Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
FORT FORTH, Texas – Michael Hawkins Jr. ran for two touchdowns and threw a go-ahead scoring pass to Cam Cook, and West Virginia’s defense forced a fumble in the final minute to secure a 24-20 upset victory over TCU on Saturday afternoon at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The Mountaineers (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) surpassed their win total from all of last season and earned their fourth consecutive victory in Fort Worth.
“Any win’s a big win, and a win on the road is especially big,” WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez said.
The Mountaineers’ defense came into the game among the nation’s worst statistically, but delivered when it mattered most. The Horned Frogs drove to the WVU 14-yard line in the final minute with a chance to take the lead, but David Afogho hit quarterback Jaden Craig as he attempted to pass, forcing a fumble that linebacker Ben Cutter recovered with 34 seconds remaining.
The turnover was the third forced by the Mountaineers, who needed only to take a knee to seal the victory.
“Defensively, we had a lot of new stuff that we had tried to install right away, and you got to work it and they did a good job with that,” Rodriguez said.
TCU outgained WVU 484-272 and held possession for nearly 15 minutes longer The Horned Frogs (3-4, 1-3) missed a field goal, turned the ball over three times and committed eight penalties for 81 yards.
Hawkins finished with 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns while completing seven of 15 passes for 79 yards. Cook added 90 yards on 18 carries and caught the go-ahead touchdown.
The Horned Frogs took a 20-17 lead in the third quarter when Craig scored on a 2-yard run. However, the Mountaineers answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, converting a fourth-down run by Cook before Hawkins found him for a 13-yard touchdown reception with 11:28 remaining.
Jack Cassidy’s extra point gave WVU a four-point lead.
The Mountaineers’ opening two possessions produced 10 points, including Cassidy’s 54-yard field goal and Hawkins’ 2-yard touchdown run. However, WVU managed just 125 yards of offense in the first half as TCU’s defense limited their opportunities.
The Horned Frogs tied the game at 10 on Craig’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Ka’Morreun Pimpton, who capped a 16-play opening drive. Craig completed his first 12 passes and finished 33 of 47 for 372 yards and a touchdown.
TCU added a 39-yard field goal before halftime and a 37-yard kick on its opening possession of the second half to take a 13-10 lead.
Hawkins answered with a 36-yard touchdown run, his second rushing score of the game, to put the Mountaineers ahead 17-13. Craig later reclaimed the lead for the Horned Frogs with his 2-yard touchdown run before WVU’s decisive scoring drive.
TCU had other opportunities to pull away but turned the ball over on downs at the Mountaineer 20 in the fourth quarter and missed a 43-yard field goal in the second.
WVU will be off next Saturday before beginning a challenging stretch that includes three ranked opponents in its final four games. The Mountaineers visit No. 8 Texas Tech on Nov. 7.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
