West Virginia Moves into Top 10 in Coaches Poll

Football

Tykee Smith named Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist

West Virginia sophomore Tykee Smith is one of 12 semifinalists for the 2020 Jim Thorpe Award. The award is awarded annually to the best defensive back in college football. Smith has two interceptions, is eight tackles for loss, and 61 tackles, and five pass breakups this season.

Darius Stills named semifinalist for Lott Impact Trophy

West Virginia senior defensive lineman Darius Stills has been named a semifinalist for the 17th Annual Lott Impact Trophy. Stills has made 22 tackles, including 11 solo stops, 3.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss and an interception this season.

Brown: ‘Until we make routine plays, we are never going to be as good as we need to be’

West Virginia took a big hit in a 42-6 loss to #9 Iowa State Saturday. Dropped balls were a problem again this week for the Mountaineers and head coach Neal Brown believes that the dropped passes are routine plays, that need to be fixed.

Brown: ‘We were physically overpowered’ in loss at Iowa State

In each of West Virginia’s four losses this season, all coming on the road, the Mountaineers have struggled to run the ball and were equally deficient in stopping the run. In losses at Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas, and Iowa State, WVU has allowed 199 yards per game on the ground, while rushing for an average of just 64 yards.

Sunday notebook: Mountaineers not using 20-day break as an excuse for ISU loss

After playing on five consecutive Saturdays, the Mountaineers endured a 20-day delay necessitated by the postponement of the Oklahoma game last week. Even with the extended time to prepare, West Virginia looked clueless in the devastating loss to #9 Iowa State.

South Charleston’s Kevin Tinsley is bound for WVU

West Virginia football will add another state native to their roster for next fall. South Charleston senior Kevin Tinsley announced via Twitter that he will head up to Morgantown. Tinsley was recently offered a preferred walk-on opportunity to play for the Mountaineers.

Basketball

WVU Cracks Top 10 in Coaches’ Poll

West Virginia jumped five spots to #10 in this week’s USA Today Coaches’ Poll, after a 1-1 week that saw WVU lose 87-82 to #1 Gonzaga in Indianapolis as part of the Jimmy V Classic, and then rally in the second half to defeat for Big East foe Georgetown, 80-71, in the second annual Big 12-Big East Battle on Sunday in Washington, D.C.

WVU hoops stays put in AP poll

For the second week in a row, the West Virginia men’s basketball team checks in at #11 in the AP Top 25. In WVU’s win over Georgetown, sophomore guard Miles “Deuce” McBride led the Mountaineers with 17 points. He also contributed seven rebounds, handed out seven assists, and made four steals in an outstanding all-around performance.

Huggins credits team play in No. 11 West Virginia’s victory against Georgetown

It was a battle for #11 West Virginia against Georgetown in the Big East-Big 12 Battle on Sunday evening. The Mountaineers went on a late run in the second half to take home a victory, 80-71. One player that provided a boost in his first productive performance of the 2020 season was junior forward Emmitt Matthews Jr. In 35 minutes of play, his most of the season, Matthews scored 13 points and added four rebounds and two assists.

West Virginia Athletics

Three Guys Before The Game – Good Bad Ugly (Episode 250)

On this episode of “Three Guys Before The Game,” the guys break down the West Virginia football team’s embarrassing loss at #9 Iowa State and the #11 WVU men’s basketball team’s win at Georgetown in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.

Around the Big 12

Big 12 Snapshot: Title game is set

The Big 12 championship matchup is set. #9 Iowa State and #11 Oklahoma will square off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on December 19th. Two early losses by both of these teams have likely locked them out of this year’s College Football Playoffs.

ISU, OSU and UT Collect Week 13 Awards

Iowa State’s Brock Purdy was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, while Oklahoma State’s Amen Ogbongbemiga earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. A pair of Longhorns picked up awards, as D’Shawn Jamison earned Special Teams Player of the Week and Bijan Robinson was named Newcomer of the Week.

Coleman, Cunningham Garner Weekly Awards

Texas’ Matt Coleman III earned the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week award, while Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham picked up Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors. It is the first honor for both players.

ISU’s Joens, KU’s Chatzileonti Earn Week 2 WBB Awards

Iowa State’s Ashley Joens collected the Big 12 Player of the Week award this week. Kansas’ Ioanna Chatzileonti was named the conference Freshman of the Week.

Around the NCAA

‘There’s nothing more fun than winning’ — the party continues at Coastal Carolina after win over BYU

The most exciting college football game this past week was the “Mormons vs Mullets” battle between #13 BYU and #18 Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers came out on top in the thrilling game that featured two undefeated teams, a fight breaking out right before halftime, and a rowdy crowd that kept the intensity up throughout the night.

Tuttle, D lift No. 10 Indiana past No. 18 Wisconsin 14-6

Indiana made sure the loss of its star quarterback did not interfere with its emergence as one of the Big Ten’s top teams this season. Jack Tuttle threw two touchdown passes in his first career start and Indiana’s defense made a stand in the final minute as the #10 Hoosiers outlasted #18 Wisconsin, 14-6, on Saturday.

Pittsburgh Steelers no longer undefeated after blowing 14-point lead to Washington Football Team

The Steelers are no longer undefeated. Pittsburgh fell to Washington, 23-17, after blowing a 14-point lead that was the second largest at home in franchise history.

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