Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Harpoon Octoberfest Beer.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Thursday, Oct. 16 - WV MetroNews
Bob Huggins talks about the state of his team thus far, from media day in Kansas City. We also catch up with David Ubben of Fox Sports as he breaks down the state of Big 12 football halfway through the season.
Volleyball Falls to Kansas at Home - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers dropped a 3-1 Big 12 match to Kansas at home.
Mountaineers filled with certainty - Daily Athenaeum
Confidence is soaring high for the West Virginia women’s soccer team. Riding a 10-game unbeaten streak after downing Texas Tech last week, the Mountaineers seem poised to keep their momentum going.
CBS Sports Network’s Tailgate Fan comes to Morgantown this weekend - Wild and Wonderful Tailgating
OK, Mountaineer Nation, it’s time to show the rest of the world your tailgating spirit this weekend. Nick Stevens, the host/producer of the CBS Sports Network
Hoops Big 12 Media Day:
Media Day: Huggins Ready to Go - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers in Kansas City Wednesday morning.
Huggins breaks out bow tie for Media Day - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
Casazza: Depth not an issue for WVU men - Charleston Daily Mail
Two things about this West Virginia basketball team are hard to ignore and important to highlight.
Big 12 media day: Huggins needs new additions to jell - WV MetroNews
"I think we’re finally maybe going to try to guard somebody, which would be something new."
Season preview: CHD interviews West Virginia coach Bob Huggins - CollegeHoopsDaily
Jon Teitel continues our season preview series by chatting with West Virginia coach Bob Huggins about having the 3rd-most wins among active coaches.
Huggins brings different fashion, outlook to Media Day - Exponent Telegram
“No, I just felt like it was the right thing to do. I want to keep you guessing. I don’t want you to think you have me figured out.”
Huggins vows West Virginia will 'guard again' after two years in Big 12 abyss - Sporting News
“Opponents shot 44 percent against us,” Huggins said with a level of disgust most of us can access only when confronted with bad haircuts or waning cell-phone batteries.
Big 12 Hoops Media Day storylines - Scout
Scout.com was in Kansas City to take in Big 12 Media Day.
WVU’s Staten working through ankle injury - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia’s Juwan Staten turned an ankle just before the official start of practice almost two weeks ago, but hasn’t taken time off to let the injury heal.
Juwan on One - WVU Athletics
Juwan Staten gives us the inside scoop in Kansas City.
Transfers poised to make big impact in Big 12 - Charleston Gazette
The league in recent years has added another preseason award — newcomer of the year. Pretty much as a nod to the influx of transfers, that’s different than the freshman of the year, which is also chosen.
News of Note:
Baylor Preview - WVU Athletics
Fireworks on the menu for Saturday in Morgantown.
Defensive line depth will be tested against Baylor - Charleston Daily Mail
The Mountaineers will need defensive players to keep up with the Bears’ frenetic offensive pace.
Bradley has ties to Baylor star, coaching staff - Charleston Daily Mail
Tom Bradley and Shawn Oakman were once on the same side at Penn State.
Wednesday Walkthrough: Baylor - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Here’s the Walkthrough.
WVU finding ways to earn wins - Martinsburg Journal
Just believe. That’s what Dana Holgorsen wanted his West Virginia team to do.
Holgorsen, West Virignia need to bring “A” game Saturday against Baylor at home - Daily Athenaeum
After the dust settled on West Virginia’s 37-34 comeback win over Texas Tech in Lubbock Saturday, head coach Dana Holgorsen couldn’t help but be pleased with his defense’s second-half performance.
WVU's Defense: New Definition Of Success - BGN
The question has been raised about how to truly judge defenses in modern-day football. Is there a particular yardage amount? A points-per-game average? What of an average yards per play, or third down conversion percentage?
Defense ‘never got back on track’ after 73-point scorching at Baylor - WV MetroNews
What the Bears perpetuated in Waco last season left the Mountaineers shellshocked and leaking confidence.
Don’t get too hyped about Tech victory - Daily Athenaeum
Saturday’s comeback win at Texas Tech can be viewed in a couple ways.
Worley glad to be back, eager to face Baylor - Exponent Telegram
“After halftime I felt like I was back to where I was when I left off. My legs were back under me and I felt the confidence was flowing out of me again.”
Lambert headlines extra special performers - Exponent Telegram
Somehow, though, Lambert failed to take home the hardware on his own team, his holder and kickoff specialist Michael Molinari earning the team’s Special Team Player of the Week Award.
Q&A with West Virginia Mountaineers kicker Josh Lambert - ESPN
West Virginia wouldn't be 4-2 without the clutch kicking of Josh Lambert.
Hickman: Petty a Chip off the old block - Charleston Gazette
“Just because we won it once,’’ Petty said, “doesn’t mean we’re the cat’s pajamas of college football.’’
Midterm Report - Awards, Predictions - EerSports
West Virginia is halfway through their twelve-game regular season and EerSports is here to take a look back and a look forward with our Midterm Report.
Big 12 stat check: Week 8 - ESPN
A closer look at one statistic worth keeping an eye on for each Big 12 team entering Week 8:
2015 NFL Draft stock report: Which prospects have moved up and down this season? - SBNation.com
Stock up: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia:
Recruiting:
East Recruiting Notebook - FOX Sports
Championship Potential Huber Heights Wayne - Scout
Can West Virginia defensive tackle pledge Robert Landers help the Warriors win their first state championship?
Pro News:
Kickin' it with McAfee: The art of the onside kick | NFL Now - Yahoo Screen (autoplay)
Colts punter Pat McAfee is back for another edition of Kickin it with McAfee. This week he explain the art of the onside kick and getting snubbed by Eric Davis in Dancing with the Starters.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 Football: Notes, Quotes, Anecdotes - Big 12 Conference
Baylor Football Stats, Projections Through Week 7 - Our Daily Bears
The Midseason Report Card - Wide Right & Natty Lite
KU hoping to build momentum - Lawrence Journal World
Kansas State remembers 2012 victory at Oklahoma as another trip to Norman looms - Wichita Eagle
KSU vs OU: What To Expect From The OU Offense - Crimson And Cream Machine
BUY or SELL? Oklahoma State Will Renew Mike Yurcich's Contract. - Cowboys Ride For Free
Jason Hall Out for Iowa State game with knee injury - Barking Carnival
TCU Horned Frogs focused on putting Baylor loss behind them - ESPN
Analyzing who could replace SEC commissioner Mike Slive; #DearAndy - SI.com
Mandel's Mailbag: Mariota nation's best player, SEC West shake-up & more - FOX Sports (autoplay)
Videos of Interest:
Tony Caridi sits down with Dana Holgorsen to preview Saturday's West Virginia-Baylor game
WVU and Marshall will play a fall baseball game on Sunday, Oct. 19, at noon. The Mountaineers and Thundering Herd will be playing to raise awareness for the Green Dot campaign. For more information, visit LiveTheGreenDot.com.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a former Playboy Playmate. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Jessa Hinton.