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Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Darius Marshall erupted for 203 rushing yards and three touchdowns, as the Marshall Thundering Herd opened their Conference USA schedule with a 27-16 road win over the Memphis Tigers.

Marshall averaged 8.1 yards per carry and also completed a 27-yard pass on a halfback option. Herd (3-1, 1-0 C-USA) quarterback Brian Anderson was 10-of-18 for 97 yards and was sacked four times.

Duke Calhoun led Memphis (1-3, 0-1) with five catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. Tigers quarterback Tyler Bass threw for 232 yards and a score, though he was also intercepted twice.

Marshall took a 3-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal by Craig Ratanamorn at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter.

But on the first play of the Tigers' ensuing possession, Bass hooked up with Calhoun for an 80-yard scoring strike to give Memphis a 7-3 lead.

The Thundering Herd drove 60 yards in nine plays on their next drive, and Marshall scored on a two-yard plunge.

Marshall burst free for a 69-yard touchdown run to give the Herd a 17-7 lead with less than three minutes remaining until halftime.

Memphis responded with a 12-play, 60-yard drive, capped by Matt Reagan's 20- yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Reagan cut the deficit to 17-13 on a 22-yarder at the 9:17 mark of the third quarter.

But Marshall answered again with a five-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Reagan's 25-yard field goal made it a 24-16 game with 8:20 to play, but the Tigers would draw no closer.

Ratanamorn iced it with an 18-yard field goal following a six-minute drive by the Herd offense.

Marshall's victory marked the first time a road team has won in the head-to- head series.