West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol (8) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)

There were 11 seconds left on the clock. It was second down from the 2-yard line. West Virginia was down 24-17 to rival Pitt in the Backyard Brawl. Quarterback Nicco Marchiol snapped the ball and instantly had defenders in his face. Quickly, Marchiol tossed it to tight end Grayson Barnes in the back of the end zone, tying the game 24-24.

Marchiol came back to the sideline at the very end of the bench by himself. He squatted and watched the defense get a stop, sending the game into overtime.

Marchiol trotted back out and led the Mountaineers on an eight-play 25-yard drive, ending in a 2-yard touchdown rush from Tye Edwards. It ended up being the go-ahead touchdown to win the Backyard Brawl and completed a 10-point comeback with about nine minutes to play.

“Nicco, this kid’s got a lot of heart,” Rich Rodriguez said. “Right at the end, he played some great football, made some great passes.”

It wasn’t a normal game for Marchiol. He started the game as he’s done the past two, and finished the first half 9-for-12 for 76 yards and had the Mountaineers up 7-3.

It wasn’t good enough for Rodriguez. When the second half started, Marchiol didn’t run out with the offense. He stayed on the sideline with his helmet on and watched true freshman Scotty Fox Jr. run out on the field.

“Coach talked about earlier in the week about multiple guys going,” Marchiol said. “It’s something that’s not, not been a part of my future as a college quarterback up until now. I’m used to how that goes. They got their time in.”

Marchiol didn’t hang his head. He had his helmet on and cheered for Fox, who scored a touchdown in his opening drive, and rooted on Jaylen Henderson when he came in after Fox threw three interceptions. Marchiol was anything but negative.

“Not a lot changes for me,” Marchiol said. “Not a lot goes through my mind. The minute you get distracted, you start feeling sorry for yourself, start feeling bad for yourself, you got no chance. I knew my time was going to come again.”

After Henderson’s one drive, WVU had lost the lead Marchiol provided and were down 10. Pitt had all the momentum.

Like Rodriguez did against Ohio when WVU was down, he turned to Marchiol to try and win the game.

“At the end, we knew we needed to throw,” Rodriguez said. “Nicco’s our best thrower, most accurate, most comfortable thrower. He was really sharp in the last four minutes, and that’s what I’m proud of. Instead of hanging his head, saying, ‘Ah, jeez, I’m not in all the time,’ he showed that he’s a competitor and pulled us out the victory.”

Marchiol came out and led the Mountaineers on a 12-play, 72-yard drive, which resulted in a field goal. He went a perfect 4-for-4 on the drive. Then, Marchiol went back out with 2:47 on the clock. He went 5-for-8 and led the Mountaineers down the field for a 13-play 87-yard drive.

Marchiol finished 19-for-25 for 192 yards and a touchdown.

“When my number was called again, there was just one goal in mind, it was just go in and win the football game,” Marchiol said. “Some way, somehow.”

It wasn’t how Marchiol drew his Backyard Brawl up. Most kids dream about coming in the fourth quarter and winning the game on the last-second play, beating the rival. Marchiol did that Saturday night.

This isn’t the first time Marchiol’s beat Pitt either. In 2023, he came in for Garret Greene to win the game. Marchiol also watched when WVU went up to Pitt last year. Marchiol’s had his fair share of the Backyard Brawls, but this was the best.

“Yeah, this one’s the best,” Marchiol said. “This one’s the best for sure.”