This weekend's game against Indiana University will have an added meaning for the Spartans, as they will honor former linebacker Mylan Hicks, who was killed in a shooting Sunday morning in Calgary, where he played professionally.
Last Saturday the Wisconsin offense had its way with MSU’s defense. Whenever pinned at third and long, the Badgers seemed to make their biggest statements of the day. Out of the seven third and long situations the Badgers converted four of them, resulting in longer drives and points, often through the air.
Junior defensive tackle Malik McDowell had some of the highest projections of anyone in college football coming into this year.
On Tuesday, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio held his weekly press conference addressed some issues he had about the Wisconsin game and gave a preview of this week’s contest against the Indiana Hoosiers.
The State News sports editor Casey Harrison and football writer Stephen Olschanski discuss MSU football's loss to Wisconsin, recent athlete deaths and player protests during the anthem around the area.
On Tuesday, Mark Dantonio announced that junior linebacker Jon Reschke would be out “for a significant period of time,” with an ankle sprain. Dantonio also said that Riley Bullough is day-to-day and a decision will be made on his status later in the week.
MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio made it known throughout the week that conference play in the Big Ten is where the season really starts to matter.
“Mike was one those guys that first of all, had a great demeanor about him, he was extremely competitive, he was a guy that liked to have fun, very intelligent individual.” - Mark Dantonio Sadler passed away this summer in a car accident, along with Nebraska punter Sam Foltz. The punter, along with seven other Spartans were inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday.
It began with a tweet. MSU senior graduate transfer defensive end Gabe Sherrod spoke of taking the movement to the realm of college football.
Mylan Hicks, a former MSU linebacker and current member of the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders, died early Sunday morning in what the team is calling an “act of violence.” Hicks, 23, played for the Spartans from 2010-2014 and was a three-year letterwinner under Mark Dantonio.
Trailing 30-6 fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor rolled to the right, didn’t bother to see true freshman wide receiver Donnie Corley by himself in the endzone and zipped a pass to triple covered fifth-year senior Monty Madaris.
No. 8 MSU had to be confident heading into Saturday’s contest after going on the road last week and taking down a ranked Notre Dame team on the road. Conference play has always been a point of emphasis for the Spartans, and their track record under head coach Mark Dantonio has proven that.
Football beat writers Stephen Olschanski and Nathaniel Bott break down No. 8 MSU's 30-6 loss over No. 11 Wisconsin in East Lansing. With the loss, the Spartans' overall record falls to 2-1 on the season and 0-1 in Big Ten play.
The No. 8 MSU football team got off to a sluggish start in the first half, and too many mistakes cost the Spartans the start they wanted in Big Ten play, getting blown away by the Badgers 30-6 in the Big Ten opener.
Head coach Mark Dantonio stressed the importance of Big Ten play throughout the week, and it didn’t seem to stick following the Spartans first half performance, as No. 8 MSU trails No. 11 Wisconsin 13-6 at the break.
Follow along in real time with MSU football beat writers Nathaniel Bott and Stephen Olschanski as No. 11 Wisconsin travels to East Lansing to take on No. 8 MSU.
For the first time this year, the Spartans will have a noon kickoff in what is sure to be a bruising Big Ten battle to open conference play. It is the 53rd meeting between the Spartans and the Badgers, the last of which being in 2012 when the MSU defeated the Badgers in Madison 16-13 in overtime.
State News sports editor Casey Harrison and football beat writer Stephen Olschanski discuss MSU football's matchup with Wisconsin, Central Michigan and Western Michigan College Gameday antics, their weekly hot takes and give their picks for the biggest college football games of the weekend.
Tyler O'Connor is more than serviceable at quarterback After going 19-of-26 for 241 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame O'Connor proved his game managing forte and skill.
The last time MSU sixth-year linebacker Ed Davis played Wisconsin, he was a redshirt-freshman. He recorded a tackle for loss in that game, and seemed to bring an extra competitive fire wherever he played; whether his work on the scout team his redshirt season or his 58 tackles his junior year as a starter.