FOOTBALL

Iron Man

Robert Bondy

November 4, 2014

For all of his career, senior defensive end Marcus Rush has lived in the shadows of the guy opposite of him. Whether it be five star All-American recruit William Gholston or NFL first round projection junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun, Rush has always flew under the radar earning the title “silent but deadly” by one teammate. Regardless of not receiving as much attention from national and local media as his teammates, Rush has built a resume at MSU that some would consider untouchable.

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Dantonio and Meyer both agree — MSU-Ohio State rivalry isn't yet noteworthy

Geoff Preston

November 4, 2014

In East Lansing, no one needs to ask who the main rival of No. 7 MSU (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) is. Michigan is the clear rival, and the same thing can be said about MSU’s opponent this week in No. 13 Ohio State (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten), as the Buckeyes have a hatred as old as time for Michigan.

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MSU football remains No. 8 in College Football Playoff Rankings

Geoff Preston

November 4, 2014

MSU did not move after a bye week in the recent College Football Playoff rankings, remaining at No.

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Connor Cook, Shilique Calhoun semifinalists for Maxwell Football Club awards

Robert Bondy

November 4, 2014

The Maxwell Football Club released its list of semifinalist for a couple of prestigious awards on Monday and a pair of Spartans made the cut. Junior quarterback Connor Cook was selected as one of 20 semifinalists for the 2014 Maxwell Award for collegiate player of the year, and junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun was selected as one of 20 semifinalists for the 2014 Chuck Bednarik Award for outstanding defensive player of the year.

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November will be opportunity for MSU to set themselves apart, according to Dantonio

Robert Bondy

November 3, 2014

In the past November has been known as the final drive for a championship and will again serve as a final important stretch for No. 7 MSU starting with No. 13 Ohio State on Saturday

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For MSU players with Ohio ties, Saturday's Ohio State game is personal

Geoff Preston

November 3, 2014

When No. 7 MSU (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) takes on No. 13 Ohio State (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) Saturday night in East Lansing, it will not only be for a commanding lead in the East Division, but to stay alive for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

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College GameDay will come to East Lansing for MSU-Ohio State on Saturday

Robert Bondy

November 2, 2014

This week’s already colossal matchup between No. 8 MSU and No. 13 Ohio State got even bigger on Sunday when ESPN announced College GameDay is coming to East Lansing on Saturday.

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Dantonio looks to "control own destiny" with College Football Playoff rankings recently released

Robert Bondy

October 30, 2014

The College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday, and the talk hasn’t stopped yet, including for head coach Mark Dantonio.

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Bye week not always ideal after emotional game, according to Dantonio

Geoff Preston

October 29, 2014

By Geoff Prestongpreston@statenews.comAfter an emotional win against hated rival Michigan, No.

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MSU football ranked No. 8 in first College Football Playoff rankings

Robert Bondy

October 28, 2014

MSU football has the week off, but its postseason fate still was in action on Tuesday.The Spartans came in at No.

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Four takeaways from MSU football's 35-11 win over U-M

Robert Bondy

October 27, 2014

No. 8 MSU football never trailed on Saturday, knocking off in-state rival Michigan, 35-11, at Spartan Stadium.MSU (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) used three touchdowns in a 9:08 stretch that ranged from the second to third quarter to pull away against U-M (3-5 overall, 1-3 Big Ten). With the win MSU remains in the College Football Playoff conversation and will turn its focus to No. 13 Ohio State in a couple of weeks.

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MSU football sends message in 35-11 defeat of in-state rival U-M

Robert Bondy

October 26, 2014

The game against Michigan is always one of, if not the biggest, game of the year for MSU.

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COLUMN — Saturday's win over U-M redefines rivalry for Spartan football

Geoff Preston

October 26, 2014

For years, Spartan football had been marked with uncertainty from fans. It seemed like whenever the program was ready to turn the corner and become elite, one game would be dropped and the season would fall into uncertainty.

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MSU remains No. 8 in AP poll, No. 5 in coaches poll

Geoff Preston

October 26, 2014

MSU's rankings in both the coaches and AP poll remain the same after their 35-11 win Saturday against Michigan. MSU is No. 8 in the AP poll and No. 5 in the coaches poll.

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Brady Hoke apologizes for driving stake in ground before MSU—U-M game

Geoff Preston

October 26, 2014

Before No. 8 MSU (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) took on Michigan (3-5 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) U-M players took a metal tent stake and drove it into the ground at the 35 yard-line.

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U-M drove stake in ground of Spartan Stadium before game, gave MSU football extra motivation for final touchdown drive

Geoff Preston

October 25, 2014

No. 8 MSU (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) put a stake in the heart of Michigan (3-5 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) by winning 35-11 Saturday at Spartan Stadium.It was a different stake, however, that grabbed the attention of players and coaches before the game.

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MSU football cruises to 35-11 victory over U-M at Spartan Stadium

Robert Bondy

October 25, 2014

No. 8 MSU football used a couple of second half scores and stifling defense to roll past Michigan, 35-11, at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The win was MSU’s sixth in the last seven matchups against U-M, including the Spartan’s fourth straight victory at home against the maize-and-blue.

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Football beat writers predict outcome of MSU—U-M

Robert Bondy  and  Geoff Preston

October 25, 2014

Bondy’s BetsIt’s rivalry week on the banks of the Red Cedar and that normally means expect the unexpected.

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Dantonio has owned MSU—U-M series since taking over Spartan football program in 2006

Robert Bondy

October 23, 2014

Before head coach Mark Dantonio took over the MSU football program in 2006,, the MSU-Michigan rivalry was one sided. The Wolverines had won nine of the last 11 games against MSU, including a five-game winning streak before Dantonio joined the Spartan sidelines.

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U-M has struggled at times this season, but rivalry game is no less important for MSU football

Geoff Preston

October 23, 2014

Some games can define an entire season, but they usually don’t happen in week seven.Outside the state of Michigan, that is.