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 Knee Deep Brewing's Hoptologist DIPA.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, July 16 - WV MetroNews
Greg Hunter looks at the impact of first-year players at WVU and gives his overview of the Mountaineers’ special teams unit heading into this fall.
Staten comes full circle at LeBron camp - Charleston Daily Mail
Before Juwan Staten was one of 30 college players invited to last week’s LeBron James Skills Academy, he was one of 80 high school players invited to the event in 2010.
Staten maximizes his time at LeBron James Skills Academy - WV MetroNews
West Virginia point guard hone skills, scouts Big 12 foes and recounts a famous hug from years past.
Incoming Mountaineer Invited to National Camp - WVU Athletics
Michaela-Batya Abam of WVU women's soccer invited to U.S. U-18 camp.
WVU hires another lobbyist - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia University has hired a staffer for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin as a lobbyist, bringing its cadre to seven and pushing costs above $640,000 annually.
News of Note:
Smallwood will be charged with a felony, could face up to two years in prison - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood will face a felony charge for allegedly intimidating a witness in an ongoing murder case when he’s extradited to his home state, a spokesperson at the Delaware state attorney general’s office told the Charleston Daily Mail on Tuesday.
No Extradition Date Set For Smallwood - BGN
No extradition date has been set for WVU’s Wendell Smallwood, Wilmington police spokesperson Cpl. Mark Ivey said.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Smallwood puts future in jeopardy - Times West Virginian
The last thing West Virginia’s struggling football program needed as twilight was setting on Bastille Day in Morgantown was to have one of its own whisked off to the North Central Regional Jail on a fugitive warrant from another state, especially a player who had figured to play a key role in the resurrection of a program gone bad.
Mountaineers, Hokies to play at FedEx Field in 2017 - Charleston Daily Mail
Huge payouts, uneven buyouts, neutral officials, a bizarre bowl ban and more. It's the WVU v. Virginia Tech contract.
Summer busy for WVU aide Crook - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
It has been a very, very busy summer for Parkersburg South graduate Ron Crook as the former Stanford offensive line coach looks to transition West Virginia University's offensive front into one resembling those he had with the Cardinal and at Harvard.
Take Two: TCU Horned Frogs offense vs. West Virginia Mountaineers D - ESPN
Today's Take Two topic: which previously beleaguered unit will be more improved due to offseason coaching changes -- the TCU offense or the West Virginia defense?
Allstate, American Football Coaches Association Announce Record-Breaking 182 Nominees for 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team - PRNewswire
West Virginia University – Michael Molinari
Top 12 toss-up games in the Big 12 conference - ESPN
Several WVU games listed
Recruiting:
2015 WR Claims New WVU Offer - EerSports
Bethlehem Catholic (PA) wide receiver Freddie Simmons received an offer from West Virginia today, the three-star prospect tweed out this afternoon.
The Opening - Florida Top 10 - Scout
There were 30 prospects at The Opening from the state of Florida. Who made the top 10? Here's 6-10.
Pro News:
Devin Ebanks, Kevin Jones team up in Las Vegas NBA Summer League - WVUPros
What is new is old and what is old is new again out in the desert. The NBA Summer League has shifted from Orlando to Las Vegas this week, and two WVU greats are playing side-by-side–a rarity to see on a professional basketball court.
Indianapolis Colts' Pat McAfee, Coby Fleener suprise, upgrade home of military veteran - WVUPros
Erick Orrick, a disabled veteran who grants wishes for fellow veterans through his organization Wishes for Our Heroes, received a taste of his own generosity by Indianapolis Colts Pat McAfee and Coby Fleener earlier this month.
Furfari: Jedd Gyorko running and taking batting practice now - Register-Herald
A report on the Internet at this week’s start indicated that Morgantown’s Jedd Gyorko might be ready finally to rejoin the San Diego Padres’ starting lineup.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Ex-Mart, Baylor football player out on bond in assault - Waco Tribune
Ankeny Surprises Rhoads With Honor - Cyclone Sidebar
University of Kansas Football Heeney Graces Two More Preseason Watch Lists - KUAthletics
Wildcat, Jayhawk on Biletnikoff Award list - Wichita Eagle
Sooners' wide receiver group is full of young talent - Oklahoman
Why Desmond Roland could be OSU's most important offensive player - Oklahoman
Two Texas Longhorns football players accepted meal from agent - Burnt Orange Nation
Gary Patterson looking for a QB to take charge of TCU offense - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
Nigel Bethel, II Cleared by Grand Jury - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
Single game tickets for the 2014 WVU football season are on sale now! Go to WVUGAME.COM or call 1-800-WVU GAME
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 45 Kyle Kayden - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 45, the number once worn by WVU linebacker, Kyle Kayden.
Video of Interest:
West Virginia catcher Cameron O'Brien talks about his summer playing in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
I somehow feel like much less of a man after watching this. She's amazing:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown continues our run of lovely ladies from Australia. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Emily Sears.