Mike Hawkins Jr. pulled no punches about what fan can expect from West Virginia football after a statement win over No. 25 Virginia meant on Saturday night.
Hawkins Jr. led the Mountaineers into Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for the Duke's Mayo Classic in Week 3, and left witha major upset victoryover a ranked Power 4 opponent. That's the type of win which sets a tone for the season, and lets the college football world know that the Mountaineers are a serious contender in the Big 12.
Mike Hawkins Jr. says what the college football world is starting to learn about West Virginia
Everyone in the West Virginia locker room knows they were underdogs entering Week 3's clash with the Cavaliers. But they kept faith in their abilities and played hard from whistle-to-whistle. And after the game, Hawkins spoke directly about the mentality the team brought into the game as underdogs.
"We know what we have in our building. A lot of people don't. So we've got to continue to believe in the talent and keep that chip on our shoulder,"Hawkins Jr. said.
Mike Hawkins Jr. on West Virginia: "We know what we have in this building. A lot of people don't."pic.twitter.com/8vAyD7KbbW
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The Mountaineers clearly have the talent to compete with high-level Power 4 competition, and are a gritty, gutsy football team which plays hard. And anyone counting them as underdogs is doing so at their own risk. That was on clear display on Saturday night, and the college football worldwas forced to pay attentionas the Mountaineers took the national spotlight.
And what Hawkins said about the team's mindset so let everyone who wasn't paying attention know that the Mountaineers mean business this season, and they won't be taking their foot off the brakes anytime soon.
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