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FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: ESPN3.com. Home Record: Marshall 1-0, Ohio 1-0. Away Record: Marshall 0-1, Ohio 1-0. Neutral Record: Marshall 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Marshall 1-0, Ohio 0-0. Series Record: Ohio leads, 29-19-6.

GAME NOTES: It was 1976 the last time Ohio University opened a season with three straight wins. The Bobcats have a chance to match that record this Saturday night when they host the Marshall Thundering Herd at Peden Stadium.

The Thundering Herd bounced back from a season-opening loss to West Virginia with a hard-fought 26-20 decision over Southern Mississippi this past weekend in Conference USA action. Doc Holliday's team put forth a better effort against the Golden Eagles, but there is still a long way to go for this squad, which claimed only five wins a year ago.

The Bobcats have breezed through their first two opponents, clobbering New Mexico State and Gardner-Webb. Starting a year with a 3-0 ledger has eluded this team for quite some time, and so has a 2-0 start at home. The last that occurred was in 2005. After this matchup the Bobcats will be back on the road to square off against Rutgers.

Ohio currently holds a comfortable 29-19-6 edge over Marshall in the all-time series, but the Thundering Herd have won the last five meetings, including a thrilling, 24-23 decision last year in Huntington.

Coach Holliday's team was swallowed up by West Virginia's defense in week one, but the Herd found room to roam in their recent win over Southern Mississippi.

Rakeem Cato overcame two interceptions against Southern Miss with 275 passing yards and two touchdowns. Both scores went to Aaron Dobson, who finished with 69 yards on seven receptions.

The Cato to Dobson connection should continue to blossom, much to the delight of coach Holliday, but at the same time coach Holliday understands the freshman quarterback has to stay level-headed and not go beyond his boundaries.

For Cato to continue to grow under center the Herd will need a consistent rushing attack, but through two games Marshall has been unsuccessful in that area. After two matchups Marshall has totaled just 175 yards and has yet to find the end zone via the run.

While the offense has been unable to find running room, the defense has done a tremendous job stuffing the run.

Against West Virginia and Southern Miss, the Herd surrendered only 42 and 75 yards, respectively. That is impressive, especially for a defense that allowed 145 rushing yards per game a year ago.

However, it has not been an easy road for this unit in 2011. While the front line of the defense is strong, the secondary has struggled. Marshall racked up five sacks in the win over Southern Miss, but still surrendered 309 passing yards a week after allowing West Virginia to throw for 249 yards.

So far Vinny Curry has racked up three sacks, and he will need to continue to anchor the line in hopes of creating even more pressure to slow down the opposition's passing attack.

Since taking over as coach of Ohio, Frank Solich has tried to turn the Bobcats into a run-oriented team. For the most part it has worked, and a year after averaging 164.0 rushing ypg the Bobcats are back on the prowl. Through two games in 2011 Ohio is pounding opponents for 237.0 ypg.

In the win over Gardner-Webb the Bobcats clawed out 233 yards on 5.4 yards per attempt and what makes this team special is that there is more than one horse in the stable.

Donte Harden is leading the way with 175 yards, while Beau Blankenship has contributed 96 yards thus far. Quarterback Tyler Tettleton leads the team with two rushing touchdowns, and has been adequate with his arm.

Through two games Tettleton has thrown for only 292 yards, but he has tossed four touchdowns against one interception. His ability to manage the game and limit mistakes is valuable for an offense dedicated to running the ball.

What makes this run-oriented team even more success is a tough defense that can shut down an opponent. Over the past few seasons the Bobcats have been a solid squad defensively and because of that coach Solich has had the freedom to run more often than not.

This Bobcats simply dominated Gardner-Webb this past weekend, allowing just 124 total yards, while forcing three turnovers. Through two games the Bobcats have forced four turnovers (all interceptions) and have put adequate pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, racking up four sacks.

Jelani Woseley currently leads the team with 15 tackles and also has one interception, which was returned for a touchdown in the win over Gardner-Webb.

This should be a tough test for Marshall, which has shut down the run to this point. Ohio is going to try to pound the football, and if Marshall can remain strong the game will stay close. However, the Bobcats might be too much defensively for a freshman quarterback.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio 27, Marshall 19