West Virginia's Jahiem White delivers a double touchdown performance, leading the team to a dominant victory over Robert Morris.
West Virginia started the new season on a high note, scoring on their opening drive and never looking back in a 63-26 victory over FCS program Robert Morris.
In the first quarter, the Mountaineers led 7-0, and by halftime, they had extended their lead to 10-3, despite losing three fumbles in the first half. West Virginia dominated the statistics, with a 234-81 edge in total yards through two quarters.
Quarterback Nicco Marchiol, in his debut for the team, showcased his prowess, completing 17-of-20 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. His performance was highlighted by a 46-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn and a 10-yard touchdown run.
Running back Jahiem White, the team's junior, had a strong outing, rushing for 93 yards on 18 carries. He scored both of his touchdowns in the third quarter, the first on a 1-yard run, three plays after a Robert Morris fumble.
West Virginia's ground game was impressive, amassing 393 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run by Scotty Fox in the fourth quarter. Tight end Cam Vaughn also had a standout performance, catching seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Rich Rodriguez, who began his second stint as West Virginia's head coach in this game, guided the Mountaineers to a 60-26 record from 2001 to 2007. After his departure, he led the Arizona Wildcats.
Robert Morris struggled offensively, managing only 123 yards of total offense. They did trim their deficit to seven points with a 36-yard field goal by Jayson Jenkins, but West Virginia responded by outscoring them 14-0 in the third quarter, taking a commanding 24-3 lead.
The third quarter also saw Cyncir Bowers score a 26-yard touchdown for West Virginia. In the final quarter, the Mountaineers added three more touchdowns to seal the victory.
This season opener marked the start of a new era for both West Virginia and Robert Morris. With their strong performance, the Mountaineers have set a high bar for the rest of their season.
