Benton's Hard Work Pays Off In First Start As A Mountaineer

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Football:

Al-Rasheed Benton’s hard work pays off in first Mountaineer start | The Daily Athenaeum
Al-Rasheed Benton waited a long time for a day like Saturday. After two seasons with limited playing time, the redshirt sophomore linebacker finally got his chance to start in West Virginia’s second game of the season against Liberty, and he made the most of the opportunity.

Benton steps up in first start | The Exponent Telegram
Al-Rasheed Benton didn’t sound much like you would expect someone who just finally started his first game of major college football to sound like. As the 6-foot-1, 235-pound middle linebacker sat down inside the Team Room at the Milan Puskar Center following West Virginia’s 41-17 win against Liberty, he deflected the congratulations a media member offered to him.

WVU looking for turnaround on defense | The Exponent Telegram
The tipoff on having a special defense comes not when it plays at its best, but when it struggles. That’s why the Big 12 might really have something to fear from West Virginia’s defense this season.

WVU can use off week to polish pressure, pass rush | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The football season is still new enough that there isn’t much value in putting much worth into where West Virginia stands in national rankings. WVU is tied for last place nationally with just one sack in two games, but the first opponent threw just 13 passes and the second, Liberty, attempted 33 and quarterback Josh Woodrum never had to pick himself up off the Mountaineer Field turf. That’s not ideal.

West Virginia Award Winners for the Liberty Game | WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University football coaching staff has named its award winners for outstanding performances in the Mountaineers’ 41-17 win against Liberty on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Basketball:

WVU loses Bolden for season with knee injury | The Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia’s backcourt suffered a sharp blow over the weekend after freshman guard James "Beetle" Bolden sustained a severe knee injury that is expected to cost him the 2015-16 season.

West Virginia Athletics:

Ryan Cain leads potent West Virginia offense against Wright State | The Daily Athenaeum
Over the past couple of seasons, the West Virginia men’s soccer offense has been one of the best of the Mid-American Conference. The Mountaineers have averaged 280 shots, 32 goals and 43.5 assists. One player in particular, Ryan Cain, has quickly developed in head coach Marlon LeBlanc’s system.

Mountaineers to Open Home Slate vs. Marshall | WVU Athletics
fter three weeks on the road, the West Virginia University volleyball team will open its home slate on Tuesday when the team welcomes in-state foe Marshall in a 6 p.m. match at the WVU Coliseum.

Around The Big 12:

Report: Texas president Greg Fenves still considering firing AD Steve Patterson | Burnt Orange Nation
At this rate, the Longhorns athletic director looks unlikely to finish his guaranteed five-year deal.

Jerrod Heard gives Texas Longhorns' offense 'juice,' new hope in start | ESPN
As surprises go, Charlie Strong couldn't have played it much better. When Texas' head coach decided to change starting quarterbacks he didn't hold a team meeting. He didn't send out a news release. Strong waited until Saturday and he told the only two players who needed to know: Jerrod Heard and Tyrone Swoopes.

Oklahoma's Hatari Byrd apologizes after middle finger incident | SI.com
Oklahoma Sooners free safety Hatari Byrd apologized Monday after he gave the middle finger to Tennessee Vols fans following his team's 31-24 overtime win on Saturday.

Oklahoma rediscovers identity through tough-minded QB Baker Mayfield | ESPN
On the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Oklahoma may have finally unearthed it. The Sooners discovered a calling card that could serve them well for the rest of the season, and beyond: a collective toughness derived out of a tough-minded quarterback.

Mason Rudolph is young, but composed as Oklahoma State's starting QB | ESPN
Mason Rudolph, who is 4-1 as Oklahoma State's starter, has displayed the ability to quickly bounce back after making mistakes.

Around The NCAA:

If any conference can get 2 College Football Playoff bids, it's probably the Big Ten | SBNation
It's going to take a special scenario for one conference to get two teams in. Michigan State beating Oregon presents one such potential scenario.

Is the Big Ten in position to get two teams into the College Football Playoff? | Campus Rush
Scott Frost spoke through a clenched jaw early Sunday morning. He answered every question politely and completely, but couldn't hide his (totally justified) frustration. The Oregon coordinator's offense had come so tantalizingly close against Michigan State.

Which 4 teams are the most College Football Playoff-deserving right now? | SBNation
Dan Rubenstein is joined by Bill Connelly and Bud Elliott to make cases for who they feel are America's four best college football teams.

Heisman watch: Alabama's Derrick Henry moves into the lead | SI.com
It’s only two weeks into the season, and we already have a new leader in the race for the Heisman Trophy.

Auburn has 3 fixable problems, but there's no time to waste. LSU's up next. | SBNation
The preseason SEC favorite almost lost to FCS Jacksonville State. Here are three things the Tigers must fix in a hurry, with their conference schedule starting in five days.

Big 12 recruiting scorecard: West Virginia hosts top LB prospect | ESPN
Here's what's new on the Big 12 recruiting trail entering Week 3.

WVUPros: NFL Week 1 Recap | Blue Gold Sports
With a full slate of games on Sunday the NFL is back in full swing. Nineteen Mountaineers have made NFL rosters this season and as always we will keep you informed of their progress throughout the year

Adam Jones won’t be suspended for helmet slam | ProFootballTalk
It looks like Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper will get what he wanted after having his helmet removed and his head slammed into it by Bengals cornerback Adam Jones during Cincinnati's 33-13 victory on Sunday.

Today's Miss Throwdown is an IMG runway model with great, uh, assets. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Daniela Lopez and CLICK HERE for Daniela's Instagram.