MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Last Tuesday, Rich Rodriguez began his weekly press conference previewing today's Utah game rather ominously – with an injury report.

And it was long. 

"Typically, I don't start off with injury news, but unfortunately it's compiling," he began. "In some years you get lucky, and you don't get anybody hurt, and in some years it kind of comes in waves."

Nearly a dozen different players were listed on this week's injury report submitted to the Big 12 Conference. Of course, No. 1 running back Jahiem White and starting wide receiver Jaden Bray were lost for the season during the Ohio University loss.

Tye Edwards, who ran for 141 yards in West Virginia's come-from-behind victory over Pitt, was out for the Kansas loss and remains questionable for the Utah game.

Running back Cyncir Bowers and starting center Landon Livingston were injured against Kansas, both of whom Rodriguez termed questionable for Saturday.

The starting right side of the offensive line, guard Kimo Makane'ole and tackle Ty'Kieast Crawford, are dealing with injuries and Rodriguez listed them as "questionable or probable."

The unexpected name on the injury list was quarterback Nicco Marchiol.

"He came to see us on Sunday and said he had some mid-foot pain, and it had been bothering him for a while," the coach noted. "(On Tuesday he visited) a specialist out in Colorado that they know getting that checked out."

With Marchiol since ruled out, the candidates to replace him are senior Jaylen Henderson, who rushed for 79 yards in a mop-up role against Kansas, redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins, true freshman Scotty Fox Jr. and Charlotte transfer Max Brown, who has yet to see action this year.

Regarding his team's depleted running back situation, Rodriguez indicated that he might look to some slot receivers for additional help.

"All the above, right?" Rodriguez said. "We'll figure something out."

Among the injury hopefuls for today, according to the coach, are tight end Jacob Barrick and wide receiver Preston Fox.

"That's kind of a lot and we've had a couple of really physical games," Rodriguez said, before pivoting to Utah, perhaps the most physical team on the schedule this year.

Rodriguez has lots of experience against Utah and coach Kyle Whittingham during his six-year tenure at Arizona from 2012-17. The two met six times, with the Wildcats claiming the first four meetings before the Utes' captured the final two.

"(I've) known Rich for a lot of years," Whittingham said earlier this week. "He really had it going at Arizona there and a really good offensive mind - outstanding offensive mind. I got no doubt that he's going to get that program where he wants to, and where he had it before he was there the last time around."

Whittingham has been one of the most successful coaches in college football over the last two decades and owns a 170-87 overall record heading into this afternoon's matchup against West Virginia, Utah's first-ever visit to Morgantown.

Utah (3-1, 0-1) began the season with blowout victories over UCLA, Cal Poly and Wyoming before getting derailed last Saturday against 17^th-ranked Texas Tech, 34-10.

The game was a tight defensive affair until the fourth quarter when the Red Raiders erupted for 24 points, 21 of those unanswered after Wayshawn Parker's 5-yard touchdown run.

New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier was one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the transfer portal last year, and he's had a solid campaign so far for the Utes. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior is completing 70.9% of his pass attempts for 790 yards and seven touchdowns with just two interceptions.

He also tops Utah's ball carriers with 225 yards, a 5.1 yards-per-carry average and a touchdown. Parker has gained 214 yards and scored three touchdowns, while NaQuari Rogers has added 189 yards and a team-best four scores.

Ryan Davis is Utah's top receiving threat with 29 catches for 241 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Dallen Bentley is second with 17 catches for 187 yards and two scores.

West Virginia defensive coordinator Zach Alley regards Utah's bookend tackles Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano as potential top NFL draft picks. Both stand 6-foot-6 and weigh 308 pounds.

Utah scored touchdowns on its opening drives against UCLA and Cal Poly, kicked a field goal against Wyoming and was forced to punt on its opening possession of last Saturday's Texas Tech game. The Utes scored touchdowns on each of their opening drives against UCLA, Cal Poly and Wyoming, but was stonewalled by the Red Raiders.

Defensively, safety Nate Ritchie leads Utah with 25 total tackles, 16 of those solos. He's also contributed 3 ½ tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

The player to keep an eye on is No. 90, defensive end John Henry Daley, who has already collected six sacks, 7 ½ tackles for losses and two forced fumbles in just four games. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound sophomore is a former BYU transfer who is leading the country in sacks. Both of his forced fumbles were strip-sacks against Wyoming and Texas Tech.

Another defender to watch is No. 23, sophomore safety Jackson Bennee, who shows three interceptions, including one he returned 57 yards for a touchdown in the Cal Poly win. He is the first Utah player since 2022 to have interceptions in three straight games.

"Obviously, we've got a big, physical, experienced Utah team coming in," Rodriguez said. "I know their coaches and their program very well, and I've got a lot of respect for Kyle and what he's done over the years."

West Virginia's history with Utah is limited to just two blowout losses in bowl games. The Utes throttled the Mountaineers 30-14 in the 2017 Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl at the Cotton Bowl and routed them 32-6 in the 1964 Liberty Bowl game played indoors at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

West Virginia (2-2, 0-1) is coming off a 41-10 loss at Kansas last Saturday to begin Big 12 Conference play.

Here is today's Countdown to Kickoff:

10 – Rich Rodriguez has coached the conference offensive player of the year TEN times during his career.

9 – The West Virginia offense has generated NINE scoring drives of NINE plays or longer, six of those resulting in touchdowns.

8 – The Mountaineers have won EIGHT of their 13 Big 12 Conference home openers.

7 – The West Virginia defense has failed to register multiple-sack games just SEVEN times in its last 22 games.

6 – West Virginia has won SIX of its seven Big 12 Conference home openers.

5 – The Mountaineers have averaged 260 yards passing in their last FIVE Big 12 home openers.

4 – Rich Rodriguez' 192 career victories rank him FOURTH among active power conference coaches.

3 – Today's game is West Virginia's THIRD all-time meeting against the Utes. Utah claimed bowl-game victories over the Mountaineers in 1964 and 2017.

2 – Rich Rodriguez is in sole possession of SECOND place in career wins at WVU with 62, trailing just Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen's 149 wins from 1980-2000.

1 – Today's will be Utah's FIRST-ever visit to Morgantown to play a college football game.

The Mountaineers will be wearing 1965 throwback uniforms similar to the ones they wore when they played Utah in the '64 Liberty Bowl.

Prior to today's game, West Virginia University will be inducting six new members into its sports hall of fame inside the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. Nationally known sports commentator Pat McAfee headlines a class that also includes former football coach Bill Stewart, longtime football aide Bill Kirelawich and two-sport star Darrell Whitmore.

Three-time NCAA rifle champion Petra Zublasing and eight-time All-American track performer Chelsea Carrier-Eades are part of this year's class as well. 

The ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m.

Also, a 25-year reunion for West Virginia's 2000 Music City Bowl championship team organized by the WVU Varsity Club is being held on campus this weekend.

A 3:30 p.m. kickoff has been assigned for the contest, to be televised nationally on FOX (Jason Benetti, Robert Griffin III and Alexa Landestoy.

Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield radio coverage begins with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate show at 12:30 p.m. leading into regular network coverage with Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace and Jed Drenning at 2:30 p.m. on stations throughout West Virginia, online via WVUsports.com and the Varsity Network and WVU Gameday apps.