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 Tinkoff Beer, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
Technical difficulties have caused the delay, so by the time you get to read this, classes for the day should be coming to a close. We have scrimmage notes, player profiles and the usual today on the football side. And on the basketball side, Huggs and the men have ended their tour of Italy in victorious fashion. Sorry you had to wait. Just pretend it's a night game and you got a late start to tailgating.
What You May Have Missed:
Head Coach Dana Holgorsen - Mountaineer TV
Head coach Dan Holgorsen reviews Saturday's scrimmage inside Milan Puskar Stadium.
Football: Dana Holgorsen Press Conference - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcript
Dana Holgorsen Show - WVillustrated.com
Episode 2
NCAA College Football BCS Bowl Projections - Preseason - ESPN
Both pick the Orange Bowl for the Mountaineers, this week
WVU Concludes Tour - MSNsportsNET.Com
Recap and video highlights of the final victory in Italy
Huggins deems tour of Italy a success - Charleston Gazette
He's also quick to note that there wasn't much pressure to perform
Head Coach Bob Huggins - Mountaineer TV
Head coach Bob Huggins comments on his team's win on Saturday to conclude its tour of Italy.
No. 13 WVU Blanks Purdue - MSNsportsNET.Com
Leading 1-0 at halftime, WVU used goals from Bri Rodriguez and Mallory Smith to finish off Purdue in the 2011 home opener for the Women's Soccer team.
After bumpy summer, West Virginia putting trust in Dana Holgorsen - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
"You don't know too many coaches who will skydive," said star defensive end Bruce Irvin. "When you see your head coach doing stuff like that, it makes you feel comfortable you can be yourself around him."
Preseason top 15: Defensive ends - Rivals.com
#5 is of a bit of interest
West Virginia Mountaineers 2011 Team Preview : The XLog
Here's another season outlook, aided by our own Caleb Wygal
News of Note:
Holgorsen says team needs to get tougher - Charleston Gazette
He wasn't happy with the mental focus in the heat and game conditions
Camp Holgorsen: WVU Scrimmages For First Time - BGN
Dobies' Notebook
HERTZEL COLUMN: Offense makes ‘D’ sweat - Times West Virginian
Even though the scrimmage was closed to the media, Hertzel gives his report, by way of a trusted spy
WVU QBs won’t be running the ball - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
At least that’s not in the game plan
WVU freshman QB vows to put pressure on Smith - Register-Herald
Mickey's latest shines a light on Paul Millard
In the driver’s seat - Register-Herald
Holgorsen confident in new WVU quarterbacks coach Spavital
With West Virginia football, it's a three for all - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Garrison, Roberts and Buie are all competing for playing time as true freshman
Casteel hoping time's on his side - Charleston Gazette
The old Time of Possession argument
Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel - Mountaineer TV
Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel's thoughts on Saturday's scrimmage.
The Big East's best: No. 6 - Big East Blog - ESPN
#6 on this list, #1 on the field (and in your hearts?)
Scrimmage Reaction - Mountaineer TV
Post-scrimmage reaction from wide receiver Tavon Austin and linebacker Najee Goode.
VIDEO: WVU Football Players Interviews - WVillustrated.com
Geno, Goode, Trey Johnson, Eain Smith, Bitancurt and more
Mountaineers’ Tandy excels in physical and mental aspects of game - Times West Virginian
Casteel says that by being smart and knowing how to react instinctively, the guys can play faster
WVU football: Linebackers in scramble for spots - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel, who doubles as the linebackers coach, is trying to find the best group of three and then the best group of reserves for depth and certain situations within the game.
WVU football: It's time for Vance to add name to list of in-state linebackers - Charleston Daily Mail
The former walk-on earned a scholarship last winter
Mountaineers: Loss of Jenkins leads to offensive line shuffle - PPG
"It's jelling as much as it can for week two [of training camp]," Braun said of the unit. "I guess we've just got to continue to progress before Marshall."
WVU Offensive Line Preparing as a Unit - WVillustrated.com
“Obviously [Barclay and Braun] didn’t go through spring ball but it was clear they put in a bunch of time over the summer on their own,” Bedenbaugh said. “Learning the system, learning the fronts and learning how we’re calling things has been impressive to me. They’re playing physical.”
Tackles Eger, Spain provided good prep work from Irvin - Charleston Gazette
Irvin's skill as a rusher is forcing the new tackles to use the proper technique
Count on the Mountaineers to roll into BCS - Charleston Gazette
Vingle gives game-by-game predictions for the season
Cooking for the Mountaineers - WVillustrated.com
Ever wonder what the athletes are fed at the training table?
Fan Day 2011 - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article, photo gallery and video of yesterday's event
Fan Day Kicks Off WVU Football Season - WVillustrated.com
At one point, Holgorsen was asked by a fan to purchase a house in Morgantown, presumably because that fan is concerned by his head coach’s current residence in a hotel. "I’m building one," Holgorsen replied. "How about that?"
WVU Football Photos: 2011 WVU Fan Day - WVillustrated.com
2011 Football Fan Day - Mountaineer TV
Sights and sounds from the 2011 Mountaineer Football Fan Day held on Sunday.
Around the League (and Beyond):
There's more to Louisville wide receiver Josh Bellamy than meets the ears - Courier-Journal
USF Unveils New Football Uniforms - Voodoo Five
UConn football notebook: Johnny McEntee In Running For QB Job - Hartford Courant
Untested sophomores battle for UC's backup QB job - Cincinnati Enquirer
Rutgers defense takes a step up in second scrimmage - Star Ledger
Pitt football: Defense lacking depth in middle - PPG
I smell crossing routes
Report: Witnesses say Jordan Jefferson kicked person in bar fight - Sporting News
Of course he kicked him...his arm is terrible
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: 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:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
SILENCE, I SAY!!!
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Natalia Vodianova. Click on her picture for today's gallery.
Tinkoff Beer image via beer-trekker.narod.ru
