HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — There’s no doubt some air left the sails of Marshall Thundering Herd football when a 2-point conversion from Western Kentucky at Joan C. Edwards Stadium last week ended the Herd’s hopes at an undefeated season and a New Year’s Day bowl game.

Still, the Herd (11-1) will play in the Conference USA Championship game for the second consecutive season, hosting Louisiana Tech at the Joan on Saturday at noon.

It’s the first conference title game to be played in Huntington since the Herd beat the Toledo Rockets, 49-45, for the Mid-American Conference title in 2002.

Jim Brumfield, owner of Glenn’s Sporting Goods on 4th Avenue, said a home championship game brings its own unique momentum to the city, and will produce a big weekend for area retailers.

“It’s great, it’s exciting, and it will build each day up to the game,” he said. “Having a winning season is a huge help to business, and having (the WKU) game the day after Thanksgiving was very successful for our Marshall University sales.

“Now, we have a whole additional home game and it’s for a championship. There will be a lot of people in town who wouldn’t be here otherwise. It’s also close to Christmas…