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 Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, in preparation for this week's opponent.
Quick, everybody gird your loins and put on your eye protection, Maryland has had a major announcement revealing which uniform they will don this weekend. This uniform thing has definitely gotten the Terps fans in a tizzy. With them wearing all black, I kind of look for us to to all white (not that it matters in the VERY least).
Back to things that do matter, Holgorsen is in the unique position of trying to temper the expectations and pressure he feels the players are putting on themselves, yet at the same time, attempting to get things fixed on offense. Maryland preparation continues and all the coverage awaits (including a great video of Edsall getting nailed in practice)...
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Thursday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
In today's episode the players from the Maryland area talk about returning to their home state, new Maryland head coach Randy Edsall expresses his concern about Tavon Austin and Hoppy Kercheval breaks down the numbers for the Maryland game.
Week 3 preview in the Big East - Rivals.com
"It's not surprising where we're at," West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said.
Holgorsen, WVU Searching for Offensive Champions - WV Illustrated
An empty display for the team's offensive champion honor serves to motivate Mountaineers heading into showdown with Maryland.
Superconferences: Which 64 teams belong? - Rivals.com
All 5 guys include WVU, if there was any doubt
Maryland will be dressed in black against West Virginia - USA Today
I know we still have people worried about what combo WVU will wear, but I don't ever recall a full article dedicated to it.
Edsall, Maryland ready for challenge against WVU - Daily Athenaeum
"They have playmakers on offense, and they're very fast and athletic on defense," Edsall said of the Mountaineers. "We really have to have a great week of preparation and go out and play very, very well in order to have an opportunity to win."
Meggett, O’Brien lead talented Maryland team - Daily Athenaeum
Here's a snapshot of the different Maryland units
Early deficit doomed Terps vs. WVU last year - Charleston Gazette
A year ago, West Virginia led 14-0 after the first two series. Less than seven minutes had run off the clock. - If the O is clicking, it could be a lot worse than that this year...and I stress IF
West Virginia has to start faster - Big East Blog - ESPN
For such a high-tempo offense, West Virginia is not moving very fast to start games.
News of Note:
A Look Inside...Game Three - BGN
Game preview
FURFARI COLUMN: Favorite or underdog, WVU faces first major challenge - Times West Virginian
West Virginia is spending the week trying to correct the mistakes made by the Mountaineers in last Saturday’s 55-12 win against Norfolk State, which surprised by leading 12-10 at halftime.
Mountaineers want to cause some turnovers - Charleston Daily Mail
A season ago, West Virginia entered its game against Maryland as the only FBS defense without a sack. "And then what happened?" WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel said.
Irvin, Maryland series notes - On the Mountain/PPG
"He can throw a deep ball. He can get out of the pocket if he wants to make plays," said Irvin. "We've got to come out with our minds right."
Reality shows WVU offense is there - Register-Herald
“We’ve scored on 70 percent of our drives, which is really high,” Holgorsen said. “We probably won’t maintain that throughout the season. The last three places I’ve been, we never scored on 70 percent of our drives. The expectations are high. I’m guilty of that, as well. Our job as coaches is to make sure that our players understand the expectations and what we’re trying to do.”
WVU players admit feeling weight of offensive expectations - Times West Virginian
“Sad to say, but we do,” quarterback Geno Smith said when asked if they felt pressure to play better on offense, even after all that. “That’s our mantra. We don’t focus on the positive because we expect to do that. We focus on the negative and try to get better because we want to execute our game plan to the best of our ability.”
Undersized Rigg getting chance to shine at LB for Mountaineers - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Rigg is one of the newest starters on the West Virginia (2-0) defense, having taken over the role of outside linebacker for the Mountaineers, a position he had strived to attain since last season came to an end.
West Virginia Cooks up a new look at safety - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"He's made a really tough transition playing defensive end in high school," safeties coach Steve Dunlap said. "When he came here, he totally had no idea what it took to be a safety, but to his credit, he's worked extremely hard."
WVU Cornerback Pat Miller Impresses Early On - WV Illustrated
The first year starter has stood out over the first two games and looks for redemption against Maryland
Wide receiver Devon Brown - Mountaineer TV
Devon Brown reviews his performances over the past few weeks and previews this weekend's game at Maryland.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Realignment: Every college for itself - Charleston Daily Mail
Maybe, just maybe, it takes the Three Stooges to figure out who's where - hey, that's almost an Abbott & Costello - in this amoebic conference realignment talk in major college athletics.
Texas drove everyone away, now begging for ACC acceptance - Sporting News
Louisville Cardinals know giving up huge plays 'defines you' - Courier-Journal
Just Breathe Bearcat Fans, Just Breathe - Down The Drive
Newcomer Scott soars in coaches' eyes - Tampa Tribune
Rutgers' De'Antwan Williams leaves football program - Star Ledger
UConn Coach Paul Pasqualoni Says UConn Will Use 3 Quarterbacks Vs. Iowa State - Hartford Courant
This UConn report Of UConn coach Pasqualoni is brought to you by the (U)Conn newspaper that covers UConn sports
Pitt Vs. Iowa Football: Cardiac Hill Game Preview - Cardiac Hill
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Women's Soccer: BIG EAST Play Begins - MSNsportsNET.Com
The West Virginia women’s soccer team opens BIG EAST Conference play at USF on Thursday, Sept. 15. Kickoff at USF Soccer Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m.
(3) LSU Tigers vs. (25) Mississippi State Bulldogs - ESPN
8 pm tonight from Starkville on ESPN/ESPN3. LSU is giving 4.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Have you ever wanted to see Coach Edsall get run over in practice? Of course you do...
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the winner of SI's 2011 Swimsuit Model Search and a Victoria's Secret model to boot. Here's a lovely gallery of Jessica Perez (click on the picture).
Terrapin Rye Pale Ale image via www.calvertgames.com
