Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (10/30/13) Edition

Holgorsen & Huggins pressers, player & coaches interviews, WVU Pros updates, Big 12 roundup & more

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 Oct 30, 2013, 9:09am EDT

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 Shiner Oktoberfest.

What You May Have Missed:

Mike Casazza: Oliver Luck has done his job - Charleston Daily Mail
He locked in on Luck last time because Clements believed Luck was the only candidate for what Clements wanted and WVU needed done. Those things have either been accomplished or have been facilitated for a successor, which mean Clements can be choosier and let the job recruit itself like it could not last time.

WVU competing in scrimmages, but not shooting well - Charleston Gazette
The date at Ohio State was no doubt more telling because it came against outside competition. To a certain extent, Huggins seemed pleased.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Staten vows to be leader for WVU - Times West Virginian
No, Staten will not be a major scorer, but his role will be far more important than that as a key player in the defense and as the team leader.

WVU Holds Practice at New Ballpark - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team spent about an hour at the site of the new Monongalia County ballpark this afternoon.

Inside the 18 - WVU Athletics
This week's inside look at West Virginia University men's and women's soccer

Volleyball Drops Home Match Against Marshall - WVU Athletics
3-1 (16-25, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25)

Spurgeon improving in smallbore - Daily Athenaeum Online
Sophomore Garrett Spurgeon is one of the top shooters for the West Virginia University rifle team, and going into his second year he is expected to be become one of the leaders for the team.

News of Note:

Dana Holgorsen News Conference - WVU Athletics
Transcript and video here, video also embedded below

WVU 3rd-down defense decimated by injuries - Charleston Gazette
Although injuries can't be used as an excuse, especially at a time of the season when almost every team is banged up, there is no denying that West Virginia is short-handed when it comes to the defensive alignment needed to defend third-and-long situations.

Mountaineers try to swat injury bug - Register-Herald
"Everybody in the country deals with these things this time of year," said Holgorsen of the long list of walking — and not walking — wounded. "We had 13 guys that were out against Kansas State."

4 injured starters day-to-day for WVU - WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen's weekly media session includes injury updates as the Mountaineers prep for TCU.

Coaches' Speak: TCU Week - EerSports
The theme of West Virginia's season thus far has been inconsistency. At every position, there have been ups and downs this season, whether it be from game to game, quarter to quarter or play by play. The latter has been the case with the Mountaineers' offensive line this season.

Holgs Talks Injuries and Facilities - EerSports
What looked to be one of the healthiest weeks of the season, suddenly turned into a mash unit last week as a couple notable players went down with injury just before Saturday's game against Kansas State.

What’s next for WVU? - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Is there change in the air or will WVU fans experience more of the same?

Scuffling West Virginia a decided underdog against TCU - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
TCU opened as a 14-point favorite over the struggling Mountaineers, which might seem to be a legitimate evaluation considering that TCU is 3-1 in home games this season and West Virginia is still seeking its first road victory.

Beginning Again - BGN
West Virginia is beginning - again. The slate, like the team’s Player of the Week and team boards, has been wiped clean.

Holgorsen: Trickett won’t change plays this season - Times West Virginian
"That isn’t going to happen this year. I’ve come to terms with that," Holgorsen said.

Holgorsen’s decision-making costly for West Virginia - Daily Athenaeum
Let’s take it back to the Texas Tech game, shall we? WVU had an opportunity to cut an early deficit when the Mountaineers were driving and were stopped on Texas Tech’s 26-yard line. West Virginia was in field goal range and redshirt freshman Josh Lambert would have been able to hit a 43-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game.

Rowell says West Virginia-TCU winner will go bowling, loser won’t - WV MetroNews
Senior nose tackle says defensive injuries exacerbated by WVU offense going three-and-out.

Banks blames himself for stunning 2012 bust vs. TCU - WV MetroNews
Late-game 94-yard touchdown pass led to overtime and typified WVU's defensive futility.

West Virginia's offensive difficulties no surprise - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
This fall, through eight games, West Virginia’s three quarterbacks have combined for nine passing touchdowns. A year ago, it took quarterback Geno Smith just seven quarters and four seconds to reach that total.

Ugly WVU stats, Huntington Prep and delivering GEISA trophies - Charleston Gazette
WVU's team has a losing record because it's simply not very good at anything.

The Good and the Bad of WVU v. Kansas State - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Is that your new starting quarterback? I ask because 1) mustache and 2) it sure sounded like it could again be an open competition after Saturday’s game.

The Takeaway: K-State dominates WVU in 2nd half - WV MetroNews
In their weekly installment of "The Takeaway," Allan Taylor and Justin Hoff break down the Kansas State film and discuss whether WVU has what it takes to become bowl-eligible.

Tough Foes Now the Norm for WVU - WVU Athletics
WVU facing toughest grid slate since 2000.

Player/Staff Quotes: TCU - WVU Athletics
Assistant coaches and players of the West Virginia University football team addressed members of the media

DeForest speaks, but Oklahoma State scandal off-limits - WV MetroNews
West Virginia's special-teams coordinator hadn't taken questions from the media since early September.

WATCH: West Virginia Football Interviews with Players and Coache - WVillustrated
Banks, Coach DeForest, Coach Dawson, Bruce, Coach Galloway, Spain, Trickett & Clarke

TCU defensive back finally feels at home - Charleston Daily Mail
Jason Verrett has all the statistics and every bit of the reputation of an All-American cornerback, but the TCU star has the personal anecdote that just seems too perfect to believe.

Pro News:

Irvin squares off with Austin, Bailey on MNF; Pacman, Goode get TDs in Week 8 - ProsReport
Week 8 saw some great plays from our WVU Pros, including two defensive touchdowns. We won't keep you waiting. Check out how they did.

Bruce Irvin Talks Progress in Seattle, WVU Connection - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineer defensive end had his first interception Monday night. We asked him about his current successes and his former team back in Morgantown.

Beilein optimistic as coach at Wesleyan - Register-Herald
Pat Beilein admittedly feels "very good" going into his second season as a men’s head basketball coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College.