Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
Hawkins Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week; Mountaineer Offensive Line Lauded
September 21, 2026 01:00 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Big 12 Conference recognized quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.'s record-setting performance in last Saturday's 38-27 victory over 25th-ranked Virginia by naming him its Offensive Player of the Week.
The sophomore became only the fourth player in West Virginia University annals to register at least three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in the same game, joining an exclusive list of two, Ira Errett Rodgers and Pat White, whose names adorn the Milan Puskar Stadium wall.
White was the last player to accomplish the feat against Louisville on Nov. 20, 2008. Rodgers did it twice more than 100 years ago.
Hawkins accounted for all five touchdowns in WVU's upset victory over the Cavaliers. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder crossed the goal line on runs of 13, 15 and 5 yards, while connecting with DJ Epps on scoring passes of 29 and 21 yards.
For the night, he completed 10 of his 17 pass attempts for 190 yards, while equaling Cam Cook's team-best 123 rushing yards on 18 carries - 12 fewer than his senior counterpart.
For the season, the Oklahoma transfer is now the top-graded quarterback in the country, according to Pro Football Focus, with a stellar 93.5 average. The Dallas resident is tops in the nation averaging 18.3 yards per completion, while leading the conference in passing efficiency (217.3) and yards per pass attempt (12.6).
His three-game passing totals include 26 completions in 38 attempts for 477 yards and five touchdowns. He has also contributed 322 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Meanwhile, the guys up front blocking for Hawkins were also recognized by the conference as its Offensive Line of the Week following its impressive performance versus Virginia. WVU ran for 247 yards and accounted for 437 of total offense against what has been considered one of the stronger defenses in the country over the last two seasons.
The Mountaineers are now 3-0 for the first time since 2018 and earned 93 votes in this week's Associated Press Top 25 Poll, which puts them just three spots outside the national rankings.
The last time WVU appeared in that poll was 2018.
WVU returns to Milan Puskar Stadium to face 2-1 Oklahoma State this Saturday night in a 7 p.m. nationally televised clash on FS1 that has been designed as a Gold Rush.
Fans are encouraged to wear their gold, preferably their newly purchased Michael Hawkins Jr. jerseys available HERE, to help cheer on the Mountaineers against the surprising Cowboys, which stunned then-sixth-ranked Oregon 39-31 in Stillwater two weeks ago, and followed that up with an impressive 59-0 triumph over Murray State last Saturday.
Oklahoma State is now coached by Eric Morris, who succeeded longtime Cowboy coach Mike Gundy last November.
Remaining tickets for Saturday's game are on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
The sophomore became only the fourth player in West Virginia University annals to register at least three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in the same game, joining an exclusive list of two, Ira Errett Rodgers and Pat White, whose names adorn the Milan Puskar Stadium wall.
White was the last player to accomplish the feat against Louisville on Nov. 20, 2008. Rodgers did it twice more than 100 years ago.
Hawkins accounted for all five touchdowns in WVU's upset victory over the Cavaliers. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder crossed the goal line on runs of 13, 15 and 5 yards, while connecting with DJ Epps on scoring passes of 29 and 21 yards.
For the night, he completed 10 of his 17 pass attempts for 190 yards, while equaling Cam Cook's team-best 123 rushing yards on 18 carries - 12 fewer than his senior counterpart.
For the season, the Oklahoma transfer is now the top-graded quarterback in the country, according to Pro Football Focus, with a stellar 93.5 average. The Dallas resident is tops in the nation averaging 18.3 yards per completion, while leading the conference in passing efficiency (217.3) and yards per pass attempt (12.6).
His three-game passing totals include 26 completions in 38 attempts for 477 yards and five touchdowns. He has also contributed 322 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Meanwhile, the guys up front blocking for Hawkins were also recognized by the conference as its Offensive Line of the Week following its impressive performance versus Virginia. WVU ran for 247 yards and accounted for 437 of total offense against what has been considered one of the stronger defenses in the country over the last two seasons.
The Mountaineers are now 3-0 for the first time since 2018 and earned 93 votes in this week's Associated Press Top 25 Poll, which puts them just three spots outside the national rankings.
The last time WVU appeared in that poll was 2018.
WVU returns to Milan Puskar Stadium to face 2-1 Oklahoma State this Saturday night in a 7 p.m. nationally televised clash on FS1 that has been designed as a Gold Rush.
Fans are encouraged to wear their gold, preferably their newly purchased Michael Hawkins Jr. jerseys available HERE, to help cheer on the Mountaineers against the surprising Cowboys, which stunned then-sixth-ranked Oregon 39-31 in Stillwater two weeks ago, and followed that up with an impressive 59-0 triumph over Murray State last Saturday.
Oklahoma State is now coached by Eric Morris, who succeeded longtime Cowboy coach Mike Gundy last November.
Remaining tickets for Saturday's game are on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
Players Mentioned
Sunday, September 20
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
