In a game that felt more like a statement than a season opener, West Virginia obliterated Robert Morris 45-3 in front of a roaring home crowd — but the real story was the return of Rich Rodriguez to the sideline. After more than a decade away from Morgantown, the once-controversial head coach was back, and if there were any doubts about whether he still had the magic, they were erased within the first quarter.
Rodriguez’s return was dripping with emotion and fueled by unfinished business. Once the architect of West Virginia’s rise to national prominence in the early 2000s, he left under a cloud of controversy for Michigan in 2007 — a departure that fans never quite forgave or forgot. But Saturday night, the past was seemingly wiped clean as chants of “Rich Rod” echoed through Milan Puskar Stadium.
What unfolded on the field was nothing short of a demolition. West Virginia’s offense, which many expected to be sluggish in Rodriguez’s first game back, exploded for 500+ total yards. Quarterback Trey Simmons — a redshirt sophomore with little starting experience — looked like a seasoned veteran, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for another. His poise, decision-making, and ability to extend plays were eerily reminiscent of the Pat White era, a Rodriguez protégé who led the Mountaineers to glory years ago.
Perhaps most shocking was how quickly Rodriguez’s signature spread-option offense clicked. In less than one offseason, he transformed what was an inconsistent attack last year into a machine that shredded the Robert Morris defense. Running back Tyrell Carter averaged over seven yards per carry, including a jaw-dropping 67-yard touchdown run that left defenders grasping at air.
Defensively, West Virginia was just as dominant. The Mountaineers held Robert Morris to under 150 total yards and only five first downs. They swarmed the ball, forced two turnovers, and tallied four sacks. Defensive coordinator Blaine Stewart — a former WVU player himself — has clearly embraced Rodriguez’s aggressive philosophy, dialing up relentless pressure from start to finish.
But beyond the box score, the game felt like a cultural reset. Rodriguez, wearing a WVU windbreaker and grinning ear to ear, looked comfortable — almost as if he never left. He hugged staffers, high-fived players, and even shed a tear during the pregame tribute honoring his late mother, who was a season ticket holder for decades. The crowd responded in kind, delivering a standing ovation that felt more like reconciliation than celebration.
Still, skeptics will point out that this was Robert Morris — an FCS program vastly outmatched in talent and depth. But what matters is not just the win, but how it was won: with energy, precision, and unmistakable swagger. It’s clear that Rich Rodriguez is not here to relive the past — he’s here to rewrite it.
If this opener is any indication, West Virginia might not just be back under Rodriguez. They might be dangerous.
