WVU fends off Coastal Carolina, 31-24
Local college roundup
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Cam Cook rushed for 142 yards and two short touchdowns, Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for one score and passed for another TD, and West Virginia held on for a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina in the teams’ season opener Saturday.
On a day in which West Virginia retired the No. 5 jersey of record-setting quarterback Pat White, the Mountaineers dominated the game early but looked disheveled on both sides of the ball for much of the second half.
Coastal Carolina’s Nico Cavanillas Alti kicked a 32-yard field goal with 27 seconds left to cap the Chanticleers’ rally from a 24-0 deficit. But the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds and West Virginia survived.
Hawkins, a transfer from Oklahoma, had a stellar debut on the ground with 103 yards on 20 carries. He finished 11-of-14 passing for 132 yards but lost a fumble on the Coastal Carolina goal line.
PITT 59, MIAMI (OHIO) 14
PITTSBURGH — Sophomore Mason Heintschel threw seven touchdown passes, tying the school record, and Pittsburgh rolled to a win against Miami (Ohio).
Heintschel, a true sophomore, equaled the school record set by Pete Gonzalez against Rutgers on Oct. 25, 1997.
“We came out and executed,” Heintschel said. “I’m just proud of our guys and I think everybody did a really great job with their preparation.”
Heintschel, who won the job midway through the season last year, completed 31 of 41 passes for 453 yards. His seven touchdowns went to seven different receivers during his first season-opening start.
PENN STATE 45, MARSHALL 0
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Rocco Becht threw for 271 yards with four touchdowns and No. 18 Penn State beat Marshall to begin the Matt Campbell era on Saturday.
Becht, a transfer who followed Campbell from Iowa State to Happy Valley, was in command in his Beaver Stadium debut and secured his FBS-leading 27th win as a starter.
He had plenty of help from familiar teammates who also left the Cyclones, and a host of new ones who stuck around after former coach James Franklin was fired midway through last season.
Koby Howard, one of those holdovers who was used sparingly by the previous staff, had six catches for 161 yards with a touchdown. Brett Eskildsen, Benjamin Brahmer and Zay Robinson caught touchdown passes, and new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s defense held Marshall to just 147 yards.
Belle Vernon graduate Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace added rushing touchdowns for Penn State. Martin had 10 carries for 38 yards.