Many, including head coach Neal Brown, were pleased by West Virginia backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol’s performance on Saturday.
Marchiol stepped in for an injured Garrett Greene and delivered as WVU left Tuscon with a 31-26 win this past weekend. Brown highlighted Marchiol’s play on Monday.
“Very pleased with how Nicco (Marchiol) played,” Brown said. “I thought he played under control. He didn’t have a big negative play, which is what you worry about when guys are making early starts.”
Marchiol completed 82% of his passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 39 yards rushing.
“He didn’t do anything that hurt us and I mean that in the most positive way,” Brown said. “I was pleased with him. I just think back to this and I may have said this after the game; I think about where he was his last start against Texas Tech and then where he was in this game. And over a year later, the progress that he’s made as a quarterback and as a football player, I’m just really impressed with that and it’s a credit to his work.
Against Texas Tech last season, while West Virginia got the win, Marchiol struggled. He threw two interceptions and completed less than 58% of his passes, but did throw for a touchdown and rushed for 72 yards.
With Marchiol’s performance, some fans may wonder what WVU’s quarterback situation looks like going forward. However, Brown noted to the media that it’s not worth asking until Greene is healthy.
“So, I’m sure some of y’all are going to ask about quarterbacks, I wouldn’t waste your time because it’s not worth talking about until he (Greene) is healthy,” Brown said. “I really can’t give you an answer until Garrett’s healthy and he’s not healthy right now. I think it’s hard to lose jobs when you’re injured, I don’t think that’s a good practice. But Nicco played really well, and I’m happy for him, but I don’t have any long-term answer for you right now.”
The Mountaineers are on their second and final bye week in Week 10. They’ll return to game action next week when they travel to take on Cincinnati.
