HUNTINGTON — Marshall University opens its Sun Belt Conference football schedule with a rematch of last season’s league championship game Saturday at 8 p.m. at Louisiana.

The difference just a handful of months since is staggering. The Thundering Herd has a new coaching staff, new roster, new athletic director and new identity, while Louisiana is facing myriad injuries that force a new hand.

“Hell, there may only be three of those players on the travel squad,” Gibson said of Marshall’s returners from a season ago. “I told the guys today that the Sun Belt is starting and that we are the defending champs. Really, it’s not us personally, but it’s our school and our team. Some of the guys were part of it. We have to go out and defend it, because there’s still a target, whether we have guys t

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