It was all treat and no trick for Marshall football Saturday at Charlotte with Chase Litton throwing of a career-high 486 yards and Davonte Allen adding a career high 232 receiving yards on 12 receptions as the Herd cruised to a 34-10 win over the 49'ers.
It was the first 400+-yard game for a Herd quarterback since Rakeem Cato threw for 417 last season in a loss to Western Kentucky.
Charlotte's (2-6, 0-5) offense met Marshall's (8-1, 5-0) juggernaut defense to open the contest as the 49er's went three and out for minus three yards in their first drive and Marshall took advantage of the field position. Remi Watson capped off a 4-play, 59-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 Herd lead.
Marshall's defense forced another quick punt by Charlotte and Litton and company would blow the game open with one play. Litton found Allen in open space and the senior did the rest, streaking 66 yards to pay dirt and 14-0 lead. It was Litton's longest pass in his young career at Marshall and Allen's longest since a 46-yarder last season in the Herd's win over Ohio.
It was the longest passing play for the Herd since Cato tossed a 77-yard scoring strike last season against Middle Tennessee State.
Ryan Yurachek added his name to the scoring frenzy on a 17-yard hook-up from Litton, making it 21-0 early in the second half. Litton finished the half with a career-high 333 yards but was far from being finished.
While Charlotte's offensive woes continued, Marshall's defense stood tall as it continued to pitch a shut-up while wreaking havoc in the 49er's backfield.
Much like the defense, Marshall's offense was hitting on all cylinders with Keion Davis getting his second rushing touchdown of the season, extending Marshall's lead to 28-0.
Charlotte finally ended the scoring drought late in the second quarter after Blake Brewer banged through a 34-yard field goal, trimming Marshall's lead to 28-3.
Marshall added to its lead just before the break after Nick Smith nailed his 12th field goal this season, and a 31-3 lead going into the locker room.
Marshall netted 406 yards at the break while limiting Charlotte to 150 yards on 44 plays. Allen turned in a new career high in the first half with seven catches for 173 yards.
Neither team found the scoreboard in the third quarter and Marshall would add only three to its total in the second half after Smith connected from 39 yards for a 34-3 lead in the fourth.
Charlotte's Kaliff Phillips rumbled in from six yards late in the contest for the 49er's lone touchdown.
Marshall totaled 630 yards of total offense on 92 plays while Charlotte was held to only 307 on 79 plays.
Marshall travels to Middle Tennessee State next Saturday while Charlotte visits FIU.