A homecoming for West Virginia Quarterback Nicco Marchiol and an opportunity for the Wildcats to break a 3-game losing streak.
The first quarter fumble by Arizona running back Quali Conley set the tone for the Wildcats continued sloppy play while the Mountaineers special teams set the game in motion. West Virginia capitalized on Conley’s blunder with a fake field goal for a touchdown to make it 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Conley made his own personal comeback with a goal line touchdown to make it 10-7, still in favor of the Mountaineers.
Marchiol’s return to his home state showed promise for the Mountaineers future with him under center as he closed out the first half for West Virginia with a 17-7 lead over Arizona.
Arizona started to claw back in the third quarter with a clutch touchdown pass to Sam Olson.
However, it was a short-lived attempt to make a comeback for the Wildcats as the former Hamilton High School Quarterback throws a 54-yard touchdown pass to Traylon Ray to take a 31-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Arizona rallied in the fourth quarter to bring the game within five points with 4.5 minutes to go. West Virginia iced the game on their last drive – mistakes early in the game became too much to overcome for the Wildcats.
West Virginia outplayed Arizona, Mountaineers win 31-26.
The Wildcats have now lost four games straight as they look ahead to visiting University of Central Florida on Nov. 2.
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