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 Samuel Adams Octoberfest.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Wednesday, Oct. 29 - WV MetroNews
WVU running back Dreamius Smith talks about how high his confidence is, after scoring a touchdown in the last two games. We also catch up with TCU play-by-play voice, Brian Estridge as he tells us the key to the Horned Frogs offensive success starts up front with the O-line.
NCAA Releases Graduation Rates - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University’s combined varsity athletic teams have a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) score of 83 percent, according to data released today by the NCAA.
Bob Huggins: Preseason Media Conference - WVU Athletics
Head coach Bob Huggins addressed members of the media Tuesday.
WVSports.com TV: Basketball Interviews - WVSports.com
Huggs & Staten
More Unity, Competition on This Year's Squad - EerSports
"I’m ready. I’m ready," he said, shaking his head. "I can’t wait."
'Sponge' eager to get going at WVU - Exponent Telegram
Holton, a transfer from the University of Rhode Island, has adopted ‘Sponge’ as his nickname, and for good reason.
WVU taking different approach entering season - Daily Athenaeum
“We are really starting over with a lot of new players,” Carey said.
Big 12 Visits Morgantown for Campus Tour - WVU Athletics
WVU Women's Basketball welcomed the Big 12 to campus on Tuesday
Men’s Soccer Nets Third Straight Win at Penn - WVU Athletics
A goal in the eighth minute of play gave the West Virginia University men’s soccer team a 1-0 win at Penn on Tuesday evening.
Inside the 18: Episode 10 - WVU Athletics
This past weekend saw both Mountaineer soccer teams go undefeated. In addition, the women took home their third straight Big 12 conference regular season crown.
Rifle On Top of Poll for Fifth Week - WVU Athletics
rankings are based on the last score shot by each team.
News of Note:
Dana Holgorsen Media Conference: TCU - WVU Athletics
Video and transcript here, video also embedded below
Holgorsen welcomes ‘national attention’ for TCU, hopes Chestnut can return - WV MetroNews
"He hasn’t been cleared yet, but we’ll see how he responds," Holgorsen said.
Holgorsen, WVU "Fired Up" For Game - EerSports
"It’s going to be a fun and exciting one. We’re pretty fired up about being able to host TCU," he said.
TCU-West Virginia primer - ESPN
TCU-West Virginia primer: Which team can make more big plays and win what promises to be a shootout?
Quarterback turnarounds fuel TCU Horned Frogs, WVU Mountaineers rises - ESPN
Clint Trickett and Trevone Boykin are two quarterbacks who have taken unthinkable leaps upward -- while taking their teams there with them.
TCU, WVU Flip Scripts To Success - BGN
There might be no two bigger surprises in college football this season. And when TCU and West Virginia meet on Saturday, the traditional roles will be reversed.
WVU, TCU on Similar Bounce-Back Campaigns - WVillustrated
After two seasons of identical, disappointing records, the Mountaineers and Horned Frogs are battling for a conference title in third year of Big 12 play.
Kevin White on Kevin White clash looms vs. TCU - Charleston Daily Mail
Kevin Whites are going to be busy Saturday.
Double-teaming White opens up other facets of WVU offense - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White saw double-coverage most of the game against Oklahoma State, but the Mountaineer offense didn’t suffer for it.
The Pregame Huddle: Week 10 - FOX Sports
Through the first half of the season, West Virginia receiver Kevin White had been the Big 12's most unstoppable talent.
O-line seeks better pass protection after ‘worst game’ at Oklahoma State - WV MetroNews
No. 10 TCU's deep array of pass rushers average more than three sacks per game.
WVU notebook: Aliquippa product Henry sheds freshman label - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
“As many snaps as he's played, he's a junior right now,” Gibson said. “He's got more snaps than guys that are seniors. He's playing with confidence right now, understanding the system.”
WVU's Defensive Outlook: TCU - BGN
Perhaps the most difficult challenge is on deck against No. 10 TCU, which might surpass the difficulty of defending Baylor because of mobile quarterback Trevone Boykin.
West Virginia notebook: TCU’s Trevone Boykin a versatile star - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen called Boykin “the most improved player in college football” at his news conference Tuesday, and the numbers back that up.
Boykin presents a tough challenge for WVU - Exponent Telegram
TCU signal-caller one of nation's top players this season
TCU linemen make each other better - Charleston Daily Mail
Center Joey Hunt and defensive tackle Chucky Hunter can drive one another crazy.
Rivalry with TCU is just what WVU needs - Exponent Telegram
Rivalries cannot be planned. You don’t make them by creating a trophy or a name for the game.
WVU vs. TCU is big game - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
The biggest game in America on Saturday? By sending its GameDay show to Morgantown, ESPN obviously thinks it is the Big 12 matchup between TCU & WVU.
Much riding for West Virginia entering Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
There might not be a more important Big 12 matchup this season than when No. 20 West Virginia hosts No. 10 TCU Saturday.
WVU at No. 20 in college playoff rankings; Shell ‘ready to go’ vs.TCU - WV MetroNews
The Mountaineers' schedule includes five teams ranked ahead of them in the first poll from the selection committee.
WVU notebook: Holgorsen not anxious about CFP rankings - Charleston Gazette
“I know this sounds like coachspeak, but I’m not too concerned with it at this point,’’
Holgorsen growing as WVU head coach - Register Herald
Trailing 21-10 midway through the third quarter on the road at Texas Tech on Oct. 11, West Virginia was facing a fourth-and-four at the Red Raider 21-yard line, and Mountaineer head coach Dana Holgorsen was ready to call a play, determined to keep his struggling offense on the field.
2014 One of Best Home Attendance Seasons Ever - EerSports
According to WVUStats.com, the official stats website of WVU, the average home attendance for 2014 through four home games this season is 57,811, which would rank seventh in school history.
Player/Coaches Media Session: TCU - WVU Athletics
Players and assistant coaches addressed the media Tuesday afternoon.
WATCH: WVU Football Players, Coaches Look Ahead to Showdown Against No.10 TCU - WVillustrated
Lucas, Banks, Joseph, Kwiatkoski, Smallwood, Smith, White, Alford, Trickett, Gibby, Crook, Galloway, DeForest & Seider
WVSports.com TV: Assistants and Players - WVSports.com
Trickett, Galloway, Gibby, Bradley, White, Smith & Rose
Big 12 bowl projections: Week 9 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Valero Alamo Bowl: West Virginia
College Football's Post-Week 9 Bowl Projections - AthlonSports.com
Russell Athletic - Duke vs. West Virginia
Bowl Projections: Who is bound for playoff, other bowls after Week 9? - SI.com
Liberty West Virginia vs Georgia
Mississippi State Bulldogs retake No. 1 in college football Power Rankings after Week 9 - SI.com
21 West Virginia
Recruiting:
JC receivers could bolster Mountaineer wideout corps - Charleston Gazette
the coaching staff is returning to the junior college ranks — from where both White and Alford arrived — to get some immediate help for next season. At the top of the board are two of the more prolific receivers in the NJCAA this fall.
100 days to football's national signing day - ESPN
The names, games and storylines you need to know as Feb. 4 approaches
Pro News:
CFL Week 18 Recap: Sanders Has Solid Outting For Calgary, While Slaton Turns In His Best Game To Date - WVUPros
Just two Mountaineer alumni suited up for their respective clubs this week as the 2014 Canadian Football League regular season creeps ever so closer towards drawing to an end.
Around the League (and Beyond):
All three Baylor RBs to be ready for Kansas - Our Daily Bears
Iowa State's prized playmaker expected to play Saturday - Des Moines Register
Kansas football report card: midseason edition - Rock Chalk Talk
Elijah Lee a quick learner for Kansas State’s defense - Wichita Eagle
Zack Sanchez says the secret to interceptions is in the eyes - Oklahoman (autoplay)
BUY or SELL? Oklahoma State Becomes Bowl Eligible This Season - Cowboys Ride For Free
Trevone Boykin won't chase Heisman hype - ESPN
Red Raider Gridiron: Webb is Day-to-Day; DC Smith Talks Defense - Viva The Matadors
Video: Long On Selecting The Top Four - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
College Football Playoff selection committee chair Jeff Long discusses how the committee came to its inaugural rankings.
College Football Playoff rankings show it's all about the losses - Oklahoman
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The weight of a loss remains an anvil upon the backs of ballteams.
What's On Tap:
TCU Game Information - WVU Athletics
Game information for Saturday's WVU-TCU
WVU – TCU Football Game Sold Out - WVU Athletics
Tickets are also available for West Virginia's remaining home game against No. 11 Kansas State on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Mountaineers travel to take on TCU tonight - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University volleyball team is back in Texas tonight for a rematch against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a British beauty. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of April Summers.