The game times for West Virginia University’s first two contests have been announced by the Big 12 Conference.

The season opener on September 1 against Marshall in the “Friends of Coal” Bowl at Mountaineer Field will kickoff at noon, EST.

The James Madison game on September 15 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., will kickoff at 4:30 p.m.

The television networks that will broadcast the games will be announced at a later time. The game times for each of the remaining contests will be announced 12 days prior to the event.

… The two Hatfield-McCoy Senior Bowl squads will start practice Monday. West Virginia head coach Joey Fields said his team will hit the turf at “Buck” Harless Stadium on the campus of Mingo Central at 6:30 p.m.

Kentucky head coach Jeff Norman was going to practice his squad at Hillard Howard Field in Pikeville.

… A John Fry Memorial Account was set up at The Bank of Mingo. The account #1910612. Also donation can be sent by Mail to Mingo Central Football Boosters C/O John Fry Memorial @ P.O. Box 117 Matewan W.V. 25678 any money left in the fund will be put into a scholarship fund.

Fry was as assistant coach at Mingo Central and suddenly passed away a few weeks ago. He was one of the most popular young coaches in the area.

… Former West Virginia linebacker Darryl Talley will be enshrined this weekend in the College Football Hall of Fame. A ceremony for Talley and 22 other players will be held Saturday night in South Bend, Ind.

Talley was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers from 1979-82. He set a career school record for tackles that stood for 20 years. Talley was named an Associated Press All-American in 1982. He later played in four Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills. He was one of the Mountaineer’s toughest linebackers during his career.

… The University of Pikeville football team was picked to finish fifth in the East Division in the Mid -South Conference pre-season poll. Several local players are on the squad.

… And finally, I have been asked to be a voter for the Charleston Daily Mail high school football poll this year. I have also joined the West Virginia Sportswriters Association and hope to represent this area. This membership will help get our schools and local players more state-wide exposure.

(Kyle Lovern is the sports editor for the Williamson Daily News. Comments or story ideas can be sent to klovern@williamsondailynews.com)