FOOTBALL

Shelton trying to follow in footsteps of Burbridge, Lippett, Fowler.

Stephen Olschanski

September 2, 2016

R.J. Shelton’s final first snap of his senior year will come with a different feeling. For the past three years he wasn’t the eldest of the receivers, he wasn’t the most experienced, nor the man who lined up on a crucial third down knowing the ball was coming to him no matter the coverage. And after watching the likes of Bennie Fowler, Tony Lippett and Aaron Burbridge shoulder the weight of the receiving corps and be the go to guy, Shelton wants to add his name to the list of top Spartan pass catchers.

FOOTBALL

TSN Podcast with Stephen and Casey episode #1

Casey Harrison  and  Stephen Olschanski

September 2, 2016

The State News is proud to announce a new podcast, with football beat writer Stephen Olschanski and sports desk editor Casey Harrison as the leading personalities. In the first episode of The State News Podcast, Stephen and Casey introduce themselves, reveal the format for the show, discuss layout and content for future episodes and discuss the top sports headlines across the country.

FOOTBALL

Five things to watch for when MSU football takes on Furman

Nathaniel Bott

September 2, 2016

When FCS opponent Furman and head coach Bruce Fowler roll into Spartan Stadium Friday evening, they will be greeted with a sea of green and white that’s stands 75,000 strong filled with fans anxious to build off last season’s appearance in the College Football Playoff.

FOOTBALL

Reschke: "We can hold (Furman) to no first downs"

Stephen Olschanski

August 31, 2016

Already widely heralded as one of the top linebacker groups in the nation by various pundits and media outlets MSU junior linebacker Jon Reschke said Tuesday afternoon the he and his fellow linebackers have the capability of being the best corps in the nation at the end of the season.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU women's basketball team releases 2016-2017 regular season schedule

Souichi Terada

August 31, 2016

The MSU women's basketball team unveiled their regular season schedule in a press release earlier this week. The Spartans play a total of 29 games on their schedule, as they look to improve on their 25-9 record from 2015-16.

VOLLEYBALL

With students return, it's time to focus on MSU fall athletics

Nathaniel Bott

August 30, 2016

As students flock back onto campus and incoming freshman take in the wonders of MSU’s massive landscape, they might hear a rumbling noise coming from Spartan Stadium or Jenison Fieldhouse. Just as students return to their dorms and houses, the student athletes embark on a new season of fall sports.

FOOTBALL

Cook teaches O'Connor to build own brand of leadership

Stephen Olschanski

August 30, 2016

Tyler O’Connor stood poised in his white Nike shirt and green shorts and peered out over the media herd walking towards him — he knew the inevitable was coming. Someone would undoubtedly ask him about Connor Cook.

VOLLEYBALL

MSU volleyball sweeps Aztec Invitational, will open at home on Saturday

Souichi Terada

August 30, 2016

The MSU volleyball team started off their regular season going undefeated after they traveled to San Diego, Calif. to compete in the San Diego State Aztec Invitational. There, they took part in a round robin style tournament as they faced the University of Denver, Marist College, and host, San Diego State University.

COMMENTARY

COLUMN: MSU fans should be glad Spartans are out of the national spotlight

Stephen Olschanski

August 29, 2016

If the spotlight and preseason polls tell anyone anything, it’s that they wouldn’t last two hours — let alone 15 games — as fortune tellers. And if a fan base takes tremendous pride or loathing in its preseason ranking or time in the spotlight, they ought to find another needle to get their high.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU announces changes to hockey schedule

Souichi Terada

August 29, 2016

The MSU hockey team announced Monday that their schedule gets a little shakeup as two games are moved around, according to a press release.

BASKETBALL

Former MSU star Appling arrested for third time in four months

Stephen Olschanski

August 29, 2016

Former MSU basketball point guard Keith Appling arrested Sunday night in Detroit, marking the third time he has been arrested in four months.

FOOTBALL

MSU football names 2016 team captains

Stephen Olschanski

August 25, 2016

MSU football announced Thursday following the last practice of preseason camp, fifth year senior quarterback Tyler O'Connor, fifth year senior linebacker Riley Bullough and fifth year senior defensive back Demetrious Cox will be captains for the 2016 season.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans ranked seventh in Big Ten preseason poll

Souichi Terada

August 23, 2016

The MSU volleyball team held it's annual media day press conference Monday and shortly after the Big Ten released a poll which ranked the Spartans seventh in its first preseason conference poll, according to the MSU Athletic Department.  

FOOTBALL

Dantonio names O'Connor as starting QB for season opener

Stephen Olschanski

August 22, 2016

With just 11 days until kickoff of the 2016 football season, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio addressed the media Monday afternoon during preseason camp and named fifth year senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor as the starter for week one of the regular season against Furman.

FOOTBALL

MSU ranked No. 12 in AP Preseason Poll

Stephen Olschanski

August 21, 2016

MSU football checks in at No. 12 in the Associated Press Preseason Poll, marking the third straight season the Spartans have garnered a spot inside the AP’s top 15 and the fifth time under Mark Dantonio that MSU has started the season in the AP Top 25.

SPORTS

U.S. Under-17 Women's Soccer Team ties Brazil in friendly match at MSU

Shireen Korkzan

August 11, 2016

On Tuesday, the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team, or WNT, tied Brazil’s Under-17 WNT 2-2 at DeMartin Stadium in the first of two friendly matches in Michigan.

SPORTS

MSU football looks to go 'back to back' in playoffs

Isaac Constans

August 11, 2016

Monday afternoon, cameras flashed, chatter filled the media room and MSU head coach Mark Dantonio assumed to podium to face the press. It felt like football season.

FOOTBALL

Leadership and depth on defense will be crucial for Spartan success

Casey Harrison

August 10, 2016

It’s hard to criticize a team that went to the College Football Playoff last season, but it’s no surprise that MSU’s defense, more specifically the secondary, proved to be the team’s Achilles' heel in the College Football Playoff.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio: "I've got something left in the tank"

Casey Harrison

August 10, 2016

A lot has changed with MSU football in the last 10 years — mostly because of Dantonio and his coaching staff.

FOOTBALL

Young receiver core could make big impact on Spartan offense this season

Casey Harrison

August 9, 2016

With the 2016 season now less than a month away head coach Mark Dantonio and his offensive staff must find a rotation of wide receivers to accompany the new quarterback.