Rich Rodriguez’s second stint in Morgantown officially begins Saturday, and it comes with a noon kickoff, a national television window, and a full slate of pregame programming for Mountaineer fans across the state. Here’s what you need to know before West Virginia hosts Coastal Carolina at Milan Puskar Stadium. Read more: Everything You Need to Know: WVU opens 2026 season against Coastal Carolina.
How to watch
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET at Mountaineer Field. The game will air nationally on TNT, with a simulcast available on HBO Max for fans who prefer to stream. It’s the second all-time meeting between the programs — WVU won the first, 31-0, back in 2010.
How to listen
Check your Mountaineer Sports Network Learfield affiliates for radio broadcasting coverage.
Where to park
WVU Athletics-operated lots open at 7 a.m. regardless of kickoff time. Vehicles parked in permit lots before then are subject to towing. Permit holders should plan to arrive early — Blue Lot, one of the primary tailgating areas, fills in fast once gates open. Fans without a lot permit have a reliable fallback: downtown Morgantown’s parking garages offer all-day parking for $5 up to six hours before kickoff, a short walk or short bus ride from the stadium. Don’t forget to watch for the Mountaineer Mantrip, when the team is dropped off roughly two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff and walks between the Blue and Light Blue Lots to the Northeast gate — one of the best free pregame traditions in Morgantown.
Get there early for The Mountaineer Tailgate
Before you find your seat, find your radio dial. The Mountaineer Tailgate: The Fans’ Pregame Show, hosted by Mitch Rogers and Santana Withrow, debuts Saturday at 10 a.m. — two full hours before kickoff — live across the John Fredericks Media Network, including The Torch affiliates in Morgantown, Fairmont and Clarksburg. The show will also stream live at JFMN.tv. Whether you’re setting up the grill in Blue Lot or making the drive in from out of town, The Mountaineer Tailgate is the way to get locked in before West Virginia takes the field for the first time in 2026.
Broadcast and parking details are subject to change. Check wvusports.com and wvthetorch.com for the latest updates on game day.
