CUE COUNTRY ROADS! Mountaineers Defeat Cincinnati, 45-42

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia defeated Cincinnati for its first Big 12 win, 45-42, on Saturday in Morgantown.

Our Kind of Saturday

West Virginia fans and players sing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" after West Virginia's win against Cincinnati on Oct. 17, 2026.

MAN OF THE HOUR

West Virginia kicker Jack Cassidy (42) is lifted up after hitting the game-winning field goal against Cincinnati on Oct. 17, 2026.

FIELD GOAL: WVU 45 | UC 42

JACK CASSIDY NAILS THE FIELD GOAL TO WIN THE GAME!!!!

TOUCHDOWN: WVU 42 | UC 42

Cam Cook breaks away on the catch and run to tie the game with 3:44 remaining!

TOUCHDOWN: WVU 35 | UC 35

Amari Latimer scores the rushing touchdown to tie the game again!

Epps Ties It

Wide receiver DJ Epps (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati at Milan Puskar Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026.

TOUCHDOWN: WVU 28 | UC 28

Hawkins Jr. finds DJ Epps for the tying touchdown to start the fourth quarter!

END 3Q || WVU 21, CIN 28 https://t.co/KTvMEc2YIe
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) October 17, 2026

TOUCHDOWN: WVU 21 | UC 21

Hawkins Jr. connects with Josh Sapp for the touchdown to tie the game out of the half!

2x Touchdowns for Hawkins Jr.

Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (3) scores the rushing touchdown against Cincinnati in the first half at Milan Puskar Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026.

TOUCHDOWN: WVU 14 | UC 14

Hawkins Jr. finds the end zone for the second time today to tie it up!

TOUCHDOWN: WVU 7 | UC 7

Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. finds the end zone on a scramble to get the Mountaineers on the board!

Game Day = Work Day

Players warm up before their game against Cincinnati at Milan Puskar Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026.

Perfect Day for Football

Fans tailgate before West Virginia's games against Cincinnati at Milan Puskar Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026.

Mountaineer Mantrip

Game Preview

Two of the top rushing teams in the Big 12 Conference will meet Saturday afternoon at high noon when West Virginia faces Cincinnati in a Homecoming contest at Milan Puskar Stadium.

The Mountaineers (3-3 and 0-3 in Big 12 play) currently boast the fourth-best rushing attack in the country, averaging 295.5 yards per game, headlined by two of the college football's elite ball carriers.

Cam Cook ranks third nationally in rushing this week with 793 yards - just 42 yards shy of NCAA leader Dylan Riley of Boise State.

Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is five spots below Cook in eighth place with 692 yards, giving West Virginia its best one-two rushing combo since Steve Slaton and Pat White.

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Schedule