For only the second time in West Virginia football history, the Mountaineers rushed for more than 300 yards, recorded 30-plus first downs and still came away with a loss.
Despite putting up big numbers on offense, West Virginia couldn’t overcome costly turnovers and defensive struggles in a 52-31 loss to Arizona Saturday. Read more: Turnovers, defensive struggles doom WVU against Arizona, loses third straight.
Mountaineers get off to a strong start
West Virginia moved the ball well on its opening drive, with Michael Hawkins Jr., a redshirt sophomore quarterback, picking up seven yards on a keeper before Cam Cook, a senior running back, added a couple of runs. Hawkins then found Amari Latimer, a freshman running back, for 14 yards. After Cook picked up nine more yards, Hawkins kept it himself for a first down.
Hawkins connected with Prince Strachan, a redshirt junior wide receiver, for 17 yards to get WVU into the red zone, but the Mountaineers couldn’t find the end zone. Jack Cassidy, a redshirt senior kicker, made a 25-yard field goal to put West Virginia ahead 3-0.
Arizona answered with a touchdown pass from Noah Fifita, a fifth-year quarterback, to Isaiah Mizell, a sophomore wide receiver, giving the Wildcats a 7-3 lead.
Things got worse for the Mountaineers on their next possession. Cook fumbled after a two-yard run, and Mizell recovered the ball before returning it 32 yards for a touchdown. Arizona quickly pushed its lead to 14-3.
Turning the corner
Hawkins went back to Strachan to get the offense moving, connecting with him for 13 yards before Cook picked up nine more. A facemask penalty helped WVU move into the red zone, but the drive stalled, and the Mountaineers turned the ball over on downs.
West Virginia’s defense came up with a much-needed play on Arizona’s next possession. Fifita threw an interception, and David Afogho picked him off at the Arizona 3-yard line.
Hawkins took the ball into the end zone on the next play. Cassidy’s extra point brought WVU within four at 14-10.
Arizona responded with a 44-yard field goal after a big play to Mizell was overturned on review and Jason Chambers, a fifth-year cornerback, broke up a third-down pass.
Hawkins then used his legs to get the offense moving again. A holding penalty and a pass interference call helped the Mountaineers move into Arizona territory before Cook broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run. Cassidy’s extra point tied the game at 17.
The Wildcats struggled on their next possession, with Cam Torbor, a redshirt freshman linebacker, recording a sack to help force a punt. However, WVU couldn’t take advantage and went three-and-out.
Arizona took over at the Mountaineers’ 42-yard line. Mizell caught a 23-yard pass before Quincy Craig, a fifth-year running back, broke off a 40-yard touchdown run to put the Wildcats back in front.
WVU looked to answer before halftime. Cook picked up a first down with a tough run, and Hawkins found Strachan for a 40-yard gain to the Arizona 22-yard line with just over two minutes remaining.
Strachan was having a big first half, catching all five of his targets for 125 yards.
Brutal mistake, following sequence
The drive ended in another costly turnover, though, as Cook lost his second fumble of the half, giving Arizona the ball at its own 3-yard line.
The Wildcats took advantage of the opportunity. After a holding penalty pushed them back, Fifita connected with Brandon Phelps, a junior wide receiver, for 13 yards before finding Mizell over the middle on the next play. Mizell took it 72 yards for a touchdown with 13 seconds left in the half, sending Arizona into the break with a 38-24 lead.
WVU tries to fight back
West Virginia needed a strong start to the second half, but the Mountaineers struggled to find their rhythm early. Penalties also hurt the defense as Arizona looked to extend its lead.
Hawkins and the offense eventually moved into Wildcats territory, with Hawkins connecting with Latimer for a 29-yard gain to the Arizona 27. The drive came up empty, however, as Hawkins was hit while throwing on fourth down and the pass fell incomplete.
The Mountaineer defense then forced a punt, pinning WVU at its own 8-yard line.
Hawkins got the offense going with a 21-yard keeper before Cook added a pair of runs. On fourth-and-1, Hawkins picked up two yards to keep the drive alive.
Latimer added four yards before Hawkins found John Neider, a redshirt junior wide receiver, for a 33-yard completion into Arizona territory. The Mountaineers continued to move the ball, with Hawkins converting another fourth down on a two-yard keeper.
After another keeper moved WVU to the Arizona 2-yard line, Latimer scored from two yards out. Cassidy’s extra point pulled the Mountaineers within one score at 38-31.
Not close for long
West Virginia continued to lean on its rushing attack as it tried to climb back into the game. DJ Epps, a redshirt senior wide receiver, opened the next possession with a seven-yard run, and Latimer added three yards for a first down.
Cook picked up two yards before Hawkins went deep to Strachan for a 36-yard completion, moving WVU to the Arizona 26-yard line.
Arizona answered with a trick play that resulted in another touchdown, helping the Wildcats maintain their advantage.
West Virginia struggled to get anything going on its next possession and was forced to punt. Arizona found the end zone again to stretch its lead to 52-31, making it difficult for the Mountaineers to mount another comeback.
The teams traded possessions as the clock wound down, and Arizona held on for the victory.
Hawkins, Cook lead WVU’s offense
Cook finished with 141 rushing yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns, continuing to be a major part of the Mountaineers’ offense.
Hawkins also helped WVU move the ball throughout the game, using his legs and his arm to keep drives alive. Strachan provided a big target in the passing game, particularly in the first half, while Latimer added a touchdown.
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Despite the offensive production, West Virginia couldn’t overcome its mistakes. The fumbles and defensive struggles proved costly against an Arizona team that took advantage of its opportunities.
The Mountaineers will now turn their attention to the Cincinnati Bearcats, with another noon kickoff scheduled for next Saturday as WVU looks to bounce back.
