Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Terrapin Beer Company's Boom Shakalager, in preparation for this weekend's opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, Sept. 19 - WV MetroNews
Garrett Cullen and Brad Howe preview the border state rivalry between West Virginia and Maryland.
WVU-Maryland band controversy simmers - Charleston Gazette
The stadium is considered a neutral site, but University of Maryland officials say it's school policy that only their band performs on the field during home football games.
CBS Sports Network to Air Cancun Challenge - WVU Athletics
WVU to play two games in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Blaney hits two-way jackpot - Martinsburg Journal
Blaney, 49, earned numerous honors as an outstanding basketball guard on West Virginia's men's team from 1983-86. He was a rare two-year team captain.
Furfari: Nehlen endorses WVU-Marshall football series - Register-Herald
Don't get me started...
News of Note:
Maryland Preview - WVU Athletics
There is a lot more interesting about this game than what uniforms the teams will wear.
Wednesday Walkthrough: Maryland - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Don’t worry about me getting too big for this work. Worry about me getting too small. Swimming in that shirt. My camera settings seem screwy, too, because that shot is cover corner tight. I’ll pretend that was intentional as some sort of homage to the theme of the week.
Mike Casazza: Questions linger about Maryland offense, WVU defense - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU (2-1) enters Saturday's border bash against the Terrapins (3-1) ranked No. 8 against the pass and No. 16 in scoring defense.
Can WVU’s offense finally click? - WVillustrated
Despite what the scoreboard had to say it was very clear during post-game interviews that offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson was still very frustrated with how the offense performed.
Kwiatkoski switch to LB pays dividends - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Nick Kwiatkoski tends to fly under the radar, but this Bethel Park native has been hard to miss lately.
Childress can end quarterback controversy Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia quarterback battle may be temporarily over, but it could be for good if redshirt freshman Ford Childress performs well against a decent Maryland team Saturday.
Childress welcomes Terps’ blitzes - WV MetroNews
Freshman quarterback doesn't mind the bruises as long as he has chance to make downfield throws.
Maryland pass rushers to test Mountaineers - Inter-Mountain
The Terrapins are leading the nation in getting to the quarterback, having sacked the quarterback 15 times this season.
WVU football: Maryland thin in secondary - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia's offensive coaches are begging for receivers to make plays. The Mountaineers are wondering if things have lined up to make it happen Saturday.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU D-end Rose plays with a chip on his shoulder - Times West Virginian
You’ll pardon West Virginia University defensive end Kyle Rose if he believes he has something to prove.
WVU coverage about to be tested - Charleston Gazette
Had it chosen to do so, Oklahoma could have presented West Virginia with some of the same kinds of offensive problems Maryland will present this week.
Terrapins Present Big Challenge for Mountaineer Defense - WVillustrated
The Mountaineer defense has had a great season to date, but has lacked a true test.
Secondary Ready For Terps' Passing Game - BGN
Through three games, the numbers certainly look better.
Maryland receivers will challenge WVU - Times West Virginian
“They are good and will require us to be at our best,” Banks said.
Will Deon Long get revenge on Mountaineers? - Register-Herald
Maryland WR latest in long line of players with something to prove in WVU-Maryland series
WVU's border rivalries worth saving - Charleston Gazette
Try as they might - and they certainly have tried - almost no one associated with West Virginia's football program these days has a feel for what used to be.
Mountaineers Get One Shot at A Rival in 2013 - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Once a regular occurrence, it's now on a limited basis the West Virginia Mountaineers get to face a rival.
Mountaineers Players Have Studied Maryland Series - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Notebook
West Virginia rivalry not a focal point for Terps - The Diamondback
playing in Baltimore on ESPNU and wearing reportedly flashy new uniforms, it’s the opportunity to make a statement — even if Edsall won’t say so.
Pro News:
Where are they now Wednesday: Rasheed Marshall - ProsReport
Since retiring from football, Marshall has accomplished much off the field. We caught up with him for the details.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Bryce Petty believes Baylor can win Big 12 - Baylor Lariat
Bundrage looking to build upon big game - Ames Tribune
Three Kansas receivers lose starting jobs - Kansas City Star
K-State defense braces for Texas tempo - Topeka Capital Journal
How Charles Tapper went from a football newcomer to OU starting defensive end - Oklahoman
OSU football notebook: Mike Gundy stressing tape study - Oklahoman
Texas injury report: Greg Daniels out, others limited - Burnt Orange Nation
Five Observations on the State of the Frogs - Dallas Morning News
Red Raiders Football Notebook: Adding Amaro - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
FSU-WVU to be on Root Sports - Times West Virginian
The Pittsburgh-based television affiliate will be carrying the exhibition in Morgantown on Nov. 4, Fairmont State basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun announced Wednesday.
Video of Interest:
Tony Caridi sat down with WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen to discuss the Mountaineers' upcoming game against Maryland.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
I would see this if it were real:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Czech model. CLICK HERE for today's ANIMATED GIF gallery of Denise Milani.
More from The Smoking Musket:
2013 The Smoking Musket Podcast - Week 4
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins: Game Day Information, Parking, Television, Radio, Gamewatches & More
Gold Nuggets: Fearing The Turtle, Enemy Territory, SI On The Ropes & Lou Holtz Goes Nuts
Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (9/18/13) Edition
West Virginia Football: Cornerback Brodrick Jenkins Has Left Team