The Shotgun/Throwdown (9/10/24): TJ Jackson to see increased role on West Virginia defensive line

Welcome to The Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup (that we didn’t already talk about in another article) with some sophomoric humor and daily distractions thrown in for good measure. And if there’s something we missed, be sure to talk about it in the comments.

Brown Wants The Schedule Fixed And “Alabama, That Ain’t Fixed” | The Smoking Musket
Neal Brown says the quiet part out loud, now wanting out of the Alabama series

FOOTBALL

The Brawl Comes A Little Early For Mountaineer Defensive Coordinator Lesley | West Virginia University Athletics
Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley was unexpectedly added to West Virginia's injury list after enduring a sideline collision during the second quarter of last Saturday's 49-14 victory over UAlbany. Monday, Lesley was sporting a bandage over his left eye as he met with media in the Milan Puskar Center team room in advance of Saturday's "Backyard Brawl" at Pitt.

Jackson one of several players set for increased role along defensive line | WV MetroNews
In Edward Vesterinen's absence, Brown confirmed T.J. Jackson is set to get his first start as a Mountaineer. A Troy transfer in his first season at WVU, Jackson has made a strong early impression. He recovered a fumble in the first quarter of a season-opening loss against Penn State. To this point, it’s the only turnover the Mountaineers have forced.

Pitt game. as usual, means more | BlueGoldNews.com
Forget Penn State. Forget UAlbany. West Virginia University football begins this week, the week of the Backyard Brawl, a game that is arguably — and a case could be made that there is no argument about it — the most important game of coach Neal Brown’s career as Mountaineer coach.

WVU-Pitt for ragging rights | BlueGoldNews.com
Some rivalries are for “bragging rights”, you know. The Backyard Brawl goes deeper. It’s for “ragging rights”. “Bragging rights” is the right to say “We’re better than you are” and you have the score of the football game to prove it. “Ragging rights”? There’s a difference.

WVU preparing for confident Panthers squad, new-look Pitt offense in Backyard Brawl | Pittsburgh Tribune Review
By most metrics, West Virginia took care of business last weekend in Morgantown, pounding FCS opponent Albany, 49-14, to pick up win No. 1 of the season. The Mountaineers ran the ball with impunity, getting back to their ground-game roots following a disappointing effort in Week 1 vs. No. 8

Kansas Game to be Televised at Noon on ESPN2 | West Virginia University Athletics
The Big 12 Conference has announced that WVU's Saturday, Sept. 21, Big 12 Conference opener against Kansas at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va., will be televised at Noon, ET, on ESPN2.

SOCCER

Mountaineers Head to Loyola Marymount for NCAA Rematch | West Virginia University Athletics
The No. 1 West Virginia University men's soccer team concludes its two-game road trip with a matchup at Loyola Marymount, Tuesday, Sept. 10. Kickoff from Sullivan Field in Los Angeles is set for 8 p.m. ET

Respass Named Student-Athlete of the Week | West Virginia University Athletics
After scoring two goals against JMU on Sept. 5, junior forward Ajanae Respass of the West Virginia University women's soccer team has been named the WVU Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by University Apartments.

WVU ATHLETICS

Two WVU Golfers Post Top 20 Finishes at the Gopher Invitational | West Virginia University Athletics
Two West Virginia University golfers finished in the Top 20 at the Gopher Invitational in the Mountaineers' season-opening tournament in Independence, Minnesota.

Wetherholt named FSL Player of the Week, included on MLB Pipeline Team of the Week | Gold and Blue Nation
After a relatively slow start to his professional baseball career, former West Virginia University shortstop JJ Wetherholt was one of the most productive minor leaguers in all of baseball last week.

Film Room: Analyzing Zach Frazier's Impressive NFL Debut | Steelers Depot
A film room breaking down rookie C Zach Frazier's NFL debut including clips of his tape and analysis of his impressive start.

Learning From Minkah Fitzpatrick, Beanie Bishop Jr. Hopes 'Ball Magnet' Rubs Off On Him | Steelers Depot
Steelers' rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr. is shadowing star S Minkah Fitzpatrick in an effort to try and learn from him daily.

Oklahoma State's Collin Oliver out at least a month with foot injury | ESPN
Oklahoma State linebacker Collin Oliver will be sidelined for an extended period of time because of a foot injury, coach Mike Gundy said Monday.

Lance Leipold's Wife Denies Sending Tweet Ripping Kansas Football Fans | Heartland College Sports
Lance Leipold's wife has denied sending a post on X/Twitter where she appeared to rip the fans of the Kansas Jayhawks.

Kirk Cousins wasn’t ready to play, and the Falcons paid dearly for forcing the issue | SBNation
If you thought people were apoplectic over the ways in which the Atlanta Falcons handled their quarterback situation this offseason … well, it’s about to get a lot louder.

Dolphins call police behavior ‘despicable’ after terrifying Tyreek Hill arrest bodycam footage | SBNation
The Dolphins ripped local police for "overly aggressive and violent conduct directed towards Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell, and Jonnu Smith."

Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Is the Final Nail in Drake’s Coffin | The Ringer
Sunday’s announcement is the capstone of a year that’s seen K.Dot rise to the highest levels of pop culture—and seen Drake sink to the lowest levels of his career

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