HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Maurice Kitchens and the rest of the Marshall linebackers enjoyed their appetizer.

Now, they hungrily await their entrée.

The Thundering Herd's first two games pit the Conference USA squad against teams that Coach Mark Snyder knew would test its ability to stop the run.

Marshall passed the first test, limiting Division I-AA Illinois State to 98 yards and no touchdowns on 40 carries in a 35-10 home win Saturday at Edwards Stadium.

Next up is a Saturday road date with Big Ten Conference power Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium, where the Badgers have won 26 of their past 27 games, including 15 in a row.

No. 13 Wisconsin ran 63 times for 404 yards and four touchdowns Saturday in a 38-17 win over Mid-American Conference member Akron. Badgers junior tailback P.J. Hill had the second 200-yard game of his career, finishing with 210 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

"You expect a team like Wisconsin to come out and bust you right in the mouth," said Kitchens, a senior middle linebacker who made 10 tackles in Marshall's season opener. "You get your mind ready and you get your body ready. You put your spirit into everything you practice on and think about and watch on film and prepare yourself for. It's definitely a challenge."

It is, however, a challenge the Thundering Herd defense, especially the linemen and linebackers, gladly accepts.

"That's what we live for because you know the other team thinks they can run over you, run past you and run through you," Kitchens said. "It's our duty as a band of brothers to stop them."

The Badgers have rushed for more than 2,000 yards in seven of the eight seasons since the turn of the millennium, including three in which they topped 2,500 yards.

Wisconsin ran 587 times for 2,610 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games last year. Hill had 1,212 yards and 14 scores on 233 carries during the Badgers' 9-4 campaign.

Two other tailbacks - Zach Brown (568 yards) and Lance Smith (429 yards) - combined for 997 yards. Brown is back this season.

"I love it," sophomore strongside linebacker Corey Hart said. "I love to have a chance to make plays. That's what we're out there for."

"I expect a lot of hard hitting because they're a Big Ten team and physical," junior weakside linebacker Mario Harvey said. "That's what I like."

Illinois State gained 67 of its 98 rushing yards in the first half.

"We knew we were going to have to make some adjustments in the second half," Snyder said. "We all got in there and got our heads together. (Defensive coordinator Rick Minter) did a good job.

Although the Redbirds ran for fewer than 100 yards, they threw for more than 200 yards.

Led by senior quarterback Kevin Brockway, who sat out one series while the Illinois State medical staff put seven stitches into his chin, the Redbirds completed 24-of-43 passes for 229 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Most of those came on short and intermediate routes, particularly screen and shovel passes.

"Obviously, there was a liability there getting off the field in third down versus their screens as we tried to create some pressure," said Snyder, whose team has a winning record for the first time since Sept. 1, 2005 (1-0 following Marshall's 36-24 season-opening victory over Division I-AA William & Mary).

"Again, we settled down and kind of took away their screen game in the second half. That also helped us with the running game. We knew we were going to get the quick outs and all of those type of things."

Badgers senior quarterback Allan Evridge likely will try to exploit the weaknesses the Illinois State-Marshall game film reveals, which is why the Thundering Herd must find a solution between now and Saturday.

"I'm sure they'll be looking at the film and trying to do a little bit of Illinois State on us," Harvey said. "It was a good experience for next week and getting us ready for (Wisconsin)."