The Spartans’ star-studded backfield of Baker, sophomore Le’Veon Bell and junior Larry Caper was disappointing last weekend, and none of the players in the trio have truly been able to find a rhythm this season.
Although it has been the offense garnering the headlines and much of the accolades, the Spartans (8-1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) return home riding an eight-game winning streak in large part thanks to the strong play of their backline.
Colin Givens spent just three weeks on the roster of an Major League Soccer team, but the former Spartan — who was drafted in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft in January — said it was the best three weeks of his soccer career. The Colorado Rapids cut the defender in February, and a determined Givens, who was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection for MSU in 2010, went to Europe briefly to play for a team in Finland. Now, after a spring knee injury, he’s back at MSU pursuing his degree before hitting the field again to play the game he loves — hopefully sooner rather than later.
Despite being outshot 10 to 7, the Spartans (4-5) left Mount Pleasant with a victory, defeating Central Michigan 2-1.
After a successful weekend competing in the Spartan Invitational home meet, the MSU cross country team will travel to the Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday hosted by Minnesota.
The MSU women’s tennis team will start off the season by hosting the annual Spartan Invitational Sept. 23-25. The event will take place at the MSU tennis courts, located south of the Duffy Daugherty Football Building off Wilson Road.
In the last week, the Spartans (2-1) have suffered three injuries to the line, but so far, the only season-ending one is redshirt freshman right tackle Skyler Burkland’s — who dislocated and fractured his ankle during MSU’s 31-13 loss to Notre Dame.
The Spartans (3-5) will travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas this afternoon. After splitting two games on the East Coast last weekend, the team is looking to build some momentum before conference play begins Friday when the Spartans hit the road again to face Iowa.
Believe it or not, it wasn’t necessarily all bad Saturday for the MSU football team. I know it still is probably hard to digest right now, but the Spartans did some positive things in a 31-13 loss to Notre Dame.
Skyler Burkland underwent successful surgery on his ankle Sunday, but he is out for the season and is expected to return for winter conditioning.
The MSU men’s tennis team began its season on a high note this weekend after winning five out of the six flights, with champions in both doubles flights, at the Frank Beeman Invitational.
Following a week where she netted five goals — including two game-winners — the senior forward Heyboer was named Big Ten Offensive co-Player of the Week, the Big Ten announced Monday. The All-American Heyboer shares the honor with Nebraska forward and two-time Big 12 honoree Morgan Marlborough.
In the MSU football team’s first two games of the season, the Spartans (2-1) played lesser opponents, and the team’s weaker spots weren’t the most obvious.
Two days later and the performance by the now-unranked Spartans’ offense in Notre Dame Stadium is still hard to swallow.
The MSU volleyball team (11-1) continued its dominance over non-conference opponents this weekend, toppling Ball State, Virginia Commonwealth and Sacred Heart in the Spartan Invitational.
On short rest following Friday night’s tie against Marquette, MSU (1-5-1) came back and couldn’t capitalize on any chances against Notre Dame (4-1-2).
In a field that included Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State at the Mary Fossum Invitational at Forest Akers West Golf Course, the Spartans won their first tournament of the season in convincing fashion with a 15-stroke victory.
As the Spartans (8-1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) opened up Big Ten play Sunday, the senior forward Heyboer notched two goals on three shots to give her team the 2-1 victory against Purdue. With two more goals, the All-American Heyboer now has 13 on the season, and it moves her closer to the MSU single season goals mark, which Heyboer also set back in 2008 (21).
The MSU field hockey team (3-5) split two games on the East Coast this weekend, losing to Maine 4-1 on Saturday but recovering on time to best Providence 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
More than 4,800 athletes and 300 teams attended the Spartan Invitational on Friday at Forest Akers East Golf Course, and the event proved to be a successful home showing for the MSU cross country team.