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 Piton Lager Beer, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Tuesday, Dec. 2 - WV MetroNews
Brad and Garrett [discuss, ed.] the Mountaineer football team as they move into postseason play. They also note on the hot start from the basketball team and the impact of newcomer Jonathan Holton.
Board of Directors Announces Student-Athlete Initiatives - Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors has announced a series of progressive measures to further ensure the success of its student-athletes on the field, in the classroom, and in life.
West Virginia Women's Hoops No. 24 in AP Poll - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers went 2-0 last week to improve to 4-1 on the season. WVU defeated Evansville, 83-39, on Wednesday and held off Fairfield, 67-53, on Saturday.
Big 12 Women's Basketball Week 4 Notes - Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 is the only conference in which every team has a winning record.
Anderson Named to All-Big 12 First Team - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University volleyball’s Jordan Anderson racked up a pair of accolades this week
Panagiotakopoulos Named Athlete of the Week - WVU Athletics
Varsity Sports Report
News of Note:
Spain injury forced Mountaineers to rotate offensive linemen - Charleston Daily Mail
"We knew it was time to do that," Holgorsen said. "It’s not that I’m thankful Quinton was out, but we need to be able to play more than the same five guys."
WVU’s offensive line impresses in final game against ISU - Daily Athenaeum
Just a few weeks ago, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said he felt his offensive line was worn down throughout a season of facing top defenses and for the most part, stepping up to the challenges.
It ain’t over yet for WVU - Daily Athenaeum
It may not have been the season many Mountaineer faithfuls hoped for while West Virginia was in the midst of making magic happen time after time in the first half of the season, but with the Mountaineers finishing the regular season 7-5 and 5-4 in the Big 12, many positives can be taken from the regular entering bowl season.
WVU meeting Luck's standards after 7-5 regular-season finish - Times West Virginian
We thought we would look back on WVU athletic director comments about WVU coach Dana Holgorsen prior to the season. At 7-5, the team apparently is meeting the standards set for him but it probably depends on how one looks at it.
Howard injects life into WVU offense - Daily Athenaeum
As head coach Dana Holgorsen often says, the opponent has something to do with it, but West Virginia’s offense broke out in a big way with Skyler Howard at the helm against Iowa State Saturday.
WVU climbs in hoops poll; Napoleon to transfer - Charleston Gazette
Napoleon redshirted as a freshman, played in 10 games last season — mostly on special teams — and then suffered a season-ending knee injury in September before playing in a game.
Big 12 FPI rankings: Week 14 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
29. West Virginia +2
Hoops
Still much room for Holton to improve - Daily Athenaeum
Despite Holton’s big night against the Cougars, Huggins said he still doesn’t believe his forward is playing at his highest level.
WVU's Holton Newcomer of the Week - WVU Athletics
Holton honored for a second straight week.
Paige thriving early on at WVU - Exponent Telegram
Guard moves past JUCO days, starts strong with Mountaineers
Big 12 Men's Basketball News & Notes - Big 12 Conference
Big 12 men’s basketball has the nation’s best record, having posted a 50-9 mark to start the year for an .847 winning percentage. Conference teams were 22-5 (.815) last week alone.
Mountaineers climb to 16th in AP poll, begin preparation for LSU - WV MetroNews
West Virginia gets chance to scout Tigers before Thursday night's matchup in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Recruiting:
Scout Spotlight: Chris Chugunov - Scout
Check out this amazing video of Chris Chugunov, a quarterback from New Jersey, who is committed to West Virginia.
Big 12 recruiting scorecard - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Here's what's been cooking on the recruiting trail in the past week around the Big 12:
Sanchez Signs with the Mountaineers - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team has announced the signing of Endy Sanchez.
Pro News:
WVUPros in the NFL Week 13 Recap: Mountaineers Come Up Big - WVUPros
Week 13 in the NFL brought with it a some game-changing performances by WVUPros.
Around the League (and Beyond):
College football conference power rankings: Big 12 No. 1 ahead of SEC - ESPN
For the first time in years, the SEC has been knocked off its perch as the top conference in the nation in ESPN Stats and Information’s Conference Power Rankings.
Big 12 a disaster with slogans, but not loopholes - ESPN
But while the "One True Champion" slogan proved to be buffoonish, the league's two true champion format could prove opportune.
Gathers scores career high 23, leads Bears over Texas Southern, 75-49 - Waco Tribune
Hot start has Iowa State's Monte Morris finally getting his due recognition - SBNation.com
Bowen, Zenger discuss what's next for Kansas football - Lawrence Journal World
Young Lockett passes dad for K-State record - Lawrence Journal World
Oklahoma Sooners' Bob Stoops prefers playing on championship weekend - ESPN
BUY or SELL? Oklahoma State Fans Are Tired of Mike Gundy's Antics - Cowboys Ride For Free
Jordan Hicks Gone; Accepts Senior Bowl Invite - Barking Carnival
Mahomes nearly clears Tech's upset bid against Baylor - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
What's On Tap:
Tickets for Kansas Game on Sale Tuesday - WVU Athletics
Tickets for the WVU men’s basketball game against Kansas will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Mountaineer Ticket Office. The game will be played at the WVU Coliseum on Feb. 16, 2015.
Video of Interest:
Postgame reaction following Saturday's 37-24 victory over Iowa State on Saturday in Ames.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
This was one was put up almost as fast as the real one:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is lovely model from St. Lucia. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Mala Bryan.