West Virginia passed its biggest test of the young season, knocking off No. 25 Virginia, 38-27, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to improve to 3-0.

Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. delivered his best performance as a Mountaineer, accounting for 313 total yards and five touchdowns. The Oklahoma transfer threw for 190 yards and two scores while adding 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Both of Hawkins’ touchdown passes went to DJ Epps, including a 29-yard connection that tied the game in the second quarter and another third-down strike late in the third that gave WVU a 28-21 lead it would never relinquish.

The Mountaineers also delivered in critical moments defensively. Ashton Woods sacked Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula to help derail a potential game-tying drive, while Geimere Latimer came up with a fourth-down sack late in the fourth quarter.

Hawkins later connected with Jaden Bray for a huge 38-yard completion before finishing the drive himself with a 5-yard touchdown run that gave West Virginia a two-score advantage.

Cam Cook added 123 rushing yards as WVU controlled the ground game with a 247-157 advantage in rushing yards. Epps finished with 92 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Isaiah Patterson led the Mountaineer defense with 12 tackles.

After overcoming deficits of 7-0 and 14-7, WVU closed out non-conference play unbeaten and now turns its attention to Big 12 action.

Hear from head coach Rich Rodriguez, Hawkins, Epps and Patterson following one of West Virginia’s biggest wins of the season.

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