WVU QB Trickett Hangs Up Cleats After Multiple Concussions

Want proof football is a violent game that takes a huge physical toll on players? Look no further than Clint Trickett, Quarterback for West Virginia University.

The school...and Trickett announced Friday the senior has ended his football career after his 5th concussion in the past 14 months. The 5th and final concussion for Trickett happened November 20th when the Mountaineers played Kansas State. It would end up being his last game.

Now, a month plus removed from that last concussion, Trickett has yet to be able to pass a test that would clear him to play in the teams Liberty Bowl game vs. Texas A&M. And it's what prompted him to say enough is enough.

Skyler Howard relieved Trickett in the K-State game and started the next week vs. Iowa State. Howard will also start the Liberty Bowl game.

As for Trickett, he intends to take up the family business. Daddy Rick is the offensive line coach at Florida State, where Trickett began his college career.

We wish him the best of luck....

Today's Best Sports Feature: SVP and Dana Holgorsen Talk Hair and Kingpin

((ht: espn.com))

This is a great, fun feature story. We laughed, quite hard while watching it. Partially because of the Kingpin references and partially because we enjoyed West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen's self-depricating humor about his hair.

Watch and enjoy Holgorsen talk hair with the hairless Scott Van Pelt of ESPN:

Can Anyone Derail The Baylor Offense? Bears put up over 70 points again.

Right now Baylor head coach Art Briles is the resident offensive genius in college football.

Heading into the West Virginia game Saturday the Bears led the nation in total offense averaging a staggering 751.3 yards per game while putting up almost 70 points a game.

Even Oregon's offense can't compete.

Saturday in front of 45,467 fans at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas Baylor padded those stats.

Baylor put up a Big 12 Conference record 864 yards of total offense and put up over 70 points to defeat West Virginia 73-42. In face Baylor's 73 points is a Big 12 conference record too for most points in a single game in a conference head-to-head match-up.

Enjoy the offensive show.




Saturday against West Virginia was Bryce Petty's fourth start as the Bears quarterback and once again Petty put up big numbers.  He threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s a team win." Petty said.  "We’re all smiles right now and we should be."

Damn right you should smile after that performance.

Next week Baylor travels to the "Little Apple", Manhattan, Kansas to face the K-State Wildcats.

It might be a little tougher to put up 70 there.

WBGV DE Harris Booted After Robbery Arrest... But It Gets Better

((HT: WVMetroNews))

Suspended defensive lineman Korey Harris was arrested over the weekend on charges of first-degree armed robbery. As a result, he was kicked off the West Virginia football team.

Back on the 12th is when the robbery allegedly happened when it is reported that Harris and two others went into a Morgantown home and held two people at gunpoint- leaving with cash and electronics, according to Morgantown police.

A relative said one of the victims recognized Harris. He was, apparently, wearing his WVU-issued sweatpants with his #96 on them. One of the victims reportedly told police all three intruders were armed and one had dreadlocks and camo pants on at the time...

WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, West Virginia reported Harris was being held on $75,000 bail at the North Central Regional Jail. He is charged with first-degree robbery and conspiracy...

But, since the robbery happened at 5AM, the HQ will continue to reiterate about what goes down after 1AM...

And wearing your school-issued sweats...???
Really...???

Here's Harris at Bartram Trail High School...which was what got him to Morgantown...
((HT: MSNSportsNet))

BUZZER BEATER: Texas Tech Ends West Virginia's Season

Texas Tech has had a dreadful season on the hardwood.  Heading into their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal game against West Virginia (The Mountaineers were not that good either.) the Red Raiders were 11-18.

Dejan Kravic brought a bright spot to Texas Tech's season with a buzzer beating tip in to defeat West Virginia 71-69 and extend the season for the Red Raiders.



"It's a 40-minute game, so play for the last second,"  Kravic said. "I saw the ball come toward me. I thought the clock expired, so I just put it up."

"I would rather be lucky than good," Texas Tech interim head coach Chris Walker said. "We end up being the beneficiary of a put-back, which is great, which is rare for us, which is really good."

“We didn’t block out, which I guess sometimes happens in situations like that,” West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said. “They got a very fortunate bounce – it bounced right back to him.”

During the regular season West Virginia defeated Texas Tech twice, 77-61 on January 2nd in Lubbock and 66-64 on Feburary 16th in Morgantown, WV.

West Virginia's inability to get to the ball ulitimately did the Mountaineers in. 

“Our credo for as long as I’ve coached is get to the ball. It’s hard to win when you can’t get to the ball,” Huggins said. “For whatever reason, this group is the worst we’ve ever had at getting to the ball.”

TCU Out-Balls WBGV In Double Overtime

((HT: CFB on FOX))

Remember when everyone was talking about how West By Gawd Virginia was the second coming of your favorite religious being and was going to take care of everything and show up in the Bee-Cee-Ess title game (or something close to it)...???

Well, that was certainly a long time ago...

TCU showed up in Morgantown and showed once again that West Virginia have no defense whatsoever... especially in overtime or double overtime...

Evidence below...


TCU was actually 10 points down late in the fourth quarter and came back to force overtime.

Trevone Boykin and Josh Boyce hooked up on a 96-yard TD pass play with 1:28 left to tie the score at 31-31. Neither offense scored in the first overtime which led to the action in the second...

West Virginia is now 5-3 and should plummet out of the top 25...

Dana Holgorsen is, obviously, less than pleased...
((HT: bluegoldnews.com))

Geno Smith Finds Out Texas Tech's Defense Is For Real. Tubs Gets Red Raiders Fired Up With Locker Speech

The fact that Texas Tech had one of the best defenses in the country was a bit unbelievable but Saturday the Red Raiders shutdown one of the most potent offenses in the country plus the Heisman Trophy front runner.  We believe now, it’s proven.

The Red Raider defense frustrated West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith who finished 29 of 55 passing for 275 yards and one touchdown.  Far below the numbers Smith has been putting up this season.

West Virginia’s offense did put up 406 yards of total offense but no WVU running back had 100 yards and the Mountaineer receivers were held to double digits in yards. 

Not to mention a WVU offense used to scoring at will only totaled 14 points Saturday afternoon in Lubbock.

Texas Tech safety D.J. Johnson, who had six tackles against West Virginia, explains the Red Raider game plan against the Mountaineers. (Thanks techathletics)

 

“We just didn't execute offensively.” West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “We didn't finish blocks in the run game. We didn't throw and catch like we normally throw and catch. We obviously didn't finish drives very well. So it was a poor performance offensively.”

Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege looked more like the front runner for the Heisman Trophy.  Doege was 32 of 42 passing for a career high 499 yards and tied a career high with six touchdowns. 

“The success that he [Doege] had today, I think a lot of people across the country saw it because everybody matches quarterback when's you watch them on television, and they've [West Virginia, Geno Smith] got a great quarterback.” Texas Tech head coach Tom Tuberville said. “That kid is a player. I thought Seth obviously did a heck of a job in just running our offense. Running the ball, taking the screens when they gave it to him, throwing the ball deep and making big plays.”

Here’s the highlights including Tubs in the locker room pre and post game. (Thanks techathletics)

Geno Smith Pads Heisman Stats Against Texas, Mountaineers Defeat 'Horns 48-45

Hello Big 12, West Virginia has arrived.

When you beat Texas in Austin and you draw a Darryl K. Royal/Texas Memorial Stadium record of 101,851fans you are the toast of the 12.

"I want to congratulate West Virginia, they've got a very fine football team," Texas head coach Mack Brown said.

Yes coach Brown WVU is.

Geno Smith was his usual self, damn good.  Smith 25 of 35 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns. 

“You look at what he did, there weren’t a lot of times where we weren’t draped all over the guy that he was trying to throw the football to.” Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “When the play was there to be made, they made it. And obviously, the crucial situations we talked about were going to be the difference in the game. That’s when they want the ball in his hands. And he was an immense challenge for us to play against.”

Here’s WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen’s comments. (Thanks MountaineerTV)

 

Andrew Buie had a career day against the ‘Horns.  Buie ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns including the 5 yard touchdown run with 1:18 left to put the dagger in the heart of the Longhorns.

Here’s a game report from Austin, TX (Thanks WDTV)

 

Ha! West Virginia Does Couch Burning PSA

((ht: crystalballrun))

Okay, this plays into a ton of stereotypes, which makes it pretty damn funny.

The West Virginia University student government association apparently felt it was important to discourage students from burning their couches.

Why?

For those who don't know, it's become somewhat of a tradition on the Morgantown, WVA campus to do just that after a big win...or an occasional loss.

Oh...by the way, it's now a $1000 fine too.

Read more about this from The Crystal Ball Run RIGHT HERE

This really doesn't do a lot to enhance West Virginia's reputation of a somewhat rural, backwoods outpost unfortunately. Yeah, sure, we know that kids will be kids and do really stupid things when their school does something good, but the whole couch burning thing isn't stupid, it's just plain weird.

In case you are curious, here's the video:

Getting You Ready For CFB: West Virginia Has A New Logo On Mountaineer Field

HT: kegsneggs.com

West Virginia becomes an official member of the Big 12 Conference Sunday, July 1^st.  Why wait, go ahead and paint the logo on the field.

Big 12 Conference logo painted onto turf at Mountaineer Field

What's funny is that it doesn't seem out of place.  Now an SEC logo at Missouri is going to take some getting used to.

Mounties Put Up 70 On Clemson, Ends A Dismal Bowl Season For ACC

West Virginia put the ACC out of its bowl misery Wednesday night.

The Mountaineers defeated the ACC Champion Clemson Tigers 70-33 in the Orange Bowl.

"Obviously we're a better football team than how we played tonight, and you know, it is what it is." Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said.

Swinney's Clemson defense had no answer for West Virginia's offense. WVU put up 35 points in the second quarter. It was 49-20 at halftime and the 70 points the Mountaineers put up on the Tigers was the most ever in a bowl game.

WVU quarterback Geno Smith threw for 401 yards and an Orange Bowl record six touchdowns.

Here's a report from FOSG and the voice of the Clemson Tigers Pete Yannity. (Thanks WSPA-TV Greenville, SC)



West Virginia's shallacking of Clemson puts the capper on a very, very disappointing bowl season for the ACC going 2-6. Only NC State and Florida State won their bowl games.

"We have not had a good year this year, and we certainly didn't do our part." Swinney said.

Just as bad is the ACC's record in the BCS bowl games. With Virginia Tech losing the Sugar Bowl to Michigan coupled with Clemson's loss in the Orange Bowl the ACC is now 2-13 in the BCS bowl era.

"We're going to enjoy this one. We did everything that we were supposed to do" West Virginia head coach Dana Holgersen said.

That you did Mounties.

Back to ya: Big East sues West Virginia

((ht: usatoday))

Ring Announcer: In this corner, from Morgantown, West Virginia, ranked #24 in the country and planning on leaving to play in the Big 12....West....Virginia.

Ring Announcer: And in this corner, they are a founding member of the BCS. They are facing one lawsuit and now three teams looking to leave. We give you....The Big Eassssst.

And now the lawyers take over.

We told you on Monday about West Virginia filing a suit against the Big East stating they would pay their buyout and leave the conference at the end of this school year, rather than wait for the 27-month out clause. And there was no reason they shouldn't be able to do it.

You can read that story RIGHT HERE

Well, today the Big East fired back.

The conference filed suit in a Rhode Island courtroom on Friday in the effort to hold West Virginia to the 27-month out clause they say is required to leave.

Big East commissioner John Marinatto released a statement after the suit was filed, saying: "Today's legal action underscores The BIG EAST Conference's stated position that it will vigorously pursue the enforcement of its rights and West Virginia University's obligations under the conference's Bylaws which West Virginia formally agreed to and helped construct,"

We still think this is getting stupid..and the only people to prosper off of it will be the lawyers. While we certainly understand the Big East argument that the terms of the buyout are the terms and need to be adhered to.

But.

Why would you subject your conference to two years of a team that obviously doesn't want to be there and will make your lives miserable. They easily can team up with the other two teams leaving: Pitt and Syracuse to be an effective block to any maneuvering the conference needs to do. Yes, we know there will be newcomers coming in...which is a big reason why the departing teams don't need to stick around.

We suspect this will end up being settled. But something tells us that it may get uglier before it gets prettier.

Big East invites potential new members: Will they accept?

((ht: cbssports.com))

And that friends is the $64 million (so-to-speak) question. Just because the Big East invited some new members today at their presidents meeting, we wonder how many of those invitations will be accepted.

None of the reports on this list specific schools that were invited, but...the implications are that the expected schools will be receiving one. Air Force, Navy and Boise State as football only schools and Houston, SMU and UCF receiving "All-Sport" invitations.

Read CBSSports.com's story on what is going down RIGHT HERE

We don't believe that all 6 of these schools will accept the invitations. Really, we don't understand at all how Air Force in Colorado Springs and Boise State would fit in the Big East at all. The one and only reason would be for a possible BCS berth. The other schools have that same reason, but they are closer to the actual East and are currently a part of Conference USA.

This of course ties in with West Virginia's lawsuit versus the Big East. One of the main points WVU makes is that the Big East is no longer viable in football. And arguably that is true. To an extent. It's also the reason they are inviting other schools.

The Big East minus WVU, Pitt and Syracuse would be down to 5 members, the new schools would put them back at 11. But again, we aren't so sure that all 6 will accept. Again, arguably, Houston could hold out for a Big 12 invite, something that would be a much better fit. As could Boise State.

Oh, and, there is still the specter of Connecticut and Rutgers leaving as well. Which would really screw this up, though we don't think that will actually happen.

We, I guess, will see how this all plays out. As we all know, "Galactic Realignment" isn't by any stretch of the imagination, done. Time will tell if the Big East is grasping at straw or they will come off looking like genius's for adding schools to keep them from going under.

West Virginia to sue Big East: Why aren't Pitt and Syracuse doing this?

((ht: cbssports.com))

Interesting. We are a bit surprised Pittsburgh or Syracuse hasn't already moved to do this.

According to report on cbssports.com, West Virginia University is filing a lawsuit against the Big East Conference so they can leave the conference at the end of the academic year.

Big East rules stipulate that any school intending to leave the conference must pay a $5 million fee and give....get this, 27 months notice before they will be released.

WVU has already paid the league half of the exit fee, and last week when they announced they were leaving, stated they would be playing in the Big 12 next season.

The other two schools who are leaving, Pitt and Syracuse, have been pretty mum...at least publicly about their intentions.

Read the entire CBSSports.com story RIGHT HERE

We believe this is absurd on several levels and find it hard to believe that any judge is going to force WVU or the other schools to stick around for another 2-years plus before they leave.

The Big East should be happy they are getting the payday for it.

We think that after Tuesday's league meetings in Philadelphia, where it is expected they will announce or plan to add 6 new schools, this all will be a moot point. With 6 new teams, the league doesn't need the three that are leaving. Though we think Pitt and Syracuse joining the West Virginia suit would help matters proceed.

That being said, where are ya Panthers and Orange, are your administrators serious? Or not?

Believe 52: LeGrand Makes Statement At Rutgers-WBGV

And all he had to do was come out onto the field...

Carrying the axe across his motorized wheelchair, Rutgers DE Eric LeGrand led the Scarlet Knights out onto the field for their game against West Virginia yesterday.

Here's what he's been up to in the past year...
Taking our jobs...
((HT: NJ.com))


But, Saturday, his next chapter in chopping was front and center...
((HT: GameDayESPN))


Rutgers got out to a big lead early, but the Mountaineers held Rutgers scoreless in the second half to win a Big East game...

If you're interested in learning more about Eric and his efforts, click on the banner on the right-hand side of the page...

Keep Choppin'

Realignment Update: Politicians get involved in Big 12 expansion

((ht:star-telegram.com))

Sigh...

We purposely stayed away from reporting on "Galactic Realignment" yesterday because we are growing incredibly weary of it. It has overshadowed a lot of really good things happening this year in College Football.

In today's, okay, yesterday's news, it appears that some politicians have decided to stick their noses in the process. Specifically the Big 12's attempt at rebuilding.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Senator Mitch McConnell inserted himself in the decision making process. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirmed that report with Big 12 officials.

It had been widely reported that the Big 12 wanted to add West Virginia to replace the soon-to-be departed Missouri Tigers. Many, including the Times reported it was a "Done Deal".

It wasn't.

It appears McConnell's involvement has given Big 12 Chancellors cause to reconsider and think about adding Louisville.

Needless to say, word of that didn't go over too well in West Virginia. Two state senators went on record criticizing McConnell and the war of words continues.

And, according to the Star-Telegram, these guys aren't the only politicians to stick their noses in.

Read the entire story from Star-Telegram.com RIGHT HERE

Okay. This has long passed the "Getting Stupid" stage. Don't politicians have enough problems to stick their noses in? Although since they all seem to disagree with everything unless it is something they suggest.

If the "Ass-Clowns" in Washington want to get involved in "Galactic Realignment" in College Football, then investigate the BC freakin' S. Or ESPN. There's where your problems and legal issues reside.

If a politician wants to get involved in realignment, then make it stop. Tell the NCAA and the College Presidents that they play an AMATEUR sport. They shouldn't be allowed to move between conferences because of money or a better TV deal. They shouldn't be allowed to make decisions without determining what is best for the students and alumni instead of their image. They shouldn't be allowed to make decisions that will end historical rivalries.

Reportedly less than 40 D-1 schools make money in athletics. Did anyone ever think scaling back and not building palatial facilities for FOOTBALL or spending $8 zillion dollars travelling via private jet for recruiting or signing 122 scholar/athletes might lower the budget? Yeah, thought so.

This is about the CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE/CARTEL that is the BCS. This is about the fraud they've perpetrated on College Sports. This is about the sham that is the BCS Championship. The team that wins the "Mythical" title isn't necessarily the actual best team, it's the team the BCS tells us is in THEIR OPINION is the best.

Investigate that you CONGRESSIONAL DOUCHEBAGS!!!

More CFB Movement: Notre Dame to end up in Big 12 too?

((ht: orangebloods.com))

As sick as we are about "Galactic Realignment" stories, they just keep coming. And they all seem to make some semblance of sense in one way or another.

This one comes courtesy of the fine folks (ok--Chip Brown) at Orangebloods.com. Chip, who is as plugged into the comings and goings of the Big 12/10 is saying that not only is Missouri leaving, West Virginia coming--but that Notre Dame may be coming too.

Not in all sports...yet. Everything but football for now. And not "Are" coming, but they are talking to Chuck Neinas and the Big 12/10 office about it.

The story from Orangebloods.com RIGHT HERE

We believe this for several reasons. First and foremost, though Notre Dame is stubborn about their football, they need a home in other sports. They currently compete in the Big East that way, but the implication here is they don't have a lot of faith in the continued life of the Big East either.

The other thing of note here is this:

Brown says Missouri is meeting with SEC officials today and there is a very good chance they will hold off their move south until the 2012-13 season. That would leave the SEC at 13 teams for a year, something they've already prepared for.

It also means West Virginia wouldn't leave until the same time period. And we're guessing Syracuse and Pitt will leave the Big East by then too. No, they wouldn't have completed their "Out-Clause", but the speculation is there will be nothing the Big East can do to stop it at this point.

Confused. We aren't, but it is sure dragging out.

Back to the Fighting Irish:

Speculation has already begun that Notre Dame would go to the Big 12/10 and agree to play a set amount of games against current conference schools. That would lead up to the one thing driving all of this change in the first place....

A renegotiated and improved TV deal.

So, again, keep reading or periodically checking in. We expect a Missouri announcement any day now. The Tigers and the SEC want to get this done this week so it can be made during the Texas A&M/Missouri game this weekend..

Time will tell if that will actually happen.

ACC/SEC to WVU: No thanks

West Virginia Mountaineers

((ht: cbssports/mcmurphy))

Today's 1st update in the Galactic Realignment of College Sports: According to a report by CBSSports.com reporter Brett McMurphy (same guy who broke the Pitt and Syracuse to ACC story), West Virginia isn't going anywhere fast.

Said McMurphy in a tweet this morning "Multiple Big East Sources said they have been told by WVU officials that WVU rejected by ACC and SEC."


This is not a surprise (at least to us). West Virginia to the SEC made little sense. Yes, it was pushed by several writers, but we never thought it was a good fit. They don't have the infrastructure or the population base for the SEC in particular.

As for the ACC, we suspect they have better options too. There is now some rumbling that they may end up with some combination of Notre Dame, Rutgers and/or UConn. While all may not be as competitive as the Mountaineers in football, they all are in much, much larger TV markets and sadly, this is what the whole "Galactic Realignment" is all about.

Stay tuned to OSG Sports for more updates, because this...by no means is the last you'll hear on this subject.

Your Morning Conference Realignment Update

((ht: statesman.com))

Well, the next dominos to fall in the "Galactic Realignment" of College Football should fall if not today (Monday), then sometime in the next couple of days.

We, along with the rest of the universe, reported both Texas and Oklahoma regents would be meeting today to discuss their options. Those options, at least from their perspective got a bit clearer this weekend when Pitt and Syracuse committed to the ACC.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, substantive talks between Texas and others with the Pac-12 occurred this weekend. Made more convenient due to Texas playing UCLA in Los Angeles. This despite Pac-12 commish Larry Scott saying just last week, "We're happy where we are". And we will say, these schools are coming to the Pac-12, not the other way around.

Statesman reporter Kirk Bohls reports Texas would prefer to stay in the Big 12, but that may not be possible.

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

What it appears will happen is this: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Texas Tech and Texas appear all but certain to head to the Pac-12. Scott is doing his best to try and accommodate/fold in, the Longhorn Network. We are reasonably certain, that will work out.

The only question really is when?

In light of this weekends moves, we expect this all to go down this week. There has been speculation that the Big 12 will try and absorb some schools from another conference. (The Big East football schools?).

Initially, we thought it would be the Big East and ACC who would have to combine to make their own super-conference, we don't think that now. It will end up being the remnants of the Big 12 combined with the Big East. It has to be. There's no other choice for any of the remaining schools to survive in the new landscape.

There are still questions out there. There is no guarantee Missouri or Kansas will sit for a combined conference. Though they certainly could and be just fine.

The other wild card is West Virginia. There's been a lot of speculation they want in the SEC. In a bad way. They question is: "Does the SEC want them?". And really, nobody knows the answer to that.

A Sports-Talk radio host in Pittsburgh tweeted Sunday that the Mountaineers have already sent their paperwork to the SEC. And the interest is mutual.

We could go on forever discussing the repercussions of all this. There are a lot of teams and a lot of people who are anxiously awaiting the fallout. The seismic shift is coming and while Saturday's announcement was big and in some ways, very surprising, it won't be the biggest. That friends, is a rose that has yet to be delivered.

We don't watch this show, though the Lovely Bride does, and don't totally understand this, but it is the best analogy would could think of visually to go along with this story, because these schools and conferences are essentially doing the same thing.