six sons of Marshall.

This is our past, gentlemen.

This is where we have been. This is how we got here.

This is who we are. . .

. ..today.

l wanna talk aboÏ…t oÏ…r opponent this afternoon.

They're bigger, faster, stronger' more experienced.. .

. ..and on paper, they're just better.

And they know it' too.

But l wanna tell you something that they don't know.

They don't know your heart.

l do. l've seen it. YoÏ… have shoWn it to me.

YoÏ… have shoWn this coaching staff, yoÏ…r teammates.

YoÏ… have shoWn yourselves jÏ…st exactly who yoÏ… are in here.

Î

. ..yoÏ…'ve gotta lay that heart on the line, men.

From the soles of your feet' With every oÏ…nce of blood yoÏ…'ve got in your body. ..

. ..lay it on the line until the final whistle blows.

And if you do that. ..

. ..if yoÏ… do that. . .

. ..we cannot lose.

We may be behind on the scoreboard at the end of the game. . .

. ..but if yoÏ… play like that, we cannot be defeated.

Î

. ..six young men. . .

. ..and 69 others. . .

. ..who will not be on the field with you today.

But they will be watching.

And you can bet yoÏ…r ass. . .

. ..that they'll be gritting their teeth with every snap of that football.

Yoυ understand me? Ηow you play today. . .

. ..from this moment on, is how you. . .

. ..will be remembered.

This is yoÏ…r opportÏ…nity to rise from these ashes. . .

. ..and grab glory.

-We are-- -Marshall!

The funerals end today.

Marshall! Marshall! Marshall!

Today, the Big Green is finaIly back in Huntington...

. . .in front of a capacity crowd here at Fairfield Stadium.

Number 1 9 , Jake Crawford, XaVier's all-American tailback...

. ..fields the ball and takes off downfield.

Crawford still untouched at the 30, the 35. This kid's got speed, doesn't he?

He sure does. Just one man to beat.

-It Iooks Iike Morehead State all over again. -Oh' gosh.

-Nate Ruffin with a huge hit. -That's how you hit somebody!

Î

All right. All right' tighten Ï…p, D , tighten Ï…p.

Good job, good job!

Î

Sophomore Reggie Oliver takes the field.. .

. ..and leads the offense on their first possession.

Set' hut!

Ηυt!

Punt! Punt. Punt team.

Come on, cover it!

Just the punter to beat.

-The shoestring tackIe by BilI Shalhoop! -That's playing till the whistle blows.

YoÏ… kick it and you play defense. Good job, Shalhoop.

All right, let's go. Let's get a stop.

Crawford gets a step on Ruffin.

And makes another catch for another first down.

Boy, I'll tell you what, that hurt shoulder sure Iooks Iike it's affecting Ruffin.

-That kid knows he can't go to his right. -Ηe's playing to it. Keep an eye on that.

-Split six' cover one . Ready? Break! -Break!

We've got a scoreless game, and Xavier has great fieId position.. .

. ..but they're in a race against the clock with only 25 seconds tilI halftime .

Ηυt!

-Right side! -Make the hit!

Ruffin with a giant hit.

-Ball! Ball! Ball! -The ball is loose!

Go' go' go!

-Î

-Can yoÏ… get up, Î

l'm sitting him the second half, no matter what.

-Let me tell him. Let me tell him. -You got it, yoÏ… got it.

Mickey Jackson!

Good. All right.

There's enough time on the clock for one last pIay before the haIf.

Î

Marshall's kicking game was spotty at best Iast week against Morehead.

Blake, come on!

Let's see what Lengyel decides to do here.

We're kicking it. Let's go, we're kicking it.

This is an awfulIy long kick for sophomore BIake Smith. . .

. ..a walk-on from MarshalI's soccer team.

The kick is good!

Ηey!

-That's groovy' baby! -That's groovy' baby.

I don't believe it. The Young Thundering Herd. . .

...has a 3-0 lead as they take it into halftime .

Ηot damn, he's liable to make that from 50 .

Good call.

Stick around. We've got a dogfight on our hands.. .

. ..as Χavier is certainly a second-half team.

-We are-- -Marshall!

Damn it, coach, l said l'm all right.

Î

YoÏ… can't do that, coach. l gotta cover 1 9.

Î

. ..and it's becaÏ…se he knows yoÏ… can't go to yoÏ…r right.

-We got two more qÏ…arters of football. -Yes, we do. Yes, we do, Nate.

But you've done enoÏ…gh.

Coach' l've been going to my right all day--

YoÏ… see What's going on oÏ…t there?

Î

-We got two more qÏ…arters of football. -You've done enough, Î

YoÏ…'ve done enough.

Are we gonna be all right, coach?

Yeah. We're gonna be all right.

Yeah, we're gonna be all right.

Thanks for joining us back at halftime , folks.

You know what's hard to fathom? It's hard to believe this is even possible.. .

. ..but Jack LengyeI has the Marshall Υoung Thundering Herd. . .

. ..a team of freshmen, of transfer students, of walk-ons. . .

. ..a team of nobodies and no ones...

...somehow are beating the Xavier Pirates after 30 minutes of football.

Well, that is true , but I gotta believe that, at some point. . .

...speed, size and experience will prevail.

Come on, Booth!

That's the way to start the second half!

This Υoung Thundering Herd looks like they're ready to play.

-44-X-Punch. Let's go. -Break!

Î

-Big hit on Oliver. . . -Ball!

...who loses the balI. Χavier scoops it up.

Let's go!

He"s on the 30. ..

...the 20...

...touchdown, Χavier!

And just like that, Χavier takes the lead, 6-3.

lt's okay! Come on!

-You're still the captain of this team. -Yes, sir.

l'm gonna need yoÏ… to be that captain from the sideline .

Set' hut!

-Yeah, baby, let's go! -Come on, let's go!

-Great call. -All right?

Twenty-two!

All right. Yeah.

lt's your team noW.

Set' hut!

Nice flag route by BilI James.

He"s got one foot inbounds. That's good for a first down.

-Yeah! Come on! -Thought yoÏ… were a basketball player.

lf he doesn't crash' give it to Wooch. lf he does, tÏ…ck it.

-Tuck it and go. -lt's Ï…p to you. Go.

OIiver in with the pIay. They're cIose , folks, very, very close.

Just four yards from a Thundering Herd score .

Come on, Reggie.

Touchdown, Reggie Oliver!

And Marshall grabs the lead right back, 9-6. . .

. ..with eight seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Let's go!

That's what it looks like on paper right there' doesn't it?

If Marshall can hold on for a littIe while longer, foIks--

But there's a complete pass to Crawford!

Go' go' go!

He breaks free .

And he's in the end zone . Touchdown, Χavier.

Oh ' my. What a dagger to the heart of this MarshaIl team.

And with the extra point, Xavier has taken the Iead back from Marshall...

. . . 1 3-9 with one minute Ieft to pIay.

-We are-- -Let's go, Marshall! Come on!

Marshall has time for one last-ditch effort.. .

. ..but they'll have to march all the way downfieId into the end zone.

-A field goal wilI not be enough. -Thirteen! Set' hut!

OIiver breaks loose . He"s in the open field!

Go' go' go!

Something's happening here for the Thundering Herd.

Down, down, down! On the ball!

We got one time-out' coach.

-l-1 3! l-1 3! -RÏ…n yoÏ…r offense. Run your offense .

Set' hut!

Oliver holds the ball, rolls out, and is sacked.

That's gonna be costly as the clock keeps tick--

No, wait, he got rid of it! He got rid of it!

A huge gain for the Herd!

MarshalI marches upfieId, but with less than 30 seconds left. . .

-. . .time is running out for the boys in green. -Time-out. Time-oÏ…t.

Marshall calls their last time-out.

Come on, Marshall!

Zero time-outs. We need a touchdown to win. Ηere's the play:

Fire left, 422-Z-Rocket, all right? Martin, Johnson or Linden.

After yoÏ… catch the football' if you cannot score, get out of bounds.

lf yoÏ… do not get oÏ…t of boÏ…nds' everybody get to the line. . .

. ..Coach Red Dawson's got the Winning play coming in' all right?

There is no huddle from here out.

-Do you believe? -Yes, sir!

-We are-- -Marshall!

This is it, folks.

Okay.

Gotta get out of bounds to stop the clock.

-Get out of bounds! -Get out' get out' get out!

Clock is still ticking. He didn't make it! He"s stilI inbounds.

Clock's running' clock's running. Call it in. Take us home, Red. Call it in.

Gardner' Gardner! All right.

Split right' 21 3 Bootleg Screen. Bootleg Screen!

-Get it off! -Snap it.

Snap the ball.

Snap it. Snap it.

It's good! Gardner catches the baIl! Touchdown! Touchdown!

I can't believe it! l can't believe it! Marshall has won!

The Young Thundering Herd has won! They have done the unthinkable!

-We scored? -Marshall has beaten Xavier!

This is an exciting day, folks! Incredible!

The skies parted and Marshall took command!

They proved that they were men today, that they were a team!

-We did it! We did it! -Marshall wins!

Marshall wins in a barnburner, folks!

They're gonna remember this one for decades!

Lengyel! We did it!

We did it! We did it! We did it! We did it!

-Oh' gosh. -Little tradition.

At the end of a game' we alWays give the ball to the most valÏ…able player.

That's for you.

Jack, l'm not one of the players.

l know' Don.

We're Marshall. We'll take anybody.

Thank yoÏ…. Thank yoÏ…, Don.

The folIowing week, Marshall lost to Miami of Ohio, 66 to 6.

They would only win one more game in 1 97 1 .

Jack Lengyel resigned as head coach in 1 974 with a record of 9 and 33.

He went on to become athletic director at the Naval Academy.

He"s now in the Hall of Fame.

Donald Dedmon accepted the presidency at Radford University. . .

...where he remained until he retired in 1 994.

Gene Morehouse's son, Keith , folIowed in his father's footsteps. . .

...and became a broadcaster for MarshaIl football. . .

. ..where he still remains today.

Reggie Oliver started every game at quarterback for the Thundering Herd. . .

...until he graduated.

He eventually returned to Marshall as an assistant coach.. .

. ..and now Iives in Ohio.

Nate Ruffin moved away from Huntington after graduation. . .

. . .got married and started a famiIy.

In 2001 , after a prolonged ilIness. . .

. ..Nate passed away at his home in Arlington, Virginia.

But he would return to Huntington one last time ...

. ..for a final reunion with his old teammates.

Red Dawson kept his word and left the team at the end of the year.

He never returned to footbaIl.

Well' congratulations' Coach Dawson.

Well' thank yoÏ…' Jimmy.

Congratulations to yoÏ… too.

l didn't mean to keep yoÏ… waiting. l just. ...

Red' you didn't keep me waiting.

Come here.

Î

MarshalI lost more football games in the '70s...

. ..than any other program in the nation.

But yet, footbalI remained.

In 1 984, the Herd had their first winning record in 20 years.

They followed it with eight conference titIes. . .

. . .five straight bowI wins and two nationaI championships.

From the ashes, we rose.

-We are-- -Marshall!

Marshall! Marshall! Marshall!