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Sports | Football 1000

SPORTS

Spartans host 16 teams in home tournament

After winning its first tournament this season, the MSU women's golf team hopes to have success on its home course this weekend at the Mary Fossum Invitational. "It's a special tournament," head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said, acknowledging Mary Fossum's accomplishments as a 25-year head coach for the Spartans.

BASKETBALL

Izzo loses three frontcourt recruits

MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo can now cross three names off the list of possible recruits for the 2004 season. Grand Ledge junior Al Horford announced his verbal commitment to U-M on Thursday, ending days of speculation that the 6-foot-8, 211-pound forward would commit to the Wolverines.

SPORTS

'U' students upset about Spartan Stadium addition

When the proposal to construct an addition to Spartan Stadium breezed through the MSU Athletics Department and Board of Trustees on Friday, the plan received full support from university officials.But some students aren't as enthusiastic.The addition to Spartan Stadium - scheduled to be completed in August 2005 - will bring 24 luxury boxes, 862 indoor and outdoor club-level seats and office space for University Development and the MSU Alumni Association.The entire plan is expected to cost $61 million, $50 million of that cost being paid by the Athletics Department.

SPORTS

Booing unnecessary at football games

The sun is out, burgers are grilling and the smell of Busch Light wafts through the air. The tennis courts and the rock on Farm Lane are swarming with students, parents and fans alike.

SPORTS

Guru suggests benching QB Brooks

The NFL's Week Two was one for the running backs, with the Ravens' Jamal Lewis breaking the single-game yardage record and others falling back into form. Miami running back Ricky Williams fell back into form, while Bills running back Travis Henry scored three touchdowns and averaged little more than 1 yard per carry. The importance of Week Three is that trends begin to form. For instance, anyone playing the Lions or Cardinals could break out.

FOOTBALL

Smoker, Knott top injury list

The door at the trainers' office inside the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center has seen more action than many Spartans players have lately. Injuries were a factor in Saturday's 20-19 last-second loss to Louisiana Tech and also will play a major role this weekend as MSU heads to South Bend, Ind. Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker said his team needs to get healthy during the week and be ready for the long haul. "I sure hope (we're) not (tired) because it's a long season," Smoker said.

FOOTBALL

Smoker listed 50-50; Stanton named No. 2 QB

The MSU offense came to a halt without its star quarterback on the sidelines in its 20-19 loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday.So, the Spartans are hoping that he'll be able to return for this Saturday's game at Notre Dame.X-rays were negative on senior quarterback Jeff Smoker's right big toe, meaning it is not broken, and he is listed as questionable for Saturday's game."Jeff is (the starter) right now," head coach John L.

SPORTS

Fraudulent judging ruined Golden victory

What was billed as a bout between the fastest fists in boxing left a sour taste in the mouths of most involved. The Golden Boy was overshadowed by a set of judges with an outside prerogative. Tearing a page out of the book of Vernon Forrest, Oscar De La Hoya fought the smart fight and was left stripped of his prize possessions - his WBA and WBC 154-pound title belts. Avoiding a recurrence of their first slugfest in 2000, De La Hoya used his lightning jab to make easy work of "not so sweet anymore" Shane Mosley. Despite a few flourishes of street brawling and a vision-impairing cut on his right eye, the result of an "accidental" head butt, De La Hoya waited out the fight, landing frequent quick jabs, which saw Mosley frustrated at every swing. De La Hoya used reach to his advantage, staying clear of Mosley's deadly uppercuts, and landed nearly twice as many punches as the new champion. But the official judges were not impressed, despite a more convincing performance than Forrest had in either of his victorious bouts with Mosley, and handed the belt over to the undeserving 32-year-old. Analyst George Foreman (yes, the grill guy) suggested it was a conspiracy against Top Rank boss Bob Arum, but that would be too crude, wouldn't it? If boxing really wants fans to relate to a sport that has moved from national TV broadcasts to overpriced pay-per-view Wrestlemania-like farces they wouldn't do things like this, right? They wouldn't allow the Golden face of their tainted sport to inexplicably get shafted twice, would they? But it happened, and the gracious loser will hold his ground.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball team returns from disappointing weekend

The No. 17 MSU volleyball team went into the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic, facing three higher-ranked teams, looking for answers to where they stand nationally in the college volleyball ranks.The Spartans now know.After what could be dubbed a disappointing weekend, where they won only one match, the Spartans (6-2) found hope when recalling their pre-tournament thoughts - a possible three-loss weekend.Sunday's victory saved face."One win makes this a successful weekend," head coach Chuck Erbe said.