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Darius Stills declares for NFL Draft, will play in bowl game

Good morning! This is the Shotgun Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 05 Texas at West Virginia Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Football

Darius Stills declares for 2021 NFL Draft

The career of one of West Virginia’s most prolific homegrown Mountaineers is nearing its end. Senior defensive lineman Darius Stills announced Saturday that he intends to enter the 2021 NFL Draft and will not take advantage of the NCAA’s eligibility forgiveness ruling. Stills began the 2020 season as the Big 12’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 22 total tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in nine games.

Fields to enter 2021 NFL Draft

Another West Virginia football player is declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft. Senior linebacker Tony Fields II announced late Saturday that he intends to enter the draft and will not participate in WVU’s postseason game. Fields served as the team leader in total tackles in 2020 with 88. He played one season at WVU after a three-year stint at Arizona.

Lyons shares message with football seniors, remains committed to playing bowl game

Though West Virginia’s regular season finale against Oklahoma was cancelled due to a COVID surge within the program, the season is not over yet for the Mountaineers. WVU director of athletics Shane Lyons says that the Mountaineers are still committed to playing in a bowl game.

Senior Day Spotlight: Departing players reminisce and bid farewell to Mountaineer Nation

The 20 West Virginia seniors did not get their Senior Day ceremony due to the cancellation of the regular-season finale. Get an inside look with a few of the players that have shaped this program for years to come with an exclusive Q and A.

Basketball

Mountaineers Return to Top 10 in AP Poll

West Virginia jumped three spots to #8 in this week’s men’s basketball Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Mountaineers are now 6-1 after an impressive 87-71 victory over #19 Richmond, where junior forward Derek Culver produced his 20th career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. WVU also moved to #7 in the Coaches Poll.

Three Guys Before The Game – Squashed Spiders (Episode 252)

On this episode of “Three Guys Before The Game”, Tony Caridi and Brad Howe drill into West Virginia’s wins over North Texas and Richmond. The Mountaineers displayed a shooting accuracy against the #19 Spiders that had been discussed but not seen until Sunday.

WVU bounces back and pulls away from James Madison

The West Virginia women’s basketball team earned another non-conference win against James Madison on Sunday by a score of 85-54. The Mountaineers bounced back after a tough loss to Baylor with an efficient offensive performance that saw five double-digit scorers. The leader was once again Kysre Gondrezick, who scored 15 points, while Kirsten Deans and Madisen Smith added 13 points each.

WVU women’s hoops vs. Coppin State postponed

The December 22nd contest between the West Virginia women’s basketball team and Coppin State has been postponed as the Golden Eagles have paused all team activities due to COVID-19.

Golf

Mountaineer Golfers Head to Prestigious Amateur Tournaments

Several members of the West Virginia men’s golf team will play in prestigious amateur golf tournaments during the semester break.

Around the Big 12

TCU scuttles Texas A&M, 73-55, in 1st meeting since ‘96

TCU’s RJ Nembhard scored 16 points and distributed nine assists and the Horned Frogs beat Texas A&M 73-55 on Saturday. Mike Miles scored 15 points with five assists for the Horned Frogs and PJ Fuller scored 13 points with four assists.

Cunningham hits winner, Oklahoma St edges Wichita St 67-64

Freshman star Cade Cunningham hit a contested three-pointer with 9.8 seconds left and Oklahoma State edged Wichita State 67-64 on Saturday.

Kuath leads Oklahoma past winless Florida A&M 85-54

Oklahoma had five players score in double digits while defeating winless Florida A&M 85-54 on Saturday. OU’s Kur Kuath scored 14 points, tied his career-best eight rebounds, and blocked three shots in the Sooners’ win.

Big 12 Snapshot: Nearing the finish line

The Big 12 regular season ended with two of the four conference matchups canceled and just three of the ten conference teams were in action. Here is a look at our Big 12 Snapshot heading into the conference championship game in Arlington.

Around the NCAA

LSU upsets No. 6 Florida after Gators defender throws player’s shoe, resulting in costly penalty

LSU went on the road and upset #6 Florida 37-34 on Saturday night thanks to a last-minute field goal that was made possible only because a Gators defender threw a shoe, resulting in a personal foul penalty that kept the drive alive.

Daniels, Pickens connect, lead No. 12 Georgia over Missouri

Georgia quarterback JT Daniels is confident that wherever he tosses it, George Pickens will make the catch. Daniels threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Pickens as #12 Bulldogs blew out Missouri, 49-14, on Saturday.

Bills improve to 10-3 with 26-15 win over sloppy Steelers

Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, safety Taron Johnson returned an interception 51 yards for a score, and the Bills inched closer to claiming their first AFC East title since 1995 and third playoff berth in four seasons. Meanwhile, the Steelers continued to struggle now that their schedule is starting to become more difficult.

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