SB Nation - Scott Lutrus

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Wednesday (10/7/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:15:47 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, brought to you today by Post Road Pumpkin Ale.

Today is Marvin Graves is a ~~little~~ bitch day here at the Throwdown. So get your Orange hate on, send in your tips and enjoy the show...

What You May Have Missed:

Bill Stewart: Weekly Press Conference - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Stew's Views: Quick Transition - BlueGoldNews.com

Football: Selected Player Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com

Berry expected back for Syracuse game - Big East - ESPN

2009 CFN Big East Week 6 Expert Picks - Scout.com
Title is misleading. Actually it's a roundup/recap.

Devine wanted the football against Buffaloes - Times West Virginian
This is a good read, IMHO.

Big East in the BCS computer rankings - Big East - ESPN
Sagarin has Louisville 121st out of 120 FBS teams. That isn't a typo.

Big East stock report, Week 6 - Big East - ESPN

On The Mark: Week 5 - College Football - ESPN
Schlabach is still an ignorant slut.

Three-point stance: Devine, Gerhart, Locksley - ESPN
It's a few days old, but still relevant, see points 1 & 3

News of Note:

West Virginia's Stewart stews, but in private - PPG

Turnover bug bites Syracuse - The Charleston Gazette
All I ask for is a little creativity in your stories, not the same thing beaten to death day after day.

Turnovers will make or break Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
See what I mean, dead horse, let's beat it some more.

Perception vs. Reality - MSNsportsNET.Com
Caridi's article

Syracuse QB has seen WVU before...in NCAA Tournament - Charleston Daily Mail
Greg Paulus attempts to go 0 for 2 against the Mountaineers.

Syracuse quarterback concerns Stewart - Inter-Mountain

Stewart has decision to make against Syracuse - Times West Virginian

WVU’s ‘new’ punter Kozlowski a weapon - Register-Herald

Nutter, Lindamood love WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Thanks For Taking Care Of Our Schwartzwalder Trophy, West Virginia - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
A look back at many of the big games in the past of this series. BTW, the trophy is ours.

Orange Looking to Crush Mountaineers - Bleacher Report
Writer has a "keys to victory" list.

Initial Thoughts: Syracuse - WVIllustrated.com

Recruiting News:

WVU Makes Final Three for Virginia Star - eersports.com

Anderson Delays Decision, Plans WVU Visit - eersports.com

Odom Delays Decision, One School Eliminated - eersports.com

Around the League (and Beyond):

BIG EAST Slate: Week 6 - WVIllustrated.com

Syracuse Has More Loose Ends Than Tight Ends - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Syracuse will be without TEs Nick Provo and Cody Catalina this weekend. Backup Andrew Robinson's hand is in a cast as well.

Pitt Notebook: Hutchins' range led to fourth-down decision - PPG

Position switch working out for Rutgers offensive lineman Desmond Wynn - Star Ledger

Rutgers won't get much out of this week's game - Big East - ESPN
Of course not, their OOC schedule looks like something from the WVIAC.

USF hopes to reverse trend - Tamp Tribune
Oh, he means the trend of starting red-hot and fizzling like a dud bottle rocket.

Lutrus Watch, Day 29: By ’stop asking about it’ I mean probable - TheUConnBlog.com

UC could get Utah-ed - The Cincinnati Enquirer

It was all right until he lost consecutive theme games - Card Chronicle

Source: No Bowden decision by FSU until season's end - Tampa Tribune

Gators may use wildcat formation - Gainesville Sun

What's On Tap:

MLB playoffs start today. Three games on tap starting at 2:37pm EDT.

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Preview - October 07, 2009 - ESPN
2:37pm EDT on TBS

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees - Preview - October 07, 2009 - ESPN
6:07pm EDT on TBS

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - Preview - October 07, 2009 - ESPN
9:37pm EDT on TBS

Trivia of the Day:

Can you name the Top 15 of Final BCS Standings each year since 1998? - sporcle
BCS Standings History Quiz - I got 160/165

Videos of Interest:

Author's of this site and WVU fans in general have a long standing LOATHING of Syracuse and Marvin Graves. If you aren't already fired up for this game, this ought to do it. A little back story to put these in context for those of you not in the know:

WVU was up 17-13 with not much time left. Graves runs an option out of bounds and feels he was hit late. He then proceeds to throw the ball into Tommy Orr's helmet, creating a bench clearing brawl. Three key WVU defenders and a 3rd string punter for Syracuse are ejected. Graves is somehow allowed to continue and leads the team down for a last minute TD and victory.

Older fans may have older moments that solidified their hatred of the Orange. This is what did it for me. Sorry for the quality, but it's the only one I could find.

Gallery of the Day:

I don't know about you, but I need a nice gallery to calm me down after those videos. I'm pretty sure rumplestiltskin is with me, based on his comments so far this week.

via www.bigsmudge.com

Miss Throwdown:

I must be in some kind of rut, but based on the last few days, this is a good rut to be in. Today's Miss Throwdown is another Argentinian beauty. If you don't like it, complain in the comments and send me your choice. Meet Melina Pitra.

via i251.photobucket.com

Post Road Pumpkin Ale image via www.bruguru.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Friday (9/25/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:45:14 -0000

Welcome By-Godders, to the Shotgun Throwdown, your daily WVU sports link dump, brought to you today by Quilmes beer of Argentina.

Yes, it's been a slow news week, but things should pick up again Monday for the short week. I'm trying to send you off to the weekend with a bang. The caption contest has ended and the results are enclosed. Winners should email me via the tipline, please. All other requests and tips are appreciated as well. (UPDATED: Now with gallery links that work.) Have a great weekend and see you after the jump...

What You May Have Missed:

UConn Tickets Available - Twitter / Coach Bill Stewart
"Ticket office just informed me that returned tickets from Connecticut are on sale at www.WVUGame.com"

Auburn Award Winners Announced - MSNsportsNET.Com
The coaching staff has named its award winners for the Auburn game last Saturday.

Men's Basketball: Season Tickets On Sale Monday - MSNsportsNET.Com
Get 'em while they hot!!!

Football: Selected Player Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com
Hale, Starks, Jenkins and Brown

News of Note:

Let's Go Mountaineers! - MSNsportsNET.Com
Caridi is on board with getting this thing started again. Spread the word!!!!

King of Pain - MSNsportsNET.Com
"Basketball strength and conditioning coach Andy Kettler says he is seeing results."

Hale helping special teams make gains - The Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Colorado coach on the defensive - The Charleston Gazette

Around the League (and Beyond):

The Syracuse Football Team Would Have Loved The Lilith Fair - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Sarah McLachlan's Angel is their new team entrance music.

Pitt's Fields realizing potential - PPG

USF's Daniels trying to keep an even keel - Tampa Tribune

Seniors will replace Cards’ Simien - The Courier-Journal

Thomas: Precious little time to generate support for practice facilities - The Cincinnati Enquirer
At least we aren't this bad off for our BB facility.

Lutrus Watch, Day 17: Out, yet again - TheUConnBlog.com

Injury to Tom Savage could lead Rutgers to turn to Dom Natale at QB again - Star Ledger

SEC commissioner tells both Meyer and Kiffin to zip it - USATODAY.com
Now go and be good little boys and sit in your time out chairs.

Brawls at KU were simmering for a long time - Kansas City Star
"Fights between members of the University of Kansas football and basketball teams over the past two days may have shocked fans of the nationally-ranked programs, but former players say the hostilities are nothing new."

A day after brawls, KU coaches say punishments won’t be public - Kansas City Star

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Safety Video of the Day:

I wanted to end this week with a bang, sooo...

Caption Contest Results:

With a last minute entry we have a tie. Pepperoni Roll had me at Kung Pao, but Beamer'sGoiter got in a last second save to tie it up (both made me laugh out loud). If you folks would email me please to claim your rights to choosing a Miss Throwdown, I'd be grateful.

via joesportsfan.com

"Damn, dog. You be meltin’ my nostril hairs wit dat killer Kung Pao garlic breath." - Pepperoni Roll

and

"So...that’s what the hokie pokey is all about?" - Beamer'sGoiter

This Week in Body Painting:

I knew there was a reason to root for the Phillies last year. There's a real nice Tom Brady fan inside too...and many others.

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Sorority Slumber Party Gallery of the Week:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown hails from Argentina. Meet Sofía Zámolo. Scroll down after following the linked picture. Yes, I've linked two galleries and embedded four videos. Any complaints?

via www.infobae.com

What to watch for: Louisville vs. Connecticut

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:21:21 -0000

DocCardsFan's exceptional UConn preview earlier this week has afforded us the opportunity to get a little bit more specific as kickoff approaches.

Here are a few items to keep an eye on tomorrow night.

1. Louisville stacking the box

Though it's easy to claim that his stats are inflated because of the number of carries he's received or the defenses he's gone up against, Donald Brown is the real deal, a fact Louisville's Orange Bowl champion defense learned firsthand when the then freshman scampered for 122 yards on 21 carries in the 2006 regular season finale.

Though he stands just 5-10, 208, the Cards haven't seen a back nearly as physical as Brown, who'll provide the biggest test yet for U of L's still inexperienced linebacking corps. Given Tyler Lorenzen's recent struggles, Ron English stacking the box with eight or nine guys until the Huskies prove they can move the ball through the air is just about the safest bet anyone can make over the next 24 hours.

It's a shame that Richard Raglin is almost certainly going to be in street clothes, because this is the type of game where he could have thrived. Instead, it will be Bobby Buchanan and Latarrius Thomas who will be called upon to make plays within five yards of the line of scrimmage. I'm also interested to see if English opts to use a guy like Brandon Heath as a sort of safety/linebacker hybrid, or whether he gives the physical challenge (Double Dare) to the likes of Daniel Covington and Josh Wiley.

2. Pressing Cardinal corners

English and Eric Lewis's stated objective last week was to not let Josh Freeman complete deep passes over the heads of their defensive backs. The result was a lot of early six or seven yard completions in front of Johnny Patrick and Woodny Turenne. With Lorenzen's confidence shaken and him unlikely to throw anything outside of single-digit yard slants, outs or stops early in the game, I think it's safe to assume that the corners are going to be far more aggressive tomorrow night.

Through four weeks, the Huskies still don't have one wideout with more than 100 yards receiving. Things have gotten so bad that cornerback Darius Butler has been brought over to help out.

If the Cards have to decrease the amount of attention paid to Donald Brown because of the effectiveness of the UConn air attack, then they're going to be in trouble.

3. Connecticut bringing pressure in the middle

Maybe the biggest thing the U of L offense has going for it right now is that the Husky defense is coming off of a week in which it spent all its time preparing for a spread attack and trying to contain a world class athlete at quarterback. Even with what Louisville has been able to accomplish in its last two games, Scott Lutrus, Lawrence Wilson and Greg Lloyd have to be excited about the prospects of blitzing and run-stuffing as opposed to covering wideouts and shadowing Robert Griffin. The trio of sophomores are about as talented as any group of middle men in the Big East, and Todd Orlando is likely going to let them test a hobbled Cardinal offensive line from the opening series of the game on.

4. UConn's defensive ends vs. Louisville's offensive tackles

The Huskies possess probably the best bookend tandem in the conference with Cody Brown and Julius Williams. The pair were among the league's top 20 in multiple defensive categories at the end of last season, and have already combined for five sacks (Brown three, Williams two) in 2008.

Greg Tomczyk did a tremendous job supplanting the injured George Bussey a week ago, but Kansas State can't lay claim to a threat off the edge as potent as either Brown or Williams. If the duo has their way on the outside and the middle is opened up for the Husky linebackers to do work, then the Cardinal offense could end up looking more like it did on Sept. 2 than on Sept. 17.

5. Josh Chichester getting increased looks

Butler is among the top corners in the conference and sophomore Jasper Howard has had his moments, but they stand just 5-10 and 5-9, respectively. Husky safeties Robert Vaughn and Dahna Deleston are each talented veterans with big plays to their credit this season, but they're only a couple of inches taller than Butler.

While the group is skilled and athletic enough to potentially put the clamps on a guy like Doug Beaumont, there's absolutely nothing any of them can do if 6-8 Josh Chichester runs a solid route and the ball is put in the correct place. With Scott Long and Troy Pascley both appearing to be no-gos, the spotlight will once again shine a bit brighter on the man who can't be checked on the baseline inside Rupp Arena.

6. The utilization of Andre Dixon

While Brown is currently leading the country in rushing, many seem to have forgotten that he didn't even lead his own team in the category a year ago. That honor belongs to fellow junior Andre Dixon, who has been hampered by an ankle injury since late August and has carried the ball just once in '08.

Dixon, who lit Louisville up for 170 all-purpose yards a year ago, played sparingly against Baylor, but Randy Edsall has hinted all week that his production would be increased in the conference opener. Dixon might be the top dual threat back in the Big East, so don't be surprised if Connecticut subtly tries to slip him into the game and burn an over-aggressive Cardinal rush defense by hitting him in the flats or on a middle screen. If you see No. 2 trotting onto the field, it'd probably be wise to keep the blitzing to a minimum.

7. The continuing emergence of the Zack Stoudt jersey

This kid's on the verge of having one of the greatest redshirt seasons in the history of college football.

8. U of L trying to look like a varsity high school squad on special teams

I've given up on hoping to win the special teams battle, and have moved on to the more realistic option of at least keeping it close. Timmy Dougherty appears composed enough to handle placekicking duties from inside 45 yards or so, and I think being removed from the job is really going to help Chris Philpott on kickoffs. If you noticed, his best kicks came after made extra points or field goals, while his shanks or kicks that didn't make it to the 20-yard line came after he'd missed or had a field goal attempt blocked.

UConn has one of the best punters/kickoff men in the conference in Louisville native Desi Cullen, and placekicker Tony Ciaravino has been solid from inside of 40 yards. Butler is an extremely dangerous return man, and going up against a Cardinal coverage unit that has struggled with tackling opposing players carrying footballs and looking to advance toward the endzone should make him that much more dangerous.

9. Let's talk edges

OK, this isn't something to watch for, but if you want to fight about it, well, I'll probably change it to something else because I like to avoid conflict.

UConn run offense vs. U of L run defense

Edge: CONNECTICUT

The Huskies have a senior-laden offensive line and the leading rusher in the country. And if Andre Dixon is healthy, he's one of the top six or seven backs in the conference.

UConn pass offense vs. U of L pass defense

Edge: LOUISVILLE

Lorenzen's thrown just one touchdown to six interceptions so far this year, and he comes into this game with his confidence especially shaken after a particularly rough night a week ago. While Butler's athletic enough to come in and make some plays down the field, the Huskies don't have the receivers to make life easier for Lorenzen against an experienced U of L secondary.

U of L run offense vs. UConn run defense

Edge: LOUISVILLE

This is a tight one, and could be where the game is ultimately won or lost. Victor Anderson and Brock Bolen are each coming off of monster performances, but Kansas State's front seven is a far cry from what they'll be up against on Friday. Still, U of L's men in the trenches are playing with a great deal of confidence, and the guys they have behind them don't need enormous openings to make plays.

U of L pass offense vs. UConn pass defense

Edge: CONNECTICUT

Butler and Vaughn are outstanding, and Deleston is an imposing figure across the middle who's made a pretty smooth transition from linebacker to safety. Chichester is the wild card, and as we've seen over the first three games, he has the potential to make both the amazing play look routine and the simple play look impossible. This is also the first 4-3 defense the Cards have faced since Kentucky, and one that has comparable talent and a comparable commitment to putting pressure on the quarterback. U of L didn't exactly set the world - or Rhode Island - on fire through the air in their season-opener, so them making the proper adjustments to ensure that Hunter Cantwell has adequate time to release the football is paramount.

U of L special teams vs. Connecticut special teams

Edge: CONNECTICUT

They're a crafty bunch. Is "crafty" the right word?

Intangibles

Edge: LOUISVILLE

Nobody has to go to work the next day, so I'd expect nothing less than a packed house out for blood in what most fans are approaching as a revenge game.

Make it happen, people.

Louisville 38, Kansas State 29

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:28:13 -0000

We'll move quickly since this game is already five days old and Larry Taylor Depreciation Week appears to be in full swing.

This is as excited as I've been about Louisville football since the first offensive drive/play of last year's Murray State game. If the last two weeks have proven anything it's that the effort level is going to be there week in and week out, and that there is a decided dedication to improving the execution. After the Kentucky debacle, this is all any of us could have hoped for.

It would still take something resembling a miracle for this team to have a legit crack at the BCS once mid-November rolls around, but honestly, what team in the Big East terrifies you right now? What team in the Big East do you know beyond the shadow of a doubt would have beaten the Cardinals last Wednesday?

If Connecticut is toppled on Friday then we're all allowed to at least entertain crazy thoughts for a couple of weeks, and that's something to get excited about.

I'm not driving it, but I'm officially on the Vic Anderson bandwagon.

All spring and summer we heard about Vic's speed, but what's been amazing to me is how many times we've seen him lower the boom on potential tacklers in the first three games. It's safe to say that the kid can leg press more than I can.

Another fine, fine game from Hunter Cantwell, but now he has to prove he can do it against a 4-3 defense stacked with talented linebackers. Hunter's been able to sit back and pick apart 3-4 sets for the past two weeks, but Lutrus, Wilson and company aren't going to allow him that luxury Friday night. Robert Vaughn and Darius Butler are also two of the better defensive backs the Cards will see from here on out. Overall, this will be a fantastic test of just how far this offense has come since Kentucky.

Doug Beaumont: when this is all over, let's go somewhere warm and sandy together.

Josh Chichester is still very much a work in progress, which means we're going to have to take the good with the bad for the foreseeable future. The great news is that the good has far outshone the bad to this point.

Even though I think the time for the Tim Dougherty placekicking era to commence is upon us, it's pretty obvious that Chris Philpott is still in possession of a stronger leg and I'd like to see him remain the man on kickoffs.

I love deferring after winning the coin toss, and I hope it becomes a trend. Delayed gratification is the shit.

One of the most positive things I saw on Wednesday was Latarrius Thomas and Bobby Buchanan kneeling next to Richard Raglin when he went down with the wrist injury in the second half. It was just one of those little things that last season was so devoid of.

Speaking of Buchanan, I love the way he's stepped up and embraced the leadership role in his senior season. Even though he's had his fair share of bad moments over the course of his college career, and even though he and Thomas were again the main culprits on Kansas State's four biggest offensive plays, it's impossible not to root extra hard for someone who cares about his team and his program as much as No. 34 does.

Major props need to be hurled in the direction of Greg Tomczyk and Josh Byrom, who made it possible for thousands of fans to have no idea that George Bussey and Mark Wetterer were out with injuries.

Whatever wasn't clicking with Woodny Turenne a year ago certainly seems to have been rectified. Good things happen when you're talented and in the place you're supposed to be.

Let's go ahead and up the amount of practice time devoted to special teams by about eight hours this week.

I think it's safe to say that Bilal Powell is still at his best when he's forced to improvise, a fact which is a bit more discouraging than it was when he was a true freshman. Still, I remain bullish on his potential and think he needs to see at least ten touches a game for this team to have the best chance to reach its ceiling.

The crowd was tremendous for the first three quarters of the game, but it was sort of depressing to see so many empty seats as the Cards closed things out. On the other hand, you can't schedule a Wednesday night game and then be upset when people with families and 8-5 jobs choose not to stay at the stadium until 11:45. It's just the way it is.

Even though it came at the expense of my favorite team, it did bring me at least a little bit of pleasure to watch someone three inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter than myself tear it up in a major college football game.

Black jerseys > red jerseys

Zack Stoudt jersey > Art Carmody jersey

Art Carmody > any other football player to ever put on pads

Raise your hand if you wish the fake dive, pitch to Vic had been put in the playbook a month ago.

Being friends with Brock Bolen and Joe Tronzo is basically a free pass to look at or talk to anyone however you want on Saturday nights.

The inconsistent Mo Mitchell of yesteryear appears to have graduated a year early. Mitchell has been playing inspired football since the first snap of the Kentucky game, and has become the force off the edge that the defense lacked in '07.

No one on the team talks more than L.D. Scott. Focusing on him for a couple of plays every game is hilarious.

It was great to see Daniel Covington flying around the field and bringing the lumber on multiple plays, especially since it appears the secondary is going to be without Richard Raglin for at least a couple of games.

Dan - of having his U of L hat thrown on the ground by a girl outside a bar in Charlotte fame - called the Kansas State fake punt and was justified moments after his dad and I ripped the prediction for a solid 15 seconds. For the record, it was an awful call and we should had the up man who took the snap behind the line.

I'm going to go ahead and give the Card Chronicle seal of approval to the Jeff Brohm moving back upstairs decision.

I really, really want to win on Friday just so the seeds of insanely irrational objectivity can be planted.

Larry Taylor sucks.