Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, because it still is and I only have one more to go.

HCBS's weekly presser was yesterday, which also signals the beginning of player interviews as well. There are plenty to choose from today, as well as a good bit of basketball player interviews. Huggs also gets some screen time today, too. If you have any tips, suggestions or requests for content that you think is worth sharing, you can send them to me by email or Twitter and don't forget to "LIKE" the Smoking Musket MAIN PAGE on Facebook (follow this link, then hit "LIKE"). See you after the jump...

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Report for Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Football: Coach Stewart Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com

Bill Stewart press conference at 1 p.m. - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
I haven't had the chance to read the whole thing, but this appears as solid satire

College Football Hot Seat Rankings: WVU's Bill Stewart Makes Another Cameo - Bleacher Report
It's the Bleacher Report, so some salt grains are necessary, as usual

College Football Power Rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
First out

Head Coach Bob Huggins - Mountaineer TV

Bob Huggins: Preparing For Success - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Video Link

Questions abound about WVU basketball - Charleston Gazette

Mitchell Back with Mountaineers - WVillustrated.com

Lost Season - BGN
Audio interview with the "Istan-Bull"

WVU Basketball Videos - WVillustrated.com
Pepps, Kilicli, West, Jones, Truck and Huggs....and check out the fancy new interface. Daddy likes the upgrade.

Dunning might be WVU’s secret to success in 2010 - Daily Athenaeum
Women's BB

Former WVU Players Ebanks, Alexander Make NBA Rosters - WVillustrated.com

Butler was worth gamble - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Everything's Jake - Charleston Gazette
Kelchner, that is

Rich Rodriguez guest on 93.7 The Fan's "Vinnie & Cook Show" (Audio Link) - 'Eers to the Ground
He did answer some questions about WVU. Don't shoot the messenger because I know there are some among you who are interested.

One more shot - Times West Virginian
Cool story about WVU Rifle coach John Hammond, his background and his experience at the Commonwealth Games

News of Note:

WVU Team Report, Mid-Week Update: UConn Week - WVillustrated.com

West Virginia Notebook: Stewart hoping for 'wake-up call' - PPG

Stew: All's not lost after SU debacle - Charleston Gazette

Stewart hopes a lesson was learned - Inter-Mountain

A pitiful showing - Martinsburg Journal
Mickey's Column - You know it had to be bad for Mickey to call it that

History Lesson - BGN

WVU eager to play again - Times West Virginian

WVU expects to see Huskies blitz - Charleston Daily Mail
Just about anyone with a football mind would after last Saturday

Stewart still confident in QB Smith - Register-Herald

The Ballad of Geno Smith - 'Eers to the Ground
As a Beatle fan, you found one of the ways to my heart, Colin

West Virginia's Devine tries to regain form - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

WVU has issues to tackle - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Big East mailbag: West Virginia angst - ESPN

Video: Most improved Big East players - ESPN
The Tandy gets some love

WVU Football Videos - WVillustrated.com
Leonard, Hogan, Woods, JT, Julian, Sands, Glover, Neild, Geno, Garvin, Starks and Barclay

Football: Select Player Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com

Brandon Hogan: Big Motivation (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Hogan talks about using the Syracuse loss as motivation and his punt returning ability.

Julian Miller: Adjusting To The Huskies (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Miller talks about defending UConn running back Jordan Todman and the adjustments the defense has to make after the Syracuse game.

Bradley Starks: Kick Start The Running Game (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Starks talks about what the team has to do to get the running game going and rebounding from the tough loss against the Orange.

@Stedman Bailey : Man this movie Is live! I' ... - Twitter
Stedman and a certain former coach would get along great

Football: Weekly Award Winners - MSNsportsNET.Com

Musings of a Mountain Man - Week 9- WVillustrated.com
"To paraphrase a famous insight from noted sports philosopher Yogi Berra about deja vu, this year's WVU team looks like 1996 all over again."

UConn quarterback is getting his chance - Charleston Daily Mail

Recruiting:

Rashawn Scott is high on West Virginia - EerSports

Around the League (and Beyond):

State of the Huskies is pretty bleak - Journal Inquirer

Video View: Randy Edsall Reacts To People Calling For Him To Be Fired - Hartford Courant

UConn's Edsall: 'I didn't get stupid overnight' - Stamford Advocate
"I've been this stupid for as long as I can remember." Just kidding. I couldn't resist.

Zach Collaros' backup stays ready - Cincinnati Enquirer

Syracuse vs. Cincinnati: Sorry To Ruin Your Homecoming - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Can they go 3 for 3?

USF's Marshall to have foot surgery - Tampa Tribune

Pitt's Lewis never lost confidence - PPG

Pitt a little too close to home for Louisville’s Byrom - Courier-Journal

Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng ruled eligible by NCAA after appeal - Courier-Journal

Rutgers announces partnership with Audi of America - Star Ledger

Starting 11: Now that Auburn Is at the Top, Gene Chizik vs. Gus Malzahn - NCAAFB FanHouse
Weekly round-up

Oklahoma State’s New $4 Million Locker Room is Ballin’ - BroBible.com
Good Lord, everyone needs to check this out. The best that Pickens can buy. Includes photos and a video.

Forde Yard Dash - ESPN

What's On Tap:

Men's Soccer: WVU Hosts Marquette - MSNsportsNET.Com
The West Virginia University men’s soccer team will face Marquette on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in the final home match of the regular season. The match has also been designated a "Dollar Night" and will begin at 7 p.m.

Videos of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

The Host of Between Two Ferns has the tables turned on him.

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is British actress who has been seen on One Tree Hill. Here's a lovely gallery (click on the pic) of Sasha Jackson.

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen image via thefullpint.com