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 Iron City Beer.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Aug. 13 - WV MetroNews
WVU players Kevin White and Nick O’Toole discuss the last week of preseason camp for the Mountaineers. Including a quick update on former Mountaineer Geno Smith as he battles for a starting spot for the New York Jets.
Luck to Participate on Expert Panel - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University Director of Athletics Oliver Luck has agreed to participate in a Knight Commission forum on health and safety initiatives in collegiate sports on Monday, Sept. 8 in Washington, D.C.
Women's Soccer Drops Scrimmage - WVU Athletics
The No. 12-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team dropped a 4-2 decision at Rutgers in a preseason scrimmage, today, at Yurcak Field, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Men's Soccer Preseason Blog: Day One - WVU Athletics
Joey Piatczyc provides insight to his first day of preseason.
Gardner, WVU cagers of 1970s, and others enjoy fete - Times West Virginian
It was a memorable evening last Saturday to see and spend some time with a few West Virginia University basketball players and coaches from the 1970s.
News of Note:
Jed Drenning: Inside the Numbers - WVU Athletics
If you like numbers Jed has them in this month's column.
Stone Underwood - Fall Camp Update - WVU Athletics
Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media today in the Milan Puskar Center team room.
Offensive Firepower - BGN
Can a team succeed without speed and athleticism? Probably not, and as offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and line coach Ron Crook will tell you, they have both on this year's squad.
Clint Trickett focused on West Virginia Mountaineers turnaround - ESPN
"It’s my livelihood," Trickett said. "The only thing I’m focused on."
Trickett On WVU Offense: High Level Stuff - BGN
Clint Trickett said West Virginia's offensive development is so much greater than it was at anytime last season that the Mountaineers are doing "level 400 stuff."
Trickett thinks he found ticket to all options that Air Raid offers - WV MetroNews
All signs pointing up as quarterback enters second year better equipped to handle West Virginia's offense.
Passing Offense Ready For "Very Advanced Stuff" - EerSports
"We’ve been doing a lot better and that has a lot to do with it," said the quarterback. "When you see all the work that you put in on the offseason and see it come to fruition on the field, it’s a good feeling."
Dave Hickman: Trickett is in a familiar place - Charleston Gazette
"This is a little different,’’ Trickett said Tuesday. "This is my team and that wasn’t the case before.’’
WVU’s Holgorsen: Smallwood Most Versatile, Shell Most Natural Tailback - WVillustrated
Although the official running back depth chart has not been released, he recently displayed his excitement for two guys that seem to be a step ahead of the rest.
They just need two - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
West Virginia has two wide receivers and needs two more, meaning one issue at the start of camp is gone and has been replaced by another.
Alford finds his comfort zone with offense - Exponent Telegram
“My first few games, when I was at slot receiver, I was kind of lost. I wasn’t contributing to the team. Toward the end of the season it was a whole different story,” Alford recalled.
WVU Notebook: Myers willing to fill any role - Register Herald
Mario Alford is expected to pick up right where he left off late in 2013, when he became one of the go-to players on offense down the stretch.
Wily Clay hoping WVU molding into winners - Charleston Gazette
The former George Washington High standout was a lightly regarded recruit only offered by one power conference school: WVU. The Mountaineers sneaked him in, and it worked.
The rapscallion Shannon Dawson - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Shannon Dawson blindsides Paul Millard but reminds the quarterback that though the drill may stop, the focus on ball security can never end.
K.J. Dillon is back and all is well - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
He won’t say what he did to injure his left ankle and rob him of the first week-plus of preseason camp, but K.J. Dillon, injured at home, is back at practice and unencumbered.
Dillon mum on sprained ankle - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
K.J. Dillon ‘full-go’ after returning from ankle injury - WV MetroNews
Defensive notebook: Isaiah Bruce sizes up his differences with junior college transfer Ed Muldrow.
Free safety getting back to ‘high school mode’ - Charleston Daily Mail
"I’m feeling way more comfortable than I was last year," said Tyler, who started the final game of the season and played in seven others last season
O’Toole fine-tunes drops to battle Big 12 wind - WV MetroNews
West Virginia's second-team all-conference punter focuses on limiting bad kicks.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2014 WVU Football Training Camp - WVillustrated
Browse photos of West Virginia Football players and coaches as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Photo Gallery 5: Fall Practice 2014 photos - WVSports.com
WVSports.com brings you exclusive photos from West Virginia's fall practices of 2014.
Recruiting:
WVU recruiting: Few spots left for Class of 2015 - Charleston Gazette
There are 16 scholarship seniors set to graduate in the spring, so even with a couple of 2014 recruits up in the air eligibility-wise, and the usual offseason attrition, there may only be a handful of spots open in this class.
BGN Recruiting Mailbag - BGN
BlueGoldNews.com answers the latest questions on the West Virginia recruiting front.
WVU receiver signee Jacob McCrary says he’s headed to Marshall - WV MetroNews
McCrary was one of four West Virginia signees yet to receive NCAA clearance this summer.
Challenge at WVU Excites Grove - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
WPHS senior taking his 91 mph fastball to Mountaineers
Holgorsen and the not-so-secret ‘truth’ of recruiting - Exponent Telegram
In Holgorsen’s defense here, it is likely Holgorsen would like to take the term “lie” back and replace it with something like “embellish” or “exaggerate.”
Holgorsen comment unfortunate - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
There are some things -especially when you are a high-profile person -you just don't say.
Recent Rulings Bring Spotlight to Recruiting Tactics, WVU Coaches Weigh In - WVillustrated
Dana Holgorsen made national headlines on Monday when a recruiting remark went viral.
Pro News:
VIDEO: Steve Slaton running with the opportunity - WVUPros
Slaton talks about adjusting to the CFL and being in line to become the starter after a 2 TD game last week.
Around the League (and Beyond):
2014 Position Previews: Defensive Tackles - Our Daily Bears
Don’t sleep on Sam - Cyclone Fanatic
The Curious Tale of Charlie Weis - Rock Chalk Talk
Running back position wide open for K-State - Topeka Capital Journal
Versatile Sterling Shepard set to be Oklahoma Sooners' top target - ESPN
Texas Longhorns college football season preview - ESPN
TCU, Cal Schedule Home-and-Home Series for 2020, 2021 - Frogs O' War
Raiders need Washington to be the man at RB - and he can't wait - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
What's On Tap:
Oklahoma Tickets on Sale Monday - WVU Athletics
Tickets for West Virginia’s Sept. 20 matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners will go on sale to the public through the Mountaineer Ticket Office on Monday, Aug. 11, at 9 a.m.
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 17 Jake Kelchner - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 17 the number once worn by WVU quarterback, Jake Kelchner.
Video of Interest:
Short video highlighting Ishmael Banks cornerback for the 2014 WVU Football team. Ishmael will be a senior in 2014.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
I wonder if he taught them Spider 3 Y Banana
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a gorgeous Aussie model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Amanda Hinchcliffe.