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:
Howard, Holgorsen lead West Virginia on the field against Georgia Southern in 2015 home opener | The Daily Athenaeum
College football is finally upon us, as West Virginia opens the season against Georgia Southern tomorrow night.
WVU confident in quarterback situation as opener approaches | Beckley Register-Herald
As West Virginia wraps up preparations for the 2015 season opener Saturday at 7:30 p.m., against Georgia Southern in Morgantown, there are plenty of questions left to be answered.
Georgia Southern boasts dangerous playmakers | The Daily Athenaeum: Sports
Saturday night’s season-opening contest versus Georgia Southern may look like a sure win for the Mountaineers at first glance, but the reigning Sun Belt Conference champions can very well give West Virginia a run for its money.
WVU opens season against capable GSU defense | The Daily Athenaeum
A lot has been said over the past few weeks about how the West Virginia defense will fare in their attempt to shut down Georgia Southern’s triple option attack on Saturday. But you can’t win a football game without putting some points on the board, and West Virginia’s rebuilt offense needs to live up to their end of the bargain if the Mountaineers are going to avoid an upset in Morgantown.
Mountaineers hope that offensive line settles in | The Daily Athenaeum
The offensive line has always been a source of pride for the West Virginia football program. As two of the top linemen in the Big 12, replacing Glowinski and Spain has been a priority for the Mountaineer coaching staff. However, they still find a majority of the line is experienced enough to protect new quarterback Skyler Howard and create holes for backs Wendell Smallwood and Rushel Shell.
Ex-Michigan offensive lineman gets fresh start for West Virginia | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
When Kyle Bosch announced he was transferring from Michigan, West Virginia offensive line coach Ron Crook didn't hesitate to rekindle their relationship.
Jovon Durante could be next great playmaker for WVU passing game | The Daily Athenaeum
After the losses of Kevin White and Mario Alford to the NFL, head coach Dana Holgorsen’s next man in line has the makings to make a bigger name for himself. True freshman Jovon Durante has quickly emerged into the spotlight.
WVU defense has promising playmakers | The Daily Athenaeum
For a team known for its high-flying, explosive offense for such a long time, the fact that the West Virginia University football team figures to be more of a defensive-oriented team this season could be an unexpected advantage.
Statuses Revealed for WVU's Pair of Highly Touted Cornerbacks | WV Illustrated
It's game week in Morgantown. Not only are the players chomping at the bit to get going, but so too are the coaches. It's a time unlike any other throughout the year, as everyone anticipates the excitement revolved around the beginning of the college football season.
WVU’s Joseph evolves from big hitter to better tackler | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Throughout the two-plus years he’s been on West Virginia’s campus, running back Wendell Smallwood has had his run-ins with safety Karl Joseph. When offensive players meet with Joseph, who this summer has been called one of the country’s best defensive backs and scariest players, it’s frequently unforgettable. It holds true for teammates, though Smallwood developed different memories.
Picks panel a picture of uniformity: Mountaineers win, but no cover | WV MetroNews
As the MetroNews Sports staff lobbed a few semi-educated guesses at key Week 1 college football games, two trends became obvious.
West Virginia Athletics:
Big Road Weekend Awaits WVU in Michigan | WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University men’s soccer team takes to the road for a pair of matches against Big Ten competition. The Mountaineers face Michigan on Friday, September 4 at 4 p.m. in Ann Arbor, before traveling to play No. 22 Michigan State on Monday at 2 p.m. in East Lansing, Mich
Thirty Years Later, Mountaineers Tee Off | WVU Athletics
After two years – and three decades – in the making, the West Virginia University golf team will tee off this weekend at the Tiger Turning Stone Invitational in Verona, New York, marking the Mountaineers’ first varsity competition since 1982.
No. 11/12 WVU Set for Two Home Matches | WVU Athletics
The No. 11/12 West Virginia University women’s soccer team is set for two matches this weekend at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, playing host to No. 5/7 Penn State on Sept. 4, and Villanova on Sept. 6.
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Around The Big 12:
Baylor Bears' Shawn Oakman suspended for season opener against SMU | FOX Sports
Baylor All-American defensive lineman Shawn Oakman will miss the Bears' opener against SMU for a violation of team rules, the school announced on Thursday night. All-Big 12 defensive back Orion Stewart also has been suspended for one game.
TCU goes through the grinder to pull out victory at Minnesota | ESPN
Perhaps it's not quite right to say No. 2 TCU got an upset scare at Minnesota on Thursday night. The Horned Frogs were never seriously in danger of losing their opener at TCF Bank Stadium, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get pushed. Hard.
Oklahoma State Cowboys survive Central Michigan Chippewas | ESPN
It was ugly but Oklahoma State survived. The Cowboys knocked off Central Michigan 24-13 at Kelly Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan on Thursday night.
Lincoln Riley's offense will evolve at Oklahoma | ESPN
Even Lincoln Riley isn't sure what Oklahoma's offense will look like when the Sooners new offensive coordinator debuts his system against Akron on Saturday. But he knows what he wants it to be.
Around The NCAA:
Meet Rece Davis, GameDay's New Host | SBNation
It'll take some time to get used to Rece Davis replacing Chris Fowler, but there's no one ESPN's more confident you'll like.
Arizona star linebacker Scooby Wright exits game with knee injury | Sporting News
Arizona may have lost one of the best defenders in the country after linebacker Scooby Wright left Thursday's game with a knee injury.
5 Rutgers football players arrested in connection with home invasions and assault | NJ.com
Five current Rutgers football players, including the cornerback at the center of a university-led investigation into coach Kyle Flood, were charged Thursday with assaulting a group of individuals.
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WVU Pros in the NFL Preseason Week 4 recap | Blue Gold Sports
We saw several strong performances during the last night of the 2015 NFL Preseason. The league packed all 32 teams onto the Thursday night schedule as many players had their last chance to fight for roster spots. Here’s what happened with your favorite WVU Pros.
Jets QB Geno Smith could still be team's future QB, Jon Gruden says | ESPN
Jon Gruden is a fan of Geno Smith's physical talent, but he's like a lot of football people in that he's wondering if the New York Jets' quarterback could've avoided the infamous locker-room incident with then-teammate IK Enemkpali.
Mario Alford ready to show he's more than just fast | Cincy Jungle
"I get to play the whole game. I'm probably going to be on almost all the special teams. They'll probably throw me at gunner," Alford said. "I'm just going to do it all this game and leave it all out there."
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(4) Baylor vs. Southern Methodist
Tonight at 7:00 on ESPN from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The Bears come into the game a 5 touchdown favorite.
Akron vs. (19) Oklahoma
Saturday at 7:00 from Memorial Stadium in Norman. The Sooners are 31.5 point favorites coming into the game.
Georgia Southern vs West Virginia
Saturday at 7:30 from Milan Puskar Stadium. The Eagles enter Morgantown as 19.5 point underdogs.
A guide to all of college football's opening night games | Sports On Earth
The wait is over. Nearly eight months after the national championship game, we have new games that will produce results that we'll wildly overreact to, because that is what always happens during Week 1. Here are picks and previews for all 19 opening night games.
College football TV/streaming schedule guide, Week 1: 5 straight days of action | SBNation
The season's here, y'all, and you're busy watching college football through Labor Day.
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Today's Miss Throwdown is the new hotness on the Internet, and I totally understand why. CLICK HERE for Pia Muehlenbeck's Instagram.