HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Athletics is proud to announce the induction of Randy Moss into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The nomination was recently presented to the National Football Foundation by Marshall University athletics director Christian Spears.
“Randy Moss has already done so much to establish Marshall University on the national college football landscape and this nomination is an opportunity that we hope we can give back to him,” Spears said. “We are disappointed ourselves that this nomination was not submitted earlier, but as Marshall University’s director of athletics, it is my absolute privilege to officially submit Randy Moss’ induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.”
During the 1996 and 1997 seasons, Randy Moss rewrote the college football record books while playing at Marshall before embarking on one of the greatest NFL careers as a wide receiver in football history.
In two seasons with Marshall, Moss caught 174 passes for 3,529 yards and 54 touchdowns and set multiple records at the national, conference, and school levels.
Moss’ 26 touchdown receptions in 1997 set an FBS (formerly Division IA) record, and he caught a touchdown pass in all 13 games that season while amassing 96 receptions for 1,820 yards. Those numbers earned him the 1997 Biletnikoff Award, given to the top wide receiver in the country.
Marshall Hall of Famer quarterback Chad Pennington, who formed one of college football’s greatest quarterback-receiver duos with Moss, said his metrics stand out, but it’s Moss’ mentality that makes him one of the best receivers of all time made game.
“Randy was the ultimate competitor,” Pennington said. “Beyond his athletic ability, his competitive spirit and drive to win were unique and special. From the biggest football stage to a simple basketball game, Randy has always strived to win and be successful.”
Moss’ first season with the Thundering Herd came in 1996 – head coach Bob Pruett’s first on the team.
Marshall took a 15-0 lead to win the Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship with Moss catching 78 passes for 1,709 yards and 28 touchdowns. This season laid the groundwork for the Thundering Herd’s successful rise up through the FBS ranks.
In Moss’ two seasons with the team, Marshall averaged 28-3 and won an I-AA National Championship and a Mid-American Conference Championship in his freshman year at the FBS level.
“Randy wanted to be the best and prove that every time on the field,” said former Marshall head coach Bob Pruett. “If you didn’t use him, he would get upset – especially in a tight ball game. He had so much confidence in his abilities. He was a leader and so smart.”
“He’s just great, on and off the field. I’m so proud of him for what he accomplished in football and after football. Even at (ESPN) after the games, he now leads that group. They feed on him. Me.” “I’m just so proud he came to Marshall, and I’m proud he’s from West Virginia like me.”
Marshall President Brad Smith agreed with the Thundering Herd’s legendary coach, stating that Moss’ influence brought a sense of pride to West Virginia-born athletes and exemplified the great success that can be achieved for Mountain State athletes .
“As a proud West Virginian, I recognize the achievements of my fellow West Virginians nationally and internationally,” said Smith. “Perhaps there was no more influential West Virginia football player in history than Randy Moss, who made Marshall a national name.”
Marshall football coach Charles Huff He also said that Moss’ overall impact on the sport of football cannot be overstated – even when speaking of how the way defensive play has changed because of the speedy receiver’s skills on the field .
“Randy Moss brought his unreal athleticism and skill to Marshall University in 1996 and 1997 while changing the game,” Huff said. “To this day there has probably never been a better college wide receiver who could play the game. Teams wanted him on their team, defense hated him and young kids – the future of the game – wanted to play like him.”
The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame vote is expected to be announced by the National Football Foundation in early June.
Spears said the next few weeks will be an exciting time for Marshall Athletics and its fan base as they await the release of the ballot.
“It’s without a doubt the epitome of ‘taken for granted’ of all time,” Spears said. “As a college football player, Randy Moss’ track record during his time at Marshall is frankly unparalleled and his induction will inspire others and remind people of the truly special career this remarkable individual had while he was here for the Thundering Herd participated.”
A native of Rand, West Virginia, Moss played in several sports at DuPont High School before attending Marshall University.
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—HerdZone.com—
