Countdown to Kickoff: Offensive Fireworks Expected Today in Morgantown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It might be a good idea to keep one eye on the Milan Puskar Stadium scoreboard today when West Virginia and Arizona hook up at high noon.

That's because this one has the makings of one of those good, old-fashioned Big 12 shootouts.

We've seen a few of these through the years, such as the first-ever Big 12 game played here in Morgantown on Sept. 29, 2012, when the goal line was crossed 19 times in ninth-ranked West Virginia's 70-63 victory over 25^th-ranked Baylor.

There were a combined 1,507 yards and 67 first downs in that game!

The 2012 season also saw West Virginia falling by one point to 13^th-ranked Oklahoma, despite scoring 49 points, and the Mountaineers dropping home games to Texas and Iowa State in 2013 despite tallying 40 and 44 points respectively.

That period in Mountaineer football history is a pretty good starting point for what could be in store for fans and record researchers later this afternoon when these two teams collide.

The 61½ points the oddsmakers established earlier this week for the game's over/under represent the highest figure for any FBS game this weekend, which is a pretty good indicator of what the folks in Las Vegas are expecting.

Therefore, brace yourself for an afternoon full of first downs and touchdowns - and be sure to plan your beverage and restroom breaks accordingly.

Pass-oriented Arizona has the type of offense capable of continuing the trend.

"Probably the best team we've played so far," is how West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez describes his former employer. Rodriguez coached the Wildcats from 2012-17 and his children, son Rhett and daughter Raquel, are Arizona alums.

The coach said he has fond memories of his time living in Tucson, but his mind is more preoccupied with what's in front of his football team today - namely Wildcat quarterback Noah Fifita, whose 10,598 passing yards in 45 career college games should ring alarm bells. Fifita is completing nearly 74% of his throws with 13 of those going for touchdowns.

He's also an occasional threat to take off and run as his 73 rushing yards in last year's Holiday Bowl loss to SMU attest.

However, Fifita is now down his top receiver, Tre Spivey, who was lost for the season in last Saturday's blowout win over Cincinnati, and a couple more got banged up against the Bearcats, which could mean an increased role today for former Mountaineer performer Rodney Gallagher III.

The Wildcats' rushing attack finally came alive last Saturday night against Cincinnati with 238 yards on 41 attempts to boost their average above 150 yards per game for the first time this season.

That is another canary in the coal mine to consider for a West Virginia defense that has struggled mightily to stop teams this year. Rodriguez addressed the defensive issues on his radio show Monday evening and again during his Tuesday afternoon press conference, as did defensive coordinator Zac Alley, who used some salty language to emphasize his frustrations.

Fortunately, West Virginia does possess plenty of offensive firepower to keep up. Through five games, Michael Hawkins Jr. continues to develop into the school's best dual-threat quarterback since Pat White.

The Oklahoma transfer produced a season-high 376 all-purpose yards in last Saturday's loss at Iowa State and is currently tied with Florida's Jadan Baugh with the most rushing touchdowns in FBS football with 13.

Hawkins has surpassed 100 yards rushing in four of five games this season, as has his backfield mate Cam Cook.

Two weeks ago, the senior running back ran for a season-high 193 yards against Oklahoma State and added 142 yards on 20 carries last week in Ames. Cook contributed 142 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against Coastal Carolina and accounted for 123 yards in the Virginia win.

A blowout victory over UT Martin kept Cook and Hawkins from having five straight 100-yard rushing performances this year.

Overall, West Virginia ranks sixth nationally this week averaging an impressive 294 yards per game on the ground. That figure will be put to the test this afternoon against pressure-happy Arizona, which held Cincinnati to just 74 yards rushing last week and blitzes more than any team Rodriguez has seen in the last six years, he said on Tuesday.

That could require more production from senior DJ Epps, who has been West Virginia's most effective downfield receiving threat with 14 catches for 393 yards and four touchdowns (an impressive 28.1-yards-per-reception average).

Here is today's Countdown to Kickoff:

10 – West Virginia has now surpassed 140 yards rushing in all but TEN of its last 55 games dating back to the 2022 season. The Mountaineer ground attack has gained at least 247 yards in every game so far this year.

9 – West Virginia has rushed for at least 200 yards in NINE of coach Rich Rodriguez's 17 games since his return to WVU in 2025.

8 – WVU's offense has produced EIGHT plays of 42 yards or longer from scrimmage, including five 50-yard-plus plays.

7 – The Mountaineers are averaging nearly SEVEN yards per play (6.9) on first down this year. That has helped contribute to the team's 51% third-down success rate through five games.

6 – Rich Rodriguez spent SIX seasons coaching at Arizona where he produced a 43-35 overall record with five bowl appearances. Rodriguez joins Don Nehlen (Bowling Green) as West Virginia's only post-World War II head coaches to face their former teams in Morgantown.

5 – Arizona ranks FIFTH nationally, averaging 3.6 sacks per game. The Wildcats had six sacks in the season opener against Northern Arizona and also had six two weeks ago versus Washington State.

4 – The Wildcats' red zone defense is ranked FOURTH nationally this week by limiting teams to just a 63.6% success rate (11 of 17).

3 – WVU safety Geimere Latimer II I ranks THIRD nationally with THREE forced fumbles through five games.

2 – The Mountaineers are the lone team in college football this week to have TWO players ranked among the nation's top 10 rushers – running back Cam Cook (652 yards) and quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (574).

1 – West Virginia's passing attack ranks FIRST in the country this week with 17.8 yards per completion. Individually, Hawkins is also tops in the country in that category.

Today's forecast is calling for warm temperatures in the low 70s, which could add another explosive element to the affair. One more factor to consider is the noon start time, equating to 9 a.m. local time for Arizona, which will be putting the Wildcats' biorhythms to test.

Appropriately enough, TNT will handle the television coverage of the fireworks with J.B. Long, Mike Golic Jr. and Allie LaForce on the call. Sister stations TruTV and HBO MAX will also air the telecast.

Mountaineer Sports Network radio coverage begins at 9 a.m. with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show leading into regular network coverage with Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace and Jed Drenning at 11 a.m. on stations throughout West Virginia.

The sports marketing staff has designated today's game a "Coal Rush" and is encouraging fans to wear their black Mountaineer gear this afternoon to help celebrate the state's rich mining heritage.

Prior to kickoff, West Virginia University will be inducting its 36^th WVU Sports Hall of Fame class at 9 a.m. inside the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility.

This year's class includes men's basketball coach John Beilein and wrestling coach Craig Turnbull, women's soccer stars Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, women's basketball standout Bria Holmes, cross country All-American Alex Kasich and football's Dennis Fowlkes.

The total number of inductees has now reached 250 since its inception in 1991.

Be sure to stop back afterward for complete postgame coverage.

Tale of the Tape	UA (4-1)	WVU (3-2)
Points Per Game	32.4	37.4
Points Against	16.6	28.8
Rushing Yards Per Game	151.6	294.0
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game	79.0	168.4
Passing Yards Per Game	299.8	178.0
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game	213.2	288.2
Total Yards Per Game	451.4	472.0
Total Yards Allowed Per Game	292.2	456.6
First Downs For	123	110
First Downs Against	80	112
Fumbles/Lost	4/2	5/4
Interceptions/Return Yards	2/0	5/55
Net Punting	39.5	39.8
Field Goal/Attempts	5/7	4/4
Time of Possession	33:11	27:35
Penalties/Yards	28/270	29/229
3rd Down Conversions	37/64	38/75
3rd Down Conversion Defense	28/72	22/63
4th Down Conversions	3/5	3/6
4th Down Conversion Defense	5/12	4/8
Sacks By/Yards Lost	18/95	12/84

Schedule

Countdown to Kickoff: Offensive Fireworks Expected Today in Morgantown

Players Mentioned

Cam Cook

DJ Epps

Rodney Gallagher III

Michael Hawkins Jr.

Geimere Latimer II

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Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Football versus Arizona on Oct 10, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Cincinnati on Oct 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

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Completed Event: Football at Iowa State on October 3, 2026 , Loss , 42, to, 45

Completed Event: Football versus Oklahoma State on September 26, 2026 , Loss , 24, to, 41

Completed Event: Football versus No. 25 Virginia on September 19, 2026 , Win , 38, to, 27

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Completed Event: Football at Arizona State on November 15, 2025 , Loss , 23, to, 25

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Countdown to Kickoff: Offensive Fireworks Expected Today in Morgantown

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