3 Guys Before The Game

The game was over. He walked into an empty broadcast booth at Mountaineer Field and screamed. (He really screamed) That's how Clarksburg native and retired ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Patrick dealt with No. 2 West Virginia's 13-9 upset loss to the Pitt Panthers in 2007. Patrick had just broadcast the game, and like all Mountaineer fans, was in stunned disbelief. That memory is just one of man...

At somewhere between 285 and 300 pounds, Wes Ours steamrolled down the sideline to score the first touchdown in Don Nehlen's last-ever football game. It remains one of the most iconic plays in West Virginia football history. The "Wes Express" keyed WVU to a Music City Bowl victory over Ole Miss. More than two decades later, Wes Ours is still involved in the game he loves. In this episode, Ours joi...

Magic Johnson fired the ball to Dale Blaney. The rookie guard for the Los Angeles Lakers zipped the ball to Kareem Abdul Jabbar who quickly spun and lofted his patented skyhook. Magic to Blaney to Jabbar. (Swish) It sounds and looked good, but it just didn't feel right. The future WVU hall of fame selection walked away from the Lakers? His true love was auto racing. On this episode, the under-recr...

The Mountaineer assistant coach did what? (Did he really do that?) You'll never guess how and where WVU great Lowes Moore signed his national letter of intent. If you like stories, this is your podcast. More than 40 years after his final game in Morgantown, Lowes Moore still hears the Coliseum crowd. That's the reason he chose West Virginia. How did Bob Huggins treat the freshman Lowes Moore? How...

Jedd Gyorko used to walk around major league baseball stadiums before a series began. He wanted to fully embrace the reality that he had made it to the game's highest level. He respected the game and never took his position for granted. In this episode, the "Guys" pepper Jedd with a series of questions about the game within the game in the big leagues. From pregame rituals to high-altitude poker g...

Reed Williams stepped on to Mountaineer Field as a freshman. It was his first game. He pointed high into the stands. His Moorefield high school football buddies pointed back. A dream, their dream was about to become reality. In this episode, Reed shares that memorable moment and looks back at an award-winning career on the field and in the classroom. It's the story of a Mountaineer by birth and by...

Meg Bulger can't find her knee brace. (That's ok) That gives her an excuse not to play basketball anymore, but she's still heavily involved in the game she loves. The West Virginia University Hall of Fame member is now coaching middle school players and having the time of her life. And, to no surprise, her young daughter is showing signs that she's on track to become yet another Bulger athletic su...

Wellington Smith had a secret. He kept it from Bob Huggins. It eventually led Smith to tears. Smith shares his secret, and reveals much more during his visit with the "Guys". The co-captain of West Virginia's 20210 Final Four team also explains the special pact his teammates created upon the departure of John Beilein. Smith also gives some early recruiting insight into a potential star of the futu...

You've never heard a Three Guys episode sound like this before. The "Guys" spend time visiting with former WVU two-sport athlete Jarrett Brown. The crew didn't know Jarrett would be working while doing the interview. (They quickly found out) Listen as Jarrett cuts a customer's hair and talks about his days at WVU. It's unique, to say the least. Listener texts and comments complete the show. On Mon...

Have you ever heard the story about the first time WVU's Casey Legg kicked a field goal? Let's just say it was memorable. (You're supposed to kick the ball, not the holder) Ouch! Casey spends time with the "Guys" and details his improbable climb to become a Mountaineer kicker. Listener texts, that include a chance Mountaineer encounter at an airport bar, complete the show. Join the crew on Thursda...

Three Guys Before The Game goes for the gold in episode 369. Brad, Hoppy and Tony visit with WVU great and Olympic gold medalist Ginny Thrasher. She offers invaluable insight into the mental side of athletic competition and updates her career as a professional shooter. The "Guys" breakdown the arrival of highly-touted quarterback JT Daniels. What does it mean to the WVU program? And, what's the re...

Success at the highest level has been a constant in Greg Jones' career. The WVU wrestling icon is perhaps the most dominant athlete in any sport in school history. As a three-time national champion, Jones left a mark that may never be broken. Today, Jones is again sitting on top. He's considered one of the world's premier trainers in Mixed Martial Arts. As part of the Sanford MMA training facility...

He's the most underappreciated quarterback in West Virginia football history. Without a single scholarship offer coming out of high school, Skyler Howard's career is equal parts storybook and grit. Howard finished his career third all-time in touchdown passes and fourth in passing yardage. As a senior, he led WVU to a 10-3 record which included a five touchdown performance in a bowl victory over A...

It's an international episode of Three Guys Before The Game. Former Mountaineer standout Nathan Adrian joins the "Guys" from Italy. Adrian provides an update on his debut season in the Italian Serie A and shares thoughts on the current situation in Ukraine where he played last season. Brad, Hoppy and Tony also talk WVU football, transfer portal and answer listener questions and comments. Join them...

The WVU football program has been blindsided. The Mountaineers best defensive player, Akheem Mesidor, has entered the transfer portal. The decision came as a major surprise to WVU coach Neal Brown and his staff. Brown held an impromptu news conference following Thursday's practice to share his thoughts. The Mountaineer coach said although he's hurt and saddened by Mesidor's decision, he's confiden...

It's a football/basketball episode of Three Guys Before The Game. The "Guys" celebrate the national championship for the Glenville State women's team, and deal with Hoppy's unexpected incident at WVU football practice. Lesson number one: never turn your back to the football field. Listener questions complete the show. Three Guys returns on Thursday with a spring practice and recruiting updates on...

With all due respect to Allen Iverson, the "Guys" are talking about practice on this episode of Three Guys Before The Game. The Mountaineer football team held its first public workout of the spring season on Thursday. Brad Howe and Tony Caridi attended and shared their very early thoughts on the 2022 Mountaineers. Listener texts and comments complete the show along with the story of a very large f...

The most anticipated spring practice season in Neal Brown's tenure as WVU football coach begins this week. All eyes will focus on the quarterback competition. None of the three contenders have started a game at the collegiate level. How they perform will go a long way in determining the future of the upcoming season. In this episode, the "Guys" talk about the quarterback battle and basketball tour...

So much for a quiet off-season. In a span of less than 24 hours, the WVU athletic department had women's basketball coach Mike Carey retire and three starters from the football and basketball programs enter the transfer portal. In this episode, the "Guys" reflect on Carey's successful tenure and discuss the latest portal additions. Drexel head basketball coach Zach Spiker, a Morgantown native, joi...

The season has ended for the WVU basketball team. Now what? In this episode, the "Guys" review a season that began with optimism and ended in disappointment. While the games are over, the off-season recruiting will be in the spotlight as Bob Huggins and staff attempt to retool a roster that will lose at least six players. Listener texts and a breakdown of Bruce Weber's final Kansas State press con...

It's on to Kansas City for the West Virginia University basketball team. The Mountaineers (15-16) ended a disappointing regular season on a positive note Saturday with a victory over TCU. Big 12 tournament play begins Wednesday night as WVU and Kansas State meet. The winner will advance to play top-seeded Kansas in the quarterfinals on Thursday. In this episode, the "Guys' review the victory over...

Just one regular season game remains for the WVU basketball team. The Mountaineers host TCU on Saturday with the hope of ending a disappointing regular season with a victory. West Virginia (14-16) suffered its seventh consecutive loss Tuesday night at Oklahoma. The ice-cold WVU offense missed 17 consecutive shots in the first half as the Mountaineers dropped a 72-59 decision. Head coach Bob Huggin...

Just two regular season games remain for the Mountaineer basketball team.  WVU meets Oklahoma Tuesday night before closing regular season play Saturday at home against TCU. West Virginia (14-15) will to avenge an early loss to Oklahoma (15-14).  The Sooners rolled over WVU 72-62 last month in Morgantown. In this episode, the "Guys" recap Saturday's loss to Texas and preview the matchup with the So...

Ouch! That's just one of the many words to describe the result of Wednesday's basketball game between West Virginia and Iowa State. A late turnover by the Mountaineers proved fatal as WVU lost for the 12th time in the last 13 games. Just three regular season games remain for the Mountaineers (14-14) who are mired in last place in the Big 12. In this episode, the "Guys" review WVU's last three game...

A massive opportunity awaits the WVU basketball team. The Mountaineers host No. 6 Kansas on Saturday night in a sold-out game at the WVU Coliseum. West Virginia, currently last in the Big 12, hopes to rediscover the formula other teams have used in past visits by the Jayhawks. The Mountaineers are 6-3 all-time against Kansas in Morgantown. Five of the WVU victories came when Kansas was ranked in t...