The Mountaineers Are Turning to a New Face This Weekend

West Virginia is turning to Jaylen Henderson under center this Saturday after Nicco Marchiol was officially ruled out due to a foot injury.

Marchiol, who had started all four games this season, was sidelined following a specialist visit in Colorado to address midfoot pain. His absence forces Rich Rodriguez’s staff into an early pivot as they face Utah in Morgantown.

Henderson, a transfer from Texas A&M, will make his first start in a West Virginia uniform. He has seen limited action this season, completing 4-of-11 passes for 28 yards, but impressed late in WVU’s loss to Kansas, rushing 7 times for 79 yards and leading the lone touchdown drive.

Rodriguez acknowledged the change in his post‑practice media remarks, saying all quarterbacks on the roster are capable of making the throws and reading defenses. With Marchiol out, the quarterback competition narrowed in practice, and Henderson emerged with momentum.

For West Virginia, the stakes are immediate. Henderson must settle in quickly and execute, knowing the offense will rely more heavily on his mobility and decision-making. Utah’s defense is no soft test, and this week’s performance will tell whether Henderson can be a stabilizing presence or if the Mountaineers’ offense will continue to falter under uncertainty.

If he rises to the moment, it buys WVU time to evaluate Marchiol’s recovery without sacrificing competitiveness. If not, the Mountaineers could face mounting pressure in Big 12 play, especially given how much stability matters at the quarterback position.