Sunday, December 21, 2025

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Sports

FOOTBALL

Dantonio sticks up for Spartans despite polls

Mark Dantonio is a little disappointed in how forgetful fans and pollsters seem to be this season when it comes to his No. 11 MSU football team. Back in the first week of Big Ten play, the Spartans defeated No. 5 Wisconsin, 34-24, in dominant fashion. But the Badgers are six spots ahead of MSU in the latest Associated Press poll.

SPORTS

Leads hard to hold onto in NFL's week 11

In any sport, the game’s not over until you hear the final whistle. No lead serves as an excuse for a team to get lazy and complacent. Apparently, some NFL teams forgot that this weekend as several teams blew, or nearly blew, huge leads.

FOOTBALL

A fitting Spartan send-off

A year ago, it would’ve been a dropped pass, missed tackle and great passing play by the opponent that would have summed up the end of a disappointing game. But on Senior Day against Purdue, this year’s class of seniors helped change the storyline and, in doing so, added stability to the football program.

FOOTBALL

Leaving a legacy

Senior linebacker Greg Jones will take the field at Spartan Stadium on Saturday for the final time in his collegiate career. He might not have come to MSU very highly recruited, but he leaves as one of the best linebackers — and players — in school history.

FOOTBALL

Bates' career highlighted by clutch punts, throws

Senior punter Aaron Bates will graduate as one of the most prolific punters in school history when he takes the field at Spartan Stadium for the final time Saturday, but that doesn’t even begin to define the variety of characteristics he’s brought to the team.