WVU QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Just Did Something No Mountaineer Has Since Pat White

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WVU QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Just Did Something No Mountaineer Has Since Pat White

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Patrick White #5 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs for seven-yards past D.J. Wolfe #25 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium January 2, 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Getty

Anthony G Halkias II · HEAVY

Mon, Sep 21, 2026 ·

4 min read

Michael Hawkins Jr. Reaches Rare Pat White Territory

White's 2008 performance against Louisville remains one of the most memorable statistical nights of his West Virginia career. He completed 6 of 11 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 21 times for 200 yards and three more scores in a 35-21 victory. White also became the NCAA's career rushing leader among quarterbacks during that game.

Hawkins did not copy the box score exactly, but the five-touchdown combination was the same. The Oklahoma transfer completed 10 of 17 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia while adding 123 rushing yards and three scores on 18 carries. He finished with 313 total yards and accounted for every touchdown West Virginia scored.

That performance came with WVU facing a ranked opponent and needing Hawkins repeatedly throughout the night. Virginia grabbed leads of 7-0 and 14-7, but West Virginia never allowed the game to get away. Hawkins helped the Mountaineers respond each time before WVU eventually took control in the second half.

WVU Has Plenty to Be Excited About With Hawkins

Nobody needs to turn one September performance into a direct comparison between Hawkins and White's entire West Virginia career. White became a Mountaineer legend over four seasons, won four bowl games as a starter and left Morgantown with records that helped redefine what a dual-threat quarterback could look like.

GettyMORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – SEPTEMBER 05: Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. #3 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/Getty Images)

That is exactly why Saturday's accomplishment is worth appreciating without going overboard. Hawkins did something a West Virginia quarterback had not done since White, and he did it while helping WVU improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2018. The Mountaineers also picked up a ranked win while producing 437 yards of offense and 247 yards on the ground.

There is a long way to go before anyone knows what Hawkins' West Virginia story ultimately becomes. Three games do not make a legend, and there is only one Pat White. Still, Mountaineers fans can enjoy the symmetry.

WVU spent the beginning of this season putting No. 5 where it belongs forever. Two weeks later, its new quarterback produced a performance the program had not seen since the man who made that number legendary. Sometimes history does not repeat itself exactly. However, it's prudent to pay attention when the stars start to align.

This article was originally published on HEAVY