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 Coop Ale Works' Horny Toad Blonde, in preparation for Saturday's opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Friday, Oct. 31 - WV MetroNews
David Ubben of Fox Sports Southwest breaks down the Big 12 race coming into the last month of the season. We also catch up with TCU color analyst John Denton, as he tells us the biggest difference from last year from an offensive standpoint for the Horned Frogs.
No. 8 Women's Soccer Welcomes Baylor - WVU Athletics
With the 2014 Big 12 Conference regular-season title in hand, the No. 8-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team plays host to Baylor in its regular-season finale on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Admission is free, courtesy of United Bank.
Mountaineers conclude road swing against Oklahoma - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University volleyball team continues its second half of Big 12 play with an away match at No. 21 Oklahoma Saturday.
Henson, Mountaineers Set for 2014-15 Season - WVU Athletics
Sammie Henson and the Mountaineers will open the 2014-15 season on Sunday.
WVUSportsBuzz, presented by US Cellular - WVU Athletics
Amanda Mazey presents this week's WVUSportsBuzz from Tent City in the MountainLair Plaza where this weekend ESPN College GameDay will be in town to broadcast its popular Saturday morning show. Also featured in this week's show are previews for women's track and women's tennis.
Hoops
New Faces, Same Goals Await 2014-15 WVU Men’s Basketball - WVillustrated
The Mountaineers have taken their lumps during the last two years, but now finally feel ready to make the next step to the big dance in March.
Staten: NCAA Tournament is my Main Focus - EerSports
On Tuesday afternoon, the first West Virginia player out on the court was the one wearing the No. 3 jersey, already covered in sweat and putting in work before practice even began.
Home Delivery! - WVU Athletics
The WVU men’s basketball team hand delivered season tickets to Mountaineer Athletic Club donors this week in the Morgantown area.
WVU Hosts Wheeling Jesuit for Haunted Hoops Game - WVU Athletics
WVU women's basketball opens the 2014-15 with the annual Haunted Hoops game.
WVU women open with Wheeling Jesuit exhibition - Exponent Telegram
Coach Mike Carey has a warning for fans who come out to tonight’s 7 p.m. Haunted Hoops exhibition basketball game between his rebuilding West Virginia Mountaineers and Wheeling Jesuit — be ready to duck for cover.
WATCH: WVU Women's Basketball Prepares for Upcoming Season - WVillustrated
WVU Head Coach Mike Carey, along with select players, discuss expectations for the upcoming 2014-15 season.
ESPN College Gameday:
Hello West Virginia! Good memories here thru the years. @CollegeGameDay honored to have native @BradPaisley join as guest picker!
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) October 30, 2014
Brad Paisley's Mountaineer roots run deep - Register Herald
You see, at his core, he is a Mountaineer.
Students, TV crew ‘fired up’ for ESPN’s College GameDay - Charleston Daily Mail
Having made hundreds of stops around the country over the past 30 years, the crew of ESPN’s College GameDay knows a good story when they see one.
WVU, Herd feeling warmth of bright lights - Charleston Gazette
"It’s night-and-day different," Montoro said. "At times I’m having to turn away [interview] requests for coaches and players so they can get their work done. If not, I could fill the whole week."
News of Note:
Mountaineers defense thrives in second half - Charleston Daily Mail
What the numbers suggest about West Virginia’s defense is something happens at halftime and the Mountaineers are better in the second half.
Game Preview: TCU - WVSports.com
No. 20/22 West Virginia (6-2, 4-1) will play its fourth game against a top ten team this weekend when No. 10 TCU (6-1, 3-1) travels to Morgantown in a match up that could have serious implications on the Big 12 Conference title race.
No. 20 West Virginia battles No. 7 TCU Saturday at home - Daily Athenaeum
It’s finally here.
Mountaineer Insider Podcast - WVU Athletics (autoplay?)
On this week's Mountaineer Insider Podcast, Jeff Culhane talks college football with Bruce Feldman, West Virginia-TCU with Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson and the Big E - Ernie McCracken - with ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt, who was in Morgantown this week talking to Dana Holgorsen for this week's ESPN College Football GameDay piece.
BGN Podcast: WVU faces important test - BGN
It's set to be a huge week for the Mountaineer football team this week.
Mountaineers seniors relieved after 6th win - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It's one of the things Kevin White really isn't supposed to talk about just yet, but that secret is given away by the smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
WVU's Trickett embracing 'game manager' role - BGN
There has been a stigma around being a quarterback who is a "game manager" that has developed the last few seasons.
Mitch’s matchups - Charleston Gazette
Musings, Matchups and More: WVU vs TCU - BGN
The rushing game, tactics, a little luck and a Horned Frog are in the spotlight this week.
Tale of the Tape - WVU vs TCU - Frogs O' War
How do the Frogs match up with the Mountaineers when you compare their numbers against Big 12 competition? Let's check the tape!
FUFARI: Holgorsen pays tall tribute to Trickett - Times West Virginian
I couldn’t be happier that West Virginia University’s head football coach Dana Holgorsen has publicly praised quarterback Clint Trickett.
Kevin White vs. Kevin White when WVU takes on TCU - Exponent Telegram
WVU Notebook
Smallwood example of WVU's depth at RB - Exponent Telegram
With all due apologies to Grantland Rice and Notre Dame, is it not time for us to start calling West Virginia’s running backs "The Five Horsemen of West Virginia"?
West Virginia's Smallwood embraces larger role with offense - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Smallwood has become a key part of the nation's 10th-ranked offense as a runner and receiver after his future — football and otherwise — looked cloudy.
Aliquippa's Henry makes early impact at West Virginia - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Those freshman jitters? "That's behind him," Joseph said. "We don't even see him as a freshman anymore."
WVU freshman safety hitting his stride - Charleston Gazette
There was never a time when West Virginia’s coaches didn’t believe that Dravon Henry would be a star on the back end of the Mountaineers’ defense.
Mountaineers, Horned Frogs do some growing up - Martinsburg Journal
The little brothers are growing up. It was three seasons ago when West Virginia and Texas Christian debuted in the Big 12 conference.
TCU coach has been on both ends of blowouts - Charleston Gazette
"You talk about winning by one,’’ Patterson said this week.
A new look at TCU, but the same Gary Patterson in charge - Sporting News
"He sat everyone down in the locker room and told us to stay focused," said TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin. "Because we haven’t played anyone like the team we’re going to play next."
WVU defense will battle TCU’s offense Saturday - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Dana Holgorsen turned West Virginia into an offensive juggernaut during his four years in Morgantown.
Dynamic Boykin brings purple rain of touchdowns - WV MetroNews
TCU coaches weren't sure whether Boykin would be their quarterback. Now defenses aren't sure how to stop him.
TCU Dual-Threat QB Boykin ‘Nothing New’ to WVU Defense - WVillustrated
The WVU defense is relying on the experience gained from facing a variety of dual-threat quarterbacks already this season in order to shut down TCU's Trevone Boykin.
WVU notebook: TCU keeping teams on their toes with trick plays - Charleston Gazette
Gary Patterson is not averse to running the occasional trick play. A few weeks ago in a home game against Oklahoma, the TCU coach came up with a doozy.
Dissecting The Frogs' 4-2-5 - BGN
When one thinks TCU football, the first images that come to mind are often the 4-2-5. Here’s a look at what makes this defense successful, especially against tempo, spread offenses.
Big 12 football players in Week 10 spotlight - ESPN
A closer look at eight players who have a chance to shine this week
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 commissioner Bowlsby: League to move away from Longhorn Network model - SI.com
The Longhorn Network is a boulder in the road. It really is," Bowlsby said.
Baylor has case of 3rd-down blues, tied for last in Big 12 - Waco Tribune
2014 Game VIII: Iowa State vs Oklahoma Preview - Wide Right & Natty Lite
5 Questions: Kansas vs. Baylor - Rock Chalk Talk
Curry Sexton making the grade on the field at Kansas State - ESPN
BUY or SELL? Mike Gundy Has Become Complacent - Cowboys Ride For Free
The Texas Pregamer: Texas Tech - Barking Carnival
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 10 - ESPN
What's On Tap:
(7) TCU Horned Frogs vs. (20) West Virginia Mountaineers - Preview - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from MPS on ABC/ESPN2. Frogs are giving 3.5.
(18) Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Preview - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Jack on FS1. Land Thieves are giving 15.5.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. (13) Baylor Bears - Preview - ESPN
4 pm Saturday from McLane on FS1. Bears are giving 35.
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders - ESPN
7:30 pm Saturday from Jones AT&T on FS1. No line given.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. (9) Kansas State Wildcats - Preview - ESPN
8 pm Saturday from the Bill on ABC/ESPN3. Pokes are getting 11.
Week 10 College Football TV Schedule - The Smoking Musket
Here's how to watch all of the college football in week 10.
Video of Interest:
WVU Punter Nick O'Toole discusses his favorite costumes, Halloween candy, and hears from Kyle Rose and Stone Underwood on their favorite Halloween tales.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Ultimate Tailgate Chili
Ingredients
- 3 lbs ground beef
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 3 (10 ounce) cans Rotel diced tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green peppers)
- 2 (4 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (16 ounce) cans ranch style beans, jalapeno flavor
- 1 cup beer
- salt & pepper
Directions
- In a large stock pot, start to brown beef. About half way through add onion and finish browning meat.
- Add garlic salt, chili powder, cumin, Rotel tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Then add 2 cans of Jalapeno Ranch Style beans, beer, salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer on low for 1 hour with the lid on, stir occasionally.
- Serve with cornbread and lots of cheese.
Reprinted from Food.com
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Danish model best known for her SI Swimsuit work. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Nina Agdal.