Nicco Marchiol Impresses as West Virginia Survives Late Arizona Comeback to Secure Road Win

The weight of Mountaineer Nation was firmly placed on Nicco Marchiol’s shoulders on Saturday night when West Virginia battled Arizona in the first ever meeting between the two big 12 schools. And not only did Marchiol know his team was in desperate need of a win, but he was experiencing a homecoming to the state where he played high school football.

Marchiol and the Mountaineers stepped up to save West Virginia’s season from spiraling any further.

Playing in front of tons of family in attendance, Marchiol appeared composed from kickoff, but his success through the air and even some scrambling on the ground only led to a field goal on WVU’s opening drive. Some mistakes, namely holding calls, on the offensive line worked against the Mountaineers, keeping them out of the end zone.

But just as it seemed Arizona had momentum from holding WVU to just a field goal, a fumble that was recovered by Garnett Hollis handed the ball right back to a confident Marchiol.

It was this drive that set the tone for a winning night for West Virginia. As Arizona thought they were forcing WVU to settle for only three points again in the red zone, West Virginia faked a field goal attempt and Leighton Bechdel ran it all the way in.

HOLDER TO THE HOUSE 💪 @BechdelLeighton pic.twitter.com/g57tBdBTsW

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) October 26, 2024

However, Arizona was able to respond. Wildcat quarterback Noah Fifita sliced up the WVU secondary and got his team on the scoreboard the old fashioned way – thanks to a long offensive drive.

On the WVU’s ensuing possession, Jahiem White exploded and broke a big run for 55 yards, a play that became the longest play from scrimmage for West Virginia so far this season.

Better yet for West Virginia fans, the Mountaineers offense would score their first offensive touchdown, as Marchiol fired a perfect pass to Hudson Clement in the back of the end zone on a fourth down attempt. The big time pass and big time catch gave West Virginia its two-score lead again, making it 17-7.

WVU then completely took over the game in the second half. After a monster sack by T.J. Jackson stuffed Fifita and stopped Arizona, the Mountaineers converted two fourth downs, including one that saw CJ Donaldson sprint by the defense and into the end zone, getting the score out of reach at 24-7.

West Virginia fans did have sweat a bit starting in the final minutes of the third quarter. Fifita found a wide open Sam Olson for a Wildcat score, granted that was followed by a missed extra point.

Marchiol made sure fans didn’t have to worry for too long though. A 54-yard bomb by Marchiol to Traylon Ray resulted in another big play score and a 31-13 fourth quarter edge for the Mountaineers.

Watch: Nicco Marchiol Throws Bomb to Tarylon Ray for WVU Touchdown

The Wildcats would find pay dirt twice more, making the game come down to the wire. Marchiol, White and company then sealed the deal in the closing minutes.

Neal Brown and West Virginia advance to 4-4 (3-2, Big 12) as they head into their final bye week of the season. Following the bye is a winnable slate of four games to close there regular season.