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 Labatt's Wildcat Beer, in preparation for tonight's football opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Thursday, Nov. 20 - WV MetroNews
David Ubben of Fox Sports Southwest joins us to breakdown the K-State-WVU matchup tonight. We also hear from George Mason head basketball coach, Paul Hewitt as he prepares to take on WVU in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
No. 17/16 WVU Treks to Mississippi State - WVU Athletics
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.
Fair or not, Mountaineers set to play at Mississippi St. - Exponent Telegram
It seemed even more unfair after considering that Mississippi State had played a day earlier than WVU, so it had an extra day to rest or practice and did not have to travel.
Mountaineers take on Mississippi State in WNIT semifinals - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University women’s basketball team will hit the road for the first time this season tonight,
News of Note:
19 seniors prepare for their last game at Milan Puskar Stadium - Daily Athenaeum
Heading into Thursday night’s matchup against No. 12 Kansas State, 19 seniors will be playing their last game inside Milan Puskar Stadium.
Defense hopes to reverse trend against Kansas State - Charleston Daily Mail
For whatever reason, Kansas State’s quarterbacks have been impossibly good against West Virginia since the Mountaineers joined the Big 12 before the 2012 season.
Mountaineer, K-State defenses in spotlight tonight - Charleston Gazette
Perhaps nothing better illustrates the difference between the West Virginia and Kansas State football programs quite like the way the two teams play defense.
Bill Snyder’s creed - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
This is a real thing
Snyder’s teams typically sound and disciplined - Charleston Gazette
Bill Snyder is old enough that he’s been able to retire, have a road and a stadium named after him, get bored and start the process all over again
Snyder enjoying 2nd go-around at Kansas State - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"He's the most-respected guy in our profession. He does it the right way. ... They do the right things and play the right way. They don't beat themselves down."
Drenning: Getting Better Each Week - WVU Athletics
Jed Drenning's take on Mountaineer football.
Countdown to Kickoff - WVU Athletics
WVU hosts No. 12 Kansas State on Senior Night.
West Virginia must curb turnovers vs. Kansas State - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kansas State does not beat itself, which for West Virginia has been the opposite tale ahead of its game tonight against the No. 12 Wildcats.
WVU notebook: Open week helped Mountaineers recover - Charleston Gazette
"Health-wise, we’re in as good a shape as we’ve been all year,’’ coach Dana Holgorsen said.
Mountaineer Insider Podcast - WVU Athletics
FOX Sports 1 and Sirius XM announcer Tim Brando is calling Thursday night’s West Virginia-Kansas State game and he stops by to give his take on the matchup, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder talks about Thursday’s big game and offers some of his wisdom on college football, and this week’s podcast concludes with senior quarterback Clint Trickett discussing his thoughts on playing his final game at Milan Puskar Stadium on Thursday night.
Podcast: Which WVU team shows up Thursday? - BGN
Coming off a bye week, it will be interesting to see which WVU team shows up when the Mountaineers take the field Thursday night against a solid Kansas State team.
Mitch’s matchups: WVU vs. Kansas State - Charleston Gazette
Prediction: Kansas State, 33-28 . . . This Snyder isn’t from Hanover OR Berlin.
Bye week lets WVU mend some bumps and bruises - Exponent Telegram
After six games in six weeks, ending with a 33-16 loss at Texas, West Virginia’s coaches admitted that an off week would do wonders for the team.
WVU Backs Healthy, Stepping Up - EerSports
One of those benefiting from the bye week is running back Rushel Shell.
For the love of the game - Exponent Telegram
For a moment, Rushel Shell had forgotten why he loved football.
Game Preview: Kansas State - WVSports.com
West Virginia (6-4, 4-3) will say goodbye to 19 seniors playing their final home game at Milan Puskar Stadium Thursday night when the Mountaineers take on No. 13 Kansas State (7-2, 5-1) in a Big 12 Conference matchup.
West Virginia looks to win last home game, takes on No. 12 Kansas State - Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia looks to close out its home slate on a positive note tonight against No. 12 Kansas State at 7 p.m. inside Milan Puskar Stadium.
Sound Kansas State squad awaits Mountaineers - Exponent Telegram
It has been a long, exciting, interesting adventure for West Virginia’s football team and now it has arrived at the point where the Mountaineers can put their mark on the season as one they can cherish as a success.
WVU looks to solve Wildcat mystery - Register Herald: College Sports
Three years into life as a Big 12 football team, West Virginia has beaten all of its new conference foes but two.
No. 12 Kansas State pulls into West Virginia in a foul mood - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder prefers to find incentive from the disappointment of the Wildcats’ first Big 12 loss.
WVU Takes On Kansas State on Senior Night - WVillustrated
While potatoes, turkey and gravy are on the minds of many football fans this week, the only stuffing the WVU football team will be thinking about is the one they received against Kansas State last year.
NFL draft prospect Kevin White's road from Lackawanna College to West Virginia - SI.com
West Virginia's Kevin White wasn't playing football at any level three years ago, a product entirely of his own doing. Now the Mountaineers star is one of the top wide receivers in the country and a highly touted draft prospect.
Senior moments at stake vs. K-State - WV MetroNews
Gameday preview: Some 19 Mountaineers play their final home game hoping to knock off the No. 12 Wildcats.
Any day of the week, last home game tough for seniors - Exponent Telegram
Bittersweet is the word that was bouncing around media interviews the other day once the Xs and Os of today’s Kansas State game had been discussed.
Big 12 stat check: Week 13 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
The Mountaineers' defense has played a huge role in the improvement of Dana Holgorsen’s team.
Insider Q+A: Kansas State - EerSports
EerSports caught up with Kellis Robinett, the Kansas State beat writer for the Wichita Eagle and the Kansas City Star, to learn more about the Mountaineers opponent this evening.
Big 12 Football Preview: Week Thirteen - BGN
Kansas State tries to hold on to a share of the Big 12 conference lead while other teams jockey for position as the football schedule comes down to the final three weeks.
Which Week 13 games have playoff implications? More #DearAndy - SI.com
since Baylor lost at West Virginia 41-27 on Oct. 18, it really can’t afford the Mountaineers to take another loss.
Hoops
WVU Battles George Mason in Puerto Rico - WVU Athletics
7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPNU
WVU bigs flourishing together - Charleston Daily Mail
The greatest unknown about this team as it readies for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, a three-game event the Mountaineers begin Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. against George Mason on ESPNU, is what will become of the Jonathan Holton-Devin Williams duo.
WVU to take on George Mason in Puerto Rico Tip-Off - Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia (2-0) will play tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the annual Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament.
Staten’s just statin’ the truth - Charleston Gazette
If you had your druthers, when Sunday comes around would you rather play the defending national champions or Dayton?
Huggins raises questions as season moves along - Daily Athenaeum
After starting a smooth 2-0 at home, the West Virginia Mountaineers will travel south tonight to play in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, as the Mountaineers will go up against George Mason.
Hometown reunion, grandmother’s joyful tears await Browne in San Juan - WV MetroNews
Senior guard excited for return as West Virginia opens play in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Browne looks forward to playing at home - Exponent Telegram
WVU guard Gary Browne will play in his native Puerto Rico today when the Mountaineers battle George Mason at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Kyle Jenkins
WVU’s Macon back for Puerto Rico trip - Charleston Gazette
"He’s here and he’s good to go,’’ Huggins said of Macon, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound redshirt freshman.
WVU Basketball Plays George Mason in Puerto Rico Tipoff - WVillustrated
The West Virginia Mountaineers are hoping the 82 degree temperatures in Puerto Rico will help heat up the start of their season.
Recruiting:
Video: Irvin Recaps Florida, Texas & WVU OVs - Scout
Tim Irvin, who's one of the more highly sought student-athletes out of Dade County for the class of 2015, caught up with Scout.com to recap his official visits to Texas, Florida and West Virginia in the video below.
Pro News:
VIDEO: St. Louis Rams' Tavon Austin mic'd up vs. the Broncos - WVUPros
The Rams had the electric and always entertaining Tavon Austin wired for the game.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor plans to keep Cowboys’ losing skid growing - Waco Tribune
How does Bibbs help the ISU defense? - Ames Tribune
Cummings giving Jayhawks lift - Lawrence Journal World
DEPTH CHART ANALYSIS: Week 10 - Bring On The Cats
Daxx Garman Possibly Out for Baylor Game - Cowboys Ride For Free
The Sack Race: Who will lead the Texas Longhorns? - Barking Carnival
Frogs still have chance despite falling one notch in CFP poll - Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Texas Tech Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury addresses critics, losses - ESPN
How Florida opening affects rest of nation in latest coaching carousel - SI.com
Mandel's Mailbag: Mississippi State proves playoff flaw, Nebraska angst, Heisman & more - FOX Sports
First-and-10: Bo Pelini, more Power 5 coaches facing win-or-walk November - Sporting News
What's On Tap:
(12) Kansas State Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Preview - ESPN
7 pm tonight from MPS on FS1. Cats are getting 2.5.
George Mason Patriots vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
7:30 pm tonight from Puerto Rico on ESPNU/3.
(17) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Mississippi St Bulldogs - ESPN
NCAA Women's Basketball 8 pm from Starkville
Video of Interest:
Tier 4 Video!!! Tier 4 Video!!
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Ragu-Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers (red, yellow or a mix), halved lengthwise, seeds removed
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- About 3 cups Ragu
- 1/2 cup couscous
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 3/4 cup grated asiago or fontina cheese
- 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Toss the bell pepper halves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave until the peppers soften, 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the ragu, couscous, raisins, 1/2 cup cheese, 3 teaspoons vinegar, the parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon vinegar, the tomato paste and 3/4 cup water in the bottom of a large nonreactive baking dish. Carefully transfer the peppers, cut-side up, to the baking dish and fill with the couscous mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot, about 20 minutes. Transfer to plates and drizzle with the cooking liquid from the dish.
Reprinted from FoodNetwork.com
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the reigning #1 on the Maxim Hot 100, a gorgeous South African and, as if I need to remind you, the future Mrs. WVUIE97. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Candice Swanepoel and HERE for a BONUS GALLERY (with links to more).