Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.
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Football:
WVU gets back to work with Liberty Flames | The Daily Athenaeum
Football season is finally in full swing, and it’s back to business for the West Virginia Mountaineers. After turning heads with their season-opening 44-0 demolition of Georgia Southern, West Virginia takes the field again at 3 p.m. tomorrow against FCS opponent Liberty.
Does Liberty stand a chance? Based on other FCS stunners, sure | WV MetroNews
Sure, there’s minutiae to these FCS matchups like West Virginia-Liberty. Can the red-zone performance improve? Does Jared Barber give his sore shoulder a weekend off? Will the student section ever look half-full? The canopy question, however, is simple: Does Liberty stand a chance?
Liberty features several players to watch Saturday | The Daily Athenaeum
What do you know about the Liberty Flames? The FCS squad is the most obscure opponent to roll into Milan Puskar Stadium this season, lacking the national championships or distinctive play-style of Georgia Southern. They’re an FCS team with only one tournament appearance in program history, without any memorable alumni and situated deep in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
WVU offense tries to find footing for Liberty | The Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia has been directly associated with offense for the better part of a decade, but the 2015 season had fans expecting more out of the defense with so many questions on offense.
GAME PREVIEW: WVU Takes on Liberty at Mountaineer Field | WV MetroNews
The Mountaineers come into week two facing FCS opponent, Liberty Flames. Both squads enter Saturday’s game with a 1-0 record. Heading into his fourth season as The Flames Head Coach, Turner Gill has led Liberty to three consecutive conference titles, finished last season 9-5, and led them to their first FCS Playoff appearance a season ago.
If you happened to be spending some time in a cave without power or in Chile, where the only football natives talk about involves a pitch and a goal, you might have missed it. If not, you’ve probably heard that the Backyard Brawl, the annual meeting between West Virginia at Pitt, will return to the gridiron in 2022.
Pitt, WVU to resume Backyard Brawl in 2022 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It will be a long and potentially arduous wait, but after an extended absence, one of college football’s most heated and storied rivalries will resume in the next decade.
West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen excited about renewal of Backyard Brawl | ESPN
The news that the Backyard Brawl would be making its return in seven years had plenty of Pitt and West Virginia fans excited, but it will be tough to top the reaction of Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen.
Backyard Brawl football series renewed | Charleston Gazette-Mail
If not for Twitter, there might be no Backyard Brawl. West Virginia AD Shane Lyons explains the impact that social media played in the resurrection of the Backyard Brawl.
Backyard Brawl rivalry is back | The Exponent Telegram
The 100-to-1 longshot came home first. A rainy day turned to sunshine. Saturday’s meatloaf became Sunday’s steak. That Powerball ticket you almost threw away turned out to be worth a million dollars. And the Backyard Brawl is back on again.
Holgorsen making some changes to Mountaineers practice routine | Beckley Register-Herald
If West Virginia has the season many believe it can have on the football field, talent, experience and motivation will almost certainly be the biggest reasons for the success. But WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen has also been searching for an extra edge, and he’s hopeful some changes to the practice routine and schedule might be able to make an impact.
Room for improvement in passing game | The Exponent Telegram
It was all too easy to get caught up in the introduction of West Virginia’s passing game for the 2015 season, something which carried a large question mark with it, which had gone so well.
Young Mountaineer receiving corps growing after season opener | The Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia receiving corps silenced all doubters with impressive play in the Mountaineers’ season opening blowout versus Georgia Southern last Saturday. The only question that remains is if they will be able to do it again this week.
Jovon Durante among Big 12 potential stars to watch | ESPN
The season-opening week in the Big 12 brought glimpses of newcomers who could make a difference.
Depth in the backfield remains strong, shows promise for 2015 | The Daily Athenaeum
For the second consecutive year, the West Virginia University football team boasts considerable depth, versatility and experience in the offensive backfield.
West Virginia RB Shell shows sharing spirit | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Upon scoring his first touchdown this season — a 6-yard run in the third quarter of West Virginia's opener against Georgia Southern last weekend — Rushel Shell approached Mountaineers running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider with an unusual request.
Joseph opens senior year with strong leadership | The Daily Athenaeum
Tough, relentless and physical. These are the words Karl Joseph used to describe his play following the 44-0 win over Georgia Southern. While Joseph’s physical play is what he is known for, the preseason All-American made a new name for himself Saturday night.
WVU’s Tall has ‘perfect balance’ approach to coaching linemen | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Bruce Tall keeps track of everything the defensive linemen do at West Virginia. Everything. He’s the assistant coach in charge of that position, so that’s his job, but it could just as easily be considered his obsession.
West Virginia Athletics:
No. 5 WVU faces big Ohio State test Friday | The Daily Athenaeum
A red hot West Virginia University women’s soccer team heads into the weekend coming off four straight shutout victories, including wins over then number five-ranked Penn State and a historic trouncing of Villanova.
No. 5/8 WVU Prepped for Weekend Matches | WVU Athletics
The No. 5/8-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team is set for a two-match weekend. The Mountaineers will play at RV/15 Ohio State on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., at Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Field in Columbus, Ohio. WVU then opens a five-match homestand at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium against Longwood on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m.
Mountaineers Host JMU Friday at DDSS | WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University men’s soccer team returns home to host James Madison on Friday, September 11. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
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Around The Big 12:
Big 12 Week 2 Predictions | AthlonSports.com
The Big 12’s Week 2 slate is relatively light on interesting matchups. However, the Oklahoma-Tennessee contest should compensate for a schedule featuring a couple of blowout wins by teams against FCS opponents.
Oklahoma at Tennessee: Numbers that matter | Sporting News
No. 19 Oklahoma travels to No. 23 Tennessee for a top 25 showdown at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. It’s an early-season statement game for two teams looking to move up the rankings.
Oklahoma LB Striker ready to face Vols RBs | FOX Sports
Eric Striker said he was aware of Jalen Hurd. That much the Oklahoma linebacker admitted after practice earlier this week. But it's possible Striker isn't giving Hurd and his teammate, running back Alvin Kamara enough credit.
Mack Brown says he isn’t to blame for Texas’ struggles | Sporting News
The first week of the college football season wasn’t kind to the Texas Longhorns after a 38-3 beating at the hands of Notre Dame prompted coach Charlie Strong to shuffle his offensive play-callers.
TCU defense keeps taking hits | ESPN
Last weekend, TCU lost one starting linebacker. Now, the Horned Frogs have the lost the other. The 2015 season is off to an unlucky start for TCU, which carried national championship aspirations into the season.
Around The NCAA:
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMBLING: Oklahoma wins at Tennessee and 27 other Week 2 bets | SBNation
This weekend isn't loaded with big games, but it is full of opportunities to catch the public overreacting to random bounces of the ball in Week 1.
Ohio State's schedule is damn easy. Here's how they can still earn the No. 1 spot. | SBNation
These projections show the marks a true elite should be expected to hit against the Buckeyes' coming opponents, whether those opponents are tough or not. (Most are not.)
Sixth Rutgers player dismissed after charge in home invasion | Sporting News
A sixth Rutgers football player has been connected to the home invasion robbery that resulted in five players being dismissed from the team.
SEC, Ohio State schedule strengths don't compare, says Bielema | SI.com
Bret Bielema believes Ohio State's schedule holds no comparison to a tough SEC slate. The Arkansas coach stood up for the conference in Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference, arguing that there was little to be said for Ohio State's remaining games, which at the moment include exactly one ranked team.
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Liberty Flames vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Saturday at 3PM on ROOT Sports from Milan Puskar Stadium.
Liberty Preview | WVU Athletics
With a season-opening victory over Georgia Southern in the books, West Virginia turns its attention to Saturday’s 3 p.m. matchup against Liberty at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Kansas State Wildcats vs Texas San Antonio Roadrunners
Saturday at 12PM on Fox Sports 1 from The Alamodome in San Antonio. The Wildcats enter as 17 point favorites.
UTEP Miners vs Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday at 3PM on Fox from Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. Kliff Kingsbury and the Red Raiders are 20 point favorites.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. (3) TCU Horned Frogs
Saturday at 3:30PM on Fox Sports 1 from Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
(19) Oklahoma Sooners vs. (23) Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday at 6PM on ESPN from Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The Vols are 2 point dogs as they welcome the Sooners to Neyland.
Lamar Cardinals vs. (4) Baylor Bears
7:30PM on Fox Sports Network from Waco.
Rice Owls vs. Texas Longhorns
8PM on the Longhorn Network from Austin. The Longhorns, a 2 touchdown favorite, look to get their offense going against the Owls.
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This week's United Bank Playbook, with @Holgorsendana and @TonyCaridi, previewing Saturday's Liberty game ... http://t.co/CoW9Zh3ggA
— WVU Football (@WVUfootball) September 9, 2015
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Tailgating Spicy Taco Cheese Ball
Ingredients
3/4 cup dried parsley
4 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 (1.25 ounce) package hot taco seasoning mix
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped
Directions
Sprinkle parsley in a shallow baking dish. Set aside.
Mix Mexican cheese blend, cream cheese, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, and jalapeno peppers in a large bowl until well blended. Divide the mixture into 3 portions, and roll each portion into a ball. Roll each ball in the parsley until completely covered. Wrap individually with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Reprinted from AllRecipes.com
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They did it again...
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Today's Miss Throwdown has somehow managed to fly under the radar, but I think that's probably going to change soon. She's owns and designs her own swimwear label, and she's the perfect model to show them off. CLICK HERE for Karina Irby's Instagram.