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 Duke's Beer, in preparation for this week's opponent.
We have a heavy dose of player features today, along with the first offerings of game previews. Coach Huggins secured a new hoops commitment last evening and Caleb has an update on Bruce Irvin. All of this, your Big 12 roundup and much more inside.
What You May Have Missed:
TV Agreement Leads To More Hoops Exposure - Big 12 Conference
Big 12 basketball was a major player in the negotiations with ESPN and FOX Sports Media Group.
2012 Heisman Horse Race, Week 2: Welcome Back, Denard - SBNation.com
Geno is still in first despite no points in week 2
Pete Carroll: Bruce Irvin Was A Big Part of the Plan in Week 1 - WVU Pros
He played on 55% (35) of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps and on 6 special teams plays.
News of Note:
Preview James Madison Dukes at West Virginia Mountaineers - CBSSports.com
After watching a dominant season opener, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen isn't overly concerned that his players will be negatively impacted by an early bye week.
WVU has Division I-AA power James Madison pumped - Pittsburgh Trubune Review
“They had a billboard around here saying how many days it was to the WVU game,” Matthews said.
James Madison Vs. WVU: Mountaineers Look To Avoid Upset At FedEx - SB Nation Pittsburgh
WVU will try to prevent a potentially season-derailing upset when they take on JMU on Saturday at FedEx Field.
Mountaineers putting up their Dukes - Herald Dispatch
There are plenty of examples of a Football Championship Subdivision school knocking off a highly rated Football Bowl Subdivision program early in the season.
WVU records are not safe - Daily Athenaeum
Seriously, it’s alarming how many records are falling with each passing week.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU star has learned by listening - Times West Virginian
"I just had to grow into my body and mature. That’s something I’ve done over the last year and a half.”
A double dose of Geno - Charleston Gazette
Running threat adds to WVU QB's effectiveness
Smith adds wrinkle to his game - Times West Virginian
QB a threat to run ... to an extent
Mountaineers Moving Forward With Alston - WVUsports.com
More than half of Shawne Alston's 123 yards rushing against Marshall came after contact, according to the Mountaineer coaches.
Add Braun to list of WVU stars on offense - Charleston Gazette
"He's moving around better, technically he's better, he's using his hands and doing a bunch of things. He was good in the Orange Bowl, but this was his best performance, by far.''
Bruce set bar high with debut - Charleston Daily Mail
"I didn't know what to expect about my first game," the redshirt freshman linebacker said. "I wanted to do anything I could to make sure I played as sharply as possible."
Mountaineers’ Bruce says ‘I can do better’ - Register-Herald
Bruce was surprised to learn the following Monday that he was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
McCartney happy to be back on field - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia receiver Ivan McCartney spoke to the media Tuesday for the first time since spring practice.
McCartney's Struggles an Example for Teammates - WVillustrated
Junior receiver's faith helped him make it through a rough patch to get back on the field for the Mountaineers.
WVU Corners: "It's Up to Us to Fix It" - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Though Jenkins made a career-high eight tackles — all solos — against the Herd, he said he and Miller should have challenged receivers more in coverage.
Recruiting:
Liberty Raleigh's Cook commits to Mountaineers - Charleston Gazette
6-foot-101/2, 300-pound soph averaged 18.6 points as a freshman
Levi Cook Commits to WVU for 2015 Class - WVillustrated
West Virginia sophomore center has dreamed about playing for the Mountaineers, now he's one step closer.
Around the League (and Beyond):
The Big 12 Primer: Week 3 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
ISU's 'Pig' swarms for unbeaten Cyclones - The Gazette
Kansas Football Press Conference Snap Shots: Week Three - Rock Chalk Talk
Wildcats maintain focus on North Texas - Topeka Capital Journal
Dalton Santos: Texas's Answer at Fullback? - Burnt Orange Nation
The House That Gary Built - Frogs O' War
Point of Attack | New Mexico vs. Texas Tech - Double-T Nation
Leach V. Holgorsen, Week 2: The Master Plods, The Pupil Sits - Football Study Hall
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. South Florida Bulls - ESPN
7:30 pm tonight from Ray Jay on ESPN. Bulls are giving 7.5. Remember how fun these games on Thursday were? Yeah, me neither.
West Virginia to honor alum Sam Huff Saturday - Charleston Gazette
On Saturday, the 77-year-old will be honored during the ninth-ranked Mountaineers' game against James Madison in Landover, Md.
Video of Interest:
MSN's Tony Caridi sat down with WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen to discuss the Mountaineers' upcoming game against James Madison in Washington, D.C.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
I had the commercial before...here are the bloopers:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Brazilian VS Angel. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Gracie Carvalho.