Marshall’s odyssey: Lake Howell to UCF to NFL

49-48 when future NFL standout kicker Matt Prater missed the game-tying extra point. But Marshall put himself on the map for NFL teams with 11 receptions for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He then followed it up with five catches for 101 yards and a TD a month later on the same field in the Hula Bowl, which showcases college seniors headed into the NFL Draft.

Marshall, though, has fond memories of another game that season in which the Knights went 8-5 after a dismal 0-11 record the previous year.

“The Marshall game, the night the goal post came down. … I’ll never forget that,” he told the Sentinel after his senior campaign.

UCF had a long-running rivalry with Marshall, and its 23-13 victory over the Thundering Herd on Sept. 24, 2005 ended the Knights’ 17-game losing streak and led to winning eight of nine to qualify for the bowl game.

In the 2006 draft, the 2001 Central Florida All Star Game participant was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round (119th overall). He has shined in the league on the field, while also dealing with multiple off-field issues.

Marshall’s last game at Lake Howell was also memorable, good and bad. The Silver Hawks lost 37-26 to Winter Springs, which clinched the Seminole Athletic Conference championship with the victory. But Marshall shined individually on both sides of the ball. He passed for 193 yards, which brought his Seminole County-leading total that season to 1,054 yards. He also returned two fumble recoveries for touchdowns in the span of 17 seconds to keep Lake Howell in the game.

Marshall signed as a free agent midway through this season with the New Orleans Saints as he hopes to be part of a playoff team for the first time.