West Virginia’s 45-42 walk-off win over Cincinnati did more than snap a three-game losing streak. It gave Pat McAfee something to celebrate loud and clear.
The former Mountaineer and ESPN personality took to ESPN’s College GameDay stage with plenty of support for WVU all season, and Saturday’s finish only added to that. Jack Cassidy delivered the game-winner, drilling a 35-yard field goal as time expired to seal the comeback.
McAfee made sure to spotlight the performance, especially the play of starting quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr.
WVU Football is MUST WATCH@JB_Long and @mikegolicjr have been GREAT on the call Michael Hawkins Jr is THE MAN LET’S GOOOOOO
That kind of reaction fits the way McAfee has carried himself around the program this season. He has been one of WVU’s most visible boosters on ESPN, particularly when the Mountaineers were rolling and sitting one win away from moving into the AP Top 25. Even during the rough stretches, he has continued backing his alma mater.
Hawkins’ future is now part of the bigger conversation around the program, too. McAfee and other people who financially support WVU have to do what they can to keep building around the quarterback, because he has emerged as one of the top passers in the country. That kind of profile tends to draw attention from other teams, especially when the player is not at a traditional blue-blood.
For now, though, Hawkins sounds content where he is. He is loyal to the people who believed in him, and there’s no sense of panic around his situation at the moment.
He plans to keep helping West Virginia win in 2026, and WVU’s “front office” personnel are already in talks with his representation about what a new deal might look like when this season ends. Those conversations have been going on for a few weeks, not just since his big day against Cincinnati.
If West Virginia can keep Hawkins in place, it could become even more appealing to transfer portal players looking for a landing spot with a star quarterback already under center.
Through the first seven weeks of the season, Hawkins is the only quarterback in the FBS with 1,500+ yards passing and 700+ yards rushing.
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 🡒]