Rich Rod 2.0 Era debuts vs. Robert Morris in Week One
BY JUSTIN WALKER | WVSPORTSCHAT.COM
The Rich Rod 2.0 era officially begins for WVU football this week as the Mountaineers welcome the Robert Morris Colonials to Morgantown. RMU is the lone FCS opponent on the schedule for WVU.
Not only is West Virginia bringing in a new coaching staff this year, they also have a rebuilt roster. Rodriguez and his staff have approximately 80 new players, which includes true freshmen and transfer portal additions. They have only two players returning who were full-time starters last season.
Mountaineer fans have not been given any indication who will be the starting quarterback when they take the field on Saturday. Most expect that either returning redshirt junior, Nicco Marchiol, or redshirt senior transfer, Jaylen Henderson, will win the job. However, don’t count out Charlotte transfer, Max Brown. Rodriguez has stated he doesn’t plan to reveal any starters prior to game day. He’s even said it’s possible many position battles, including quarterback, could last into the season.
Speaking of unknowns, that’s exactly what the Mountaineers are getting in their opponent, Robert Morris. The Colonials may be the FCS version of WVU, because they too are replacing most of their production from last season. Per Phil Steele, they return only two full-time starters from last season on offense and defense combined. While RMU is not replacing their head coach, they do have new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, RMU replaces their starting quarterback, top three running backs, top five wide receivers, starting tight end, and four of their five starting offensive linemen. According to Phil Steele, the starting quarterback for the Colonials will likely be Zach Turner. The 6-foot-2 inch redshirt junior started the season finale last year for RMU. For his career, he has completed 31 of 50 pass attempts (62%), for 453 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
RMU will be relying a lot on transfers to produce at all positions on offense. One of those transfers that may be relied on is former Mountaineer receiver, Tyler Evans. The only returning production at skill positions from last year’s Colonials team are running back, Ethan Shine (seven carries) and wide receiver, Kai Holloway (three receptions).
Among the four starters the Colonials are trying to replace on the offensive line, two of them were All-Northeast Conference performers last season. Mofe Adewole returns on this unit as the lone full-time offensive starter from 2024.
Defensively, it’s more of the same for Robert Morris. They return only one full-time starter, which is defensive lineman, Trey Woods. The 6-foot 250 pound senior was selected as a second team All-NEC performer by Phil Steele. In 2024 he recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1.5 TFLs and 2 PBUs. He is expected to be the leader of this Colonials defense. Otherwise, they too will rely on transfers, many of which have minimal experience.
One more player to watch for RMU is punt returner, Tahseen Howard. Phil Steele selected him as a preseason a All-NEC First Team performer. Last season, Howard returned 20 punts for 138 yards (6.9 avg.). He is also one of the only defensive backs on the roster with any starting experience.
With Robert Morris facing many of the same challenges as WVU, the Mountaineers should be able to walk out of Morgantown with not only a win, but a chance to get snaps for much of their roster.
The game between Robert Morris and West Virginia will take place Saturday, August 30 inside Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV. Kickoff is set for 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central and it will air on ESPN+.