FOOTBALL
Cincinnati transfers make presence felt at MSU
Garrett Celek had large shoes to fill as a high school senior planning to attend Cincinnati for football.
FOOTBALL
Breakdown: Red-zone trips key for both teams
Last week, Iowa’s front seven shut down running back Javon Ringer and kept quarterback Brian Hoyer in check. MSU’s offensive line will need a better performance this week against a strong Northwestern front seven.
VOLLEYBALL
Team looks to snap 2-match losing streak
After a tough weekend that saw the team lose two conference games, including a drubbing by No. 1 Penn State, the MSU volleyball team is looking to get back on track at home. The season’s first conference road trip didn’t go as planned. The team snapped its 10-game winning streak, losing 3-1 to Indiana and 3-0 to Penn State. The losses move them to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten.
SPORTS
No. 6 MSU focused on tough weekend ahead
The last time the MSU field hockey team saw Wake Forest, it was on the way out of the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Twice last season, the Demon Deacons got the better of the Spartans, something the players haven’t forgotten.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers open season with two games in Boston
The MSU hockey team plays in the Ice Breaker Tournament this weekend. Here is a look at the two teams they will face off against. Both games will be at Agganis Arena in Boston.
ICE HOCKEY
Inexperienced Spartans ready for Ice Breaker
As the MSU hockey team heads to Boston to compete in the Ice Breaker Tournament this weekend, head coach Rick Comley expects to find out more about the character of his team — especially his 11 freshmen.
SOCCER
Men's soccer team wins with physicality, solid goalkeeping
The MSU men’s soccer team is riding a three-game winning streak coming into a tough week against No. 14 Notre Dame and No. 23 Indiana.
FOOTBALL
With 'regained confidence' MSU looks to shut down QB Bachér
For a defensive-minded leader with roots in the secondary, last season’s double-overtime loss to Northwestern couldn’t have sat well with MSU head coach Mark Dantonio. Northwestern’s then-junior gunslinger, quarterback C.J.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans triumph in final period of exhibition game
When the Spartans scored three unanswered goals in the first period, it seemed to be time for the Western Ontario Mustangs to start warming the bus. The Mustangs weren’t ready to call it a game yet though, as they exploded in the second period and scored three unanswered goals to tie the game.
SPORTS
Rijpma honored after scoring 5 times in 2 games
Field hockey junior midfielder Floor Rijpma was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for her performance against Indiana and Temple last weekend. Rijpma scored five goals in two games, including four against Indiana on Friday, to lead the Spartans to two victories. She leads the team with 13 goals this season.
VOLLEYBALL
Team looking to add more games at Breslin in future
When the athletics department scheduled the MSU volleyball team for two games at Breslin Center, it called it an experiment. The experiment was a success as more than 9,000 fans filled the arena for two games against Ohio State and Michigan.
FOOTBALL
Swenson earns Big Ten accolade
Football junior kicker Brett Swenson was named co-Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week last week after he was a perfect 3-for-3 in field goal attempts in MSU’s 16-13 win over Iowa.
SOCCER
'Smurf' stepping into larger role for MSU
Smurfs are normally regarded as tiny blue creatures from a place called Smurf Village — a fictional land described in comics and cartoons since the 1980s. But in the land of Green and White, the name “Smurf” refers to one very specific individual — 5-foot-3 women’s soccer junior midfielder Lauren Sinacola.
FOOTBALL
MSU defeats Iowa in what may have been ugly game
The struggles of last year’s MSU football team are well documented. The Spartans went 7-6, with all six losses coming by seven points or less. That trend continued in the 2008 season opener against California, where the Spartans once again found themselves staring at another loss by seven points, with a 38-31 outcome.
FOOTBALL
Could Ferentz be on hot seat after another loss?
The hot seat just got a little warmer for Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz, whose contract runs through 2012, made one of those questionable coaching decisions Saturday that leaves fans at home thinking they’d do a better job making the calls.
SPORTS
Offense scores 18 times as Spartans win weekend pair
The No. 8 MSU field hockey team mowed through its competition this weekend, scoring 18 goals in two games. The Spartans, who have won eight straight, recorded their second shutout of the season Sunday by beating Temple 9-0.
FOOTBALL
Win the trenches
Be it rushing or protecting the quarterback, MSU’s offensive and defensive lines were pass-happy against Iowa. With the ball in their hands, the Spartans’ offensive line has given up two sacks through six games, one of which came Saturday when Iowa defensive tackle Mitch King brought MSU senior quarterback Brian Hoyer down in the third quarter.
SOCCER
Stadium dedicated in pregame ceremony
When MSU alumnus Doug DeMartin sat back and wondered where a donation would best suit MSU’s athletic needs, he turned his head to the soccer field. He noticed the caliber of Spartans soccer and the space they competed on were at complete opposite ends of the spectrum — the playing field not doing the Green and White justice as to how great of a program they’ve always been and what they strive to be.
SOCCER
Spartans win 1-0 on late penalty kick
As the game went on, the intensity only escalated — higher and higher every second. Bodies thrown to the field, whistles blowing, cards being raised and the clock only stopping for minor injuries.