Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.
Football:
Struggling Mountaineers faced with another tough challenge | Beckley Register-Herald
If there’s a gold and blue panic button under one of the coaches’ desks inside the Puskar Center at West Virginia University’s Milan Puskar Stadium, it has to be feeling a lot of eyes looking in its direction if it hasn’t already been pushed.
Baylor begins tough stretch for WVU defense | The Exponent Telegram
West Virginia came into the season believing in its defense and it has done nothing, really, to make that belief waver. Even this Saturday past, without its star player and inspirational leader Karl Joseph, the Mountaineers were solid on defense, good enough to win the game had the offense not kept giving the ball and points to Oklahoma State.
Slow starts sinking West Virginia offense in Big 12 losses | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Finding the right words after an excruciating loss is a struggle, particularly after rallying from a two-touchdown second-half deficit only to fall short. As West Virginia’s players and coaches sat around their team meeting room late Saturday night after 33-26 overtime setback against Oklahoma State, an answer to one question was particularly elusive: Why were they in such a hole to begin with?
Crest could be a catalyst for WVU offense | Charleston Gazette-Mail
There wasn’t much JaJuan Seider could have liked late in Saturday’s first half, and that was before he looked up at the scoreboard. He saw that nearly two quarters of West Virginia’s passing game had produced what roughly one completed pass was responsible for in the first three games of the season.
Joseph to remain with WVU during injury | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
After undergoing season-ending knee surgery later this week, senior safety Karl Joseph is expected to join his West Virginia teammates for Saturday's noon game at No. 2 Baylor.
West Virginia's Jarrod Harper ready to replace star safety Karl Joseph | ESPN
West Virginia had to replace the king of its defense one week before hitting the road to face the nation’s No. 1 offense. But don’t worry, there is no way Karl Joseph is going to skip the Baylor game.
What a coaching change would cost WVU | Charleston Gazette-Mail
You have to be a special cat to be a Power 5 college football coach. And to be a successful coach at WVU, where the recruiting base is limited, you really have to be a special cat. Today, though, many are wondering how many lives Dana Holgorsen has left in his role as Mountaineer coach.
Basketball:
Frosh Ahmad Boosts WVU's Wing Athleticism | WVU Athletics
The three best high school basketball players in the state of Ohio last year chose to leave the Buckeye State, and one of them is currently sporting a gold and blue jersey at West Virginia University.
Haunted Hoops Slated for October 31 | WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University women’s basketball team tips off the 2015-16 season with Haunted Hoops presented by Coke Zero. The fourth annual event is an exhibition game against Shepherd at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the WVU Coliseum. Admission is free.
West Virginia Athletics:
No. 3 West Virginia adds another win over weekend | The Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia’s 10-game win streak was ended this weekend, as Oklahoma’s Kassidie Stade posted the best performance of her career. Stade, a junior, had 16 saves in a 0-0 tie on Friday night in Norman, Oklahoma.
Mountaineers Grind Out Huge Win in MAC Opener | The Daily Athenaeum
Behind a Jamie Merriam goal in the 84th minute, the Mountaineers are finding their winning ways. Merriam’s fourth goal of the season lifted the West Virginia University men’s soccer team (5-6, 1-0 MAC) to a 1-0 victory over Western Michigan (6-2-2, 0-1 MAC), opening up Mid-American Conference play in style.
West Virginia continues reign over Marshall in State Games | The Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University men's and women's swimming and diving teams finished the final day in this year's West Virginia State Games on Friday at the WVU Natatorium, winning the meet for the fifth straight year over the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Around The Big 12:
Road-tested TCU is learning what it takes to be a champion | ESPN
As Josh Doctson trotted the final five yards into the end zone, the atmosphere in Bill Snyder Family Stadium went from boisterous to muted. TCU had done it again.
Texas run game rediscovers its toughness in pounding Sooners | ESPN
In 70 games as a head coach, Charlie Strong had never seen one of his teams rush for 300 yards in a game. Not at Louisville. Not at Texas. He sure liked what he saw this past weekend.
Around The NCAA:
Steve Spurrier is retiring now as South Carolina's head coach | SBNation
One of the best coaches and best quotes in college football history won't be on the sidelines much longer.
Steve Sarkisian fired as USC football coach, has checked into a treatment facility | SBNation
The rocky Sarkisian tenure is over at USC.
Leonard Fournette's act of charity has forced the NCAA into a position it can't defend | SBNation
The LSU star's act of kindness has forced the NCAA into an inconsistency that will be hard to explain in court.
'Clemsoning?' Here's why Clemson deserves your No. 1 vote right now | SBNation
Pssst ... guess who's one of the country's most reliable winners?
The Will Grier explainer: What got Florida's QB suspended, and what happens next | Alligator Army
You have questions. We have (some) answers.
Kevin White injury update | Blue Gold Sports
The time Kevin White could make his NFL debut with the Chicago Bears is drawing close.
Submitted without comment (yes, I know this isn't real)
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Canadian fitness model with incredible assets. Click HERE for Caitlin Rice's Instagram.