MORGANTOWN, WV – The Cincinnati Bearcats came to West Virginia determined to stop the Mountaineers' 1-2 punch of quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and running back Cam Cook. The pair came into the game with 1,465 yards combined, more than any running tandem in FBS football.
Hawkins had a season-low of 77 yards and Cook was held to 40.
But Hawkins, who had never thrown for 300 yards, threw for 464 yards and three touchdowns and continually was able to make plays when seemingly in danger. When UC had the Mountaineers pinned at the 1-yard line late, it looked like the Bearcats could get the ball back with the score tied 42-42.
Instead, on 3rd-and-9 from the 2-yard line, Hawkins connected with Prince Strachan for a 41 yard reception. Not long after, WVU was in position for a Jack Cassidy 35-yard field goal, and the Mountaineers had themselves a 45-42 win.
"We moved the ball really well today and JC played good," UC head coach Scott Satterfield said. "It was a game that came down to the end and unfortunately for us, they made the play down there at the end with the field goal."
UC had six leads in the game and Cassidy's field goal gave WVU its first.
UC Bearcats outgain WVU 622-598, but lose
JC French IV had his best passing day, going 22-for-30 for 389 yards and three touchdowns. And, if you knew the Bearcats would outrun the Mountaineers 233-134, you would guess a victory.
But DJ Epps had eight catches for 163 yards and a touchdown and the footwork of Hawkins led to a pair of rushing touchdowns.
"We felt good about stopping the run," Satterfield said. "That was obviously a focal point. As good as it was stopping the run, it was that much bad on passing. We don't tackle and there they go. All these throws are easy completions underneath, and you've got to come up and tackle. We just did a poor job of that."
Said UC linebacker Jonathan Thompson, "It hurts a lot. We worked very hard the last two weeks to prepare for this game. We came to bring it today and we didn't make enough plays."
Comparing UC's Gi'Bran Payne, Cole Tabb with WVU's Hawkins, Cook?
UC's Payne and Tabb came into the game at 722 yards (61 yards less than Cook alone). Tabb outran everybody with 118 yards, and Payne left with 26 yards after being injured. Tabb averaged 7.9 yards per carry and Zylan Perry came in for the injured Payne and had 37 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
Hawkins was held to three yards per carry and Cook to 2.7, but Cook did add a 40-yard touchdown reception.
At any rate, it was a curious game, with UC seemingly in command until they weren't.
UC Bearcats must flush tough loss, prepare for Texas Tech
JC French IV threw for a UC-best 389 yards, going 22-for-30 for three touchdowns. He was also UC's second-leading rusher with 52 yards and a touchdown.
"I think we were in a good rhythm," French said. "I wish we had a few throws back early on in the game. We were clicking on all cylinders, but we've got to finish in the fourth quarter."
Texas Tech is at Nippert Stadium Saturday, Oct. 24 with a kickoff time not yet announced. The Red Raiders (6-0, 3-0) won at home 53-25 against Arizona State Oct. 17.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats stop WVU Mountaineers run game, but get exploited in air