The Shotgun/Throwdown: Tuesday (5/17/11) Edition

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 Full Moon Barley Wine, in honor of tonight's full moon.

The big news is Dalton Pepper's apparent transfer, of which Caleb has already covered HERE.  It seems more related to his family than anything else.  We surely hope and pray everything works out, thank him for his contributions and wish him well (#alwaysaMountaineer).  Back on the positive side of things, WVU held it's commencement ceremonies over the weekend and Huggs dropped a few Huggs-isms on some of the graduates.  His recruiting efforts are getting national attention, as well.  And on the football side, momentum/attention is still building and Chris Neild was honored with a couple awards.  All of this and more in today's edition...

What You May Have Missed:

Looking back - Times West Virginian
Here's a look back at the changes that have come under the AD during his first year, with a look ahead as well

Huggins tells grads ‘don’t look back’ - Times West Virginian
Huggs was the commencement speaker for the West Virginia University School of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences over the weekend and relayed one of his most famous Hugg-isms for the graduates

Bob Huggins Captures WVU Graduates with Commencement Address - WVillustrated.com
There's a new Huggs-ism at the end that makes this one more than worth the click/read

HERTZEL COLUMN - Huggs finds balance at WVU - Times West Virginian
Huggs is of the opinion that the balance between athletics and academics was always there...just not represented well at his previous coaching stops

WVU to pay homage to its mid-major roots in hoop schedule - Charleston Daily Mail
There will be three high profiled mid-major (oxymoron?) names on the schedule, though not confirmed by name as yet.  Casazza makes an educated guess here.

WVU Basketball Coaches Pleased About Kevin Jones' Return - WVillustrated.com
I think this headline can be classified as an understatement

Was Mazzulla WVU’s toughest ever? - Register-Herald
Mickey (I assume he means himself, he never does really clarify the opinion in the article) seems to think so

Football: Neild Wins Meisel Award - MSNsportsNET.Com
The Meisel Award, presented by the Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund of the WVU Alumni Association, recognizes a graduating member of the football team who has achieved the highest grade point average.

Neild, Bland Win Schaus Award - MSNsportsNET.Com
Women’s track and field captain Keri Bland and football captain Chris Neild have been named as this year’s recipients of the 2011 Fred Schaus Captain’s Award, presented annually to West Virginia University’s most outstanding varsity team captains.

VIDEO: WVU Coaches Speak at Coaches Caravan Stop - WVillustrated.com
Coaches Holgorsen, Harrison, Martin and Carey

Majority of commenters oppose WVU beer sales - Charleston Daily Mail
I don't see any big surprise here, after the commenting period for the BOG closed

Running Back Quincy Wilson - Mountaineer TV
Checking in with former Mountaineer running back Quincy Wilson, who attended the Garrett Ford retirement luncheon held at the Morgantown Events Center last month.

News of Note:

Preview 2011: Way Early Bowl Picks, The BCS - Colleg Football News
They're expecting Coach Stew's last game to be the same as his first

Big East Post-Spring Power Rankings and Analysis - Big East Coast Bias
It's becoming more and more unanimous

Miller: Different D in 2011 - MSNsportsNET.Com
Julian is of the opinion that speed and technique will be the keys to this year's defensive success

Holgorsen wants players playing, not thinking - Charleston Gazette
Holgorsen has simplified his playbook to the point that it can probably be complete in a single notebook

Smith heads into crucial summer at WVU - InsideWVU
The spring game was Exhibit A of what happens when the guys stop thinking and start playing

Which Big East Quarterback Will Throw for the Most Yards in 2011? - Big East Coast Bias
Let your vote be heard

Big or small, who runs the ball? - Charleston Gazette
This and the OL as a whole are, in my opinions, the biggest question marks heading into the season

MetroNews Exclusive: Cody Clay - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Here's a good interview with the incoming freshman from GW

Caridi impressed with WVU football - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
The WVU announcer spoke at the Parkersburg Rotary Club, and even though he can be a quasi-paid cheerleader, at times, I believe the enthusiasm is genuine

A Spring Recap In Pictures - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Recruiting:

Huggins hopes he hooked some gems - Charleston Daily Mail
The incoming class is being rated as one of the best in the country by some services

Winter Park Receiver Catches Eye Of Lockwood - WVMETRONEWS.COM
He's already received verbal offers from Bama and South Carolina

HERTZEL COLUMN - Luck’s eyes, big and bright, turn to Texas - Times West Virginian
Everybody is starting to recruit Texas now just like Florida was beginning to be mined for talent in the 80's

Around the League (and Beyond):

The Big East Hires an Expansion Consultant - Big East Coast Bias
Nice little Glengarry Glen Ross satire here

Syracuse Spring Football: Report Card - Wide Receivers - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Former UF Receiver Chris Dunkley Will Transfer To USF - Voodoo Five
Former UF receiver (and WVU recruit) Chris Dunkley will transfer to USF, sit out a year and have 3 yrs of eligibility left

Not Official Yet But It Will Be: D-End A.J. Portee To Transfer - Hartford Courant

The Difference Between Butch Jones and Brian Kelly: Part 1 - Down The Drive
This is an X's and O's comparison, not personality

Lamont Momo Jones to transfer to St. John's? (possibly) - Rumble In The Garden
...and applying for a hardship waiver to play immediately

Video of Interest:

In case you missed Oregon Mountaineer's Fan Shot, this is worth the 9 minutes or so to watch:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

I'd hate to have been there, but this is cool to watch from a distance:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is MMA ring girl Kelli Hutcherson.  As always, her picture links to today's gallery.

Full Moon Barley Wine image via www.heartlandbrewery.com