The hot-topic discussion for WVU football all preseason long was the battle for the starting quarterback position. Head coach Rich Rodriguez gave exceptionally little detail as to how the race was going, other than the fact that he had positive things to say about all five quarterbacks vying for the top spot on the depth chart.
However, if you watched the West Virginia Mountaineers' Week 1 matchup with Robert Morris and had no context of what transpired through the offseason and preseason, you probably would not have thought that a quarterback competition was taking place. Nicco Marchiol started the game, and second-string quarterback Jaylen Henderson did not check in until the 12-minute mark of the 4th quarter with West Virginia holding on to a 31-3 lead. Freshman Scotty Fox checked in even later in the fourth and ran for a 59-yard touchdown, and redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins finished out the game.
Position battles heading into a season can often allow for the players involved to improve. Again, as Rodriguez has shown excitement about the skill level of his quarterback room, and it seems that the competition has allowed Marchiol to grow into the full-time starter.
“He showed it during practice. He was the most consistent," Rodriguez said after Saturday's game. "Understood (the offense), got a feel for the game. He’s a gritty player. All the quarterbacks run pretty good, and they’re all willing runners, but Nicco’s a competitive guy. He’ll do what he’s got to do to win the game.”
Nicco Marchiol says yes indeed I can do both. 10 yards out - no problem on the TD scamper#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/rI23sohZ8k
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 30, 2025
Nicco Marchiol finds Cam Vaughn for a 46-yard TD and #WVU now leads RMU, 31-3. pic.twitter.com/zUsht8gBFd
— James (@mountaineerjdub) August 30, 2025
Is Nicco Marchiol THE Guy?
Based on what we saw in Week 1 against Robert Morris, the answer to that is an emphatic yes. The only quarterback to take a snap with less than a 28-point lead was Marchiol, and it is highly unlikely that anyone could’ve predicted that heading into Week 1 after it was indicated the battle might stretch into the regular season. He said he found out he'd start the game just a few days prior.
"It was earlier in the week, and obviously, hearing those words finally was just surreal," Marchiol said. "I was very pleased to hear that, but I think it is rooted in commitment and substance. I thought it was earned. Like we say here, it was earned and not given. Just going to continue to go out week in and week out to produce for my guys."
Marchiol took the opportunity and was nearly perfect -- he was 17-for-20 passing the ball for 224 yards and one touchdown, and added 56 yards and one touchdown with his legs as well. He finished the game with a 93.6 PFF grade on 61 snaps (one of the best grades in the nation In Week 1), leaving fans with little doubt as to who the starting quarterback will be when the Mountaineers take on the Ohio Bobcats in Athens next Saturday.
Marchiol’s play was solid throughout the matchup with the Colonials. From his 10-yard touchdown run on the opening drive to his 46-yard touchdown pass to Cam Vaughn early in the 4th quarter, Marchiol looked confident and composed leading the offense. Marchiol was efficient and accurate in the passing game while leading the offense to the line quickly to get the ball snapped for the next play. While he may not be the fastest runner, he has proven to be a more than capable contributor in the run game. He may already have a favorite target in the talented Jacksonville State transfer, Cam Vaughn. Vaughn hauled in seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in his first game as a Mountaineer.
There are still some unanswered questions about this team, but heading into Week 2, we now know something that we didn’t know heading into Week 1 -- and that is that Nicco Marchiol is the starting quarterback.