Mountaineer Sunday Morning Roundup

Misc News and Features:

No. 10 Women's Soccer Drops Opener - WVU Athletics
3-1 to No. 11 Penn State in their 2014 season opener

Never Too Early For Basketball - BGN
Most people peg Bob Huggins as a guy that enjoys a lot of fun, and that held true on Saturday, as Huggins and the Mountaineer basketball team hosted its inaugural charity softball game to help raise money for the Conquer Chiari Research Foundation.

Morgantown lands NY-Penn League baseball team - Charleston Gazette
The Jamestown [N.Y.] Jammers minor league baseball team is relocating to Morgantown and will play in Monongalia County’s new baseball stadium, according to WVU athletic director Oliver Luck.

Ranking The Programs: #1 - BGN
Sometimes picking the #1 at anything is a difficult task. In identifying the athletic program occupying that position at West Virginia University, it's just the opposite.

FURFARI COLUMN: Marbury has completed 360 since he was great RB - Times West Virginian
Kerry Marbury, who still resides in the nearby Fairmont area, was one of the greatest running backs in West Virginia University football history.

Realignment proposal to ponder - Exponent Telegram
Our proposal not only increases the number of schools to be included in the power structure from 65 to 80, but increases the number of conferences involved from five to eight.

A logical solution to an imperfect situation - Exponent Telegram
Big time college football moves into its playoff era, complete with its five power conferences in charge of themselves, leaving the structure of college sports in a time of massive transition that is still in its infancy.

Luck says proposal has hidden consequences - Exponent Telegram
"Here’s something to think about in conjunction with something like this … and I’ve thought about this independently of football. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a couple of years," Luck said.

Football:

WVU, IMG Partnership Thriving - WVU Athletics
"We all know for years the gray walls have been a topic of conversation amongst our fans, so with the money that IMG is providing as part of our contract, we are now able to install a wrap and more LED signage to improve the fan experience and just dress up the inside of the stadium," Wells said.

Chick-fil-A Spirit Day - WVU Athletics
Mountaineer fans, members of the Mountaineer Marching Band and the West Virginia cheerleading team all gathered to celebrate and build excitement for next weekend’s showdown at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.

WATCH: The Dana Holgorsen Show - WVillustrated
In case you missed the show airing on television, be sure to catch this week's episode of The Dana Holgorsen Show , right here, on WVi.

Ex-PSU assistant Bradley finding a home at WVU - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Tom Bradley spent nearly four decades as a student, football player and coach at Penn State, so it made sense he might need help with directions after he took a job at West Virginia in February.

Just one more week to kickoff - Exponent Telegram
One week, seven days, 168 hours … That’s all there is now.

With a year at WVU under his belt, WVU’s White aims higher - Charleston Gazette
Of all the players who were supposed to have a positive impact on West Virginia’s rebuilt offense a year ago, perhaps the most disappointing in regard to the results was Kevin White.

Vingle: Making a call on the Mountaineers - Charleston Gazette
With that said, let’s see how that talent stacks up against the Mountaineers’ opponents.

Season Predictions - WVSports.com
With the season so close, WVSports.com's Keenan Cummings, Greg Madia & Marc Basham have put together their Big 12 Conference & West Virginia predictions.

Same old, same old for WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Preseason predictions. They’re a slippery slope for those of us who feel obligated to make them due to the position we hold.

Hickman: WVU has a bunch of ’backers - Charleston Gazette
It wasn’t so much the quality that had Gibson excited — although he thought that was pretty good, too — as much as it was the sheer numbers.

Gibson, like most of college football, wonders how Kiffin will attack - WV MetroNews
West Virginia's first-year defensive coordinator wonders if Tide will be run-dominant or more liked balanced USC teams.

As a kid who grew up at WVU, Trickett understands Mountaineers’ impact - WV MetroNews
Quarterback felt the sting of WVU's last losing season in 2001and didn't like it any better in 2013.

Trickett gets himself on right side of offense's learning curve - Exponent Telegram
"Then spring came and not having to do anything but be back there and look at it with the coaches definitely helped," said Trickett, whose spring was limited to just that due to off-season shoulder surgery."

Jordan Thompson Determined to Prove Doubters Wrong in 2014 - WVillustrated
Jordan Thompson has once again impressed Dana Holgorsen during fall camp, and plans to get serious playing time once the season rolls around.

ST Preview: Staying consistent is the key - BGN
"Our specialists, as a group, are the best I’ve ever had. The snapper, holder, punter, kicker – as a group, it’s as solid as anyone in the country," DeForest said.

DB Preview: WVU looking to take next step - BGN
Along with the mentality of knowing what to expect more than they have in the last two seasons, West Virginia brings a new-look scheme to the table this season.

Big 12 problem children: TCU, West Virginia - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
But since entering the Big 12, both the Mountaineers and Horned Frogs have failed to carry the weight everyone expected them to.

Recruiting:

Making Chase A Mountaineer - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
John Harler was simply taking a lunch break late last month when the phone rang.

WVU Pros:

Geno Smith named Jets' starter for 2014 NFL Regular Season - WVUPros
After the New York Jets fell to the New York Giants in Friday night’s Snoopy Bowl, Rex Ryan revealed what the rest of the nation has known for weeks: Geno Smith will be the Jets starter at quarterback for the upcoming season.

Smith earns Jets QB job, but needs to hold it - Times West Virginian
The formal announcement was a surprise to no one. Not the New York Jets fans. Not the media. And, especially, not Geno Smith.

What's on Tap:

Single Game Parking Passes Available - WVU Athletics
Parking passes in the Burgundy, Green, Gold, Purple and White Lots can be purchased in advance at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800-WVU GAME.

Updated Game Day Parking Information - WVU Athletics
With the home opener of the 2014 WVU football season scheduled for Sept. 6, the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is providing a guide to help fans, especially Blue Lot parking pass holders, with game day parking and tailgating information.

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 alumni group plans to welcome Mountaineer faithful to Atlanta - WV MetroNews
Events are scheduled around the Chik-fil-A Kickoff Game between WVU and Alabama on Aug. 30 at the Georgia Dome.

WVU’s Countdown to Kickoff: Day 6 Grant Wiley - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 6, the number once worn by WVU linebacker, Grant Wiley.