It’s been almost a month since Garrett Greene last took the field for the West Virginia Mountaineers, having exited the Kansas State game at halftime due to an upper-body injury. Since then, he has been sidelined, though the Mountaineers have managed to stay competitive without him. Nicco Marchiol, the team’s backup quarterback, stepped in and led West Virginia to road victories over Arizona and Cincinnati.
Greene made his first public appearance in weeks during warmups before the Cincinnati game, wearing his uniform, signaling that he might have been available in an emergency. However, this week marks the first real opportunity for Greene to return to active play, with head coach Neal Brown confirming that Greene will have a chance to practice and potentially play.
According to Coach Brown, Greene has only participated in limited 7-on-7 drills since his injury, with his most recent work being on Wednesday. “He did a little bit of 7-on-7 work last Wednesday, and that’s really the only work he’s had,” Brown explained. “You’re talking now it’s three weeks, right? So he did some 7-on-7 work today.”
This week, Greene is set to begin full-team practices for the first time since his injury. Brown emphasized that tomorrow would be the first chance for Greene to take part in 11-on-11 drills, which will be crucial for evaluating his readiness to return to the starting role. The decision to put Greene back in action will depend heavily on how he performs in these full-contact team sessions.
As Brown has mentioned in past interviews, Greene’s extensive experience and seniority mean there isn’t a strict timeline for when he needs to be fully cleared for a game. His readiness will largely depend on how well he handles the 11-on-11 drills and whether he is physically prepared for the demands of a full game.
Given Marchiol’s solid performances in Greene’s absence, it is possible that Coach Brown might continue to start the redshirt sophomore quarterback, even if Greene is cleared to play. Marchiol has shown enough poise and skill in leading the Mountaineers to victory that the team could maintain him as the starter for the time being, with Greene potentially being used in specific situations or packages.
When asked about when a decision would be made on the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Baylor, Brown explained that a final call might not come until late in the week. “That decision won’t go public before kickoff,” Brown said, noting that the team was unlikely to reveal its choice before game day.
Brown also pointed out that the two quarterbacks—Greene and Marchiol—offer different skill sets, and it would be advantageous for the opposing team to prepare for both. While the offense is not drastically different depending on who plays, Brown emphasized that Greene, as a left-handed quarterback, brings some differences in terms of how the offense is run compared to Marchiol, who is right-handed.
The distinct differences in playing style between the two quarterbacks could impact the way the Mountaineers approach their game plan against Baylor. While the offense may not be radically different, the way certain plays are executed could vary depending on who is under center.
This dual-threat approach of keeping both quarterbacks in play could make it difficult for Baylor’s defense to fully prepare for West Virginia’s offense. By forcing Baylor to prepare for both options, the Mountaineers could gain a strategic advantage.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding who will start, the Mountaineers remain confident that their quarterback situation is in good hands, whether Greene or Marchiol takes the reins on Saturday. Both quarterbacks have shown the ability to lead the team effectively, and West Virginia is in a strong position heading into the game.
Coach Brown’s decision will ultimately be based on how well Greene performs in practice this week. His evaluation of Greene’s readiness in 11-on-11 drills will be a key factor in determining whether the senior will take back the starting role or if Marchiol will continue as the starter.
The Mountaineers’ ability to keep their quarterback situation under wraps is an advantage, especially in the days leading up to the game. This uncertainty allows the team to keep Baylor guessing, potentially giving West Virginia an edge when it comes to game preparation.
Ultimately, the decision to play Greene or stick with Marchiol will depend on a combination of factors, including Greene’s performance in practice and the team’s confidence in both quarterbacks. Whether it’s Greene’s return or Marchiol’s continued play, the Mountaineers are poised to be competitive in their matchup against Baylor.
Leave a Reply