WVU Football
By the Numbers: West Virginia Demolishes UT Martin 52-7 Behind Explosive Offense
The West Virginia Mountaineers thoroughly dominated the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks, securing a 52-7 victory on September 12, 2026, at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. WVU established absolute control early, jumping to a 21-0 first-quarter lead.
The onslaught began when Michael Hawkins Jr. connected with DJ Epps for a 53-yard touchdown pass. Cam Cook followed with a two-yard scoring plunge, and Hawkins capped the opening period with a spectacular 71-yard touchdown scramble. By halftime, another Hawkins rushing score pushed the commanding advantage to 28-0. West Virginia emerged from the locker room to seal the decisive outcome, extending the lead with a 32-yard touchdown pass to R. Ward and a 29-yard scoring run by A. Latimer.
While Tennessee-Martin avoided a shutout via a late fourth-quarter fumble recovery by J. Betts, the game was never close. West Virginia’s suffocating defensive effort featured an Ashton Woods interception that halted early Skyhawk momentum. The Mountaineers operated flawlessly in critical spots, converting 67 percent on third down and posting a perfect 3-for-3 mark in the red zone.
Box Score: WVU vs. Tennessee-Martin
West Virginia maximized its offensive production with remarkable efficiency, dictating the line of scrimmage despite possessing the ball for nearly ten fewer minutes than the Skyhawks.
| Statistic | West Virginia | Tennessee-Martin |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 52 | 7 |
| Total Yards | 525 | 318 |
| Passing Yards | 209 (8-12) | 170 (22-33) |
| Rushing Yards | 316 (51) | 148 (37) |
| Yards Per Play | 8.3 | 4.5 |
| First Downs | 23 | 18 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 8-12 | 7-16 |
| Fourth-Down Conversions | 0-0 | 1-3 |
| Red-Zone Efficiency | 3-3 | 0-2 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Sacks Allowed | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 2-9 | 6-59 |
| Time of Possession | 25:16 | 34:44 |
The Mountaineers nearly doubled Tennessee-Martin’s offensive output per snap, averaging a staggering 8.3 yards per play fueled by a relentless 316-yard ground game. While the visitors struggled to finish drives, going scoreless on two red-zone trips, WVU capitalized on every opportunity. The stark difference in overall yardage illustrates a complete dismantling by the home team.
WVU Offensive Leaders
West Virginia’s offense was an absolute force, spearheaded by a phenomenal dual-threat performance from starting quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. The home team relied on explosive execution to break the game open, finding immediate chunk-yardage production across multiple skill positions and controlling the tempo whenever they possessed the football.
| Player | Position | Key Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Hawkins Jr. | QB | 5/7, 155 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 sacks; 6 car, 96 rush yds, 2 TD |
| DJ Epps | WR | 2 rec, 112 yds, 56.0 avg, 59 long, 1 TD |
| Cam Cook | RB | 10 car, 52 yds, 5.2 avg, 14 long, 1 TD |
| Jack Cassidy | K | 1/1 FG (35 yds), 6/6 XP |
Hawkins orchestrated the blowout by accounting for four total touchdowns, avoiding sacks entirely, and averaging an incredible 16.0 yards per carry on the ground. His lethal connection with dynamic receiver DJ Epps yielded 112 yards on just two critical catches. Meanwhile, Cam Cook provided necessary backfield volume to consistently keep the chains moving. The unit’s only noticeable blemish was a lost fumble by running back Darius Morant. Special teams play remained highly reliable, with kicker Jack Cassidy booting six extra points and a field goal to neatly complement the offensive barrage.
WVU Defensive Leaders
West Virginia’s defensive unit established a relentless tone from the opening kickoff, completely overwhelming the Tennessee-Martin rushing and passing attack. The front seven generated consistent backfield pressure, forcing critical early errors to ensure the Skyhawks never found a comfortable operating rhythm.
| Player | Position | Tackles | TFL / Sacks | Takeaways / Big Plays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeke Durham-Campbell | DL | 2 | 1.0 / 1.0 | 1 FF |
| Aidan Woods | OL | 1 | 1.0 / 1.0 | None |
| Ashton Woods | LB | 0 | 0.0 / 0.0 | 1 INT |
| Ben Cutter | LB | 0 | 0.0 / 0.0 | 1 FR |
| Andrew Powdrell | SAF | 0 | 0.0 / 0.0 | 1 Blk |
The Mountaineers excelled at disrupting the pocket, with Zeke Durham-Campbell and Aidan Woods each delivering drive-killing sacks. Pass coverage proved equally stifling once Ashton Woods secured his momentum-shifting interception, while Andrew Powdrell provided an unexpected special-teams spark by blocking a kick. Although the front occasionally lost edge containment—giving up a 48-yard breakaway run to Chris Franklin—they consistently recovered in pivotal moments. Ben Cutter’s fumble recovery ultimately kept the visiting offense largely grounded throughout the afternoon.
Where the Record Stands
West Virginia improves to a perfect 2-0 overall with the dominant victory, while their Big 12 conference record remains 0-0. The Mountaineers are riding a two-game winning streak, achieving the first 2-0 start to a season for the program since 2018.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
West Virginia faces a significantly stiffer test next week against the No. 25 Virginia Cavaliers. The game is set for Saturday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Mountaineers will serve as the designated away team.
Virginia enters with a matching 2-0 record and dominant early-season form, having recently routed Norfolk State 59-3. To challenge the nationally ranked Cavaliers, West Virginia must heavily lean on the explosive dual-threat playmaking and relentless rushing attack they just showcased against Tennessee-Martin. Mountaineer fans should expect a thrilling Saturday night showdown as this unblemished squad looks to keep the momentum rolling.
