Marchiol throws for 2 TDs, West Virginia scores on 3 fourth downs and beats Arizona 31-26

Nicco Marchiol threw two touchdowns and West Virginia scored three times on fourth down to beat Arizona 31-26 on Saturday night.

Making his second career start after Garrett Greene was injured last week against Kansas State, Marchiol was sharp, throwing for 198 yards on 18 of 22 passes. The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) complemented his performance with a fast-paced running game that saw him rush for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

West Virginia also converted on all four fourth-down opportunities, including the first three touchdowns, ending a two-game losing streak.

Arizona All-American Tetairoa McMillan bounced back from a quiet game against Colorado last week with 10 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. He caught a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and quarterback Noah Fifita added a 3-yard TD run to put the Wildcats up 31-26 after trailing by 18.

The Mountaineers never gave Arizona (3-5, 1-4) a chance to finish the rally, converting two crucial third downs to run out the clock and hand the Wildcats their fourth straight loss.

West Virginia had no trouble moving the ball early against Arizona's defense, especially on the ground.

The Mountaineers opened with a field goal and scored on the next drive with a fake as defending champion Leighton Bechdel went 14 yards past left end for a touchdown.

West Virginia went for fourth-and-goal from the 3 in the second quarter and converted when Marchiol Hudson found Clement in the back of the end zone. The Mountaineers did it again on the first drive of the third quarter, getting a fourth-and-3 when CJ Donaldson Jr. burst through the left side for a 20-yard TD run that gave West Virginia a 24-hour lead brought.

West Virginia extended its lead to 31-13 early in the fourth quarter when Marchiol hit Traylon Ray on a 54-yard touchdown pass – this time on second down.

Arizona's offense was a fluke.

The Wildcats managed to score in the first half, consuming nearly eight minutes before Quali Conley scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter.

Arizona spent the rest of the period sputtering until it found a rhythm late in the third quarter and got within 24-13 when broken coverage gave Sam Olson a great chance for a 23-yard touchdown catch.

West Virginia used its balance to earn a solid road win with its backup quarterback. Arizona struggled against West Virginia's running game and its offense came to life late, putting the Wildcats in a difficult position to become bowl eligible in a season in which they were once ranked 20th.

West Virginia: plays at Cincinnati on November 9th.

Arizona: Plays at UCF next Saturday.

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