MORGANTOWN W.Va. — The buzz around Morgantown was the loudest it had been in a while.
With a packed Milan Puskar Stadium and a night-game atmosphere surrounding the matchup, West Virginia (3-1, 0-1) came out with plenty of energy against Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0).
It did not last. Read more: Hawkins, Mountaineers’ hot start fades as Oklahoma State rallies in Morgantown.
Mountaineers strike first
West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins got the game started with a 9-yard RPO run, but the offense could not get much going after that. Following a deep shot by Hawkins, West Virginia punted.
Drew Mestemaker and the Oklahoma State Cowboys started their first drive at their own 10-yard line after a holding penalty. After a Mestemaker completion moved the chains, West Virginia’s defense stopped the Cowboys in their own territory and forced a punt following a snap infraction penalty on Oklahoma State.
West Virginia started its next drive at its own 5-yard line.
Cam Cook quickly changed the field, breaking off a 75-yard run to the Oklahoma State 7-yard line and setting the Mountaineers up in the red zone.
Two plays later, Hawkins took the keeper into the end zone, giving West Virginia the first lead of the game, 7-0, with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Oklahoma State running back Caleb Hawkins then moved the Cowboys into West Virginia territory with a 31-yard run.
After a few more yards, the Mountaineer defense forced Oklahoma State to settle for a field goal. The Cowboys cut the deficit to 7-3 with 3:12 remaining after an 11-play, 63-yard drive.
West Virginia’s third drive started with an 8-yard end-around to Armoni Weaver-Bomar. After a few runs, the Mountaineers converted on third and 7 when Cook picked up 10 yards.
After one quarter, West Virginia led 7-3.
West Virginia takes control
Following a few runs by Hawkins and Cook, West Virginia found itself in the red zone for the second straight drive.
Two plays later, Hawkins took another keeper into the end zone to cap a 16-play, 75-yard drive. The touchdown extended West Virginia’s lead to 14-3 with 11:52 remaining in the first half.
After a Caleb Hawkins carry, Mestemaker completed a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Miles Coleman to move the Cowboys to the WVU 31-yard line.
Justin Bowick then caught a 13-yard pass to the 5-yard line, setting Oklahoma State up in the red zone.
But the Zac Alley-led defense stood tall once again, forcing the Cowboys to settle for another field goal. Oklahoma State cut the deficit to 14-6 with 7:56 remaining in the half
True freshman Matt Sieg gave West Virginia great field position on the ensuing kickoff, returning it 23 yards to the 30-yard line.
Hawkins opened the drive with a 9-yard run before an incomplete RPO pass intended for Jaden Bray. True freshman Amari Latimer then took the handoff and converted on third down.
Cook came in a few plays later and picked up six yards.
Hawkins then rolled to his right, but his pass was tipped and intercepted by Mose Phillips III, who returned it to the Oklahoma State 45-yard line. The score remained 14-6 with 3:47 left in the half.
On third and 9, Mestemaker stepped up in the pocket and completed a 21-yard pass to Wyatt Young.
Just after the two-minute warning, Mestemaker found Bowick for a 21-yard touchdown. The score capped a six-play, 55-yard drive and cut West Virginia’s lead to 14-13 with 1:25 remaining in the first half.
West Virginia went into its two-minute offense after two runs. Hawkins then tried to connect with DJ Epps, but the pass fell incomplete, forcing the Mountaineers to punt.
West Virginia’s defense forced Oklahoma State to punt to end the half.
The Mountaineers held a 14-13 lead into halftime.
Back-and-forth third quarter
Oklahoma State started the second half by taking a deep shot down the sideline for a 52-yard completion. Just like that, the Cowboys were aiminy to find their rhythm.
But the Mountaineer defense forced Mestemaker into a mistake. He threw into traffic and was intercepted by Kamari Wilson, giving West Virginia the ball at its own 18-yard line.
Hawkins took the RPO toward the Oklahoma State sideline for a first down and was hit late out of bounds. After the 15-yard penalty, the ball moved to the 45-yard line.
Hawkins then evaded pressure and took off toward the Oklahoma State sideline for a 23-yard gain. Cook followed with another run to keep the drive moving.
Hawkins eventually broke free for a 9-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 82-yard drive. The touchdown extended West Virginia’s lead to 21-13.
It was Hawkins’ third touchdown of the game and the Mountaineers’ third touchdown of the afternoon.
On the next Oklahoma State drive, Mestemaker found Terrence Lewis for a 27-yard reception. On the next play, he connected with Wyatt Young for a 40-yard completion, setting up the Cowboys in the red zone.
Oklahoma State found the end zone on the following play. The Cowboys then converted their two-point attempt to tie the game at 21.
West Virginia started its second drive of the second half at its own 25-yard line. After a run and an incomplete pass, Hawkins threw just his eighth pass of the game and found Jaden Bray for a first-down conversion on third down.
Hawkins rolled to his right and found John Neider, who caught the pass and ran for 13 yards. A 15-yard facemask penalty moved the ball into Oklahoma State territory.
Cook then carried the ball on three straight plays, converting the set of downs before picking up another first down on two consecutive carries.
Hawkins kept the ball on back-to-back plays but could not find the end zone. West Virginia settled for a field goal from Jack Cassidy to cap a 14-play, 66-yard drive.
The Mountaineers took the lead back, 24-21.
Mestemaker found Young on the second play of the next drive for a 48-yard completion. On the very next play, Oklahoma State took its first lead of the game when Caleb Hawkins scored on a 22-yard touchdown run.
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The Cowboys took a 28-24 lead with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter after a three-play, 75-yard drive.
Hawkins then found Cook deep for a 22-yard completion. After a review, the play was upheld. Cook followed with an 8-yard gain on the next play.
West Virginia could not convert, however, turning the ball over on downs after a run was stopped short.
Mestemaker took to the air on the next drive, connecting for a 48-yard gain. After a 1-yard run by Caleb Hawkins, the third quarter came to an end with Oklahoma State leading 28-24.
Oklahoma State pulls away
After a big stop by the West Virginia defense, Oklahoma State settled for a field goal to extend its lead to 31-24.
Oklahoma State nearly forced a three-and-out, but another 15-yard penalty gave the Mountaineers a new set of downs.
Hawkins took a look at Neider, but the pass was incomplete. A few plays later, Hawkins scrambled for 10 yards to pick up a first down.
On the next set of downs, the Cowboys brought the blitz and sacked Hawkins for an 8-yard loss.
Oklahoma State took over with 10:09 remaining in the game.
On that drive, Mestemaker found Young in the end zone for his third touchdown of the game, extending the Cowboys’ lead to 38-24.
West Virginia was unable to get back on the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.
Oklahoma State added another field goal with 2:46 remaining to push its lead to 41-24.
The Cowboys closed out the night with a second-half rally, turning a four-point deficit into a 17-point victory over the Mountaineers.
