By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
The West Virginia kicked off the 2025 season with a resounding 45-3 victory over FCS opponent Robert Morris at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday.
The game marked the start of head coach Rich Rodriguez’s second tenure with WVU, and while the Mountaineers’ offense wasn’t flawless, it showcased flashes of the high-octane style Rodriguez is known for. Despite a sloppy first half marred by four fumbles, the team racked up over 600 yards of total offense, signaling a promising future.
Here are three key offensive takeaways from the season-opening win.
1. Nicco Marchiol Establishes Himself as the QB1
The quarterback position was a major storyline entering the 2025 season, with no official starter named on the depth chart and a five-man competition during the offseason. Nicco Marchiol silenced doubts with a stellar performance, cementing himself as the likely QB1 moving forward.
Marchiol was near-perfect through the air, completing 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown, including a beautiful 46-yard touchdown pass to Cam Vaughn in the fourth quarter. On the ground, he added 56 yards and a 10-yard rushing touchdown on 13 carries, proving his dual-threat capability.
While backups Jaylen Henderson and Scotty Fox saw late action with success sprinkled in, Marchiol’s command of the offense through three-plus quarters suggests he’s the guy Rodriguez will lean on as the Mountaineers face tougher competition.
2. Cam Vaughn Emerges as a Go-To Receiver
Wide receiver Cam Vaughn proved to be a dynamic weapon in the passing game, hauling in seven receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. His 46-yard touchdown catch from Marchiol in the fourth quarter highlighted his ability to stretch the field, and his seven catches were a team high.
Despite an early fumble near the goal line, Vaughn’s performance showed why he’s poised to be a primary target in Rodriguez’s offense. The passing game, which totaled 232 yards, leaned heavily on Vaughn’s ability to get open and make plays after the catch.
With other receivers like Oran Singleton and Jaden Bray, along with tight end Grayson Barnes, Vaughn’s consistency will be crucial as WVU aims to balance its run-heavy approach with explosive passing plays.
3. A Sloppy First Half Keeps Robert Morris in the Game
Despite the final score, WVU’s performance was far from clean, particularly in the first half, where the Mountaineers led just 10-3 at halftime. The culprits? Four fumbles, with three lost, which stifled WVU’s momentum and kept the Colonials within striking distance.
The miscues started early: wide receiver Cam Vaughn fumbled at the Robert Morris 1-yard line after a 17-yard gain, robbing WVU of a sure touchdown. Later, wide receiver Oran Singleton coughed up the ball, giving Robert Morris prime field position. Tight end Grayson Barnes added to the woes with a fumble at the Robert Morris 33, and quarterback Nicco Marchiol lost the ball on a sack at the WVU 46.
These turnovers prevented WVU from capitalizing on their 234 first-half yards and allowed Robert Morris to hang around longer than expected.
