WVU Football’s ‘Heavy Package’ Explained: ‘That’s a Lot of Meat’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Look for the Mountaineers to keep bringing the meat each week. To clarify, look for WVU to continue running out a formation with nine offensive linemen.

Rich Rodriguez sent nine offensive linemen to the field together with Nicco Marchiol lined up in the shotgun and Tye Edwards next to him. It worked against Pitt and helped lead West Virginia to a comeback win in overtime.

When asked about this new formation the following week, Rodriguez gave the formation a name and let fans know they will surely see “the heavy package” again.

This might be the greatest formation I’ve ever seen. 9 offensive lineman!!! #wvu pic.twitter.com/DHjPe3bieJ

— Donald Butcher (@DonaldButcher) September 14, 2025

“We actually did something similar to that the last couple of years, and I’m like, why have eight, when you can have nine?,” said Rodriguez during his weekly press conference.

He then emphasized why the size of his line makes the formation that much more imposing.

“I got one lineman, Donovan Haslam, he’s two cheeseburgers away from 400, and another linebacker who’s a cheeseburger away from 350.”

“We had like 3,000 pounds of beef going in,” Rodriguez then joked on the Pat McAfee Show.

The size of WVU’s current line and the power of Edwards makes “the heavy package” something opposing defenses will have a tough time trying to stop, especially in short yardage situations or in red zone territory.

West Virginia tight end Grayson Barnes put the formation in proper perspective in the best way possible. “That’s a lot of meat.”

Find more coverage of the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Rich Rodriguez jokingly offers his concern for Pitt players after enduring a rash of injuries in the Backyard Brawl.