WVU’s Marchiol has proven spectacular mettle for a younger quarterback

MORGANTOWN — If nothing else, West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol has confirmed he isn’t afraid of the highlight.

For the second time in his younger profession, the backup quarterback was thrust into service on account of harm Saturday night time and was in a position to present a gradual hand that allowed the Mountaineers’ protection and operating recreation to safe a victory.

The primary time it occurred was a 24-19 street win at Oklahoma State final yr, the second was Saturday night time in a 17-6 Yard Brawl victory over rival Pitt.

“He’s had two wins the place he’s performed a variety of snaps, on the street at Oklahoma State…after which (Saturday) in a extremely robust spot,” WVU head coach Neal Brown mentioned. “The most important rival we’ve, on nationwide tv and he will get thrust in there within the third collection. Numerous instances, folks don’t win soccer video games. Numerous time what occurs is folks lose them and he didn’t lose the sport.”

Marchiol, a redshirt freshman, didn’t precisely escape in both recreation, however he averted errors and led his group to victory each instances. 

“Just like the Oklahoma State recreation the place you simply go in there, handle the sport, and get out of there with a victory,” Marchiol mentioned. “I’m joyful we will come out on high.”

In opposition to the Cowboys final season, Marchiol solely threw for 29 yards however didn’t flip the ball over because the Mountaineers racked up 250 speeding yards and the protection solely allowed 9 second-half factors. 

Saturday was the same story. Marchiol threw for 60 yards, however CJ Donaldson and Jaylen Anderson ran for 164 mixed and the protection didn’t permit a landing and picked off the Panthers thrice.

Marchiol’s one large mistake on Saturday was a fumbled snap within the redzone. It was remedied shortly, nevertheless, when security Aubrey Burks intercepted Pitt on the following drive and Marchiol threw a landing go to tight finish Kole Taylor on the very subsequent play.

“That’s complimentary soccer,” Marchiol mentioned. “Offense not getting the job completed and the protection discovering a manner…That was a psychological error however quarterbacks, particularly younger quarterbacks, can wrestle with dwelling on the previous and remembering the unfavourable performs somewhat than the constructive ones.”

Beginning quarterback Garrett Greene was injured on the Mountaineers’ second possession and didn’t return, leaving the vast majority of the sport as much as Marchiol. 

“The backup quarterback place is likely one of the most attention-grabbing and difficult positions in all of sports activities,” Marchiol admitted. “You prep such as you’re the starter all week and it’s possible you’ll not do something for three-and-a-half hours, however that’s the job. After which the uncommon occurrences, like (Saturday), my quantity is named and I used to be simply getting the ball to the blokes who’re quicker than me and managing the sport. That’s turn into considered one of my ability units, simply getting in there and being constant, being disciplined.”

Brown, who calls the performs for WVU’s offense, mentioned he ditched his play sheet when Marchiol went in and as an alternative referred to some handwritten observe he had. The Mountaineers completed with simply 211 offensive yards however nonetheless received the win.

“When you get a really feel for what sort of recreation it’s going to be… you’ve received to have the ability to alter,” Brown mentioned. “I had some notes that I took at halftime after which I sort of maintained these notes on how they had been enjoying us. We needed to utterly pivot and I believe we did a adequate job to the place we didn’t screw it up and we did sufficient to win.”

Though Greene didn’t have a lot time on the sector, Marchiol mentioned he was nonetheless an enormous a part of the win.

“A really, crucial half to the success of the group I believe was Garrett as a result of he performed a bit of little bit of each of a coach to me and tenting me down when issues didn’t go my manner,” Marchiol mentioned. “I’ll take as a lot assist as I can get. I don’t declare to know all the pieces, so anytime anyone’s prepared to present me a pointer or inform me one thing that they see, I’m all ears.”

Brown will present an replace on Greene’s standing throughout his weekly press convention Monday afternoon. The Mountaineers’ subsequent recreation is one other house contest, this time in opposition to Texas Tech (3:30 p.m., ESPN+). If Greene isn’t in a position to play, Brown mentioned he has nothing however confidence in Marchiol.

“He managed the sport nicely. For not getting an entire bunch of reps all through the week, I assumed he managed and dealt with it fairly nicely,” Brown mentioned. “If he’s the man subsequent Saturday — if that’s the way in which it performs out — he’ll have a full week of apply and the expectation is he’ll play a lot improved, and I believe he’ll.”