West Virginia
Chester Frazier Shares Heartfelt Message to West Virginia
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.
FOOTBALL
WVU’s Nysewander Sees Similarities in Rodriguez and Saban | West Virginia University Athletics
“(Saban) and coach Rodriguez are very similar, in my opinion,” Nysewander said. “I think it’s the blue-collar, West Virginia-type feel.”
Nysewander was destined to coach with Rodriguez | Blue Gold News
If Rich Rodriguez ever wants to market his hard-edge philosophy of football, Nysewander would be the face of it.
The end of spring football means the start of the next phases of WVU’s offseason | EerSports
The spring ends with Saturday’s spring showcase, but Rich Rodriguez will keep the team busy the next few months.
BASKETBALL
What a year!!! Thought this was probably my most rewarding year as a coach. We got a lot out of this group and they gave us EVERYTHING they had!!! A group that was fun to be around and coach—from the Italy trip to that last buzzer in Kansas City! I had no doubt we built a resume that deserved to be in the field!!
Want to say thank you to our players, the staff, administration, fans, and everyone who played a part in the season!! How fun was the Bahamas trip… winning in the Phog… at home vs Iowa State…
Want to send special thanks to our seniors—appreciate the way you represented this season! It wasn’t easy, but we sure found a way!! Future is bright for all of you!!
To the Mountaineer fans—you guys are the best!!! Thanks for your undying loyalty and love for WVU!! You guys made my family feel welcomed and we will always be appreciative!! Wish we could’ve finished what we started, but I’m sure you guys will be great!!!
WITH LOVE, FRAZ
Mountaineer Memories: WVU’s all-time top 10 women’s basketball players | Blue Gold News
There’s little question that JJ Quinerly, who stayed through three coaching changes and left every ounce of energy on the WVU Coliseum floor, will long be remembered as one of the best women’s basketball players to ever play for the Mountaineers. But just where do Quinerly’s four seasons rank among the all-time great Mountaineer careers?
BASEBALL
WVU wins weekend of inches; heads for two midweek non-conference games | Blue Gold News
WVU is prepared for single non-conference games against Ohio State on the road on Tuesday and against Pitt at home on Wednesday. Both are winnable games in which the Mountaineers will be favored, but anyone with baseball knowledge understands that one game can break any which way.
Mountaineers Set for Split Midweek at Ohio State, Home Against Pitt | West Virginia University Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team is set for two midweek games, first on the road at Ohio State on Tuesday, before coming home to face Pitt in the first edition of the Backyard Brawl this season on Wednesday.
WVU ATHLETICS
Naukot Named Student-Athlete of the Week | West Virginia University Athletics
After shattering West Virginia’s 10,000-meter record, Joy Naukot of the West Virginia University track and field team has been named Student-Athlete of the Week
Rowing Opens Season with Split Squad Races | West Virginia University Athletics
The West Virginia University rowing team opened its 2025 spring season this past weekend as a split squad, with four boats competing in the Sarasota 2k in Sarasota, Florida, and two boats participating in a race against Robert Morris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Jets Looking at Linebacker Kyzir White With $2.3M One-Year Deal | FOX Sports Radio New Jersey
In an unexpected move, the New York Jets might land linebacker Kyzir White at a bargain price of $2.3 million for one year. This deal would be a steal, coming in well below his usual market value of $5.8 million per year
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West Virginia
What Kansas football coach Lance Leipold saw on targeting calls during win against WVU
The Topeka Capital-Journal’s Jordan Guskey talks Kansas football win
Check out what The Topeka Capital-Journal reporter Jordan Guskey had to say following Kansas football’s Big 12 Conference win against West Virginia.
LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s 41-10 victory against West Virginia this past weekend saw a pair of players ejected due to targeting calls, one on each side.
In the second quarter, WVU nickel/safety Fred Perry was disqualified because of a hit he made on KU quarterback Jalon Daniels. In the third quarter, Jayhawks safety Devin Dye was disqualified for a hit he made on a Mountaineers running back Cyncir Bowers. Holistically, Kansas football coach Lance Leipold acknowledged Saturday the calls were made in the interest of player safety.
But while Leipold thought Dye’s ejection was unfortunate, Perry’s led to a little longer of a conversation postgame. That’s because after the hit, some pushing and shoving ensued until players from both teams were separated. Kansas offensive lineman Kobe Baynes, who appeared to shove Perry right after the hit on Daniels, would eventually be called for a late hit.
Leipold, at one moment concerned the situation would get out of hand, was glad to see it get settled as quickly as it did. Although he understands a player’s desire to defend their teammate, he called for composure in all situations. He called it a tough situation for officials to handle.
Here are a few more takeaways from the Big 12 Conference matchup between the Jayhawks (3-1, 1-0 in Big 12) and Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1).
Why Trey Lathan was selected to be Kansas’ 4th captain for game
Kansas has three lead captains this season in Daniels, offensive lineman Bryce Foster and defensive end Justice Finkley, but each game there’s a fourth “rotational” captain who is honored as well. Against West Virginia, that individual was linebacker Trey Lathan. Lathan, who finished the game with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and an interception, transferred to KU during the offseason from WVU.
Leipold acknowledged Lathan’s past stop in his college career with the Mountaineers did play a factor in the decision. However, Lathan’s also someone he felt has been playing well and become more confident. Lathan is also someone he felt had become a more vocal leader within the defense and is well respected.
Kansas’ offensive line doesn’t allow any sacks
West Virginia’s defense collected six sacks against Pittsburgh just the week before this matchup. But by game’s end against the Jayhawks, the Mountaineers didn’t have a single sack. So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Leipold was pleased with the protection Kansas’ offensive line gave Daniels and for how Daniels at times escaped pressure.
On film, Leipold had seen an impressive defense that was athletic up front. It could use multiple looks and was aggressive. But KU proved capable of stymying that aspect of WVU’s defense.
West Virginia’s tempo offensively doesn’t prove to be much of a factor
Leipold thinks Kansas’ defense can get better at playing against tempo, based on what he saw against West Virginia. However, considering how well the Jayhawks played and what he heard as the game unfolded, he thought they did well. Physical play and quality tackling helped force numerous punts and stops as KU took control of the game.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
Injuries are piling up for the West Virginia Mountaineers early in the season, particularly in the running back room. To everyone’s surprise, Tye Edwards was unable to play this past weekend against Kansas, and despite being a game-time decision for that game, his status for this week’s matchup versus Utah remains in question.
“Hopeful might be too much,” Rodriguez responded when asked about Edwards’ status. “I’m more… he’s probably still doubtful right now with his hip pointer. He’s trying to. It’s not where he’s wanting to sit out. He’s a kid that really wants to play.”
Rodriguez also noted that Cyncir Bowers is in the concussion protocol and is also questionable for Saturday’s game.
So, what in the heck do the Mountaineers manufacture a rushing attack against a Utah defense that allows just over 110 yards on the ground per game? It’s a great question, especially given the Mountaineers’ offensive line struggles.
As far as available backs, WVU will have Clay Ash, Diore Hubbard, Tyler Jacklich, and Andre Devine. Those four have combined to rush for 127 yards on 38 carries, averaging 3.3 yards per tote. Ferris State transfer Kannon Katzer is still working his way back from injury, but his status as of this morning is unknown. If it is just those four aforementioned backs, WVU may have to get creative with Rodney Gallagher III and maybe go as far as starting Jaylen Henderson at quarterback to make Utah respect the threat of him pulling it and keeping it.
On today’s episode of Between The Eers, I discuss this huge problem the Mountaineers may have in the run game.
If you haven’t yet, please go over to our YouTube page, West Virginia On SI (@SI_WVU), and subscribe. You’ll get a notification the second a new episode of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru GameDay Show, or Mountaineer Postgame drops.
Recent Between The Eers episodes:
WVU’s Painfully Bad Offense Needs to Make Some Changes
Did One Game Flip the Narrative on WVU Entering Big 12 Play?
A Night West Virginia Needed
West Virginia Found Its Identity in Backyard Brawl Win
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Rodriguez Candid on Why WVU’s Offense is Struggling and What Must Change
Why Scotty Fox Didn’t Play vs. Kansas and What He Needs to Do to Take the Next Step
Rich Rodriguez Shares His Message to the Team Following Embarrassing Loss to Kansas
Offensive Line Shakeup Could Be Coming Soon for West Virginia Football
Everything Rich Rodriguez Said on His Radio Show Monday Night Following Kansas Loss
West Virginia sent Pitt home with an overtime loss and will have bragging rights in the Backyard Brawl for the next four years. Following the game, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi met with reporters, discussing several different topics such as quarterback play, the lack of a run game, officiating, WVU’s offense, and more.
The one thing that stood out most, though, was his take on the officiating.
“Whew. You guys watched the game, I don’t know. There was some stuff out there, but we’ll look at the videotape. Not happy with that at all. 14 penalties, a little lopsided there. Eli got punched, got his helmet ripped off, punched in the face; no call there. We had somebody get spit in the face, too, but things didn’t go our way.”
To be honest, I truly don’t understand how Narduzzi can be upset with the officiating. Many of those 14 penalties were clear and preventable penalties, whether it was a false start, a hold, defensive pass interference, or offside. There were only maybe two that were 50/50.
But let’s not forget how Pitt caught a break at the end of the first half. Nicco Marchiol ran the ball up the middle for a first down, slid, and was hit late. The flag was dropped, but the officials said that because there was no time left on the clock, the half was over. I’ll need a better description from a rules analyst to explain this one because I don’t understand how the half can just end on that. I assumed there would either be one untimed down or Pitt would have to be penalized on the kickoff to start the second half. Neither happened.
What about the MarShon Oxley sack in the third quarter that was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when all he did was stand up and walk away? That not only bailed Pitt out, but they would score a touchdown on that drive just a few plays later.
How about the first half when linebacker Ashton Woods was ejected for targeting on what appeared (by every angle shown) to be a clean shot?
There were also multiple times where Pitt defenders arrived way too early on a pass and should have been flagged for defensive pass interference. Instead, the flag remained tucked into the official’s waist pocket.
The penalties West Virginia had were way more costly and timely than those Pitt was guilty of.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Sunday Morning Thoughts: Grit, Guts, and Glory
Stock Up, Stock Down: Major Movement Following West Virginia’s Win Over Pitt
Quick Hits: Rich Rodriguez Discusses Final Scoring Drives, Tye Edwards Big Night and More
Three Rapid Takeaways from West Virginia’s Backyard Brawl Win
Mountaineer Mantrip: Backyard Brawl Edition
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