WVU football’s offense wasn’t on ‘same page’ against Oklahoma State
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West Virginia's offense had the ball inside Oklahoma State's 10-yard line. The Cowboys had just tied the game, 21-21, so the Mountaineers needed an answer. Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. handed the ball off to true freshman Amari Latimer for a yard. Hawkins kept the ball for another five. Then, he ran again for no gain. Quickly, WVU was stopped and forced to kick a field goal.
From that point on, the offense turned the ball over on downs, punted, turnover on downs and turnover on downs. WVU's offense who scored a touchdown on three of the first six offensive drives, couldn't move the ball.
"Second half, we just had too many mental mistakes, including myself," Hawkins said. "Can’t win a game with a ton of mistakes, costing you to have three-and-outs. We’re gonna get that cleaned up. Get ready for this upcoming game."
Similarly to the second half against Coastal Carolina, Oklahoma State's defense geared up for the run. The Mountaineers had more rushing yards in the second half, but the yards per attempt went from 6.3 yards to 3.9. Hawkins felt the team adjusted, but couldn't execute.
Also like against the Chanticleers, Rich Rodriguez saw the Cowboys scoring fast, so he got frustrated and started running the ball into tough matchups.
"Maybe I got a little impatient," Rodriguez said. "They were moving the ball so easily. I probably got a little impatient with that, and then they did a better job with that."
WVU turned to the passing attack when the run game couldn't get anything going. The passing attack, as Hawkins put it, wasn't on the same page. Hawkins missed Jaden Bray over the middle of the field, which would've been a touchdown, and receiver D.J. Epps had a couple of drops.
The Hawkins to Epps connection had carried the passing attack through the first three games, but the two only connected on two passes on seven targets. Epps 30 yards. WVU did spread the ball around more, getting seven different receivers involved, including USC and Boise State transfer Prince Strachan, who registered his first catch.
Hawkins completed two passes in the first half for 16 yards, and finished completing 10 of 22 passes for 132 yards. He threw his first interception on the season, which wasn't entirely his fault. Hawkins tried to get the ball to Epps, and it was batted and picked.
After the game, Hawkins said he needs to get on the same page with his receivers and be better at navigating the pocket.
Rodriguez wasn't frustrated with his quarterback's fourth performance in his offense.
"He’ll keep getting better," Rodriguez said. "Every game’s a learning experience in our system for him because it’s the first time. You got to remember, he’s been in the system for three or four games now. Everything that’s happened to him at game speed is all new for the first time. I’m proud of the way he competes, and he’ll be fine. But I’ll watch the film and figure out where the problems were."
The offensive line didn't help on the ground or in pass protection. WVU's line allowed two sacks through three games, but allowed four against Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers were tackled eight times behind the line of scrimmage. WVU was called for a false start once, too.
Plenty to work on for the offensive line.
"A couple of pass play protections broke down a little bit," Rodriguez said.
The defense didn't do the offense any favors, but when the opposing defense stops the run, there has to be an alternative. Against Oklahoma State, the passing attack struggled.
It's Week 4 and the fourth game for Hawkins; there's plenty of time to improve.
"When we had the lead, everything was fine," Rodriguez said. "There was no like panic, but I think we probably pressed a little bit when we got behind, and should have just tried to keep executing what we could execute."