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The football off week continues and while the team rests (a bit), the coaches are using the time to review and perfect things and hitting the recruiting trails. The major news is that Alex Hammond has been promoted to the position of Director of Football Operations to go along with his recruiting coordinating and NCAA compliance duties.
And while it's still just the middle of October, basketball is right around the corner. With Mountaineer Madness and the gear sale tomorrow night kicking off things, Huggs, KJ and Truck were made available for interviews yesterday. And before I forget, CONGRATULATIONS to the Men's Soccer team on a 2-0 victory in their Backyard Brawl last night!!! On to your daily dose...
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Thursday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
In Thursday's episode, we hear from the Mountaineer basketball team and find out how the WVU receivers really did against the UConn Huskies
Basketball Interviews 10/12 - BGN
Huggs, KJ and Truck
WVU will pick up pace on court this season - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
With only two returning starters and seven newcomers on the 13-man roster, WVU coach Bob Huggins is preparing for an uneasy feeling this season.
Off point, Truck may get the green light - Charleston Gazette
Huggs-ism alert: On Kilicli's rebounding - "Jerry's statue got as many as he did a lot of games"
HERTZEL COLUMN: Conference shifts mean big changes for hoops’ schools - Times West Virginian
But the secret is that the destruction of the Big East is going far further than in football.
Football: Hammond Named Grid Ops Director - MSNsportsNET.Com
He will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the football office, administer the annual football budget, manage logistical aspects of on-campus recruiting, coaches’ clinics, preseason camp, housing, scholarships, bowl preparation and providing administrative support to the head coach. He also will provide oversight to the recruiting operations, video operations, administrative support and equipment room.
Sebele Nets Two in Shutout - MSNsportsNET.Com
No. 18 West Virginia [Men's Soccer, ed.] used two successful penalty kicks from midfielder Shadow Sebele to shutout Pitt 2-0 at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Wednesday evening.
WVU Student Section Should Be Full - WV Illustrated
However, in the Big East opener against Connecticut on Saturday, the weather was absolutely beautiful, and the general public showed up in full force. The students on the other hand, left a corner of the stands virtually empty.
News of Note:
Here's your contradicting Holgorsen quotes of the week:
Despite gaudy offensive numbers, Holgorsen still not happy - Times West Virginian
"I don’t think we’re very good right now, to be honest with you," he said. "We did enough offensively last week, but we weren’t very good. You can take it for what it’s worth, but that’s where we are."
WVU, Rutgers grab early momentum in Big East - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
"I couldn’t be happier with where we’re at right now," Holgorsen said. "We’re getting better every week. I’ve said it for a while, the only way we’re going to win the championship is if all three sides of the ball are improving every week. Coaches, players, everybody’s bought in."
Smith has room to grow - Register-Herald
Holgorsen says WVU quarterback hasn’t reached his full potential yet
Despite big numbers, receivers still have room to improve - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia receivers have already set several school records in the first six games of the season.
Plays (I think) I saw West Virginia run against UConn - Smart Football
In the spirit of Paul Johnson, below are the scans of what I saw Dana Holgorsen's offense do against UConn.
Video: West Virginia at the bye - Big East Blog - ESPN
Andrea Adelson talks about what West Virginia has to do during the bye week.
Casteel says bye week good for Mountaineer defense - Charleston Daily Mail
"To be honest with you, I think the break probably is good for us right now," Casteel said. "We'll try to get back into some fundamentals with these guys. They have six games under their belts and they know some things need to get better because of what we've seen on film."
FURFARI COLUMN: Rader says WVU break is timely - Times West Virginian
"Those who have been injured have some time to heal. And those of us who don’t live far can get home for a brief visit."
Cornerback Keith Tandy - Mountaineer TV
Keith Tandy talks about defensive improvements heading into the team's bye week.
Is it time to add a new jersey to WVU’s closet? - Daily Athenaeum
I'm not trying to change the school colors. I'm very aware, and very proud, of the traditional gold and blue that showcases the pride and tradition of this great University.
Recruiting:
Coach says WVU has a lot to offer - Inter-Mountain
Mountaineer coaches hitting the recruiting trail during break in schedule
Childress Named To All-American Game - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Kinkaid quarterback Ford Childress has had a stellar season in the Lone Star State and now he will be playing in the All-American Offense-Defense Bowl, according to YourHoustonNews.com. The game will be played in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 30th.
Recruiting Update - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Below are stats from the past week from several football commitments in the Mountaineers 2012 recruiting class:
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East and AQ status - Big East Blog - ESPN
the Big East will retain its automatic bid through this cycle, which ends after the 2013 season. So there is no danger for the next two years.
Report: Big East Presidents Declined to Increase Exit Fees - Big East Coast Bias
Report: Navy wants assurances from Big East schools - Sporting News
The conference wants Navy to join before it considers raising the $5 million exit fee to leave the conference. Navy wants the exit fee raised before committing.
Rutgers' Scott Vallone, defensive line know stopping Navy's option starts up front - Star Ledger
Louisville football assistant Shawn Watson learns as he goes - Courier-Journal
Previewing the Louisville Cardinals: Now it Gets Serious (Sort Of) - Bearcats Nation
USF notes: Bulls wary of UConn defense - Tampa Tribune
Kendall Reyes Says It's Time For UConn To Play As Cohesive Unit - Hartford Courant
Syracuse vs. Bye Week: Brought To You By The Word 'Separation' - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Panthers working hard on adding more octane - PPG
Big East second-half preview - Big East Blog - ESPN
Here are a few things I will be watching in the second half of the season. Bold prediction: West Virginia goes undefeated in league play.
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Boston Globe: Latest Conference Realignment End Game Adds Notre Dame, UConn To ACC - BC Interruption
I'm not buying it
What's On Tap:
Mountaineer Madness and Gear Sale Friday - MSNsportsNET.Com
From 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., the West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will conduct a Mountaineer Madness Gear Sale in the Shell Building adjacent to the WVU Coliseum. Doors will open at the WVU Coliseum for Mountaineer Madness presented by Coke Zero at 6:30 p.m., with the on-court portion of the program to start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Junior men’s basketball player Deniz Kilicli will play a rendition of Country Roads on guitar following the men’s scrimmage. The event will conclude with a one-hour autograph session, with all players and coaches available on the court.
Video of Interest:
Profile of senior inside receiver Tyler Urban. Urban talks about his change from a traditional tight end, to outside receiver in Dana Holgorsen's offense.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Brazilian model Elisandra Tomacheski. Click on the picture below for today's 2 page gallery.
Saranac Octoberfest Lager image via www.alliknowaboutbeer.com