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 Copper Dragon Spring Gold Cask Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
WVU’s Lyons getting feel for job - Charleston Gazette
Those few short weeks on the job have allowed Lyons to assess some of the situations that hold interest to WVU fans — especially those in the Kanawha Valley — such as the fate of the basketball and football series between the Mountaineers and Marshall, the state’s lone Division I colleges.
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, April 15 - WV MetroNews
Juwan Staten talks about preparing for the NBA Draft, while Bruce Tall gives us and update on the depth of the defensive line.
WVU's Henson brings wrestling knowledge to Woodrow Wilson - Beckley Register-Herald: College Sports
Sammie Henson knows a thing or two about wrestling.
Sunahara comes to West Virginia with experience in NCAA coaching - Daily Athenaeum
Sunahara comes in to gold and blue territory with more than 15 years of coaching experience in Division 1 programs.
Fan Shirt 2015 - West Virginia University
Vote once daily until April 23 for a chance to win the winning design.
'Little Sleepy' Glenn was WVU two-sport star and coach in the late 1920s - Beckley Register-Herald
The late Dr. Marshall “Little Sleepy” Glenn was one of the earliest — and most outstanding — all-around two-sport athletes in West Virginia football and basketball history.
News of Note:
Football
West Virginia Mountaineers athletic director wants to renew "Backyard Brawl" rivalry with Pittsburgh Panthers
New West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons wants to renew the "Backyard Brawl" rivalry with Pittsburgh.
Confidence High in WVU Secondary - EerSports
There’s always the exception that proves the rule. That was the case Saturday when, for the first time all spring, the West Virginia offense got the better of the defense. In the other eight practices, Tony Gibson’s side of the ball has won the battle.
What Should We Expect From The West Virginia Mountaineers In 2015? - Land Grant Gauntlet
I spoke with Matt Kirchner (@MKirchner12) from SB Nation’s West Virginia blog, The Smoking Musket, and he was kind enough to give us his thoughts on the upcoming season. He gives some fantastic insight, so be sure to head over TSM for more coverage on West Virginia!
Building WVU o-line won't be quick process - Beckley Register-Herald
A quick look at the depth chart doesn’t show much of a concern for West Virginia University on the offensive line.
Life lessons have Owens ready for success at WVU - Exponent Telegram
It is well documented that one of the problems the Mountaineers are trying to solve in spring ball is the lack of pass rush it had last season and off early returns, this 6-foot-4, 265-pound refugee from both New Jersey and Florida may be a large part of the solution.
Texas Longhorns facing nation's toughest nonconference schedule? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
West Virginia checks in at #3 in the Big 12
WVU Players Discuss Spring Drills - BGN
We hit two of three sides of the ball, as safety K.J. Dillon and linebacker Xavier Preston discuss West Virginia's defense, while K.J. Myers and Rushel Shell dissect the Mountaineer offense - and Shell's expanded role - after Saturday's open practice in Morgantown.
WVU Spring Football Photo Gallery II - BGN
Up close at West Virginia's open spring football practice session in Morgantown
Optional Online Football Seat Selection FAQs - WVU Athletics
A list of FAQs for the optional football seat selection process.
Baseball
Baseball Unable to Overcome Early Miscues - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team fell to Penn State on Tuesday evening.
Mazey: Mountaineers caught looking ahead in 5-3 loss to Penn State - WV MetroNews
With a Big 12 series against Oklahoma on the horizon, WVU suffered a midweek loss to the struggling Nittany Lions.
WVU falls to Penn State - WVSports.com
On Tuesday, West Virginia fell for the first time at Monongalia County Ballpark dropping a nonconference game, 5-3 to Penn State.
Lions Tame WVU Offense, Win 5-3 - BGN
Shane Ennis allowed five runs over as many innings to start the game as West Virginia fell 5-3 to Penn State on Tuesday in sluggish effort that turned into a bad PRI defeat.
WATCH: WVU Baseball Falls to Penn State in Trap Game - WVillustrated
The Mountaineers (21-13) were unable to overcome early offense from Penn State (11-20) on the way to a 5-3 final in what Coach Randy Mazey said was the definition of a trap game.
Penn State Small Ball Tops WVU - BGN
West Virginia, which had won 12 of 14 entering Tuesday's game with Penn State, dropped a 5-3 decision which largely lacked any emotional punch. Here, head coach Randy Mazey, along with Connor Dotson and Caleb Potter, detail the issues.
WVSports.com TV: Baseball Interviews - WVSports.com
Coach Mazey, LF Potter, P Dotson
Thank You From Coach Mazey - WVU Athletics
A thank you letter to the fans from Coach Mazey.
Hoops
Huggins Returns to Roots to Turn WVU's Fortunes - WVillustrated
Mountaineer coach says he wasn't himself in 2012 and 2013, but now "I'm going to be Bob Huggins." See his message to the team in helping to turn the program's fortunes.
Huggins In Beat Cancer Event - WVU Athletics
Fans will have an opportunity to play golf with Coach Huggins
Staten trains in Las Vegas with eye toward NBA combine - WV MetroNews
Players under 6 foot are rarely drafted, but West Virginia's two-time All-Big 12 point guard aims to be an exception.
Recruiting:
WVU Targets Litter New 2017 Top247 - EerSports
247Sports released their first edition of the Top247 for the Class of 2017 this afternoon, and West Virginia is an early player with many top prospects from around the country. Currently, 22 uncommitted prospects in the Top247 claim Mountaineer offers.
WVU recruiting: Shriner ready to tackle WVU career - Charleston Gazette
Two summers ago, Alec Shriner was an unrated offensive lineman with no offers. He was traveling around the country, hoping to catch a school’s attention.
Pro News:
The Geno Smith era in New York could be drawing to a close - College to Pro Sports
The new Jets regime under GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles did not draft Smith and look like they're ready for a fresh start at quarterback.
Reports: Jets looking to replace Geno Smith - Sporting News
Geno Smith's time in New York may be running out.
WVU players taking starring roles in the Arena Leagues - College to Pro Sports
Find out where some West Virginia Mountaineers of the past are starring in various Arena Football leagues.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Step Into My Office: Jameel McKay - Wide Right & Natty Lite
2015 Spring Football: Cornerbacks - Rock Chalk Talk
Checking in on Kansas State Wildcats - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Who Needs to Step Up? Part 1: Offense - Crimson And Cream Machine
TCU coach wasn’t knocking system, just stating the obvious - Star Telegram
Father's illness inspires LB Mike Mitchell's new start at Texas Tech - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Video of Interest:
Video courtesy of BGN
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the 2015 Playboy Cybergirl of the Year. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Khloë Terae.