FOOTBALL

Special teams a bright spot for MSU football nearing half-way mark of 2023

Nick Lundberg

October 8, 2023

Last November, a 22 yard field goal was all that MSU needed to earn a sixth win to be eligible for a bowl game. For most kicker’s, that is a chip shot, but Auburn graduate transfer Ben Patton’s boot was pushed left. That sequence summed up a miserable 2022 from the field goal kicking unit. This year, the addition of North Carolina graduate transfer Johnathan Kim has given special teams coach Ross Els reason to trust his kicker to get three points when in reasonable range, along with the replacement of NFL sixth round pick Bryce Baringer with redshirt freshman punter Ryan Eckley.

FOOTBALL

What to look for at the quarterback position going forward as potential change is on the horizon

Jacob Smith

October 7, 2023

The offense has looked quite interesting for the Michigan State Football team so far this season through five games. The first two weeks have been a completely different tale than the last three matchups. A big reason for this sudden change stems at the quarterback position.

FOOTBALL

The history of Spartan Stadium: 100 years of MSU traditions, memories

Jania Clowers

October 6, 2023

Spartan Stadium first opened its gates on Oct. 6, 1923, making this year the 100th anniversary of the opening of the iconic landmark on Michigan State's campus. 

FOOTBALL

MSU football defense picking up offensive slack in recent losses

Nick Lundberg

October 6, 2023

The last three weeks of 2023 have given Michigan State football a number of issues that require deep looks in the mirror, whether it be a 34 point loss to the No. 7 Washington Huskies at home or a 16 point showing in their first road game last week to the Iowa Hawkeyes, but it hasn’t been all bad on both sides of the ball for the Spartans.

FOOTBALL

Big Ten releases football conference schedules for 2024-2028

Thomas Cobb

October 5, 2023

The Big Ten Conference announces it will become division-less starting in 2024 with its additions of Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC.

FOOTBALL

Who has stood out on the field for MSU football so far this season?

Jacob Smith

October 5, 2023

At the bye week of the 2023 season, the Michigan State Football team has had lots of ups and downs. Through the shakiness of the season thus far, there have been players who have stood out on the field, and some who are wishing their campaign started a bit stronger. 

FOOTBALL

Alan Haller addresses MSU football head coaching search, appreciation of Spartan community in issued letter

Jacob Smith

October 2, 2023

The 2023 season has been quite the rollercoaster for the Michigan State Football team. Following the firing of Head Coach Mel Tucker for cause officially last Wednesday, a new identity is demanded by the Spartan faithful as the program attempts to restore the culture it once had before Tucker’s incident. Athletic Director Alan Haller issued a community letter on Monday to recognize the frustrations the MSU fan base has in addition to providing an update on Michigan State’s plan to conduct a head coaching search to fill the role. The Spartans are winless in the three games coached by interim head coach Harlon Barnett after Tucker was suspended back on Sept. 10. 

FOOTBALL

Jonathan Kim creates kicking history with 58 yard field goal in loss to Iowa

Jacob Smith

October 1, 2023

The Michigan State Football team couldn’t hold onto their lead as they struggled to generate any momentum on offense in their 26-16 loss to Iowa Saturday night. Redshirt senior kicker Jonathan Kim produced one of the more consistent performances on the night for the Spartans, and was a big contributor to MSU's scoring. Kim was 3/4 on made field goals, including 1/1 on extra points.

FOOTBALL

FINAL: MSU Football falls to Iowa behind a sluggish offensive performance

Jacob Smith

October 1, 2023

In their first road test of the year, the Michigan State Football team couldn’t hold on as they were defeated by Iowa 23-16 in a sluggish offensive performance. MSU is now 0-3 in games coached by interim head coach Harlon Barnett as they drop to 0-2 in Big Ten play and 2-3 overall.

FOOTBALL

Know Thy Enemy: MSU Football hits the road for the first time to battle Iowa

Jacob Smith

September 29, 2023

After a rough past two weeks, the Michigan State Football team will hit the road for the first time this season as they travel west to take on Iowa. This matchup will be a test for the Spartans to see if they can rebound from two straight losses. The game will kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.

FOOTBALL

Preview: MSU football looking to end two game losing skid at Iowa

Nick Lundberg

September 28, 2023

Michigan State football has spent the first month of their season in East Lansing, but now, in week five, they are heading to Iowa City for their first game away from Spartan Stadium of 2023 and a chance to break their two game losing streak after starting out the season 2-0 in a primetime showdown with the 3-1 Iowa Hawkeyes.

FOOTBALL

‘It’s just 11 on 11’: MSU football preparing for first road game of 2023

Nick Lundberg

September 26, 2023

Michigan State football started out this season with four straight games in the friendly confines of Spartan Stadium. Now, in week five, they will get their first test away from home at Kinnick Stadium when they kick-off against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday evening. 

FOOTBALL

Improved second half effort is not good enough as MSU Football falls to Maryland to open conference play

Jacob Smith

September 23, 2023

A slow start on both offense and defense once again led to a one-sided defeat for the Michigan State Football team as they were defeated 31-9 by Maryland on Saturday. 

FOOTBALL

Turnovers destroy winning momentum for MSU football against Maryland

Nick Lundberg

September 23, 2023

Michigan State football struggled to keep the ball in their possession in a 31-9 loss to the Maryland Terrapins to open the Big Ten season. While the loss was more competitive than the final score seems to show, MSU coughed up the ball a total of six times. Three on interceptions, twice with fumbles and a turnover on downs. 

FOOTBALL

Michigan State football downed by Maryland in first game of Big Ten season

Nick Lundberg

September 23, 2023

After a deflating loss to the No. 8 Washington Huskies last Saturday, Michigan State football started off the Big Ten year with a 31-9 loss to the Maryland Terrapins in their fourth straight home game to start the season. 

FOOTBALL

MSU Football set to face Maryland in first game of Big Ten Conference competition

Jacob Smith

September 21, 2023

Michigan State Football will look to bounce back from last week's crushing defeat as they will host Maryland this Saturday. The Spartans open Big Ten Conference play with a true test for their defense once again, facing redshirt senior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and his ability to evade pressure in the pocket.

FOOTBALL

Know Thy Enemy: MSU football looking to get back on track against Maryland after blowout loss

Nick Lundberg

September 21, 2023

Know Thy Enemy is a Q&A where the perspective changes from the eyes of The State News to the eyes of the student newspaper of Michigan State's opponent. This week, The State News' football beat writer Nick Lundberg spoke with football reporter Brandon Schwartzberg of The Diamondback ahead of Saturday's Michigan State-Maryland game. 

FOOTBALL

MSU Football feeling more prepared heading into conference play following crushing loss to Washington

Jacob Smith

September 19, 2023

The Michigan State Football team is looking to forget and move on from their past harsh week, following head coach Mel Tucker's suspension and eventual firing in addition to their 41-7 home loss to No. 8 ranked Washington last Saturday night.

FOOTBALL

MSU Football struggles in first game since head coaching change in crushing defeat to Washington

Jacob Smith

September 17, 2023

The Michigan State Football team suffered a blowout loss to No. 8 ranked Washington Saturday night. The matchup was acting head coach Harlon Barnett's first career head coaching gig following the suspension of Head Coach Mel Tucker last week.

FOOTBALL

Penalties, miscommunications show in historic loss to No. 8 Washington

Nick Lundberg

September 17, 2023

Maryland will come to East Lansing next weekend to kickoff the Big Ten season. As of now, MSU is scheduled to face three teams all ranked above Washington. The team will need to take this loss and learn how to be competitive against that type of talent in order to have a chance in the conference this year.