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 Natural Light. With respect to the 11/11/11 date, maybe I should have gotten Bruce to sponsor us today?
It's that time of year when basketball and football overlap. Both men's and women's basketball tip their seasons tonight at the Coliseum against Youngstown St and Oral Roberts, respectively. There's plenty of preview and video interviews to go through.
Over on the football side, Mike Leach stopped by Coach Holgorsen's call in show last night and spent some time chatting and we have access to that video. Cincinnati previews abound, as expected. The usual video interviews, player profiles and features are also here at your disposal as well.
Have a great weekend and don't forget to thank a veteran today (and in my case, also wish my mother a happy birthday)!!
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Coach Talk With Mike Leach - WVMETRONEWS.COM
In a special edition of "Coach Talk" former Texas Tech head coach and Dana Holgorsen's mentor Mike Leach gives his take on the Mountaineers, today's offenses and much more.
Gold And Blue Now: Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Dana Holgorsen tells us how many people he's going to travel to Cincinnati, former Texas Tech head coach Mike leach stops by to talk about the Penn State sex scandal, Deniz Kilicli talks about how confident he is in this year's squad and the Mountaineers add another new face for the 2012 recruiting class.
Sneak Peek and Preview: The Dana Holgorsen Show - WVillustrated
This week's episode of the Dana Holgorsen Show is amidst "crunch time" as the Mountaineers get ready to take on Big East rival, Cincinnati. With the Bearcats topping the Big East rankings, this is a crucial game to set the stage for the rest of the Mountaineer Football season.
Head Coach Bob Huggins - Mountaineer TV
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins previews Friday's season opener against Oral Roberts.
Head Coach Mike Carey - Mountaineer TV
Head Coach Mike Carey previews the women's basketball season opener against Youngstown State on Friday.
Bracketology - ESPN
#9 South
Week 11 F/+ Picks - Football Study Hall
Cincinnati will cover according to this
Guest Spot With Country Roads From The Smoking Musket - Down The Drive
We'll have their answers to his questions shortly
Patience is a virtue - Daily Athenaeum
This season hasn't exactly been going as planned for Mountaineer fans. First-year head coach Dana Holgorsen and his football team have lost two games in conference play and are currently on the outside looking in toward the Big East Championship.
News of Note:
Basketball
Preview: ORU vs WVU - BGN
West Virginia opens the 2011-12 men's basketball season with a foe that might not have much name recognition, but brings an experienced squad to the Coliseum.
Huggins, WVU set to open season against Oral Roberts - Times West Virginian
Bob Huggins says his West Virginia University basketball team will be different with forward Deniz Kilicli on the floor when it opens its 2011-12 season against Oral Roberts at 9 p.m. today as the second game of a doubleheader at the Coliseum.
Mountaineers open basketball season tonight vs. Oral Roberts - Charleston Gazette
Oral Roberts is the opponent in a 9 p.m. game at the Coliseum, and the Golden Eagles are not exactly your typical mid-major patsy, if there is such a thing anymore.
Tipoff Time is Here - MSNsportsNET.Com
Tony's Take
Game Time! WVU Basketball Season Starts Tonight - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The Golden Eagles come to Morgantown as the favorites to win the Summit League in the school's final year in the conference. Next year Oral Roberts departs for the Southland Conference.
Forward Deniz Kilicli - Mountaineer TV
Forward Deniz Kilicli talks about trying to work in seven new players.
Video: Basketball Interviews 11/10 - BGN
Huggs, Deniz, Gary Browne, Keaton and Truck
WVU Men's Basketball Interviews: Oral Roberts - WVillustrated
The WVU men's basketball team opens its season Friday night against Oral Roberts. Watch full interviews with Head Coach Bob Huggins, Deniz Kilicli and Keaton Miles.
WVU women to face Youngstown State - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Entering its 39th season of women's basketball and 11th season under the direction of coach Mike Carey, WVU returns only one starter and one senior from last year's team that went 24-10 and made its fifth trip in eight seasons to the NCAA tournament.
WVU Women's Basketball Interviews: Youngstown State - WVillustrated
The WVU women's basketball team opens its season Friday night at 6:30 against Youngstown State. Watch full interviews with Head Coach Mike Carey and Guard Brooke Hampton.
Football
Cincinnati Preview - MSNsportsNET.Com
Butch Jones has Cincinnati pawing its way toward another Big East title, the 18th-ranked Bearcats now 7-1 after last week’s comeback victory at Pitt and owning a one game lead over second-place Louisville heading into this weekend’s game against West Virginia at Paul Brown Stadium.
West Virginia vs. Cincinnati Game Preview - WVillustrated
This Saturday, West Virginia will face the only undefeated team remaining in Big East play at Paul Brown Stadium against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
WVU in need of win vs. Cincinnati - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mountaineers hold a 15-3-1 edge in series
Video: Big East game of the week - Big East Blog - ESPN
Andrea Adelson previews the West Virginia-Cincinnati matchup.
Players get Holgorsen's message - Big East Blog - ESPN
“I think just playing for one another on the team,” he said. “We're all real close and instead of playing just to play a play to get the job done, we need to play for the person next to you, play for the seniors. It’s about having somebody to play for.”
With time running down, West Virginia looks to correct problems on punt, field goal units - Washington Post/AP
“It’s aggravating that it’s a combination of stuff,” said West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen. “Coaching-wise, we’ll take the blame for half of it and playing-wise they have to take the blame for half of it as well.”
WVU hopes defense improves against Bearcats - Register-Herald/AP
Coming off losses in two of the last three games and fading fast in the Big East, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is desperate for more unity and effort from his players, especially on defense.
Consistency missing from WVU defense - PPG
Nine games into the season, the defense and its lack of progress is increasingly under fire -- despite gaffes on offense and special teams contributing to two losses.
Holgorsen, WVU dealing with inconsistencies - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
There's no question West Virginia's offense and defense have played well in spurts this season.
Turnovers, special teams to blame for WVU’s struggles - Charleston Gazette
Say what you will about West Virginia's struggle to win football games this season. Blame it on coaching or effort or defensive lapses or offensive inconsistency.
Bailey wants win, record for birthday - Register-Herald
Mickey's Column
Bailey’s big grabs - Times West Virginian
Sophomore receiver has caught almost everything thrown his way
HERTZEL COLUMN: O-Line learns to play no matter the pain - Times West Virginian
But they pay a price for the life in that world of hurt.
Collaros is dual threat for Bearcats - Charleston Gazette
"He's determined. He's the guy that makes that thing go for them,'' West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. "He's been there for a long time and you can tell that he gets people around him to play better.''
West Virginia will try to stop Collaros, Cincinnati’s offense Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
It is a critical game for West Virginia to get back to where the team feels it should be at this point in the season.
Recruiting:
Huggins Lands Second Prospect - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins has announced the signing of Elijah Macon to a national letter of intent for the 2012-13 academic year.
Video: Macon Signs - BGN
Elijah Macon signed his Letter of Intent with West Virginia earlier today, and BlueGoldNews.com was on hand to get his thoughts immediately after the ceremony.
Around the League (and Beyond):
What to watch in the Big East: Week 11 - Big East Blog - ESPN
Walter Stewart's hard work paying off at UC - Cincinnati Enquirer
Teddy Bridgewater comes into his own - Big East Blog - ESPN
Bulls can count on RB Murray - Tampa Tribune
Syracuse vs. USF: Mystery Men - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Rutgers-Army preview - On the Banks
Pitt's Graham: Hard work will pay off - PPG
UConn Consultant Says Raise Football, Basketball Prices To Counter High Spending - Hartford Courant
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 11 preview - ESPN
What's On Tap:
WVU Women Open Friday - MSNsportsNET.Com
The West Virginia University women’s basketball team is set to open its 39th season at the Coliseum on Friday evening, playing host to Youngstown State in a 6:30 p.m. tip.
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. West Virginia Mountaineers -ESPN
9 pm tonight from the Coliseum on ESPN3.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (23) Cincinnati Bearcats - Preview - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the House of Bungles on ABC and ESPN3. Cinci is giving 4.
South Florida Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange - ESPN
8 pm tonight from the Dome on ESPN2/3. Bulls are giving 4.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Louisville Cardinals - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Pizza Pit on MASN, SNY, ESPN Gameplan and ESPN3. Cards are giving 2.5.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Army Black Knights - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from the House That George Built. Rutgers is giving 7.
Video of Interest:
MSN's Tony Caridi sits down with WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel to discuss what went wrong with the Louisville game and how they plan to take on Cincinnati this weekend.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Cheese and Sausage Chowder
IngredientsDirections
- 8 oz. reduced-fat smoked sausage
- 3/4 cup each whole-kernel corn & frozen onion seasoning blend
- 1 - 2 tsp. butter
- 3 tbsp. flour
- 2 cups water
- 8 oz. medium sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup milk
Cook sausage, corn and onion seasoning blend in butter in medium saucepan over medium heat 4-5 minutes.
Stir in flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add water and heat to boiling; reduce heat to low and add cheese, stirring until melted.
Add milk; cook until hot 4-5 minutes (do not boil).
Makes 6 servings (about 1 cup each)
Reprinted from Tailgating.com
Video of (Dis)Interest:
With hoops season opening for WVU tonight, this seemed appropriate:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is "The Turn" from our old Hump Day posts. A SI Swimsuit and lingerie model to boot, here's today's gallery (click on the picture) and video of Bar Refaeli:
Natural Light image via www.scenicreflections.com