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Mountaineer Morning Links: Friday (8/8/14) Edition

Holgorsen's presser, camp reports, player features, Power Five is allowed autonomy, Big 12 notes & more.

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What You May Have Missed:

Gold & Blue Now: Aug. 8 - WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen mentions the time of preseason fall camp where the mental aspect of the game needs to be strong. Also, junior wide receiver Jordan Thompson speaks on his upcoming role in the offensive this fall.

Nikki Izzo-Brown, WVU prepares to defend 2013 Big 12 titles - WVUPros
With back-to-back Big 12 Conference regular season championships, Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown can make the claim for being the best football program at West Virginia

WVU AD Oliver Luck: Student-athletes have ‘constitutional right’ to name and likeness compensation - CollegeFootballTalk
Finally, a high-ranking college official has taken a stand on something incredibly logical: College athletes should be compensated for use of their name and likeness.

NCAA board votes to allow autonomy for five power conferences - ESPN
The power conferences in major college sports just got a little more powerful.

The 4 things to know about the new NCAA's autonomy structure - SBNation.com
The governing body is tweaking its rules to give more power to the five big conferences, but outside forces might still do more to change college sports.

College football hate map is confusing - SBNation.com
No Ole Miss fans allowed in New Mexico.

News of Note:

Dana Holgorsen Media Conference: Practice No. 8 - WVU Athletics
Coach Dana Holgorsen addresses the media prior to practice No. 8 on Thursday, Aug. 7.

As camp progresses, Holgorsen eyes mental toughness - Charleston Daily Mail
“Guys are starting to get really sore,” he said. “That’s just camp. You have to go through it.

Holgorsen on board with schedule plan - Charleston Gazette
Dana Holgorsen is now officially on record as favoring a move toward Power 5 conference schools playing only fellow members in football.

Video blog: Day eight - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
More football, more shenanigans.

West Virginia notebook: Freshman QB could become 3-way threat - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Is Crest, Rivals.com’s No. 7 dual-threat quarterback of the 2014 class, truly a triple-threat or just one heck of a smoke screen?

Crest not ruled out as WVU’s return guy - Charleston Gazette
Dana Holgorsen finally answered the burning question in West Virginia’s preseason camp Thursday. Well, sort of.

Many vague returns on Crest’s punt-team experiment - WV MetroNews
Holgorsen on using freshman QB as return man:

Holgorsen addresses rumors of William Crest and punt returns - WVUPros
"We need a punt returner so let’s see what you can do. He likes doing it, and so I said go do it. Would it be an option if he is the best one? Absolutely."

Holgorsen Talks Depth Chart, Crest Returning Punts and More - EerSports
According to the Mountaineer head coach, things on the offensive side of the ball are solidifying.

Holgorsen's Take: 8/7 - WVSports.com
West Virginia is entering the portion of fall camp where players often hit a mental and physical wall with the daily grind of practice according to head coach Dana Holgorsen.

WVU goes 11-on-11 in Thursday's practice - BGN
As the start of the regular season inches closer and closer with each day of camp, the West Virginia football team is continuing to get plenty of work in as it enters the second week of camp.

Quick Hits: Mountaineer Football Continues Fall Camp with Practice No. 8 - WVillustrated
News and notes regarding West Virginia's eighth practice during fall football camp.

Bumps, bruises fine with WVU coaches - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
The training room has become nearly as popular as High Street for the athletes, and the freshmen are starting to learn that college football is a little harder on the body than the high school game.

WVU's Thompson relishes distraction of fatherhood - Exponent Telegram
“It’s more responsibility for me, but I balance it out fine,” he said. “I know I have to get a degree. Football is a priority and I have to be the best father I can to the little girl.”

Howard trims down, finds home on defensive line - Charleston Daily Mail
Sophomore Darrien Howard, a nose guard at West Virginia, where first-year players are not allowed to talk to the media, was careful with his words.

Proving to be ‘an every-down guy,’ Riddick receives first-team reps - WV MetroNews
See Allan Taylor's recap of personnel moves from Thursday evening's practice at Milan Puskar Stadium

WVU’s Andrew Buie Enters Fall Camp with Something to Prove - WVillustrated
Andrew Buie has returned to the Mountaineer Football program in 2014, determined to make an impact in more ways than one.

FURFARI COLUMN: Dropping of charges against Smallwood good news for WVU - Times West Virginian
The recent decision by state legal authorities in Wilmington, Delaware, to drop all charges against West Virginia University running back Wendell Smallwood had to be good news to his team.

Quinton Spain Talks Preseason Accolades, Friendship with Mark Glowinski - WVillustrated
Quinton Spain may be the most recognizable name on WVU's roster as an offensive lineman following his summer of preseason accolades.

A Look Inside: Kickoff Drills - BGN
West Virginia got right into a special teams session, working kickoff coverage and return at the start of its eighth practice of the fall camp.

Camp Action - BGN
More looks at West Virginia's 2014 fall football camp.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Big 12 Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2014 - AthlonSports.com
In order to get an accurate assessment of teams heading into 2014, Athlon asked coaches in the Big 12 to talk anonymously about their opponents.

"Feet Don't Fail Us Now" - Our Daily Bears

So far, this is the 'best' of Rhoads' Cyclone fall camps - Des Moines Register (autoplay)

Skywriters Tour: Kansas Seeking Offensive Boost - Big 12 Conference

Skywriters Tour: K-State Walk-ons Play Big Roles - Big 12 Conference

Oklahoma Sooners Football Practice Report | Receivers Coming Along/O-Line Healthy & Deep - Crimson And Cream Machine

Could Jhajuan Seales have breakout season for Oklahoma State Cowboys - ESPN

Remarkable recovery continues for Texas RB Johnathan Gray - Burnt Orange Nation

TCU Football 2014: Previewing the Defensive Line - Frogs O' War

Texas Tech Approves Contract With Under Armour Through 2020 - Viva The Matadors

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

Video of Interest:

The work continues for the 2014 Mountaineers

Video of (Dis)Interest:


Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is the BikiniTeam.com Model of the Month for August. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Brittainy Taylor.