Thest Virginia Mountaineers are entering Week 7 of the college football season having struggled to find the success they had expected in the first half of the season. West Virginia did manage to begin the season 3-0, but have lost their last three games – keeping them winless in Big 12 play, and dropping them to a .500 record.
But it's very much been a tale of two very different units on different sides of the ball for West Virginia this year. The offense has been far from perfect, but are as effective in the run game as any non-military academy at the FBS level, and they routinely put up enough points to win games. However, the defense is among the worst nationally, and has cost West Virginia severely in Big 12 play.
Michael Hawkins Jr. is crucial to West Virginia's success, and his statline in the run game shows why
One of the biggest reasons the Mountaineers have found success offensively so far has been their starting quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr., who transferred in from Oklahoma this offseason and has looked exceptional from his first outing onward.
Now, Hawkins Jr. isn't a perfect passer: he has thrown seven touchdowns while having just one interception this season, but he has also posted just a 52.3% completion percentage. He often relies on boom-or-bust plays that don't always work, and he's prone to overthrowing receivers, He also still has two years to develop in that regard.
But where Hawkins. Jr is a real game-changer is in the run game. He's tied with Florida's Jaden Baugh for the most rushing touchdowns in the FBS with 12. As a quarterback. Pretty impressive, right? If you don't have Hawkins Jr.'s ability to score on the ground, this team could look a lot different this year.
Players with 12 rushing TDs this season:
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) October 14, 2026
Florida RB Jadan Baugh
West Virginia QB Michael Hawkins Jr.
end of list. pic.twitter.com/8jOmFEq1eD
But he's also among the leading rushers in the nation in multiple other statistical categories as well. He's sixth nationally in rushing yards, seventh in missed tackles forced (West Virginia running back Cam Cook is third here, by the way), and third in rushes of 10-or-more yards. Simply put, the stats show that Hawkins Jr. completely changes the dynamic on the field with his legs.
With Hawkins Jr. having two years of eligibility remaining following this season, it's crucial that the Mountaineers are able to retain him this offseason and bring him back next year. That will guarantee that the Mountaineers have one of the most dangerous weapons in the run game regardless of what happens at running back next season. And he'll almost certainly continue to develop as a passer, too.
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