It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall, IN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Marshall, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
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“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Ketchum Park in Marshall, IN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Field Main Restaurant or visit Honolulu House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Marshall, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Marshall, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Marshall, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina returns to the road Saturday night when the Chanticleers face Marshall in Sun Belt Conference action at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with the game streaming on ESPN+.Coastal Carolina enters the matchup at 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play following a 31-24 loss to Georgia Southern. Marshall stands at 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the Sun Belt after a 45-17 setback at James Madison. Both teams will be seeking their first conference victory of the season....
CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina returns to the road Saturday night when the Chanticleers face Marshall in Sun Belt Conference action at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
Coastal Carolina enters the matchup at 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play following a 31-24 loss to Georgia Southern. Marshall stands at 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the Sun Belt after a 45-17 setback at James Madison. Both teams will be seeking their first conference victory of the season.
| Television / Stream | ESPN+ |
| Radio | Chanticleer Sports Network |
| Live Stats | Live Statistics |
| Game Notes | Coastal Carolina | Marshall |
| coastalfootball | |
| X | @CoastalFootball |
| YouTube | Coastal Carolina Athletics |
| Category | Coastal Carolina | Marshall |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Record | 1-4 | 3-2 |
| Sun Belt Record | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Head Coach | Ryan Beard | Tony Gibson |
| Career Record | 20-20 | 8-9 |
| Record at School | 1-4 | 8-9 |
| Scoring Offense | 24.8 | 22.2 |
| Scoring Defense | 25.0 | 35.0 |
| Rushing Offense | 131.8 | 146.2 |
| Passing Offense | 254.6 | 240.6 |
| Total Offense | 386.4 | 386.8 |
| Total Defense | 383.0 | 475.2 |
| First Downs | 104 | 105 |
| Time of Possession | 29:07 | 30:08 |
Statistics are from the 2026 season. Offense and defense figures are per game unless otherwise noted.
SEEKING A SUN BELT WIN: Both teams enter Saturday's matchup at 0-1 in conference play. The game will be Coastal Carolina's first Sun Belt road contest under head coach Ryan Beard and Marshall's conference home opener.
THE SERIES: Coastal Carolina and Marshall will meet for the fifth time, with the Chanticleers holding a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series. Coastal is 1-1 in Huntington, and all four previous meetings have been played as Sun Belt opponents.
HOME-FIELD EDGE: The home team has won each of the last three meetings. Marshall earned a 31-19 victory during Coastal's most recent trip to Huntington in 2024 before the Chanticleers answered with a 44-27 win at Brooks Stadium last season.
HOUSE CALL: Robby Washington's 73-yard punt return touchdown against Georgia Southern was Coastal's longest since moving to the FBS level in 2017 and its first non-blocked punt return score since 2019. Washington leads the Sun Belt with a 29.8-yard punt return average.
200 PLUS: Deuce Bailey has passed for at least 200 yards in each of Coastal's first five games. He ranks second in the Sun Belt with 253.4 passing yards per game and has thrown at least two touchdown passes in every contest, totaling 12 this season.
SHOULDERING THE OFFENSE: Bailey has accounted for 1,438 of Coastal's 1,932 yards of total offense, a 74.4-percent share. His 287.6 total yards per game rank second in the Sun Belt.
LEADING THE LEAGUE: Marcellius Pulliam leads the Sun Belt with 47 tackles and 9.4 stops per game. He has recorded double-digit tackles in four of Coastal's first five contests, including 10 against Georgia Southern.
SECOND-QUARTER SPARK: Coastal has scored 52 of its 124 points in the second quarter, making it the Chanticleers' highest-scoring period. Coastal has produced double-digit second-quarter totals against Fordham, Liberty and Georgia Southern.
THIRD-QUARTER DEFENSE: The Chanticleers have allowed only 10 third-quarter points through five games while scoring 24. Coastal held West Virginia, Fordham and Georgia Southern scoreless in the period.
SPANISH BOOT: Coastal's Nico Cavanillas Alti and Marshall's Jorge Diaz Nicolas are both from Madrid, Spain, and own the Sun Belt's two longest field goals this season. Cavanillas Alti connected from a program-record 56 yards against Fordham, while Diaz Nicolas has made a 54-yarder.
SCOUTING THE HERD: Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has completed 88-of-134 passes for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns while leading the Herd with 209 rushing yards. Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw has caught 22 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns, with the pair connecting for the team's opening score in three of five games.
Coastal Carolina returns to Brooks Stadium to host App State on Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the game airing nationally on ESPN2.
After leading the match 2-0 (25-18, 25-20), the Dukes dropped sets three (27-29) and four (19-25) to the Thundering Herd. After a tight opening to the decisive fifth set, JMU used a quick 4-1 spurt to go ahead 7-4 on Marshall. While the Herd was able to pull within one twice down the stretch, the Dukes settled in and used a 5-2 run to close the set and take the decisive match point (15-12).The Dukes have won eight consecutive matches, including a 5-0 start to Sun Belt Conference action, to move to 10-5 on the season. The Thundering He...
After leading the match 2-0 (25-18, 25-20), the Dukes dropped sets three (27-29) and four (19-25) to the Thundering Herd. After a tight opening to the decisive fifth set, JMU used a quick 4-1 spurt to go ahead 7-4 on Marshall. While the Herd was able to pull within one twice down the stretch, the Dukes settled in and used a 5-2 run to close the set and take the decisive match point (15-12).
The Dukes have won eight consecutive matches, including a 5-0 start to Sun Belt Conference action, to move to 10-5 on the season. The Thundering Herd, now 3-2 in SBC play, is 10–6 on the year.
For the first time since 2024 non-conference play, three Dukes notched double-doubles in a single match. Kennedy Louisell had a season-high 34 kills with a season-best 19 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Grace Wenrich posted a season-high 32 assists with a career-high 19 digs for her first double-double of the season while Sydney Lewis had a season-best 10 assists with 19 digs for her first double-double as a Duke.
Overall, five Dukes had at least 7.0 kills on the evening. Of the 12 Dukes who played, 10 tallied at least 1.0 point in the victory.
JMU remains in West Virginia for the second face-off against Marshall. The Dukes and Thundering Herd have first serve on Friday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m.
Set One – JMU 25, Marshall 18 • JMU took the early lead, opening play with a 4-1 run. • The Dukes kept the Thundering Herd at least two points away and stretched out their lead to six (15-9) off a 3-0 scoring run heading into the media timeout. • Marshall reached double figures with the first score out of the timeout, sparking a 3-0 run to pull back within three (15-12). • The Thundering Herd called their first timeout when JMU took a 20-14 advantage off a 3-0 spurt. • JMU never trailed in the set and only sat tied with Marshall at 1-1. • The Dukes hit .302 (18-5-43) while limiting the Thundering Herd to .129 (8-4-31).
Set Two – JMU 25, Marshall 20 • JMU once again took the early lead with the first two points of the set. Marshall tied the match at 2-2 before the Dukes regained the lead, which they maintained until the Herd used a 3-0 scoring run to even things at 8-all. • The Dukes put together a 4-0 run and jumped out to a 13-9 advantage, prompting a Marshall timeout. • Marshall cut into the JMU lead with a 4-0 run of its own to pull back within one at 17-16 as the Dukes and Thundering Herd started exchanging runs. • Out of a JMU timeout, the Dukes went on a 4-0 scoring run to take the 24-19 lead over Marshall.
Set Three – Marshall 29, JMU 27 • Marshall took its first lead of the day with points on the first four plays of set three, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. • Up by six (10-4), Marshall was hitting .571 (5-1-7) compared to JMU’s -.125 (1-2-8). • JMU used a 4-0 run to cut into the Herd’s lead, pulling back within two (12-10) before Marshall burned a timeout. • The Herd went on a 3-0 run out of the stoppage to take a 15-10 lead heading into the media timeout. • JMU used a 4-1 spurt to close back within two (19-17), but Marshall responded with a 3-0 run. • The Dukes pulled within two twice more at 22-20 and 23-21 before a block by Anna Wilson and Ana Toumazatos got JMU the closest they’d been. This was part of a 3-0 JMU scoring run that tied the set at 23-all. • Marshall took the 24-23 lead but Kennedy Louisell had the answer off an assist from Grace Wenrich to tie it up at 24-24. • The Herd played for set point four times, but JMU had the answer each time. On the fifth set point, Marshall finally connected to take set three 29-27.
Set Four – Marshall 25, JMU 19 • JMU got the opening point. Marshall tied it at 1-1 before JMU used a 4-1 spurt to go up by three at 5-2. • Marshall used its own 3-0 scoring run to even the match at 6-6. The Dukes and Thundering Herd started exchanging scoring spurts to keep the set tight. • The Herd took its first lead of the set at 10-9, part of a 5-0 scoring run to take a 13-9 advantage before a service error got JMU back on the board. • JMU pulled within one at 17-16, but Marshall responded with a 3-0 run to push the advantage back out to four. • After the Dukes closed the gap to two, Marshall closed the set on a 5-1 run to tie the match at 2-all.
Set Five – JMU 15, Marshall 12 • Marshall scored the first point before JMU put together a 3-0 run to take the 3-1 advantage. • The Dukes and Thundering Herd sat tied twice before JMU opened up a 7-4 edge and Marshall took a timeout. • Marshall scored out of the stoppage, but JMU used it as motivation and pushed out to a 9-5 lead before a service error sparked another spurt by the Herd. Marshall cut into the advantage at 9-7. • A successful challenge by Marshall stopped JMU’s momentum and then followed up with a tough kill to make it a one-point game (10-9). • JMU battled hard, staying one step ahead of Marshall to take a 12-10 lead as the Herd called a timeout. • Sydney Lewis tallied a service ace to put the Dukes up three (13-10). • The Dukes outscored the Herd 5-2 down the final stretch to secure the 15-12 set five win and 3-2 match victory.
Match Notes • JMU is on an eight-match win streak. The Dukes have won 24 of their last 28 sets played. • This is the Dukes’ 10th consecutive win against the Thundering Herd. • JMU has played in back-to-back five-set matches and three overall this season. The Dukes are 2-2 in 5-set matches this year. • Kennedy Louisell notched a season-high 34 kills, her second consecutive match above the 30-kill mark. She has double-digit kills in 46 consecutive matches. • Louisell added a season-best 19 digs for her sixth double-double of the year. • Grace Wenrich tallied her first double-double of the season with a season-high 32 assists and career-high 19 digs. • Sydney Lewis earned her first double-double of the season with a season-best 10 assists and adding 19 digs. • This is the first time three players have had double-doubles since Wenrich partnered up with Jaydyn Clemmer and Rebecca Watkins for a trio of double-doubles on Sept. 15, 2024 in a 3-1 victory over Western Michigan. • Wenrich’s 32 assists is the most by any Duke in a match this season. • Louisell made 34 kills, the most by any Duke this season, and 84 total attacking attempts, the most of both her career and any Duke this season in one match. • JMU finished hitting .229 (74-30-192) as a team, the Dukes’ lowest percentage in an SBC match this season (fourth overall). It’s the first time in 2026 the Dukes have won a match hitting below .230. • The Dukes tallied 74 kills as a team, the most they’ve notched in a match this season. It is the first time since Oct. 25, 2025 against Georgia Southern (73) they’ve eclipsed the 70-kill mark. • JMU’s 84 digs as a team is the first time they’ve gone over the 80-dig mark since the last trip to Marshall, when the Dukes had 85 on Oct. 12, 2024. • Brenna Corbin was credited with the first assist and dig of her career at JMU. This was also the first match where she played more than one set (3). • Ayen Nhial had 6.0 blocks, the fifth time this season she has been credited with 6.0 or more blocks in a contest.
— JMU Athletics —
Coastal Carolina’s first order of business in its first Sun Belt Conference road game of the season at Marshall on Saturday night will be eliminating debilitating mistakes.The Chants (1-4) are trying to stop a three-game losing streak since their lone win of the season against FCS foe Fordham, and a plethora of self-inflicted wounds have played a part in each of the three losses.CCU has been flagged for more than 100 yards in penalties in two straight games, and has committed two turnovers in each of its past three games....
Coastal Carolina’s first order of business in its first Sun Belt Conference road game of the season at Marshall on Saturday night will be eliminating debilitating mistakes.
The Chants (1-4) are trying to stop a three-game losing streak since their lone win of the season against FCS foe Fordham, and a plethora of self-inflicted wounds have played a part in each of the three losses.
CCU has been flagged for more than 100 yards in penalties in two straight games, and has committed two turnovers in each of its past three games.
“You are what the film shows, and right now in the last two games we have not been a disciplined football team, and that’s both penalties and the crucial turnovers that will absolutely kill you in a good, equal battle,” said CCU first-year coach Ryan Beard. “Our continuing issue of penalties, that is one thing I’ve demanded of the staff. That falls on us. We have to make sure we’re playing good, clean, disciplined football.”
In last week’s 31-24 loss to Georgia Southern in their Sun Belt opener, the Chants twice lost potential touchdowns by fumbling into the end zone for touchbacks.
Against Liberty two weeks ago, CCU dropped 10 passes and had season highs with 15 penalties for 117 yards.
“Momentum plays continue to plague us,” Beard said. “I think I’ve been coaching for upwards of 15 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group fumble the football out of the end zone at the 1-yard line twice in one game. That just can’t happen. You’ve got to protect the football at all times. The football is everything. That 14-point shift there really changes the complexity of the game.”
Marshall (3-2) is coming off a 45-17 loss at undefeated James Madison in its Sun Belt opener.
CCU is still trying to find consistency on offense, primarily due to turnovers.
Redshirt freshman Deuce Bailey has completed 85 of 155 passes (54.8%) for 1,267 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions, and has thrown for at least 200 yards in all five games.
He has spread the ball around, as five wide receivers have at least 10 catches.
“Deuce is doing a great job of keeping plays alive with his feet,” second-year Marshall coach Tony Gibson said. “He runs around everywhere back there and makes plays all over the field with his feet and his arm. . . . We’re going to have our hands full with this quarterback and they’ve got good skill players around him.”
The Chants were somewhat successful on the ground last week with 142 yards on 36 carries, but their yards per carry of 3.9 matches their season average.
The Chants don’t have an individual runner with 200 yards rushing through five games, have scored just three rushing touchdowns, and have been outgained on the ground by 258 yards on the season.
Coastal has been generally solid on special teams, as Robby Washington scored on a 73-yard punt return last week – CCU’s longest punt return since moving up to FBS in 2017 – and kicker Nico Canavillas Alti has connected on all four of his field goal attempts, including a pair of more than 50 yards.
But the Chants have otherwise been outplayed on both sides of the ball over the past three games.
The Chants have allowed 18 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries this season, which are a combined 10 more than the CCU defense has accumulated.
Redshirt senior defensive end Ibrahim Diawara leads the defense with five sacks among his 26 tackles, which are second on the team, along with two QB hurries, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Junior linebacker Marcellius Pulliam, a Michigan State transfer, has also been a consistent force and leads the team by far with 47 tackles.
The Thundering Herd had won three consecutive close games over Middle Tennessee (28-26), Missouri State (30-24) and Gardner-Webb (36-35) before getting walloped by James Madison last week.
Like Coastal, Marshall has been giving up big plays on defense.
JMU scored 28 points in the second quarter to take a 38-14 lead into halftime, and in the first half it scored on runs of 73 and 33 yards, and passes of 53 and 20 yards.
“Disappointed in how we played in the second quarter. The game got away from us at that point,” Gibson said. “. . . Defensively again it’s the same old thing, giving up explosive plays for touchdowns. We dug ourselves a hole and couldn’t get out of it.”
The Marshall defense is giving up an average of 35 points per game, 475 yards per game and 7.1 yards per play this season.
The Herd lost 45-0 at Penn State in their opener, so they’ve been outscored by 64 points this season despite their winning record.
Marshall is 2-0 at home this season and is 20-6 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia over the past five seasons.
This is the fifth meeting between CCU and Marshall, all as Sun Belt members. Coastal holds a 3-1 edge in the series, including a 44-27 win last year at Brooks Stadium in Conway, and is 1-1 in Huntington.
Beard and Gibson squared off at Marshall in the second week of the season last year when Beard was the head coach at Missouri State, and his Bears took a 21-20 victory.
Redshirt senior quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, who was one of 50 players on the Walter Camp national player of the year preseason watch list, provides the bulk of Marshall’s offense, as he leads the team in passing and rushing yards.
He has completed 88 of 134 passes (65.7%) for 1,004 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions, and has run for 209 yards and two rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the team lead.
His favorite receiver is diminutive redshirt senior Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw (5’10’’, 166 pounds), a transfer from Virginia Tech prior to the 2025 season who has 22 catches for 324 yards and four TDs.
Redshirt senior Toby Payne, who was on the preseason watch list for the national John Mackey Award for tight ends, has 19 catches for 147 yards.
Marshall’s beleaguered defense has just four sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries on the season.
Marshall has been a consistently good program. It qualified for a bowl game in eight straight seasons from 2017-24.
But the program took a turn late in 2024.
Marshall did not participate in a bowl in 2024 despite winning the conference championship because it didn’t have enough players. After coach Charles Huff left the program for Southern Miss following the championship game, the roster was decimated due to a mass exodus into the NCAA Transfer Portal.
So 2025 was a rebuilding year under Gibson, who spent the previous six years at N.C. State in roles including defensive coordinator, and the Herd went 5-7.
Last year, then quarterback Samari Collier led CCU to victory with four combined passing and rushing touchdowns, while Dominic Knicely, now a sophomore, scored on a 59-yard run.
Who: Coastal Carolina (1-4, 0-1 Sun Belt) at Marshall (3-2, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, W.Va.
Occasion: Marshall’s “We Are Herd Strong!” cancer awareness game
TV/Online: ESPN+
Radio: WRXZ Rock 107.1 FM, Chanticleer Mobile App
Last Meeting: CCU 44-27, Oct. 30, 2025
Line: Marshall -4
Sept. 5 – at West Virginia, lost 31-24
Sept. 12 – vs. Fordham, won 45-7
Sept. 19 – at Delaware, lost 22-14
Sept. 24 – vs. Liberty, lost 34-17
Oct. 3 – vs. Georgia Southern, lost 31-24
Oct. 10 – at Marshall, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 – vs. Appalachian State, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Oct. 31 – at Georgia State, TBA
Nov. 7 – vs. Old Dominion, TBA
Nov. 14 – vs. Arkansas State, TBA
Nov. 21 – at Louisiana, TBA
Nov. 28 – at James Madison, TBA
The Franklin & Marshall College football team earned the first NCAA tournament berth in program history last season.The Diplomats are counting on a few Lehigh Valley players to help them make another run at a playoff spot in 2026.Parkland High School graduate Jack Harrison and Nazareth product Owen Banghart have started every game in helping F&M to a 4-0 start. The Diplomats will put their perfect record on the line Saturday when they visit Muhlenberg (1 p.m., Scotty Wood Stadium).Saturday is a final chance to pl...
The Franklin & Marshall College football team earned the first NCAA tournament berth in program history last season.
The Diplomats are counting on a few Lehigh Valley players to help them make another run at a playoff spot in 2026.
Parkland High School graduate Jack Harrison and Nazareth product Owen Banghart have started every game in helping F&M to a 4-0 start. The Diplomats will put their perfect record on the line Saturday when they visit Muhlenberg (1 p.m., Scotty Wood Stadium).
Saturday is a final chance to play close to home for Harrison, a senior wide receiver and captain. He has jumped from a secondary target in F&M’s passing game last season to its No. 1 option after the graduation of NCAA Division III All-American Gary Lewis.
Harrison leads the Diplomats in every major receiving category while ranking third in the Centennial Conference in receiving yards (252), tied for eighth in receptions (16) and tied for third in touchdown catches (three). He has provided a reliable option for quarterbacks Na’Rome Rayborn and Jadon Prinzivalli, who have both started games this season after the graduation of four-year starter and former Parkland star Ty Tremba.
“We’re kind of clicking,” Harrison said by phone Monday. “We figured it out in out-of-conference play. I think we’re ready to keep clicking through conference play for sure.”
While F&M’s offense has adjusted to new skill-position personnel, its defense has stifled foes from the jump. The Diplomats have surrendered 8.0 points per game, tops in the Centennial Conference.
Banghart, a junior defensive end, said F&M’s focus has been shutting down opposing ground games. The Diplomats have allowed 47.5 rushing yards per game and 2.3 yards per carry. Both numbers rank No. 1 in the conference.
Banghart is tied for the team lead with 5.5 tackles for loss in his second season as a starter. He also has 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, four quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
“It’s good to start coming off hot,” Banghart said. “Last year, it took us a couple of games to really click and get our chemistry. We were pretty young. But I think we kind of came out of the gate [this year] with that chemistry already built in.
“That’s from the offseason work and working together as a team. We’re really rolling right now. Defensively, we go by ‘One heartbeat, one soul’, where we don’t have a lot of star players. It’s more just working as a cohesive unit — 11 guys with one heartbeat.”
Two other Lehigh Valley players have also contributed for F&M this season. Liberty grad Ben Bartholomew (eight tackles, one quarterback hurry) and Central Catholic graduate Nathan Schultz (six tackles, one fumble recovery) have both appeared in every game as reserves. Bartholomew, a sophomore linebacker, had a season-high four tackles, all solo stops, in a Sept. 19 win against Catholic. Schultz added three tackles and a fumble recovery against Catholic.
The Diplomats hope to keep rolling against a Muhlenberg team coming off a 17-7 loss at Ursinus in its Centennial Conference opener. Harrison has played the Mules enough times to expect a tight contest. Their last two matchups have been decided by one point, with F&M winning 28-27 last season and Muhlenberg winning 24-23 in 2024.
“It’s always a physical game,” Harrison said. “It’s always one of my favorite games of the year, because it’s a homecoming for me. We just expect another physical game with a really solid opponent.
“It’s always tough, so I’m excited.”
Here’s a look at this week’s games.
When: 12 p.m. Saturday
Taking note: Moravian senior wide receiver Avery Koser (Southern Lehigh) ranks third in the Landmark Conference with 295 receiving yards. He became the 13th player in Greyhounds history with 100 career receptions with his seven-catch game Saturday against Western Connecticut. … Moravian ranks sixth in the seven-team Landmark Conference in scoring offense at 9.0 points per game; Juniata ranks last at 8.8 points per game.
When: 12 p.m. Saturday
Taking note: Kutztown has scored 50-plus points six times since the start of the 2025 season after dropping 59 on Shippensburg last week. … Kutztown graduate student Freddie Retter (Quakertown) produced seven quarterback hurries against Shippensburg. He also had three tackles and 1.5 sacks. … Junior running back Jalen Fletcher (Freedom) leads Lackawanna with 209 rushing yards. He also has all three of its rushing touchdowns this season.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Taking note: Franklin & Marshall leads the Centennial Conference in scoring offense (34.0 points per game). … Muhlenberg has the best kick-return unit in the Centennial Conference, averaging 25.7 yards per return. … Muhlenberg freshman defensive lineman Algee Macon (Easton) collected his first career sack in Friday’s loss to Ursinus.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Taking note: East Stroudsburg ran for a season-high 318 yards in last week’s win over West Chester. Freedom graduate Deante Crawford (66 yards) and Southern Lehigh graduate Cade Sawyer (42 yards, one touchdown) contributed to the ground attack. … Bloomsburg has won three straight games since a 9-6 loss to Edinboro on Sept. 12. The Huskies are allowing a PSAC-low 18.0 points per game. … Bloomsburg has struggled with its punting, ranking 14th in the 15-team PSAC in net yardage (31.0 yards per punt).
Stephen Miller is a freelance writer
MONROE, La. — The ULM volleyball team (6-11, 1-3) defeated Marshall (10-5, 3-1) in a five-set thriller on Saturday afternoon to split the series and earn its first Sun Belt win of the season.Aniya Hall led the Warhawks, making 14 kills and 12 digs, while Abby Cunningham made 10 kills, five digs and four blocks. Freshman Tatum Clay notched a career-high nine kills on .571 hitting (9-1-14) and added three blocks and aces each.Clay opened the match with a kill, giving the Warhawks an e...
MONROE, La. — The ULM volleyball team (6-11, 1-3) defeated Marshall (10-5, 3-1) in a five-set thriller on Saturday afternoon to split the series and earn its first Sun Belt win of the season.
Aniya Hall led the Warhawks, making 14 kills and 12 digs, while Abby Cunningham made 10 kills, five digs and four blocks. Freshman Tatum Clay notched a career-high nine kills on .571 hitting (9-1-14) and added three blocks and aces each.
Clay opened the match with a kill, giving the Warhawks an early lead. The two teams fought to establish themselves, with six ties before a 4-0 run put ULM on the front foot. Briana Raney made two aces to advance the Warhawks, and Aniya Hall put up a solo block to make it 15-13 ULM at the break. Kenzie Behl recorded her third kill of the set to extend the Warhawk lead to four points and force a Thundering Herd timeout. Marshall made a late surge, cutting the lead to one point on three straight set points, but Hall's swing sealed it 25-23 for the Warhawks.
The second set was highly contested, with 15 ties throughout. Aniya Hall was active early, making two kills to put the Warhawks up. ULM managed to take the lead on a Marshall error into the break, after tying the score at 14-all on a Tatum Clay swing. Neither team could break away from the other until the Warhawks regrouped while the score sat at 23-23. A huge block by freshman Zharia Alleyne and setter Morgan Howard clinched the set, 25-23.
Marshall swung the match's momentum in its favor in the third and fourth sets. ULM earned the first point of the third, but it would be the only time it would lead during the set. The Warhawks trailed by as many as six points, but a 5-0 run, highlighted by kills from Cunningham and Behl and an ace by Bre Perrin, made the score 19-19. The set saw one more tie at 21-all, but Thundering Herd block got Marshall on the score board.
Back-to-back aces from team-leader Tatum Clay gave ULM a lead in the fourth set, but Marshall answered with seven consecutive points and never surrendered the lead. The Warhawks trailed by as many as eight and cut into the deficit by four points, but it was too large to overcome. A Marshall ace made the score 25-19, forcing a winner-take-all fifth set.
The shortened fifth set saw nine ties and six lead changes, but the Marshall defense couldn't find an answer for Aniya Hall. She recorded six kills to help lift ULM to victory. The Thundering Herd led 11-10, but a huge solo block by Abby Cunningham tied the score and brought the serve to Eden Pietrzak. The Warhawks took the match, 3-2, on five consecutive points, which included three kills from Hall.
The win marks ULM's first five-set victory of the season and was Marshall's first conference loss.
UP NEXT
The Warhawks will travel to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday, October 5, for the final nonconference meeting of the regular season. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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