The Mountaineers overcame a slow start to roll past Robert Morris in the season opener. Rich Rodriguez had a triumphant return to the sidelines for WVU and got his 61st victory at the program, which tied him with Dana Holgerson for second all-time. The crowd was happy for his return and the return of Mountaineer football. Read more: Major Takeaways From WVU’s Win Over Robert Morris.
“The crowd was unbelievable,” Rodriguez said of the fans afterward. “West Virginia really showed up today. I’m blessed to be back.”
Major Takeaways From WVU’s Win Over Robert Morris
WVU got off to a slow start in the first half, taking a 10-3 lead into the break. The defense played well for the entire game, but the offense did not click until the third quarter. They won 45-3 and scored 35 points in the second half to coast to a comfortable victory over the FCS opponent.
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There were a few surprises during the game, but a few things went as expected. Jahiem White carried the ball 18 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two catches for 12 yards. The quarterback rotation was not quite what Rodriguez laid out in the week leading up to the game. There were also plenty of fumbles for WVU, which must be addressed as they face tougher teams.
Nicco Marchiol Started and Played Three Quarters
Nicco Marchiol drew the start in the opener, as most expected, but he was not rotated out early. He played three full quarters and the beginning of the fourth quarter before Jaylen Henderson took over.
Marchiol played well, which is likely why Rodriguez felt comfortable with him under center. He went 17/20 passing with 224 yards and one touchdown. He also ran the ball 13 times for 56 yards and WVU’s first touchdown of the game. Marchiol had the second most carries on the team behind Jahiem White and was a willing runner all game.
Rodriguez teased that all five quarterbacks were still in the running for the starting job, but Marchiol was told he would be the starter.
“It was earlier in the week, and obviously, hearing those words finally was just surreal. I was very pleased to hear that, but I think it is rooted in commitment and substance,” Marchiol said. “I thought it was earned. Like we say here, it was earned and not given.”
His dual-threat ability likely helped him earn the job, and his experience helped earn Rodriguez’s trust. His running ability was something he had shown flashes of, but it was on full display in the opener.
Jaylen Henderson made it into the game in the fourth quarter and led a scoring drive with his legs. Henderson did not have a completion on two attempts, but had two carries for 40 yards on the day. Running back Cyncir Bowers capped the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run. After two Henderson drives, Scotty Fox Jr. took over under center. He scored the final touchdown of the game on a 59-yard run, showcasing his athleticism, which Rodriguez has praised throughout camp.
Fumbles and Penalties Were a Problem
The Mountaineers fumbled five times in the game and lost four of them. Four fumbles occurred in the first half, and they lost three in the second quarter. It was a big reason the game was so close at halftime, and the reason WVU could not get any momentum on offense in the first half.
Wide receiver Justin Smith-Brown fumbled in the first quarter and lost 10 yards on the play, which led to a Mountaineer punt. After opening the second quarter with a field goal, WVU had three consecutive drives end in fumbles. Cam Vaughn lost the first fumble after a 26-yard completion in Robert Morris territory. Oran Singleton Jr. fumbled on the next possession after a 15-yard run, and tight end Grayson Barnes coughed up the ball on the following drive after an 11-yard completion.
WVU must have better ball security as the season progresses. Better teams will not let them get away with four lost fumbles. WVU also had nine penalties resulting in 69 total yards. They did not protect the ball well and had numerous negative plays on the day, which Rodriguez will surely emphasize in practice.
The Defense Had a Strong Outing
The entire defense played strongly the whole game. The defense allowed 123 total yards and forced two turnovers. Robert Morris possessed the ball for 32 and a half minutes of the game, but the defense stayed strong despite the amount of time on the field. They also combined for four sacks on the day, including two from Hammond Russell IV. Russell also added 2.5 tackles for loss, while linebacker Reid Carrico added two tackles for loss and one sack. Rodriguez was pleased with their effort.
“Our defense gave up two third-and-10s in the first half, which is uncharacteristic of them, but they couldn’t run the ball and our front played pretty well,” Rodriguez said. “I felt pretty good with the defense the entire game.”
The defense showed a lot of heart on the field, but the offense must clean up its act to keep the defense from difficult situations. Overall, it was a good outing from the Mountaineers and a promising return for Rodriguez.
