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Cam Cook turns heads with his explosive WVU football debut against Coastal Carolina

The Mountaineers appear to have hit the jackpot with their transfer running back acquisition.
ByJoseph Smith|
Sep 5, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA;  West Virginia Mountaineers running back Cam Cook (4) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Milan Puskar Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Sep 5, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Cam Cook (4) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There are a lot of things up for debate about West Virginia football's Week 1 performance among the fan base. Despite the win over the Chanticleers, fans were less-than-impressed with some aspects of the team's effort. But one thing just about everyone can agree on is that transfer running back Cam Cook lived up to the hype.

There was plenty of buzz surrounding Cook's debut for WVU football after he led the FBS in rushing last season with 1,659 yards while also adding 16 touchdowns. And on Saturday, he got off to a good start to defend that crown, racking up 142 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

And that performance turned plenty of heads, and not just among West Virginia fans. On Monday, Cookwas named the Big 12 co-Offensive Player of the Weekfor his efforts against the Chanticleers.

⭐️ 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝟏𝟐 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: Cam Cook

🔹142 rushing yards
🔹 9 missed tackles forced
🔹 2 TDspic.twitter.com/disOUrYv5W

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball)September 7, 2026

Cam Cook lands Top 5 in the nation in one statistical category during West Virginia's Week 1 win

Cook was electric in West Virginia's win from the opening whistle, busting a 72-yard run on the first play of the game for the Mountaineers to set himself up for a three-yard touchdown run to score the first touchdown of the game under a minute into the action. That run set a program record a the longest-ever first career carry by a West Virginia player.

But Cook also forced nine missed tackles in the first game alone, which puts him among elite company after Week 1. That's because that number was good to put him fourth nationally for forced missed tackles as the Mountaineers enter Week 2.

With a couple of kinks to work out before the first Power 4 opponent hits the schedule in Week 3 and an FCS opponent coming up this Saturday, Cook will have another opportunity to pad the stat sheet and create some more electricity at Milan Puskar Stadium against UT-Martin.

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