Dana Holgorsen Looking To Build On Strong Foundation For Success

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.

Football:

Dana Holgorsen hitting stride with West Virginia Mountaineers | ESPN
Entering his fifth year at the helm in West Virginia, Dana Holgorsen has built a strong foundation for success.

Holgorsen on freshman WR racing into starting role: ‘He’s made enough plays’ | WV MetroNews
Jovon Durante is in line to start Saturday’s season opener, becoming the first West Virginia true freshman receiver to do so since … well, we’re still researching that one.

Holgorsen announces starters at key positions | The Daily Athenaeum
Ahead of the West Virginia University football team’s season opener against Georgia Southern, Mountaineer head coach Dana Holgorsen announced the starters at several key positions on Monday – at least provisionally.

Gibson, Durante Climb to Top | WV Illustrated
Dana Holgorsen has been flooded with questions regarding his starting offense ever since releasing a preliminary depth chart earlier this month. On Monday, he addressed the three spots that were still up for competition, though he cautioned it is never too late to make changes.

Mobile QBs part of the plan | Beckley Register-Herald
When West Virginia University trots onto the Mountaineer Field surface at Milan Puskar Stadium Saturday at 7:30 p.m. to face Georgia Southern, head coach Dana Holgorsen’s offense will look much different than the ones he ran at Texas Tech under "Air Raid" guru Mike Leach.

Battles settled for now on WVU offense | The Exponent Telegram
he final pieces of the puzzle have been put in place by West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen, at least for the time being, as the Mountaineers’ starting offensive unit now is settled.

Shorts gives WVU versatile option at receiver | Charleston Gazette-Mail
What Shorts is worth to the offense transcends the mere ability to have learned different positions in his time on campus. His value is found in coach Dana Holgorsen’s expanding desire to diversify the personnel packages and the tempos he uses during games.

West Virginia Athletics:

Around The Big 12:

Big 12 could reemerge in playoff era better than ever | ESPN
After several turbulent, realignment-charged years, no conference has been turned on its head the way the Big 12 has, where the nouveau riche now reign supreme like never seen before.

OU prediction time: Stoops fighting college football physics | Blatant Homerism
Just how hot is Bob Stoops' seat? You can put a happy face on the last four years and remind everyone ad nauseam that you beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl not that long ago, but denying the team’s erosion just sounds delusional.

How soon can Charlie Strong make Texas a contender again? | Campus Rush
The last time Charlie Strong's team took the field, the beating it took was so thorough that the opposing coach called the victory "borderline erotic" months later. Texas gained 59 yards in a 31-7 Texas Bowl loss to Arkansas. On the ground, the Longhorns traveled a net of six feet. Bret Bielema's satisfaction was certainly understandable. The debacle weighed heavy on the Texas program this off-season. The shame of it helped push players through workouts. The Longhorns didn't want to dwell on the performance, but they also didn't want to forget.

Tyrone Swoopes will start at QB for Texas against Notre Dame | Sporting News
Texas coach Charlie Strong named Tyrone Swoopes his starter for the Longhorns' opener against Notre Dame on Saturday.

Texas Tech Red Raiders release depth chart, no call on starting QB | ESPN
Texas Tech released its Week 1 depth chart Sunday night but listed Davis Webb "or" Patrick Mahomes at quarterback.

SMU's head coach Chad Morris expects Baylor's full attention on Friday | FOX Sports
New SMU coach Chad Morris doesn't think the recent controversy surrounding Baylor's football program will be any kind of distraction for the Bears when they play Friday

Kansas State students will have to be on their best behavior this season | The Wichita Eagle
Before Kansas State students can pick up their tickets to home sporting events this year, they have to sign a sportsmanship pledge in which they promise to "refrain from using profanity and inappropriate chants" and to "show respect for all participating student-athletes, coaches, fans and officials."

Around The NCAA:

The Solid Verbal and SB Nation are joining forces | SBNation
The best college football podcast is now officially partnered with SBNation. Get pumped for SV Nation!

Coastal Carolina moving up from FCS to join Sun Belt Conference | SBNation
The Chanticleers are ready to add some more fun to the #FunBelt.

Why you should be excited about 130 college football teams in 2015 | SBNation
It's time for college football, and YOUR TEAM is going to have a great year! Here's why every fan of every team should be happy about the upcoming season!

Urban Meyer 'still debating' if he'll use both J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones | Sporting News
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer confirmed that the Buckeyes won't announce a starting quarterback for the season opener at Virginia Tech on Sept. 7.

Fox Sports 1 to use 'Khaki Cam' for Michigan-Utah game broadcast | Sporting News
The Jim Harbaugh effect at Michigan has been nothing short of revolutionary. Fans of the maize and blue expected big things from the ultimate "Michigan Man", but even the most avid Wolverine fans could not have expected the offseason media circus to be as successful as it has been.

Big 12 recruiting scorecard | ESPN
A Kansas running back commit opens some eyes in the season opener on ESPN2; a five-star tight end puts TCU in his list for official visits.

Mountaineers still in play for CBs after 3-star Coleman chooses Pitt | WV MetroNews
West Virginia cornerback target Therran Coleman chose his hometown Pitt Panthers during a Sunday night announcement on Pittsburgh television. The three-star prospect from Brashear High School had visited WVU four times in recent months, but wound up becoming another local commitment for the newly assembled staff of Pat Narduzzi.

Who is Geno Smith’s real competition? Jets soon to find out | New York Post
Geno Smith — broken jaw and all — seemed intent on showcasing his strong arm even if his spirals were being caught by nylon. Perhaps he was making a statement, trying to remind teammates and onlookers he still has the strongest arm on the roster. Or maybe he was just making the most of his few reps, knowing he wasn’t wearing a helmet and is expected to miss the first four games of the regular season.

Chicago Bears place Kevin White on regular season PUP list | Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears have decided that rookie wide receiver Kevin White should begin on the PUP list.

Chicago Bears put Ryan Mundy on Injured Reserve | Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears have already started making roster cuts, but they announced safety Ryan Mundy will go on season ending injured reserve.

WVU Pros in the NFL Preseason Week 3 recap | Blue Gold Sports
Week 3 of the NFL Preseason has come and gone. Here's a look at how your favorite WVU Pros performed during the "dress rehearsal."

Today's Miss Throwdown was a runner up in the Miss Hooters contest, which makes me wonder "Just how damn hot was the winner?!". CLICK HERE for Sable Robbert's Instagram.