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 Ninkasi Brewing's Oktoberfest.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Tuesday, Oct. 1 - WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen discusses the health of his quarterbacks, while basketball coach Bob Huggins discusses the eligibility of his incoming players.
Four Named as Big 12 Football Players of the Week - Big 12 Conference
Aaron Wimberly (Iowa State), Charles Sims (West Virginia), Sam Carter (TCU) and Nick O'Toole (West Virginia) were named Big 12 Football Players of the Week. All four were honored for the first time.
Thank You Mountaineer Nation - WVU Athletics
A message from WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen.
West Virginia proves point with dominating weekend - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers opened conference play this past weekend against arguably the two toughest opponents in the league in Oklahoma State and No. 9 Baylor. West Virginia defeated the Cowgirls 2-1 before taking down the Lady Bears 4-3 in Waco, Texas. The loss was Baylor’s first regulation defeat since August 2012.
Mountaineers eye another conference regular season title - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers are currently one of the best teams in the Big 12 after their impressive victories over the weekend.
W. Soccer Earns New National Ranking - WVU Athletics
The WVU women's soccer team is ranked No. 22 in this week's TopDrawerSoccer.com Poll.
WATCH: WVU Volleyball Interviews - WVillustrated
Watch video interviews with West Virginia Volleyball Head Coach Jill Kramer and players as they talk to the media about the volleyball team's successful season thus far.
Schwindel Named Athlete of the Week - WVU Athletics
Varsity Sport Report
News of Note:
Football
WVU's Holgorsen Talks Oklahoma State Win and Looks Ahead to Baylor - WVillustrated
The win was a big confidence booster for the Mountaineers as they head into Waco this week to play the undefeated Baylor Bears.
Defense taking after Patterson's personality - Charleston Daily Mail
This is not a dominant outfit, but it is far from the defense that was undressed so frequently last season and it follows Patterson's personality and the coach's internal combat.
Redshirt junior cornerback Ishmael Banks having impact on West Virginia defense - Daily Athenaeum
In addition to his interception, the junior defensive back has 12 tackles in his five starts this season.
Another Challenge - BGN
After seeing the way his team played against Maryland a week ago, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen wanted to see a quick turnaround from the Mountaineers. He didn't want to see them get too down after the loss with Oklahoma State coming into town.
Will the defenses show up this time? - Register-Herald
WVU, Baylor will meet for encore from 2012 slugfest
Baylor's Coach Briles Talks About Playing WVU - WVillustrated
The Baylor Bears are undefeated at 3-0 heading into the matchup this weekend against the Mountaineers.
Baylor vs. WVU Commercial, featuring Chrome Gold Helmets - Our Daily Bears
If you're not ready for this game after watching this video, despite the fact that it is only 30 seconds long, I can't help you. I really can't help you.
Who’s at QB for WVU? - Charleston Gazette
And so when the Mountaineers gathered for their usual light Sunday practice, the only healthy quarterback was Paul Millard, the starter for the first two games of the season who hasn't taken a snap in the last three.
Quarterback injuries raise questions - Times West Virginian
“We had a practice Sunday night where we just had one healthy quarterback in Paul Millard.”
Starting QB Still Undecided - EerSports
"They're both banged up," said Holgorsen of Trickett and Childress.
Coaching staff must be patient with Trickett - Daily Athenaeum
The Florida State transfer has Holgorsen feeling frustrated, because his learning curve of the offense is steep.
Furfari: What a difference a week can make in college football - Register-Herald
Isn’t it absolutely amazing how much a tremendous difference of one week can make on the college football field?
Player of the Week: Big 12 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
In the moments after he’d pulled off the biggest win of his career, Clint Trickett tried to play humble. He felt he’d done "an all right job, good enough to win."
WVU's Eastwood Impression - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Say the phrase "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and it would be easy to think of Clint Eastwood.
Multimedia: Upon Further Review - WV MetroNews
The MetroNews team of photographers and videographers takes its weekly look inside West Virginia football following the Mountaineers’ 30-21 upset victory over Oklahoma State.
On The Mark: The new SEC -- college football - ESPN
On The Mark: WVU battles back
Wearing the Jersey: Cody Clay - WVU Athletics
Sophomore Cody Clay has become an important part of the Mountaineer offense, and his clutch third-down catches during last Saturday's game against Oklahoma State helped West Virginia knock off the 11th-rated Cowboys.
Basketball
Eligibility issues cloud WVU hoops - Charleston Gazette
"It's killing you, isn't it?'' Huggins cracked when the subject of just who might be eligible came up right off the bat.
Macon a long shot to play this season - Charleston Daily Mail
Huggins said it's virtually certain Macon won't play this season and that Holton is currently eligible to practice, but not eligible to play.
Macon unlikely to play this season; WVU awaits clearance on Holton - WV MetroNews
Huggins says four other signees are practicing as Mountaineers aim to rebound from losing season.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Huggins looking forward to fresh basketball season - Times West Virginian
“I’d never had it happen to me. That was a first. I’ve never not been able to get guys to play as hard as I wanted them to play. Obviously we had some deficiencies.”
Huggins likes his players' demeanor - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Bob Huggins can’t help but put a positive spin on the prospects for West Virginia’s second season in the Big 12.
Huggins anxious to get started - Register-Herald
For many West Virginia fans, the start of basketball practice Monday went by almost unnoticed.
Recruiting:
Juco prospect becomes sixth O-line pledge for 2014 - WV MetroNews
Sylvester Townes is a three-star recruit who West Virginia projects as a left tackle.
Pro News:
John Flowers and Alex Ruoff in Euroleague Action over the weekend - ProsReport
Here is how they fared.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor Offensive Statistics Through 3 Games - Our Daily Bears
Quotebook: The Cyclones talk Texas on "Tuesday" night - Cyclone Fanatic
Kansas football primed to upset Red Raiders - Lawrence Journal World
LOLOLOLOL
Cats looking for everyone to ‘buy in’ - Manhattan Mercury
Could OU use both Blake Bell and Trevor Knight? - Oklahoman
Mike Gundy calls the Cowboys kicking game poor - Oklahoman (autoplay)
DeLoss Dodds Stepping Down - Barking Carnival
Frogs still aiming to improve after blowout win - TCU 360
Is 7-0 start realistic? Tech's about to find out - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Videos of Interest:
West Virginia's coach reviews the Mountaineers' 30-21 win over Oklahoma State and previews Saturday's game against undefeated Baylor.
Safety Darwin Cook and Defensive lineman Will Clarke discuss the major defensive improvements after Saturday's 30-21 victory over #11 Oklahoma State at Milan Puskar Stadium.
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins previews the start of preseason practice set to get underway this afternoon.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Swedish model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Johanna Lundback.
More from The Smoking Musket:
- West Virginia Football Coaching Approval Meter: Post-Oklahoma State Edition
- Recap: Game Five - Unreal. Surreal. Superb. Eers Win.
- Mountaineer Morning Links: Monday (9/30/13) Edition
- Sunday Post-Game Roundup: Oklahoma State Cowboys Edition - Recaps, Photos, Videos, Etc.
- Mountaineer Retweet: A Look Back At WVU's Upset Of Oklahoma St.