FOOTBALL

Smoker, Van Dyke play video games, share a pad, agree its all about support

Eric Lacy

September 21, 2001

Roommates Jeff Smoker and Ryan Van Dyke couldn’t wait to give the video game, NCAA Football 2002, a shot this summer.The two quarterbacks, who shared playing time during the Spartans 35-21 victory over Central Michigan last week, flicked on the television screen, loaded up their Sony PlayStation 2 and were amused at what they saw.Smoker, a sophomore, was listed as MSU’s starting quarterback, while Van Dyke, a senior, was depicted as backup with one noticeably inaccurate quality.“I’m just the backup, and I don’t appreciate that they have me left-handed too,” joked Van Dyke, who’s right-handed.

SPORTS

Young team readies for only home event of season

James Jahnke

September 21, 2001

With senior All-American Ann Somerville leading a group of young but experienced runners, the women’s cross country team is looking strong heading into the 12th annual Spartan Invitational today.

VOLLEYBALL

2000 champ Badgers first Big Ten foe

Dan Woike

September 21, 2001

MSU’s volleyball team has won all its matches this season, but the “real season” is about to get underway. The Spartans (7-0) open Big Ten play at 7 p.m.

SPORTS

Toloff, team prepares for Spartan invite

James Jahnke

September 21, 2001

Chris Toloff isn’t labeled with any of the question marks that usually hover around true freshmen competing in Division I athletics.The rookie runner for the MSU men’s cross country team is strong (he says he prefers courses with more hills to utilize his power), he’s talented (finishing second overall in MSU’s first race of the season), and he’s confident.“I expect big things for myself this year,” Toloff said.

FOOTBALL

Secondary sets up for fight

Eric Lacy

September 21, 2001

When MSU’s secondary runs through Notre Dame Stadium’s south tunnel Saturday, “Touchdown Jesus” will greet them from the north.

SPORTS

W-hoops schedule out, Spartans make TV time

Casey Mcnenly

September 21, 2001

When NCAA officials released the women’s basketball television schedule Sept. 13, head coach Joanne P.

FOOTBALL

College football is back, bringing meaning to prognosticators lives

Eric Lacy  and  Justin A. Rice

September 20, 2001

The prognosticators were unaware of last weekend’s cancellations when we compiled our predictions, and we apologize for any inconveniences.

VOLLEYBALL

2001 Big Ten volleyball preview

Dan Woike

September 20, 2001

In a conference as stocked with talent as the Big Ten, it’s hard to try and pick a clear favorite.

FOOTBALL

Team must ignore Irish legacy, hype

Justin A. Rice

September 19, 2001

Anytime a team plays Notre Dame, it must block out the hype and tradition that surrounds the Fighting Irish’s football legacy.

ICE HOCKEY

Hockey ticket goof-up angers students

A rude awakening greeted several Spartan hockey fans Monday morning when their student season tickets weren’t available as scheduled in the Athletic Ticket Office in Jenison Field House. The tickets were supposed to be available at 8 a.m.

SPORTS

Williams: Team must look ahead

Eric Lacy

September 18, 2001

Mental preparation may outweigh physical preparation on head football coach Bobby Williams’ priority list this week.

FOOTBALL

Notre Dame/MSU rivalry dinner canceled

The College Football Hall of Fame canceled its Thursday reception and banquet that scheduled to honor the 104-year rivalry between MSU and Notre Dame.

SOCCER

Falcons hand team its first loss

Casey Mcnenly

September 18, 2001

Bowling Green defeated the MSU men’s soccer team 3-1 Monday in a game that was rescheduled from a Sept.

SPORTS

Can Jordan Be Like Mike? A longtime fan doesnt beleive

The tragic events of the past week overshadowed what now seems to be a very trivial personal disappointment. Reportedly, Michael Jordan told three Chicago reporters Sept.

SPORTS

Weekend sporting slate shredded as NFL, major leagues take days off

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press General management sophomore Chesare Hill is wondering what Saturday will be like without the scheduled football game. After announcing Wednesday the home game against Missouri was on, MSU and Missouri officials decided to cancel the game Thursday, because of unusual travel logistics following the terrorist attack Tuesday.

FOOTBALL

Racy Lacy and Vanilla Rice hold most of the jokes, predict remaining games

Eric Lacy  and  Justin A. Rice

September 13, 2001

It seems trivial to pick the scores of this week’s games due to the horrific terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa.

SPORTS

As the country mourns tragedy, sports just arent important

Sports are the last thing on my mind right now. Since Tuesday morning, when I switched on my TV to catch the last 10 minutes of SportsCenter before my 10:20 a.m.

SOCCER

Robinson earns spot as goalkeeper, keeps sights on Big Ten title

Casey Mcnenly

September 13, 2001

If there’s one thing senior goalkeeper Tyler Robinson has experience in, it’s hard work.But much of that hard work and experience was in a different sport.Robinson had offers to play lacrosse at Ohio State, Ohio-Wesleyan and Denison universities.

VOLLEYBALL

Knopps turns into major hitter for team

Dan Woike

September 13, 2001

Surprises have surrounded sophomore outside hitter-turned-defensive specialist Stephanie Knopp all year.A pre-season chat with MSU head coach Chuck Erbe left Knopp thinking she had to improve if she wanted to play, she said.

FOOTBALL

Special teams say expect improvement

Justin A. Rice

September 13, 2001

Even though head football coach Bobby Williams keeps his practices under wraps, everyone knows MSU must be focusing on special teams this week after Central Michigan blocked four punts in Saturday’s season opener.Special teams and linebackers coach Sal Sunseri took the blame for Saturday’s punt problems and said he should’ve lined up more athletic players in front of the punt team in practice.