The Shotgun/Throwdown: Wednesday (8/10/11) 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 Sweet Water Summer Hummer.

Day 4 of fall camp is in the books and the competition at running back is heating up.  Some of the other player features to look for today include spotlights on the OL, WR Ivan McCartney and QB Paul Millard.  Bruce has been named to another preseason watch list and the WVU Athletic Department is losing a key member.  I've also found a radio interview that Coach Holgorsen did recently.  All this and more...

What You May Have Missed:

Head Coach Dana Holgorsen - Mountaineer TV
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen briefs media following Tuesday's practice.

Football: Coach Holgorsen Press Conference - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcript for those that can't access the video

‪"ON CAMPUS" - Dana Holgorsen - WVU‬‏ - YouTube
247sports radio's "on campus" with Bill King talks Mountaineer football with WVU Coach Dana Holgorsen

ESPN.com Preseason Power Rankings - ESPN
WVU checks in at #19

Video: Top 25: No. 19 West Virginia - Big East Blog - ESPN
ESPN bloggers, including Andrea Adelson, preview the Mountaineers' season.

Preseason bowl projections - Rivals.com
A way too early look...they have the good guys against Florida St in the Orange

Football: Irvin Named to Watch List - MSNsportsNET.Com
Bruce Irvin has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2011 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award

WVU football: Irvin and defense often face inquiries about the offense - Charleston Daily Mail
He and the other defensive players (somewhat surprisingly) don't mind constantly being asked about the offense by people on the street

Marshall Game Close to Sell Out - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Single game ticket sales for West Virginia's football game against Marshall have been suspended. But, that doesn't mean the game is sold out.  The best way to order tickets is online.  Wells says about 75 percent of all sales on Monday were made over the internet at wvugame.com.

Bob Huggins Hopes His WVU Team Bonds in Italy - WVillustrated.com
He says that this is an experience these guys will probably talk about for the rest of their lives.

News of Note:

Camp Holgorsen: Roberts leads at RB - BGN
Dobies' Notebook

Ivan the Not-So-Brash and other camp notes - Charleston Gazette
Also: Dunlap updates on the safeties, Dawson gives a progress report on the receivers, some notes on the RBs and more

WVU football notebook: Holgorsen marketing a tryout for walk-ons - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza also focuses on the practice content and schedule in this latest notebook

Quick Hits: WVU Training Camp Day 4 - WVillustrated.com
Coyle's Notebook

Day Four Recap:Competition At Running Back - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article and gallery

Day Four: These dummies don’t stand a chance - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Casazza recaps practice and details the loss of Niles Eggleston from the Mountaineer Athletic Club, WVU's athletic fundraising arm

WVU’s Austin may have dual role - Register-Herald
Increased return duties look to be added to his responsibilities

Bring On The Quarterbacks - WVMETRONEWS.COM
To find out more about the Mountaineers' quarterback situation and how Smith and Millard are doing watch the video included

WVU's Millard hungry for playing time - Charleston Gazette-
True-freshman QB’s mindset: I can compete for the No. 1 job

Paul Millard: Video Interview - WVMETRONEWS.COM

WVU’s McCartney turned to famous cousin for advice during rough time - Times West Virginian
Re-focused and re-energized, McCartney is working to get into a starting role

The Beef is Back - MSNsportsNET.Com
The appearance of big OL at WVU is becoming the norm again

Deja vu for Nitro linemen - Charleston Gazette
New WVU offense looks familiar to Rader, Snodgrass

HERTZEL COLUMN: Size does matter for Mountaineers’ Quinton Spain - Times West Virginian
Most people work a month to lose 12 pounds, maybe two months. He lost it in two hours.

WVU's Spain getting used to life on the right side - Charleston Gazette
After shedding 30 lbs, the big left-hander is being asked to play right tackle for the first time ever

VIDEO: WVU Football Interviews - WVillustrated.com
Urban, Rader, Eain Smith and Garvin

Video: Football Interviews 8/9 - BGN
Coach Dunlap, Coach Dawson, Ivan McCartney, Pat Miller and Eain Smith

Cornerback Pat Miller - Mountaineer TV
Pat Miller talks about how the defense has been adjusting to the new offense.

WVU Football Photos 2011 Preseason Camp Day 3 - WVillustrated.com

Snag, stick, and the importance of triangles (yes, triangles) in the passing game - Smart Football
For the x's and o's guys out there

Around the League (and Beyond):

Big East Football - Taking a Break from the Coaching Carousel? - Big East Coast Bias

Louisville kicker Chris Philpott says he's bigger, better - Courier-Journal
Yeah, 'cause kickers are the ones you always want to be bigger

UC defense looks for turnaround - Cincinnati Enquirer

B.J. Daniels Strains Hamstring, Expected To Survive - Voodoo Five

Syracuse Football: Phillip Thomas Breaks Jaw, Nick Lepak Out With Concussion - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Despite Losses, Huskies Have Depth At Receiver - Hartford Courant

With few known names, Rutgers defensive line gets makeover - Star Ledger

Pitt Football Training Camp: Shayne Hale And T.J. Clemmings Fighting For Time - Cardiac Hill

Football Facilities - VUhoops.com
Last week the Villanova Football staff had it's first look at the inside of PPL Park, and the coaching staff came away impressed. - But they aren't the BE AD's making the decision, now, are they?

Andrew Luck, Big Ten expansion, more reasons to love 2011 season - SI.com
Coach Holgorsen is one of the reasons they list here.

What's On Tap:

Football: Single Game Tickets on Sale - MSNsportsNET.Com
Tickets can be purchased on-line at WVUGAME.com, by calling 1-800-WVU GAME or in person at the Mountaineer Ticket Office in the WVU Coliseum.

Football: Fan Day Set for August 21 - MSNsportsNET.Com
The Fan Day activities will begin at 1 p.m. in the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. Gates will open at 12:45 p.m. Coach Dana Holgorsen, assistant coaches and WVU players will be signing autographs and visiting with fans until 3 p.m.

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

This is the coolest video you'll see today:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is Bulgarian model Silvia Dimitrova.  As always, click on her pic for today's gallery:

Sweet Water Summer Hummer image via www.bruguru.com