http://statenews.com Stories from The State News en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:41:44 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/03/white_happy_with_pro_day_performance After an NFL Combine performance that he felt was “average,” former MSU wide receiver Blair White took advantage of perhaps his final chance to showcase his skills Wednesday in front of a handful of NFL scouts at the MSU football team’s Pro Day at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:41:44 -0400 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/03/white_happy_with_pro_day_performance http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/03/swenson_talks_about_nfl_draft_prep_football_future Former MSU kicker Brett Swenson talked to The State News at Wednesday’s Pro Day about what he’s hearing regarding his football future. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:40:40 -0400 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/03/swenson_talks_about_nfl_draft_prep_football_future http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/02/dantonio_introduces_new_highly_ranked_class For MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio, becoming a consistent team in the Big Ten means adding top-tier talent throughout the course of several seasons. Dantonio introduced his second straight top-30 recruiting class Wednesday at National Signing Day and was excited about the potential of the 21 incoming players. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:45:01 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/02/dantonio_introduces_new_highly_ranked_class http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/02/spartans_ink_21_for_2010_recruiting_class Le’Veon Bell 2 stars out of 5 Running back 6-foot-2, 221 pounds Reynoldsburg, Ohio (Groveport Madison) Rushed for 1,333 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior; spring enrollee Joe Boisture 4 stars Quarterback 6-foot-5, 195 pounds Goodrich, Mich. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:38:11 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/02/spartans_ink_21_for_2010_recruiting_class http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/former_football_captain_japinga_dies_after_bout_with_lung_cancer Despite his short stature, former MSU defensive back Don Japinga and football co-captain Steve Juday said he could shut down any receiver. Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:37:35 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/former_football_captain_japinga_dies_after_bout_with_lung_cancer http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/2sport_athlete_sims_transitioning_from_gridiron_to_hardwood He hadn’t touched a basketball since August, but that didn’t stop Dion Sims from believing he could step on a court and compete with one of the top teams in the nation. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:21:27 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/2sport_athlete_sims_transitioning_from_gridiron_to_hardwood http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/dantonio_closes_book_on_2009_optimistic_for_2010 Looking back at the 2009 football season Wednesday, Mark Dantonio said he wasn’t pleased with the team’s record, but the MSU head football coach was proud of how his team handled adversity. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:21:35 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/dantonio_closes_book_on_2009_optimistic_for_2010 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/8_msu_football_players_reinstated_4_leave MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio announced Wednesday that the 12 suspended players involved in the Nov. 22 assault at Rather Hall have been reinstated, while four of them have decided to leave the program. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:49:21 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/8_msu_football_players_reinstated_4_leave http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/jones_returning_to_spartans Greg Jones will return for his senior season on the MSU football team, the junior linebacker announced Wednesday at MSU head coach Mark Dantonio’s year-end press conference. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:37:37 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/jones_returning_to_spartans http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/enos_tabbed_as_next_cmu_head_coach MSU running backs coach Dan Enos has been named the next head coach at Central Michigan, according to a Central Michigan press release. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:14:04 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/enos_tabbed_as_next_cmu_head_coach http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/msus_defensive_struggles_led_to_teams_demise Any way you cut it, the 2009 MSU football season was a disappointment. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:12:39 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/msus_defensive_struggles_led_to_teams_demise http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/jones_mulling_early_jump_to_nfl San Antonio — Greg Jones has a big decision to make. The NFL could be calling for MSU’s consensus All-America junior linebacker and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year — and he’s going to listen. Jones told the media following Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl that he will sit down with his family and consider declaring for April’s NFL Draft. “We’re going to look at a lot of pros and cons,” Jones said. Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:44:30 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/jones_mulling_early_jump_to_nfl http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/backup_qb_nichol_shows_versatility_in_loss San Antonio — The biggest story in terms of something that would happen on the field heading into the Valero Alamo Bowl turned out to be sophomore quarterback Keith Nichol moving to receiver for the game. Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:30:37 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/backup_qb_nichol_shows_versatility_in_loss http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/texas_tech_heartache San Antonio — A costly interception, combined with two critical fourth-down conversions late by the Red Raiders, were too much for MSU to overcome, as Texas Tech came back to hand the Spartans a 41-31 loss Saturday night at the Alamodome. Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:16:43 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/texas_tech_heartache http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/spartan_tailgaters_preparing_for_the_alamo San Antonio — Despite being outnumbered by the home Texas Tech fans, upbeat Spartan fans stick out at the Alamo Bowl hours before kickoff. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:32:37 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/spartan_tailgaters_preparing_for_the_alamo http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/nichol_to_play_wide_receiver_punt_returner_in_bowl San Antonio — Usually tight to the vest with everything, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio surprised many people Friday by announcing that backup quarterback Keith Nichol will line up as a wide receiver and return punts in Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl against Texas Tech. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:55:28 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/nichol_to_play_wide_receiver_punt_returner_in_bowl http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/coaches_put_distractions_aside_before_bowl_game San Antonio — Adversity, and specifically overcoming it, has been the buzz word all week leading up to Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:49:32 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/coaches_put_distractions_aside_before_bowl_game http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/talented_players_dot_squad Even though the football team was up and down this decade, there were plenty of talented players to wear the Green and White. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:19:50 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/talented_players_dot_squad http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/notre_dame_game_of_2006_unforgettable I couldn’t speak. My eyes were sprung open wide as a garage door, my legs seemingly bolted to the ground beneath me and my breathing heavy and panicked. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:06:04 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/notre_dame_game_of_2006_unforgettable http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/football_players_highlight_long_list_of_choices The most difficult thing about picking MSU’s male player of the decade is that there are many different ways to approach the question. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:00:39 -0500 http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/football_players_highlight_long_list_of_choices