FOOTBALL

HALFTIME: MSU trails Illinois 7-6 despite defensive performance

Nathaniel Bott

November 5, 2016

The MSU football team (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) traveled to Champaign, Ill. to battle the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-6, 1-4). The Spartans are still in search of their first conference win, and despite coming into the game with some confidence, trail the Illini 7-6 at the break. Illinois was able to get on the scoreboard with just 14 seconds left in the half following an 11-play, 73 yard drive capped off by a 19-yard touchdown run from Kendrick Foster. MSU had two drives successful scoring drives in the first half, but couldn’t find their way to the end zone.

FOOTBALL

Live Blog: MSU football at Illinois

Stephen Olschanski

November 5, 2016

Welcome to The State News live blog for MSU football (2-6, 0-5) at Illinois (2-6, 1-4). Participate below by sending our football writers your comments, questions and thoughts about the game or Spartan football. 

FOOTBALL

Josiah Price named semifinalist for 2016 Wuerffel Trophy

Stephen Olschanski

November 4, 2016

MSU fifth-year senior tight end Josiah Price was slated as a semifinalist for the 2016 Wuerffel Trophy which is awarded to the “Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.”

FOOTBALL

PREVIEW: MSU (2-6, 0-5) heads to Illinois (2-6, 1-4) in search for victory

Nathaniel Bott

November 4, 2016

State News football beat writer Nathaniel Bott breaks down MSU’s game plan and what to expect from Illinois this Saturday, as well as lists injury updates and gives his prediction for the contest.

FOOTBALL

After performance against U-M, LJ Scott separating himself in Spartan backfield

Nathaniel Bott

November 3, 2016

The MSU football depth chart has been full of surprises all season long with changes being made at nearly every position. The one constant on head coach Mark Dantonio’s depth chart has been the running back position, where three co-starters have remained since week one –– sophomores L.J. Scott and Madre London as well as junior Gerald Holmes.

FOOTBALL

Takeaways from Mark Dantonio's recap against Michigan and preview of Illinois

Nathaniel Bott

November 2, 2016

MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio is still searching for the answers to his team’s 2-6 record.

FOOTBALL

MSU left points on the field against U-M

Stephen Olschanski

October 30, 2016

Facing fourth and goal from the two-yard line MSU called its fourth run play in a row. And just like the first three, the last LJ Scott run ended with him spilled to the turf well short of the end zone.

FOOTBALL

Redshirt-freshman quarterback Brian Lewerke suffers season-ending injury

Nathaniel Bott

October 30, 2016

Redshirt-freshman quarterback Brian Lewerke, who started two games and has appeared in four total for MSU, will miss the remainder of the season with a broken tibia.

FOOTBALL

Spartan missed opportunities lead to 32-23 loss to U-M, still prevent predicted blowout

Stephen Olschanski

October 30, 2016

Playing into how the loss against the University of Michigan went Saturday, the lights above head coach Mark Dantonio shut off during his post-game press conference.

FOOTBALL

Takeaways, grades and game balls from MSU's loss to the Wolverines

Nathaniel Bott

October 30, 2016

The MSU football team (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) dropped their sixth straight loss –– this one arguably the most devastating as No. 2 Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) came into Spartan Stadium and left with a 32-23 victory, taking the Paul Bunyan trophy back to Ann Arbor with them.

FOOTBALL

VIDEO: Post-game analysis of No. 2 U-M at MSU

Nathaniel Bott  and  Stephen Olschanski

October 29, 2016

The State News football beat writers break down MSU's 32-23 loss to No. 2 U-M.

FOOTBALL

FINAL: Spartans fall to U-M 32-23 in battle for Paul Bunyan

Nathaniel Bott

October 29, 2016

In a rivalry contest that has been in the favor of the MSU Spartans for seven of the last eight meeting, they welcomed the Michigan Wolverines to Spartan Stadium for a noon matchup.

FOOTBALL

HALFTIME: MSU trails U-M by double digits despite impressive start.

Nathaniel Bott

October 29, 2016

An early afternoon kickoff awaited for the MSU Spartans (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) and the University of Michigan Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) in the battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy.

FOOTBALL

Live Blog: MSU football vs. No.2 Michigan

Nathaniel Bott  and  Stephen Olschanski

October 29, 2016

Welcome to the live blog for MSU football's matchup with No. 2 Michigan, participate below by sending your thoughts, comments, questions and frustrations to our beat writers. 

FOOTBALL

PREVIEW: MSU prepares to host No. 2 U-M in battle for Paul Bunyan

Nathaniel Bott

October 28, 2016

The MSU football team (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) will face their toughest challenge of the year when they welcome No. 2 University of Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) into Spartan Stadium for the biggest game the Spartans will play this season.

FOOTBALL

Targeting ejection leaves Bullough unfazed with U-M near

Stephen Olschanski

October 28, 2016

Fifth-year senior linebacker Riley Bullough, with the weight of four straight losses, stepped onto the field at Maryland Stadium with energy. Just over ten minutes after kickoff, he was gone, tossed from the field for targeting — unfazed. 

FOOTBALL

MSU has chance to spoil College Football Playoff hopes for U-M on Saturday

Stephen Olschanski

October 26, 2016

MSU football takes on No. 2 University of Michigan at noon Saturday at Spartan Stadium. MSU, (2-5, 0-4) comes into the game a nearly 24-point underdog to the Wolverines who’ve racked up a 7-0 record overall and a 4-0 record in the Big Ten.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio: "Yeah, we can win. I firmly believe that."

Stephen Olschanski

October 26, 2016

Staring down the opportunity to drop his sixth straight game, Mark Dantonio previewed MSU football’s matchup with University of Michigan, set for Saturday at noon.

FOOTBALL

Penalties, miscues a factor in MSU's fifth straight loss

Stephen Olschanski

October 23, 2016

After striding up the field on perhaps it’s most fluid and consistent drive of the game, MSU fumbled it’s opportunity to punch in a score that might have staved off the humiliation of losing five games in a row.

FOOTBALL

MSU loses fifth straight, yet to win Big Ten game

Stephen Olschanski

October 22, 2016

Two fourth quarter touchdowns by Maryland vanquished a three point MSU lead, giving the Terrapins a 28-17 win over MSU football. The Spartans now have lost five straight.