VOLLEYBALL

Freshman stepping up big for volleyball

Omari Sankofa II

September 18, 2013

The volleyball team continues to rely on their nationally seventh-ranked freshman class, and the class continues to deliver. Though early injuries have forced head coach Cathy George to give freshman middle blocker Allyssah Fitterer and freshman middle blocker Autumn Christenson, who has played outside hitter thus far, larger roles than what was initially expected, the talented recruits have handled the grind of the season with grace.

SPORTS

Saturday's game could come down to trenches

Stephen Brooks

September 17, 2013

Ever since a thrilling fake field goal named after a kids movie sealed an overtime victory for the Spartans in 2010, the MSU-Notre Dame rivalry has been defined on the offensive and defensive lines.

MEN'S SOCCER

Spartans ready for Bowling Green

Zach Smith

September 17, 2013

The next game is the biggest game of the year. That’s the new motto for the MSU men’s soccer team (3-1-0) heading into a showdown with Bowling Green (1-2-2) at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at DeMartin Stadium.

MEN'S SOCCER

Bench players playing key role in Spartans early success

Zach Smith

September 17, 2013

Blake Skamiera has seen the field in all three of the MSU men’s soccer team wins this season — he just hasn’t started there. The junior forward is part of a group of players that have an important role coming off the bench and giving the players in the starting 11 a much needed break.

SPORTS

Cross country picks up two Big Ten weekly honors

Omari Sankofa II

September 17, 2013

The recognition train for MSU athletes continues to roll. Following Big Ten honors handed to volleyball outside hitter Lauren Wicinski and soccer goalkeeper Zach Bennett, redshirt junior Leah O’Connor and redshirt sophomore Caleb Rhynard, both of the cross country team, have been distinguished as Big Ten Cross Country Athletes of the Week.

FOOTBALL

Notre Dame to be 'great experience' for Cook

Dillon Davis

September 17, 2013

Game of the Century. Little Giants. The flag plant. Dating back to their first game in 1897, the MSU-Notre Dame rivalry is one of college football’s oldest rivalries and holds significant cultural importance to both programs while generating some of the sport’s most lively atmospheres.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball closing in on grueling Big Ten schedule

Omari Sankofa II

September 17, 2013

A No. 14 ranking certainly isn’t anything to be ashamed of. But for volleyball head coach Cathy George, MSU’s No. 14 ranking only highlights the amount of work that needs to be done before Big Ten play begins Sept. 27. Despite the strong start, MSU (8-1 overall) is only ranked fifth in a stacked Big Ten conference as of Sept. 14.

FOOTBALL

Playing 'Buy or Sell' with the football beat writers

Dillon Davis  and  Stephen Brooks

September 17, 2013

As much as I want to buy MSU’s 500-plus yard performance against Youngstown State, I can’t get past the fact that it was Youngstown State.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Keeping last season behind them

Derek Blalock

September 16, 2013

Last year, the MSU women’s soccer team was 7-1-1 headed into Big Ten play. The Spartans, however, stumbled during Big Ten play, going 2-8-1 — tied for last place in the conference.

VOLLEYBALL

Solid weekend gives Wicinski Big Ten volleyball honors

Omari Sankofa II

September 16, 2013

With a tournament-winning performance, Big Ten honors and a major milestone approaching, it’s safe to say that senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski is enjoying her week. Fresh off of an MVP performance at the Butler Invitational, Wicinski has been named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time in her career.

MEN'S SOCCER

Men's soccer needs more respect

Zach Smith

September 16, 2013

Where’s the love? On the heels of an impressive 2-0 win against a tough Marquette team Sunday evening in Wisconsin, it’s time for the MSU men’s soccer team to once again break into the rankings.

FOOTBALL

Spartans take steps forward in key areas during victory

Stephen Brooks

September 15, 2013

It took MSU three hours and 18 minutes to pummel lowly Youngstown State 55-17 on Saturday, but as the final whistle blew, it signaled the conclusion of a quarterback controversy more than nine months in the making.

FOOTBALL

Column: QB position solidified after big home win

Dillon Davis

September 15, 2013

Early last week, Connor Cook was handed the keys to the MSU football team.

VOLLEYBALL

Wicinski named MVP in 3-0 Butler Invitational

Omari Sankofa II

September 15, 2013

Senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski fell short of hitting the 2,000 kill mark over the weekend, but it didn’t matter as the Spartans (8-1 overall) won the Butler Invitational behind her MVP performance. Wicinski’s 45 kills led the Spartans to 3-0 sweeps over IPFW on Friday and Illinois State and Butler on Sunday.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Spartans top Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green to remain unbeaten

Derek Blalock

September 15, 2013

For the first time since 2009, the women’s soccer team will enter its Big Ten schedule without a loss. The Spartans (6-0-2 overall) finished their non-conference slate Sunday afternoon at Eastern Michigan and escaped with a nail-biting victory, thanks to two clutch penalty kicks from sophomore defender Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz in the second half.

MEN'S SOCCER

Men's soccer bests No. 16 Marquette on road

Zach Smith

September 15, 2013

Junior forward Tim Kreutz’s first half goal was the difference as the men’s soccer team held on after a late barrage of shots to earn a 2-0 win against Marquette in Milwaukee, Wisc. Sunday afternoon.

FOOTBALL

At last, MSU has its quarterback

Dillon Davis

September 14, 2013

A span of more than two games. One hundred twenty-nine minutes. Seven thousand seven hundred seventeen seconds.

FOOTBALL

Offense carves up Youngstown State for 55-17 win

Stephen Brooks

September 14, 2013

It was a day of firsts for the MSU football program on Saturday in a 55-17 blowout win against Youngstown State.

FOOTBALL

Halftime: Spartans lead Youngstown State 35-10, Cook throws four touchdowns

Stephen Brooks

September 14, 2013

It took 10 quarters, but MSU’s offense finally looked something like what fans were hoping for prior to this season as the Spartans built a 35-10 halftime lead against Youngstown State.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Offense king in women's soccer victory over BGSU

Derek Blalock

September 14, 2013

When a team out shoots their 28-1, most of the time those teams end up victorious. That’s exactly what the MSU women’s soccer team did in its 3-1 win against Bowling Green on Friday. The Spartans came out of the gate strong and controlled the pace for much of the first half, and head coach Tom Saxton was glad to see the improvement since last week’s tie against Oakland. “We were most pleased we came out with some tempo and some intensity after last week’s game against Oakland,” head coach Tom Saxton said.