Despite some early struggles on the offensive end, West Virginia was able to take down Robert Morris on Saturday’s season opener in a 45-3 win. Read more: WVU Shakes Off Early Struggles to Beat Robert Morris in Season Opener
The second installment of the Rich Rodriguez era got off to a slow start in large part due to WVU coughing up three fumbles in the first half.
That would not outshine the return of the Rodriguez show, as the Mountaineers were able to build a comfortable lead early in the second half and not look back after.
First Half Woes
In what turned out to be a beautiful day at Milan Puskar Stadium, the Mountaineers did not give the 57,093 fans in attendance much to be excited about in the first half.
The defense started hot by forcing a quick three-and-out on the first possession of the game for Robert Morris.
The Mountaineer offense would later reward their defense with a 10-yard touchdown by starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol. That would be the only touchdown the Mountaineers would get in the first half.
As the defense continued to look stout, particularly in the trenches, the offense continued to sputter.
After that touchdown run by Marchiol, the Mountaineer offense would suffer a three-and-out. Following an RMU punt, West Virginia got back on the board with a 27-yard field goal by Kade Hensley.
Braden Siders of the defense would step up in the very next RMU possession by recovering a fumble that put WVU in their own territory.
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Marchiol and the offense would not do much with it, as four plays later, wide receiver Cam Vaughn suffered his own fumble after a 26-yard reception.
Once again, the defense stepped up, forcing an RMU punt. The Mountaineers’ offensive woes would continue right after, as wide receiver Oran Singleton also coughed it up after a 15-yard run.
RMU would then score off a 36-yard field goal.
Following the field goal, the Mountaineer offense would give up another fumble, this time in the hands of tight end Grayson Barnes.
West Virginia would then end the first half with a three-and-out.
2nd Half Dominance
Whatever was said by head coach Rich Rodriguez at halftime should be plastered on the wall for the rest of the season.
The Mountaineers quickly shook off their first-half struggles with an opening nine-play touchdown drive capped off by a one-yard Jahiem White run.
After a punt by each team and an RMU fumble forced by Hammond Russell IV, the Mountaineers once again got in the endzone with a White four-yard run.
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The fourth quarter started quite the same for the Mountaineers as they opened it up with a 10-play touchdown drive that ended with a 46-yard pass from Marchiol to Vaughn.
After an RMU punt, Cyncir Bowers tacked on another touchdown for the Mountaineers with his 26-yard scoring run.
Another defensive stop by the Mountaineers later allowed the final score of the game off the legs of Scotty Fox Jr. on a 59-yard touchdown run.
Final Thoughts
While it wasn’t an ideal start, the Mountaineers were able to easily take care of business against Robert Morris on Saturday.
The defense allowed just three points off 123 total yards. Meanwhile, the offense was able to overcome its early mistakes with 625 yards and six total touchdowns.
Rodriguez will certainly not be happy with his team’s turnovers, but the resilience they showed in the second half will go a long way for the rest of the season.
It’s just the first game in the new chapter for Rodriguez and the Mountaineers, but this display allowed fans a glimpse into what this team can do going forward.
