/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67325787/1025988422.jpg.0.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253221/news_of_note.png)
Football
Expectations and responsibilities rest on Darius Stills’ shoulders
In an offseason unlike any that West Virginia star Darius Stills has ever experienced, time off the football field was still time well spent. Entering his second year under head coach Neal Brown, Stills says he and his teammates are further ahead on the subtle details of the game, rather than just focusing on being in the right spots at the right time. And since he was named the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year this fall, Stills will be facing high expectations this season.
Balanced scrimmage for WVU Saturday with the season opener 2 weeks away
West Virginia’s offensive and defensive units both showed signs of progress at times, according to head coach Neal Brown, in Saturday’s scrimmage. On offense, Brown once again highlighted the play of junior running back Leddie Brown. On defense, Brown also highlighted the play of defensive backs Tae Mayo and Tykee Smith, as well as the defensive line. The WVU coaching staff was also pleased with the way the defense forced takeaways.
It was a mixed bag during Saturday’s 98-play scrimmage inside Milan Puskar Stadium, according to West Virginia coach Neal Brown. The defense managed to get a lot of pressure on the Mountaineer quarterbacks. Brown also said that three offensive line spots are pretty solid right now with sophomore James Gmiter at left guard, senior Chase Behrndt at center, and senior Michael Brown at right guard.
Mountaineer Training Camp Report Day #14
Lots of situational work was on the menu for the West Virginia football team last week. The Mountaineers took a break from practicing on Wednesday for the first day of the fall semester, but they were back at it for a heavy, two-hour workout on Thursday afternoon. During practice, head coach Neal Brown liked what he saw from two cornerbacks, junior Dreshun Miller and Daryl Porter Jr. who is a true freshman.
Mountaineer Training Camp Report Day #16
It was a heavy special teams day for the West Virginia football team on Monday. WVU head coach Neal Brown said that he was not pleased with the way his special teams units performed during last Saturday’s scrimmage. Brown also said that more situational special teams work will take place tonight.
Basketball
Newly-released NBA 2K21 trailer reveals ability to play as WVU in MyCareer mode
After over a decade of waiting, Mountaineer fans will be able to don the Old Gold and Blue on the hardwood in an officially licensed video game. A newly released trailer for 2K Sports’ NBA 2K21 revealed that players will be able to join the West Virginia Mountaineers as they work their way up to a pro career in the NBA as part of the game’s “MyCareer.” The trailer teased the addition with a brief shot of the WVU’s court, along with those of several others.
Nitra Perry joins women’s basketball coaching staff
The West Virginia women’s basketball program is adding years of experience to the bench. Nitra Perry will be joining the WVU women’s basketball team as an assistant coach. Before joining the Mountaineers, Perry spent the last three seasons as the associate head coach for Toledo.
West Virginia Athletics
WVU volleyball team releases 2020 schedule
The West Virginia volleyball season will get underway in 2020 with the Big 12 Conference announcing a schedule for its nine teams. The Big 12 volleyball teams will play 16 conference matches with no non-conference games allowed this season. There will be a total of eight doubleheader matches starting in late September and the team with the highest winning percentage at the end of the regular season will be named the conference champion.
Helder Announced as Head Diving Coach
West Virginia men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach Vic Riggs announced the addition of Karla Helder as the program’s head diving coach on Thursday. Helder arrives in Morgantown after serving as the diving coach at San Jose State from 2018-20. While coaching at SJSU, Helder led every diver to personal-best scores on 1-meter and 3-meter springboard.
Men’s soccer team prepares for extended offseason
The West Virginia men’s soccer team is getting ready for a much different fall season than any other year, a season with no competition. At the beginning of August, the Mid-American Conference announced that all fall sports would be postponing competition until at least the spring semester.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10327383/mountaineer_pros.png)
WVU’s McBroom a Pinch-Hitting Success for Royals
Former West Virginia baseball standout Ryan McBroom is developing into one of the best pinch hitters in Major League Baseball. The second-year player for the Kansas City Royals recently established a club record for the most pinch-hit home runs in a season and a career with his third pinch-hit dinger off Zack Burdi Saturday night in a 9-6 Royals victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Former Mountaineer Buchanan wins Women’s Champions League with Olympique Lyonnais
Kadeisha Buchanan, a former West Virginia women’s soccer star and Olympic bronze medalist, started for Olympique Lyonnais Sunday in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Lyon defeated VFL Wolfsburg 3-1.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253207/around_the_league.png)
Around the Big 12
Revised Big 12 Soccer Schedule Announced
The Big 12 Conference announced its revised soccer schedule for the 2020 campaign. Each team is scheduled to play nine league matches beginning on September 11th and concluding on November 6th. Teams are not permitted to play any non-conference opponents this fall.
Big 12 Releases Revised 2020 Volleyball Schedule
The Big 12 has announced its revised 2020 volleyball schedule that includes conference only matches. Programs will play a double round-robin format of 16 matches scheduled in eight double-headers with competition against the same opponent in consecutive days at the same site.
Around the NCAA
Without further ado, this fall’s top 15 most exciting college football players
There are plenty of playmakers to be found in college football this fall. In anticipation of the season, ESPN compiled a list of the 15 most exciting players participating in college football in 2020.
Remembering Legendary Georgetown Coach John Thompson
Legendary coach John Thompson led Georgetown to the 1984 NCAA men’s basketball title and 20 NCAA Tournament appearances during his brilliant 27-year college coaching tenure, all at Georgetown. Four of his Hoya players are currently in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, including Allen Iverson, Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, and Alonzo Mourning.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253275/the_water_cooler.png)
Here are the winners and losers from a wild MLB trade deadline
The San Diego Padres are the trade deadline’s biggest winner. Seattle and Boston are also winners for their trades with San Diego. The Yankees and Rays feel like losers.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253215/video_of_interest.png)
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