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 another tailgate staple, Pabst Blue Ribbon.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Friday, Sept. 6 - WV MetroNews
Garrett Cullen and Brad Howe preview WVU’s game at Oklahoma.
Ramblers hear WVU AD Luck’s message - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Through USA Football and the Heads Up program, Luck is promoting concussion awareness and the proper techniques for tackling.
No. 9 Mountaineers Ready for Ranked Opponents - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers (3-0-1) will meet the No. 12-ranked Blue Devils (3-1) on Friday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m., before facing No. 1 North Carolina (4-0), the defending NCAA champions, on Sunday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m.
Men’s Soccer to Face Tough Test - WVU Athletics
The WVU men's soccer team faces two Top 10 opponents this weekend.
The WVUsportsBuzz - WVU Athletics
Our weekly Mountaineer sports update includes an introduction to new WVU women's tennis coach Miha Lisac and a look back at career win No. 250 for Nikki Izzo-Brown
West Virginia’s First Season Had Impact - Big 12 Conference
West Virginia's first season in the Big 12 resulted in a pedestrian 7-6 record ... but the Mountaineers' explosive offense had an impact on the Big 12.
West Virginia still adjusting to the Big 12 Conference - USA Today
Oliver Luck declined to blame travel challenges or opponent unfamiliarity with the sudden downturn, and said his department is simply in the middle of a race to meet the standards of a very different conference.
News of Note:
WVU seeks proof ‘it’s not an afterthought’ - WV MetroNews
Witness Dana Holgorsen on Thursday night, describing the OU game as "a chance to prove to the nation that we’re not just an afterthought."
Quarterback Paul Millard and West Virginia comfortable as underdogs against No. 16 Oklahoma - Daily Athenaeum
Despite not playing up to expectations in Week 1, the Mountaineers seem to be embracing the underdog role as they head into their first Big 12 Conference game of the 2013 season.
Game Preview: Oklahoma - WVSports.com
The Mountaineers will enter Norman to take on Big 12 Conference opponent Oklahoma as the biggest underdog it's been since 2003 when West Virginia was given 22 points against Miami.
WVU-OU have continuity - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Both schools have first-year starters at QB
Sooners accustomed to high expectations - Charleston Gazette
In a lot of ways, Oklahoma football is no different than college football anywhere else.
Sooner defense much improved - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"We remember what happened last year and we'll be ready," WVU OU [ed.] cornerback Aaron Colvin said.
Opponent’s view: Talking Sooners - WV MetroNews
For a gameweek glimpse inside the Sooners, MetroNews chatted with Jason Kersey, beat writer for The Oklahoman
Stoops ready to face Big 12 rival WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Sooner defense allowed nine first downs last week
Seider: Sims the ‘best player’ for WVU - WV MetroNews
"He got stronger as the game went on, and if you watch the way he runs, you don’t get a good hit on him," said Mountaineers running backs’ coach JaJuan Seider.
Three-back packages back in play - Charleston Daily Mail
"It adds a lot," Holgorsen said. "I wish we could go back in time."
Stoops expects WVU to use running game - Inter-Mountain
"I don't care about stats, but we have to be more balanced," Holgorsen said.
WVU could lean on run game against OU - Register-Herald
As the Mountaineers prepare for another matchup with the Sooners — this one Saturday night at 7 p.m., in Norman, Okla. — they’re well aware that a repeat ground performance is unlikely.
WVU’s Holgorsen looking forward to Big 12 road games - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
The Sooners, though, are beatable at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Just ask any member of the 1982 Mountaineer football quad coached by Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen.
Millard confident, but not comfortable - Charleston Gazette
"As far as being comfortable, that's probably something the coaches will never let me feel. And that's something I never want to feel.''
New QB for OU, WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
The dual threat will make for an interesting evening Saturday when the two teams collide in Norman. The game will kick off at 7 p.m., and it will televised nationally on Fox.
Holgorsen understands challenge of containing OU’s Knight - Daily Athenaeum
Holgorsen said he was impressed with Knight’s ability to run against Louisiana-Monroe in Saturday’s 34-0 OU rout.
Holgorsen wants balanced attack in early Big 12 game - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU football notebook
HERTZEL COLUMN: Logan Moore seeks repeat on scout team - Times West Virginian
It’s no wonder Moore takes his job so seriously.
Bruce, Mountaineer defense look to contain Knight Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
Knight isn’t the typical Oklahoma field general who sits back in the pocket and slings the ball all over the field.
Furfari: Bruce, Sims Ready for WVU-Oklahoma game - Register-Herald
West Virginia linebacker Isaiah Bruce thinks Oklahoma redshirt freshman quarterback Trevor Knight poses problems in Saturday night’s Big 12 clash in Norman, Okla.
WVU's Cook: Beating OU Would Mean "Nothing" - WVillustrated
"We're the underdog," Cook said earlier this week. "We're going to lose by 500 points, right? 50? 60? 20? 21?"
Just Do Your Job - EerSports
It was a regular refrain all week long - if every player on the Mountaineer defense can do their job, the results will come.
Kwiatkoski needs to come up big for WVU defense - Times West Virginian
Kwiatkoski knows what he and WVU are up against.
WVU Defense Looks to Rebound - WVillustrated
The defense looks to build on the success they had in the season opener when the Mountaineers travel to Oklahoma this weekend.
Performance of Mountaineers' Banks draws prime interest - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"How else would you want it?" Banks asked. "On the road, Oklahoma, big time, big stage. There's nothing else you could ask for. That's what you dream about as a kid, right there."
Mountaineers looking for redemption with Sooners - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
It's no secret how the West Virginia defense feels about last season's 50-49 loss to Oklahoma at Mountaineer Field.
WVU to face former offensive line coach - Daily Athenaeum
For many of West Virginia’s offensive linemen, postgame handshakes will mark the first time they speak to former offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh since he took the same job at Oklahoma.
Tony's Mailbag - WVU Athletics
Tony Caridi takes 10 questions from Mountaineer fans this week.
BGN Video: The Offense - BGN
Coach Crook, Eger, Lucas & Smith
Game Preview Video: WVU vs. Oklahoma - Sporting News
Norman, Okla. Memories - WVU Athletics
WVU is making its fourth trip to Norman, Okla.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma Sooners football series history - Winsipedia
Winsipedia - Database and infographics of West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma Sooners football series history and all-time records, national championships, conference championships, bowl games, wins, bowl record, All-Americans, Heisman winners, and NFL Draft picks
Recruiting:
WVU football, hoops tackling 'crazy' world of recruiting - Charleston Gazette
Describing the craziness within college football recruiting is almost impossible.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Key Match-Up As Oklahoma Sooners Host West Virginia Mountaineers - Crimson And Cream Machine
Week 2: Baylor vs. Buffalo Preview - Our Daily Bears
So We Meet Again, BYE - Wide Right & Natty Lite
A fresh start: Kansas WR Justin McCay eager to hit field - Lawrence Journal World
K-State thinks it’s in right frame of mind after loss - Kansas City Star
OSU Football Notebook: Kip Smith is solid in his Cowboy debut as punter, kicker - Tulsa World
Texas-BYU will be battle of tempos on offense - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU’s vaunted secondary was subpar against LSU, Patterson says - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
Raiders try to remedy what ailed running game on opening night - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
What's On Tap:
All times for Big 12 games listed here are ET on Saturday
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (16) Oklahoma Sooners - Preview - ESPN
7 pm from the Gaylord Family/Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Fox. Land Thieves are giving 21.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions vs. (24) TCU Horned Frogs - Preview - ESPN
Noon from Amon G. on FSN affiliates. Frogs are giving 42.
(13) Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. UTSA Roadrunners - ESPN
Noon from the Alamodome on FS1. Pokes are giving 26.5.
Buffalo Bulls vs. (23) Baylor Bears - Preview - ESPN
3:30 pm from the Floyd on FSN affiliates. Bears are giving 27.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs. Kansas State Wildcats - ESPN
6:30 pm from Bill Snyder Stadium on FS1. Cats are giving 10.
(15) Texas Longhorns vs. Brigham Young Cougars - Preview - ESPN
7 pm from Lavell Edwards Stadium on ESPN2/3. Horns are giving 7.5.
South Dakota Coyotes vs. Kansas Jayhawks - ESPN
7 pm from Memorial Stadium on ESPNGP, ESPN3 & JayhawkTV. Jayhawks are giving 23.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders - ESPN
7 pm from Jones AT&T on MSG+, FSPT, FCSC, FSSW+. Red Raiders are giving 38.
College Football TV Schedule
Full TV listings (times listed inside are Central)
Video of Interest:
Heading into Norman, Okla., this weekend, WVU running back Dreamius Smith knows the run game will face a tough test against the Sooners.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt $
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
- 2 (3/4-lb.) pork tenderloins
- Vegetable cooking spray
- 6 whole wheat hamburger buns
- 6 tablespoons Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce
Preparation
- Stir together first 4 ingredients; rub pork tenderloins evenly with seasoning mixture. Lightly coat pork with vegetable cooking spray.
- Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 10 to 12 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portions registers 155°. Remove from grill, and let stand 10 minutes. Chop or slice, and serve on hamburger buns. Drizzle each sandwich with 1 Tbsp. Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce.
Recipe courtesy of Southern Living
Video of (Dis)Interest:
I would use love to try this sauce in that recipe listed above:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is best know for...being everywhere, not the least of which is the SI Swimsuit issue and cover the last two issues. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Kate Upton. Enjoy a BONUS GALLERY HERE and if you are so inclined, HERE IS THE LINK to a 10 hour video of her strutting her stuff. Here's what could be her best video though: