The Marshall Thundering Herd kick off their 2025 campaign with the toughest of assignments, a trip to Athens to face the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, August 30. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm ET on ESPN.
For Marshall, this season marks the start of a new era. After an offseason of upheaval, with former head coach Charles Huff bolting for Southern Miss and taking several cornerstone players along with him, the program is very much in transition. New boss Tony Gibson inherits a roster reshaped by heavy portal activity, with as many as 18 transfers expected to feature.
Still, there's a clear vision in place: Gibson and offensive coordinator Rod Smith are installing a fast-tempo, spread attack inspired by Rich Rodriguez’s system at Jacksonville State. The Herd hope that misdirection and speed can offset Georgia's obvious size and strength advantage.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, may be breaking in a fresh face under center, but the bar remains sky-high, nothing less than another national title push will do. Junior quarterback Gunner Stockton takes the reins, charged with not only managing the offense but also pushing the ball downfield more aggressively than his predecessor. His arsenal is loaded: USC transfer Zachariah Branch headlines a deep receiver room that also boasts Noah Thomas, Colbie Young, and versatile playmaker Dillon Bell.
The backfield is just as stacked, with Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens, and freshman sparkplug Bo Walker all expected to see carries. The offensive line is the one lingering question, having lost four starters, but returning tackles Earnest Greene III and Monroe Freeling provide a strong foundation.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Georgia vs Marshall NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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Georgia vs Marshall: Date and kick-off time
The Georgia Bulldogs will take on the Marshall Thundering Herd in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 3:30 pm ET or 12:30 pm PT, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
| Date | Saturday, August 30, 2025 |
| kick-off Time | 3:30 pm ET or 12:30 pm PT |
| Venue | Sanford Stadium |
| Location | Athens, Georgia |
How to watch Georgia vs Marshall on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming service: Fubo
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Georgia vs Marshall team news & key players
Georgia Bulldogs team news
Georgia's defense looks as intimidating as ever. The interior is manned by Christian Miller, Jordan Hall, and Xzavier McLeod, while Gabe Harris Jr. is being handed a bigger role on the edge. Linebacker is once again a position of strength, and in the secondary, Daylen Everette and rising star KJ Bolden headline a unit brimming with talent.
Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann will be able to rotate waves of five-star athletes to keep Marshall's high-tempo offense in check. History is on their side too — the Bulldogs have given up just three points in each of their last four season openers, a trend this defense is built to extend.
Special teams shouldn't be overlooked either. Veteran kicker Peyton Woodring has been as reliable as they come (42-for-48 in his career), while punter Brett Thorson is working his way back from injury and should be ready to go. And with Branch handling returns, Georgia has yet another weapon capable of flipping field position in an instant.
For head coach Kirby Smart, this opener is about more than just chalking up another win. It’s a chance to give Stockton valuable reps, sharpen execution, and evaluate depth before SEC play arrives. With Austin Peay and Charlotte looming, this matchup with Marshall is Georgia’s prime opportunity to polish the edges before the grind truly begins.
Marshall Thundering Herd team news
At quarterback, Marshall has decisions to make. Syracuse transfer Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and former Jacksonville State passer Zion Turner are vying for the job, both offering mobility and flashes of upside, but neither has proven himself consistently at the FBS level. The ground game looks more stable, with Michael Allen (UNLV) and Jo’Shon Barbie (McNeese State) both capable of moving the chains after averaging north of five yards per carry a year ago.
Up front, the offensive line actually brings back some continuity, with Logan Osburn and Jalen Slappy anchoring the interior and massive Hampton transfer Tyler McDuffie (6ft9in, 356 lbs) adding serious heft on the edge. Tight end Toby Payne is the lone proven playmaker returning, and he’ll likely serve as a safety blanket in the passing attack.
Defensively, the Herd are almost starting from scratch. Last year's fearsome pass rush is gone, replaced by a new-look front seven built more on size than speed. Transfers KaTron Evans (Charlotte) and Tyas Martin (Jackson State) bulk up the trenches, while Javae Gilmore (Mississippi State) and Jibreel Al-Amin (Jacksonville State) are tasked with steadying the linebacker corps.
The secondary is largely rebuilt via the portal, but returning safety Jadarius Green-McKnight gives them at least one reliable playmaker. For Marshall to hang around, they'll need to mix up looks, disrupt Georgia’s rhythm, and force early miscues before the Bulldogs’ depth inevitably takes over.