VOLLEYBALL
MSU drops 2 conference matchups
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'
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans sweep weekend, prep for grueling schedule ahead
The No. 9 MSU hockey team got the warm-up it was looking for this past weekend. The Spartans (3-1 overall, 1-1 CCHA) opened with a 5-3 win against St.
BASKETBALL
Men: Ohio St. preseason No. 1, MSU not in Top 3
Chicago — It's a great time to be an Ohio State fan. With its football team already ranked No.
SPORTS
Comeback was fool's gold it's time for Smith to go
When do you pull the plug? When lesser opponents are dominating? When players are showing up on the police blotter?
SPORTS
MSU wins finale, but postseason hopes dashed
When the MSU women's soccer team completed a 1-0 win against Michigan in its final game of the season Friday, all the Spartans could do was cross their fingers and wait.