After a slow start, WVU football coasted to a 45-3 win over Robert Morris in Week 1. Let’s take a look at some notable performances on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for the Mountaineers.
Offensive player highlight: Cam Vaughn
Following head coach Rich Rodriguez from Jacksonville State, Cam Vaughn was a huge pickup in the transfer portal. Vaughn’s speed jumps off the screen, and it showed during WVU’s first game of the season.
Now I know that Nicco Marchiol had almost a flawless game. But Marchiol was coming into this game with a set of expectations based on how he played in his sparing minutes last season. However, there was uncertainty with Vaughn. Unsure of how his skill would transfer to a new quarterback. In the first game, we can see that Vaughn will hold some important weight in this Rodriguez offense.
Vaughn finished the game with seven receptions for 126 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. It seemed to be an important part of the game plan to get the speedster and Villa Rica, Georgia native the ball on the outside and let him make some moves. Vaughn got a couple of catches on the outside and was able to make some plays early in the game. Highlighted with a 46-yard touchdown catch, Vaughn showed up and showed out in his first game wearing the gold and blue.
Coming into the 2025 season, Vaughn gathered some preseason buzz, being named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000. It will be extremely exciting to see Vaughn in a full game with a full offensive game plan. He could be a major factor that is heavily targeted in a Coach Rodriguez offense.
Defensive player highlight: Reid Carrico
Transferring in from a Big Ten program, former Ohio State transfer Reid Carrico had a good game and introduced fans to what he can do at linebacker in a new defensive scheme.
Several defensive players were flying around and making plays all over the field, and that certainly included Carrico. Along with other players, Carrico brought energy and a high motor to the field to help the Mountaineers hold Robert Morris to only three points for the game.
The Ironton, Ohio, native linebacker finished the game with four tackles (three solo), two tackles for loss (4 yards), a sack (3 yards), a fumble recovery, and a quarterback hit. Mainly getting playing time only on special teams at Ohio State, Carrico will now be an important component on defense for Defensive Coordinator Zac Alley.
Carrico is one of the few players who did not leave with the departure of Neal Brown and has seen the differences between former head coach Brown and current head coach Rich Rodriguez. Now he will have a bigger role under Alley’s defense as he is the starting mike linebacker (or middle linebacker, in other terminology).
It was great to see several players deliver strong performances during the opening weekend game. Those who played well can use their success to build on for the rest of the season. WVU will now turn its attention to the Ohio Bobcats when they travel to Athens, Ohio, for their Week 2 game.