West Virginia beats No. 25 Virginia 38-27 in the Duke’s Mayo Classic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- — Michael Hawkins accounted for 313 yards of total offense and five touchdowns and West Virginia beat No. 25 Virginia 38-27 on Saturday night in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at the Carolina Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium.

Hawkins, who started five games at Oklahoma the previous two years before transferring to West Virginia in January, has guided the Mountaineers to a 3-0 start for second-year coach Rich Rodriguez.

Virginia, which lost its second game in Charlotte in the last 10 months, fell to 2-1. The Cavaliers lost 27-20 to Duke in the 2025 ACC title game in December in the stadium.

Hawkins, who had two TD runs and a TD pass in the first half, threw his second TD pass to D.J. Epps late in the third quarter to give West Virginia the lead for good.

Virginia responded by driving to the 13 before a sack moved the Cavaliers back to the 22 and Will Bettridge’s 41-yard field goal attempt was wide right with 9:13 to play.

Following that miss, Hawkins directed a 78-yard drive to clinch the victory, scoring on a 5-yard run with 5:24 play.

Hawkins finish with 10 completions in 17 attempts for 190 yards and two TDs. He ran 18 times for 123 yards and three TDs.

The Takeaway

West Virginia: Following wins over Coastal Carolina (31-24) and UT Martin (52-7) to open, perhaps the Mountaineers will get some attention as a Big 12 title contender after knocking off previously unbeaten Virginia.

Virginia: The Cavaliers hadn’t trailed this season until late in the first half on Saturday. Virginia still looks to be an ACC title contender but doesn’t begin league play until Oct. 3 at Florida State.

Up next

West Virginia: Hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Virginia: Hosts Delaware on Saturday.

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