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 Blowing Rock Mountain Spring Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Ann's 'Boys' - WVU Athletics
Every once in a while one finds a link to the past. From the more innocent days of yore, a golden star still shines brightly in the name of Ann Dinardi.
Women's Soccer Scorches Saint Francis - WVU Athletics
Playing in a cold, steady rain, the West Virginia University women’s soccer team tallied a 6-0 shutout against Saint Francis (Pa.)
Fan Shirt 2015 - West Virginia University
Vote once daily until April 23 for a chance to win the winning design.
John Barton was a fine Mountaineer guard in the 1980s - Beckley Register-Herald
John Barton of Hollidaysburg, Pa., was a fine offensive guard on West Virginia University’s football teams of the early 1980s.
FURFARI COLUMN: Bowman was one of Nehlen’s first recruited RBs - Times West Virginian
Tommy Bowman was a three-sport star at Portsmouth’s Notre Dame High School in Ohio when he signed for a scholarship to play at West Virginia University.
News of Note:
Football
What we learned at WVU scrimmage - Beckley Register-Herald
It was just one practice, but with limited opportunities to check out the West Virginia University football team this spring, Saturday’s scrimmage in front of around 2,000 fans at The Greenbrier’s AdvoCare Sports Performance Center provided a valuable glimpse into what’s happening with the Mountaineers.
WATCH: WVU Players Talk Spring Practice Finale at The Greenbrier - WVillustrated
Several WVU football players speak with the media following Saturday's open spring practice from The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs.
"Slap in the Face" Motivates Howard to Starting QB - EerSports
"There’s no doubt that I probably should have been on the scout team with the way I progressed, so I don’t fault them for doing that," said Howard. "But it was a little bit (of a slap in the face). I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder, and that just solidified that."
Skyler Howard is West Virginia Mountaineers' 'clear-cut' No. 1 QB - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
West Virginia's quarterback battle could be coming to a close.
West Virginia becomes home for Hopewell's Rushel Shell - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rushel Shell is where he always thought he would be, even if he got there in a way he could have never imagined.
WVU Offensive Line Work Continues - BGN
The work to improve continuity and consistency along the offensive line remains the highlight of spring football practice at West Virginia, and while mixing and matching up front continues to hamper that effort at times, assistant coach Ron Crook believes the Mountaineers "are heading in the right direction".
Lott Impact Trophy Announces 2015 Watch List - WVU Athletics
There are also six players on the Watch List from a year ago – Kelby Brown of Duke, Shilique Calhoun of Michigan State, Vernon Hargreaves of Florida, Karl Joseph of West Virginia, Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame and Eric Striker of Oklahoma.
Draft
Who's the best wide receiver in 2015 NFL Draft? - NFL.com
There are few things in the 2015 NFL Draft that have scouts, coaches and front-office personnel in agreement, but there does seem to be a consensus as to who are the top two quarterbacks and wide receivers.
McShay: Bears should trade down or grab Kevin White at No. 7 - 247Sports
ESPN's Todd McShay thinks the Chicago Bears have two options at No. 7 in the NFL Draft.
Baseball
Sooners Pound WVU Pitching, Win 10-2 - BGN
West Virginia allowed a season-high 15 hits and Oklahoma scored nine runs in a two-inning span as the Sooners beat WVU 10-2 to take the series on Sunday.
Oklahoma batters Donato during 10-2 series-clinching win - WV MetroNews
West Virginia dropped Sunday's rubber game as the Sooners pounded out 15 hits.
OU Torches WVU Pitchers in Blowout - BGN
Randy Mazey, Chad Donato and Kyle Davis were not happy about the Mountaineers subpar performance.
WATCH: WVU Baseball Drops Rubber Match to No. 23 OU - WVillustrated
The WVU Baseball team surrendered 15 hits en route to a 10-2 loss in Sunday's rubber match against No. 23 Oklahoma.
New ballpark an all-around success - Exponent Telegram
The crowds have been promising, an average of 2,169 over the first six games, including 2,871 Saturday. Last year, at Hawley Field, WVU’s average attendance was 1,096.
With spring comes 'Hope' - Exponent Telegram
with a runner at second base and a man out, coach Randy Mazey reached down his bench for a pinch hitter and came up with Garrett Hope.
Hoops
WVU’s Huggins wins third Furfari Award - Charleston Gazette
Something else Huggins is used to: being named the Furfari Award winner as the state’s college coach of the year. Huggins was named the 2015 winner by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, the fourth time he’s won the honor.
Myers should fit in nicely at WVU - Exponent Telegram
"You have to be relentless on defense to play for coach Huggins, and Teyvon did an extremely good job this year of heating up ball handlers over 94 feet, without fouling. Teyvon took on the primary ball handler night in and night out and did a very good job creating havoc on that ball handler," his coach, Cory Fehringer, said.
Recruiting:
Coveted DL Names Top Schools - EerSports
South Mecklenburg (NC) defensive end Zack Gilbert has heard from dozens of schools during his recruitment, but tells EerSports this evening that eight schools are standing out - North Carolina, Pittsburgh, California, Duke, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.
Pro News:
Jedd Gyorko Getting Better, Or Losing His Job? - Fansided
Jedd Gyorko of the Padres took a few days off to work on his swing. He is trying to avoid a second consecutive slow start to keep his job at second base.
Around the League (and Beyond):
If Big XII Teams Were Star Wars Characters - Viva The Matadors
Taking a few potshots at our fellow conference schools using "Star Wars" characters
Baylor position series: Offensive line boasts depth, experience - Dallas Morning News
Fred Hoiberg Surgery a Success - Wide Right & Natty Lite
2015 Spring Football - Defensive Line - Rock Chalk Talk
Malek Harris dismissed from K-State basketball program - Bring On The Cats
Who Needs to Step Up? Part 2: Defense - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma State spring game: What we learned - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
What we learned from the Texas Longhorns Orange-White game - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU position series: Plenty of holes in secondary for Frogs to fill - Dallas Morning News
What's On Tap:
Football Season Ticket Renewal Deadline May 1 - WVU Athletics
With the priority deadline just two weeks away, WVU football season ticket holders are reminded to renew their 2015 season tickets online at WVUGAME.com.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Do you bleed?
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the 2015 SI Swimsuit cover girl. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Hannah Davis.