West Virginia finally has the kind of quarterback who can bend a game to his will, and Mike Hawkins Jr. made that clear in Saturday’s 45-42 win over Cincinnati.
Hawkins was sharp through the air and dangerous on the ground, finishing 25-of-33 for 464 yards and three touchdowns while adding 76 rushing yards and two more scores on 26 carries. For a player many viewed as primarily a runner, the passing eruption was the kind of night that changes the conversation. It also produced the fifth-highest passing total in a single game in program history.
He’s already been electric all season, but this was the first time the full package was on display in a way that felt impossible to ignore. The idea that he was merely an athlete lining up at quarterback took a hit on Saturday.
And if West Virginia had even an average defense instead of one of the worst in the country, the bigger picture around Hawkins would look a lot different. The Mountaineers might be 5-2, maybe even 6-1, and Hawkins would be sitting much closer to the Heisman Trophy spotlight. Winning games still matters more than hardware, but his first seven starts have made the case that he belongs in the discussion.
That message has reached the Heisman Trophy account, too. After the performance against Cincinnati, it posted:
"Have a Saturday, Michael Hawkins Jr. 🔥https://t.co/O0uAXgL5z0 https://t.co/HoGvbF7nAm"
The numbers behind Hawkins are every bit as eye-opening as the highlight reel. He now has 749 rushing yards, the most by any quarterback in the country, and 14 rushing touchdowns, which leads all players nationally, quarterbacks and running backs alike.
Florida’s Jadan Baugh and Army QB Cale Hellums are tied for second with 13. Hawkins is also the only quarterback in the country with 1,500 passing yards and 700 rushing yards; Jacksonville State’s Caden Creel is the only other QB to reach 1,500 passing yards and 500 rushing yards.
Still, the math on a Heisman run is ugly from here. Unless West Virginia suddenly cleans up its defense and stacks enough wins to get to eight or nine, Hawkins will probably fade out of the race.
But that’s the future. Right now, he’s done enough to earn real recognition.
If the Mountaineers finish strong and reach a bowl game, the buzz around Hawkins will carry straight into 2027, assuming he agrees to a new deal with WVU.
In Other News...
WVU Put Up 45 But These Grades Exposed Bigger Problems
West Virginias offense gave plenty to like through seven games, and the Pro Football Focus grades back up what showed up on Saturdays. DJ Epps and Ryan Ward were among the brighter spots on that side of the ball, giving the Mountaineers some needed production as the season moved into its second half. Even with the offense carrying more of the load, the grades painted a broader picture of a team still trying to sort out where its strengths really are.
The deeper issue was on the other side of the ball, where the offensive line and several defensive groups drew lower marks. Injuries on the defensive line have only added to the strain, while linebackers and safeties have had a hard time holding up in pass coverage. For West Virginia, the concern is not just about one bad showing, but whether those breakdowns are becoming a pattern the staff has to solve quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Hawkins Jr. Just Answered WVUs Biggest Offensive Question
Michael Hawkins Jr. gave West Virginia the kind of offensive lift it had been searching for against Cincinnati, and he did it in a way that showed both control and explosion. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, then added 77 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground as Rich Rodriguez shifted the offense toward the passing game and let the Mountaineers attack vertically.
Prince Strachan was a big part of that change in rhythm, with deep completions helping stretch the field and set up scoring chances. West Virginia still had to finish the job the hard way, and the defense delivered a crucial late stop, including snuffing out a fake punt, to help lock in a win that felt like more than just one good night for the offense. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Finally Broke Through But One Concern Isn't Going Away
West Virginia finally snapped its skid Saturday with a 45-42 win over Cincinnati, a result that gave the Mountaineers their first victory since Sept. 19 and pushed them to 4-3. It was the kind of needed response that can steady a team in midseason, especially with Mike Hawkins Jr. delivering one of the biggest passing days of the year and DJ Epps doing major damage downfield.
Mike Hawkins Jr. was nearly unstoppable, completing 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns while adding 77 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. Epps was just as central to the offense, catching eight passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, but even in a breakthrough win, the way West Virginia won made clear there is still plenty to sort out moving forward. [Read more 🡒]