Marshall 49, UTEP 21

11/18/2006 7:27 PM

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (AP) -Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 261 yards and five touchdowns to lead Marshall past visiting UTEP 49-21 Saturday.

Bradshaw became the first Marshall rusher since 1940 to score five times in a game. The junior tailback is now the fourth running back in school history with two 200-yard performances in a season. Bradshaw had 242 yards in an Oct. 21 win at UAB.

Marshall (5-6) put a down payment on the win with a wild and wooly 35-point first half, converting four UTEP turnovers into 21 points. The Miners trailed by three scores at intermission despite outgaining Marshall and having 13 first downs to the Thundering Herd's nine.

Bradshaw broke a 7-7 tie on its first possession of the second quarter. He raced 28 yards down the right side for his second touchdown. Anthony Binswanger missed the extra point and Marshall settled for a 13-7 lead.

Later in the second, Marshall linebacker Dennis Thornton made a highlight-reel interception, ripping the ball from wideout Chris Marrow and returning to the UTEP 32. Bradshaw completed his first-half hat trick three plays later, galloping off left end for a seven-yard score.

Marshall, which needs to win its final game to become eligible for a bowl, concludes its regular season at Southern Miss on Saturday. UTEP must also earn a victory next weekend to have a shot at the postseason. The Miners will host Memphis, also Saturday.