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 Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales (animated label).
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, August 1 - WV MetroNews
Strength and Conditioning Director, Mike Joseph talks about the teams summer workout. Also, we catch up with Tavon Austin and Geno Smith as they speak about training camp.
Williams: Big 12 predictions for 2013 - Cyclone Fanatic
Wow
Three Swim at U.S. Open Champs - WVU Athletics
Three WVU swimmers competed at the U.S. Open Championships on Wednesday.
Behind the scenes of college football's latest uniform craze - ESPN
Trendsetting programs like Oregon to staunch traditionalists like Notre Dame have one thing in common when it comes to uniforms: They both get their helmets painted by HGI, a graphics company that handles helmets for 70 high school, college and pro teams.
News of Note:
Are You Ready for Some Football? - WVU Athletics
West Virginia opens preseason camp on Thursday.
Video Blog: 2013 Eve - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
As promised. Do enjoy.
Plenty of holes to fill - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers begin camp today in search of starters
Five questions face West Virginia heading into camp - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Will there be enough Red Bull in West Virginia this preseason for Dana Holgorsen?
Over/unders as WVU opens camp - WV MetroNews
From guesses on passing yards to who's got passing grades, Allan Taylor sets the line on numbers of interest for the upcoming season.
New season, fresh start for WVU - Times West Virginian
It all begins again for West Virginia University football today.
Challenges, Opportunities Await WVU as Camp Begins - WVillustrated
Questions aplenty with the start of camp and the 2013 season looming at the end of the month for the Mountaineers.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Winning addresses viewing habits - Times West Virginian
When West Virginia’s attendance was at its peak it was when Pat White and Steve Slaton and Owen Schmitt were running over and around their opponents, challenging for a national title and a Big East title.
Clay among the critical skill players for Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
"It's about trying to figure out what they can handle," Holgorsen said Wednesday.
WVU Position Primer: WRs - DA Sports Blog
With that said Holgorsen will have to develop a number of young receivers that could all have an impact this season. Here are guys who potentially could have big seasons for the Mountaineers:
WVU opponents: Game 8, Kansas State - Charleston Gazette
This is the 15th in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Recruiting:
'Big' football help for Liberty, WVU? - Charleston Gazette
Liberty's 6-foot-10 Levi Cook, rated one of the nation's top 10 basketball center prospects.
Pro News:
NFL Training Camp Update 7/31: Barclay, Goode, Garvin, Neild, Reynaud, Richardson, Tandy, White - Pros Report
Here is the latest on your favorite WVUPros in NFL Training Camps headed into August
Geno Smith outplaying Mark Sanchez through first week of New York Jets training camp - ESPN New York
Rookie Geno Smith has outplayed Mark Sanchez through the first week of training camp, pulling even or perhaps ahead in the Jets' quarterback competition. He can do more than Sanchez, one veteran said Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
It was art or football for Jets' Geno Smith - Charleston Daily Mail
Geno Smith's brothers still have his favorite piece of artwork hanging on the wall of their mother's home.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Best and worst-case scenario: Baylor Bears - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Cyclones’ football schedule is sixth-toughest in nation - Steve Malchow's blog on Cyclone Athletics
Jayhawks facing long odds yet again during upcoming football season - Lawrence Journal World
Stepping up: Glenn Gronkowski - Bring On The Cats
Mike Gundy addresses Bill Young's departure - Oklahoman
Texas Longhorns Football Season Ticket Sales in Decline - Barking Carnival
Casey Pachall Speaks With The Media - Frogs O' War
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Incredible photos of Oregon's new football facility - SBNation.com
Still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor
What's On Tap:
'Inside the Huddle' with Tony Caridi - Charleston Daily Mail
Award-winning sports broadcaster Tony Caridi will speak at "Inside the Huddle," a fundraiser for Highland Hospital Foundation, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Civic Center.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an American model and former member of the U.S. Air Force. CLICK HERE for today's gallery (below the interview) of Ashley Salazar.