Larry Brown Sports

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It seems like the best way for a college football program to stay in the news these days is to continue to unveil new equipment. Whether it be new helmets or alternate jerseys, teams are constantly trying to find ways to separate themselves from the rest of the pack by making a fashion statement. On Wednesday, West Virginia officially unveiled their latest alternate uniforms for the 2012 season, and they are very, very gray.

When asked about the uniforms before they were officially shared with the public last week, WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen acknowledged that teams have to stay up on the latest equipment fashion trends if they want to remain relevant throughout the recruit process.

“It’s a recruiting thing,” he said according the Charleston Daily Mail. “If you look across the country, we’re behind on this. Everyone is going (Nike) Pro Combat. Everyone has three or four new uniforms. We’re far from that. It’s recruiting. Why is everyone doing it? Because the kids want it. It’s television and marketing and the kids get excited about what they can see.”

They may not have as much luck using these threads as a recruiting tool as Arkansas should with their new uniforms, but I guess there’s something to be said for being different. Unless, of course, you’re different like Maryland. I can’t imagine many people want to be that different.

H/T Eye on College Football
Photos via West Virginia’s official athletic site

We know the economy is in rough shape, but can times really be this tough? Just over a month after we saw a college basketball player get himself into trouble for stealing a taco from a street vendor, and we now have college football players getting arrested for stealing snacks. According to the Metro News, West Virginia junior Darwin Cook and senior Terrence Garvin were arrested Tuesday in Morgantown for stealing three bottles of Gatorade, a couple bags of chips, and a couple bags of pretzels from a Sheetz convenience store.

Cook, 20, and Garvin, 21, are facing misdemeanor charges after a surveillance camera showed them taking the items without paying and helping themselves to a plastic bag behind the counter to put them in.

“I have been made aware of the situation and am gathering facts at this time,” WVU coach Dana Holgorson told the Dominion Post according to the Metro News. “When all the facts are in, I will take the appropriate action.”

As The Big Lead pointed out, Holgorson has had to do a lot of fact gathering this offseason. Backup quarterback Geno Smith was also arrested last month after he was driving around drunk at night without his headlights on. The season can’t come soon enough for the Mountaineers.

Photo credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

This year West Virginia became the 36th D-I school to serve beer at its football games. Through two games they’ve sold over $281,000 worth of beer. But West Virginia wants you to know they’re not just about getting bombed and watching football. Oh no, they want to remind you that they’re focused on promoting responsible drinking.

West Virginia has had a policy in effect since the start of the season that rewards people who sign up as designated drivers with a coupon for a free soda. Don’t you just love the way that works? Darren Rovell mentioned the nugget Wednesday and it fits in with the Mountaneers’ new image-conscious attitude.

You have to love their approach: We want you to line our pockets while getting hammered at our game, just do it with somebody else driving.

But West Virginia hasn’t stopped there when it comes to cleaning up their image.

During a recent game, a fan was shown on TV wearing a “West F***in Virginia” shirt. The University deemed that embarrassing, so now they’re asking fans not to wear the shirts to an upcoming game against LSU. Additionally, they’re offering $20 vouchers to people who turn in the shirts. Don’t worry West Virginia, what’s written on the front of your shirt does not reveal the true content of your character. The lack of interest from expanding conferences does.