The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

PRINCE Strachan’s late-game heroics against Cincinnati were the result of months of work behind the scenes, with the Bahamian wide receiver crediting his growing connection with quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr and the trust he has earned from West Virginia’s coaching staff for his decisive contribution to the Mountaineers’ 45-42 victory.

The Freeport native caught two crucial passes on West Virginia’s final drive, helping set up Jack Cassidy’s 35-yard field goal as time expired to give the Mountaineers their first Big 12 conference victory of the season.

Speaking during media availability on October 20, Strachan reflected on the sequence that turned a quiet afternoon into one of the defining performances of West Virginia’s season, explaining that his mindset was to remain ready regardless of the situation.

“My thought process was just it’s not over until it’s over,” Strachan said. “Through my experience I just wanted to really just carry that out on the field this week and, through that last drive, I was just thinking, whatever they call, it’s our job to make it work.”

West Virginia faced third and nine from its own two-yard line with the game tied at 42 when Hawkins launched a pass down the sideline.

Strachan adjusted to the ball in the air and secured a 41-yard reception, giving the Mountaineers much-needed breathing room.

Two plays later, Hawkins went back to the Bahamian receiver, who caught another deep pass and carried the ball down to Cincinnati’s 18-yard line despite pressure from several defenders. Cassidy subsequently converted the winning field goal to complete the comeback. Strachan said his focus on the first reception was straightforward, with little time to consider the circumstances or the defenders around him.

“As the ball is in the air, not much is going through my mind, but get the ball,” he said. “I’m not thinking too hard on anything, I’m just totally focused, like no one’s even around me and like nothing is going on. I’m just totally focused on executing my job.”

The receiver also acknowledged that he believed he had been interfered with on the play, although he did not allow the contact to distract him from securing the catch.

“In the moment, I mean, I wasn’t thinking about it, but I was definitely interfered with, but it all turned out well, thank God,” he said.

The two receptions were particularly significant given the amount of work Strachan and Hawkins had put into developing their connection before the season.

Strachan said Hawkins had taken the initiative during the off-season by organising additional meetings and route-running sessions with the receivers, allowing the group to develop greater familiarity with one another.

“It’s a blessing,” Strachan said when asked about having a quarterback willing to trust him in a decisive situation.

“Me and Mike, like I said, Mike done a good job this whole off-season, working with the receivers, stepped up as a leader and calling extra meetings, extra route sessions to get those connections down and everything.”

He added that the work had begun to pay dividends during the Mountaineers’ recent games, with Hawkins showing confidence in Strachan and the other receivers to make plays when opportunities arise.

“I feel like all that just played a role in these past two weeks and just building that trust in the off-season carried out in this past game,” he said.

“You see it with DJ, you see it with Jaden Bray, and you see it with all of us. He has that confidence in all of us to do our job, and it all just executed well during the game.”

Strachan’s increased involvement has also followed a steady effort to demonstrate his value in practice, particularly as he works to establish himself within a new offensive system.

The wide receiver said he has concentrated on applying the coaching staff’s instructions, improving each day and showing that he can be relied upon to carry out his responsibilities.

“Every day is an opportunity to get better. Every day is an opportunity to show the coaches that they can believe in me,” he said.

“Just taking it day by day and listening to the coaching points and putting everything on the field, that they can see that I’m coachable and I want to listen to what they have to say.”

He also acknowledged the influence of head coach Rich Rodriguez and the offensive coaching staff, including Garrett, in helping him adjust to the programme’s expectations.

Strachan said he wanted the coaches to see his progress firsthand rather than rely on his previous experience elsewhere, adding that his responsibility was to apply their instructions and execute the role assigned to him.

The Cincinnati performance came during a productive stretch for the Bahamian, who had recorded five receptions for 121 yards against Arizona on October 10 before adding three catches for 84 yards against the Bearcats. He also caught three passes for 41 yards against Iowa State on October 3.

The 121-yard outing against Arizona remains his most productive receiving performance of the season, while his display against Cincinnati demonstrated his ability to influence a game at a decisive moment.

Strachan has also had to work his way back into action after a shoulder injury sustained during West Virginia’s spring game disrupted his preparations. He missed the Mountaineers’ opening games before gradually returning to the rotation, making his recent production a significant step in his transition into the programme.

His return has involved more than simply making catches. Strachan said he understands the importance of contributing in the running game and doing the less visible work required of a receiver, including blocking for teammates.

“Similarities, just going out there and doing your 111. And sometimes that means blocking,” he said, referring to the responsibilities he carried at previous programmes.

“I want to show them that I’m a big physical guy who can be used in the running game as well.”

He also stressed that his approach is built around helping the entire offence succeed rather than focusing solely on his own statistics.

“One of our main coaching points is how hard you can work for your teammate,” Strachan said. “So I definitely, I’m not a selfish guy.”

The receiver said that experience playing alongside different running backs has reinforced the importance of supporting teammates and carrying out his assignments, whether that means making a downfield catch or creating space through a block.

West Virginia followed the Cincinnati victory with a 24-20 road win over TCU on October 24. Strachan contributed two receptions for 24 yards in that contest as the Mountaineers secured their second consecutive win.

The Bahamian will look to build on that recent progress as West Virginia continues its conference schedule, with his growing connection with Hawkins and increased role in the passing game providing opportunities to make further contributions.