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Sep. 17—MORGANTOWN — If nothing else, West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol has proven he isn’t afraid of the spotlight.
For the second time in his young career, the backup quarterback was thrust into service due to injury Saturday night and was able to provide a steady hand that allowed the Mountaineers’ defense and running game to secure a victory.
The first time it happened was a 24-19 road win at Oklahoma State last year, the second was Saturday night in a 17-6 Backyard Brawl victory over rival Pitt.
“He’s had two wins where he’s played a lot of snaps, on the road at Oklahoma State …and then (Saturday) in a really tough spot, ” WVU head coach Neal Brown said. “The biggest rival we have, on national television and he gets thrust in there in the third series. A lot of times, people don’t win football games. A lot of time what happens is people lose them and he didn’t lose the game.”
Marchiol, a redshirt freshman, didn’t exactly break out in either game, but he avoided mistakes and led his team to victory both times.
“Similar to the Oklahoma State game where you just go in there, manage the game, and get out of there with a victory, ” Marchiol said. “I’m happy we can come out on top.”
Against the Cowboys last season, Marchiol only threw for 29 yards but did not turn the ball over as the Mountaineers racked up 250 rushing yards and the defense only allowed nine second-half points.
Saturday was a similar story. Marchiol threw for 60 yards, but CJ Donaldson and Jaylen Anderson ran for 164 combined and the defense did not allow a touchdown and picked off the Panthers three times.
Marchiol’s one big mistake on Saturday was a fumbled snap in the redzone. It was remedied quickly, however, when safety Aubrey Burks intercepted Pitt on the ensuing drive and Marchiol threw a touchdown pass to tight end Kole Taylor on the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wvus-marchiol-shown-impressive-mettle-023300743.html?src=rss
Author : The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
Publish date : 2023-09-18 02:33:00
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