The Shotgun/Throwdown (8/27/18): West Virginia’s defense can’t let an explosive offense go to waste

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

Football

WVU defense can't let 2018 offensive firepower be all for naught | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Tony Gibson surely is aware of how important the West Virginia University defense will be this year. And every release of a new All-America team gives him a reminder.

Relationships Key To Setting up Meeting Between Mountaineers and Vols | West Virginia Athletics
One of the basic tenets of real estate is "location, location, location." Well, one of the basic tenets of football scheduling is "relationships, relationships, relationships."

WVU's Rose: D-linemen similar in how they channel anger | Charleston Gazette-Mail
WVU defensive end Ezekiel Rose was having a light, almost whimsical interview session with reporters this past week at the Puskar Center. He said, for instance, that he’s ready for the Sept. 1 opener against Tennessee in Charlotte, North Carolina to arrive.

Few West Virginia position battles remain (publicly) undecided | WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen is pulling the card of a wily veteran late in camp as West Virginia approaches the first game week in preparation of Tennessee.The eighth-year head coach knows better than to publicly say who has emerged in camp and latched onto starting spots throughout the Mountaineers offense and defense.

WVU football notebook: Special teams, defensive line and the 2012 comparison | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When the topic is West Virginia University football special teams, Mountaineer coach Dana Holgorsen seems happy with kicker Evan Staley and punter Billy Kinney.

Dana Holgorsen concerned about how low his WVU linemen can go on blocks | Charleston Gazette-Mail
WVU head football coach Dana Holgorsen was speaking about his team’s recent scrimmage. He said he was pleased and even pointed out that, even with college referees present, there were few penalties. Which meandered to a deeper discussion of officiating and rules changes.

Chop block rule change fuels questions, skepticism | WV MetroNews
West Virginia right tackle Colton McKivitz usually has a smile on his face and a sense of humor when meeting with the media. With his country twang and camouflage hat featuring a Flying WV, it doesn’t seem like much would get under the skin of the 6-foot-7, 300-pounder. Except when you mess with his responsibilities on the football field.

West Virginia aims to snap 4-year run of heavy penalties | WV MetroNews
Curiously inserted into his recent summation of a good-on-good scrimmage was coach Dana Holgorsen’s emphasis on flags. Or rather, the lack of them.

West Virginia’s new Benton prepping for first FBS start at Sam linebacker | WV MetroNews
If not for bad luck and a bad knee befalling Quondarius Qualls, this week and perhaps this season might have signaled an easing-in for West Virginia linebacker Charlie Benton.

WVU building depth along its defensive line | WV News
Like most football teams — from the NFL and major college to high school, middle school and Pop Warner — finding enough quality defensive line depth is often an elusive affair.

Overlooked | WV News
Playing in the Big 12 guarantees you one thing, your defense will get no respect. If you are a defensive coordinator, you ought to name Rodney Dangerfield your captain.

David Sills coaches up others, remains toughest on himself | WV MetroNews
West Virginia’s roster features 13 scholarship receivers, and during some practices you’d swear one of them doubles as player/coach. All-American David Sills, whose first full season playing receiver generated outrageous touchdown numbers and a brief dalliance with turning pro, expects bigger things from himself in 2018. And he expects the same from his teammates.

Basketball

WVU basketball recruiting: Mountaineers among favorites for star big man | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Two years ago, West Virginia University men’s basketball oach Bob Huggins and his staff strolled into Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Virginia. The Mountaineers had just brought on Maciej Bender, but there was another big man from the program that caught their eye – 2019 forward Oscar Tshiebwe.

West Virginia Athletics

No. 18 WVU Halts Wildcats' Win Streak | West Virginia Athletics
The No. 18-ranked West Virginia University women's soccer team stopped No. 19 Northwestern's win streak at three with a 0-0 (2OT) draw in a hot, muggy Sunday afternoon at Purdue's Boilermaker Challenge Cup at Folk Field.

WVU Edged by UNCW | West Virginia Athletics
The West Virginia University men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season with a 1-0 defeat to UNC Wilmington on Sunday afternoon at the Aaron Oltsky Memorial Soccer Classic in Charleston, South Carolina.

Around the NCAA

11 fun and weird things you might’ve missed in college football’s Week 0 | SBNation
This is an oddball sport. Week 0 opened the year in fitting fashion, with cool stuff and weird stuff.

A college football gambling cheat sheet for 2018, with numbers and projections to give you an edge | SBNation
Here are some numbers that can help you make informed choices.

Hello, a QB recruit is named GENERAL BOOTY, and yes, it is the greatest name ever | SBNation
Booty is a sophomore at San Antonio (Texas) Cornerstone Christian School.

Tottenham star Son Heung-min could play his way out of military service | SBNation
Son Heung-min needs to win the Asian Games, a tournament he’s far too good for, and his career hangs in the balance.

8 winners and 6 losers from Week 3 of the NFL preseason | SBNation
Andy Dalton deserves a round of applause, but the Bills OL really doesn’t.

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