Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Modern Times Beer, in honor of today's Video of (Dis)Interest.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, April 17 - WV MetroNews
Randy Mazey looks back on Ross Vance’s 14 strikeout performance against Ohio State. We also hear from Corey Brock of MLB.com as he discusses Jedd Gyorko’s new contract with the San Diego Padres.
Carley gets chance to bolster WVU’s beleaguered bullpen - WV MetroNews
Big right-hander still slated to start Saturday at Oklahoma, but only if he's not needed in closer's role Thursday or Friday.
USA Football's Hallenbeck Talks Football Safety - WVU Athletics
Hallenbeck part of the Don Nehlen Lecture Series.
Women's Soccer Hosts Spring Pink Game - WVU Athletics
WVU women's soccer hosts Alderson Broaddus Thursday night.
A Dream Come True - WVU Athletics
WVU gymnast Hope Sloanhoffer is ready for last meet as a Mountaineer.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU gymnast hopes to stick her final landing - Times West Virginian
The reaction, one suspects, was the same as most people who see either a picture of West Virginia University gymnast Hope Sloanhoffer or meet her for the first time in person — a quick double take, maybe even stumbling over the first few words of an introduction.
Furfari: Questions raised about Turnbull’s firing - Register-Herald
Gee, who took over his second term as WVU president in January, believes the firing was justified. He also admittedly has confidence in Luck’s decisions, having known Luck as Mountaineer QB here in 1981.
FURFARI COLUMN: Comparing pay of coaches and professors - Times West Virginian
Stringing together some odds and ends which may be of interest to you
News of Note:
Running back depth positive for WVU in 2014 - Daily Athenaeum
After 15 spring practices, it is clear the West Virginia backfield is the strength of the 2014-15 Mountaineer offense. A five-horse race for carries created immense depth, which will benefit WVU moving forward.
Linebackers: Will they be nasty or negligible? - WV MetroNews
Isaiah Bruce returns to the middle of a unit that should be solid in 2014.
Spring game good indicator for WVU - Daily Athenaeum
With the spring portion of practice in the books, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen and staff now have a better understanding of where the team stands heading into summer.
Consistency crucial for WVU moving forward - Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia’s 2013 season was a failure for many reasons. One of the biggest among those was the constant turnaround at the quarterback position.
WVU defense improves significantly over two years - Daily Athenaeum
In the 2012 season, the West Virginia Mountaineers allowed 131 more points than any other WVU football team in a single season in school history.
Hickman: Answer Dude applies logic to confusion - Charleston Gazette
He knows almost everything. And what he doesn’t, he makes up
Recruiting:
Breaking down the Big 12 in ESPN 300 football recruiting rankings - ESPN
West Virginia is off to a great start with the 2015 class thanks to its dedication to recruiting Florida.
Mountaineers Sign Guard Tarik Phillip - WVU Athletics
"We are excited to be able to land a guard as talented as Tarik in the late signing period," says Huggins.
Versatile Phillip signs with WVU - Charleston Gazette
Phillip, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Brooklyn who committed to the Mountaineers after visiting last weekend, signed his national letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA’s spring signing period.
Phillip officially signs with Mountaineers - WV MetroNews
Junior college point guard Tarik Phillip followed through on his 72-hours-old commitment and submitted his national letter of intent to West Virginia.
Huggins signs junior college guard - Times West Virginian
Phillip joins Jevon Carter of Maywood, Ill., and Daxter Miles of Baltimore’s Dunbar High and out of Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts in the 2014-15 recruiting class.
WVU Adds Tarik Phillip to 2014 Class - WVillustrated
Phillip currently attends Independence Community College and come to WVU with three years of eligibility remaining.
Carey Adds Morton - WVU Athletics
WVU adds Jessica Morton to the 2014-15 women's basketball roster.
Mike Casazza: NCAA change could shift recruiting practices - Charleston Daily Mail
“Let’s say the walk-on gets out of practice at 7 o’clock at night,” Hammond sad. “He gets home after a grueling workout and maybe his dining hall closes at 8. By the time he’s hungry and starving for food and ready to go, it’s 9 and he has no options.”
NCAA unlimited meals proposal could add fascinating layer to recruiting - Andy Staples - SI.com
Still, there is so much excellent college town cuisine that this rule could help tip the balance toward certain schools if it goes into effect.
Ohio State football: Safety Jayme Thompson to transfer - Land-Grant Holy Land
Thompson originally committed to West Virginia, before flipping to Ohio State, and still felt fondly about the staff there.
Pro News:
Larry Ford signs with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena League - WVU Pros
A week after leading the defense for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the PIFL to a win, Larry Ford tells us he has signed with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Coach Briles Shares Two Most Difficult Positions to Recruit - Our Daily Bears
Cyclones take to spring practice changes - Ames Tribune
Cozart: Offense shows progress - Lawrence Journal World
Competition ongoing for K-State running back spot - Topeka Capital Journal
Oklahoma State Debuts the Football Season on ABC - Cowboys Ride For Free
Texas head coach Charlie Strong still confident in offense with Ash out - Burnt Orange Nation
Tyler Matthews is Transferring From TCU - Frogs O' War
Tech notes: Walk-on QBs Tausch, Richardson leaving program - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
NCAA approves 15-yard penalty for low hits on quarterbacks - Campus Union - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Baseball Travels for Big 12 Series at Oklahoma - WVU Athletics
Thursday’s opener will begin at 7 p.m., Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m. and Saturday’s finale will be at 1 p.m. All times are Eastern.
Video of Interest:
In this edition of Around the Horn, Coach Mazey and Jeff Culhane talk about last weekend's series with Oklahoma State and preview the next Big 12 series with Oklahoma in Norman.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Smitty had the same reaction to VCRs
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Hungarian model, probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Barbara Palvin.