West Virginia finally got back in the win column Saturday afternoon, edging Cincinnati 45-42 for its first victory since beating then-No. 25 Virginia in Charlotte on September 19. The result pushes the Mountaineers to 4-3 and back above .500.
The bigger story, though, was how WVU got there. The defense never really settled in.
Cincinnati kept finding space, and the Mountaineers struggled to generate pressure on JC French IV. Even when West Virginia seemed to have the Bearcats in a tough spot - especially on third-and-long - the stop usually never came.
The back end broke down repeatedly, and the late-game defensive stand ended only after a punt was downed at the 1-yard line. It was another reminder that if this defense were merely mediocre instead of one of the worst units in college football, this team would be in position for a lot more than a battle for bowl eligibility.
Offensively, West Virginia looked far more comfortable opening things up through the air. It was the first time the Mountaineers really leaned into the passing game, and Mike Hawkins Jr. answered with a huge performance.
The quick game and RPO package, which had been largely absent in the first half of the season, gave him rhythm early and kept the offense moving. Hawkins was sharp, throwing on the run, extending plays, and delivering downfield strikes when he had to.
He finished 25-of-33 for 464 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 77 rushing yards and two more scores on 26 carries. He also came through when it mattered most, especially on the final drive.
DJ Epps also delivered his best outing of the season after a stretch of tough games following his strong non-conference run. He caught eight passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, with 67 of those yards coming after the catch. Time after time, he turned short gains into something bigger and made defenders miss in space.
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 🡒]
WVU Already Has One Early Issue Ross Hodge Can't Ignore
The first real test of the Ross Hodge era for West Virginia came in an exhibition against Maryland, and it exposed both the promise and the problems this group will have to work through before the games start counting. The Mountaineers pushed the Terrapins into overtime, which at least offered a glimpse of the competitiveness Hodge wants, but it also showed a team still sorting out its identity after a long offseason of change.
For a staff trying to build habits early, the details mattered as much as the result. There were encouraging individual moments, including from the Butler transfer and other key players, but the larger takeaway was harder to miss: this roster already has an issue that cannot wait until midseason to get addressed. With the opener ahead, Hodge has a useful teaching tape and a clear reminder that exhibition success is only part of the equation. [Read more 🡒]