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Sports

SPORTS

Televised Minnesota game to use replay

Laura Collins
September 2, 2004

Illinois State approved the use of the instant replay system in its Sept. 11 game at Minnesota, the school announced Tuesday. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN Regional Television and because of recent approval from the nonconference team, the replay tool will be part of the game. "I'm kind of excited about being involved in a game experimenting with the instant replay rule," Illinois State coach Denver Johnson said in a written statement. "It could add a new element to the game, and I'll be looking to the officiating crew before the game to help me with the process.

SPORTS

6 'U' gymnasts earns top academic honors

Matt Bishop
September 2, 2004

Sporting a cumulative grade-point average of 3.31, the MSU women's gymnastics team ranks among the top 30 schools in the nation, finishing second to Eastern Michigan in the state. MSU ranked third in the Big Ten, trailing only to Iowa and Minnesota, with team GPA's of 3.32. Six Spartans were named to the 2004 NACGC/W All-America Team, which honors gymnasts with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

SPORTS

Spartans begin season led by McMahen, Minagawa-Webster

Matt Bishop
September 1, 2004

After losing four All-Big Ten players including star goaltender Mike Robinson to graduation after last season, it would be logical to assume the MSU men's soccer team would be in a rebuilding phase. Not so fast, according to head coach Joe Baum. "It was a tremendous loss," Baum said.

SPORTS

Captain's attitude leads team

When his good friend Tyrell Dortch moved from running back to defense in the off-season, senior safety Jason Harmon knew he had to help - whether Dortch liked it or not. "After workouts, he'd have me in the indoor field backpedalling, doing hip drills and stuff like that," said Dortch, who will start at the bandit position Saturday against Rutgers.

SPORTS

Kirkaldy defensive player of the week

Matt Bishop
September 1, 2004

MSU junior goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week in field hockey after leading her team to a pair of victories over the weekend. In the first game of the Champions' Challenge tournament against Delaware, Kirkaldy posted three saves in a 1-0 win to pick up her first shutout of the season.

SPORTS

Competition for starting positions heat up for 'U'

There isn't much competition before the first game of the year, but after losing key players from last season, many positions - particularly that of the setter - have been in high demand, MSU volleyball head coach Chuck Erbe said. "The bottom line is putting the right people on the floor to bring about victories," Erbe said. Erbe announced this week that freshman setter Maggie Griffin will start instead of junior setter Mickey Davis.

SPORTS

Sports brief

Laura Collins
August 31, 2004

With the schedule set for the men's basketball team, the Spartans will face one of the more rigorous schedules in the nation. "Once again, I think we have compiled one of the toughest and best schedules in the nation," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said in a written statement.

SPORTS

Smith: Stanton not starting

Megan Homanick
August 31, 2004

There is no starting quarterback for the MSU football team, but head coach John L. Smith has narrowed his selection to two candidates. At a Monday press conference, Smith said sophomore Drew Stanton wouldn't be the starter on Saturday at Rutgers, thus leaving senior Damon Dowdell or redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves battling for the spot this week. "Here's how we decide - whoever does better on punt team doesn't start (at quarterback)," Smith said jokingly. Both Dowdell and Reaves have spent the same number of years in Smith's system - two - so there is no advantage in that area. Smith said in this situation, it is probably the case the senior would get the start.

ICE HOCKEY

Slater named captain for 2004

Matt Bishop
August 30, 2004

Jim Slater will serve as captain of the MSU hockey team for the second-straight year, becoming the first player to do so since Tyler Harlton repeated for the 1998 season. "It's a great honor and one of biggest honors a player can get," the senior forward said in a written statement.

SPORTS

Spartans win Champions Challenge tournament

Jon Gunnells
August 30, 2004

The MSU field hockey team beat Duke 4-1 on Sunday to win the inaugural Champions Challenge tournament at the MSU field hockey complex. After beginning their season Saturday with a 1-0 win over Delaware, the Spartans improve their record to 2-0.

SPORTS

'U' defeats Broncos, 2-0

Laura Collins
August 30, 2004

In only their second game of the season, the MSU women's soccer team showed determination and improvement on the field Sunday in a 2-0 victory against in-state rival Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. "It was a difficult game," MSU coach Tom Saxton said.

SPORTS

Dream over for NBA players in Olympic Games

The dream was over before it even began. These Olympic Games proved why professional athletes, namely star-studded NBA players, need to keep their obligations where it really belongs - with their owners and with their contracts. I'm sure they all have pride for their country, and they probably did really want to win a gold medal.

SPORTS

Spartan Speculation

Megan Homanick
August 30, 2004

MSU head coach John L. Smith has wanted to make a decision about who would be the starting quarterback for a while now. The problem is, he can't. "If the knucklehead hadn't gotten hurt, this decision probably would have been made in spring," Smith said, in reference to sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton's injury in last year's Alamo Bowl. Stanton's injury has opened the door for senior Damon Dowdell or redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves to possibly be the starter in the Spartans' season opener at Rutgers on Saturday. The three quarterbacks have been battling all August for the starting job.

SPORTS

Bet 2: No guessing on wins or losses

You don't know anything about MSU football. And neither do I. Last year in this column, I compared the MSU football team to the characters from the movie "Seabiscuit," proclaiming not to count the Spartans out like so many did before a game had been played. But it was easy to know the Green and white would enjoy a turnaround season, after disaster struck East Lansing two seasons ago and ran a certain coach - who will not be named - out of town. Still, I was shocked to be right.