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 Raider's Dungeon Ale, in preparation for this weekend's opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Friday Oct. 18 - WV MetroNews
Learn the latest on the injury affecting WVU quarterback Ford Childress, and give a listen to Aaron Dickens of RedRaiderSports.com for an update on No. 16 Texas Tech.
Mountaineers AD Luck excited to join selection committee - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck said he was "honored beyond measure" to be named to the 13-member College Football Playoff selection committee that will replace the Bowl Championship Series system in 2014.
A New Era of WVU Baseball Begins - WVU Athletics
Ground is officially broken on the new ballpark.
Breaking Ground - BGN
After months of speculation and plenty of curiosity as to when it would happen, the groundbreaking for the new West Virginia baseball stadium took place Thursday - something that marked a huge step in turning the dream of a new Mountaineer ballpark into a reality.
WVU breaks ground on ballpark - WV MetroNews
Adorned in flying “WV” hard hat, Mazey called it “one of the prettiest settings in all of college baseball,” and one that will no doubt bolster recruiting.
Excitement running high for Mazey, WVU baseball - Daily Athenaeum
Mazey changed the culture during the 2013 season as WVU moved into the Big 12 Conference. After finishing tied for No. 3 in the league, it was clear Mazey was the right man for the job.
Gold Wins Game One - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team began its Gold-Blue World Series.
No. 6 Women's Soccer Prepped for Kansas - WVU Athletics
The No. 6-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team closes out its regular-season home schedule against Kansas on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
WVU plays Georgia State at home Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
Saturday night brings another opportunity for the West Virginia men’s soccer team to even their record this season when the squad hosts visiting Georgia State in a nonconference matchup.
Mountaineers return to Big 12 play, face Kansas - Daily Athenaeum
Saturday’s match for the West Virginia volleyball team brings No. 23 Kansas (14-4, 4-1 Big 12) into the WVU Coliseum for a Big 12 Conference match.
The WVUsportsBuzz - WVU Athletics
Here is what's buzzing around campus this week: interviews with men's soccer player Andy Bevin, women's tennis player Ikttesh Chahal and some sights-and-sounds from the Gold-Blue swim meet last weekend.
FURFARI COLUMN: Ford showed the way for record-setting running backs - Times West Virginian
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Washington, D.C., native was the first Mountaineer in history to top 2,000 rushing yards in a career (in just three seasons) and also 1,000 yards in a single season.
News of Note:
Football
Quarterback situation remains murky - Charleston Daily Mail
Not only is Holgorsen putting off the decision in advance of Saturday's noon home game against No. 16 Texas Tech, but he said he anticipates playing both against the Red Raiders.
Childress out of QB battle - Charleston Gazette
Redshirt freshman aggravates injury
Sources: Childress out for the season - WV MetroNews
West Virginia's redshirt freshman quarterback expected to be sidelined by torn pectoral muscle.
Are targeting penalties targeting the defense? - Charleston Daily Mail
You could be forgiven for thinking WVU believes its cornerbacks and safeties are being targeted by opponents and officials for the way they hit receivers and running backs on the sideline or the middle of the field.
WVU defense set for Texas Tech - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"You have to be able to handle it. The mental part of it is probably just as taxing as the physical part of it."
There’s Familiarity Between WVU, Texas Tech - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
The two team's offenses are so similar, in fact, Holgorsen had his No. 1 defense go against his No. 1 offense in practice instead of the scout team, so the defense could get accustomed to the speed of the game.
Mountaineers Remember Loss in Lubbock Last Season - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Notebook
Underdog WVU hopes for back-to-back upset home wins - Register-Herald
Can West Virginia’s inconsistent football team rise up to the occasion and upset Texas Tech here Saturday as it did against favored Oklahoma State in the last home game?
Barber proving to be a cut above for WVU - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
West Virginia junior linebacker Jared Barber does not mince words when critiquing his play last season.
Freshman cornerback Daryl Worley brings versatile skill set to West Virginia defense - Daily Athenaeum
“The most important thing I can say about the kid is that his football IQ is as great as anyone on the team. I mean, he gets it,” Mitchell said.
Charles Sims lets running do the talking - Times West Virginian
Sims is having a decent year. He leads WVU in rushing with 490 yards, averaging 4.9 per carry, with four touchdowns and is tied for being the leading receiver with 19 catches for 179 yards, 9.4 per catch.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Kevin White creates flare with his hair - Times West Virginian
He is hoping his image is of a tall receiver hauling in deep passes for the Mountaineers, as he did against Baylor two weeks ago, catching seven passes for 130 yards.
WVU hopes to slow down No. 16 Texas Tech TE Amaro - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Amaro caught five passes for a personal-best 156 yards and one touchdown in a 49-14 win over West Virginia last year in Lubbock, Texas.
Three-headed QB leads No. 16 Texas Tech - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen isn't the only head football coach in the Big 12 Conference dealing with quarterback issues this season.
Basketball
WVU basketball: Camaraderie forming off the court - Charleston Daily Mail
"Right now, we actually enjoy practicing and competing against one another, and after that, we're all tired, but we try to hang out together. I feel like it's helping and why we're getting along real well on the court."
WVU basketball: It's time to start running - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers hit the court tonight for scrimmage
Outside chance: Huggins expects perimeter-oriented team - WV MetroNews
Friday night's Gold-Blue scrimmage offers fans a chance to see WVU's retooled roster.
Recruiting:
There are (lineman) mountains within our mountains - Charleston Gazette
a trio of 2015 linemen right here in Wild and Wonderful.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 Preview: Week Eight - BGN
Call it Separation Saturday, where four teams in the top five of the Big 12 square off against teams in the lower division.
Big 12 Conference race still wide open this year - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Bear quest: stuffing the run - Waco Tribune
2013 Game VI: Iowa State vs Baylor Preview - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Trying times: Losses wearing on QB Heaps, KU offense - Lawrence Journal World
K-State’s Mueller no longer stops to plant the roses - Wichita Eagle
OU football notebook: Corey Nelson, Jordan Phillips undergo surgery - Oklahoman (autoplay)
OSU notebook: Mike Yurcich welcomes input from Mike Gundy - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Mid-Season Longhorn Football MVP: DE Cedric Reed - Barking Carnival
Game Week #7: Oklahoma State Preview - Frogs O' War
Iconography | Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Viva The Matadors
Texas Tech's Hyder OK with coaching shuffle - Charleston Gazette
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 8 - ESPN
What's On Tap:
(16) Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Preview - ESPN
Noon Saturday from MPS on FS1. Raiders are giving 5.5.
TCU Horned Frogs vs. (21) Oklahoma State Cowboys - Preview - ESPN
Noon Saturday from T. Boone Stadium on Fox. Pokes are giving 7.5.
(18) Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas Jayhawks - Preview - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from Memorial Stadium on EXPN/ESPN3. Land Thieves are giving 22.5.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. (12) Baylor Bears - Preview - ESPN
7 pm Saturday from the Floyd on ESPNU/ESPN3. Bears are giving 33.5.
College Football TV Schedule
All times listed inside are Central
Video of Interest:
On October 17, 2013, dignitaries from the University, the community, and the state of West Virginia gathered to break ground on a new ballpark at the University Town Center.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Jim Beam Whiskey Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 oz whiskey
- 1/2 cup pretzle crumbs
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup whiskey
- 2 chipotle chilis, choppoed (from can)
- 1 tsp. adobo sauce (also from can)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In dutch over (or pot, whatever) combine BBQ sauce, whiskey, chilis, and adobo sauce.
- Bring to boil then reduce to low simmer.
- Cover halfway to avoid splattering sauce all over your kitchen
- In large bowl combine egg, 1 oz whiskey, pretzel crumbs, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add ground beef and combine by hand. (don’t overwork the meat)
- Form into 1″ meatballs and arrange on broiler pan.
- Spoon small amount of boozy BBQ sauce over each meatball
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until no longer pink in center.
- When done, add to low simmering BBQ sauce for 5-10 minutes
- Eat over stove as to not allow anyone to share
Pictures and cooking tips over at Guyism
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Kid blocks two punts...on the same play
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is our favorite British tabloid/glamour model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Lucy Pinder.
More from The Smoking Musket:
- 2013 Smoking Musket Podcast: Week 8
- Staring Down The Musket At...The Texas Tech Red Raiders: A Blogger Conversation With Viva The Matadors
- FOX College Saturday Tour Is Coming To Morgantown Saturday
- Mountaineer Morning Links: Thursday (10/17/13) Edition
- 2013 West Virginia Mountaineers Football Depth Chart: Updated For Texas Tech