The prodigal son has returned to Morgantown, and he'll be back on the sideline for his first regular season game coaching WVU football since 2007 this Saturday.
The second Rich Rodriguez era begins for the West Virginia Mountaineers as they play host to an FCS opponent in Robert Morris in Week 1. With well over 70 new players and a new coaching staff, fans might not be sure what to expect, but the excitement is palpable among the fanbase. Here's all the information you need about the upcoming season opener for WVU football.
The Basics: When And Where
The matchup with Robert Morris will be the first home contest this season for WVU -- the Mountaineers finished with a 3-4 record at home in 2024. The action is set for Saturday, August 30, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, with kickoff slated for 2:00 PM EST.
TV, Streaming, and Radio
Those trying to catch West Virginia football on television this week are out of luck, as the contest won't be on traditional television. However, the action will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Commentary will be delegated to the team of play-by-play announcer Brian Custer and analyst Max Starks.
Radio coverage will be handled by all local Mountaineer Sports Network affiliates, and can also be found on The Varsity Network via web browser or smartphone app. The traditional voice of WVU sports on the radio, Tony Caridi, will handling play-by-play commentary, with Dwight Wallace serving as analyst and Jed Drenning as the sideline reporter. Coverage will begin at 11:00 AM EST with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show leading into pre-game coverage at 1:00 PM EST.
Tickets
For those Mountaineer fans looking to head out to Milan Puskar Stadium to catch the game in person, tickets are available through official WVU ticket provider WVUGAME.com as well as on SeatGeek, which serves as the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of WVU Athletics.
Weather Forecast
A few clouds are likely in Morgantown on Saturday morning, but they should give way to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. The temperature is predicted to reach a high of 74 degrees, with 57 percent humidity -- creating a perfect autumn atmosphere to open football season. Winds are expected to be light and variable.
WVU-Robert Morris Series History
Despite being separated by a short one-hour stretch on I-79, the Mountaineers and the Colonials will meet for the very first time on Saturday.