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 Schaefer beer.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: August 7, 2014 - WV MetroNews
wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway explains the progress of freshman Shelton Gibson after being redshirted last season. Also, cornerbacks coach Brian Micthell anticipates using the full depth of his defensive backs this season.
Buchanan Named to Hermann Trophy Watch List - WVU Athletics
Coach Izzo-Brown and the Mountaineers enter the 2014 season ranked No. 12 in the NSCAA Preseason Poll.
WATCH: WVU Women's Soccer Video Interviews - WVillustrated
Watch full video interviews with West Virginia Women's Soccer Coach, Nikki Izzo-Brown, and her players regarding preparation for the upcoming season.
25 best college football traditions - FOX Sports
19. West Virginia fans sing 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'
Special Offer for WVU-OU Football Game - WVU Athletics
Season ticket holders and MAC members can now order WVU-OU tickets.
Furfari: Moss excelled as WVU halfback during Golden Era of the 1950s - Register-Herald
Bob Moss was one of a handful of outstanding halfbacks and fullbacks West Virginia University had during the first Golden Era of the 1950’s.
Big 12 executives discuss what should guide college sports changes - SI.com
The panel, which featured Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, Texas men’s athletic director Steve Patterson and West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck, among others, provided valuable insight.
News of Note:
Watch Ron Crook Fall Camp Update - WVU Athletics
Select members of the West Virginia University football coaching staff meet with the media on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Mountaineer Insider Podcast - WVU Athletics
This week’s Mountaineer Insider Podcast features exclusive interviews with West Virginia’s starting quarterback Clint Trickett, defensive line coach Tom Bradley and former Colorado quarterback and current Denver sports radio personality Joel Klatt, who also serves as football analyst for Fox Sports 1.
Josh Lambert is over that cheeky 2013 injury - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Casazza's Notebook
Kicker Lambert draws praise from special teams coach - Charleston Daily Mail
"He had a butt strain and a groin (injury)," DeForest said.
White wants to be ‘the guy’ at receiver - Charleston Daily Mail
"He wants to be the guy all the time, and I think he can be, I think he will be and I think he has been based on what I’ve seen so far," Trickett said.
WVU receiver White starting to catch on - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"I don't know if Kevin was ready for all the demands we wanted for him," wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway said.
High Hopes - Inter-Mountain
With a year under his belt, Daikiel Shorts is looking to put up even bigger receiving numbers for West Virginia this season.,
Competition Gets Joseph "Amped" - EerSports
"It was fun. I always try to go with the best, and that’s definitely Kevin (White). He’s the biggest receiver, and I always try to step up to the challenge," said Joseph. "We’re always competing whether it’s one on one’s or in the offseason. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to get each other better."
Dawson: Running Back Still Open Competition - EerSports
"There are certain positions that are competing," he said. "I think you always leave the door open for those backups to compete and beat ‘em. You got to show us something."
Seider Talks Brotherhood, Depth of Running Backs - EerSports
Something else that has stuck out to Seider about this team is the leadership, not just at his position, but on the team overall. Seider said that they didn’t have this kind of leadership last season that they will have this season.
Smith: 'My fault' if 2014 not a success - BGN
Taped on Dreamius Smith’s wall is a simple message he took from a conversation with running backs coach JaJuan Seider after the 2013 season.
Shell makes pitch for playing time; Thomas-Williams trims to 230 pounds - WV MetroNews
West Virginia's newest running back additions are earning points with offensive coaches during preseason practice.
Glowinski gives WVU 2nd stellar guard - Exponent Telegram
Glowinski is a workhorse.
Defense responds to Gibson's impromptu meeting - Exponent Telegram
"On Monday I was disappointed in our defense. I didn’t think our linebackers were playing physical. So I had a little ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting and yesterday those guys were much better," Gibson explained.
Cogdell and Mitchell: WVU Amassing Depth - BGN
West Virginia clearly has better quality of depth across the defense than it did last season, and those numerics have pushed competition in the early portions of fall camp.
Coaches Talk Riddick - The Next Bruce? - EerSports
"He already has a leadership role, a leadership mentality. He speaks up. He's the first one in, the last one to leave. He's a great kid."
WVU freshman Henry in battle for safety job - Charleston Gazette
"He reminds me a little bit of [cornerback Daryl] Worley as a freshman,’’ DeForest said. "He has the same kind of maturity.’’
Healthy Again, Jewone Snow Leads WVU Special Teams - WVillustrated
Once a starter, this fifth-year senior took the long, winding road to full health and now enters his final season with the Mountaineers.
Dave Hickman: WVU return duties up for grabs - Charleston Gazette
The favorites? Jordan Thompson and Mario Alford. Of course, they were among the favorites last year too (along with the departed Ronald Carswell) and the Mountaineers finished 119th out of 123 FBS teams in punt return average.
Experience has West Virginia believing - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
"There’s a different air to our team, there’s no doubt about it," said offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson
FURFARI COLUMN: Reports out of WVU’s football camp encouraging - Times West Virginian
It is certainly encouraging that there’s talk of a completely new outlook evolving from West Virginia University’s football training camp this year.
WVSports.com TV: Bradley, Dawson, Gibson - WVSports.com
video interviews with WVU's Tom Bradley, Shannon Dawson & Tony Gibson.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS: WVU Football Assistants Talk Training Camp - WVillustrated
DeForest, Crook & Bradley
WVSports.com TV: Player Interviews - WVSports.com
video interviews with WVU's Clint Trickett, Daryl Worley, Karl Joseph, Dustin Garrison & Andrew Buie.
BGN Video: QBs and Team Stretch - BGN
A last look at West Virginia's Monday practice, which began much like the rest, with a brief stretch session followed by special teams and quarterback work after an Oklahoma drill that began the first day of padded contact.
Pro News:
Eagles finding ways to get Najee Goode on field - WVUPros
When he finally became an Eagle, it was six days before he had to play. An entire summer of OTAs, minicamps, meetings, training camp practices and playbook study sessions were squeezed into a week.
Wired: Tavon Austin Helmet Cam at #RamsFanFest - StLouisRams.com
Relive the highlights from #RamsFanFest from Tavon Austin's perspective in our latest helmet cam feature.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Skywriters Tour: Baylor Defending Its Defense - Big 12 Conference
Camp Unit Preview: Defensive Line - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas Jayhawks 2014 season preview - ESPN
Bill Snyder offers savvy advice at K-State - ESPN
2014 Oklahoma Sooners Football Preview | Offensive Line - Crimson And Cream Machine
Mike Gundy says he's got 'a heck of a quarterback battle going' - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Jaxon Shipley Out With Hamstring Injury - Barking Carnival
TCU Football 2014: Receivers Preview - Frogs O' War
Red Raider Gridiron: Practice #2 in the Books-Recap, Links, Quotes and Video - Viva The Matadors
Big 12 hopes ‘One True Champion’ good for playoff berth - Charleston Gazette/AP
The mantra "One True Champion" is part of the conference’s new branding effort, complete with television ads and its own website.
Big 12 Mascots: A Pro-Con Analysis - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Mascot diversity is pretty high in the Big 12, but not all mascots are created equal.
What's On Tap:
Fan Day Set For Sunday, Aug. 10 - WVU Athletics
Mountaineer fans will be given the opportunity to get autographs from their favorite WVU coaches and players at the WVU football team’s annual Fan Day on Sunday, August 10, at 2:30 p.m., in the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility.
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 23 Mike Lorello - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 23, the number once worn by WVU defensive back, Mike Lorello.
Video of Interest:
Michael Garcia from Fairmont, WV isn't only "a" Mountaineer... He is "THE" Mountaineer. And he couldn't be more excited about being WVU's Mascot for the upcoming football season.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a pro surfer and model who was also featured in this year's SI Swimsuit issue. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Anastasia Ashley.