FOOTBALL : Belmont Slogs It Out With Marshall, Goes On to Sloppy 6-2 Victory

Field conditions were so muddy for Friday’s game between Marshall and Belmont that it was difficult to identify numbers on soiled jerseys.

That may explain why Belmont wide receiver Robert Anaya cleaned off his uniform moments after catching what would prove to be the winning touchdown in the second quarter. The senior player may have wanted the large contingent of Marshall fans to see who he was.

Before an overflow crowd of 4,000, Anaya’s 30-yard touchdown pass from Yussef Evereteze was one of the few offensive highlights in the Sentinels’ 6-2 victory at Marshall.

Players had trouble hanging onto the ball as each team fumbled six times. The schools combined for 223 yards total offense, with Anaya’s touchdown the longest play from scrimmage.

“It was a nightmare out there for everyone,” said Bob Levy, Belmont’s coach. “You couldn’t play your normal game because it was so sloppy. But I think the conditions hurt Marshall more because their offense has more motions and stuff than we do.”

The Barristers, who dropped to 4-1 in the Northern Conference, went to junior running back Nigel Greer most often when they were in a jam. Greer led all rushers with 37 yards in nine carries, but it was his fumble in the second quarter that set up Belmont’s scoring drive.

One play after Greer’s turnover, Evereteze threw the winning touchdown.

“We felt like that was the perfect time to go deep,” Levy said. “We thought we might catch them off guard.”

Belmont took a safety with two minutes to play rather than punting from its own one-yard line. Marshall could not take advantage, however, as its subsequent drive ended on the Sentinels’ 30.

B--Anaya 30 pass from Evereteze (pass failed)

M--Safety, ball snapped out of end zone

Records: Belmont 7-1; Marshall 6-2

Next week: Belmont at Lincoln; Marshall at Hollywood.