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 Left Hand Brewing Company's Oktoberfest Märzen Lager.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, Oct. 2 - WV MetroNews
With the Mountaineers traveling to Waco this weekend, Dana Holgorsen emphasizes why No. 17 Baylor is so productive this year, and Art Briles claims WVU is better than its record.
Luck clarifies position: No comment on Texas AD job - WV MetroNews
WVU's athletics director was mentioned by a Longhorns source as a candidate to replace DeLoss Dodds.
Women's Soccer Cracks Top 10 in National Poll - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University women’s soccer team climbed eight spots to No. 10 in this week’s Soccer America Top 25 Poll.
LeBlanc, Mountaineers look to get past costly mistakes - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia men’s soccer team has struggled during the last two weeks. The Mountaineers, who are currently riding a four-game losing streak, have scored just two goals over that span and are now 3-5-1 on the season.
THE WATER COOLER: FOUND EDITION - TheSignalCaller.com
The idea is we take in everything we saw on Saturday, marinate on it for awhile while everyone else is in a rush to throw their recap at you, and then provide our thoughts for you to read Tuesday (sometimes Wednesday), hoping to provide some insightful nuggets that you can drop on your buddies around the water cooler (see what I did there) and look all educated.
News of Note:
Coach Holgorsen Tuesday Media Conference - WVU Athletics
Video and transcript here, video also embedded below
WVU football: Holgorsen still unsure about starting QB - Charleston Daily Mail
Before last week, Dana Holgorsen had never lost a starting quarterback to injury in six-plus seasons and 83 games as a head coach and offensive coordinator. Considering he asked his quarterbacks to throw 3,633 passes in that time, that's not a hollow achievement.
Health will decide WVU's starting QB vs. Baylor - Charleston Gazette
"I don't know what healthy means,'' Holgorsen said Tuesday. "If they're a hundred percent right now, we would probably go with Clint just because he did a good job of keeping plays alive and had some savvy to him and reacted to the game of football pretty well.
Can Trickett shoulder load vs. Baylor? - WV MetroNews
With Ford Childress reportedly out, it's down to Trickett or Paul Millard as West Virginia's starting quarterback.
Trickett questionable for Saturday - Times West Virginian
Holgorsen said he felt it was necessary, considering how inexperienced all his quarterbacks are, that the starter practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
West Virginia notebook: Holgorsen upset about failure to communicate - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"I lost several years off my life with the communication issues," Holgorsen said.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Holgorsen explains tantrum - Times West Virginian
Holgorsen readily admitted it was miscommunication between himself and his new quarterback, Clint Trickett, in getting plays into the game.
Furfari: Trickett vows to improve signal reading - Register-Herald
“You need that game experience. We’re not worried about it. We just have to get it corrected.”
Holgorsen’s offense like a second language for quarterback Trickett - Register-Herald
“View it as learning sign language,” said Holgorsen
WVU football: Baylor offense scoring in bunches - Charleston Daily Mail
Bears lead nation in scoring offense, total offense and passing offense
Baylor offense to pose challenge for Mountaineers - Daily Athenaeum
“When you get right down to Baylor, obviously it’s about some offense,” Holgorsen said.
Turnovers key for WVU defense - Daily Athenaeum
Although the West Virginia offense turned the ball over twice, the turnovers created by the Mountaineer defense came at critical points in the game and ultimately helped them finish the upset.
Defense Motivated, QBs Healing - EerSports
West Virginia will be facing a lot of high-flying offenses this year, but none will be at the level as Baylor’s when the Mountaineers get to Waco this weekend.
WVU faces road test with high-scoring Bears - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
One ranked team down, another one awaits.
Ugly facts on WVU's special teams, Luck and a tribute - Charleston Gazette
The views from here
Not many happy returns for WVU so far - WV MetroNews
“I think our kick returners are garbage,” he said.
The Takeaway: WVU’s back on the map with victory - WV MetroNews
Allan Taylor and Justin Hoff break down the Oklahoma State film, chat about Clint Trickett’s injury and discuss this weekend’s matchup against Baylor.
Winding path led German tackle to WVU - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Oddly, it was Heinz ketchup and the Steelers that got him into the sport.
Watch: Players size up importance of the Oklahoma State upset - WV MetroNews
After stunning the Big 12 favorites, WVU gets another chance to upend a ranked team.
Football Player [and coaches, ed.] Quotes: Baylor - WVU Athletics
Assistant coaches and players of the West Virginia University football team addressed members of the media Tuesday night.
WATCH: WVU Assistant Coaches Talk Before Game At Baylor - WVillustrated
Dawson, Patterson & Galloway
BGN Video: Offense and Defense - BGN
Coach Patterson, Clay, Barber & Rigg
WATCH: WVU Players Prepare for Baylor - WVillustrated
Eger, Squirt & Boomstache
WVU Hoops Practice Marred by Eligibility Concerns - WVillustrated
Macon likely out for WVU, Holton still waiting on an answer as practice begins for Mountaineers.
Pro News:
Jedd Gyorko wraps up first full MLB season - ProsReport
That season was one that the Morgantown native and WVU alum can surely hang his hat on, and maybe even set a Rookie of the Year award on.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Chrome Gold and Black for WVU? Looks like it. - Our Daily Bears
WVU vs. Baylor: #BringtheBling - Our Daily Bears
These commercials are getting out of control, Baylor! Out of control and I think I just peed myself.
First Look: West Virginia Mountaineers - Our Daily Bears
Wimberly poised to let speed run wild for Cyclones - Ames Tribune
Kliff's notes: KU’s Weis familiar with Tech coach - Lawrence Journal World
Snyder preparing Wildcats for 'disappointed' Cowboys - Topeka Capital Journal
OU football notebook: Sooners defense stays diverse - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Oklahoma State DL coach Joe Bob Clements won't go overboard with K-State info - Oklahoman
Baker Mayfield will start for Texas Tech at Kansas - Dallas Morning News
What's On Tap:
Volleyball to Battle TCU on Road - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University volleyball team travels to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Video of Interest:
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen previews Saturday's Baylor game.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Make sure you stick around to the end, especially if you're a fan of Irina Shayk
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an all American model from Tampa. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Michelle Baker.
More from The Smoking Musket:
- Three Things We Saw At The Bob Huggins Press Conference
- West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Baylor Bears: Game Day Information, Parking, Television, Radio, Gamewatches & More
- Mountaineer Morning Links: Tuesday (10/1/13) Edition
- West Virginia Football Coaching Approval Meter: Post-Oklahoma State Edition
- Recap: Game Five - Unreal. Surreal. Superb. Eers Win.