SPORTS

Friday should be example of fan turnout at Munn

Where were you Friday night? If you weren't part of the 7,092 fans packing Munn Ice Arena as the fourth-largest crowd in the building's history, then you were missing out on what was the best crowd atmosphere I've ever been part of — in any sport. The "Go Green, Go White" chants were booming throughout the arena, the students were loud, vocal and energetic, and the entire place was simply electric beyond what my words can accurately describe. But that begs me to ask another question: Where have you been? Granted, Friday's game against Michigan was the first big game of the season for the Spartans, but MSU is a top-ranked team coming off a CCHA Championship — and a team that missed a trip to last year's Frozen Four by one lousy goal.

ICE HOCKEY

On the offensive

Eric Fish

November 6, 2006

Ann Arbor — It took the Wolverines 10 contests against the Spartans to finally beat their intrastate rival Saturday night, 6-2 — the first time in nearly two years.

BASKETBALL

Morgan shoulders scoring output

Matt Bishop

November 6, 2006

Freshman forward Raymar Morgan sure knows how to make a great first impression. In his first collegiate game, Morgan wowed the crowd Sunday at Breslin Center with his athleticism and well-rounded play, scoring 16 points and adding 12 rebounds in 30 minutes to lead the Spartans to a 74-63 win against Northern Michigan. "I was excited, probably a little too excited at times," Morgan said.

SPORTS

Monday Musings

Tom Keller

November 6, 2006

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was injured in a sideline collision Saturday. Paterno was taken to a nearby hospital, where he got an MRI for half-price with his AARP discount. Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers won the fifth Gold Glove of his career. Commissioner Bud Selig happily shook Rogers' hand as he presented the award, then needed adhesive remover to pry himself free. Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens acknowledged he sometimes sleeps during team meetings. The admission sent Owens' value skyrocketing in fantasy football leagues that give points for irresponsibility. Race car driver Paul Tracy might miss the season's final race after he crashed a golf cart while drunk. Tracy said he could fight through the injuries he sustained, but the genitalia his friends drew on his face after he passed out might be too much to overcome. Tennessee State women's hoops coach Tracee Jones won $265,000 on the NBC game show "Deal or No Deal" that aired last week. In a related story, MSU football head coach John L.

VOLLEYBALL

MSU drops 2 conference matchups

Kristyn Peterson

November 6, 2006

The MSU volleyball team suffered losses to two ranked teams this past weekend — 3-0 to No. 12 Minnesota on Friday and 3-1 to No.

SPORTS

Same story: Defense solid but where was offense?

With their backs against the walls, MSU's defense came out firing against Purdue. They blitzed and got to the quarterback and made plays.

FOOTBALL

Wiley: Smith's ouster 'unprofessional'

Ethan Conley

November 6, 2006

The Spartans had enough trouble winning games without any extra distractions looming overhead. On Saturday, they played their first game after being hit with a midweek knockout punch — they learned they would finish the season under the direction of a coach whose days were numbered. Athletics Director Ron Mason announced the firing of John L.

SPORTS

Simmons brothers turn focus to leadership skills

Joey Nowak

November 6, 2006

Despite having personal success that most collegiate athletes would only dream of, senior wrestlers Nick and Andy Simmons are more focused on leading their teammates than furthering the filling of their own trophy cases. "Hopefully, I can lead these guys and show them how to win," Andy Simmons said.

SPORTS

Special teams come through, offense fails

The MSU special teams gave their best, most emotional performance of the season Saturday. It also was the riskiest. The Spartans caught Purdue off guard in the third quarter, perfectly executing a surprise onside kick.

ICE HOCKEY

U-M rivalry has been dead heat

Eric Fish

November 3, 2006

Just how even have MSU and Michigan matched up on the ice lately? For starters, seven of the last eight games between the intrastate rivals have been decided by two goals or less, including five ties. The MSU media guide lists 14 former Spartans playing in the NHL.

FOOTBALL

Word on the street

"I hope we get a winning program from a new coach since we had so much talent on the team as it was.

FOOTBALL

Smith's midseason dismissal could be blessing in disguise

John L. Smith didn't need to say a word in the press conference that followed MSU's 46-21 loss to Indiana on Saturday.

FOOTBALL

Word from the podium

"I've learned from him, not just as a football player, but as a man." senior center Kyle Cook "There was no real tipping point." Athletics Director Ron Mason "You can't simply win on X's and O's.

BASKETBALL

Joseph, Suton in line for larger roles

Matt Bishop

November 1, 2006

For the MSU men's basketball team to succeed this year, two players who dwelled in the shadows last season are going to be forced to step in and make an impact. Those two — sophomores Maurice Joseph and Goran Suton — will be counted on to not only provide depth and quality minutes, but also provide a scoring punch, head coach Tom Izzo said. Suton was a regular part of the revolving door at power forward last season, but struggled to string together consistent performances.

ICE HOCKEY

Lerg unfazed by early string of tough goals

Eric Fish

October 31, 2006

Off a shin pad. Off a three-way deflection. Banked in off a pad from behind the net. No, it's not a parody of the popular Michael Jordan and Larry Bird basketball commercials from the mid-'90s.

FOOTBALL

Penalties continue to haunt MSU

Steve Highfield

October 31, 2006

After scoring on an 80-yard drive to start Saturday's game against Indiana, MSU's offense got the ball back with a chance to jump out to an early 14-3 lead.

ICE HOCKEY

On heels of NHL, college game evolves

Eric Fish

October 30, 2006

When the NHL reopened its doors on Oct. 5, 2005 after a one-year lockout, it set a single-date attendance record, selling out 11 of the 15 possible arenas and filling rinks to a 98 percent capacity league-wide.

SPORTS

Women: Spartans picked 3rd in wide-open year

Matt Bishop

October 30, 2006

Chicago — Coming off back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, the MSU women's basketball team was picked to finish third by both the coaches and media Sunday at the Media Day conference. And how much does that matter to head coach Joanne P.

SPORTS

Compare MSU with Indiana? What an insult to Hoosiers

After MSU's loss to Indiana on Saturday, head coach John L. Smith addressed the media and offered this as one of the explanations for his team's 46-21 loss: "I said all along, turnovers are going to probably decide this game because you got two teams that are probably fairly equal," he said. Pretty unassuming, right?

FOOTBALL

Spartans Stalled

Steve Highfield

October 30, 2006

Bloomington, Ind. — The question all week was whether the momentum from MSU's 35-point comeback last week would carry over to Saturday's game at Indiana. It looked like the Spartans had delivered a decisive answer on the game's opening possession.