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 Port CIty Brewing Company's Tartan Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
FURFARI: Lyons gets big money as WVU A.D. - Times West Virginian
Shane Lyons, West Virginia University’s new athletic director, is being paid almost as much as his predecessor, Oliver Luck.
WVU All-Time Great Pat White Talks Life After Football - WVillustrated
Former WVU quarterback Pat White offers his assessment of Mountaineer Football as it currently stands, while discussing what's new in his own life after retiring from football earlier this year.
Women's Soccer Scores Spring Finale Win - WVU Athletics
The WVU women's soccer team took a 3-2 win at Ohio State.
Sunahara ready to get it going at WVU - Daily Athenaeum
Summer break is quickly approaching, and it will be plenty of time for new West Virginia volleyball head coach, Reed Sunahara to ready the team for next season.
WVU DMR Team Takes First at Penn Relays - WVU Athletics
The group raced to first in 11:40.54, edging out second-place Maryland by two seconds.
FURFARI: Talley, Harris among top gridders at annual reunion - Times West Virginian
More than 150 former West Virginia University football players had a ball reuniting at Kegler’s Restaurant in Morgantown for an annual reunion.
News of Note:
Football
WVU heads into offseason focused on the deep ball - Charleston Daily Mail
"We were more successful throwing the ball down the field his spring than we were last spring with Kevin White and Mario Alford on the outside," coach Dana Holgorsen said.
Howard should make progress over summer - Exponent Telegram
Work is what it is all about for the man who probably will be the starting quarterback for WVU in the fall.
Crest at Receiver Experiment off to Strong Start - WVillustrated
WVU redshirt-freshman works at receiver in an effort to find his way onto the football field by any means necessary this fall.
WVU looks forward to deep, versatile team - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Twelve offensive linemen played in the spring game. Coach Dana Holgorsen needs eight to be game-ready for the Sept. 5 opener against Georgia Southern.
Surprise of the Spring: LB Preston Ready to Make an Impact - EerSports
Tony Gibson has twice anointed Xavier Preston the surprise of the spring, and the sophomore linebacker is ready to back that up this season.
Dillon steps in on punt returns for WVU - Beckley Register-Herald
Ask even the most casual West Virginia football field about the biggest concerns heading into the 2015 season, and you’re almost sure to receive some mention of special teams.
Former Miami cornerback transferring to West Virginia for senior season - WV MetroNews
Antonio Crawford, who appeared in 38 games for the Hurricanes, reportedly must sit out next season before becoming eligible in 2016.
WVU adds transfer CB from Miami - Times West Virginian
Unhappy with his treatment at Miami, nickel cornerback Antonio Crawford announced he will transfer to West Virginia.
WVU reportedly the new home for Miami’s Antonio Crawford - CollegeFootballTalk
Antonio Crawford might be in for what some people would call "a culture shock." Following a couple of weeks worth of speculation, Miami confirmed in late February that Crawford was no longer a part of the Hurricanes football program.
Crawford Set For WVU Transfer - BGN
West Virginia's relatively deep defensive backfield will receive more augmentation with the addition of Antonio Crawford, who reportedly plans to transfer to the Mountaineer program
'Eer to Ear: Gold-Blue Spring Game Recap - WVillustrated
West Virginia Illustrated's Geoff Coyle and Matt Hauswirth break down Saturday's Gold-Blue Spring Football Game
Draft
Draft destination for WVU’s White a tough call - Charleston Daily Mail
Analyzing and projecting the NFL Draft is difficult. Real hard.
West Virginia's Kevin White a scintillating draft prospect - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wide receiver Kevin White, a likely top-10 pick, highlights a group of former Mountaineers in the 2015 draft.
Unnamed scout on Kevin White: "He’s like Larry Fitzgerald" - ProFootballTalk
West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White is just about a lock to hear his name called in the first round of next week's draft, with all but the matter of whether he'll be the first player at his position to be taken to be decided.
NFL teams rate Amari Cooper higher than Kevin White, report says - AL.com
WR Amari Cooper has emerged as the consensus No. 1 player at his position, according to GMs and scouts. Kevin White a close 2nd.
White should heed Wooden's advice - Exponent Telegram
"Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." – Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden
Where could Quinton Spain get drafted? - College to Pro Sports
So where could he be playing next season? Here is how we see it.
Where could Dreamius Smith get drafted? - College To Pro Sports
Although overshadowed by Rushel Shell and Wendell Smallwood, Smith does have qualities teams in the NFL look for.
Baseball
Munden’s Homer Caps Comeback as Baseball Wins - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team won the series finale against Kansas.
Munden rallies Mountaineers past Kansas in series finale - WV MetroNews
The leadoff hitter broke out of his slump by lashing a two-run homer that helped West Virginia avoid a three-game sweep.
Donato fights through rough start to save series - Daily Athenaeum
With his team on the verge of being swept at home, West Virginia starting pitcher Chad Donato got off to a shaky start Sunday, but bounced back in the middle innings and helped spur the Mountaineers on to a 5-4 victory against Kansas.
WVU rallies to beat Kansas, avoid sweep - Exponent Telegram
"I’m proud to be a Mountaineer. I represent my school, my family and myself. I will not take credit for my success or lay blame for my defeat. I make a solemn promise to my coaches and my teammates to be the best possible player I can be. I will give every ounce I have to WVU. Until the day is done I am a Mountaineer." – Coach Randy Mazey’s Mountaineer creed.
Munden, Donato Anchor WVU's Win Over Kansas - BGN
Taylor Munden’s two-run homer lifted West Virginia to a 5-4 win over Kansas on Sunday, salvaging the final game of the series.
WVU Details "Wolf Pack" Status - BGN
This could be the start of a new West Virginia. With the Mountaineers facing a sweep against Kansas - and the best the Big 12 has to offer in upcoming series against TCU, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech - WVU turned to a bit of self-reflection and their new mantra of being a "wolf pack."
WATCH: WVU Avoids Sweep with Sunday's Win Over Kansas - WVillustrated
WVU Baseball coaches and players speak with the media following Sunday's victory over the Kansas Jayhawks, 5-4.
Photo Gallery: WVU vs Kansas - BGN
West Virginia salvaged a win in the weekend series with Kansas by topping the Jayhawks 5-4 on Sunday in Big 12 baseball action.
Photo Gallery: WVU vs Kansas April 26, 2015 - WVU Athletics
Recruiting:
Top247 CB Lists Top Schools - EerSports
Clairton (PA) cornerback Lamont Wade listed off an apparent top six schools, thanking the programs for the "early opportunity and prioritizing" him as part of the 2017 class.
Saunders on WVU visit: 'Everything was great' - BGN
After anointing West Virginia as his leader earlier this week, as well as getting a taste of their campus in Morgantown just days later, is Florida-based signal caller Cody Saunders close to making a verbal commitment?
Pro News:
Pitchers steal the show in this week’s Diamond Review - College To Pro Sports
Several WVU alums made noise this week by turning in some quality outings for their respective clubs.
Jon Gruden makes the case for Geno Smith: ‘I see progress’ - New York Post
Jets quarterback Geno Smith has a backer in ESPN analyst and former NFL coach Jon Gruden.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Spring depth chart breakdown: Iowa State Cyclones - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
2015 Kansas Jayhawks Spring Game Recap - Rock Chalk Talk
Defense outshines offense in K-State spring game - Topeka Capital Journal
Buddy Hield To Return For Senior Season - Crimson And Cream Machine
SI's takedown of Oklahoma State results in minor NCAA wrist slaps - SBNation.com
Texas PG Isaiah Taylor will return for junior season - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU’s opener at Minnesota picked as prime-time national game - Dallas Morning News
Devin Lauderdale has talent to be a Big 12 breakout player - FOX Sports
What's On Tap:
Baseball Adds Game at Radford on Wednesday - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team added a non-conference game at Radford scheduled for Wednesday, April 29. First pitch at RU Baseball Stadium is set for 2 p.m.
Football Season Ticket Renewal Deadline May 1 - WVU Athletics
WVU football season ticket holders are reminded to renew their 2015 season tickets online at WVUGAME.com.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Louisiana native and Playboy CyberGirl. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Lindsey Pelas.