West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. returned from the TCU matchup with a clear focus on growth. The Mountaineers, coming off a two‑game winning streak, will use the upcoming bye week to rest and fine‑tune key aspects of their offense.
Performance against TCU
Hawkins, a Dallas native, enjoyed a supportive crowd at the TCU game, with family and friends cheering from the stands. He added two rushing touchdowns, bringing his season total to 16 – tied for the most in the nation with Army’s Cale Hellums – and amassed 94 rushing yards.
While his ground game remained strong, Hawkins’ passing numbers slipped. He completed 7 of 15 attempts for 79 yards and threw an interception, marking his fourth game under a 50% completion rate. A missed connection and a dropped pass by receiver D.J. Epps on a potential touchdown highlighted the challenges faced against TCU’s top‑ranked defense.
Defensive pressure and game plan
TCU’s defense, known for its aggressive secondary and strong front seven, limited West Virginia to 24 points and 272 total yards. Hawkins noted that the Horned Frogs relied more on coverage schemes like Cover 3 and Cover 4 rather than heavy pass rush, allowing him time but also demanding precise execution.
“They didn’t bring a lot of pressure,” Hawkins said. “The biggest thing is just taking what they give you and learning from it.” He emphasized the need to avoid mental errors and improve timing with his receivers.
Leadership and development
Beyond the statistics, Hawkins highlighted personal growth as a leader. Once described as quiet by former coach Rich Rodriguez, he has become more vocal in the huddle, working to keep teammates engaged and confident.
“I feel like I’ve matured more as a leader,” Hawkins explained. “The passing game is getting there. We’re taking it week by week and focusing on improvement.”
Looking ahead
The Mountaineers face a challenging stretch after the bye, with road games at No. 13 Texas Tech and No. 6 Utah, followed by a home contest against No. 18 Houston. Hawkins stressed that every facet of his game must be sharp to compete for upsets and finish the season strong.
“Our best ball is ahead of us,” he said. “We’re playing pretty good, but we have a lot to fix. This bye week is big for us.”
What’s next for the team
During the break, the coaching staff plans to review film, address the mental lapses that led to missed connections, and continue developing the aerial attack. With the season entering its final four games, the Mountaineers aim to build on their momentum and keep their postseason hopes alive.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
