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 Gella's Diner No. 37 Festivus Ale.
Coach Holgorsen was finally introduced to us yesterday and I, for one, am absolutely giddy with excitement. I honestly think the awkward situation will be at a minimum and good things are afoot around Mountaineer football. But then again, I am one of the optimists (generally) around here. There are two confirmed academic casualties for the bowl, but not officially by name, as situations have yet to be fully resolved. And the men took care of their last exhibition last night fairly easily.
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Happy Festivus!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Bob Huggins: Postgame Press Conference - WVMetroNews.com
Huggins talks about his team's performance in the team's final scrimmage of the season.
Huggs Humor - MSNsportsNET.Com
FanHouse Terrific 12: Surprise Edition - NCAABB FanHouse
#7
Robert Sands - S/West Virginia - 2011 NFL Draft: Top Defensive Backs - Photos - SI.com
The Mountaineers’ 6-foot, 4-inch safety, who tips the scales at 220 pounds, really stands out on film. He’s an aggressive run stuffer who hits like a linebacker yet has enough range to cover sideline-to-sideline in centerfield. Scouts think the sky is the limit for Sands, whom they also feel is another year away from being NFL ready. 2nd/3rdRound Prospect
A look at Big East assistants' salaries - ESPN
Chat reminder: be there at 1 p.m. - 'Eers to the Ground
News of Note:
Basketball
Men's Basketball: WVU Downs Walsh - MSNsportsNET.Com
86-63
WVU Men's Basketball Game Recap: WVU 86 Walsh 63 - WVillustrated.com
WVU heats up, pulls away from Walsh in exhibition - Charleston Gazette
Mitchell leads WVU past Walsh, 86-63, in an exhibition game win - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"Huggins didn’t want his team to have 11 days off" - I had wondered about the reasoning behind the timing for this exhibition
Mountaineers Defeat Walsh - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article, gallery and video
VIDEO: Postgame Reaction to WVU's Win Over Walsh - WVillustrated.com
Huggs, KJ, Truck and the Icey One
Kevin Jones: Walsh Postgame - WVMetroNews.com
Jones talks about how his team played in the exhibition.
John Flowers: Walsh Postgame - WVMetroNews.com
Flowers talks about getting ready for Big East competition.
Casey Mitchell: Walsh Postgame - WVMetroNews.com
Mitchell talks about how the team is working together and their performance against Walsh.
WVU Basketball Photos: WVU vs Walsh - WVillustrated.com
Dana Holgorsen
West Virginia introduces Dana Holgorsen - ESPN
West Virginia: Stewart promises 'smooth transition' with Holgorsen - PPG
Changing of the guard - Charleston Gazette
Holgorsen introduced at WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
Holgorsen introduced at WVU - Times West Virginian
Holgorsen introduced at WVU news conference - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register (AP)
Holgorsen officially introduced - Register-Herald
Holgorsen pinned with high expectations - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Holgorsen has own beat - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
Football: Luck, Stewart and Holgorsen Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com
Holgorsen is Good to Go - MSNsportsNET.Com
Stewart Embraces Future - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Hoppy's Commentary: Stew demonstrates leadership - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Holgorsen Introduced At WVU - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article, gallery and video
Dana Holgorsen - Mountaineer TV
Dana Holgorsen talks to West Virginia media Wednesday afternoon inside the team room at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Holgorsen's arrival to WVU eerily similar - Charleston Daily Mail
Oliver Luck: Opening Statement - WVMetroNews.com
Oliver Luck gives his thoughts during Wednesday's press conference introducing Dana Holgorsen to West Virginia.
Bill Stewart: Opening Statement - WVMetroNews.com
Mountaineer head coach Bill Stewart introduces new offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting Dana Holgorsen on Wednesday.
Offensive personnel should provide Holgorsen with options - Charleston Gazette
Dawson leaving SFA for West Va. job - The Daily Sentinel
The first semi-confirmation of a new staff member
VIDEO: Thoughts on Dana Holgorsen's News Conference - WVillustrated.com
Bowl Prep
Mountaineer Minute: WVU vs. N.C. State - Hampshire Review
Game preview snapshot
West Virginia-N.C. State Preview - Sporting News
Players silent on changes - Inter-Mountain
Still no official word on grades, but ... - 'Eers to the Ground
Stewart confirms academic casualties - Charleston Gazette
"The starter is believed to be center Joe Madsen, while the backup is thought to be defensive lineman Josh Taylor."
Jeff Mullen: Moving On - WVMetroNews.com
Mullen talks about preparing for the Champs Sports Bowl and what he plans on doing after December 28th.
Dave Johnson: Focusing On The Bowl - WVMetroNews.com
Offensive line coach Dave Johnson is focusing on the upcoming Champs Sports Bowl and thinks his players will have some adjustments to make when Dana Holgorsen comes in next season.
Geno Smith: The Mullen Factor - WVMetroNews.com
The sophomore quarterback talks about the relationship he has developed with current WVU offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen and what it means to him.
Champs Sports Bowl Info:
Football: Champs Sports Bowl Tickets - MSNsportsNET.Com
Football: Alumni Association Travel Packages - MSNsportsNET.Com
Champs Sports Bowl Fan Central
Info page, seating charts, merchandise, discount opportunities, etc.
Bowl Game 2010 | Leave the Team a Message - West Virginia University
Mountaineers can take advantage of fan activities at Champs Sports Bowl - WVU Today
Champs Sports Bowl's fun pre-game events - Charleston Gazette
Recruiting:
Four-Star Corner Has WVU in Top Three - WVillustrated.com
Around the League (and Beyond):
Syracuse suspends pair for bowl - ESPN
Syracuse 93 - Drexel 65: Dragons Flame Out - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
UConn Cruises Past Harvard - Courant.com
81-52
UConn versus other shaky BCS participants - ESPN
Bowl prep gives backups more time - Tampa Tribune
Gilchrist back, but Bulls lose, fall below .500 - Tampa Tribune
Cleveland State, falling 69-62
USF vs. Cleveland State Summary - Voodoo Five
You HAVE to click on this one
Louisville dominates Western Kentucky, 114-82 - Card Chronicle
Pitt Football: Morris Watts To Be Offensive Coordinator - Cardiac Hill
Dixon gets 200th win as Pitt defeats American, 61-46 - PPG
[Dion, ed.] Dixon moves to forefront - Cincinnati Enquirer
Seton Hall blows double-digit halftime lead in 69-65 loss to Dayton - Star Ledger
postGame: Villanova 76, Monmouth 36 - The Nova Blog
Enes Kanter Would Play Sophomore Year if Ruled Eligible - NCAABB FanHouse
Ohio State Players Reportedly Traded Autographs for Tattoos - NCAAFB FanHouse
Top college football stories of 2010 - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
UConn, Missouri among ranked teams on 2010 Early Warnings list - Luke Winn - SI.com
What's On Tap:
(9) Georgetown Hoyas vs. Memphis Tigers - ESPN
8:00 tonight from the FedExForum on ESPN2.
Video of Interest:
Giggity, giggity, giggity...
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Stick around for the end of this:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown joins the growing list of South African stunners that I've been able to come across doing this job. Here's a lovely gallery of Jenna Pietersen.
Festivus Ale image via www.gellasdiner.com
