West Virginia walked away from Saturday with a win that was never really in danger, but the second half made it look a lot messier than it needed to be. The Mountaineers got the job done, yet the tape showed a clear split between the players who set the tone early and the ones who left too much on the table after halftime.
Using Pro Football Focus grades, the brightest offensive spark belonged to quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr., who checked in at 79.5. He didn’t need a heavy volume to make his point, throwing just 14 passes, but the ones he did get were handled with poise.
Hawkins finished with a passer rating of 181.3 and added 103 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving West Virginia a dual-threat presence that looked exactly as advertised. If Rodriguez opens up the playbook, this offense can reach another level.
Hawkins can truly do it all.
The run game also got a major boost from right guard Amare Grayson, whose 78.5 grade made him the No. 2 offensive player on the team. Bubba was the clearest force up front, generating strong push and driving the ground game. Of the five linemen, his impact stood out the most.
West Virginia also got a useful showing from wideout DJ Epps, who posted a 72.6. The Troy transfer caught all three of his targets, including a tough third-down grab over the middle, and added a couple of carries for five yards.
That part of his game figures to keep showing up. They want to find ways to get the ball in his hands.
Not everything on offense held up, though. Right tackle Carsten Casady was the lowest-graded player on the roster at 34.9, and his numbers were rough across the board: 38.6 in pass protection and 29.9 in the run game.
Tight end Ryan Ward also came in below average at 46.8. He was on the field for 30 snaps, with 23 of them coming in the run game, but the line got little help from that group.
The push just wasn’t there, and it’s something WVU really needs out of that tight end group, be it Ward or someone else.
Wide receiver John Neider finished at 56.4. Personally, I didn't think Neider played poorly. He wasn't great, but I do think this grade is a little harsh.
On defense, Nate Gabriel turned in the kind of outing that jumps off the sheet. His 79.3 grade matched the kind of disruptive day WVU needed, and he delivered in a big way with two tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.
He was in the backfield all day, piling up five pressures and four hurries. Certainly the best game of his career to this point.
Zeke Durham-Campbell was right there with him, earning a 75.8 in his Mountaineer debut. The Coastal Carolina context aside, this looked like a strong first impression.
He recorded six pressures, five hurries, two stops, and a fumble recovery. A really nice start to his Mountaineer career.
Harper Holloman also made his presence felt, grading out at 75.2. Coming into the season, he was expected to be a problem for opposing tackles, and he got to work quickly. He produced four pressures, two tackles for loss, and a very athletic pass breakup on third down near the sideline.
The lower end of the defensive grades pointed to a few areas WVU will want to clean up. Cornerback Chams Diagne, a Georgia State transfer, allowed three catches for 51 yards, including a 34-yard completion, and the Mountaineers are going to need more from him. They do not seem to have a ton of confidence in the rest of the options in the room, at least not right now.
Safety Andrew Powdrell, who drew plenty of offseason praise from the staff, had a tougher debut than expected. He gave up three catches on three targets for 56 yards and a touchdown, and he also missed two tackles. Linebacker Ashton Woods, who played the eighth-most snaps on the defense, finished at 60.2 and had two pass-defense plays he’d likely want back.
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 🡒]
West Virginia Suddenly Has A Big Darius Wiley Concern
West Virginias season opener against Coastal Carolina brought an early defensive concern when Darius Wiley left the field injured and had to be carted off. The extent of the issue was not immediately clear afterward, and the Mountaineers still had not offered an official diagnosis by the end of the game.
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
West Virginia is set to add another name to its wall of honors before the 2026 season opener against Coastal Carolina, with Pat Whites jersey number being retired in a ceremony that figures to hit home for a fan base that still remembers his days as the face of the program. White will become the seventh Mountaineer football player to have his number retired, a fitting marker for a quarterback whose college career included plenty of the kind of big-game moments that made him one of the most beloved players in school history.
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 🡒]