Welcome, By-Godders, to The Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU’s best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor, and daily distractions.
Football
The 25 most important games in college football's spread revolution | ESPN
Mayfield vs. Mahomes. Drew Brees' 83-pass game at Purdue. West Virginia hanging 70 on Clemson. From BYU-SMU in 1980 to LSU-Alabama in 2019, these are the games that changed college football.
Addae embracing challenge of new starters in WVU secondary
With several young players expected to enter the lineup in the West Virginia secondary this fall, every practice rep leading up to the season will prove valuable for defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae. Addae knows that there is no substitute for on-field reps, so he has been trying to utilize technology as much as possible to reach his players during the COVID-19 epidemic.
NCAA’s New NIL Stance Evokes More Questions Than Answers
The NCAA Board of Governors released a report on the commercial usage of student-athlete name, image, and likeness. West Virginia football coach Neal Brown said he spent a good portion of his Wednesday evening last week reading over the document, and it left him with more questions than answers.
Mountaineer Memories: Hokies Hammered in 2003
The Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College is playing classic WVU radio broadcasts from recent history. This replay is West Virginia’s unforgettable 28-7 upset victory over third-ranked Virginia Tech at Mountaineer Field in 2003.
Harris WVU’s Most Marketable Athlete in Recent History
Which West Virginia player from the past would have benefited the most from the commercial usage of a student-athlete’s name, image, and likeness? Some believe former WVU quarterback Major Harris would have possessed the greatest endorsement power of all the Mountaineer greats.
WVU Hall of Famer Steve Slaton reflects on college stardom & NFL career
One of the best running backs in West Virginia football history, Steve Slaton, joined “Three Guys Before The Game” last week. During the episode, Slaton provided deep insight into how he became a Mountaineer and what fueled his performance both on and off of the field.
Three Guys Before The Game – Bo Orlando (Episode 203)
On this episode, the “Guys” are joined by former West Virginia All-American safety Joseph “Bo” Orlando. The discussion includes Bo’s early days growing up in eastern Pennsylvania, his recruitment to WVU, and memories from his Mountaineer and NFL career.
WVU’s Brown Tuned In To ‘The Last Dance’ Along With the Rest of Us
The ESPN documentary “The Last Dance” recorded 6 million viewers for the first two episodes that aired in late April. One of those six million was West Virginia football coach Neal Brown.
Basketball
Huggins’ Mountaineers Boast Talented Roster for 2020-21
How deep is the West Virginia team that Bob Huggins has returning in 2020-21? Right now, Huggins has at least two established players returning for each position on the floor. College basketball experts Jeff Goodman and Jon Rothstein recently listed the Mountaineers in their pre-summer top 20s.
West Virginia Athletics
West Virginia swim and dive saw successes during shortened 2019-20 season
The 2019-20 swimming and diving season was one that was highly anticipated for both the men’s and women’s teams because of the new Aquatic Center at Mylan Park. It ended as a successful one, despite being cut short.
New WVU men’s soccer coach Stratford starts new era in unorthodox position
West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons named Dan Stratford the new head coach for the West Virginia men’s soccer team back in January. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the beginning of his tenure much different than he ever could have predicted.
WVU golfer Etienne Papineau returning for fifth year of competition
West Virginia senior golfer Etienne Papineau announced Thursday that he will be returning for his fifth year of competition. The decision is a result of the NCAA awarding an additional year of eligibility to student-athletes in spring sports after the COVID-19 pandemic caused season cancellations.
Graduate transfer joins WVU tennis program
West Virginia tennis coach Miha Lisac announced Thursday that Hunter Bleser, a graduate transfer from Virginia, will be joining the Mountaineers. During her senior season at UVA, Bleser posted a record of 6-5 in singles play and a record of 9-5 in doubles.
Noah Adams named NWCA Scholar All-American
Noah Adams’s amazing season was not reserved to just the wrestling mat. After being named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year and gaining National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) first team All-American honors, Adams has been named a 2020 NWCA Scholar All-American.
Duo Earns Top University Senior Honors
Senior Abby Kaufman of the West Virginia gymnastics team has been honored with the 2020 Order of Augusta award. Additionally, David Koenders of the Mountaineer rifle program was named to the WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Seniors list.
McKivitz stays on west coast to join NFC champion San Francisco
If this were a typical NFL offseason, former West Virginia offensive lineman Colton McKivitz would already have a couple practices as a professional in the books. With teams unable to have in-person workouts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McKivitz has not been on the field with his new San Francisco 49ers teammates and coaches yet.
Around the Big 12
Big 12’s Bob Bowlsby fears virus may come ‘roaring back,’ disrupt season
Big 12 Conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Thursday that he is optimistic about college football starting on time or close to it, but is skeptical of being able to go through the entire season without disruption because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Around the NCAA
The best college teams we ever saw: ‘95 Huskers, Laettner’s Duke and Penn State volleyball
ESPN’s team of college writers and reporters compiled a list of the best and most dominant teams that they have seen in college sports.
Gordon Gee announces WVU’s plan to reopen for fall semester
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, university campuses across the nation have closed, including West Virginia’s. WVU currently plans to open for the 2020 fall semester, according to a letter from President E. Gordon Gee.
The story of Michael Jordan’s security guard from ‘The Last Dance’
Michael Jordan’s longtime security guard even got a Jumpman tattoo.
Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun/Throwdown? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us on social media.
Follow us!
Twitter: @smokingmusket
Facebook: The Smoking Musket