Knox, Wells help Marshall beat No. 23 Appalachian State 17-7

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall coach Doc Holliday and his young quarterback saw the two injured Appalachian State players on the ground after a collision. So they knew what to do next. Holliday called for redshirt freshman Grant Wells to run toward the side of safety Ryan Huff 's replacement. Wells scored on a 12-yard run late in the third quarter, Marshall's defense came up with stop after stop and the Thundering Herd beat No. 23 Appalachian State 17-7 on Saturday. Marshall (2-0) defeated a ranked opponent for the first time since winning at No. 6 Kansas State in 2003. It also was the Thundering Herd's first victory over a ranked opponent at home since 1976. Appalachian State (1-1) squandered a couple of late opportunities and was held scoreless in the second half. "For our program, it's huge," Holliday said. "I thought our guys accepted that challenge.