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:
Joseph, WVU defense begin season in dominant fashion | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Dana Holgorsen said he’d never before given out a game ball. Sure, the West Virginia University football coach has named plenty of players of the game. Those came after he sat down and watched the film of that particular Mountaineers win. But hand the ball to a player right after the game? Nope.
WVU defense must build on fantastic first impression | WV MetroNews
All that extended preparation for Georgia Southern, and the incessant worrying that adjoined it, made Tony Gibson a consumed mess throughout the preseason. So West Virginia’s defensive coordinator emerged from Saturday night’s 44-0 victory feeling relief beyond belief.
Defense dominant in win over Georgia Southern | The Exponent Telegram
It was something you dream of, unless you are coach, and then you don’t dare dream of it. A shutout? In today’s football? In the opening game?
WVU notebook: Defense stays basic in Week 1 shutout | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
West Virginia didn't blitz often in Saturday's 44-0 victory over Georgia Southern at Milan Puskar Stadium. The lack of a pass rush — one sack — didn't concern coach Dana Holgorsen, who said the Mountaineers followed the defensive game plan to perfection.
Barber makes return in WVU win | The Exponent Telegram
In the midst of a wild opening evening of football at Milan Puskar Stadium, there came a moment when a hush fell over the crowd. A West Virginia player was down — the gold No. 42 on the blue background, in obvious pain.
Freshman bursts on the scene for West Virginia | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
In the weeks leading up to West Virginia’s 2015 season, the buzz surrounding freshman wide receiver Jovon Durante didn’t gradually build so much as it mushroomed.
Crest takes advantage of limited chances in opener | The Exponent Telegram
Making sure backup quarterback William Crest Jr. gets at least one series each game does not seem to be a priority for West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen at the moment. Whether that changes will be up to Crest Jr.
West Virginia Athletics:
No. 11/12 WVU Earns Record-Setting Win | WVU Athletics
Records fell at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Sunday, as the No. 11/12 West Virginia University women’s soccer team rolled past Villanova for an 8-0 win, its fourth straight shutout victory.
Abam leads WVU women to record-setting rout vs. Villanova | WV MetroNews
Michaela Abam set a school record with four goals, Kailey Utley established her own mark with four assists and No. 11 West Virginia coasted past Villanova 8-0 on Sunday.
Mountaineers T-7th After Two Rounds | WVU Athletics
A six-stroke improvement has the West Virginia University golf team sitting tied for seventh place after 36 holes of competition at the Tiger Turning Stone Intercollegiate, hosted by Missouri at the Kaluhyat Course at Turning Stone Resort on Verona, New York, on Sunday.
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Around The Big 12:
Kansas State president, band apologize after halftime performance | Sporting News
Kansas State president Kirk Schulz apologized after the halftime performance at the Wildcats' game Saturday against South Dakota.
Big 12 Conference gives K-State the boot | Bring On The Cats
After an obscene display by the K-State Marching Band, the Big 12 has washed its hands of Kansas State. (kind of...)
Road Warriors: TCU Takes the Twin Cities | Frogs O' War
In a new series from your friends at Frogs O' War, we give you the scoop on what you missed if you couldn't make the trip with TCU.
Texas Longhorns currently rank last nationally in total offense | Burnt Orange Nation
Texas Longhorns fans, brace yourselves for a shocker -- the Horns have the worst offense in the country, at least according to total offense after 120 teams have played season openers.
Richardson, offense finds its groove in third quarter | Ames Tribune
It was in the third quarter, in the midst of throwing two touchdown passes, that Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson became the player coach Paul Rhoads thinks he is.
Baylor offense begins with a bang behind new QB Russell | Waco Tribune
Without a stat sheet in hand in the postgame interview room, Baylor coach Art Briles tried to guess the numbers Seth Russell put up in a 56-21 season-opening romp over SMU.
Around The NCAA:
Week 1 college football: Three biggest takeaways | SI.com
College football’s opening Saturday is in the books. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the day
Please be really good, Ohio State. I don't want to admit how good Notre Dame looks. | SBNation
It's time for The Top Whatever, in which Spencer Hall ranks as many teams as he feels like ranking and no more. (The Mountaineers make the list)
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WVU Pros on NFL rosters to start the 2015 NFL Regular Season | Blue Gold Sports
On Saturday, over 700 players found themselves without jobs when the NFL’s deadline for team’s to get to a maximum of 53 players on their rosters. 19 former Mountaineers found themselves making the cut.
Preseason Gives Us Glimpse of Tavon Austin | Ramblin' Fan
Even though it is only a small sample size, if the preseason is any indication Tavon Austin will be getting the ball a lot and in many different ways.
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Recruits impressed by Mountaineers’ effort on defense | Charleston Gazette-Mail
With the game spread across the country on various networks, some of which weren’t available in all areas, West Virginia’s dominant performance against Georgia Southern Saturday night was not seen by every recruit out there. Those that did tune in — or visit campus — were impressed, though, and that was especially true for defenders currently committed to the Mountaineers.
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(1) Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech
Tonight at 8PM on ESPN from Blacksburg. Ohio State comes into Lane Stadium looking for revenge as 2 TD favorites. I don't want to cheer for either team, but this is all we get today.
Ohio State at Virginia Tech: Numbers that matter | Sporting News
No. 1 Ohio State closes the Week 1 college football schedule with a much-anticipated game at Virginia Tech. The Buckeyes have a chance to get payback for last year's 35-21 loss to the Hokies.
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Today's Miss Throwdown is noted Mountaineer fan Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend, and the SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Kelly Rohrbach.