After finishing its first undefeated non-conference schedule since 2009, the MSU women’s soccer team will get its first taste of Big Ten play Thursday at Nebraska.
There have been few defenses in college football as highly touted as the one residing in East Lansing. Pat Narduzzi still isn’t convinced.
The volleyball team continues to rely on their nationally seventh-ranked freshman class, and the class continues to deliver. Though early injuries have forced head coach Cathy George to give freshman middle blocker Allyssah Fitterer and freshman middle blocker Autumn Christenson, who has played outside hitter thus far, larger roles than what was initially expected, the talented recruits have handled the grind of the season with grace.
MSU alumnus Scott Westerman’s plea to raise $3,000 for ovarian cancer research in response to a University of Michigan fan’s game day prank has been more successful than he ever imagined. Westerman, the executive director of the MSU Alumni Association, called on Spartan fans to raise the money after “Go Blue” was splashed across East Lansing skies during the last football game against Youngstown State.
Then there was one. Kelsey Mullen entered MSU four years ago along with three others as members of the women’s soccer class of 2014. The class was loaded with top players in the state and country, including Annie Steinlage and Courtney Clem, as well as Chelsey Miller, who decided to focus on academics and quit the team after two years.
Ever since a thrilling fake field goal named after a kids movie sealed an overtime victory for the Spartans in 2010, the MSU-Notre Dame rivalry has been defined on the offensive and defensive lines.
The next game is the biggest game of the year. That’s the new motto for the MSU men’s soccer team (3-1-0) heading into a showdown with Bowling Green (1-2-2) at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at DeMartin Stadium.
Blake Skamiera has seen the field in all three of the MSU men’s soccer team wins this season — he just hasn’t started there. The junior forward is part of a group of players that have an important role coming off the bench and giving the players in the starting 11 a much needed break.
The recognition train for MSU athletes continues to roll. Following Big Ten honors handed to volleyball outside hitter Lauren Wicinski and soccer goalkeeper Zach Bennett, redshirt junior Leah O’Connor and redshirt sophomore Caleb Rhynard, both of the cross country team, have been distinguished as Big Ten Cross Country Athletes of the Week.
Game of the Century. Little Giants. The flag plant. Dating back to their first game in 1897, the MSU-Notre Dame rivalry is one of college football’s oldest rivalries and holds significant cultural importance to both programs while generating some of the sport’s most lively atmospheres.
A No. 14 ranking certainly isn’t anything to be ashamed of. But for volleyball head coach Cathy George, MSU’s No. 14 ranking only highlights the amount of work that needs to be done before Big Ten play begins Sept. 27. Despite the strong start, MSU (8-1 overall) is only ranked fifth in a stacked Big Ten conference as of Sept. 14.
MSU football fans who attended last weekend’s home game may have noticed, and were perhaps infuriated by, the “GO BLUE” message written across the sky. But hundreds of Spartans are responding to the skywriting in a surprising way — donating thousands of dollars to ovarian cancer research. The idea came from MSU Alumni Association Executive Director Scott Westerman, who he had a sense of what skywriting costs based on his experience as a private pilot.
As much as I want to buy MSU’s 500-plus yard performance against Youngstown State, I can’t get past the fact that it was Youngstown State.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Ezra Robinson, who pleaded guilty to underage drinking and driving last month, now faces court-ordered classes and fines.
Last year, the MSU women’s soccer team was 7-1-1 headed into Big Ten play. The Spartans, however, stumbled during Big Ten play, going 2-8-1 — tied for last place in the conference.
With a tournament-winning performance, Big Ten honors and a major milestone approaching, it’s safe to say that senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski is enjoying her week. Fresh off of an MVP performance at the Butler Invitational, Wicinski has been named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time in her career.
Where’s the love? On the heels of an impressive 2-0 win against a tough Marquette team Sunday evening in Wisconsin, it’s time for the MSU men’s soccer team to once again break into the rankings.
After pleading guilty to an underage drinking and driving charge earlier this summer, redshirt freshman cornerback Ezra Robinson now faces fines and court-ordered classes. The Sarasota, Fla., native was sentenced to attend a victim impact panel and an alcohol highway safety class before 54-B District Court Judge Richard Ball early Monday morning. He also is required to pay $758 in fees by Nov. 15 or he will risk jail time.
It took MSU three hours and 18 minutes to pummel lowly Youngstown State 55-17 on Saturday, but as the final whistle blew, it signaled the conclusion of a quarterback controversy more than nine months in the making.
Early last week, Connor Cook was handed the keys to the MSU football team.