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 Anderson Valley's Spring Hornin' Spring IPA.
What You May Have Missed:
Lyons Releases Men’s Soccer Schedule - WVU Athletics
The schedule consists of five games against participants in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, including two games against NCAA quarterfinalists. Additionally, 12 of the team’s 18 opponents finished in the top 100 of the RPI.
WVU soccer closes spring slate this week - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia women’s soccer team will look to finish its spring season above .500 Saturday when the Mountaineers do battle against Ohio State.
McDonald and Warren to Transfer - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University women’s basketball coach Mike Carey announced on Tuesday that sophomore guard/forward Bre McDonald and freshman guard Tyara Warren will not return for the 2015-16 season.
The Start of a New Climb - WVU Athletics
Fourth-year gymnastics coach Jason Butts reviews the 2015 season.
Fan Shirt 2015 - West Virginia University
Vote once daily until April 23 for a chance to win the winning design.
THE READ OPTION: Hello again, Braxton Miller-to-Alabama rumors - SBNation.com
Good morning! It's your daily roundup of college football stuff.
News of Note:
Football
Holgorsen hopes to finish spring on high note - BGN
With a week left in spring practice, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen has been pleased with what he has seen out of his team up to this point.
The early coronation - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
I don’t think that’s shocking, and while I was mildly surprised to see Holgorsen so resolute so early, was this not coming?
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, April 22 - WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen explains why he would like the Big 12 to have a conference title game. We also here from WVU signee James "Beetle" Bolden, as he tells us how his game will fit into the Mountaineers system.
Gold and Blue Now: Tuesday, April 21 - WV MetroNews
Skyler Howard takes us through the ride that led him to become WVU’s front-runner in the quarterback race.
Gibson The Next in Line? - WVU Athletics
The long list of 1,000-yard receivers that Dana Holgorsen has been involved with is really impressive.
WVU's Jordan Thompson: "I've got to make a big impact" - WVillustrated
Senior receiver says attitude and competition have driven his group to find a way to replace Kevin White and Mario Alford in Mountaineer offense.
Thompson's growth evident in his play - Exponent Telegram
His development was slow and incremental, but each year his figures grew if not his figure — catching 13 passes for 85 yards as a freshman, 23 for 178 as a sophomore and then last year, as a junior, 49 for 598 yards.
Moving Smallwood to slot would make sense - Charleston Gazette
"It’s only going to make Wendell better. He understands everything in the backfield. Now he can be a true slot guy if we need him."
WVU defense poised to take step under second-year coordinator - Charleston Daily Mail
Gibson’s first defense ranked in the bottom half of the four major defensive categories.
Xavier Preston’s microscope - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Here’s something we’ve noticed about spring practice, whether up close or from afar: The defense is in a really good spot.
WVU Defense in Good Spot - WVSports.com
The Mountaineers return a full defense worth of starters plus defensive coordinator Tony Gibson and the same 3-3-5 scheme for a consecutive season.
WVU's Defense Improving, And Nobody's Job is Safe - EerSports
Although the defense was one of the top units in the Big 12, West Virginia routinely gave up big plays. They finished the year allowing 29 plays of thirty or more yards, tied for 82nd in the country.
WVU place-kick holder job open - Charleston Gazette
Dana Holgorsen has managed to make a running joke of his relationship with kicker Josh Lambert, which he tries to insist is no relationship at all.
WVU's Lambert hoping to build on big season - Beckley Register-Herald
After knocking through a couple of game winners last year — beating both Maryland and Texas Tech with last-second field goals — junior-to-be Josh Lambert joked that West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen had never even spoken to him.
Championship game a hot topic for Big 12 football - Exponent Telegram
"Based on what happened last year, that kind of hurt the Big 12 a little bit. Being on the same playing field as everyone else is what everyone is after."
WVU coaches arriving - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
There won't be any shortage of success stories to tell from West Virginia University coaches appearing as part of next Tuesday's WVU Coaches Caravan at JP Henry's Restaurant in Parkersburg.
Source: West Virginia WR Kevin White visits Chicago Bears - NFL Nation - ESPN
White would fill a need at wide receiver opposite Alshon Jeffery, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Baseball
Bases Loaded Walk Leads Baseball Over Marshall - WVU Athletics
Junior center fielder KC Huth drew an eighth inning bases loaded walk to give the West Virginia University baseball team a 3-2 victory over Marshall on Tuesday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark.
West Virginia edges Marshall, 3-2, in baseball - Charleston Daily Mail
Baseball is a game of ruts and rallies that continues to trick and treat West Virginia.
Hits scarce as WVU edges Marshall 3-2 on bases-loaded walk - WV MetroNews
The teams combined for only six hits in Tuesday night's nonconference matchup at the Monongalia County Ballpark.
Sluggish WVU Beats Marshall 3-2 - BGN
Taylor Munden hit a homer and scored the winning run on KC Huth’s bases loaded walk in the eighth inning as West Virginia beat Marshall 3-2 on Tuesday for its fifth midweek win in seven games this season.
WVU Downs Marshall - WVSports.com
On Tuesday afternoon, it took a late game rally in order for West Virginia to knock off instate foe Marshall 3-2 at Monongalia County Ballpark.
Mazey, WVU Players React To Marshall Win - BGN
It wasn't pretty for West Virginia, but it was - just barely - effective as the Mountaineers got a pair of homers from Taylor Munden and Kyle Davis along with KC Huth's bases loaded walk in the eighth inning to top Marshall 3-2 on Tuesday.
Recruiting:
WVU recruiting: Commitment could come soon for QB out of Florida - Charleston Gazette
The quarterback dominoes are falling.
Mountaineers Latest to Offer JUCO Lineman - EerSports
West Virginia has offered Iowa Western (IA) C.C. offensive lineman Na'Ty Rodgers, according to his coach. Missouri, Louisville, Ole Miss, and more had also offered in recent days.
Top247 WR Names Top Ten - EerSports
American Heritage (FL) wide receiver Dredrick Snelson, ranked No. 121 overall in the 247Sports Composite, tweeted out a top ten this afternoon.
2015 ESPN 100 - Player Rankings - ESPN
46 Esa Ahmad
Pro News:
Will Johnson re-signs with the Steelers - College To Pro Sports
Will Johnson and the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly agreed to terms on a new contract per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan. Johnson was a restricted free-agent.
Getting to Know Keith Tandy - Buccaneers.com
Buccaneers.com sat down for a Q&A with the safety.
LISTEN: Curtis Martin has doubts about whether Jets' Geno Smith can be a legit NFL quarterback - NJ.com
Add Curtis Martin to the list of those who aren't sold on Jets quarterback Geno Smith.
WVU in the NFL Contract Details: Who's Making the Most Cash? - EerSports
Currently, West Virginia has eighteen former players signed for NFL contracts.
Padres' Jedd Gyorko may be close to breaking out of slump - CBS Sports
Despite his struggles at the plate this season, which includes an 0 for 5 on Saturday, Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko's may be close to finding his swing
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor Football's 2014 Big 12 Championship Rings - Our Daily Bears
ISU Notebook: Knott’s status likely to remain unclear until August - Ames Tribune
2015 Spring Football - Tight Ends - Rock Chalk Talk
K-State's Danzel McDaniel working to improve cover skills - Topeka Capital Journal
Spring depth chart breakdown: Oklahoma Sooners - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Oklahoma State Cowboys have a franchise QB again in Mason Rudolph - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Who replaces star DT Malcom Brown at Texas? - Burnt Orange Nation
10 Things of Note about TCU's Post-Spring Depth Chart - Frogs O' War
Texas Tech Needs David Gibbs to Reverse Defensive Woes - AthlonSports.com
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:
WVU Head Coach Randy Mazey addresses the media following the Mountaineers' 3-2 win over Marshall on Tuesday, at Monongalia County Ballpark.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
This has been an awesome week for trailers
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is another Australian beauty. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Haley Nagle.