WVU Football (2-0) made the most its time with the ball against UT Martin (1-2) Saturday. It still wasn’t a perfect game, but it was a much-needed statement against an objectively lesser opponent, making sure we didn’t see a repeat of last week’s second half.
More than 80 players got a snap in the stat sheet, too, giving depth guys their time in the sun.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Saturday’s 52-7 rout — the Mountaineers had the ball for just over 25 minutes of the game, and only ran 63 offensive plays. Read more: Efficiency the name of the game in WVU’s Week 2 win.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez referred to the offense as “sharp” and “efficient” following the game.
Related: West Virginia routs UT Martin at home, 52-7
I think he’s spot on.
Hawkins does his job
Through two weeks, Michael Hawkins Jr. looks like the real deal, minus maybe two plays. Granted, it’s come against Coastal Carolina and UTM; but honestly, who cares?
He completed five of seven passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns against the Skyhawks. Quality over quantity in that department. On the ground? Tack on 96 yards and two more scores.
“I thought he saw the field well,” Rodriguez said. “I thought he was really sharp.”
The gamble WVU took in the offseason by signing a relatively unproven quarterback with raw talent that could be molded into a budding system seems to be paying off. I’m interested to see how it carries over into the Virginia game and Big 12 play.
It was also nice to see the guys behind Hawkins on the depth chart get some playing time. This year’s runner-up in the QB sweepstakes, Scotty Fox Jr., made a couple nice plays both in the air and on the ground. Jyron Hughley made the most of his single pass attempt, striking Kendrick Triplett for a 27-yard score.
Everyone gets to eat
A whopping 13 players pounded the rock throughout a mid-80s afternoon in front of a reported crowd of 47,049. Runners combined for 316 net yards on the way to victory.
While there were only eight completed passes, they went to six different receivers, courtesy of three different quarterbacks.
Flip the script to the defense, a unit which (0nce again) gave up huge chunk plays early on. They buckled down when they needed to, so that’s good. It’s still concerning they gave up a 48-yard rush and a few 2o+ pass plays. It’s been the kryptonite of the team for a handful of years.
Nine TFLs, two sacks, a forced fumble (and recovery), and an interception checked some boxes, though.
Special teams also had a pretty solid day. The outing featured a blocked punt and forcing a missed field goal. Jack Cassidy had a perfect game for the Mountaineers, going 6/6 on PATs and tallied a 35-yard field goal. Nate Flower also got in for a successful PAT and solid kickoff.
The point
I get it. It’s UT Martin.
After the subpar days of being up 10-3 at halftime over Robert Morris andallowing 14 points in the second quarter against UAlbany, I don’t care if it’s a high school team they’re playing if it means they look dominant.
Fans and the program took winning for granted for way too long.
However, the true gauntlet begins now.
WVU must begin its preparations for a rekindled rivalry with Virginia. The Cavaliers are hanging around the polls and pose the first threat of the season. The Mountaineers have a relatively uphill battle waiting in the Duke’s Mayo Classic when they arrive in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Stay efficient. Stay clean. Most of all, spot the ball.
Kickoff from Charlotte is set for 7:30 p.m. on September 19. Check out themountaineertailgate.com for all the resources for our pregame show. The Week 3 edition gets going at 5:30 p.m., and we’ll be chatting up until kickoff!
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