MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s defense came up with a stop when the Mountaineers needed it most, giving quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. one last chance to lead a game-winning drive in a 45-42 win over Cincinnati Saturday. Read more: Hawkins delivers, Cassidy finishes in WVU’s wild Homecoming win over Cincinnati.
Hawkins finished with 464 passing yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first WVU quarterback to throw for more than 450 yards in a game since Will Grier in 2018. He also ran for two touchdowns before redshirt senior kicker Jack Cassidy made a 35-yard field goal as time expired at Milan Puskar Stadium.
The Mountaineers scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback in a game that featured 1,220 combined yards of offense.
Cincinnati starts fast
Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV led the Bearcats on a 13-play, 75-yard opening drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver JV Gibson. The Bearcats took a 7-0 lead and put West Virginia’s defense under pressure early.
WVU struggled to get its offense moving on its first possession. French IV later connected with junior wide receiver Isaiah Johnson for a 51-yard touchdown to put Cincinnati ahead 14-7.
Hawkins helped the Mountaineers get back into the game with his legs, finishing a drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown to tie the score at 7 earlier in the quarter.
After Cincinnati regained the lead, Hawkins found redshirt senior wide receiver D.J. Epps for a 43-yard completion to the Bearcats’ 4-yard line. Hawkins finished the drive with a touchdown on a direct snap, tying the game at 14.
Cincinnati junior running back Cole Tabb broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run with 1:22 remaining in the first half, giving the Bearcats a 21-14 lead. West Virginia had a chance to add points before halftime but missed a field-goal attempt.
Cincinnati held the advantage at the break and had outgained West Virginia, 366-235.
WVU keeps pace after halftime
West Virginia opened the second half with a scoring drive. Hawkins used a 16-yard run to move the offense forward before connecting with Epps for 14 yards and hitting freshman running back Amari Latimer on a 22-yard pass.
The drive ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to redshirt senior tight end Josh Sapp, tying the game at 21.
The Mountaineers’ defense later forced a punt, with redshirt senior defensive lineman Zeke Durham-Campbell recording a sack. WVU could not turn the stop into points, though, and Cincinnati put together another long drive.
French IV eventually scored on a 1-yard run, giving the Bearcats a 28-21 lead.
West Virginia moved the ball late in the third quarter, with Hawkins completing a 19-yard pass to wide receiver John Neider (redshirt junior) to reach the Cincinnati 40-yard line. The Mountaineers carried that momentum into the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter brings more points
Hawkins opened the final quarter with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Epps, tying the game at 28.
Cincinnati took the lead again when French IV connected with Tabb for an 11-yard touchdown. The Bearcats led 35-28 with 11:23 remaining.
West Virginia needed another scoring drive and got one after taking advantage of two Cincinnati offside penalties. Hawkins completed a 32-yard pass to Epps, then found Latimer for 16 yards. Senior running back Cam Cook added a 7-yard run before Latimer scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 35 with 7:29 left.
Cincinnati quickly moved back in front. French IV connected with senior wide receiver Malachi Henry for a 59-yard gain to the WVU 13-yard line. Tabb scored from 6 yards out on the next few plays, putting the Bearcats ahead 42-35 with 5:35 remaining.
West Virginia needed another answer. Hawkins found junior tight end Ryan Ward for a 36-yard gain, but a sack and false-start penalty pushed the Mountaineers back. Hawkins then connected with Cook for a 40-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 42 with 3:44 left.
Cincinnati’s next possession ended with a punt that was downed at West Virginia’s 1-yard line with 2:05 remaining.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez credited the defense for giving the offense another opportunity.
“We don’t have that chance to win, right, if our defense doesn’t make that key stop,” Rodriguez said.
Hawkins, Epps lead WVU’s passing attack
The Mountaineers had 598 total yards, while Cincinnati finished with 622. Hawkins completed 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 77 yards and two scores. bring the
Rodriguez said Hawkins has shown throughout the season that he can make the throws needed to keep the offense moving.
“Mike can, I’ve said it over the year, he can make all the throws,” Rodriguez said.
Epps finished with eight catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Prince Strachan (redshirt junior) added three catches for 84 yards, including two crucial completions on the final drive.
Hawkins said he expected Strachan to have a chance against Cincinnati’s coverage on the final possession.
“I knew Prince was going to be one-on-one. The safety came down pretty low, so I knew we had a match that we liked,” Hawkins said. “Prince is a guy that I can trust and make those plays, and he made the play.”
Strachan’s first big catch came on third-and-9 from the WVU 2-yard line, when Hawkins found him for 41 yards. Hawkins connected with Strachan again for 39 yards to the Cincinnati 18, putting Cassidy within range.
Rodriguez called the deep completion to Strachan one of the biggest plays of the game.
“And I think that was the play of the game for us,” Rodriguez said.
West Virginia moved closer to the middle of the field but did not reach the end zone. After Hawkins’ 1-yard keeper and a Cincinnati timeout with three seconds remaining, Cassidy lined up for the 35-yard attempt.
He made it as time expired, completing the comeback and giving the Mountaineers a 45-42 Homecoming win.
After the game, Hawkins said the offense’s focus was to keep scoring regardless of what was happening on the scoreboard.
“For offense, we just got to keep scoring. That’s the goal every week,” Hawkins said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on in a game. Just don’t look at the scoreboard. Just take it play by play.”
Hawkins also said he had confidence Cassidy would make the kick.
“I knew he was going to make it. He does it all the time in practice,” Hawkins said.
West Virginia now turns its attention to TCU after earning the win on Cassidy’s final kick.
Next Saturday’s game is set for 12:00 pm.
Stay up to date with WV Sports Nation for more WVU Athletics cove
