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 Stary Melnik, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
Another day, another practice, another presser. We have a new leader in the clubhouse (though not settled yet) for the starting "A" Back position...and it's another true freshman. The kicker situation has been settled and competitions for other positions are still ongoing. In other news, AD Luck held a presser yesterday to announce the beer brands being sold this year and to lay out the plans and rules for the sales.
Classes start Monday and if you're driving in Morgantown today and this weekend, first, I'm sorry. Second, good luck and God speed. Don't forget Fan Day this Sunday!! Have a great weekend everyone!!
What You May Have Missed:
Director of Athletics Oliver Luck - Mountaineer TV
WVU Director of Athletics discusses beverage sales at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Football: WVU Announces 'High Five' Plan - MSNsportsNET.Com
There WILL be more on this later today, here at the Musket
Head Coach Dana Holgorsen - Mountaineer TV
Coach Dana Holgorsen reviews Thursday's practice.
Football: Coach Holgorsen Press Conference - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcript
Mountaineer quarterbacks expected to flourish in new offense - Daily Athenaeum
In the six years that West Virginia University head coach Dana Holgorsen was an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State, he has never coached a quarterback to throw for less than 4,000 yards. - That's more than any WVU QB has ever thrown in a season...think about that
WVU football: Mountaineers need big season to help legitimize Big East - Charleston Daily Mail
The parity touted at media days by the powers that be, is not a good thing. There needs to be a dominant player each year, Bogaczyk argues.
Italy Sights and Sounds - Mountaineer TV
Sights and sounds from West Virginia's day with the troops on Thursday in Italy.
Sports Illustrated's College Football Preview is out this week and they sent me a couple of pdf's to share that may interest you:
News of Note:
Camp Holgorsen: Bitancurt Wins Kicking Job - BGN
Dobies' Notebook
Change at the top in WVU tailback battle - Charleston Gazette
Andrew Buie is now the leader, supplanting Vernard Roberts as the 1st A back...but there's still 2 weeks+ to go....also some notes on LB Doug Rigg
HERTZEL COLUMN: Buie finds fit with WVU, new offense - Times West Virginian
The three competitors for the job — Buie, Dustin Garrison and Verard Roberts, all freshmen — have bonded and are engaged in a spirited — not ill-spirited — fight for the job.
Buie Making Waves - MSNsportsNET.Com
His trust in Coach Gillespie is paying off
Beware the Running Back With a Chip on Their Shoulder - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Another of the freshman RB's has something to prove
WVU football: Dunlap has seen defense struggle before - Charleston Daily Mail
He recounts the 1997 unit, coming off a #1 ranking in 1996, but losing 7 starters...sound familiar?
Flying under the radar - Register-Herald
WVU junior Garvin knows how young defenders feel
Mom helps steer Rowell to WVU - Times West Virginian
Wanting to be close enough for here to come watch, and the opportunity of being taught by Coach Kirlav was too much for Shaq to pass up
WVU’s Rowell earned his way - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
"I like it now, I earned my way up here," said Rowell, a defensive lineman in his first season with the Mountaineers. "I don’t think they are spoiled at all, it is just the point of view of being at a junior college versus being here."
GW’s Clay moves to line - Charleston Gazette
With a welcome move to center, he seriously needs to add weight...he can have some of mine
Big winners so far during fall camp - Daily Athenaeum
Here are some of the Mountaineers who have impressed the most up to this point in camp
Running Back Vernard Roberts - Mountaineer TV
Running back Vernard Roberts talks about what he brings to the offense.
Video: Football Interviews 8/18 - BGN
Geno, Vernard, Tandy and Devon Brown
VIDEO: WVU Football Interviews - WVillustrated.com
Spain, Braun, Eger, Devon Brown, Verard, Tandy and Snow
Around the League (and Beyond):
Louisville's deep backfield expected to hit the ground running - Courier-Journal
Coombs promises UC's secondary will be better this season - Cincinnati Enquirer
Syracuse Football Practice, Day 12: The Right Frame Of Mind - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
UConn football: Big play potential - Journal Inquirer
Competition renewed on Pitt's offensive line - PPG
Depth builds on offensive line - Tampa Tribune
USF Athletics And Student Fee Welfare - Voodoo Five
Interesting analysis includes a chart breakdown of most of the BE football schools
The Original Forgotten Four (Fun Stat Nerd Tidbit: TCU) - Football Study Hall
A look at how the SWC's forgotten four -- TCU, SMU, Houston and Rice -- have fared since losing their major conference meal ticket.
ESPN And Traditional Media Have Apparently Swallowed Their Whistles - Awful Announcing
It took them over 2 hours after the story broke to even mention anything with the Miami story
Texas, ESPN say TV network won't hurt Big 12 - SI.com
The two benefiting from said network defending it....I'm shocked
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.
Kick Off Coal Bowl Weekend By Having A Fish Fry With Bob Huggins - The Smoking Musket
Bob Huggins will hold his first annual fish fry the evening before the kickoff off WVU's 2011 football season against Marshall. On September 2nd at the Waterfront Place Hotel, Huggins will host a fish fry to raise funds and awareness for The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, The Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Fund, and Remember the Miners Scholars Program. There will be players on hand from the 2010 Final Four team as well as other past Mountaineer greats.
Video of Interest:
In honor of his GameCon 16 status today:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the lovely Russian Natalia Belova. Click on her picture for a 3 page mega-gallery.
Stary Melnik image via www.gmkfreelogos.com
