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 Salopian Kashmir, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown and because I love that song.
Practice resumed yesterday and Coach Holgorsen was extremely pleased with the defense. There's a feature I clipped today to somewhat help decode his press conferences. Watching them, you can tell he's not used to them and the monotony has gotten to him a bit as I don't think they'll be held everyday after practice, if I read my tweets correctly. The one thing I have gathered from watching him and reading other opinions is his refreshing honesty in the pressers. He tells everyone what he's thinking. Plenty of player features, as usual, today as well. Back on the basketball front, the men's and women's are still in Europe, and the women dropped their game yesterday to the Dutch nationals.
BREAKING STORY: According to WVi's Geoff Coyle on Twitter, Director of Football Operations Mike Kerin is retiring after 32 years of service to the Mountaineers.
What You May Have Missed:
Head Coach Dana Holgorsen - Mountaineer TV
Coach Dana Holgorsen reviews West Virginia's Tuesday practice.
Football: Coach Dana Holgorsen Press Conference - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcript
Reading the Body Language of Dana Holgerson - WVMETRONEWS.COM
For those casual observers of the "pressers" as they are called by the more hip guys in the media, you may not be gathering all of the information. You may not be reading between the lines. So, let me help. Here are some things you may, or may not, have noticed.
Venice Video - Mountaineer TV
The Mountaineers take a boat ride through historic Venice.
WVU Falls to Dutch Nationals - MSNsportsNET.Com
The West Virginia women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a late run by the Dutch National team, falling 54-52 in the final seconds, Tuesday in Rome.
News of Note:
Camp Holgorsen: Defense is Progressing - BGN
Dobies' Notebook
Ball security critical to WVU coach - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU was (-11) in the turnover department in the 4 losses last year
WVU kicker, holder, snapper trying to improve efficiency - Charleston Daily Mail
Blocked kicks have been a problem going back to last season and through the spring and now fall drills
HERTZEL COLUMN - More to Mountaineer center than funny nickname - Times West Virginian
Joey Madsen may have short arms like a T-Rex, but don't think that doesn't make him a capable center
Garrison Fitting In Well With Mountaineers - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The newcomer RB from Texas is adjusting quite well thus far
The Pearland Peach - Charleston Gazette
Freshman tailback (Dustin Garrison) hopes he’s just the right size for WVU
A word game for you, a word search for WVU’s Casteel - Charleston Gazette
"We're very inconsistent right now," he said. "[The players are] decent one day, then ... But we're installing some things. We've seen some progress, but we're trying to get a consistent effort and physical play. For us to be successful, that's what we have to have a handle in. That's what we're trying to beat into the kids."
Tandy offers a familiar face for WVU fans - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
One of only 4 returning starters, Tandy is, and has to be, one of the leaders on the defense
Garvin stands out in WVU's inexperienced defense - Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV
Garvin is also facing the new leadership role
Quarterback Geno Smith - Mountaineer TV
Geno Smith talks about the advantages of the offensive tempo.
Offensive Tackle Pat Eger - Mountaineer TV
Offensive lineman Pat Eger says he is working hard to get better every day.
Video: Football Interviews 8/16 - BGN
Geno, Coach Casteel, Coach Spavital, Garrison, Buie and Petteway
Around the League (and Beyond):
Renegade Miami football booster spells out illicit benefits to players - Investigations - Yahoo! Sports
Here's the source article/investigation that everyone is talking about
Yahoo Investigation Into Miami Reveals Impermissible Benefits Back to 2002 - Big East Coast Bias
Vacated BE titles?
Cardinal assistant named in Yahoo story on Miami investigation - Card Chronicle
That would be uber-recruiter Clint Hurtt
Marinatto has his eyes on future of college football - CBSSports.com
He's attempting to save CFB from itself...good luck with that
USF Football Practice Roundup: The Return Of The Special Teams Ace - Voodoo Five
Syracuse Football Practice, Day 10: Rise Of The Freshmen - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
UConn Defensive Line Built On Experience - Hartford Courant
Rutgers' Joe Martinek says he has no reservations about switch to fullback - Star Ledger
Pitt Football Camp: Walk-On QB Trey Anderson Slides Into Backup Spot - Cardiac Hill
What's On Tap:
Football: Single Game Tickets on Sale - MSNsportsNET.Com
Tickets can be purchased on-line at WVUGAME.com, by calling 1-800-WVU GAME or in person at the Mountaineer Ticket Office in the WVU Coliseum.
Football: Fan Day Set for August 21 - MSNsportsNET.Com
The Fan Day activities will begin at 1 p.m. in the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. Gates will open at 12:45 p.m. Coach Dana Holgorsen, assistant coaches and WVU players will be signing autographs and visiting with fans until 3 p.m.
Football: Walk-on Tryouts Aug. 22 - MSNsportsNET.Com
The workout will be held on August 22, 2011 at Milan Puskar Stadium. Registration will take place from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and the workout will begin promptly at 7 p.m.
'Countdown to Kickoff' celebration to welcome alumni, friends and families - WVUToday/Press Releases
The kickoff will take place on Aug. 28 from 5-8 p.m. at The Erickson Alumni Center. The event will feature appearances by the WVU Pep Band, cheerleaders, Mountaineer Mascot Brock Burwell, and coaches, as well as food, drinks, raffles and games for children of all ages.
Video of Interest:
Speaking of Miami... Damn, it was cold that night...and we didn't care
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is another British model, Chloe Pridham. Her picture links to today's gallery.
via s1.nextround.net
Salopian Kashmir image via www.salopianbrewery.co.uk
