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Timeline

We Are Marshall (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2006 · 131 min · English
Directed by
McG
Starring
Anthony Mackie, Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox

In 1970, a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of 75 people, including the entire Marshall University football team, deeply impacting the town of Huntington, West Virginia. Faced with immense grief, the community rallies together. Young coach Jack Lengyel is hired to rebuild the program, a daunting task that requires more than just athletic skill. He must unite a heartbroken town and inspire a new team while confronting the challenges of loss and remembrance.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like We Are Marshall
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch We Are Marshall (2006)

Where can you watch We Are Marshall? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

We Are Marshall Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of We Are Marshall (2006) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Flight Departs

    On the evening of November 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 took off with the Thundering Herd football team aboard. They were returning home to Huntington, West Virginia, following a close 17-14 loss to East Carolina University.

    When
    November 14, 1970
    Where
    Southern Airways Flight
  2. Tragic Crash

    Just a mile from Tri-State Airport, the flight tragically clipped trees on a ridge and crashed into a gully. The devastating incident resulted in the loss of all 75 souls on board, including 37 players and coaching staff.

    When
    November 14, 1970
    Where
    Near Tri-State Airport
  3. Community Mourning

    In the aftermath of the crash, the community of Huntington mourned profoundly for the lost lives. The tragedy not only affected families but also left a significant impact on Marshall University's football program and its supporters.

    When
    November 1970
    Where
    Huntington, West Virginia
  4. Nate Ruffin's Battle

    Nate Ruffin, a player who missed the flight due to illness, emerged as a leader among students advocating for the football team's return. His passionate campaign aimed to persuade the board of governors to allow the team to play the 1971 season.

    When
    Spring 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  5. University's Decision

    Initially, University President Donald Dedmon leaned towards suspending the football program indefinitely. However, the heartfelt pleas from students and surviving players influenced him to reconsider the decision, leading to hope for the team's revival.

    When
    Spring 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  6. New Coaching Staff

    To breathe new life into the team, President Dedmon hired Jack Lengyel as the new head coach. Alongside Red Dawson, one of the two surviving coaching staff, they faced the monumental challenge of rebuilding the team from scratch.

    When
    Summer 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  7. NCAA Appeal

    In an effort to strengthen the team, Dedmon traveled to Kansas City to appeal to the NCAA to lift restrictions on freshmen playing varsity football. His successful appeal allowed for a new influx of talent to join the Young Thundering Herd.

    When
    Summer 1971
    Where
    Kansas City
  8. Building the Team

    With limited resources, the newly formed team included 18 returning players and walk-on athletes from different sports. Lengyel's leadership aimed to redefine competition standards even in the face of adversity.

    When
    Summer 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  9. Bittersweet Debut

    The Young Thundering Herd made their debut against the Morehead State Eagles, suffering a 29-6 loss. This defeat raised questions among fans and players about the appropriateness of fielding such an inexperienced team.

    When
    Fall 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  10. First Home Game Victory

    Undeterred by their initial loss, the team celebrated a historic comeback victory against Xavier University, winning 15-13. This game reignited the town's spirit and honored the memories of the teammates lost in the tragic crash.

    When
    Fall 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  11. End of Season Struggles

    Despite their inspiring victory, the Young Thundering Herd did not secure another win for the remainder of the season. However, their resolve and perseverance were integral in laying the foundation for future success.

    When
    Fall 1971
    Where
    Marshall University
  12. Foundation for Success

    The hardships faced by the team during the season would eventually lead to extraordinary successes in the coming decades. This season marked the beginning of a transformation that would culminate in five championships during the 1980s.

    Where
    Marshall University
  13. Legacy of Resilience

    The journey of the Young Thundering Herd became a symbol of community strength and resilience. The determination and courage shown in the wake of the tragedy inspired generations and forever changed the football program's legacy.

    Where
    Marshall University

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:03

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Timeline questions answered

We Are Marshall Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of We Are Marshall (2006): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why wasn't Nate Ruffin on the plane when it crashed?

Nate Ruffin missed the fatal flight because he was ill. He stayed behind due to illness, which made him one of the surviving players. This survival proved pivotal, as Ruffin later became the driving force behind convincing the university to reinstate the football program for the 1971 season.

  • nate ruffin
  • plane crash
  • surviving player
  • illness
Q2

Why did President Dedmon initially want to shut down the football program?

After losing 37 players, coaches, and supporters in the crash, President Donald Dedmon initially believed it would be impossible to field a competitive team and wanted to suspend the program indefinitely. The scale of the loss seemed insurmountable for a grieving community.

  • donald dedmon
  • university president
  • football program
  • suspension
Q3

Why did Marshall need to appeal to the NCAA about freshmen playing varsity?

President Dedmon traveled to Kansas City to persuade the NCAA to lift restrictions preventing freshmen from playing varsity football. With most experienced players gone and many recruits choosing West Virginia University instead, Marshall desperately needed every available player to field a team.

  • ncaa
  • freshmen
  • varsity
  • kansas city
  • appeal
Q4

Why was Jack Lengyel chosen to rebuild the Marshall football program?

Jack Lengyel was hired as the new head coach specifically because the program needed someone willing to rebuild from nothing. He faced the enormous task of creating a competitive team with only 18 returning players, three from varsity and 15 sophomores, plus walk-on athletes from other sports.

  • jack lengyel
  • head coach
  • rebuild
  • coaching
Q5

What made the victory over Xavier so significant for Marshall?

The 15-13 comeback win against Xavier was the Young Thundering Herd's first home game and represented much more than a sporting victory. It reignited the town's spirit and served as a meaningful tribute to the teammates lost in the crash, proving the program could succeed despite overwhelming odds.

  • xavier university
  • comeback victory
  • home game
  • 15-13
Q6

Why was the first game against Morehead State emotional for the team?

The Young Thundering Herd's debut ended in a 29-6 loss to Morehead State. The defeat weighed heavily on players like Nate Ruffin and Red Dawson, who faced questions about whether fielding such an inexperienced team was respectful to the memory of those lost in the crash.

  • morehead state
  • first game
  • 29-6 loss
  • emotional
Q7

How did Red Dawson survive the plane crash?

Red Dawson was one of only two surviving coaching staff members from the flight. Alongside him, Dawson worked with Jack Lengyel to rebuild the entire football program from scratch, becoming instrumental in the team's formation and development during the 1971 season.

  • red dawson
  • surviving coach
  • coaching staff
Q8

Why did Huntington's community support bringing back football?

After the tragedy, students and Huntington residents rallied behind the surviving players' push to resume football. Their heartfelt pleas convinced President Dedmon to reconsider suspending the program. The community viewed the team's return as essential to the town's healing and identity.

  • community support
  • huntington
  • students
  • healing
Q9

What caused Southern Airways Flight 932 to crash?

The chartered DC-9 aircraft clipped trees on a ridge just one mile from Tri-State Airport while returning from a 17-14 loss to East Carolina. The plane then crashed into a nearby gully, killing all 75 people aboard, including 37 players, coaches, and boosters.

  • plane crash
  • tri-state airport
  • trees
  • flight 932
Q10

What did the 1971 season accomplish for Marshall football's future?

Despite finishing with only one win, the 1971 season laid the foundation for Marshall's future success. The resilience shown that year led to five championships during the 1980s, transforming the program into a national powerhouse and creating a lasting legacy of perseverance.

  • 1971 season
  • championships
  • 1980s
  • legacy
  • future success

Movie threads

More Movies Like We Are Marshall, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes We Are Marshall tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about rebuilding after tragedy like We Are Marshall

Communities finding strength and hope after devastating shared loss. Discover powerful dramas about communities and teams overcoming immense loss. If you liked the heartfelt and hopeful journey in We Are Marshall, you'll find similar stories of resilience, collective grief, and the spirit of never giving up.

  • grieving
  • resilient
  • uplifting
  • somber
  • heartfelt
  • cathartic
  • Tone: hopeful, somber, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a catastrophic event that causes mass grief. The central conflict is the immense challenge of rebuilding, both physically and emotionally. The journey involves a leader or group inspiring others, confronting the pain of remembrance, and achieving a symbolic victory that, while not always a complete success, reaffirms the community's spirit and resilience.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core emotional arc: from deep, somber grief to a hard-won, hopeful determination. They feature strong themes of community, leadership, and the human capacity to persevere. The tone is consistently heartfelt, the emotional weight is heavy, and the endings are often bittersweet, blending triumph with the enduring presence of loss.

Inspiring emotional sports dramas like We Are Marshall

More than just a game; it's a story of heart, spirit, and overcoming impossible odds. Explore movies like We Are Marshall that use sports as a backdrop for deeper stories of human spirit. Find similar films about underdog teams, emotional weight, and the powerful connection between a team and its community.

  • underdog
  • inspiring
  • heartfelt
  • determined
  • gritty
  • emotional
  • Tone: hopeful, heartfelt, determined
  • Pacing: steady, focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a team facing seemingly insurmountable odds, often due to a lack of skill, resources, or a recent tragedy. The plot is less about a championship run and more about the moral and emotional victories—the first win, the regained respect, the healing of a community. The journey is characterized by training montages, personal struggles, and a climax that values effort and heart over a perfect record.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their use of sport as a metaphor for larger human struggles like grief, resilience, and community identity. They share a heavy emotional weight, a steady, character-driven pace, and a tone that is ultimately hopeful and uplifting despite the somber challenges faced. The experience is cathartic and focuses on the intangible rewards of teamwork and perseverance.

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Every angle

We Are Marshall (2006) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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