Game Preview
West Virginia University will kick off its 2026 football season on Saturday at noon local time, hosting Coastal Carolina in a nonconference showdown at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The Mountaineers' iconic all‑white uniform tradition will be celebrated during the season’s first tailgate, dubbed ‘Pat White’s Day,’ a tribute to the program’s storied past and its celebrated quarterback. Key figures such as Michael Hawkins Jr. and Armani Weaver‑Bomar are expected to drive the offense, with Weaver‑Bomar poised to add his second touchdown of the afternoon.
Early in the game, a running back broke free for a 75‑yard dash that gave West Virginia an immediate lead, while later Hawkins Jr. connected with Weaver‑Bomar on a 49‑yard touchdown pass, underscoring the Mountaineers' potent attacking capability.
Coastal Carolina's New Direction
Ryan Beard, whose defensive résumé includes stints at Western Kentucky, Louisville and Central Michigan, takes the helm of the Chanticleers after guiding Missouri State to seven wins in 2025, aiming to recapture the program’s former top‑25 prominence.
Having enjoyed a surge of success under former coach Jamey Chadwell earlier in the decade, Coastal Carolina is eager to rebuild its stature now that it has moved from the FCS to the FBS ranks, with Beard’s defensive expertise expected to shape the team’s identity.