Marshall mauled 45-7 by second-ranked Ohio State in Holliday's debut

The Thundering Herd knew the daunting task awaiting it when it traveled to the Horseshoe to face No. 2 Ohio State in the opening game of the Doc Holliday era on Thursday night.

Marshall hoped to put its best foot forward and that maybe Ohio State would be looking ahead to next week's match-up with the Miami Hurricanes.

Neither happened.

It was pretty much all downhill from the time the Herd fumbled away the opening kickoff to set up the Buckeyes first score.

No. 2 Ohio State (1-0) quickly opened a 14-0 advantage, but Marshall pulled within 14-7 after Ahmed Shakoor returned a blocked field goal 61 yards for a touchdown.

However, the Buckeyes would build their lead to 21-7 after a quarter and it grew to 35-7 by intermission.

Heisman trophy candidate quarterback Terrelle Pryor completed 17-of-25 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns to help his team accumulate 529 yards of total offense (280 rushing, 249 passing). Brandon Saine rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries. Dane Sanzenbacher caught a 65-yard touchdown pass.

Marshall was limited to just 199 total yards. Quarterback Brian Anderson was 17-of-28 for 135 yards and an interception. Antavious Wilson had a team-high five receptions for 38 yards.

The Herd has no time to lick its wounds as in-state rival West Virginia will visit Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington next Friday night for a nationally televised ESPN contest.