At the Backyard Brawl, this year, WVU will be retiring the first number of a player in school’s history. The #75 of Sam Huff, a player from the 50s who played guard and tackle. He is already in the college and pro football hall of fames.

Amazingly, the school never retired basketball great Jerry West’s number. They will retire his #44, 2 days later when they play LSU.

The Hoopies have also halted sale of tickets for the Backyard Brawl. Looks like the sellout is official.

Freshman RB LaRod Stephens-Howling has become the darling of Johnstown, PA this season. Often Pitt stories they run are courtesy of Dale Grdnic who’s pieces also run in the Harrisburg paper. The difference in comparison, though, is in the copy for the Johnstown paper, which will often include extra emphasis on Stephens-Howling.

Stephens-Howling gets slurped again, in this piece about area kids in college programs.

There is already a noticeable buzz in the air every time the 5-foot-7, 165-pound speedster from Johnstown gets the ball. Pitt fans have learned quickly that Stephens-Howling has the explosiveness to make a big play any time he touches the ball.
…
But statistics tell only part of the story for Stephens-Howling. The most impressive play that the freshman made on Saturday had more to do with quick thinking than quick running.

Stephens-Howling burst through the line on his way to a 35-yard gain during the second quarter. Realizing that he would be caught by a Syracuse defender with an angle on him, Stephens-Howling covered the ball with both hands.

It was a heady play for a freshman. The move may have cost him a step — and ultimately a yard or 2 — but it ensured that he held onto the ball. And while the woman in the second level might not have noticed it, you can bet coach Dave Wannstedt did.

Hometown love.