The Shotgun/Throwdown (8/13/18): Jack Allison has cemented himself as the No. 2 QB...for now.

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

Football

Allison has ‘turned into a guy’ Mountaineers like at No. 2 QB | WV MetroNews
No one in the program wants to tempt a conversation about Will Grier being re-injured, but his backup has made enough strides to make the offensive staff comfortable.

Allison, Lowe battle for backup QB role | The Times WV
Jack Allison, a transfer from Miami, has grabbed hold of the backup quarterback job to Will Grier ... but whether that means he is the man to replace Grier next season still remains to be seen.

Backup QB Jack Allison earns praise | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Many WVU students spent this weekend moving into their dorms and apartments. As for backup Mountaineer quarterback Jack Allison, he’s been moving up — at least in the eyes of his coaches and teammates.

For star WVU QB Will Grier, everything starts with family | Charleston Gazette-Mail
To fully understand West Virginia University quarterback Will Grier, one must understand his family. There’s no way to circle around the topic. There are no shortcuts. Will Grier is family. All roads within his life lead to the family unit.

Pettaway contends he can run away from defenders, too | WV MetroNews
The junior running back wants to enhance his between-the-tackles reputation with second-level separation.

Tight ends bring flexibility to Mountaineers’ offense | The Times WV
Of all the position rooms in the West Virginia camp, the quirkiest of all houses is the tight ends, if you want to dare call them that.

Former walk-on from Morgantown earns spot on WVU’s 2-deep | WV MetroNews
Shea Campbell looks like the next Justin Arndt — only bigger — at outside linebacker.

WVU OL Colton McKivitz now a big fish in a big pond | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Here’s a good piece of information to have in case you’re ever around WVU right tackle Colton McKivitz. He’s a big man at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds. He’s an avid outdoorsman that knows how to hunt. And he moves well. So it would behoove you not to upset him.

Quick fits: Jabril Robinson, Kenny Bigelow ‘diving in full-fledged’ | WV MetroNews
Graduate transfers impress teammates and coaches with urgency to produce on defensive line.

Situational football important to Holgorsen during practices | The Times WV
As much as things change in football — and they do quite frequently, be it rules for safety, for faster play or simply inventive offensive thinking that has to be countered by equally inventive defensive thinking — there is one thing that stays the same. Players love to play the games, hate to practice.

WVU football recruiting: Mountaineers get set for start of 'evaluation days' | Charleston Gazette-Mail
September marks the start of football season for a lot of high schools — and colleges — around the country. That day also marks the beginning of a joint evaluation/quiet period in recruiting that runs through Thanksgiving weekend.

West Virginia Athletics

WVU Tops Wake in Preseason Action | West Virginia Athletics
The No. 9-ranked West Virginia University women's soccer team took down Wake Forest, 3-2, in an exhibition matchup at Spry Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Saturday.

WVU Returns Home for Gold-Blue Intrasquad Monday | West Virginia Athletics
The West Virginia University men's soccer team's preseason schedule continues with the annual Gold-Blue Intrasquad on Monday. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET, and admission is free for all fans.

Dallas Cowboys: Comparing Tavon Austin to Michael Irvin? Let Jerry Jones explain | SportsDay
When asked what he liked from Thursday night's preseason opener, Jones mentioned Tavon Austin. Jones went as far as comparing the veteran receiver to Cowboys legend Michael Irvin.

Thoughts On The Chargers Loss Against The Cardinals | Bolts From The Blue
Geno Smith's stat line was impressive, but could have been a lot better. Kyzir White led the team in total tackles, and put the clamps on the Cardinals at the line of scrimmage.

Around the NCAA

What we know about Maryland football and the death of lineman Jordan McNair | SBNation
Head coach DJ Durkin has been placed on administrative leave.

Maryland coach DJ Durkin placed on administrative leave after a player’s death and a report on the team’s ‘toxic’ culture | SBNation
Questions have surrounded Durkin’s program since lineman Jordan McNair’s death in June.

Tom Herman wasn’t the Ohio State scandal tipster, per the reporter and the Hermans themselves | SBNation
Herman used to work with Zach Smith on Urban Meyer’s Ohio State staff.

Ranking college football’s 2018 neutral-site games exclusively by beer situation | SBNation
FedEx Field could have every beer in the world on tap, and I'd still rank it dead last

Meet the Ole Miss Rebels’ new mascot, a Landshark named Tony | SBNation
The Rebels are still the Rebels, though.

How Oregon will borrow from Alabama to unleash Justin Herbert | SBNation
Mario Cristobal worked on the 2015 Bama offense that won a title with Jake Coker at quarterback. At Oregon, Cristobal has a more talented quarterback to use in a similar system.

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.

There’s a whole lot to like about Mississippi State in 2018 | SBNation
New head coach Joe Moorhead has Nick Fitzgerald and the star power for a big debut.

Tiger Woods didn’t win but he delivered an unforgettable Sunday at the PGA | SBNation
From the moment he showed up in the parking lot, Tiger put on a Sunday show that felt from a prior era.

Brooks Koepka was the perfect spoiler for Tiger Woods’ PGA charge | SBNation
He’s won three of the last seven major championships, held off Tiger and the world No. 1 this season, and is now the undisputed Player of the Year.

8 winners and 7 losers from Week 1 of the 2018 NFL preseason | SBNation
Kirk Cousins had a successful, if short, debut with the Vikings. We hope you didn’t watch any of the Cardinals-Chargers game, though.

---

Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun/Throwdown? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us on social media.

Follow us!
Twitter: @smokingmusket
Facebook:The Smoking Musket