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 Grolsch, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
So much for WVU mostly staying out of the Fulmer Cup points race as sophomore LB Branko Busick has been charged with armed robbery (SMH). Since I last left you, WVU found out it's NCAA penalties stemming from infractions under Coaches Rodriguez and Stewart. Also, HC Dana Holgorsen and Oliver Luck announced the hiring of the new football recruiting coordinator, Alex Hammond (a guy with a knock-your-socks-off kind of resume) who will also be a liaison in the compliance area of the football program. All this and more...
What You May Have Missed:
Football: Hammond Joins Grid Staff - MSNsportsNET.Com
WVU has hired Alex Hammond (with a very impressive resume) to be the recruiting coordinator for football. This is not a coaching position. Holgorsen still has that slot to fill.
Ohio State, Oregon, and West Virginia Plotting the Future of Compliance - Blog of the NCAA
The hiring of a guy like Hammond could be trend setting
HERTZEL COLUMN - Hammond Luck’s latest innovative hire - Times West Virginian
His administrative job is not only to deal with recruiting, but also compliance.
WVU football: Luck is pleased NCAA accepted WVU's self-imposed penalties - Charleston Daily Mail
A good deal of the penalties have already been served
WVU football: Luck, Mountaineers ready for season to begin - Charleston Daily Mail
Everyone is glad the NCAA case is behind WVU now. Interesting to note is that this was WVU's sixth major infractions case (five since 1982)
2010 Overall College Football Ratings - Football Outsiders
Interesting way to rank the teams...WVU comes in at #17
WVU Basketball Summer League Highlights - WVillustrated.com
Video highlights from last night's summer league game and interview with Kevin Noreen
WVU Youth Tested Early by Summer Workouts - WVillustrated.com
Strength coach Andy Kettler is pushing the new guys harder than they anticipated
Ex-WVU LB star in coaching ranks - Register-Herald
Mickey's latest column (that isn't out of touch with FBS/BCS finances) looks at Chris Haering, a former WVU LB now thriving as a HS coach in Pittsburgh
News of Note:
Busick Charged With Armed Robbery - WVMETRONEWS.COM
So much for the lack of Fulmer Cup points
WVU line puts troubles in past - Times West Virginian
"We’ve got our identity back. We’re a spread-out offense now," Barclay said recently. "We’re going to be good at what we do and I think — like coach said, too — that if you mess up, mess up strong and hit someone and knock them over. Don’t stand there. We’re going to hit the outside or inside zone. We don’t have to worry about doing the inside zone and then running power the next play. We’re consistent, and we’re going to be good at what we do."
WVU’s Barclay named to Outland watch list - Charleston Gazette
The senior tackle has his name added to the watch list for the best interior lineman award
Tandy A Triple Threat - BGN
The Tandy has his name on three pre-season award watch lists: Bednarik, Thorpe and Nagurski
WVU's Irvin, Tandy, Marshall's Curry on Nagurski watch list - Charleston Gazette
The Nagurski is for the nation's best defensive player
Bruce Almighty - MSNsportsNET.Com
Another feature on the impressive DE. Many kinds words from Coach Kirlav, a coach not known to just toss around niceties.
Big East and 2012 NFL Draft - Big East Blog - ESPN
Hey Mel, there's a certain Rush LB/DE missing from your list.
2010 Big East Quarterback Positive Impact Factor - Big East Coast Bias
I know I'm biased, but I don't understand how Sunseri can be ranked that far ahead of Geno (nationally)
2010 Big East Team Offensive Positive Impact Factor - Big East Coast Bias
As they point out, use of 1 QB for the majority of the snaps correlate to similar rankings as the QB rankings
WVU opponent preview: LSU - Charleston Gazette
The preview series continues
Review: 'NCAA 12' puts world of college football in the palm of your hands - Charleston Gazette
Video game review for the latest release. Did anyone already get their copy late last night?
Recruiting:
And The Recruiting Begins - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Hammond talked with the guys from Sportline last night (article and audio)
Roberts hits the ground running and well armed - Charleston Daily Mail
The newest WVU coach is showing early signs of being a very good recruiter, with 3 very good commitments in the last couple months to his credit
JUCO Lineman Will Latu Continuing Journey at WVU - WVillustrated.com
A 6'5" 315 lb monster OL will be joining the Mountaineers soon, hopefully in time for spring practice
Around the League (and Beyond):
The Superleague "Nuclear Option" - VUhoops.com
Connor Barwin; Jack of All Trades - Down The Drive (Cinci)
Louisville football's Josh Chichester now growing in other ways - Courier-Journal
So, I Dreamed About Doug Marrone Saturday Night - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Okaaaayyyy....
Rutgers football is not very good (at violating NCAA rules) - On the Banks
Does Pitt Football Have A Ceiling? - Cardiac Hill
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Thanks to Jimmy Traina of SI's Hot Clicks:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Dutch model Ancilla Tilia. Click on her picture for today's gallery.
Grolsch image via upload.wikimedia.org
