SPORTS
Spartans ranked No. 24 in preseason poll
The MSU women's cross country team has earned a No. 24 ranking in the FinishLynx/NCCA Division I Preseason poll.
SOCCER
Kaczmarek scores 2 in 4-0 victory, Spartans remain unbeaten in season
Junior midfielder John Kaczmarek scored two goals as the MSU men's soccer team remained undefeated with a 4-0 rout of Dayton on Sunday at Old College Field. "John Kaczmarek is a great, great Spartan player," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.
FOOTBALL
Central running back ties 90-yard run record vs. 'U'
In the 2004 Central Michigan football media guide, running back Jerry Seymour lists former Detroit Lion and recently-inducted Hall of Famer Barry Sanders as his sports hero. The way Seymour danced around the Spartans' defense Saturday, he certainly showed a hint of Sanders' improvisational running style.
SPORTS
Greedy NCAA needs to pay its athletes
If you turned on the television last Saturday to engulf yourself in the first full week of college football, you might have noticed that Colorado was missing a key element to its football team. That's because earlier this summer, the NCAA denied speedy Colorado wide receiver Jeremy Bloom's request to continue playing football at the collegiate level.
SOCCER
'U' hopes to extend streak
As the MSU men's soccer team enters Sunday's game versus Dayton with a 3-0 record, the Spartans will be without Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week's Jordan Gruber. "I kind of pulled my groin, but now they're thinking it might be a hernia," the senior midfielder said.
SPORTS
Softball team opens season in Las Vegas
MSU women's softball team is scheduled to open the season on the road at a Feb. 18-20 five-team tournament hosted by University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nev.
SPORTS
Spartans head to East Coast with 5-0 record
The MSU women's soccer team is taking its game to the East Coast this weekend for The Rutgers Classic, hosted in Piscataway, N.J.
SPORTS
Spikers prepare for 1st road trip
The MSU volleyball team has more to prove this weekend in the Green Mill Restaurant Classic at Wichita State in Kansas. The Spartans will be facing stronger competition in the weeks ahead such as Arkansas, Wichita State and Washington, head coach Chuck Erbe said. "The bar's going to be at a higher level, and we're going to have to play better this coming weekend," Erbe said. Among the biggest areas that the Spartans need to improve upon include diversifying combinations, hitting off the block and timing back court attacks, Erbe said. MSU (3-0) put up high numbers in its season and home opener last weekend and currently lead the Big Ten with a .347 hitting percentage an average of 3.28 blocks per game. The Spartans were second to Minnesota with 17.89 kills and 16.33 assists per game. But those numbers won't make up for serious errors in the future, said senior outside hitter Kim Schram.
SPORTS
Band prepares shows to remember Sept. 11
Before the MSU football team takes the field Saturday against Central Michigan, the marching band and alumni band members will honor the Sept.
SPORTS
Women's golf ranked No. 24, UCLA at No. 1
With nine returning golfers, five which are letter winners, the MSU women's golf team took the No.
BASKETBALL
'U' to take on Nevada at The Palace
MSU head coach Tom Izzo can resurrect his dignity after last season's playoff defeat against Nevada head coach Trent Johnson with this season's Spartan Clash at 4 p.m.
SPORTS
Hockey cheer section looks for new recruits
Slapshots, MSU's student hockey spirit section, is looking for new members for the upcoming season. The cheering section offers ticket packages of 9-18 games, along with the chance to go on road trips and the opportunity to meet head coach Rick Comley. Other perks of being in the section include MSU Student Alumni Foundation membership and an official Slapshots long-sleeved T shirt. For more information or to purchase tickets for Slapshots, visit at www.msusaf.com or go to the SAF office on the third floor of the Union.
FOOTBALL
Starting quarterback still up in the air, Stanton back in mix
Senior Damon Dowdell is MSU's starting quarterback, but as ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." For the second straight week, head coach John L.
VOLLEYBALL
Spikers lead Big Ten in hits, blocks
The MSU volleyball team (3-0) leads the Big Ten in both hitting percentage and blocking after a 3-0 weekend at the MSU/Coca-Cola Classic Championship. The team has a .347 hitting percentage and 3.28 blocks per game, followed by Wisconsin, with 3.11 blocks per game.
FOOTBALL
Special teams not a factor; penalties cost 'U' 16 yards
As far as special teams units go, MSU's cast is star-studded. Senior running back DeAndra Cobb is a constant threat to take a kickoff to the house.
SPORTS
Cross country opens season; Higgins 3rd
The MSU cross country teams began their seasons at the Jeff Drenth Memorial meet at Central Michigan over the weekend. The men placed five runners in the top 10, beginning with senior Steve Sherer in second, freshman Stephan Shay in third and freshman Dustin Voss in fourth. On the women's side, freshman Kelly Higgins lead the Spartans team by finishing third overall in her first collegiate race. The Spartans men's and women's continue the action at 2 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans 3-0 in weekend matchups
The MSU volleyball team opened its season by capturing the Coca-Cola/MSU Classic Championship at Jenison Field House this past weekend. The team went 3-0, defeating Ohio University, St.
SPORTS
'U' beats Kentucky, prepares for Mercy
After a victorious two-game weekend, the MSU women's soccer team gears up to meet Detroit Mercy 4 p.m.
SPORTS
Field hockey remains unbeaten; record 4-0
The MSU women's field hockey team spent its holiday weekend in Virginia improving its regular season record to 4-0 with wins over Virginia and James Madison. The Spartans squared off against Virginia (2-1) on Sunday, beating the locals, 6-2.
FOOTBALL
Defense gives up big plays, 415 yards in loss
The MSU defense allowed only four field goals in Saturday's 19-14 loss to Rutgers, but gave up 415 total yards.