MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 2025 season starts shortly in the form of a 2 p.m. matchup with Robert Morris that marks the Mountaineers’ 23rd contest against FCS competition.
WVU has won all previous 22, though this one has as much if not more buzz than any before it as it marks the return of Rich Rodriguez to the West Virginia sideline. Rodriguez led the Mountaineers through what’s widely considered the best four-year stretch in program history from 2004-07 and compiled a 60-26 record over seven seasons.
With 190 career wins, Rodriguez ranks fifth among active FBS coaches.
The Mountaineers are 91-37-4 all-time in season openers, including 17-8 since 2000. WVU has won 19 of its last 21 home openers and 22 of 25 dating back to 2000.
5:17 p.m. — FINAL: West Virginia 45, Robert Morris 3. The Mountaineers outscore the Colonials 35-0 after halftime and improve to 23-0 against FCS programs.
5:06 p.m. — SCORE: True freshman quarterback Scotty Fox breaks off a 59-yard touchdown run for the game’s longest play. West Virginia 45, Robert Morris 3, 3:15 4th qtr
4:48 p.m. — SCORE: Jaylen Henderson spells Marchiol at quarterback and does not attempt a pass, but leads a scoring drive nonetheless as tailback Cyncir Bowers scores on a 26-yard run. WVU has scored touchdowns on four of its five second-half series, including three straight. West Virginia 38, Robert Morris 3, 10:16 4th qtr
4:35 p.m. — SCORE: Marchiol finds Vaughn down the sideline for a 46-yard touchdown pass and it’s all WVU. SCORE: West Virginia 31, Robert Morris 3, 13:52 4th qtr
BANG 💥 @camvaughn4_
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— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 30, 2025
4:15 p.m. — SCORE: White scores his second touchdown on a 4-yard run and it’s a three-score game for the first time. WVU capitalized on a short field following a Hammond Russell sack of Colonials’ quarterback Zach Tanner that created a fumble, which linebacker Reid Carrico recovered at the RMU 24. West Virginia 24, Robert Morris 3, 5:21 3rd qtr
Walk it in, 1⃣
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— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 30, 2025
4:08 p.m. — The teams exchange punts and the Colonials have it at their 12 with 8:45 left in the third to start their second series of the second half. WVU had its offense on the field for fourth-and-4 from the RMU 45, but a false start penalty on Ty’Kieast Crawford pushed the Mountaineers back and forced them to punt.
3:57 p.m. — SCORE: Jahiem White’s 1-yard touchdown run makes it a two-score game and caps off a nine play, 64-yard drive. Eight of the nine plays were on the ground, with the lone pass a 20-yard completion from Marchiol to Barnes. Marchiol has completed all but one his 12 passes. West Virginia 17, Robert Morris 3, 11:21 3rd qtr
Got in on the goal line 😤 @JahiemWhite_305
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— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 30, 2025
3:50 p.m. — The attendance for today’s game is 57,093.
3:40 p.m. — Through two quarters, the Mountaineers have 234 yards on 35 plays to the Colonials’ 81 yards on 34 plays. Three lost fumbles from WVU has kept this game far closer than the home team would like.
3:30 p.m. — WVU takes a 10-3 lead into halftime. The Mountaineers scored on two of their seven possessions. On the five empty series, WVU managed 76 yards.
3:20 p.m. — WVU loses its third fumble over its last four plays from scrimmage. This time, tight end Grayson Barnes coughs it up following a reception, and RMU’s Patrick McDonnell is in on the recovery. RMU starts at its 49.
3:16 p.m. — SCORE: Jenkins knocks in a 36-yard field goal after the visitors produced one first down. West Virginia 10, Robert Morris 3, 3:08 2nd qtr
3:12 p.m. — Oran Singleton loses a fumble that is recovered by RMU’s Mitchell Robinson. The ruling came following a review and marks the Mountaineers’ second lost fumble in as many series over what’s largely been a sloppy offensive first half. The Colonials take over at the WVU 36 with a prime chance to pull to within one possession.
3:05 p.m. — The Mountaineers force Jayson Jenkins to punt for a fourth time, and Jenkins continues his impressive opening half with a 54-yard boot. WVU takes over at its 18 with 5:38 left in the half.
3:00 p.m. — WVU is unable to capitalize as wideout Cam Vaughn, who followed Rodriguez to Morgantown from Jacksonville State, loses a fumble while trying to hurdle a defender after making a catch. The ball rolls into the end zone and the Colonials pounce it for a touchback.
2:55 p.m. — West Virginia’s defense forces its first turnover under coordinator Zac Alley as Braden Siders recovers a Donta Whack fumble, allowing the Mountaineers to start at the Colonials’ 48 with 9:17 left in the half.
2:48 p.m. — SCORE: The Mountaineers move into the red zone, but Marchiol can’t find anybody on third-and-5 and the home team has to settle for Hensley’s 27-yard field goal. West Virginia 10, Robert Morris 0, 11:44 2nd qtr
2:35 p.m. — The teams exchange punts and RMU will start its third series from its 35. The Mountaineers went three-and-out on their second possession as a result of a 10-yard loss on a handoff fumbled by Justin Smith-Brown.
2:14 p.m. — SCORE: Marchiol scores on a 10-yard keeper and the Mountaineers march 83 yards over 10 plays and 3:22 on their opening series of the season. Kade Hensley knocks in the point-after kick. Ethan Head handled the opening kickoff. West Virginia 7, Robert Morris 0, 10:15 1st qtr
NICCO!!! @MarchiolNicco
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— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 30, 2025
2:05 p.m. — The season starts with Harrington flagged for a late hit on the opening kickoff. The Mountaineers force a three-and-out and take over at their own 17-yard line. Nicco Marchiol starts at quarterback.
2:00 p.m. — West Virginia wins the toss, defers its option to the second half and the Colonials will receive to start.
1:35 p.m. — In uniform for West Virginia: Wide receiver Jeff Weimer, running back Tye Edwards and safety Justin Harrington. Those not in uniform include running back Kannon Katzer and offensive lineman Xavier Bausley. Jimmori Robinson remains out as a result of eligibility.
The Mountaineers have arrived at Milan Puskar Stadium to host Robert Morris: pic.twitter.com/08A3BFzT7c
— MetroNews Sports (@MetroNewsSports) August 30, 2025
Setting the scene from Morgantown as WVU hosts Robert Morris: pic.twitter.com/Rox4m1l6zF
— MetroNews Sports (@MetroNewsSports) August 30, 2025
Your essential pregame links:
Opener against Robert Morris highlighted by return to WVU sideline for Rodriguez
3 Guys Before The Game – Robert Morris Game Preview (Episode 653)
As RichRod return kicks off, 60% of Mountaineer fans agree with bringing him back
Vesterinen excited to return to action along defensive line
With opportunity to put depth on display, Alley hopeful defenders prove their worth
With abundance of unknowns, Rodriguez aware anxious moments await