In a 6-3 decision Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of West Virginia and Idaho, which passed similar laws described as being aimed at protecting biological girls and women from being forced to compete against biological boys and men who became transgender girls and women.

“Separate sports teams for biological males and biological females are reasonable: Given the inherent physical differences between the sexes, allowing only biological females to play on women’s and girls’ teams can reduce the risk of physical injury and ensure fair competition,” wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh, penning the opinion on behalf of Chief Justice John Roberts and the four other conservative members of the court.

“Our role is not to judge the wisdom, fairness, or logic of the law before us, but only to ensure that it does not violate the equal protection guarantee of the Fourteenth Amendment,” Kavanaugh continued.

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House Bill 3293, passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2021, requires student-athletes in middle school, high school and college to participate in sports that match the student’s sex assigned at the time of their birth. The law applies to sports regulated by the NCAA and other college interscholastic organizations. The law is now called the Save Women’s Sports Act.

Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 16-year-old Harrison County high school cross country and track athlete who has identified as a girl since third grade and takes puberty-blocking medication, filed a lawsuit against HB 3293 in May 2021 when she was 11, shortly after the law went into effect. She placed first in shot-put in the state girls high school track and field championship in May.

Attorneys for Pepper-Jackson — which include the ACLU-WV, Lambda Legal, and Cooley LLP — alleged that HB 3293 violated her federal Title IX rights, prohibiting the exclusion of students from education programs on the basis of sex, as well as her rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But Kavanaugh wrote that neither West Virginia’s nor Idaho’s laws conflict with Title IX or the 14th Amendment.

“Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females,” Kavanaugh wrote. “They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America.”

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued the majority misapplied the legal standards for sex-based classifications and ignored crucial factual distinctions regarding transgender athletes who have not undergone male puberty.

“This litigation implicates deeply sensitive, contentious, and evolving issues,” Sotomayor wrote. “These circumstances demand exercising judicial restraint, not rushing to answer conclusively difficult questions without sufficient evidentiary development.��

“In opting otherwise, the majority extends great sympathy to those it favors: the young cisgender girls and women who play sports,” Sotomayor continued.” I share that sympathy. Playing sports can lead to benefits that are immeasurable, and many are understandably invested in ensuring that competition stays fair and safe. Because the majority, however, inflicts a hardship on those it disfavors without giving them the fair and full opportunity the Constitution requires to litigate their contentions, I respectfully dissent.”

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia allowed the law to be enforced, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overruled that decision, preventing the law from being enforced while the case was pending. The Supreme Court rejected an effort by then-Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to appeal that ruling barring enforcement of the law while the case was pending.��

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up the state’s appeal last year, with oral arguments taking place in January. W.Va. Attorney General J.B. McCuskey praised the decision.

“This is a monumental victory for every female athlete who has ever competed, or dreamed of competing, on a fair and safe playing field,” McCuskey said. Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what common sense and the law have long made clear: States have the right to designate sports teams based on biological sex, not gender identity. Without that delineation, Title IX is turned on its head and decades of hard-fought progress to advance female athletes is erased.”

State, national and international athletics regulators have begun changing their rules under pressure. President Donald Trump signed an executive order early in 2025 barring transgender girls and women who were born as males from participating in sports with biological females.��

The NCAA in early 2025 updated its policies to abide by Trump’s executive order, limiting competition in women’s sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth only. The International Olympic Commission also set a 2026 target to update its policies, which could limit participating of transgender athletes in future Olympic competitions.

Last year, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 299, modifying state regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment. SB 299 eliminates narrow exceptions for the use of medication gender-affirming care for minors.��

Morrisey also signed Senate Bill 456 last year – the Riley Gaines Act – which defines “male” and “female” in state code and protects single-sex spaces. The bill is named for Riley Gaines, who first made headlines in 2022 after competing against Lia Thomas, a transgender woman who was on the University of Pennsylvania’s swim team. Morrisey appealed the lower court ruling in 2024 as attorney general.

“Today’s decision will be remembered as one of the most important victories for women’s athletics since the enactment of Title IX itself,” Morrisey said in a statement Tuesday.��

“For far too long, Americans watched as this debate unfolded and wondered whether the promise made to generations of women and girls would endure,” Morrisey continued. “Today, the Supreme Court answered that question. The protections established under Title IX remain meaningful, the integrity of women’s sports remains worth preserving, and states retain the authority to defend fair competition.”

McCuskey inherited the case in 2025 when he first took office succeeding Morrisey as attorney general. The case was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court last summer by state Solicitor General Michael Williams.

“I am immensely proud of my team for not only getting this issue before the Court but for delivering sound and successful arguments,” McCuskey said. “This landmark victory will give all states, not just West Virginia, the clarity and confidence to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes today and for generations to come.”

Attorneys opposing the West Virginia and Idaho bans on transgender student-athletes said in a statement Tuesday they were disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“This is a heartbreaking ruling for our clients and transgender girls like them who’ve asked for nothing more than the same opportunities afforded to their peers.” said��Joshua Block, senior counsel for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project. “The reality is that the equality of transgender women and girls takes nothing away from, and in fact promotes, the equality of all women and girls. We will continue to advance the fundamental principle that all young people deserve equal opportunity to thrive and succeed.”

“This ruling is deeply harmful for transgender women and girls who only asked for the ability to participate in sports with their peers,” said Sasha Buchert, senior attorney and director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project at Lambda Legal. “Countless studies have demonstrated the myriad benefits that come with participation in team sports. Now, one population, transgender youth and collegians, are targeted for specific and baseless discrimination. We will not be deterred and will continue to fight back to secure the equal participation that all youth, including transgender youth, deserve.”

Owen Schmitt, known as the Runaway Beer Truck, will be at the Homecoming Dinner and Silent Auction on April 29 at the Wood County Resiliency Center. Festivities start at 5:45 p.m.

“This fundraiser is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Homecoming Advisory Board member Chuck Lipps said. “Now was the time when Owen agreed to do it.”

Schmitt will talk about his high school career in Wisconsin, a walk-on who made the team at WVU in 2004, becoming among the top fullbacks in the country and earning the nickname as the Runaway Beer Truck. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2008 NFL draft and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders in his five-season career.

He also wrote a children’s book, “The Little Fullback Who Could.” Schmitt will autograph and sell the book after the fundraiser.

The silent auction will feature rare Homecoming items including an autographed guitar of all acts that performed at Homecoming from 2008-24.

Among those are the late Charlie Daniels and Eddie Money, Grand Funk Railroad, Kansas, 38 Special, America, Marshall Tucker Band, Kathy Mattea, Darryl Worley and 17 other performers who have autographed the guitar.

A photo album of past performers, a WVU fire ring, an Owen Schmitt No. 35 autographed

jersey, vintage Fenton Anniversary bells and vase and other items also will be auctioned. Online

bidding is available with final bids awarded at the event.

Tickets, which are on sale, are $100 each with four VIP front row sponsor tables

for 10 guests offered at for 1,250 each, which include a private reception with Schmitt prior to the event.

A cash bar will be provided and door prizes will be awarded. For tickets and more information, go to www.parkersburghomecoming.com and its Facebook page. For table reservations, contact Lipps at 740-516-1050 or at chuckrma@hotmail.com.

The annual Parkersburg Homecoming is Aug. 14-15 at the point in Parkersburg.

Morrisey signed Senate Bill 392, cutting personal income tax rates by a combined 5% across all five brackets, which will return $125 million to taxpayers when fully implemented. The tax cut is retroactive to Jan. 1.

Morrisey called for a 10% cut in personal income tax rates during his State of the State address on Jan. 14, which would have returned $250 million to taxpayers. But Senate Bill 250, the governor’s bill setting the general revenue budget for fiscal year 2027 beginning July 1, included a revenue estimate that only contemplated a 5% cut.

While the state Senate passed SB 392 with the 10% cut partially offset with an increase in vape and e-cigarette taxes, the House of Delegates amended the bill to only cut personal income tax rates by 5% and removed the vape/e-cigarette tax hike.

Earlier Tuesday, Morrisey announced he signed House Bill 4425, repealing the provision allowing for students to transfer from one school to another without losing athletic eligibility.

HB 4425 repeals a section of state code requiring the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to allow multiple transfers. Upon repeal, the SSAC, governed by member school principals and athletic directors, would be responsible for drafting a new transfer rule with approval by the state Board of Education.

Answering questions during a press conference at the New River Gorge National Park Canyon Rim Visitor Center Overlook in Fayette County Tuesday, Morrisey said the SSAC had developed a new rule that would provide more flexibility for student-athlete transfers while addressing concerns that the previous law was unfair.

“After the Legislature completed their work, we had some discussions with the SSAC in terms of trying to have a little bit of more flexibility,” Morrisey said. “I think there were some people that were concerned about the SSAC just going back completely to the old rules.

“There’s been some tweaking of that language to make it a little bit more flexible,” he continued. “The hope is this new compromise is going to be very positive for communities and for high school athletics.”

Prior SSAC rules required a student transferring from one high school to another to sit out one year, though waivers could be sought. However, a Senate bill was amended in 2023 requiring the SSAC to modify rules for the 2023-24 school year to allow students to transfer schools and retain their athletic eligibility one time during their four years in high school.

Since 2023, complaints have been raised about the number of lopsided scores in high school athletics. One lawmakers cited numbers showing there have been 1,261 transfers over the last three years. During the most recent high school football season, there were 647 games, with 303 requiring an early end of the game because of a disparate score.

In 2024, 41% of high school football games were shortened by the mercy rule. In 2025, this increased to 44%. Supporters argue the bill would restore fairness to high school sports across the state and limit attempts at recruiting student-athletes.

“I had received a lot of complaints about the chaos of the transfer rule in the past,” Morrisey said. “I think I’m hopeful this is going to lead to restoration of faith in high school athletics in West Virginia.”

The SSAC did not return a request for comment.

Morrisey also signed House Bill 4965 Tuesday afternoon, relating to patient-centered treatment flexibility within the Public Employees Insurance Agency after being asked by an NBC News reporter earlier that day about whether he would sign the bill.

HB 4965 would allow patients to switch to an alternative treatment for a diagnosed condition without obtaining a new prior authorization, provided the original treatment was already approved. According to a fiscal note, PEIA estimated that full implementation of the bill would cost $13 million.

“We’re looking closely at the bill,” Morrisey said, before the signing was announced. “The first time I heard about this, I knew that we have to make a change because you have to always look to protect patients. And that’s what we try to do here in West Virginia. So, without giving everything away, I will say we’re looking very favorably toward that.”

SB 392, HB 4425 and HB 4965 are three of the 167 bills signed by Morrisey from the 2026 regular session of the West Virginia Legislature that began on Jan. 14 and ended on March 14 according to state Senate staff. That leaves 139 bills awaiting the governor’s signature or veto, or that could become law without a signature.

The state Constitution gives the governor five days — not counting Sundays — to act on a bill once receiving it from the Legislature. But when the session is over, the governor has a 15-day deadline to act. This year, that deadline is midnight today, April Fool’s Day.

“It’s nice to take a little time out in the middle of bill signing to make my way over here,” Morrisey said standing in front of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center Overlook after announcing that the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve had been named the 2026 number one overlooked travel destination by U.S. News and World Report.

“I’ll be going back to the Capitol a little later. We’ve got to get everything completed by tomorrow,” Morrisey continued. “We’re going to be releasing our final signatures today and (Wednesday), but I think that we’re going to be making real progress there.”

Stephen Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com

Teams and individual players from across West Virginia gathered on WVU’s campus to compete for state championships in a wide range of titles, including Marvel Rivals, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Brawlhalla, Rainbow Six Siege and Overwatch 2. The event marked a major milestone for both WVSEL and WVU’s rapidly growing esports program.

Founded in spring 2024, the WVSEL was created to expand access to organized esports competition for high school students while connecting them to scholarship and career opportunities offered by colleges and universities throughout the region.

Michael Carvelli, marketing strategist for WVU Esports, said hosting the finals aligned directly with the program’s mission of community-building and education.

“Something like this really helps students build a community around them,” Carvelli said. “A lot of kids don’t always find that bond through traditional sports, but esports gives them a team, a shared passion and a place where they belong.”

WVU launched its varsity competitive esports program in October 2021, transitioning from a student-run gaming club into a university-supported program. Since then, the program has grown to include multiple nationally competitive teams and dozens of student-athletes, many of whom receive scholarships.

Alongside competition, WVU offers an Esports Business and Entertainment (ESPT) bachelor’s degree and an esports management minor, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in marketing, broadcasting, event management and content creation.

Carvelli emphasized that Friday’s event was almost entirely run by students.

“This event is operated by our students — from live streaming to production to behind-the-scenes logistics,” he said. “They’re learning how the business of esports works while actually doing it.”

For many of the high school competitors, the tournament was their first opportunity to play in front of a live audience on a college campus.

WVU Rocket League player Cayla Roberts, one of the top female Rocket League players in the world, helped oversee matches throughout the day and interacted directly with visiting students.

“It’s really cool to be able to host these high schoolers and give them an opportunity to see what college esports could look like,” Roberts said. “For a lot of them, it’s their first time playing in front of a crowd, and you can see how excited they are just to compete and have fun as a team.”

Roberts said events like the WVSEL finals help demystify college esports and show students that gaming can extend beyond recreation.

“Hopefully it gives them future careers in esports to think about,” she said. “Even if they don’t play professionally, there are so many roles behind the scenes.”

Carvelli also addressed lingering misconceptions about esports, particularly in Appalachian communities where video games are sometimes viewed negatively.

“We really preach balance,” he said. “Our players practice, but they also work out, meet with sports psychology staff and focus on mental health. It’s not just about being locked into a game — it’s about building healthy habits and carrying that community into real life.”

As esports continues to grow nationally at both the K-12 and collegiate levels, WVU officials see events like the WVSEL Fall Finals as an investment in the state’s future.

“This is about showing students there’s a place for them here,” Carvelli said. “Whether that’s as players, creators, business professionals or leaders in the esports industry.”

With its first WVSEL finals now in the books, WVU hopes to continue welcoming young competitors from across West Virginia — and proving that esports has a home in Appalachia.

Representing much of West Virginia’s geography, the competing high schools and their corresponding game titles were:

* Brooke — Brawlhalla; Overwatch 2 (Gold & Green); Rainbow Six Siege; Rocket League

* Buckhannon-Upshur — Apex Legends; Rocket League

* Doddridge County — Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

* Grafton — Rainbow Six Siege

* Greenbrier East — Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

* Hedgesville — Marvel Rivals; Overwatch 2

* Martinsburg — Apex Legends; Marvel Rivals; Rainbow Six Siege; Rocket League; Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

* MCTEC — Apex Legends; Rainbow Six Siege

* Nitro — Brawlhalla (Zyxiemx & Payeton Jenkins)

* Ravenswood — Marvel Rivals

* Spring Mills — Marvel Rivals; Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

* St. Marys — Apex Legends

* Wahama — Rocket League

* Wirt County — Overwatch 2

* Wyoming East — Brawlhalla

The Mountaineers were dominated for the third straight game, 38-24 at the hands of No. 23 BYU, making Rich Rodriguez’s squad 0-3 in the Big 12 and 2-4 on the season.

It was the story of BYU having a competent quarterback, and WVU didn’t. The Cougars started true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, and he had a career-best game through the air, hurting the WVU defense on big plays.

“We made him look like the Heisman winner in the first half,” Rodriguez said. “Hand him the Heisman.”

On BYU’s second drive of the game, BYU’s true freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, connected with Parker Kingston on a screen pass. Kingston blew by the WVU defense and took off for a 54-yard touchdown, making it 14-0.

Later in the first half, WVU’s defense allowed BYU’s leading receiver Chase Roberts to take a quick slant for 85 yards, setting up another Cougars score. BYU was up 21-3 with under six minutes to play.

Just before the half, Bachmeier led the Cougars down the field to another touchdown with under a minute to play. The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard dime from Bachmeier and ended with him keeping it for a score, 28-10.

“They did whatever they want,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know how many first downs they had, but it was just, did they punt at all? Once? Don’t make the other team punt, you’re probably going to lose.”

The true freshman had a day. He threw for 351 yards and a touchdown. He connected with Roberts four times for 161 yards. There wasn’t much on the ground from the run-heavy Cougars, but running back L.J. Martin did punch in two touchdowns.

“He’s a good player,” Rodriguez said. “Tough, runs. Everything we thought. His accuracy on his deep balls was great… I thought he was outstanding.”

WVU started redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins, and he looked more his age.

After four-game starter Nicco Marchiol was ruled out, and the Utah game starter Jaylen Henderson was also ruled out, Rodriguez went with Wilkins to start against BYU.

His first start looked every bit of a first start. After completing a pass to Rodney Gallagher for 13 yards, Wilkins looked to pass again and threw it right to BYU’s Therrian Alexander, who returned it within WVU’s 10-yard line.

The next play, BYU’s Kingston ran it in for the first score of the game.

The defense did get some stops, showing improvement after getting torched by Utah a week ago. On BYU’s first drive, the Mountaineers held the Cougars to a field goal, which was missed. A couple drives after some short field position, and the big screen play, BYU was driving again, but the defense held. Linebacker Chase Wilson picked off BYU deep into WVU’s territory. It was the first interception of Bachmeier’s career.

WVU’s offense couldn’t capitalize, again.

The defense helped out the offense again two minutes before the first half ended. Defensive back Fred Perry blitzed and swatted down the BYU pitch, forcing a fumble and recovered it at the 3-yard line. Running back Diore Hubbard punched it in the next play, 21-10.

Then, again, later in the third quarter, BYU fumbled the ball inside its own territory. Wilkins rushed in for a touchdown shortly after, 31-17.

When BYU wasn’t handing over points, WVU’s offense under Wilkins couldn’t get much going, Wilkins wasn’t efficient through the air, and most of the offense came from when Wilkins took off. He ran for 89 yards on 23 attempts.

“We had to have the quarterback run game to run anything,” Rodriguez said.

Wilkins had some darts and even unloaded on a long pass to Cam Vaughn. But Vaughn bobbled it and had his pass intercepted within the 10-yard line. It was just that type of game and season for the Mountaineers.

The passing game was nonexistent again. Wilkins threw for 81 yards on 7-for-15 passing with two picks.

The defense had some opportunities to make stops, but Bachmeier kept dealing, keeping WVU out of reach for a comeback.

WVU has a bye next week.

“We need an open day,” Rodriguez said. “We’re tired. We’re beat up. Mad. Frustrated. All the above.”

His “small role” in the endeavor – his words – showed the selfless nature of Johnson, a life member of the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

The 52-year-old Johnson, who lived in the unincorporated rural Barbour County village of Volga, died early Monday morning following a brief illness.

Johnson was in his fifth year at Connect-Bridgeport, an online news and sports outlet that focuses on north central West Virginia; he managed a multitude of responsibilities, including breaking news stories.

“When you work with someone for nearly six years and their office is beside yours, osmosis alone with will let you know what that person is like,” said Jeff Toquinto, the communications director at Connect-Bridgeport. “It did not take me long to figure out Chris Johnson was better personally than he was professionally, which is not an easy task.”

Despite the transition after two decades in print media, Johnson continued his unpaid duties with the WVSWA, regularly attending its annual business meeting, and serving as All-State chairman for football and girls basketball. The former association president also was chairman of the boys basketball All-State committee from 2006-19. In 2021, he was named the 51st recipient of the Morehouse Award, given for significant contributions to journalism.

“Chris Johnson made West Virginia high school sports a personal passion and was a true journalist,” said Doug Huff, the retired former secretary-treasurer of the WVSWA. “He stepped up for the WVSWA and was always available to do the necessary work needed to make the organization successful. He will be missed by many people and I’m one of them. We had a lot in common in providing sports coverage for a statewide audience. Rest in peace, my friend.”

As newspapers furloughed employees and print media declined, Johnson voluntarily accepted more responsibilities with the WVSWA.

“I’m so incredibly grateful to Chris for everything he’s done for me personally and for statewide media as a whole,” said Michael Minnich, who joined the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram staff in 2016 on the insistence of Johnson, who was the newspaper’s sports editor at the time. “The hours, advocacy, and the passion he’s put into getting deserving kids attention are essential, irreplaceable, and lasting.”

Johnson graduated from Philip Barbour High School in 1991, after which he attended Marshall University, earning his bachelor’s degree from the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism while serving as sports editor, editor, and managing editor of the college’s newspaper, The Parthenon.

Later in 1997, he was hired as a full-time member of the News and Sentinel sports department, spending four years that culminated in his becoming sports editor. Former colleague Jay Bennett said that Johnson was perpetually high spirited.

“He always had this way about him,” said Bennett, whose career spans three decades in Parkersburg. “He’s just a good guy. He’s just a dude that was always there for you, always helped, and always had sort of a smile on his face. That was Chris, and he’s gone …”

The sports editor in Clarksburg from 2010-17, Johnson also had brief stints with the Morgantown Dominion Post and Buckhannon Record Delta following a 15-year stay at the Exponent Telegram, where he became a staple of the Clarksburg community. He was the longtime co-host of WKMZ 103.3 FM’s Friday Free for All that focused on high school athletics.

Among his responsibilities was covering one of the state’s football powerhouses, Bridgeport High, whose coach, Tyler Phares, said it wasn’t always a business trip.

“It’s a crushing blow to your entire community,” said Phares, whose Indians won the Class AAA state title last December while Johnson watched from his familiar location – the sideline.

“He would come into the coaching office, and it wasn’t all just business,” Phares said. “We would talk about WVU, wrestling, his daughter, the dogs … he’d be a guy who would call you up and just see how you’re doing. He knew my wife, my family, and when my dad passed away, he was one of the first people to call.”

Johnson’s greatest loves were wife Theresa, daughter Gwendolyn, pet dog Ollie, and pet cat Briscoe. He also had a fondness for Star Wars, and professional wrestling, often taking road trips for events with his daughter. He also was a fan of the Baltimore Orioles and, particularly, Cal Ripken Jr.

“Knowing the profession that we are in has lost a champion of the highest order for those he covered is difficult,” Toquinto said. “Knowing a family has lost a husband, father, and son that he poured even more of his time and love into at such a young age is a tragedy.”

Family and friends will be received at Wright Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 220 N. Walnut St. in Philippi, and from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, October 3. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Chris will be laid to rest at noon on Sunday, October 5, at the Jones Family Cemetery in Clay County, WV.

In lieu of flowers, donate to an animal shelter or a children’s charity of time or money.

Dampier threw a career-high four touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead the Utes to a 48-14 win over West Virginia on Saturday.

Dampier bounced back from a lopsided home loss to Texas Tech last week in which he didn’t throw a touchdown pass, was intercepted twice, fumbled the ball away once and Utah was held to 263 total yards.

“That was a big emphasis this week to make sure that we came out with energy first quarter to fourth quarter,” said Dampier, a transfer from New Mexico. “I thought we did that very well today.”

Utah (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) gained yards in chunks against the Mountaineers, scored on its first three drives and was never challenged by a West Virginia offense that was missing several key players, including quarterback Nicco Marchiol.

Dampier scored on a 7-yard run. He threw TD tosses of 7 yards to freshman tight end JJ Buchanan, 32 yards to Ryan Davis, 2 yards to tight end Dallen Bentley and 11 yards to running back Wayshawn Parker. By then, Utah led 35-0 early in the third quarter. The Utes didn’t punt.

Dampier completed 21 of 26 passes for 237 yards in three quarters of play. He was intercepted once. Davis had seven receptions for 107 yards.

Jaylen Henderson got the start in Marchiol’s place but was ineffective and replaced after halftime. The Mountaineers (2-3, 0-2) had just 13 first downs and were outgained 532-346.

Redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins showed some promise in Henderson’s place. He had runs of 17 and 10 yards before throwing a 39-yard TD pass to Cam Vaughn in the third quarter.

It was West Virginia’s worst home loss since a 41-point setback to Kansas State in 2012.

Ailing ‘Eers

Marchiol visited a specialist this past week after being bothered by foot pain. Running backs Tye Edwards (hip) and Cyncir Bowers (concussion) and center Landen Livingston (ankle) did not play Saturday. Starting running back Jahiem White and wide receiver Jaden Bray already were lost for the season.

“Did you hear me say that the injuries are the reason we lost?” West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. “It makes it more difficult or more challenging, but you can overcome it.”

The takeaway

Utah: Dampier had plenty of time to work and showed why he’s one of the nation’s leaders in accuracy. He’s completing nearly 73% of his passes this season.

“The offensive line did a really good job in their run blocking and their pass protection,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Also, (Dampier) buys himself a lot of time with his escapability and his ability to extend the play. He does a good job when he is on the move of keeping his eyes downfield. He doesn’t necessarily just tuck-and-run right away.”

West Virginia: The Mountaineers have been outscored 89-24 in two Big 12 games and will be challenged to be competitive given their long injury list and with three of their next four games on the road.

Up next

Utah is idle next Saturday and hosts Arizona State on Oct. 11.

West Virginia plays at No. 25 BYU on Friday night.

Fans who endured mediocrity for the past six seasons under previous coach Neal Brown are counting on Rodriguez to resurrect the magic that produced double-digit wins in his final three seasons with the Mountaineers from 2005-07.

That could take some time. If nothing else since Rodriguez was hired from Jacksonville State last December, they’ve had Sept. 13 circled, when West Virginia hosts archrival Pittsburgh, whose 13-9 win as a heavy underdog in Rodriguez’s final game at WVU still stings. Two weeks later, Rodriguez left for Michigan.

A huge roster turnover will make it challenging for Rodriguez to compete right away for a Big 12 championship. West Virginia hasn’t won a title since joining the league in 2012 and hasn’t been ranked since 2018, the last time it had back-to-back winning seasons.

Soft play not tolerated

So far, Rodriguez isn’t happy about the depth at any position.

“I like my team, I just don’t feel better about where we’re at,” he said. “We’ve got time.”

Rodriguez has always used a no-huddle, up-tempo offense and is no less demanding now than when he first arrived at his alma mater in 2001. He has no tolerance for a lack of hard, physical play. Angered by such at a preseason practice, he stopped the drills and made his players run as punishment.

“Way too many moments of softness,” Rodriguez said. “It can’t ever be allowed. Up front, the O-line and D-line sometimes look like they’re tango dancing instead of playing football. People say, ‘You like to yell.’ No, I like to win.”

Offense potential

Among the few returning players are the heart of the offense.

Running back Jahiem White ran for 845 yards and seven scores as a sophomore in Brown’s platoon system and could see his carries balloon behind a new offensive line in Rodriguez’s run-based attack.

The starting quarterback won’t be revealed until the Aug. 30 season opener against Robert Morris. Nicco Marchiol won both of his 2024 starts and has played in 19 career games. He’s competing with Texas A&M transfer Jaylen Henderson, who did not play last season, and Charlotte transfer Max Brown.

“We want to be the fastest team in America,” Marchiol said. “This offense, I feel, fits me so well.”

There are no returning receivers who had more than 300 yards a year ago. Sophomore Cam Vaughn had 48 catches for 803 yards and five TDs for Rodriguez at Jacksonville State.

Legends return

Rodriguez brought a pair of his most accomplished players back as assistant coaches.

Pat White, who went 35-8 as a starting quarterback and won four bowl games from 2005-09, is an assistant under Rodriguez’s son, quarterbacks coach Rhett Rodriguez.

Noel Devine, second in school history with 5,761 all-purpose yards, is an offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach.

Defense needs help

West Virginia was among the Big 12’s worst defenses last season. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley, who arrived from Oklahoma, has one returning player with limited starting experience: linebacker Reid Carrico.

The schedule

The Pitt game will be the last in the series until 2029. The Panthers have won two of three meetings since the rivalry resumed in 2022.

West Virginia’s league opener is Sept. 20 at Kansas. Among ranked teams, West Virginia plays No. 11 Arizona State and No. 23 Texas Tech to end the regular season but does not face No. 17 Kansas State or No. 22 Iowa State.

“I just want to thank you because you helped me navigate FBS,” Seitz told Rodriguez. “You did as much for us as we did for you.”

In 2021, Seitz received an invitation for Jacksonville State to join Conference USA, bringing the Gamecocks from FCS to FBS. Seitz got the invite on a Wednesday, and nine days later on Friday, Jacksonville State announced it would be in the FBS.

“Once we got that invitation, we knew we had to get moving,” Seitz said.

It’s a big jump from FCS to FBS, and Seitz needed a big-time coach to navigate this new space. Head coach John Grass’ contract was expiring soon, so Seitz informed him, a week before the season ended, that they weren’t renewing his contract, allowing for enough time to find a new coach. After the final home game, Grass announced it was his last game.

Seitz and his president went searching. One of the candidates was Louisiana-Monroe offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez. Seitz reached out to Rodriguez’s agent, who was a mutual friend, about interviewing Rodriguez for their head coaching job. Rodriguez hopped on a couple of Zoom calls with Seitz, and Seitz already liked him. Seitz, the president of Jacksonville State, and the chair of the athletic committee, flew down to meet with him, and on the way back, they decided that Rodriguez was the guy to lead Jacksonville State to the FBS.

“This man would be perfect for us,” Seitz said on the plane.” Honestly, within the first 10 minutes, I was like, ‘oh, man, this guy.’”

What did Rodriguez tell Seitz to land the job?

“I feel like I still got some gas left in the tank, Greg,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez wanted to remain quiet about his new job offer because his son, Rhett Rodriguez, was playing in his final game at Louisiana-Monroe, but after, Rodriguez was announced as the head coach.

“When you looked at [Rodriguez], I think he’s been named Coach of the Year at every place he’s ever coached, and I think he’s had the Offensive Player of the Year,” Seitz said. “There was no doubt. His offense, he’s kind of the grandfather, kind of invented the spread offense. Just for me, to have the opportunity to hire a guy of his caliber at Jacksonville State really took us from a regional university to a national team. I mean, it gave us instant credibility at the FBS level.”

Instantly, Rodriguez got to work. Like what he’s doing at WVU now, Rodriguez first started off implementing his hard-nose culture into the system. Unlike most schools, like Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina or Georgia State, Rodriguez and Jacksonville State had immediate success.

In 2023, Jacksonville State went 9-4, and in the following season, the first year in FBS, Rodriguez led the Gamecocks to a 9-4 regular season and a bowl appearance. Jacksonville State gained national attention with games on ESPN and ESPN+ at times.

“All he does is win,” Seitz said. “He is one of the most competitive people that I’ve ever been around or worked around. I think that resonates with it. He gets so much out of all of his guys that all he’s ever known is winning and stuff. He’s not a fun guy to be around when he loses. He’ll be the first to admit that, too. At some point, he’s gonna lose a game in West Virginia and stuff, and that’s going to be miserable because he replays the game so much in his head.”

The national attention also caught the eyes of other schools, like West Virginia, which was looking for another head coach.

In some ways, this scenario played out a decade ago when Rodriguez brought WVU back into national relevance, and Michigan and Alabama were looking for a new coach. Rodriguez left WVU for the Michigan job after a nasty breakup, so would Rodriguez’s leaving Jacksonville State be a repeat of that?

Not this time around. Rodriguez notified Seitz and Jacksonville State immediately after West Virginia reached out. WVU athletic director Wren Baker called Seitz about the job, and the conversation went “great.”

“If we have a Power Four program coming after him, that means we’ve had success, and I’m okay with that,” Seitz said. “It’s better when a coach leaves you when it’s on their terms, instead of me having to say, ‘Hey, coach, it’s not going well.’ When I have to make the change, typically, you’re not having winning records or success on the field. I understand where we are at Jacksonville State, for those coaches. If they can better their staff and get an opportunity to go somewhere else, that means we both had success, and I may be okay with that.”

Rodriguez took the WVU job, but his relationship with Setiz remained. Rodriguez still has his house in Alabama and visits frequently.

This time around, Rodriguez handled leaving a job differently. Whether that was because he realized what he did at WVU was wrong the first time, or his relationship and love for Jacksonville were too strong to just walk away from.

It’d make sense that he finally learned after the decade-long journey through almost every coaching position imaginable, but who knows?

What’s known is that Rodriguez has another fan and supporter of his second tenure at WVU —��Seitz, and Jacksonville State.

“I wish him nothing but the best,” Seitz said. “I’m just so happy for him and his family that he had an opportunity to go back home. Because a lot of people never get that chance, right? I think he’s going to win. I’ll be pulling for him every week. I hope he has tons of success up there.

When Rodriguez was hired back in December, the hope for fans was that he’d bring WVU right back where he left off. It’s unrealistic that it would happen immediately. Even if you look at his first season, he didn’t start off hot.

Rodriguez has a couple of years to refind his footing. He signed a five-year deal with the Mountaineers, ending in 2029, so he’ll be in Morgantown for a decent amount of time, barring he doesn’t get canned.

A lot has changed since he was last at WVU. There’s the College Football Playoff, WVU is in the Big 12, there’s NIL, revenue-sharing and a revolving door of a transfer portal. It’s a completely different time period.

Rodriguez is fully embracing this new era and hopes that in his time, he can bring West Virginia back into college football prominence, which has been missing since he left.

Here’s what Rodriguez’s second tenure could look like:

Bowl Games? Yes

If Rodriguez doesn’t get WVU to a bowl game in his first two years, then it won’t be pretty. It might not happen in his first season because of all the turnover and adjusting, but it definitely should in Year 2.

Athletic director Wren Baker said he wants to see momentum from season to season, and it would definitely be on an upward trajectory if Rodriguez gets the Mountaineers to a bowl game in Year 2.

After the first season, Rodriguez should be in a bowl game every year, because that’s the bare minimum. He’s a proven winner, so it shouldn’t be an issue. Deeper into his contract, the bowl game should be higher caliber, too.

College Football

Playoff? Yes

With College Football Playoff expansion, it’s getting easier and easier to make the playoff, especially if it moves to 16 or 20-plus teams. A playoff appearance means WVU will be ranked in the top 15 or lower, which could happen once during Rodriguez’s tenure.

Rodriguez had the Mountaineers ranked in the top 15 five times and Arizona once. He also had Michigan ranked in the top 25 a couple times. It’s definitely possible, and should be a goal in his five years, or he’ll stint will be looked at as a failure.

Big 12 Championship? Yes

Winning the Big 12 is harder than making the College Football Playoff. WVU has to have the best record or second-best record in the conference, and then win the extra game.

In the last five years, there have been five different conference champions. The Big 12 is usually anyone’s conference to win. Arizona State was projected to finish last a season ago, and won the title. It provides hope that one year, WVU can surprise teams and sneak out a title.

National Championship? No

West Virginia doesn’t fit the recent national champion description, and it’s not Rodriguez’s fault. Over the past 10 years, the title has been won by a blue-blood college football program. Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, etc. The big-name programs. The schools that have a ton of boosters and money flowing in to support the program. WVU has boosters, and Baker announced the Mountaineers reached the $20.5 million of revenue-sharing, but Baker said it was a lot of effort to get to that point. It might be hard to sustain every year.

Rodriguez has to work with what he’s got, and it’s just not fair compared to the blue-blood programs. In 2007, Rodriguez was on the cusp, but that was before the league was run by money, and he still never won one.

Rodriguez will make WVU competitive again, but a national championship isn’t realistic in this age of college football. Rodriguez isn’t the only one fighting an uphill battle. There are a ton of programs that are just a tier below that don’t really have a shot.

Contract Extension? Yes

If all goes well, a couple of bowl games, a Big 12 title and a CFP appearance, Rodriguez should get an extension if he wants to continue to coach. He’s 62 now, and in five years, he’ll be 67, so there’ll be questions if he wants to keep coaching. This summer, Rodriguez stated multiple times that coaching is a lot better than working in the coal mines or picking weeds, so he’ll definitely stick around.

The extension might not be long, but he could be around for 7-10 years, similar to his first time at WVU.