The Shotgun/Throwdown (8/10/18): West Virginia’s Defense Has Some Home-State Flavor

There’s no doubt the high school talent in West Virginia has blossomed, but defensive coordinator Tony Gibson contends his recruiting tactics haven’t changed in the last three years.

By Michael Miller@michaelmillerWV Aug 10, 2018, 10:00am EDT

NCAA Football: Iowa State at West Virginia

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

Football

Mountaineer D-Line Packed With Size and Depth Heading Into ‘18 | West Virginia Athletics
West Virginia's defensive linemen no longer have to get off the team bus last with the kickers. That's because the Mountaineers have finally put together a defensive front big enough and strong enough to compete with the 11 Power 5 football teams on their schedule this year.

Mountaineers’ defense has home-state influence | WV MetroNews
Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson says WVU hasn't narrowed its recruiting focus, but rather, the state is producing better talent that makes coaches look here.

Staley has hold on kicking job; WVU getting even richer at WR | The Times WV
With Mike Molina gone, there was some question about West Virginia’s placekicking situation coming into this season.No more.

Leg up: Evan Staley ‘clear-cut No. 1’ kicker during preseason | WV MetroNews
Holgorsen says the Hampshire High graduate made a live-drill 54-yarder in practice with room to spare.

WVU football: Holgorsen discusses practice, personnel -- and food | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia University head football coach Dana Holgorsen warmed up the media at the start of Thursday’s press conference with a little “foodie” talk.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Keeping players well-nourished is key in the heat of summer | The Times WV
West Virginia’s football team was coming off its enforced day off on Thursday, so coach Dana Holgorsen was looking to give the media at his twice-weekly press briefing something to chew on.

WVU football adds Georgia linebacker to 2019 recruiting class | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia University’s football team added the latest piece to their 2019 recruiting class on Thursday night, as Suwanee (Georgia) Collins Hill linebacker Jared Bartlett committed to the Mountaineers. He held other offers from Maryland, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, and more.

Linebacker commit likes WVU’s aerospace engineering program | WV MetroNews
Three-star outside linebacker Jared Bartlett did his research before camping at West Virginia in late July. His visit provided the icing.

West Virginia Athletics

Duo Named to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List | West Virginia Athletics
Two members of the No. 9-ranked West Virginia University women's soccer team have been named to the 2018 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List, released on Thursday by the United Soccer Coaches.

The NFL preseason kicked off last night with 12 games, so we’re going to take a look at how our Mountaineer pros performed. Snap counts for offensive linemen were not available at time of writing.

Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers

Tavon Austin
2 receptions for 25 yards

Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals

Kevin White
2 targets, 0 catches

Nick Kwiatkoski
3 total tackles, 1 solo tackle, 1 pass defelcted

Ka’Raun White
1 target, 0 catches

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Wendell Smallwood
6 carries for 21 yards. 3 targets, 2 receptions for 2 yards. 1 fumble.

Shelton Gibson
3 targets, 2 receptions for 77 yards and 1 touchdown. 2 kick returns for 53 yards.

Rasul Douglas
2 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 pass deflected and 1 interception.

Washington Redskins @ New England Patriots

Elijah Wellman
2 targets, 2 catches for 20 yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphins

Charles Sims
5 carries for 6 yards

Will Clarke
2 total tackles

Keith Tandy
1 total tackle

Indianapolis Colts @ Seattle Seahawks

Najee Goode
4 total tackles, 2 solo

Around the Big 12

Bill Snyder is now under contract to coach until he’s 83 years old | SBNation
He won’t be retiring anytime soon.

Report: Baylor Advised To Self-Impose A 1-Year Bowl Ban | LandGrant Gauntlet
Baylor may be considering a self-imposed bowl ban, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Attrition Is Starting Early For Four Big 12 Teams | LandGrant Gauntlet
We hate season players get hurt. Especially before the season starts. However, we know it’s going to happen. The Longhorns, the Jayhawks, the Cowboys and the Sooners have already been hit by the injury bug.

Around the NCAA

SB Nation to acquire UCF blog Black and Gold Banneret | Blog Huddle
The national champs* are finally getting a home on SB Nation. It’s only a matter of time before our FAU offshoot blog, Hootin’ Holler, becomes a real thing and is picked up by The Mothership.

A field guide to the college football strength coach | SBNation
Myth, memes, and Muscle Milk: studying the leaders of the pack, with the help of several FBS specimens.

Murder charge dropped against former ‘Last Chance U’ star Isaiah Wright | SBNation
Both Wright and his brother Camion Patrick had been charged in connection with a 2017 killing in Tennessee.

17-year-old arrested in connection with burglary of Scott Frost's home | ESPN
A 17-year-old girl was arrested in connection with the burglary of Nebraska coach Scott Frost's home.

TODAY’S FBS TEAM PREVIEW BY BILL C

As always, SB Nation’s Bill Connelly is working his way through every Division I FBS football team, from Georgia State to Alabama. Check out the teams Bill has already previewed by clicking HERE.

Ole Miss should once again be one of football’s funnest teams | SBNation
"Fun" and "good" aren’t necessarily synonymous, but minus depth concerns, Matt Luke’s Rebels could be both.

Can 2018 Mizzou continue 2017’s hot finish? | SBNation
Barry Odom’s got a seasoned, explosive offense and star power in the defensive front seven. Can the third-year coach sustain last year’s late gains?

Here’s what happened Thursday night in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL preseason | SBNation
Get caught up with a quick rundown of all 12 games.

The key to Tiger Woods’ PGA Championship was a mid-round shirt change | SBNation
HE PULLED A GARY PATTERSON

Redrafting the 2008 NFL Draft | The Ringer
With a decade of hindsight, how would teams have valued guys like Joe Flacco, Calais Campbell, and Matt Ryan?

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