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 Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest because it still is and I could have easily gone on another week. Challenge complete (Tomorrow's a game-day and I'll try for the whole month next year).
Lots of news from the UConn front today. It seems that the seat of Mr. Edsall is getting warm, among other news. On the home front, there's the usual features and player interviews. There's also a bit more BB news today, so it gets it's own section. 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, then hit "LIKE").
ALSO...Send me any game-watch information you may have so I can post it tomorrow.
Enjoy your Thursday!! Everything is after the jump...
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Report for Thursday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Mountaineer Report: A Big Rebound - WVMetroNews.com
The players say the Syracuse loss was one of the worst losses they can remember.
Stew Show: Sensed A Trap Game - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article and video
Stewart warning team not to overlook UConn - Inter-Mountain
Think they'll heed the warning this week?
Connecticut Preview - MSNsportsNET.Com
Game Preview: WVU Mountaineers vs. Connecticut Huskies - WVillustrated.com
Game Preview: Connecticut Not Living Up to Preseason Hype - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Men's Soccer: WVU Blanks Marquette - MSNsportsNET.Com
3-0 in the final regular season home game
News of Note:
Football
Pivotal Rebound Game For WVU - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Bounce back - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
West Virginia looks to rev up stalled offense - ESPN
"I don't think we have the right to even think like that," Smith said. "We've left a lot of points on the board ourselves. We've got to focus on executing."
Defeat slightly alters WVU focus - Charleston Daily Mail
"If I go 'la-la-la-la-la,' would that upset you?" he said.
An eerie calm after WVU loss - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Not in the fan-base
Mountaineers aware of their situation - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
WVU leans on senior leaders - Times West Virginian
West Virginia still eyeing BCS bid - PPG
Decoding Bill Stewart - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
WVU Notebook: Everyone on the same page - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Questionable Calls: October 27, 2010 - Daily Athenaeum
What style of offense should West Virginia run with its current roster?
UCONN's Jordan Todman Will Test WVU Defense - WVillustrated.com
Defense up, offense down for WVU - Charleston Gazette
Big East predictions: Week 9 - ESPN
Big East stock report, Week 9 - ESPN
Big East awards race update, Week 9 - ESPN
WVU Hungry, Ready to Rebound - EerSports
Linebacker Leonard pays his dues for WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Linebacker Anthony Leonard - Mountaineer TV
Smith's short memory benefits West Virginia - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Geno Smith: "I can't remember having a game like that" - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article and video
Sidney Glover: A Rough One (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Glover says the team is still recovering from it's shocking loss to Syracuse at home and what the defense will have to do to stop UConn running back Jordan Todman.
Don Barclay: Blocking Geno (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Barclay talks about the way the offensive line played against the Orange and what the line needs to improve.
JT Thomas: The Recovering Senior (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Thomas talks about the how much this loss means to the seniors and how the team is recovering from it.
Basketball
Flickering Spotlight for This Years WVU Men's Basketball Squad - WVillustrated.com
Deniz Kilicli's "Frustrating" Summer in Turkey - WVillustrated.com
Jonnie West: Last Opportunity (video) - WVMetroNews.com
West talks with media about why he decided to rejoin the team, his opportunity and what fans can expect.
Kevin Jones: Preseason Preparation (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Jones talks with media about his preseason honors, practice and the team's work ethic.
Truck Bryant: Same Page (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Bryant talks about rehabbing his foot, how practice has been and what fans can expect from this year's team.
Mike Carey: Working Women (video) - WVMetroNews.com
Coach Carey talks about this year's team, what his expectations are and some new additions to the team.
Around the League (and Beyond):
A worst-case scenario for the Big East - ESPN
Video: Big East mediocrity - ESPN
The Big East Has Already Been Decided - Voodoo Five
Bear with him....it makes sense, sorta
Randy Edsall proves my point about practice secrecy -'Eers to the Ground
Close the blinds! - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
UConn Coach Edsall Addresses Criticism From Fan base - Hartford Courant
UConn coach Edsall is on the hot seat - Charleston Gazette
UConn having problems of its own - Charleston Daily Mail
Connecticut's Box won't play against West Virginia - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Frazer gets the nod
Edsall blames subpar dinner on lack of execution - The UConn Blog
Well done
Collaros 'sharp' but still questionable - Cincinnati Enquirer
Syracuse vs. Cincinnati: The Rise Of Chazz - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Graduation rates mixed for Bulls - Tampa Tribune
Big East leader Pitt ready to host Louisville, live up to hype - Courier-Journal
Return Of Jon Baldwin's Big Play Ability - Cardiac Hill
Pittsburgh Panthers' Nasir Robinson undergoes knee surgery - ESPN
Sources: Fresno State. Nevada to remain in WAC until 2012 - ESPN
Celebrate seniors - The Observer
The members of the senior class at Notre Dame are urged to rush the field on what appears likely to be a record setting loss against Utah at home...assuming they beat Tulsa first
Notre Dame student dies in video tower collapse - ESPN
This is awful. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family.
NCAA not considering suspensions for NFL rookies who accepted extra benefits in college - ESPN
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Reminder: Chat at 1 p.m. today; this should be lively - 'Eers to the Ground
(16) Florida State Seminoles vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack - ESPN
7:30 pm ET tonight from Carter-Finley on ESPN and ESPN 3. Noles are giving 3.5.
Videos of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Cartoon Theme Medley...I'm too old for about half of these:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a former Playboy Playmate of the Month (August 2001) and she's appeared in over 10 reality shows. Click on the pic below to view today's gallery of Jennifer Walcott.
Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest image via t0.gstatic.com
