/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68688484/usa_today_14093534.0.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253221/news_of_note.png)
Football
‘We’re not losing this damn game’… Austin Kendall on his Liberty Bowl heroics
West Virginia quarterback Austin Kendall told running back Leddie Brown, “we’re not losing this damn game,” and he was right, as Kendall and the Mountaineers put together an 11-point second half rally, for a 24-21 win over Army in the Liberty Bowl. This was the program’s first bowl victory in five seasons.
Two Earn ESPN.com True Freshman All-America Honors
West Virginia offensive guard Zach Frazier and defensive tackle Akheem Mesidor have been named to the ESPN.com True Freshman All-America Team. The acknowledgement is another sign that the future is bright for Neal Brown’s Mountaineer football program.
WVU’s Pooler to use extra year of eligibility
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Jeffrey Pooler is taking advantage of a free year of eligibility and will be returning to West Virginia. Pooler had 23 tackles for the Mountaineers in 2020, including six tackles for loss and three sacks, which are both career highs.
Mountaineer Insider Podcast – Darius Stills
On this week’s Mountaineer Insider Podcast, Dan Zangrilli catches up with West Virginia’s latest consensus All-American Darius Stills. The Fairmont native is now in Florida getting prepared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Basketball
Two Men’s Hoops Games Rescheduled
The West Virginia men’s basketball game at Baylor, originally scheduled for January 12th, has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 18th at 5 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ESPN2. WVU’s game at TCU, originally scheduled for February 22nd, will move to Tuesday, February 23rd at 5 p.m. ET. This game will also be televised on ESPN2.
Mountaineers Check in at No. 14 in AP Poll This Week
The West Virginia men’s basketball team, idle since its 72-70 home loss to Texas on January 9th, checks in at #14 in this week’s Associated Press Men’s Basketball Poll. The Mountaineers were ranked #13 one week ago.
Three Guys Before The Game – Schedule Change (Episode 262)
The Mountaineers will have a four-game in eight-day stretch in February that includes back-to-back games against Baylor. The guys break down the updated men’s basketball schedule and cover a wide range of topics from listener questions on this episode of “Three Guys Before The Game.”
WVU rallies from 12 down to defeat Oklahoma State, 67-59
The West Virginia women’s basketball team avenged one of their two losses on the season Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum, rallying from a dozen points down in the third quarter to defeat Oklahoma State 67-59. With the victory, WVU extended their win streak to five games and they became the first Big 12 team to reach the 10-win mark.
West Virginia Athletics
No. 1 West Virginia opens season with win
The #1 West Virginia rifle team opened the 2021 season with 4715-4655 a win against #10 Akron. The Mountaineers swept the Zips in both disciplines, winning both the smallbore 2333-2307 and the air rifle 2382-2385.
WVU wrestling splits two matches; Adams extends win streak
The West Virginia wrestling team came out with a win against Bucknell on Sunday afternoon, while falling to #15 Oklahoma at the WVU Coliseum. WVU’s Noah Adams, who is ranked #1 in his respective weight class, extended his winning streak to 37 matches.
WVU baseball earns No. 14 preseason ranking
The West Virginia baseball team enters the D1Baseball.com Preseason Top-25 at #14. This is the highest preseason ranking for the Mountaineers in program history. WVU is joined by four other Big 12 teams in the ranking.
Rifle Adds Match at Ohio State
The West Virginia rifle team will now face Ohio State on Tuesday, January 26th. WVU is 47-0 all-time against the Buckeyes since its first meeting in 1964. The two teams will meet twice this season.
WVU swim team opens season in Backyard Brawl
The West Virginia men’s and women’s swim teams hit the water for the first time this season in the Backyard Brawl against Pitt on Thursday. The men’s team was defeated by a score of 193-107. For the women’s team, the Mountaineers were defeated by a score of 173-127.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253207/around_the_league.png)
Around the Big 12
Butler shines as No. 2 Baylor handles No. 9 Kansas
#2 Baylor beat #9 Kansas 77-69 inside the Ferrell Center in Waco on Monday night. This was BU’s second home win over the Jayhawks in four years. The Bears led the game from start to finish, with the help of Jared Butler who scored 30 points and had eight assists.
No. 2 Baylor to 12-0 after 68-60 win at No. 15 Texas Tech
#2 Baylor defeated #15 Texas Tech 68-60 on Saturday, in the Bears’ closest game this season. Davion Mitchell led BU with 19 points and five rebounds.
Big 12 Snapshot: COVID forces a timeout
Here is this week’s Big 12 Snapshot; a ratings system that uses a fantasy sports tier format, rather than power rankings or conventional standings.
Around the NCAA
No. 23 Minnesota hands No. 7 Michigan 1st loss in 75-57 romp
Minnesota’s Liam Robbins had 22 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes to lead the #23 Golden Gophers to a 75-57 victory on Saturday, handing #7 Michigan its first loss. Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson had a season-low nine points.
No. 18 Virginia routs No. 12 Clemson to stay perfect in ACC
#18 Virginia blew out #12 Clemson 85-50 on Saturday night. The Cavaliers now have a 9-2 record and are 5-0 in ACC play.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10253275/the_water_cooler.png)
After losing Mahomes, Chiefs and Henne hold off Browns 22-17
The Kansas City had lost Patrick Mahomes to a concussion and were in danger of losing the game. But Chad Henne helped the Chiefs hold off the Cleveland Browns 22-17 on Sunday to advance to their third straight AFC championship game.
Brady, Bucs, end playoffs for Saints, Brees, 30-20
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers offense turned three of four Saints turnovers into touchdowns and Tampa Bay beat New Orleans 30-20 in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday night.
: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
Join the Discord: The Smoking Musket Discord