Backup QB Nicco Marchiol leads West Virginia past Arizona

West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol, playing in place of injured Garrett Greene, led the Mountaineers to a 31-26 victory Saturday over Arizona in a Big 12 game at Tucson, Ariz.Greene and starting left tackle Wyatt Milum, both of whom suffered upper-body injuries in last week’s loss to Kansas State at home, did not make the trip to Tucson.Marchiol, from nearby Chandler, Ariz., completed 18 of 22 pass attempts for 198 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.Arizona (3-5, 1-4) has lost four straight games.West Virginia (4-4, 3-2) took its biggest lead of the game, 31-13, on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Marchiol to Traylon Ray with 13:31 remaining.Noah Fifita completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to All-American candidate Tetairoa McMillan on Arizona’s next possession.McMillan’s first touchdown reception since the season opener against New Mexico cut the lead to 31-19 with 8:52 remaining.McMillan finished with 202 yards on 10 receptions.Fifita compiled 133 of his 294 passing yards in the fourth quarter. He completed 21 of 32 pass attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions.After a three-and-out for West Virginia, Arizona cut the lead to 31-26 on Fifita’s 3-yard scramble for a touchdown with 4:35 left.Fifita completed a 49-yard pass to McMillan in the drive.

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