Marshall University Football “75” Game: Honoring the Legacy

Eric’s Highlights

PFSN ranked Eric as the No. 1 center in the country, after awarding him a 93.5 Offensive Line Impact Score. He was also identified as the No. 3 overall graded offensive lineman in the nation that week. The 2025 ‘75 Game’ featured a high-stakes matchup against James Madison University, who had finished as the No. 12 seed in the College Football Playoff, securing a spot as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.

In the 2025 “75” Game uniform reveal video, Eric was selected to represent the program, with the featured song being a No. 1 hit during the week of the 1970 plane crash. In recognition of his contributions during the season, he received the Herd Mentality Award, a reflection of the deeply rooted tradition within Marshall football.

Rooted in this rich tradition, Marshall football stands as one of the most iconic stories in sports history. The culture is defined by the “Herd Mentality,” which goes beyond wins and losses. It represents resilience, pride, and the unbreakable bond that unites the entire Marshall community.

Background

The Marshall University Football “75” Game is held annually, closest to November 14, to honor the 75 players, coaches, staff members, and supporters who tragically lost their lives in the crash of Southern Airways Flight 932. The disaster occurred on November 14, 1970, as the team was returning from a game at East Carolina, when their plane crashed near Huntington, West Virginia.

This annual event has become a significant memorial tradition for the Marshall community. Fans are encouraged to wear black in remembrance, while the team often honors the fallen with special commemorative helmets and uniforms, often featuring a “75” decal or the historic “M” logo.

As part of the broader “We Are Marshall” remembrance traditions, the game also includes a ceremony at the campus Memorial Fountain, where those lost are honored with solemn reflection.

Each year, the game serves as a living tribute to the university’s enduring motto: “We are—because they were”, keeping alive the legacy and sacrifice of the 1970 team.