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 Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen, because it still is and I don't back down from a challenge like this.
OK, so the offense didn't look "sexy" or "stylish" last night. But that was a decent, if not good, fast defense and given our history against that team....I'll take it everyday and twice on Thursday. I've got all the post-game coverage you could ever want, and more, inside. Also, THE BANNERS GET RAISED TONIGHT!!!! Hopefully they're just the first of many. But, you want to look back and say you were there for the first one, so come out and enjoy the festivities. If you have any tips, suggestions or requests for content that you think is worth sharing, you can send them to me by email or Twitter and don't forget to "LIKE" the Smoking Musket main page on Facebook (<--follow this link and spread the word). Sorry for the delay. Have a great weekend everybody!!! See you after the jump...
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Report for Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Luck says WVU is committed to Big East - Charleston Daily Mail
Wait and listen for the collective "DAMMIT!!" (or likely worse) rising from the state, when WVU fans read this
Colin Dunlap's West Virginia football chat transcript: 10.14.10 - PPG
VIDEO: Bob Huggins Press Conference 10/14 - WVillustrated.com
Huggins expects Mountaineers to play different style - Charleston Daily Mail
Under the radar? - Charleston Gazette
Men's Basketball: Priority Deadline TODAY - MSNsportsNET.Com
Don't forget to re-new your season tickets
WVU’s Carey hopes for bigger crowds - Times West Virginian
If I lived closer, I'd certainly go to some
Women's Soccer: WVU Welcomes Nova, GU - MSNsportsNET.Com
Craig James - Twitter / @craig james
"I'm not a big fan of style points whatsoever. Get the win, turn the page, that's my philosophy." - Country Roads found this last night...interesting given the current debate this week.
Post-Game Hangover:
Recaps/Features
Geno Smith keys West Virginia as D stymies South Florida - ESPN
Recap, stats, photos and video
Defense Shuts Down USF - MSNsportsNET.Com
Big Plays, Defense Key Mountaineer Win - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article, audio and photo gallery
Smith and defense lift Mountaineers in Big East opener - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia defeats South Florida, 20-6 - PPG
Smith guides West Virginia past South Florida, 20-6 - PPG
WVU Shuts Down Daniels and the USF Bulls 20-6 - WVillustrated.com
West Virginia stops South Florida - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
West Virginia Rolls Over USF, Cements Status as Class of the Big East - NCAAFB FanHouse
West Virginia knocks out Bulls - ESPN
Defense shines as WVU stops South Florida - Times West Virginian
Defense Continues To Dominate - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Mountaineers corral Bulls - Register-Herald
Defensive - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
WVU shuts down Sourth Florida in 20-6 win - EerSports
WVU Offense Throws a lot at USF - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
The USF win: Some thoughts on the matter - 'Eers to the Ground
Mountaineers go into past for prize play - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
Clock Games - MSNsportsNET.Com
WVU-USF Top Performers - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"[Jock's, ed.] 10 catches move him into second place on WVU's all-time receptions list"
Sands of timing - Charleston Gazette
Tandy Finds Redemption in Second Chance Against USF - WVillustrated.com
Devine's vanishing act a bit puzzling - Charleston Gazette
What's so puzzling about him trying to run behind that line against a solid defense?
Sputtering offense dooms Bulls against WVU - Tampa Tribune
Bulls notes: WVU fans are tough on foes - Tampa Tribune
Issues We Has Them: West Virginia 20, USF 6 - Voodoo Five
Audio
Bradley Starks: USF Postgame Audio - WVMetroNews.com
Starks caught his 4th touchdown of the season Thursday night.
Jeff Casteel: USF Postgame Audio - WVMetroNews.com
WVU's defensive coordinator says everyone on his defense played well Thursday night.
Geno Smith: USF Postgame Audio - WVMetroNews.com
The sophomore quarterback completed 24 of 31 passes Thursday night.
Video
WVU vs USF Postgame Videos - WVillustrated.com
Jock, Goode, Starks, HCBS, Coach Casteel and many more
Bill Stewart: Postgame Press Conference Video - WVMetroNews.com
Stewart talks about the Mountaineers scoring drives and the play of his defense against the speedy BJ Daniels.
Jeff Casteel: USF Postgame Video - WVMetroNews.com
Casteel talks about his team's defensive success against the Bulls on Thursday night.
Najee Goode: USF Postgame Video- WVMetroNews.com
Mountaineer linebacker Najee Goode had three tackles on the night against the Bulls.
Robert Sands: USF Postgame Video - WVMetroNews.com
Sands had five tackles and an interception on Thursday night against USF.
Bradley Starks: USF Postgame Video - WVMetroNews.com
Starks talks about the touchdown catch he had in the first quarter.
Geno Smith: USF Postgame Video - WVMetroNews.com
Smith talks about the touchdowns the Mountaineers scored on offense and the way he has developed as a quarterback.
Skip Holtz: USF Head Coach, Postgame Video - WVMetroNews.com
Holtz gives his thoughts on the Mountaineers and how BJ Daniels performed.
Mark Snyder: USF Defensive Coordinator, Postgame Video - WVMetroNews.com
The former Marshall head coach talks about the way his defense performed against the Mountaineers.
Tales from the Tailgate: USF Game - WVillustrated.com
Photos
Photo Gallery II: WVU vs USF - BGN
WVU Football Photos WVU vs. USF - WVillustrated.com
WVU Football Photos WVU vs. USF II - WVillustrated.com
WVU vs. USF Game Photos: More Exclusive Photos from the 20-6 WVU Victory - WVillustrated.com
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East Report: West Virginia And The Seven Dwarves? - NCAAFB FanHouse
Carmody's Corner: Keg of Nails edition - Card Chronicle
University of Cincinnati plays improved Louisville - Cincinnati Enquirer
Pittsburgh at Syracuse: Pitt is sliding while Orange is on the rise - Post Standard
Time To Make Some Orange Juice - Cardiac Hill
Edsall Not Above Self Criticism - Hartford Courant
Rutgers will take in record haul for game against Army at New Meadowlands Stadium - Star Ledger
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 7 preview - ESPN
What's On Tap:
Come out tonight for this evening's banner raising festivities. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with an autograph session featuring selected men’s and women’s players at the Green and Gold gates. The on-court portion of the program will begin at 8:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
College Football TV Schedule: Week 7 - NCAAFB FanHouse
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Louisville Cardinals - ESPN
8 pm tonight from the Pizza Place on ESPN and ESPN3. Cinci is giving 5.5.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Syracuse Orange - ESPN
Noon tomorrow from the Dome on SNY, MASN and ESPN3. Cuse is getting 1 (they were giving 1 earlier in the week).
Army Black Knights vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - ESPN
2 pm tomorrow from the New Meadowlands on ESPN 3. Army is getting 7.
Videos of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
If you missed South Park on Wednesday, you missed this classic:
And jpfanshawe sent this to me....it starts off kinda slow, but the build is worth it (despite the static image, it's not of her, but about her):
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is AJ Alexander of Indiana (click on the pic for a gallery).
Paulaner Oktoberfest image via beerinfood.files.wordpress.com