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 Royal Dutch, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
Spring football rolls along and we have a few practice reports, lot's of player interview videos and a couple nice features on Jordan Thompson and Josh Jenkins. Along those storylines, the Offensive Line is impressing thus far and earning high praise from Coach Holgorsen. There is a bit more on the ticket price increase and KJ has earned another honor. All of this and more on your Hump Day...
What You May Have Missed:
WVU football ticket holders to see 'modest increase' in costs - Charleston Gazette
Luck does not detail the amount of the increase, but wrote that season ticket holders will soon receive information regarding a new "Priority Points Program."
Huggins, Mountaineers hurt by limited frontline - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia just ended its worst basketball season in eight years in the NCAA Tournament, which says something in itself.
Another Honor for WVU's Jones - MSNsportsNET.Com
National Association of Basketball Coaches All-America second team.
News of Note:
West Virginia offense ready to handle high expectations after explosive 2011 season - Daily Athenaeum
"People may have a certain perception of us, but when we get on the field, we’ll change that."
Holgorsen Pleased - MSNsportsNET.Com
"I don’t see a whole lot of blown assignments or mental busts; there are mistakes everywhere out there as far as offense, defense, and special teams, but I’ve been really pleased with how those guys are coming along defensively."
Quick Hits: WVU Spring Practice Day Five - WVillustrated
News and notes from the Mountaineers' practice, including Ryan Clarke getting carries and the differences between last season's defense and the new scheme.
Offensive Line and Defense Making Progress on Day 5 - WVMETRONEWS.COM
WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen has even said it could be one of the best lines in the Big 12 Conference this upcoming season.
Jenkins' return bolsters WVU line - Charleston Gazette
Let's face it, if there is one group within West Virginia's football team with plenty of room to improve over last year's performance it is the offensive line.
Jenkins is ready to roll - Martinsburg Journal
"I did work hard with the coaches to determine what I could and could not do. I'm not limited at all now," Jenkins said.
WVU's Thompson picks up system, kudos early in drills (with video) - Charleston Gazette
"If you can't touch him, you can't tackle him," Holgorsen said.
Thompson small, but fast in WVU camp - Times West Virginian
"Throughout the natural progression of the first year, I think Jordan has already added 10 pounds in the last few months. It’s not about size — it’s more about quickness at that position. He’ll be hit by big guys only if they can touch him. He’s a tough kid, but I’m not giving him any credit right now; he hasn’t played a down."
With new defense, Francis feels free - Charleston Daily Mail
When Josh Francis closes the door to his locker and heads for home, he leaves behind something valuable: Everything that happened to the West Virginia linebacker that day.
Football: Player Interviews After Practice No. 5 - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia University football players meet with the media to discuss spring practice.
Video: Football Interviews 3/20 - BGN
Madsen, Geno, Corey Smith, Alston and Brodrick
VIDEO: Mountaineer Player Interviews - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Buie, JD Woods, Josh Jenkins, Rigg, Geno, Barber, Campbell, Tyler Anderson, Childress, Madsen, Tonkery and Corey Smith
WVU Football Interviews Following Day Five of Spring Drills - WVillustrated
Josh Jenkins, Eger, Spain, Tonkery, Geno, JD Woods, Barber, Stedman, Cook, Alston, Tyler Anderson and Madsen
Photos: Day Five Of Spring Ball - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Around the League (and Beyond):
Ranking the Big 12's College Football Coaches - AthlonSports.com
#8
Brandon Weeden "wouldn’t even bet on" who wins Oklahoma State QB competition - Oklahoman
Baylor Football Spring Practice Report from ESPN's David Ubben - Our Daily Bears
Top five storylines as practice begins - Cyclone Fanatic
Coaching File: Chris Thomsen - Texas Tech Red Raiders
Dominique Whaley improving after injury - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Josh Luchs proposes legalizing agent loans to college players - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Men's Basketball: WVU-Michigan Tickets - MSNsportsNET.Com
Tickets for the BROOKLYN HOOPS™ Winter Festival, featuring Michigan vs. West Virginia and Fordham vs. Princeton, will go on sale starting Monday, March 26 at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster by visiting www.barclayscenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Video of Interest:
the football team completes day five of spring practice and student-athletes give their speeches in Dr. Carolyn Atkins class.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Dutch model Babs de Jongh. Click on her picture for today's gallery.
via nextround.net
Royal Dutch image via www.maths.tcd.ie
