West Virginia opened the season with a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina on Saturday, but Rich Rodriguez wasn’t in the mood to celebrate much after the final whistle.
The Mountaineers built a 24-0 halftime lead and looked fully in control early, then watched the game tilt the other way in the final 30 minutes. Rodriguez’s postgame review was blunt, and he didn’t soften the blow when describing what happened after intermission.
“The first half we played pretty well. The second half, we stunk,” Rodriguez said after the game to ESPN.
“The penalties, we gave up long drives, lost contain, the offense wasn’t moving the ball, so we’ve got a lot to work on. I’m proud of the guys, and the way they came out, but the second half was embarrassing.
We’ll get that fixed.”
He added, “The first half, we played and executed like we’re capable of. We’ll learn from this and get better.”
West Virginia’s fast start came from a few explosive moments. Cam Cook ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, then finished that opening drive with a 3-yard touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, Michael Hawkins hit Armoni Weaver for a 49-yard score to push the lead to 14-0. Before halftime, Cook added another touchdown, this one from a yard out, and the Mountaineers went to the locker room up 24-0.
Then came the part Rodriguez clearly couldn’t get past.
Coastal Carolina outscored West Virginia 24-3 after halftime and piled up more than 300 yards over the final 30 minutes. The Chanticleers even had a shot at an onside kick recovery in the final 30 seconds, giving themselves one last opening to try to force a tie.
That late push only reinforced Rodriguez’s view of how shaky the second half became. The penalties, the defensive breakdowns and the stalled offense all left him with plenty to fix, even with a win in hand.
West Virginia got the result it wanted, but Rodriguez made it clear the performance didn’t meet the standard he expects. The Mountaineers are now 24-3 in season openers since 2000, and they’ll be back home in Week 2 to face UT Martin at 12:00 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
WVU Passing Game Takes An Early Hit Before The Opener
West Virginias passing game will open the season without one of its key pieces, as wide receiver Prince Strachan is set to miss the opener against Coastal Carolina because of a shoulder injury. Rich Rodriguez said Strachan is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks, which forces the Mountaineers to make an early adjustment at a position group that was already worth watching heading into Week 1.
Jaden Bray has been moved into the X role, while John Neider will start at Z, giving the staff a different look right out of the gate. For a WVU offense trying to find rhythm early, the setback is a reminder that the first depth-chart decisions of the season can change fast, and the opener may offer a first glimpse at how the receivers respond to the shuffle. [Read more 🡒]
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Wiley entered the 2026 season as a notable addition to West Virginias defense, which makes the uncertainty around his status especially important for a unit that was counting on him to help set the tone up front. For now, the Mountaineers are left waiting for more clarity on a player who was supposed to be part of their defensive answer this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Pat White Is About To Get A West Virginia Honor Fans Love
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There is also a modern wrinkle attached to the tribute, with senior wide receiver Jaden Bray wearing No. 5 this season with Whites permission. It gives the number a current presence while the school prepares to formally honor one of its most iconic players, and it adds a little extra intrigue to a fall that already has a ceremonial feel around Morgantown. [Read more 🡒]