VOLLEYBALL

Hot start for volleyball is just the beginning

Omari Sankofa II

September 9, 2013

At the eve of the 2013 volleyball season, junior libero and co-captain Kori Moster made it abundantly clear — the Spartans are striving for more. Following a successful 2012 season, it only fits that the bar has been raised. After a Sweet 16 exit last year, MSU’s appetite for success has grown. The Spartans yearn for a Final Four appearance. A national championship berth would be even better.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Backup goalie rescues MSU in win over New Mexico

Derek Blalock

September 8, 2013

Losing a starting goalkeeper is never easy, but the women’s soccer team was able to overcome the crucial injury to pick up the 1-0 win at New Mexico.

MEN'S SOCCER

Crusaders take down Spartans on home turf

Zach Smith

September 8, 2013

The men’s soccer team lost 2-1 to Valparaiso in a hard fought game Sunday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

FOOTBALL

Defensive dominance wins another

Dillon Davis

September 8, 2013

Fifty-six yards. That’s the amount of yards it took sophomore defensive end Shilique Calhoun upon picking off a third-quarter pass thrown by South Florida quarterback Bobby Eveld to find his way into the end zone for the second time that day. That’s the play that’s propelled Calhoun into the national discussion, earning him the distinction by defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi as MSU’s “running back on defense.”

FOOTBALL

Defense can't be only point producers

Stephen Brooks

September 8, 2013

Max Bullough was refreshingly honest Saturday evening when asked if his defense could maintain its elite performance and surprising point production throughout the season. “No, I don’t think so,” he said with a laugh.

SPORTS

Field hockey rallies against Monmouth

Omari Sankofa II

September 8, 2013

After falling behind 2-1 at the half, junior forward Allie Ahern knew the Spartans couldn’t afford to lose. Not again.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans top Oregon State for Beaver State sweep

Omari Sankofa II

September 8, 2013

The momentum from Friday’s win over national championship-runner up Oregon carried over for MSU as they rolled to a 3-0 sweep over Oregon State Saturday night (25-12, 25-16, 25-17).

FOOTBALL

Defense re-raises their bar against USF

Stephen Brooks

September 7, 2013

A week ago, it didn’t seem possible for the MSU defense to play any better after holding Western Michigan to 11 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns.

FOOTBALL

Defense conquers in win, offense abysmal again

Dillon Davis

September 7, 2013

When asked about the facemask on his helmet earlier in the week, Shilique Calhoun said it’s part of his on-field persona. To the sophomore defensive end, the persona transforms him into Bane — the physically superior and mentally supreme supervillain of the Batman universe. But speak of the devil and he shall appear.

FOOTBALL

MSU football leads South Florida 7-6 at halftime

Dillon Davis

September 7, 2013

A week after a standout defensive effort trumped a listless offensive showing in a 26-13 victory over Western Michigan, the storyline remains much the same this week for MSU football team, as they head into halftime leading South Florida, 7-6.

FOOTBALL

Fans forced to evacuate Spartan Stadium in weather delay, game now underway

Dillon Davis

September 7, 2013

After storms interrupted the opening night of football Spartan Stadium, fans again were asked to evacuate Spartan Stadium on Saturday due to a severe weather warning prior to the noon kickoff against South Florida.

MEN'S SOCCER

Thelen bends MSU into victory

Zach Smith

September 7, 2013

A popular phrase in soccer is “Bend it like Beckham,” but in the MSU men’s soccer team’s 1-0 win against Oregon State Friday afternoon, it should have been “Bend it like Thelen.”

VOLLEYBALL

Ducks hunted: MSU volleyball downs No. 12 Oregon

Omari Sankofa II

September 6, 2013

It was a huge victory for the Spartans, and the two-headed monster of senior middle blocker Alexis Mathews and senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski enabled it to happen.

FOOTBALL

Offensive line still thriving through the pain

Dillon Davis

September 5, 2013

Despite blocking for one of the nation’s most prolific running backs in Le’Veon Bell a season ago, injuries still badly decimated MSU’s offensive line.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball hosts Oregon in first home game of year

Omari Sankofa II

September 5, 2013

With national championship runner-up Oregon coming to town, the MSU volleyball team will be in for a challenging matchup Friday.

MEN'S SOCCER

MSU prepares for Oregon State, Valparaiso

Zach Smith

September 5, 2013

The men’s soccer team is set for its first home weekend with games against Oregon State and Valparaiso on Friday and Sunday.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women's soccer ties OU Grizzlies

Derek Blalock

September 5, 2013

Despite the defense not being up to snuff for much of their game against Oakland, the MSU women’s soccer team has yet to suffer its first loss.

SPORTS

Game-filled weekend exhausts Spartans

Omari Sankofa II

September 4, 2013

Following a grueling weekend that featured three games in four days — and two losses — the MSU field hockey team will welcome their home turf this weekend as they host Syracuse, Monmouth and Kent State at the Auto-Owners Insurance MSU Invitational.

MEN'S SOCCER

Cope, Keener using chemistry in the backfield

Zach Smith

September 4, 2013

As the saying goes, “A good offense starts with a good defense,” and nowhere is that more true than with the MSU men’s soccer team.

FOOTBALL

Football team brushes off speculation of offense

Stephen Brooks

September 4, 2013

Max Bullough made a well-publicized speech to his team before hitting the field to play Minnesota last year, in which he challenged MSU’s offense.