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 Agent Orange Pale Ale in honor of WVU's selection to the Orange Bowl for the first time.
Yes, the news of the day is dominated by WVU's selection to the Orange Bowl to play against ACC champ Clemson. We have plenty of articles and features, including the teleconference reactions from both head coaches. We also have a bit more on the USF game, a few basketball notes and a report on WVU football recruits in their High School playoffs. Enjoy your Monday!!
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Monday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
both WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney give their thoughts on playing each other in the Orange Bowl, WVU fans react to the Mountaineers making it back to the BCS and a few future Mountaineers may win some championships of their own before heading to Morgantown.
Orange Bowl Teleconference with Dabo Swinney and Dana Holgorsen - WVillustrated
Head coaches Dabo Swinney and Dana Holgorsen participated in a call with the media immediately following the announcement that Clemson and WVU would be facing off in the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl.
WVU to the Orange Bowl - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia (9-3) earned its bid by winning a share of the Big East title in coach Dana Holgorsen’s first season guiding the Mountaineers. WVU defeated Cincinnati, Pitt and USF in its final three regular season games to capture its third BCS bowl appearance since 2006, and its first since 2008.
Huggins frustrated by Mountaineers' shooting woes - Charleston Gazette
To say that Bob Huggins was not exactly a happy camper late Saturday night would be an understatement.
WVU Veterans Must Step Up, Be Accountable - WVillustrated
In what served as the team's biggest test of the season, a young Mountaineers team went to Starkville and fell apart midway through the second half.
Youth not doing the little things for WVU men's team - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU's only non-conference road game of the basketball regular season Saturday night was another tough learning experience for Coach Bob Huggins' young team.
BCS Rankings, Week 15: Alabama, Not Oklahoma State, To Play LSU - SBNation.com
WVU ends with a #23 BCS ranking
Big East helmet stickers: Week 14 - Big East Blog - ESPN
Tavon and Bitancurt get adhesives for their special teams contributions
Former WVU Cheerleader Starts Clothing Line - WVillustrated
She has some nice stuff for the female fans among you and your significant others
Boston University Highlights - MSNsportsNET.Com
Highlights from West Virginia's win over Boston University Saturday at the WVU Coliseum.
Mike Tomlin Pleased By Ryan Mundy's Progress - WVU Pros
In his 3rd season with the Steelers, Ryan Mundy is now a key contributor on the Steelers defense, and Mike Tomlin loves it.
Orange Bowl:
West Virginia Mountaineers, Clemson Tigers to meet in Orange Bowl - ESPN
West Virginia needed three harrowing wins. Clemson rode the power of a blowout.
WVU vs. Clemson in Orange Bowl - Charleston Gazette
The key, he said - and as he has said before - was getting the Mountaineers excited about playing each week.
WVU Florida Bound - BGN
After a pair of puzzling losses, West Virginia got a second and a third chance at a BCS bowl bid. The Mountaineers, with some help, were finally able to close the deal, and will now face Clemson in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 4, 2012.
WVU Will Meet Clemson in the 2012 Orange Bowl - WVillustrated
Dana Holgorsen is taking his team BCS bowling in his first season as head coach for WVU Mountaineers football.
Wacky finish in Big East puts WVU in Orange Bowl - PPG
"This is really an exciting opportunity for the West Virginia University football program to be able to go to the Discover Orange Bowl for the first time," said coach Dana Holgorsen. "It's going to be a great matchup."
WVU Bowl Bound - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"I think we match up pretty good. Obviously, the two offenses are among the best in the country and the defenses have been playing very well of late."
Bowlers WVU, MU will have some firsts - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU (9-3) has played 30 games in 14 bowls in history, but never an Orange. The Mountaineers' only date with Clemson was a 1989 Gator Bowl loss to the nation's No. 14 team.
Mountaineers, Clemson in Orange - Register-Herald
Just a year after being hired as coach-in-waiting, and less than six months after taking over the reins, Holgorsen is taking his Mountaineers to the Orange Bowl.
Holgorsen, Swinney Excited For Matchup - WVMETRONEWS.COM
It’s West Virginia’s first ever appearance in the Orange Bowl while Clemson is back for the first time in 30 years after winning the national championship in 1981.
Discover Orange Bowl - Big East Blog - ESPN
West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3) vs. Clemson Tigers (10-3)
A sunny outcome - Times West Virginian
“I’d be surprised if it was 6-3,” said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, quite sarcastically.
Clemson awaiting BCS-bound West Virginia - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
This will be West Virginia's third BCS bowl game in the past seven seasons. The Mountaineers beat Oklahoma, 48-28, in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl and scored a 38-35 victory in the 2006 Sugar Bowl.
Tigers to face Mountaineers in Orange Bowl - Southern Pigskin
For his first-full three seasons as a head coach, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney said he had to break down “walls.”
Monday Morning Quarterback - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
The Mountaineers will be heavy underdogs but they have relished that role in two prior BCS appearances when WVU upset Georgia and Oklahoma. West Virginia might get smoked but don't count the Mountaineers out. This is one more chance to finally put together that complete game.
Holgorsen, WVU Have Plenty of Time to Prepare for BCS Bowl - WVillustrated
Dana Holgorsen isn't about to apologize to anyone that his Mountaineers received an automatic BCS bowl bid through a hectic three-way tie to the end the season.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Orange Bowl memories are many - Times West Virginian
While West Virginia played one of the most memorable football games ever played in the Orange Bowl, it has never played in THE Orange Bowl.
Ranking the 2011-2012 Bowls & Picks - College Football News
Before they start, the ranking of the bowls and how entertaining they should be - The Top Bowls. The Ones You Have To Watch. - Orange Bowl checks in at #7
News of Note:
Bitancurt's Moment of Glory Seals Big East Title - WVillustrated
Tyler Bitancurt has had some head scratchers in his time at West Virginia. There have been instances in which his ability to serve as the team's field goal kicker is called into question. And then there are moments of glory.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bitancurt not a typical placekicker - Times West Virginian
As a general rule, kickers are an odd breed.
The Cardiac Kids - MSNsportsNET.Com
Notebook on the USF game
Two kids playin' catch - Charleston Gazette
Game-saving play old hat for WVU's Smith, Bailey
WVU notebook: Goode’s strip of USF QB Daniels made WVU comeback possible - Charleston Gazette
In the waning moments of West Virginia's 30-27 win at South Florida Thursday night, three plays stood out as pivotal.
Big plays paved way for WVU win - Times West Virginian
In a game of spectacular plays that turned the tide over and over, leading West Virginia University to a 30-27 come-from-behind victory over South Florida and a share of the Big East championship Thursday night, there were a couple of moments that did not get their due.
WVU defense was run ragged by USF - Charleston Gazette
"Give our guys credit,'' WVU's defensive coordinator said. "They hung in there and made enough plays - and made enough plays at crucial times - and won the game.''
In the End, We’ll Call it a Success - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
How could a season that ends in a BCS game be looked at anything but overwhelmingly awesome? Depends on how good you are at forgetting.
WVU’s Austin is a great runner - Register-Herald
Austin is averaging nearly 190 yards per game in helping the 21st-ranked Mountaineers (9-3, 5-2 Big East) to a share of the conference championship.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Queen City kind to West Virginia - Times West Virginian
It was a giving city ... and from what I can gather, it still is, for we here in West Virginia owe it a huge thank you.
USF Postgame Reaction - MSNsportsNET.Com
Postgame player reaction following West Virginia's 30-27 victory at South Florida Thursday night.
Recruiting:
Future Mountaineers Get Closer To State Titles - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Three future Mountaineers may head to Morgantown with state championships under their belts. WVU commits Darreall Joyner (First Coast), Korey Harris (Bartram Trail) and Devonte Mathis (Miramar) will play in the state semifinals this weekend in their respective classes.
Around the League (and Beyond):
What we learned in the Big East: Week 14 - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN
Big East Expansion Update: San Diego State Looks Primed To Join Big East - Big East Coast Bias
Big East Expansion Update: Air Force Could Wait Until January To Decide - Big East Coast Bias
Big East Wins 2011 Big East/SEC Challenge 8-4 - Big East Coast Bias
Butch Jones Turns Down Illinois Job; Expected To Interview With North Carolina - Down The Drive
Cinci heading to the Liberty Bowl against Vandy
Louisville To Face North Carolina State In Belk Bowl On Dec. 27 - Card Chronicle
Defense Comes Up Big As Pitt Is Bowl Eligible - Cardiac Hill
Heading to BBVA Compass Bowl vs. SMU
Pittsburgh 33 - Syracuse 20: A Long December - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
I want to make fun of them not making a bowl so bad...but then I remember our game against them.
Rutgers and Iowa State accept Pinstripe Bowl invitations - Star Ledger
UConn Football Must Draw Inspiration From Second Half - Hartford Courant
West Virginia 30, USF 27: Don't Expect Much - Voodoo Five
2011-12 bowl schedule - ESPN
Every game and participant
Virginia Tech To Sugar Bowl Proves BCS Is Flawed By Design - SBNation.com
Does the LSU vs. Alabama national title game best prove the BCS is crooked? Or is it Virginia Tech's undeserved entry into the Sugar Bowl? There's so much to choose from!
What's On Tap:
Football: Orange Bowl Ticket Information - MSNsportsNET.Com
Available tickets in the WVU allotment are $99 each and can be purchased on-line at WVUGAME.com or by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office at 1-800-WVU GAME. Phone sales will begin Monday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
The Swedish Chef is a perv. Who knew?
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is another Brazilian beauty. Click on the picture for today's gallery of Izabel Goulart.
via nextround.net
Agent Orange Pale Ale image via www.imperiousbrewing.com
