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 Mayflower Brewing Company's Thanksgiving Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, Nov. 28 - WV MetroNews
Shaq Rowell is featured in this edition of Gold and Blue Now plus WVU fans get to hear the latest from the visitors with the "Voice of Cyclones" John Walters.
Volleyball Drops Home Finale to Oklahoma - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University volleyball team was beaten by Oklahoma, 3-1 (15-25, 22-25, 25-19, 20-25), on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum in its final home and conference match of the 2013 season.
WVU Coaches and Players Share What They're Thankful For - WVillustrated
On Thanksgiving, we ask some Mountaineers coaches and student-athletes what they have to be thankful for this year.
Wisconsin Hangover:
Sam Dekker's double-double helps Wisconsin stay perfect - ESPN
Recap, statistics, etc
Wisconsin Outlasts WVU - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers drop to 5-2 for the season.
No. 10 Badgers hold off WVU in Cancun finale - WV MetroNews
Eron Harris pours in 27 points but Mountaineers come up short against Wisconsin.
Battling From Behind - BGN
West Virginia got stellar performances from Juwan Staten and Eron Harris on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough to overcome Wisconsin's balance in a 70-63 loss in the finals of the Cancun Challenge.
WVU Falls to No. 10 Wisconsin 70-63 in Cancun Championship - WVSports.com
The Badgers would close out the game down the stretch and seal the Cancun Challenge Title by hitting a big shot every time the Mountaineers got within striking distance.
WVU Falls to No. 10 Wisconsin in Cancun Title Game - WVillustrated
Bob Huggins said his team would need some statement wins after a bad loss to Virginia Tech earlier this season. Wednesday's title game of the Cancun Challenge would not be one of those wins.
News of Note:
Wolf's Huddle: Ode to the Seniors - WVU Athletics
Dale Wolfley recalls his senior day for the Mountaineers
Mike Casazza: Smallwood ready to make an impact for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
Wendell Smallwood had no idea who Charles Sims was when they first met. Hadn't heard of him. Had no clue Sims would change his life.
Sims on the verge of 1,000 yards rushing - Times West Virginian
The senior, who transferred in from Houston for just this year, needs only 54 rushing yards in his final collegiate game — a game in which he figures to be featured — to make it to 1,000.
Holgorsen is thankful for Big 12 - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's notebook
Notebook: Holgorsen, Oregoning and rooting for WVU's Rudy - Charleston Gazette
Cleaning out a crowded notebook and a cluttered mind
HERTZEL COLUMN: Majnanic perseveres with WVU - Times West Virginian
You probably don’t know Nate Majnanic, even though he is a West Virginia University football player.
Holgorsen not yet looking to next season - Charleston Gazette
"You play for pride,'' Holgorsen said. "Shoot, you're playing a Big 12 football game. So get out there and have fun with it and play. At some point it just comes down to having enough pride about you to fight and strain to get the victory.''
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU favored in football finale vs. Iowa State - Times West Virginian
Fourteen seniors will be playing their last collegiate game as Mountaineers and will be honored before the kickoff.
West Virginia seniors prepare for last game - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
"There are 14 guys leaving us this year, and I appreciate them," Holgorsen said. "They’re a collection of guys that have been through a lot of adversity. They’ve been through coaching changes and conference changes, and I appreciate everything they’ve gone through. I’m proud of how they’re doing academically."
Mountaineers quarterback faces, deals with choices - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It's not quite head, shoulders, knees and toes, but West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett's aches and pains have him more eager than anyone for the offseason to arrive.
Is Firing Dana Holgorsen the Right Course of Action? - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Even though this will be his fourth recruiting class, last year's was really the only one built 100 percent for Big 12 competition.
Rhoads knows WVU all too well - Register-Herald
As the defensive coordinator at Pitt from 2000 through 2007 under Dave Wannstedt, Rhoads guided the Panther defense in some memorable games at the home of the Mountaineers.
WVSports.com TV: Player Interviews ISU - WVSports.com
Cook, Rigg & Trickett
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 Preview: Week Fourteen - BGN
Baylor vs. TCU Stats Preview - Our Daily Bears
Limited light shed on the disciplinary committee that reinstated Irving - Ames Tribune
Weis sticking with Cozart as starting QB for finale - Lawrence Journal World
Lockett would like Kansas State wins to accompany his big games - Wichita Eagle
Bob Stoops impressed with OSU's performance against Baylor - Oklahoman
Turkey Raiders: Will Texas Tech ruin Mack's Holiday? - Barking Carnival
The Baylor Pregame Sacrifice - Frogs O' War
Iconography | Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Longhorns - Viva The Matadors
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 14 - ESPN
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Longhorns - ESPN
7:30 pm tonight from DKR on FS1. Horns are giving 4.5.
Upcoming Basketball Tickets Sale - WVU Athletics
A $10 ticket will be available online for the Loyola (Dec. 2) and Gonzaga (Dec. 10) men’s basketball games
Tickets To Go On Sale Monday in Charleston - WVU Athletics
Tickets will go on sale for the WVU-William & Mary game at the Charleston Civic Center
Video of Interest:
WVU's Amanda Mazey sat down with Head Coach Dana Holgorsen to discuss the team's game against Iowa State on senior night.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is one of the many reasons we're thankful for the lovely ladies of South Africa. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Genevieve Morton.