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 Stone Rumination IPA (animated).
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, Aug. 7 - WV MetroNews
Quarterback Clint Trickett meets with the media for the first time since transferring to WVU and says he wanted to be a Mountaineer coming out of high school. Also, head coach Dana Holgorsen sounds pleased with the competition at offensive line.
WVU's Luck: 'Never say never' - The Herald Dispatch
If you're hoping to see West Virginia University and Marshall University face each other on the football field again, it could happen. Just don't hold your breath waiting.
Big 12: Expert Predictions - CBSSports.com
Our experts get you ready for the season in the Big 12, breaking down everything from the offensive player of the year to which assistant will be the next head coach.
College football's 2013 national title chase: Who's alive, and who's already eliminated? - SBNation.com
Let's not pretend all 125 college football teams actually have chances to win the BCS National Championship. So how many do have an actual chance?
Texas Tech Opponent Preview | West Virginia Mountaineers - Viva The Matadors
Dana Holgorsen returns in his third year as the head coach of the Mountaineers, with questions at quarterback for the first time since his arrival and questions about the defense.
College Football's 2013 All-Name Team - AthlonSports.com
We have several Mountaineers listed here
New Uniforms; Same Champions - WVU Athletics
Outfitted with four new Nike uniforms, the Mountaineers’ appearance may be updated, but their goals remain the same – win their fourth straight conference championship and make a deep run in the NCAA Championships.
Simpson a therapist 50 years - Martinsburg Journal
Chuck Simpson, a quarterback on West Virginia University's football team from 1956-59, is retired and still resides in Charleston where he grew up.
News of Note:
Dana Holgorsen and the space between - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
So to embrace the present, he’s had to push away the past. And he’s done just that.
Depth concerns Holgorsen - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"We are fortunate to have a bunch of bodies right now," Holgorsen said. "You develop a two-deep system and let the players fight it out, which benefits everyone."
Offensive Line Battles Heating Up – 8.6.13 - DA Sports Blog
“The hardest thing if finding a way to get the best five out there,” said Offensive Line Coach Ron Crook
Bigger is Better for WVU's Patterson - WVU Athletics
West Virginia’s defense is getting longer, leaner and more athletic.
Joseph on Targeting: "I'm Not Going to Change" - WVillustrated
Mountaineers learn targeting rule, focus on playing football despite looming threat of ejection.
WVU Position Primer: LBs - DA Sports Blog
The linebacker position could be very key for the West Virginia football team in the 2013 season. In some regard, it is the most experienced position on the WVU defense.
No guarantees for WVU’s Trickett - Charleston Daily Mail
Never underestimate Clint Trickett's desire to be West Virginia's starting quarterback.
WVU's Trickett feels like he's back where he belongs - Charleston Gazette
That Clint Trickett is playing football at West Virginia these days is not as surprising to him as this
Trickett: ‘I always wanted to play here’ - WV MetroNews
WVU didn't offer a scholarship in 2010, but now quarterback has his opportunity.
Florida State transfer Trickett will be facing another test at WVU - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
The only thing moving faster for Clint Trickett than the past year of his life is the pre-snap read progression he has to make during West Virginia practice drills.
Trickett hopes to be starting QB for home state - Times West Virginian
The biggest reason was he always had wanted to play at WVU but couldn’t work it out.
Trickett Talks Transition, QB Battle - DA Sports Blog
The redshirt junior, Trickett, who threw for seven touchdowns as a Seminole, is trying to comprehend the offense as fast as possible, so he take the reigns as the starting quarterback in Morgantown.
WVU offense still has big-play potential - Register-Herald
Both Trickett and Sims have only been in Morgantown a couple of months, but both said they already feel at home.
West Virginia's Trickett, Sims form a bond as newcomers - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
When Trickett transferred from Florida State in May, he said he had never even heard of Sims, a Houston born-and-bred tailback. Now, they're roommates.
Sims finally comfortable leaving home - WV MetroNews
Now that Sims has shifted his fifth college season to West Virginia—some 1,300 miles from mom—Hill was giddy over his ex-player’s giddiness.
Sims Looks to Boost WVU Running Game - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Transfer running back getting comfortable in surroundings
At last, a shock-the-world reference - WV MetroNews
Can you guess which WVU receiver dropped the time-tested quote?
HERTZEL COLUMN: Zereoue reflects on brother’s playing days - Times West Virginian
Maurice was 15 years his junior, and the shadow that he cast remained, although he refused to linger under it.
WVU Football Player Quotes - WVU Athletics
Members of the West Virginia University football team addressed the media Tuesday morning.
WVU Football Player Interviews – 8.6.13 - DA Sports Blog
Of those who spoke with the media were Clint Trickett, Charles Sims, KJ Myers, Andrew Buie, and Jared Barber.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS: WVU Football Players - WVillustrated
Lambert, Molinari, Garrison, Lucas, Rose & Bruce
PHOTO GALLERY: 2013 WVU Football Training Camp Week 2 - WVillustrated
Get an inside look at Mountaineer Football in action, as they prepare for the 2013 Football Season.
Recruiting:
Sold! - BGN
The enthusiasm oozes out of Devante Averette, who answers questions with a burst of speed reminiscent of the rate at which he covers ground on the football field.
Levi Cook joins Fulford at Huntington Prep - WV MetroNews
Huntington Prep head coach Rob Fulford talks about bringing on WVU commit Levi Cook out of Liberty Raleigh High.
Pro News:
Where is your favorite WVUPro on the first NFL Preseason depth-charts? - Pros Report
Some of the answers may surprise you.
Is Rams' Tavon Austin NFL's most explosive player? - NFL.com
Tavon Austin might be the most explosive player draft guru Mike Mayock has ever seen. What are the St. Louis Rams' plans for their versatile first-round draft pick?
Wired: Tavon Austin Helmet Cam - StLouisRams.com
See how Rams Training Camp looks from rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin's perspective as he wears a helmet cam and mic in this edition of Wired.
Serby's special Q&A with Geno Smith - NY POST
The Post’s Steve Serby went deep with the Jets rookie quarterback yesterday in Cortland.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor Football 2013 Position Previews: QB - Our Daily Bears
College football countdown | No. 33: Baylor - USA Today
ISU's Rhoads raves about team speed after first practice - Des Moines Register
KU’s Weis not afraid to give second chances - Kansas City Star
Bill Snyder’s effect on K-State football extended beyond the field - Kansas City Star
Oklahoma Football | A Dire Need For Alternate Uniforms? - Crimson And Cream Machine
Mike Gundy praises Mike Yurcich's personality at OKC caravan stop - Oklahoman (autoplay)
David Ash's progression and growth as a leader - Burnt Orange Nation
Flying Solo: Teammates help Jackson look ahead after buddy leaves - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Videos of Interest:
Running back Charles Sims spoke to the media about his decision to transfer to WVU from the University of Houston.
Quarterback Clint Trickett talks about getting acclimated to a new offensive system and a new program.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an American model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Christen Dye.