Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Wharf Bank Brewery's Low Tide English IPA, in preparation for tomorrow's game.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Aug 29 - WV MetroNews
senior wide receiver Mario Alford touches on a personal meaning behind the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game tomorrow against Alabama. Also, SEC lead columnist for college football news, Russ Mitchell, gives Mountaineer fans some room hope for victory.
No. 11 Women's Soccer Opens Home Season - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers play host to No. 21 Duke on Friday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m., and to Elon on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m.
Men’s Soccer Set to Open 2014 Season - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers take on St. John’s on Friday, Aug. 29, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a match with Oakland on Monday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m.
Campus Connection: W.Va. Pro Baseball - WVU Athletics
W.Va. and pro baseball have a long history.
WVUsportsBuzz - Episode 1 - WVU Athletics
The men's and women's soccer teams have their home openers this weekend. In addition, volleyball takes on top talent in the WVU Coliseum.
WVU, IMG Partner With TuneIn - WVU Athletics
This partnership further bolsters the distribution of IMG radio content to West Virginia fans, and brings new college football games to the ears of TuneIn’s more than 50 million monthly active users worldwide.
FURFARI COLUMN: Cignetti has known Alabama's Saban since 1976 - Times West Virginian
Frank Cignetti, now retired in Indiana, Pennsylvania, first met legendary Alabama football coach Nick Saban when he was an assistant at Kent State in Ohio.
News of Note:
A Giant Challenge - WVU Athletics
Jed Drenning's take on Mountaineer football.
Alabama Podcast: Questions will be answered when Tide kicks off against West Virginia - AL.com
Smitty and I were guests on another podcast to preview this weekend's game
Offense’s tempo could help Mountaineers succeed against Alabama - Charleston Daily Mail
There is folly involved with suggesting Alabama’s defense has a weakness.
WVU notebook: Trickett ready for first contact in awhile - Charleston Gazette
Clint Trickett hasn’t been in a live game since the final one of last season against Iowa State.
Trickett, Team Ready to Face Stellar Alabama Defense - EerSports
Clint Trickett looks at Saturday's game against Alabama and discusses the offense he and the Mountaineers hope to show against the Crimson Tide.
Dillon ready to bruise, batter Alabama - Charleston Daily Mail
There aren’t many secrets when the Crimson Tide’s offense is involved, but there are no reservations as far as the Mountaineers are concerned.
Blake Sims of Alabama Crimson Tide to start Saturday in season opener - ESPN
Blake Sims will start at quarterback for No. 2 Alabama's season opener Saturday against West Virginia, according to CBSSports.com.
WVU O-Line "On a Collision Course" - EerSports
West Virginia Offensive Line Coach Ron Crook previews the Alabama game and talks about his unit.
WVU cornerback, safety jobs still up in the air - Charleston Gazette
Actually, it’s one of the most intriguing personnel questions for West Virginia heading into Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game with No. 2 Alabama at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta: Who winds up playing the primary coverage positions on the defense? It could very well be done by committee at those crucial spots, cornerback and free safety.
Vingle: A WVU secret that simply Glows - Charleston Gazette
It’s probably guard Mark Glowinski. He’s worked himself into a nice NFL prospect.
Hickman: For Saban, it’s all about ‘The Process’ - Charleston Gazette
Nick Saban likes to talk about The Process, which anywhere else but Alabama isn’t necessarily capitalized.
It’s home sweet dome for WVU’s 4 Georgia natives - WV MetroNews
Mario Alford, Jeremy Tyler, Edward Muldrow and John DePalma will play crucial roles against Alabama.
Game Preview: Alabama - WVSports.com
Football is back and West Virginia opens the season Saturday with a daunting task against No. 2 Alabama in the Chick-Fil-a kickoff classic inside the Georgia Dome.
Alabama presents a different type of challenge - Exponent Telegram
This is Alabama, and really, there’s nothing like it.
’Eers to Get Rolling Against No. 2 Crimson Tide - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
There’s been a different aroma in the air this week in Morgantown.
An enormous challenge awaits - Daily Athenaeum
Finally, it’s here.
West Virginia set to take on the Tide in Atlanta - Daily Athenaeum
In the two teams’ first ever meeting, West Virginia enters the game with a lot to prove.
Picks and Pontifications: Alabama - BGN
Can WVU pull off a William Tecumseh Sherman? Or will the Mountaineers stagger out of Atlanta like Rick Grimes and his group?
Who in the heck is Nick Kwiatkoski? - Roll 'Bama Roll
Bama fans will find out soon enough, as the undersized linebacker with the funny name hopes to lead the Mountaineer defense against the Crimson Tide in the season opener.
Confident kicker Lambert ready to thrive - Exponent Telegram
When you are a placekicker, as Josh Lambert is for West Virginia, you have a lot of time to think.
West Virginia might root against Nick Saban this weekend, but ‘Brother’ is still beloved in his hometown - Charleston Daily Mail
Alabama coach’s family has deep roots in W.Va. community
Know your enemy, Alabama edition - Charleston Daily Mail
Here are some things you should know The Crimson Tide:
Spain’s starts, five-stars and the underdogs - Charleston Daily Mail
McGill's List of Ten
Mitch’s Matchups: WVU vs. Alabama - Charleston Gazette
Pro News:
Chris Neild injures right knee, feared torn ACL - WVUPros
During training camp for his second year in the league, he tore the ACL in his left knee and missed the entire season. Now, it is feared that he tore the ACL in his right knee on Thursday night.
Mountaineers in the NFL: Preseason Week 4 Recap - WVUPros
The final week of the NFL Preseason came and went in the blink of an eye on Thursday night.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor Football Announces Complete Sellout of 2014 Home Schedule - Our Daily Bears
2014 Game I: Iowa State vs North Dakota State Preview - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas Football 2014 Position Previews: Secondary - Rock Chalk Talk
2014 K-State Position Condition: Quarterbacks - Bring On The Cats
I’LL GO AHEAD AND ASK IT: WHAT HAPPENS IF KNIGHT GETS HURT? - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma State vs Florida State: The Infograph - Cowboys Ride For Free
Video: Get hyped for Texas-UNT - Burnt Orange Nation
Five things TCU fans need to know about Samford - Dallas Morning News
VIDEO: Two-Minute Drill: Coach Kingsbury on Central Arkansas - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
WVU vs Alabama Game Watches Across the Country - BGN
BT Entertainment Presents WVU ATLANTA KICKOFF
Fans near, far have options to view WVU game - Charleston Daily Mail
Some West Virginia University fans may be traveling more than 600 miles for Saturday’s season opener against Alabama, but they’ll find a home away from home when they get there.
WVU party starts in Atlanta before Alabama game - Charleston Gazette
Laseter’s has become known as the foremost Mountaineer bar in Atlanta.
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.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (2) Alabama Crimson Tide - Preview - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Tide is giving 26.
North Dakota State Bison vs. Iowa State Cyclones - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Jack on FS1. No line.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. (4) Oklahoma Sooners - Preview - ESPN
7 pm Saturday from Memorial Stadium on FSN PPV. Land Thieves are giving 38.
Samford Bulldogs vs. TCU Horned Frogs - Preview - ESPN
7 pm Saturday from Amon G. Carter on FSN affiliates. No line.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. (20) Kansas State Wildcats - Preview - ESPN
7:10 pm Saturday from the Bill on KStateTV. No line.
Central Arkansas Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders - ESPN
7 pm Saturday from Jones AT&T on FSN affiliates. No line.
North Texas Mean Green vs. Texas Longhorns - ESPN
8 pm Saturday from DKR on LHN. Horns are giving 25
(1) Florida State Seminoles vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys - Preview - ESPN
8 pm Saturday from Jerry World on ABC/ESPN3. Noles are giving 18.
SMU Mustangs vs. (10) Baylor Bears - Preview - ESPN
7:30 pm Sunday from McLane on FS1. Bears are giving 33.
College Football TV Schedule - LSUFootball.net
Full schedule, including regional networks
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Low Country Boil
Ingredients
2 quarts water
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
2 tablespoons seafood seasoning
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4 medium red potatoes, cut into wedges
1 medium sweet onion, cut into wedges
4 medium ears sweet corn, cut in half
1/3 pound smoked chorizo or Polish Kielbasa Sausage, cut into 1-inch slices
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound uncooked large shrimp, deveined
1 pound uncooked snow crab legs
Optional condiments: seafood cocktail sauce, lemon wedges and melted butterDirections
In a stockpot, combine the water, beer, seafood seasoning and salt; add potatoes and onion. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add corn and chorizo; simmer 10-12 minutes longer or until potatoes and corn are tender.
Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a native West Virginian and a former Playboy Miss Cyber Girl of the Year. CLICK HERE for today's animated gif gallery of Leanna Decker.