HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - On this date in 1971, Marshall University’s football team became the stuff of legends.

Marshall defeated Xavier for their first victory following the 1970 plane crash.

It was a stunning upset with a team filled mostly with freshmen and only 10 months after the crash had taken the team and coaching staff.

It became the plot of the Hollywood movie, “We Are Marshall,” immortalizing the joy of that victory for a community which had suffered so greatly.

Copyright 2025 WSAZ. All rights reserved.

See Full Page