BAD NEWS: WVU Quarterback Nicco Marchiol Out for the Season Due to Severe Injury

BAD NEWS: WVU Quarterback Nicco Marchiol Out for the Season Due to Severe Injury…

Morgantown, WV — In a devastating blow to West Virginia University football, redshirt sophomore quarterback Nicco Marchiol has suffered a severe injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025 season. The announcement came late Wednesday evening after an MRI confirmed the extent of the injury sustained during practice earlier in the week.

 

Sources close to the program report that Marchiol sustained a significant lower-body injury, though exact details have not been released. WVU head coach Neal Brown addressed the media Thursday morning with a somber tone, confirming the quarterback’s season-ending status.

 

“This is a tough day for Nicco and our entire program,” Brown said. “He’s worked incredibly hard this offseason and was set to take a major step forward as a leader on and off the field. Our hearts go out to him. We’ll support him every step of the way through his recovery.”

 

Marchiol was expected to play a pivotal role for the Mountaineers this season, following the departure of Garrett Greene to the NFL. With a strong arm, quick feet, and an emerging presence in the locker room, the Arizona native had shown steady improvement during spring practices and was widely seen as the face of WVU’s offensive future.

 

In 2024, Marchiol appeared in six games, throwing for 842 yards and six touchdowns, while adding another 173 yards on the ground. Coaches praised his decision-making and leadership, naming him one of the team captains heading into the fall. The injury now casts a long shadow over both his future and the team’s prospects in the Big 12 this season.

 

“This is certainly not the news we wanted,” said offensive coordinator Chad Scott. “But injuries are part of the game, and we have to rally. Our quarterback room is strong, and we’ll evaluate all options moving forward.”

 

With Marchiol out, WVU is expected to turn to freshman Landon Thomas and redshirt junior Will Crowder to compete for the starting role. Neither quarterback has significant game experience, which could present challenges as the Mountaineers face a difficult early-season schedule that includes matchups against Penn State and Oklahoma State.

 

Fans across Mountaineer Nation expressed their support for Marchiol on social media, with teammates and alumni sending encouraging messages using the hashtag #MountaineerStrong.

 

Marchiol himself took to X (formerly Twitter) late Thursday, writing, “This isn’t how I imagined this season going, but I’ll be back stronger. Grateful for the love and support. Let’s go Mountaineers!”

 

As for the rest of the team, Coach Brown emphasized the importance of unity in times of adversity.

 

“We’ll have to lean on each other,” Brown said. “Football is a team game, and while losing a key piece like Nicco hurts, it’s also an opportunity for others to step up and show what they can do.”

 

WVU has not provided a timeline for Marchiol’s recovery, only stating that he will be re-evaluated later this year. For now, the Mountaineers will forge ahead without their starting quarterback, hoping to find strength in the face of adversity.