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 the Great Divide Brewing Company's Showdown Rye IPA.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, July 10 - WV MetroNews
Allan Taylor tells us why Daryl Worley was ranked No. 2 on his list of most pivotal players for WVU in 2014. We also hear from Bob Huggins as the Hall of Fame coach discusses the adjustments in his recruiting base since entering the Big 12 conference.
Ranking The Programs: #7 - BGN
One high vote helped boost the West Virginia football program to seventh place in our rankings of the school's athletic programs.
As season tickets decline, athletic department adapts to boost sales - Charleston Daily Mail
As of Wednesday, WVU had sold 28,983 season tickets, the lowest figure at this point since the Mountaineers were at roughly 24,400 in the 2005 season that ended with a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia. WVU was a little above 33,000 at this time last year.
Furfari: WVU hopes to boost on lowest season-ticket sales in last nine years - Register-Herald
That was the first time since 2005 that West Virginia hadn’t reached well over 30,000. The draw for 2005 was listed as 29,579.
News of Note:
2014 CFN Preview: West Virginia - College Football News
Okay, so what's missing? Why isn't West Virginia better and why isn't the whole Big 12 experience working out as planned?
WVU, Virginia Tech could play in 2017 - BGN
West Virginia announced last summer that it would be renewing its rivalry with Virginia Tech starting in 2021 - marking the end of what would be a 16-year period in which the two schools did not play one another in football.
WVU Football: T-Minus 22 Days and Counting - WVU Athletics (autoplay)
Fall grid drills begin on Thursday, July 31.
O’Toole Named to Ray Guy Award Watch List - WVU Athletics
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to the top punter in college football.
WVU faces tough road to redemption in 2014 - Daily Athenaeum
Considering the standard of success that has been set over the history of WVU’s football program, the 4-8 campaign posted by head coach Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers in 2013 was an utter failure.
2014 Big Twelve Football Position Rankings | Running Backs - Crimson And Cream Machine
5. West Virginia
50 days to kickoff, 50 questions and answers - Sporting News
11. One more? Alabama vs. West Virginia in Atlanta.
Fear the fringe! - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
I wonder: Does this team have a face? Does it have faces? Or are we cool with the dark face mask visor?
Around the League (and Beyond):
Levi Norwood named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List - Our Daily Bears
Why Pollard wanted to move the ISU-Texas game to LHN, Cyclones.tv - Ames Tribune
2014 Schedule Analysis: Kansas Jayhawks - ESPN
K-State coach's legend continues to grow - Leavenworth Times
Oklahoma kicker Michael Hunnicutt on Lou Groza Award Watch List - Oklahoman (autoplay)
The big 2014 Oklahoma State football guide: The next generation begins - SBNation.com
The University of Texas President Bill Powers has announced his resignation - Barking Carnival
Jaden Oberkrom Named to Lou Groza Award Watch List - Frogs O' War
Video: Kliff Kingsbury hopes to keep ‘pushing the limits’ at Texas Tech - Dallas Morning News
What's On Tap:
Single-Game FB Tickets on Sale Monday - WVU Athletics
Single-game tickets and mini-packages for the 2014 West Virginia University football season will go on sale to the public on Monday, July 7, at 9 a.m.
Football Game Promotions Announced - WVU Athletics
Stripe the Stadium, Gold Rush and Family Day Promotions
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Tickets on Sale - WVU Athletics
Tickets for West Virginia’s appearance in the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game are now on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office
BT Entertainment Presents WVU ATLANTA KICKOFF
WVU’s Countdown to Kickoff: Day 51 Fran Gleason - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 51, the number once worn by WVU defensive end, Fran Gleason.
2014 WORLD CUP: Schedule and Standings - Cowboys Ride For Free
Complete schedule, standings, results, and highlights of the 2014 World Cup, updated daily.
Video of Interest:
Senior running back Dreamius Smith discusses the changes to this year's running back group, as well as how the competition is pushing the guys forward.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE (*DUH)
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the BikiniTeam.com model of the month for July. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Sunshine Shen.