MSU's defense left the door to its backfield wide open for the first three games of the season. Then the secondary found the key to closing that door halfway through the Notre Dame (1-3) game - communication. Ever since their discovery in South Bend, Ind., the drastic improvement by the defensive backs has paid off huge for the No.
The No. 14 MSU volleyball team left the court Friday night all smiles after a four-game victory over No.
'U' shuts out Buckeyes Fewer shot attempts and fewer corner kicks led the MSU women's soccer team to a 1-0 loss to Ohio State Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. MSU only attempted 11 shots to OSU's 19, relying on senior goalkeeper Stacy Heller to stop the Buckeyes from scoring, which she did five times. The Spartans also allowed three corner kicks, one of which returned the Buckeyes' only goal. Lutz resigns as coach MSU men's and women's swimming and diving head coach Jim Lutz stepped down Friday because of health concerns and family priorities. Sixth-year associate coach Matt Gianiodis will serve as interim head coach for the 2003-04 season. Lutz was diagnosed with chronic mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection and chronic fatigue syndrome in March.
It took two of three periods for the MSU hockey team to defeat the University of Windsor 6-0 in Sunday's afternoon skate."I'm happy that we got a chance to play in a competitive situation," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
I'm no good at math, plain and simple, so I have a formula for you to figure out. What does "fans stay entire game" plus "football team plays strong" equal? Two conference wins - just as many as MSU had all of last season. But that's where the flattery ends. Good for you - you are an improved fan who decided to stay long enough to see Jeff Smoker throw Frisbees to Zeke the Wonder Dog. I admit, I was impressed to see the student section withstand a late rain during the Iowa game and poor play from Indiana all game this past Saturday, but there's still insurmountable room for improvement. First, let's try and get to the game on time.
Although MSU was not challenged by a weak Indiana team, it did accomplish one of its goals for this week. With Agim Shabaj nursing a shoulder injury and Ziehl Kavanaght out with an injured kneecap, the Spartans gave many of their secondary options, including Matt Trannon, Jason Randall, Aaron Alexander and Kyle Brown, a chance to make big plays in the Spartans' 31-3 win over Indiana (1-5 overall, 0-2 Big Ten). The major surprise was the involvement of Trannon, a sophomore, in the team's offense.
Possible good news for the MSU men's basketball team has reached campus. Grand Ledge senior forward Al Horford recalled his verbal commitment to Michigan, opening up his recruiting process once again. Two weeks ago the frontcourt future of the basketball team looked to be in question, as three post prospects erased MSU from their list of top school choices.
The No. 9 MSU field hockey team looks to rebound from a sloppy performance last week and play strongly this weekend against Stanford and against Northwestern in their Big Ten home opener.
Four MSU football players were charged with alcohol-related violations earlier this year.On June 26, Tyrell Dortch was charged with driving with an open intoxicant and Jeremiah McLaurin was charged with having an open intoxicant in a vehicle in East Lansing.Both charges were reduced to misdemeanor alcohol/stadium violations in 54-B District Court in East Lansing.
The MSU hockey team kept with their scoring pace of an average 3.95 goals per game at the annual Green and White game at Munn Ice Arena on Thursday night. Last season's average was virtually matched by the Green Team as it defeated the White Team, 3-2 - until the shootout. The exhibition wasn't your average hockey game.
The No. 14 MSU volleyball team plays No. 20 Wisconsin tonight, but in reality, the Spartans will be playing against themselves. In the last four games, MSU (9-4 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) has not won or lost, but rather been given the win or had it taken away by opponents.
The MSU men's tennis squad begins its 2003-04 season this weekend at two separate tournaments. Junior Andrew Formanczyk and senior Chris Mitchell will head to Chattanooga, Tenn.
The MSU hockey team faces a familiar foe at 7:05 tonight at Munn Ice Arena - itself. The annual Green and White exhibition will pin Spartans players against one another, serving as warm-up for Sunday's 2:05 p.m.
He quietly runs his routes, perfect in form without a flashy strut or any trash talk. Fifth-year senior Ziehl Kavanaght goes about his business, out of the spotlight of media attention but in the sight line of special teams gunners looking to make one big play. But, through it all, the language barrier, the lack of passes thrown his way, the time on the sidelines his first four seasons and being hung out to dry as the punt returner, the 26-year-old Quebec native has no complaints. "I'm just trying to help the team," Kavanaght said.
Every year, late one night in mid-October, the Breslin Center is jumpin' at the start of the MSU men's and women's basketball seasons.
When the No. 14 MSU volleyball team steps onto the court at 7 p.m. today, there will be a buzz in the air - the Wolverines are in town.People might think an MSU-Michigan volleyball match is not as intense or exciting as a hockey, football or basketball game.The truth: If MSU were to play U-M in curling, there would a heightened level of play and state of emotions."It's a natural rivalry," head coach Chuck Erbe said.
As subtle as it seems, a win over Indiana this weekend could be historic for No. 25 MSU. The Spartans finished the 1999 regular season on a three-game winning streak, the last time they won three straight. Spartans players and coaches are glad to have beaten Notre Dame and Iowa but know they can't let their excitement and top-25 ranking get the best of them - or else the Hoosiers might on Saturday. "It's kind of too early for that kind of stuff," senior quarterback Jeff Smoker said of the Spartans debuting in the AP poll.
It pays to play players who start. A tough lesson to learn, but the chance that Clinton Portis would play against the Lions was too tempting to pass up.It was another week and another Stevie E.
With its captain on the sidelines in street clothes, the MSU defensive line has made a name for itself this season.It has rotated in 10 different players and stands second in the nation in rushing defense behind Ohio State, giving up just 54.4 yards per game.
MSU fifth-year senior goalkeeper Mike "Mikey" Robinson is cool.Well, that's what junior sweeper Kellen Kalso - Robinson's longtime friend and playing partner going back to Vardar Soccer Club in Metro Detroit - will tell you.