The 2009 college football season is well underway for both the Marshall Thundering Herd and the West Virginia Mountaineers. While the two teams are striving for Conference USA and Big East titles, respectively, they will take a break from league play on October 17 to play out the fourth annual Friends of Coal Bowl.
For the third time in the four-year span, Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown will be the site for the event. West Virginia has won the first three contests since the series was renewed in 2006. Mountaineer teams own a commanding 8-0 edge in the series, dating back to 1911. Marshall will set out this year to make history with a win.
The 2009 Friends of Coal event will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. For the third time since the series was revived, WCHS-TV is the place to watch the game telecast live. You can also catch "Thunder in the Mountains: Friends of Coal Bowl Pre-Game Special" one hour prior to the game coverage on WCHS.
This year's contest will be the second for Bill Stewart as West Virginia's head coach. Meanwhile, Marshall head coach Mark Snyder is taking part in his fourth FOC Bowl.
Both teams have one common opponent heading into the showdown. West Virginia downed East Carolina, 35-20, on September 12 while the Herd lost a heartbreaking, 21-17, decision to the Pirates on October 3.
The Friends of Coal Bowl brings together Green and White and Gold and Blue for a great college football event.
The 2009 college football season is well underway for both the Marshall Thundering Herd and the West Virginia Mountaineers. While the two teams are striving for Conference USA and Big East titles, respectively, they will take a break from league play on October 17 to play out the fourth annual Friends of Coal Bowl.