The Shotgun/Throwdown: West Virginia players and coaches not shying away from Tony Gibson’s return

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

Football

WVU coaches and players not shying away from Tony Gibson's return | WV MetroNews
Credit Vic Koenning for tackling this week’s most obvious storyline like any good quidditch, er, football coach would.

QB Kendall pushed through Missouri game despite taking beating | WV MetroNews
During his Thursday night radio show, coach Neal Brown noted that Kendall had to get stitches on his throwing hand after getting hurt on the return of his first-quarter interception.

West Virginia adds Long Island University to 2021 football schedule | WV MetroNews
Long Island University has been added to West Virginia’s 2021 football schedule as its FCS opponent after a change in plans from Indiana State.

Sinkfield, Brown highlight offense against N.C. State | Times West Virginian
It would not be at all surprising this week to see Alec Sinkfield as the featured back and Leddie Brown trying to provide the power when West Virginia plays its Noon game against North Carolina State at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Brooklyn born-and-bred Sean Ryan enjoying Country Roads lifestyle | WV MetroNews
Sean Ryan has lived a life of odd dualities..

A tale of two transfers | Times West Virginian
Both of their paths to West Virginia have been star-crossed, the two transferred wide receivers Sean Ryan and George Campbell, but each now is in a position to prove himself if Neal Brown and his staff can put together a WVU offense.

Hall of Fame induction a family affair | Times West Virginian
The induction ceremony for the 29th West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame has turned into a family affair.

West Virginia Athletics

WVU Falls to No. 18 Hawai’i | West Virginia University Athletics
The West Virginia University volleyball team fell to host Hawai'i, 3-1, in the first match of the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Volleyball Challenge on Thursday evening, held at the Stan Sheriff Center, in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The Mountaineers (4-3) fell to the No. 18-ranked Warriors (7-0) in set scores of 18-25, 25-17, 25-17 and 25-12.

No. 23 WVU Powers Past Stony Brook | West Virginia University Athletics
Freshmen Nicole Payne and Julianne Vallerand registered a brace each as the No. 23 West Virginia University women's soccer team powered past Stony Brook, 6-1, on Thursday at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

WVU PA Voice Nevin Wins National Award | West Virginia University Athletics
The National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA) has selected Bill Nevin, West Virginia University P.A. Announcer, as the College 2018-19 Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year.

Around the Big 12

Matt Campbell's next challenge? Beating Iowa | FOX Sports
Coach Matt Campbell has done just about everything that Iowa State could have hoped for in his three-plus seasons in charge — expect beat Iowa

Can Iowa's banged-up secondary hold tight against Iowa State? | ESPN
The PlayStation Player Impact Rating shows why the Hawkeyes defensive backs could be challenged by Iowa State's Brock Purdy.

Rice a ready-made remedy for No. 12 Texas | FOX Sports
Rice looks like a ready-made remedy as No. 12 Texas needs a win before starting Big 12 play

Around the NCAA

Play these 8 conference rivalries in non-con, if need be | SB Nation
Don’t let the corporate suits tell you which rivals you do and do not get to play.

Life, love and loss in a coaching family -- The story of Blake and Wendy Anderson | ESPN
It took Blake Anderson's wife, Wendy, almost walking out on him for the longtime football coach to prioritize his family. Those values became even more important during her battle with cancer.

Separating fact from fiction - Maryland, USC, Trevor Lawrence and more | ESPN
Is Maryland for real? Is Trevor Lawrence human? How worried should Nebraska be? Bill Connelly sifts through the early-season noise for answers.

How USA men’s basketball can still win gold in the 2020 Olympics | SB Nation
Getting James Harden to play is Step 1.

LeBron James’ ‘Taco Tuesday’, and the oddest trademark attempts in sports | SB Nation
Do you like Taco Tuesday? So does LeBron. So much he wants to own it.

Cam Newton’s Play Should Put the Carolina Panthers in Panic Mode | The Ringer
The former MVP was wildly inaccurate in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the team didn’t make use of his rushing ability either.

The Boston Red Sox Cannot Justify Trading Mookie Betts | The Ringer
In the wake of Dave Dombrowski’s firing, rumors about shopping the reigning AL MVP to clear salary began to swirl. Here’s how the Sox can save without losing one of the best players in baseball. (Hint: Literally almost any other move makes more sense.)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Saturday at Noon ET on FS1 from Morgantown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers are 6.5 point underdogs as they look to get some offense going for the first time this season.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Boston College Eagles
Tonight at 7:30PM ET on ACC Network from Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Les Miles and the Jayhawks are 20.5 point underdogs on the road against the 2-0 Eagles.

No. 20 Washington State Cougars vs. Houston Cougars
Tonight at 9:15PM ET on ESPN from Houston, Texas. COUG SHOWDOWN. The Cougars of the Washington variety are 9.5 point favorites.

Pitt Panthers vs. No. 13 Penn State Nittany Lions
Saturday at Noon ET on ABC from Happy Valley. This game may be worth viewing on a second screen so we can at least find some sort of pleasure in disappointed Pitt/Penn State fans. Penn State is 17 point favorites.

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Saturday at 3:30PM ET on ESPN2 from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mike Gundy looks to get his team to 3-0 on the road against an AAC foe. The Cowboys are 14 point favorites.

No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Saturday at 4:00PM ET on FS1 from Ames, Iowa. Iowa State is looking for their first ¡El Assico! win under Matt Campbell. They’re 2 point underdogs.

No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners vs. UCLA Bruins
Saturday at 8:00PM ET on Fox from Pasadena, California. This one could get out of hand, and Lincoln Riley is probably going to contribute to Chip Kelly’s eventual firing. Oklahoma is 23.5 point favorites.

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Arizona Wildcats
Saturday at 10:30ET on ESPN from Tucson, Arizona. Texas Tech in Pac 12 After Dark action. What could go wrong? The Red Raiders are 2.5 point favorites.

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