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 Pabst Blue Ribbon, in honor of the first tailgate of the year.
T-Minus 1 Day
It's finally, almost, here. Just under 24 hours until the first tailgate of the season begins as we await for the noon kickoff tomorrow. The Throwdown is in full tailgate prep mode today with plenty of game previews, traffic info, a tailgate recipe, all of the player features and much more today. Caleb also checks in with recaps of The Tandy and Bruce in NFL pre-season action from the last few days. We also have your Big 12 roundup, a complete TV viewing guide, courtesy of the mothership and much more.
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Luck has no plans to renew series against Marshall - Charleston Daily Mail
"I've ultimately got to take care of what's best for our football program."
Postgame Traffic Patterns Set For Saturday - WVUsports.com
Please note that primary routes have priority during postgame traffic.
WVU Fan Commissioned to Sound Pregame Air Raid Siren - WVillustrated
A new sound is coming to Mountaineers tailgates to signify the arrival of the team to Milan Puskar Stadium.
From The Cheap Seats: A History of Mountaineer Hype - WVillustrated
History doesn't bode well for the Mountaineers when it comes to lots of preseason hype. We'll examine the number behind this.
2012 College Football Picks, Week 1: Alabama To Dominate Michigan - SBNation.com
Bud likes us to cover
100 Steps To Learning To Love College Football (All Over Again) - SBNation.com
Several great mentions here
He’s got the ‘Go to all WVU games free’ card - Charleston Daily Mail
Retired dentist Mitchell Pozega, 84, of Kanawha City, has a lifetime pass to West Virginia University sporting events.
Keith Tandy Does It Again - WVU Pros
Keith Tandy led Tampa Bay's defense again in the last game of the Preseason for the team.
Bruce Irvin Closes Out the NFL Preseason With a Bang (On Terrelle Pryor) - WVU Pros
Bruce Irvin closed out the NFL Preseason in a big way.
News of Note:
Questions Abound for WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mountaineers, Herd meet in final Friends of Coal Bowl
WVU, Marshall more experienced this season - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Both teams familiar with plays, schemes
No. 11 West Virginia kicks off 2012 season against in-state rival Marshall - Daily Athenaeum
"We’re excited to play our first game, and we understand the challenges Marshall is going to bring to the table."
West Virginia Joins Big 12 Fully Equipped At Quarterback - Big 12 Conference
With record-setting senior Geno Smith at quarterback, West Virginia's offense appears set for Big 12 challenge.
Holliday helped create monster of a strong WVU offense - Times West Virginian
The truth of the matter is that Holliday was responsible for the recruiting of the heart and soul of the WVU offense that Dana Holgorsen inherited a year ago, having brought both quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver Stedman Bailey to WVU from south Florida.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU’s Smith stays humble through it all - Times West Virginian
Smith is, if nothing else, pragmatic. He knows the situation dictates that there be failure among the successes.
Geno's Never Satisfied - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"My goal has never been to win the Heisman," he said. "When I thought about my college career, I just envisioned winning games."
West Virginia QB Smith not fazed by Heisman hype - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WR Austin also gets prominent mention
In Coal Bowl finale, quarterbacks center of attention - Charleston Daily Mail
Marshall has Rakeem Cato, a skinny 6-0, 182-pound true sophomore who is statistically ahead of where Smith was after his freshman season.
Receiving corps is heart of WVU offense - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Austin and Bailey return to lead talented group of pass-catchers
Coal Bowl: Unheralded Bailey shines - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU won't be springing Bailey on anyone, not after 72 receptions, 1,279 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
Bailey: Chance to make history - Times West Virginian
Feels he and Austin each can catch 100
WVU boasts experienced, physical offensive line - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
West Virginia’s quarterbacks were sacked 26 times last season. If that seems like a fairly high number, understand the Mountaineers’ offensive line kept Geno Smith relatively clean for someone who attempted 526 passes.
WVU assistants adjust to new game-day chores - Charleston Gazette
When the No. 11 Mountaineers open their season at home against Marshall on Saturday, Dawson will be closer to the action. He will be back on the field after spending last season in the press box.
Awaiting An Answer - BGN
Indeed, there is much faith in the Mountaineers this season despite one lingering question no one can answer at this point.
Cook's not a one-trick pony - Charleston Gazette
Safety wants to be known for more than bowl heroics
WVU's Feigt sees college football as ‘a big opportunity’ - Charleston Daily Mail
Everything that goes on around football, that's not happening at home. It's a much different culture than what I experienced back home."
Lageman earns his spot at West Virginia - Daily Athenaeum
Near the end of spring practice in April, he received word from Director of Football Operations Alex Hammond that he would be on scholarship for his final season as a Mountaineer.
Breaking the Mold - WVUsports.com
Shawne Alston led West Virginia with 12 rushing touchdowns last year as the team's short yardage back.
WVU's Alston Has Paid His Dues - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Shawne Alston's road to the top of the depth chart was a familiar one for West Virginians: Long, a little bumpy, with lots of twists and turns.
No. 11 WVU looks to defend Marshall WR Dobson - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
"I want to make a statement," Dobson said. "I’m going to get the opportunities again this year. And I’m going to try to make the best of them."
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor loses on Sunday if... - Our Daily Bears
2012 Game I: Iowa State vs Tulsa Preview - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas Vs. South Dakota State: Tale Of The Tape - Rock Chalk Talk
More Meshak, Please! - Bring On The Cats
OU Football 2012: What Needs To (But Won't) Happen vs. UTEP - Crimson And Cream Machine
Texas Football 2012: New Intro Video Debuts - Burnt Orange Nation
Oklahoma State football: Tracy Moore cited on suspicion of providing alcohol to minor - Oklahoman
Taking Notes | Northwestern St. vs. Texas Tech - Double-T Nation
With Horned Frogs' success comes imitation... and Internet videos - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 1 preview - ESPN
What's On Tap:
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. (11) West Virginia Mountaineers - Preview - ESPN
Noon Saturday from Mountaineer Field on FX. WVU is giving 25.5.
2012 College Football TV Schedule, Week 1: We Did It, America - SBNation.com
Complete TV viewing guide
WVU Welcomes No. 6 Penn State, Miami - WVUsports.com
West Virginia, Penn State, Miami and Pitt make up the four-team field. Pitt and Miami will square off on Friday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m., followed by No. 24 WVU versus sixth-ranked Penn State at 7 p.m. Action concludes on Sunday, Sept. 2, as WVU battles Miami at noon, followed by Penn State and Pitt at 2:30 p.m.
WVU starts tough road stretch against No. 1 UNC, No. 19 Wake - Daily Athenaeum
The No. 9 West Virginia University men’s soccer team begins a crucial road trip this weekend, when it takes on No. 1 North Carolina and No. 19 Wake Forest.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Joe's Screaming Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 packages cream cheese, depending on the size of your pepper, room temperature
- 2 to 4 cloves chopped garlic or granulated, depending on your preference (c'mon, no spicy finger food is complete without this spice)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes — a nice handful from the jar
- Chopped fresh basil leaves
- Pinch salt
- 10 to 25 jalapeno peppers (larger then average size will make them easier to stuff)
- 1/2 to 1 pound thinly sliced bacon (Pork Fat Rulez!)
- Toothpicks (for the peppers, not your teeth silly)
Directions
Preheat the grill.
Mix each package of cream cheese with chopped garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a dash of chopped basil. Add a pinch of salt. Mix until mixture is soft and manageable.
Slice each jalapeno lengthwise on 1 side, being careful not to cut the jalapeno in 1/2. Remove the seeds if you don't think your friends can handle the heat, otherwise leave'em and enjoy watching your friends shed a few extra tears. hehe... Depending on your pepper, you may have to slice around the stem of the pepper to create a manageable opening to squeeze the filling in.
Fill either a pastry bag, or your choice of tools with the filling. Use something that will allow you to sqeeze the filling into the opening of the pepper with ease. I've used a plastic frosting tool, cookie press, and even just a small spoon to squeeze the filling in. However you choose, insert a liberal amount of filling into each jalapeno. Be careful not to overfill as the filling may spurt out during cooking.
Wrap each pepper with 1 to 2 strips of bacon, securing the opening in the pepper. Secure the bacon with a toothpick (best to soak the toothpicks first, to prevent burning on the BBQ). This also helps the jalapenos from falling into the BBQ (you're bound to loose at least 1, oh well). Long metal or wood skewers also work well for large amounts.
BBQ the peppers until they lightly roasted, or until the bacon is fully cooked. Use some foil to cook on if your peppers are cooking or burning too fast on a HOT BBQ.
Recipe courtesy of FoodNetwork.com
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a SI Swimsuit model and South African stunner. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Genevieve Morton.