West Virginia Overcomes Early Turnovers to Defeat Robert Morris 45-3 in Season Opener

West Virginia opened its 2025 football season with a dominant 45-3 victory over Robert Morris, marking Rich Rodriguez's return as head coach since 2007. The Mountaineers struggled with turnovers early, committing four first-half fumbles, but their defense limited Robert Morris to just a field goal before halftime. Quarterback Nicco Marchiol had a strong debut, completing 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards and adding 56 rushing yards, while running back Jahiem White contributed 93 yards on 18 carries. Wide receiver Cam Vaughn emerged as a key offensive weapon with seven catches for 126 yards, including a spectacular 46-yard touchdown catch. Despite a sloppy start, West Virginia's second half was much cleaner, highlighted by sustained drives and defensive shutout, demonstrating potential for significant impact in the Big 12 this season. While concerns remain about ball security and offensive line performance, the team showed promising cohesion and playmaking ability under Rodriguez’s leadership.