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Vaughn emerges as WVU's top receiver
By SPENCER RIPCHIK
Special to The Review
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- In 2023, Rich Rodriguez signed Cam Vaughn to Jacksonville State as a quarterback. He didn't have any stars out of Temple High School in Georgia, but he thought quarterback was where he'd see action.
Rodriguez saw something in him and took a chance.
"We thought we signed him; he was a Power Four talent," Rodriguez said.
The talent wasn't as a passer, though. Vaughn had his sights on playing QB, so Rodriguez let him try it in the preseason before 2023.
"That lasted about an hour," Rodriguez said. " Listen, 'You can learn the offense while you're playing wide out.'"
Vaughn switched to receiver and redshirted in 2023, as he learned the position. In 2024, he made an immediate impact at wide out. Vaughn led with 48 catches, 803 yards and five touchdowns.
Vaughn said playing quarterback helped him make the transition easier.
"Just knowing when you're going to get the ball, and you're not," Vaughn said. "The coverage reading is a lot easier. Playing quarterback taught me a lot."
Then, when Rodriguez moved over to West Virginia, Vaughn came with. In a 45-3 win against Robert Morris on Saturday, he had an up-and-down day, but emerged as WVU's No. 1 receiver very quickly.
Vaughn hauled in seven catches for 127 yardsand had the highlight of the day, hauling in a quarterback Nicco Marchiol deep pass for a 46-yard touchdown.
"He's obviously a great athlete, and he's a great competitor," Rodriguez said. "Cam really loves to compete. He always feels he can get open and can get by somebody. I'm glad we took a deep shot. We weren't going deep balls today much, and it was good. He ran a great route, and Nicco made a great throw. Cam's one of the most explosive guys, I think, in the country. I'm glad he got some plays today."
Vaughn was Marchiol's favorite target against Robert Morris. Of Marchiol's 17 throws, Vaughn caught seven and bailed Marchiol out when he was in trouble. Marchiol said the two have developed a connection as soon as Vaughn arrived in Morgantown in the winter.
"As you can see, there is a lot of potential there," Vaughn said. "It's just a big trust factor. Just executing."
Vaughn's day wasn't perfect, though. Vaughn reeled in a catch inside the red zone, hurdled a defender, but after, coughed up the football, which rolled into the end zone for a touchback.
Vaughn cleared up that it was a one-time thing and said he'd never fumbled before.
"I know it's a big part of Rich Rod's chemistry or whatever," Vaughn said. "That's our program, and that can't happen."
Even with the fumbles, it was clear that Vaughn is the clear WR1 for WVU, like he was for Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. It was the first game, so it could change, but the second closest in receptions was tight end Grayson Barnes, who had three catches, and had almost 100 yards more than any other receiver.
He has the swagger of a WR1, too. Vaughn said he's not afraid to show up a defensive back if they're talking trash, and even after the game, he jokingly joined in when the Robert Morris coach was getting on his players.
As a redshirt sophomore, and only playing receiver full-time for a couple of years, Vaughn's still learning and has room to improve throughout the season, and in the future.
"He's still learning the position," Rodriguez said. "But he's a competitive guy. It's important to him."
Pittsburgh showcases volleyball
PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh women's volleyball team knocked off No. 7 Arizona State, 25-21, 25-18, 25-16, in the State Farm Showcase on Monday night.
Pittsburgh freshman Abbey Emch, who was an All-Ohioan at Crestview High School, had one block and made two attacks.
The match was played in front of 5,382 fans at PPG Paints Arena.
The Panthers improve to 2-2 and will host Pepperdine at 7 p.m. Friday.
Mount Union golfers score win
ZOAR -- The University of Mount Union's men's golf team won the Wooster Gatorade Collegiate at Zoar Village Golf Course on Sunday afternoon.
The Purple Raiders finished with a team score of 593, which was seven strokes ahead of second-place John Carroll and Wooster in the 11-team tournament. The Purple Raiders shot a 295 on Saturday and a 298 on Sunday.
Mount Union junior Brian Myers from Wadsworth was the medalist with a 5-under-par 139 (71-68).
Mount Union freshman Jase Libb from West Branch and Austin Mariani from Badger tied for 17th with 7-over 151s.
The Purple Raiders return to action Sept. 8 for the first round of the Malone Fall Classic at Glenmoor Country Club in Canton.
Cleveland State moves on from Wolstein Center
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland State University is advancing discussions to transform the site of its aging Wolstein Center, with the Board of Trustees approving negotiations this week with the United Soccer League (USL) to redevelop the venue into a professional soccer stadium and mixed-use district.
The move represents a symbolic and practical shift away from the 1991-era arena, long considered costly to maintain. Officials have expressed that its outdated infrastructure and high expenses have limited its continued use. A university-issued request for developer proposals earlier this year called for concepts ranging from adaptive reuse to full demolition of the facility, with the vision tied to a broader $650 million, 10-year campus modernization plan.
CSU President Laura Bloomberg said the endeavor goes beyond creating a sports venue. "This project is about more than a new stadium," she said, emphasizing its role in revitalizing the campus district and deepening community engagement.
If talks with the USL progress as anticipated, construction could begin in two to three years, though details on funding and design remain in flux. The proposed redevelopment aims to introduce both professional men's and women's soccer to Cleveland while activating the broader campus district through mixed-use enhancements.
The Wolstein Center has been the longtime home to CSU's basketball teams, hosting both sporting and cultural events. Under the master plan, basketball operations would move to a smaller, modern facility, while the arena site transitions to a "Partnership District" combining academic, residential, and commercial uses connected to the heart of the university's vision.