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 Newcastle Brown Ale, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
T-minus 9 Days
We have entered single digits in the countdown to Kickoff 2012. Today we have more on the excitement surrounding WVU's move to the Big 12, including unprecedented ticket sales. Oliver Luck has penned an open letter urging a welcoming atmosphere when teams come to visit this year. Personally, I think the Big 12 move will do wonders for our fan image, as far as hospitality goes. There's also more on the kicking game changes, defensive line features, Coach Dunlap weighs in on the Danny Buggs/Tavon Austin debate and we have the usual Big 12 roundup too. Plus, Caleb previews tonight's NFL games and how Mountaineers will play a part. All of this and more...
What You May Have Missed:
MAKING A GREAT GOLD & BLUE IMPRESSION - WVU Alumni Assn.
An open letter from Oliver Luck
Move to Big 12 spurs bonanza in WVU ticket sales - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
By the afternoon of Aug. 2, sales were suspended for every home game except Kansas, which went 2-10 last year and visits Dec. 1.
WVU says 'Howdy, Big 12!' - Charleston Daily Mail
The excitement already has hit town.
Know Your Enemy: West Virginia University - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Some of these are unoriginal, some are very original...but it's all in fun (don't be like some of the TCU fans who didn't take it well)
Campriani credits WVU for gold rush - Times West Virginian
“I want to thank the sports psychology department,” Campriani said. “You really have to be proud of what you have here. It’s unbelievable. I had a lot of experience back home with sports psychology and it didn’t work out good. But here it was a privilege to work with Dr. Ed Etzel, who was an Olympic champion in 1984.
WVUPros NFL Preseason Week 3 Preview: Thursday Night - WVU Pros
We preview Thursday night's NFL Preseason games involving Darius Reynaud, Don Barclay, Robert Sands, and Gino Gradkowski.
News of Note:
Mountaineers can’t take opener with Marshall lightly - Register-Herald
Doc Holliday could have a few surprises up his sleeve.
New Rule Could Impact Return Game - WVUsports.com
"Now in college they take it back to the 25, which is a disadvantage for the defense," he said. "It’s another offensive rule."
Special delivery: Buggs or Austin? - Charleston Gazette
"Tavon's a pretty special guy,'' Dunlap said. "He can be a running back, he can run the slot. Danny never really did anything like that. It was just passes and maybe a reverse.
Inexperienced D-line ready to make its impact - Daily Athenaeum
"(We’ve) got a lot of guys that have never put their hand down in a college football game," said first-year defensive line coach Erik Slaughter during fall camp. "And some of the guys are young, but we’re gonna put them in there and see what they can do. And it’s up to me to get them ready for that."
WVU football: Mountaineers build defensive depth - Charleston Daily Mail
"Too many young guys," Holgorsen said. "You're talking about a few new freshmen, and we didn't have a whole lot of depth at that position anyway. We've got a whole lot of guys and not a lot of experience."
VIDEO: Interviews With WVU Defensive Football Players - WVillustrated
Will Clarke, Kinsey, Rowell and Tyler Anderson
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 begins 2012 season with renewed sense of optimism - ESPN
A poster child for expansion run amok a year ago, the Big 12 appears a picture of perfect health in 2012. But has the balance of power really shifted?
Podcast: Big 12 preview - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Ivan Maisel previews the Big 12 with David Ubben, including announcing a new starting quarterback at Iowa State.
Football: Bowlsby out to change perception of Big 12 - Ames Tribune
Nick Florence joins illustrious line of Heisman replacements - CBSSports.com
The Return Of Random Steele Jantz Facts - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas Football 2012: Charlie Weis And Dayne Crist Presser - Rock Chalk Talk
Respect doesn’t alter approach of K-State’s Malone - Wichita Eagle
Oklahoma football: Defensive back Bennett Okotcha leaves team - Oklahoman
Oklahoma State football: Cowboys need a posse of receivers - Oklahoman
A Defense For All Seasons: The Multiplicity of Manny Diaz - Barking Carnival
TCU football notes: Two days of rest recharges Horned Frogs - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
Tech's Davis goes with the flow - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Football: Schedule & Results - Big 12 Conference
TV coverage for weeks 1-3 (only 2 WVU games though) have been announced. WVU/MU is on FX and the JMU game will be on ROOT/MSN
Videos of Interest:
Both ESPN and SI preview the Big 12:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Bonus video includes today's Miss Throwdown:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a British model and actress. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Kelly Brook.