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 Goose Island Brewery's Honker's Ale, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Tuesday, April 23 - WV MetroNews
Jed Drenning of TheSignalCaller.com tells us what we can take away from Saturday’s spring scrimmage. The defense got great pressure on quarterbacks Millard and Childress–defensive lineman Will Clarke explains what they did. Running back Dustin Garrison is thrilled to be back to full speed.
Mountaineers play St. Francis to 0-0 draw - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers (1-1-2) were coming off of a 0-0 draw against Pittsburgh last weekend at the Petersen Sports Complex.
Musgrave Named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week - WVU Athletics
Harrison Musgrave earned his second Big 12 honor.
Musgrave Named Athlete of the Week - WVU Athletics
Varsity Sports Report
Musgrave mowing down Big 12 - Register-Herald
WVU hurler set to face Kansas Friday at Epling Stadium
Kevin Jones finishes out strong rookie season - WVU Pros
When Kevin Jones left the familiar grounds of Morgantown, he was ranked 1st in career offensive rebounds and 4th in total career rebounds. Soon after, he sat through the entire NBA Draft without hearing his name called. But that hasn't stopped the hardworking former Mountaineer.
Pre-Draft News:
Geno Smith the latest to pay the black tax - USA Today
When a Pro Football Weekly scouting report on West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith surfaced recently, containing damning proclamations by analyst Nolan Nawrocki about the habits of the top-rated passer in the NFL draft, it made me shake my head.
Was Geno Smith a racial bias victim? - Register-Herald
Mickey's Notebook
Could Tavon Austin get drafted before Geno Smith? - WVU Pros
With quarterback movement among teams picking in the Top 10 of Thursday's NFL Draft and Tavon Austin's meteoric rise, does this indicate that he could hear his name called before Geno Smith?
Lions looking at Austin in NFL draft? - Detroit Free Press via Charleston Gazette
West Virginia's Tavon Austin isn't a typical outside receiver at 5-feet-8 and 174 pounds, but he's an electrifying return man who ran one of the fastest 40-yard dash times (4.34 seconds) at the NFL combine.
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Closing in as Thursday nears - SBNation.com
Tavon at #9 and no Geno
News of Note:
Big 12 spring game review: West Virginia - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Time for a closer look at West Virginia's spring game, where the main attraction was well before kickoff.
Clarke ready to step up, lead defense in 2013 - Daily Athenaeum
Although he’s still adjusting to his new role, Patterson said he looks for Clarke to be a vocal leader in 2013.
Dawson, quarterbacks build relationship on field - Charleston Daily Mail
"I've got to get them to where they understand there are times we're going to allow you to check, but there are also times, critical situations, when they've got to trust us," Dawson said.
Post-spring QB race evaluation - Daily Athenaeum
Now, with the 2013 spring game in the rearview mirror, not much has changed.
WVU Quarterbacks Show Plenty Of Room For Improvement - WVillustrated
Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson said both quarterbacks took too many sacks in the Gold-Blue game. They also need to do a better job of understanding when to make checks at the line of scrimmage.
Another rush to glory for WVU? - Charleston Gazette
"I think it just makes it better,'' Holgorsen said when asked if his admitted wealth of playmakers in the run game might lend itself to a shift to more of a running attack. "But we did come into the spring with an emphasis on being a good running football team.''
Talented backfield could be focus of West Virginia offense in 2013 - Daily Athenaeum
When one thinks of head coach Dana Holgorsen and the West Virginia offense, rarely does one think about an in-between-the-tackles rushing attack.
Smash and dash: Smith shows potential - WV MetroNews
Junior college transfer Dreamius Smith displays speed-power combo.
Playmakers ‘may not be here yet' - WV MetroNews
Holgorsen touts immediate impact of recruits who won't arrive until summer, like four-star receiver Shelton Gibson.
West Virginia Football: Dark Days Ahead for Mountaineers - Lost Letterman
Well hold onto your butts Mountaineer fans, because some dark days appear ahead for the West Virginia football program with no clear skies in sight.
Recruiting:
Game of Thrones - BGN
Imhotep (Pa.) defensive back Nyeem Thrones returned to Morgantown for this second time this past Saturday, this time to take in the Mountaineers' Spring Game. How did the two visits compare?
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 wants more travel friendly bowl games - Charleston Daily Mail/AP
The Big 12 wants to have a greater postseason presence in Florida and get into more bowls that its fans can reach by car.
Griner’s sexual orientation doesn’t change her as person - Waco Tribune
ISU offense can run, but needs to stretch field - Des Moines Register
Bill Self in good company at L.A. tourney - Lawrence Journal World
Angel Rodriguez transferring from K-State - Bring On The Cats
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. says Oklahoma’s talent level is ‘overrated’ - Oklahoman
Cowboys offense, kickers get average marks in spring scrimmage - Oklahoman (autoplay video)
Daniel Gresham still committed to Texas despite Knox's decommitment - Burnt Orange Nation
Spring Football Look Ahead: The Secondary - Frogs O' War
Texas Tech Spring Game Wrap-Up - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
WVU strength and conditioning coach to speak to Kanawha Valley fans - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia University strength and conditioning coach Mike Joseph will speak to the Kanawha Valley WVU Fan Club at Harding's Restaurant in Mink Shoals at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is one of the newest VS Angels (she's the short haired Chicago beauty in the video below). CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Karlie Kloss.