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 Botchkarev Dark in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
The theme of today's articles is mostly special teams. All of them. And guess what, Bowling Green has a good punter too; just what we needed to face this week. Preparation for the Falcons is in full swing now. We also have coverage of Holgs' presser, Huggs weighs in on conference realignment, the usual notebooks and features, plus more coverage of the tailgating scene this past weekend.
What You May Have Missed:
Head Coach Dana Holgorsen - Mountaineer TV
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen previews Saturday's Bowling Green game.
Football: Coach Holgorsen News Conference - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcript
Gold And Blue Now: Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Tony Caridi and Hoppy Kercheval talk conference expansion and the rumors going around, Dana Holgorsen talks says he's very impressed with Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson and some Mountaineer hoops news to round out the show.
Mountaineers hopeful on rebuilt Big East, but Big 12 and SEC may be options down road - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU has plenty of connections with the Big 12, and it fits the SEC athletic profile just as it fits the Big East's geography.
Huggins: basketball has no ‘juice’ - Charleston Gazette
Huggins said he believes the Mountaineers can still find a suitable home. "I think the ACC is a possibility," he said. "I think staying where we are is a possibility. I think the Big 12 is a possibility. I think the SEC is a possibility. Or a variation thereof."
Study Hall: LSU 47, West Virginia 21 - Football Study Hall
A statistical recap of LSU's 47-21 win over West Virginia last Saturday night in Morgantown, WV.
Hearts full of protein and fire: A photo retrospective of Week 4 in Morgantown – Campus Union
The internet domination of our tailgate continues...here's Holly's photo essay from Saturday
Thoughts From The South Endzone: West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful - And The Valley Shook
And The Valley Shook Road Trips to Morgantown and finds the lost tribe of the SEC. - And PodKatt's trip recap
Tailgating at West Virginia - Taylor Tailgates
Here's a guide they put together for tailgating at WVU, featuring many images from this past weekend.
Wife says football not motive for beating - Charleston Daily Mail
The wife of a Pennsylvania man attacked after Saturday's football game in Morgantown says the assault was random and had nothing to do with a school rivalry.
LSU, Alabama headline great American novel-themed Power Rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
#20 Catch 22
News of Note:
HERTZEL COLUMN: This week offers new challenge - Times West Virginian
“This is a quality opponent,” Holgorsen stressed about the 3-1 Bowling Green Falcons from the Mid-America Conference. “This isn’t a fill-in game. This is a quality opponent.”
Mountaineers can’t take Bowling Green lightly - Register-Herald
Mickey's Column
WVU football notebook: Bowling Green one of youngest teams in nation - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
Holgorsen and Geno getting on same page - Daily Athenaeum
Holgorsen and Smith have worked extremely hard to get to the point they are at now, which isn't far off from their ultimate goal.
Holgs’ attitude rubbing off on players - Daily Athenaeum
"There was more tension on the team (last year). Everybody was uptight and we didn't have fun," said sophomore wide receiver Ivan McCartney. "That's something coach Holgorsen has changed this year. He just told us to loosen up and go out there and have fun playing."
Holgorsen still searching for answers - Register-Herald
With one game left until conference play begins, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is still in search mode.
WVU football: Holgorsen needs Mountaineers to be smarter - Charleston Daily Mail
Play smart. Play hard. Play fast. Two were in place when WVU played host to unbeaten LSU Saturday night. The exception was the difference.
WVU defense sets main focus on turnovers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
West Virginia's generated just three turnovers in four games this season, and all three were interceptions against Maryland.
Special teams gaffes plague No. 22 West Virginia - Martinsburg Journal/AP
"I thought their punter did as good a punting performance as I've seen in all my years of coaching as far as where he placed it," Holgorsen said.
West Virginia special teams not so special - PPG
"We're not going to make wholesale changes. People on those units are the guys we got," said Holgorsen. "Can't do anything but coach 'em, and get them better at what they're doing."
WVU’s special concern - Charleston Gazette
Kicks, returns and coverages all on Holgorsen’s improvement list
WVU set to face another stellar punter - Inter-Mountain
But Bowling Green punter Brian Schmiedebusch may be the last guy West Virginia University football coach Dana Holgorsen wants to see.
Holgorsen: LSU ‘good as any team’ - Times West Virginian
Hertzel's Notebook
WVU Players and Coaches Interviews: Bowling Green Week - WV Illustrated
Eain Smith, Garrison, Coach Casteel and Coach Gillespie
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East Not Considering Schools Within Current Big East States - Big East Coast Bias
Academic flop at Florida, cornerback Adrian Bushell making the grade at Louisville - Courier-Journal
UC players now 'get' Jones - Cincinnati Enquirer
Bulls' offensive line is dispelling doubts - Tampa Tribune
UConn running attack is standing still - Hartford Courant
Rutgers cornerback Jordan Thomas makes his first trip to Carrier Dome - Star Ledger
Pitt coach Graham points finger at himself - PPG
OPPONENT PREVIEW: SMU Mustangs - Frogs O' War
SEC not considering other schools as 14th member, according to commissioner Mike Slive - ESPN
Forde Yard Dash - ESPN
HCDH gets in at #12 this week
What's On Tap:
Football: WVU Quarterbacks Autograph Session - MSNsportsNET.Com
Former quarterbacks expected to participate in this weekend’s festivities are: Richard Loring, Fred Wyant, Dale Evans, Ed Pastilong, Pete Secret, Garland Hudson, Mike Sherwood, Bernie Galiffa, Dan Kendra, Dan Williams, Mike Williams, Oliver Luck, Kevin White, Jeff Hostetler, Tony Reda, Ben Reed, Major Harris, Greg Jones, Darren Studstill, Jake Kelchner, Chad Johnston, Eric Boykin, Marc Bulger, Rasheed Marshall, Pat White.
Football: WVU-Bowling Green Game Day Information - MSNsportsNET.Com
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
EA was on Kimmel Monday and she gave him a coon skin hat from WVU:
Part II is LINKED HERE
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a beauty pageant winner who was Miss Tatarstan 2010 and first runner-up in Miss Russia 2010. Here's today's gallery of Irina Sharipova (Click on the picture).
Botchkarev Dark image via bravosolutions.com
