DALLAS (FWAA) – By virtue of their 27-20 win over Kansas State, the Marshall Thundering Herd has been named the Football Writers Association of America's National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Sept. 20. Marshall's win marks the first time that it has defeated a regular season opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.

The honor is decided by the 16-member panel that votes in the organization's Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll, which is in its second season.

Franklin "Butchie" Wallace ran for a game-high 112 yards on 17 carries to lead the Thundering Herd, which ran for 210 yards against a Kansas State defense that was allowing only 62.5 yards per game.

Defensive end Jonathan Goddard returned a fumble 84 yards for a Marshall touchdown in the first quarter to tie the game, 7-7. Goddard's game-changing play was his first career touchdown and was one of four turnovers forced by Marshall.

Northern Illinois, with its 19-16 win at Alabama, and Oregon, a 31-27 upset winner over Michigan, were the other teams nominated this week. Three voters actually nominated the entire Mid-American Conference as Toledo and Miami (Ohio) joined Marshall in the upset parade.

The FWAA Team of the Week will be announced each Monday throughout the season.

The Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll, released in the preseason, will resume on Monday, Oct. 13.

The FWAA, in conjunction with the Charlotte Touchdown Club, will name its Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.