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Sports | 1000

FOOTBALL

Takeaways lead to scores

Andrew Fifer
November 18, 2002

MSU has been on the wrong end of many big plays this season, but Saturday the defense retaliated with game-breaking plays of its own. Although Purdue scored 45 points and gained 555 yards of total offense, the Spartans forced a season-high five turnovers - four interceptions and a fumble - which led to 23 of the team's 42 points. On a day that recognized the last game at Spartan Stadium for the senior class, it was a day of firsts for many of the Spartan defenders in MSU's 45-42 loss to the Boilermakers.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans split 2 at Jenison

Chris Mackinder
November 18, 2002

The MSU volleyball team did everything in its power to pull out two victories this weekend. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they fell just short. MSU easily defeated Iowa Friday night in three games, 30-20, 30-26 and 30-17, but before the weekend, the Spartans knew Saturday night was going to be the real test. On Saturday, No.

SOCCER

Teams ousted from postseason tourneys

Dawn Klemish
November 18, 2002

After being nominated to its first NCAA Tournament in the 17-year history of its program, the MSU women's soccer team was eliminated, dropping a 2-1 decision to Miami (Ohio) on Friday. Both teams came out strong in the first half, battling for control.

SPORTS

Purdue free safety ready to rumble against Rogers, 'U'

Andrew Fifer
November 15, 2002

Purdue free safety Stuart Schweigert is a playmaker. Whether it's making a big hit, knocking a ball down or intercepting a pass, the 6-3, 215-pounder does it all and he relishes the opportunity to change a game. "If there's a time for a big play to be made, I'm going to try to be that player to step up and make it," he said.

SPORTS

Pigskin Prognosticators

Eric Mckinney
November 15, 2002

Your favorite pigskin prognosticators went into last weekend's action tied, and this weekend is no different as both McSkinny and Death Ro went 4-1 while the Spartans were in Hoosier country. But McSkinny (34-20) was the only one who had enough pride to stick with MSU in its time of need.

SPORTS

Seniors motivated to salvage season in final home game

Eric Mckinney
November 15, 2002

It's the final game of the season at Spartan Stadium, and MSU is looking for its first back-to-back win since week two.The Spartans (4-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) would like nothing more than a win to send their 14 seniors out in style, while a loss would officially end MSU's bid for a bowl game.

SPORTS

Season has been hard to stomach

It's difficult being a fan of the gridders these days. With all of the controversy surrounding the team, students with friends at other Big Ten schools are scared to answer telephone calls on not just Saturdays, but every day of the week. All of the preseason hype and Bowl Championship Series bowl game potential has transformed into making it on the list of ESPN.com's Bottom 10 college football teams week after week and hoping to make it to that bowl with the weird blue field.

FOOTBALL

Panelists' input will set guide for coaching search

Krista Latham
November 15, 2002

Lansing Mayor David Hollister is an MSU alumnus and a football season-ticket holder. And now he's living a fan's dream come true. Hollister has the "honor" of sitting in with MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason, 19 other football fans and one professional hiring consultant to brainstorm a list of qualities and characteristics the perfect Spartan head football coach would have. The panelists don't get to hire the coach to replace Bobby Williams.

SOCCER

Team defeats Buckeyes in first round of Big Ten Tournament

Dawn Klemish
November 15, 2002

MSU's sixth-seeded men's soccer team eked out a 3-2 victory over third-seeded Ohio State (11-7-1, 3-3) in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Sophomore midfielder Jordan Gruber kept MSU's tourney hopes alive Thursday, netting the game-winning goal with just more than three minutes left in regulation to allow the Spartans (12-6 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) to advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. The Spartans enjoyed a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the match after a Buckeye defender headed the ball into his own net. Neither team scored until the 40th minute when an MSU defender deflected a cross past senior goalkeeper Tyler Robinson for an own goal to deadlock the score at one going into the break. MSU senior forward Brett Konley had the first real score of the game, chipping a shot over Ohio State goalkeeper Chad Brown at 56:32 to break the tie.

SPORTS

Heisman watch

Andrew Fifer
November 15, 2002

As the weeks pass, the Heisman Trophy race is shaping up to be a two-man battle between teammates - Miami's tailback Willis McGahee and quarterback Ken Dorsey.

SPORTS

Veteran Vacancy

It's been a bumpy ride and a rough finish. But regardless, Saturday's game against Purdue marks the last time the 2002 senior class will take the field at Spartan Stadium. "I've got a lot of memories coming through that tunnel," senior cornerback DeMario Suggs said.

SPORTS

Real Spartan action happens on Thursdays

Thursdays are the most eventful day of the week here in Spartan football land. You'd think it would be Saturdays, but you'd also think the Spartans would hold press conferences to discuss football. Not this season.

SPORTS

Seniors to savor last time playing on home turf

Saturday was supposed to be a day when the MSU football team was going to clinch a top bowl bid with a win over a Purdue squad led by its leader Joe Tiller. It was supposed to be a day when I, as a senior, was going to partake in an abundance of pregame activities, stumble into Spartan Stadium and watch our prolific offense and outstanding defense pick apart the Boilermakers. But that is nothing like what it's going to be.

SPORTS

Harvard is first test for team

Dawn Klemish
November 15, 2002

It has been a long and eventful week leading up to the Spartans' second consecutive NCAA Tournament. On Thursday afternoon, the squad boarded a plane to Boston, Mass. Waiting for the No.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans look to bounce back at home

Chris Mackinder
November 15, 2002

This weekend is all about rebounding for the MSU volleyball team. Following disappointing losses against Indiana and Ohio State a week ago, the Spartans (15-9 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) know they need an extremely strong showing at home this weekend to finish the season strong.

SPORTS

Spartans head to Ann Arbor for NCAAs

Dawn Klemish
November 14, 2002

In the words of Amy Allen, it's been a long time coming. Allen, a senior defender on MSU's women's soccer team, has never been to an NCAA Tournament. This morning, however, Allen and the Spartans boarded a bus bound for Ann Arbor and round one of the National Championship tournament after receiving a nomination from the selection committee. Allen said the team went "nuts" upon learning of its selection late Monday night. "We just all had our eyes glued to the screen, and it came on and everyone started screaming and calling everyone on their cell phones," Allen said.