Welcome, By-Godders, to The Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU’s best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.
Football
2019 NFL Draft: QB Will Grier doesn't hold back on PEDs, a bowl skip and his arm | The Palm Beach Post
There were lots of tough questions for former Florida quarterback Will Grier at the Senior Bowl following Tuesday’s practice.
WVU’s Grier: I’ve passed ’1000s’ of tests since suspension | Miami Herald
West Virginia quarterback Will Grier can’t change his past. But as draft season clicks into gear, the one-time Florida quarterback is doing everything he can to set the record straight about his time in Gainesville, his ability as a passer, why he skipped the Mountaineers’ bowl game — and anything else you ask him.
From Quarterback Phenom To Senior Bowl Wide Receiver, The Incredible Journey Of David Sills | Philadelphia Eagles
David Sills was offered a college scholarship to play quarterback at USC when he was just 13 years old. His life was forever changed after that moment. Fran Duffy explains the story that has a lot of Eagles connections to it.
For David Sills V, once a quarterback prodigy and now a receiver, route to NFL started with an Eagles encounter | Philly Inquirer
David Sills V’s roundabout route to the doorsteps of the NFL started, of all places, at a Dhani Jones football camp with other Eagles at West Chester University.
WVU in the hunt for 5-star Huntington lineman | WV News
The state of West Virginia has not produced many high school football prospects over the years like Huntington offensive lineman Darnell Wright. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds with nimble feet and a strong frame, he’s gotten scholarship offers from basically every major college football program that pumps up a pigskin.
Basketball
Huggins baffled by West Virginia’s lack of success on layups | WV MetroNews
Layups are so easy that they’ve become part of the English vernacular. But not even layups were a layup for West Virginia on Monday night at WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers were a mind-boggling 38.4 percent (10-for-26) on layup attempts in their 85-73 loss to Baylor.
Ahmad thinks Kansas hangover hurt WVU against Baylor; Huggins not so sure | Charleston Gazette-Mail
At least one West Virginia University men’s basketball player thinks the Mountaineers let their upset win against Kansas on Saturday disrupt the team’s focus for Monday’s home game against Baylor.
Hertzel Column: Rough present spurs look ahead to WVU’s future | Times West Virginia
Strangely, living in the crowded emptiness of the present can make one look only to the future, for the West Virginia basketball team has fallen apart this season like a dilapidated jalopy chugging along at 40 miles an hour on one of Morgantown’s pothole-cratered streets.
WVU to Play Host to Red Raiders | West Virginia University Athletics
Following a tough road loss at No. 2/3 Baylor on Sunday, the West Virginia University women's basketball team returns to Morgantown to welcome Texas Tech to the WVU Coliseum on Wednesday. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
West Virginia Athletics
Koenders Named Student-Athlete of the Week | West Virginia University Athletics
After leading the No. 2-ranked Mountaineers to victory with two season-best winning scores, sophomore David Koenders of the West Virginia University rifle team has been named the WVU Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by University Apartments.
Around the NCAA
How OU will look very different (but still dangerous) under Jalen Hurts | SBNation
Don’t expect him to become a totally different player, but the Sooners can build a great offense around him.
Trace McSorley apparently *didn’t* play on a broken foot, which makes a lot more sense | SBNation
McSorley almost pulled off a Citrus Bowl comeback after the school announced he had a broken foot.
The Saints should pull a UCF and just claim the NFC title | SBNation
Plus several other ways they and other NFL teams can become more college football.
Louisianans really love planting spiteful billboards in rival territory | SBNation
Whether for protest or gloating, LSU and Saints fans are a billboard-heavy people. Here’s a list.
Mariano Rivera elected to Hall of Fame with record-setting, unanimous vote | SBNation
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera received the highest Baseball Hall of Fame vote percentage of all-time, and will be inducted into Cooperstown in 2019 along with Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez and Mike Mussina.
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens continue their tedious climb in Hall of Fame voting | SBNation
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens continue to make gains in voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but they are still short of the 75% required for induction to Cooperstown and have just three years remaining on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot to make up the difference.
Shannon Sharpe embraced the memes and became one of the most important voices in sports | SBNation
Shannon Sharpe memes are more than just funny. They’ve become an impactful piece of pop culture from one of the most genuine and important people in sports media.
The Fight Over Football’s Future Is Now a Battle for California’s Soul | The Ringer
As research into the game’s dangers has spread, politicians, advocates, and parents have clashed over how to protect youth, high school, and college players. What happens to a state intractably divided by sport?
The Biggest Fight in the UFC Is Over Labor Rights | The Ringer
What does your favorite UFC fighter have in common with your Lyft driver? Both are classified as contractors, giving them little workplace protection. But several efforts underway—including one spearheaded by a fighter recently cut under disputed circumstances—seek greater protections for the men and women grappling in the cage.
The New-Look ‘Conan’ Will Get Better If It Gets Weirder | The Ringer
Conan O’Brien debuted his new pared-down, half-hour show on Tuesday, but the immediate returns don’t point to the format-busting revolution we were promised
#WVU QB Will Grier warming up. His first pass? #WVU WR David Sills, of course! pic.twitter.com/hokyxStW2q
— The Draft Network (@DraftNetworkLLC) January 22, 2019
So we lost Honcho. But can I interest you in a 6’3, 270lb utility ‘fullback’ who can block like nobody’s business out of West Virginia in Trevon Wesco?
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) January 22, 2019
(#88 in the middle of the field CATCHING the ball) pic.twitter.com/LaxG4BqiFP
Gotta love #WashSt QB Gardner Minshew running over to congratulate #WestVa WR Gary Jennings after a since snag along the sidelines in 1-on-1s. pic.twitter.com/5668mVTIJF
— Steve Frederick (@_SteveFrederick) January 22, 2019
West Virginia LB David Long (11) and Wyoming DE Carl Granderson (91) sandwich Slippery Rock RB Wes Hills (31) during an 11-on-11 drill at the South’s practice at the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/o1gupBZSN2
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 23, 2019
David Sills vertical route and late hands vs Lonnie Johnson pic.twitter.com/MMeHU5h7lh
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 22, 2019
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