For West Virginia’s home opener on Saturday, priority number one will be to win. After that, it’s to see what you have after the first-team starters.
“Hungry to get a win. We’re an 0-1 football team until we get a win,” head coach Neal Brown said on Monday. “We’ve got an important three-game home stretch.”
Brown and company will most likely be able to deploy their backups sometime in the second half of the game on Saturday, a move which is beneficial to everyone involved.
“I think it’s really important is you give yourself an opportunity to play some people if the game goes in a direction,” Brown said of playing an FCS school.
Following WVU’s loss to Penn State, Brown said backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol needs to play in order to help his development. Marchiol is one of many on WVU’s roster who are still trying to prove themselves at this level. Brown knows these types of games are as important to them as anyone else on his roster.
“Guys need opportunities to go out and play and they provide these opportunities as well,” Brown said.
Multiple true freshman will get a chance to produce quality game film as well against Duquesne. Running back Jahiem White, along with wide receivers Rodney Gallagher and Traylon Ray who were both used in a small role against Penn State, will have the chance to play. If they play well, expect to continue to see them on the field.
“He’ll play this week and if he produces he’ll play more as the year goes,” Brown said of Gallagher.
