It was a tough weekend for college football fans in West Virginia, as both WVU and Marshall experienced unexpected early losses.
The Mountaineers fell to Ohio by a score of 17-10, marking their first defeat to a Group of 5 school since 2008. The offense struggled, and running back Jaheim White was carted off the field with a knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Additionally, receiver Jaden Bray suffered a foot injury and will also miss the remainder of the year.
In Tony Gibson’s home debut as Marshall’s head coach, the Thundering Herd squandered a lead, losing to Missouri State 21-20. This loss marked Missouri State’s first victory against an FBS opponent in its history.
Both fan bases felt the sting of these losses, especially given the excitement and anticipation surrounding the 2025 season. Mountaineer fans were hopeful for a return to the success experienced under Rich Rodriguez during his first tenure in Morgantown, when the team came close to competing for a national championship. Fans were eager for Rodriguez to restore the “hard edge” to WVU and were looking forward to welcoming ESPN’s College GameDay for the upcoming showdown with Pitt.
Marshall fans brushed off their season-opening loss to fifth-ranked Georgia, viewing it as a challenging matchup against one of the best teams in the country. With no remaining opponents expected to pose as much of a threat, Herd supporters were eager to celebrate a home victory in Gibson’s first game, only to see the win slip away in the final minutes.
These games underscore the challenges of winning in college football, particularly with new coaches, new coordinators, and a roster filled with newcomers. WVU added 87 new players to its roster for 2025, while Marshall brought in over 60 new players.
Neither program will blame its losses on the influx of new players, but the inexperience of working together certainly contributed to their struggles. WVU managed only 72 rushing yards, while Ohio recorded four sacks. Marshall, though it ran for 191 yards, faced difficulties along the offensive line and missed assignments in the secondary, which led to big plays and points for Missouri State.
Successful execution of complex offensive and defensive schemes requires communication and trust, which can only be built through countless practice repetitions and game situations over time.
Unfortunately, in today’s college football landscape, time is a luxury that coaches often lack. They are expected to win immediately. However, there is reason for optimism. Rich Rodriguez went 3-8 in his first season but built a nationally prominent program in the following years.
Doc Holliday also lost his first two games as Marshall’s head coach. Yet, over the next four seasons, Marshall claimed a conference championship, showcasing one of the school’s most prolific offenses.
It’s only two games into the season. Don’t give up just yet.