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 Oppigårds Stark Porter, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
As virtually every team in the country has released a revised depth chart within the last few days, there are still two teams of note that have not. Wanna take a guess? Sure, there is some gamesmanship going on, but in reality Holgorsen just doesn't put much stock into them. As you go through today's stories, you'll see him quoted repeatedly that it really doesn't matter to him or the coaches who start at the WR/RB positions because they will be constantly rotated anyway. With yesterday off, the Mountaineers begin full prep for Marshall beginning today. Also, the entire defensive staff has signed contract extensions.
What You May Have Missed:
Video: Gold And Blue Now - WVMETRONEWS.COM
MetroNews is starting a new segment on WVMetroNews.com called “Gold and Blue Now.” It’s a new daily show that will update fans on everything that’s going on with the Mountaineers. Long time WVU play-by-play voice Tony Caridi will be the host and the entire MetroNews crew will contribute to the show.
It's Game Week - MSNsportsNET.Com
Includes the HCDH tidbits from the BE teleconference yesterday
Holgorsen and Other New Coaches Under Microscope - WVMETRONEWS.COM
A look at the new coaches and coaches in new places around the country
WVU football coaches sign extensions - AP/Dominion Post via Charleston Daily Mail
So much for that rift in the staff
WVU in good hands with coaching staff - Daily Athenaeum
That should be one area the West Virginia football team shouldn't have to worry about too much this season. The Mountaineers have put together one of the best coaching staffs in the Big East Conference.
Maniacs Director Calls for New Chant at WVU Games - WVillustrated.com
Will this one work?
Football: WVU, ROOT SPORTS Team Up - MSNsportsNET.Com
ROOT SPORTS will be televising two LIVE Mountaineer football games this fall, featuring Norfolk State at West Virginia on Sat., Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. and Bowling Green at West Virginia on Sat., Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. Prior to each WVU football home game, including home games airing on other sports networks, ROOT SPORTS will air a LIVE Mountaineer Game Time show Saturday mornings (or appropriate game day) at 11:00 a.m.
Forde Yard Dash - ESPN
see #24
The Art of the Chart - MSNsportsNET.Com
Caridi let's people in on how he uses a game chart to stay on top of things during a game
VSR: Schoenle Named Student-Athlete of the Week - MSNsportsNET.Com
Varsity Sports Report
Men's Soccer: No. 17 WVU Falls at No. 4 Maryland - MSNsportsNET.Com
3-1
Alabama, Oklahoma big winners in 2011 preseason bowl projections - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
We have our first "Ignorant Slut" of the season in Mandel it seems
News of Note:
Mysteries abound for WVU in opener - Charleston Gazette
"There are things we're doing offensively that if you look at every tape last year from Oklahoma State, you're not going to see some of that stuff,'' Holgorsen said. "And there are some things that we're doing defensively that, over the course of an off season, that [defensive coordinator] Jeff [Casteel] and the guys got together and wanted to change a couple of things. That's just the natural reality of playing a first game."
WVU football: Unknown elements part of problems before season opener - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia and Marshall are keeping secrets before Sunday's 3:30 p.m. ESPN telecast game at Mountaineer Field. Neither the Mountaineers nor the Thundering Herd have released a depth chart or shared one with the other.
(Non) Issues Of Depth - BGN
“I think we’re getting closer,” Holgorsen said when asked about the progress his staff has made in setting a two-deep roster. “But you know, we don’t care much about starters. You guys care more about starters than we do. And probably the players think about being a starter more than we do."
Starting line nearly set - Register-Herald
“The rest of the guys are just backups,” Holgorsen said. “We would like them to push the first-teamers a little more, but they are what they are.”
West Virginia-Marshall Series Getting Nastier - WVillustrated.com
West Virginia is a 21-point favorite according to early odds for the game. Holliday and the Herd have to stop an offensive system that is notorious for producing a lot of points. Is it really a good idea to give Holgorsen and the Mountaineers any extra incentive for running up the score?
HERTZEL COLUMN - Holgorsen is playing a whole different game - Times West Virginian
Film has replaced the playbooks of old
WVU football: Buie finds comfort in decision to join Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
Things were changing. He knew it. As he reached the top of that hill and turned right to head toward the Puskar Center and Mountaineer Field, he knew everything was going to get a lot harder in a hurry.
WVU Football: Freshmen Ready To Make Mark - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
More on the RB's vying for playing time
Special teams focused on improving - Daily Athenaeum
Comprised of new and old faces, the West Virginia special teams unit is setting out to eliminate the stigma that they are the Mountaineers’ greatest weakness.
Safety Eain Smith Ready for WVU Season Opener - WVillustrated.com
Although WVU free safety Eain Smith played behind Robert Sands for the last three years, he is no stanger to the Mountaineer defense. Now in his final season at West Virginia, Smith takes over as a full-time starter in Jeff Casteel’s defense.
Recruiting:
WVU Recruiting Notes: 2013 Prospects to Watch - WVillustrated.com
The following is a brief list of seven of the top 2013 prospects on the recruiting board who have already received a Mountaineer offer
Around the League (and Beyond):
2011 Big East preview - National Football Post
Big East Week 1 preview - National Football Post
Half of the league kicks off this Thursday
Big East power rankings: Week 1 - Big East Blog - ESPN
Notes From Big East Coaches Teleconference - Big East Coast Bias
New unit will hold the line for Louisville football - Courier-Journal
Cincinnati Bearcats Cornerback Deven Drane Will Start Austin Peay Game - Down The Drive
New USF Depth Chart Released - Voodoo Five
Syracuse Football: Expected Carrier Dome Attendance Is "Meh" - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
UConn football depth chart released: meet the folks who will pummel Fordham - The UConn Blog
Rutgers' Mark Harrison getting pushed by coaches to be more aggressive - Star Ledger
Pitt Vs. Buffalo: Panthers Look To Start Fast In Todd Graham's Opener - 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.
Wear gold and blue on College Colors Day, Mountaineer Fridays - WVUToday
“I’d like for all West Virginia fans to step up and participate in national College Colors Day,” said WVU head football coach Dana Holgorsen. “Let’s show the country how strong Mountaineer Nation is by wearing our gold and blue. Our logo is recognizable all over the world and this is a great way to show your Mountaineer spirit.”
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:
It's almost time for this to return too:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Swedish model Johanna Lundback. Her two page gallery is linked by the picture.
Oppigårds Stark Porter image via www.ibustore.com
