FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio, Eastern Michigan football head coach Chris Creighton have mutual respect for each other

Geoff Preston

September 17, 2014

Many MSU students might not know about the coach who will be on the opposite sideline of head coach Mark Dantonio, but Chris Creighton has been said to mirror Dantonio's off-the-field personality.Both coaches spoke at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit, Dantonio said he was very impressed with Creighton."I was impressed with his delivery," Dantonio said.

FOOTBALL

Success of former Spartan quarterbacks in the NFL a statement for MSU, according to Mark Dantonio

Robert Bondy

September 17, 2014

Current MSU football players had the week off this past weekend, but a number of former Spartans carried on the program’s flag with impressive games in the NFL. Four former Spartan quarterbacks saw playing action in the NFL this past weekend, all of which leading their respective teams to victories.

SPORTS

Big Ten bloodlines

John Neidhart

September 17, 2014

Last Friday, MSU and then-No. 9 Wisconsin kicked their seasons off in a tough Big Ten opener. The Spartans and Badgers were certainly familiar with one another, but two individuals involved in the game knew each other like sisters.Courtney Clem, MSU’s redshirt senior goalkeeper, had the rare opportunity to see her sister, Caitlyn, on the opposite bench.

SPORTS

Abby Barker honored as Offensive Big Ten Player of the Week after strong road trip

Jonathon Chun

September 16, 2014

Early in the season, there seemed to be a couple of trends that were forming for No. 16 MSU field hockey. Among them, the team consistently found themselves in overtime finishes and always wound up splitting weekend series.This past weekend in Kent, Ohio, the Spartans were able to kick the one trend that means the most.

FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio addresses bye week, Eastern Michigan in weekly presser

Geoff Preston

September 16, 2014

After a long two week lay-off following No. 11 MSU’s (1-1 overall) 46-27 loss to No. 2 Oregon (3-0 overall), the Spartans will be back in action this Saturday against Eastern Michigan (1-2 overall) for a 12 p.m. kickoff. On Tuesday, football head coach Mark Dantonio was at the stage for his weekly press conference, when he addressed the bye week, final thoughts after the Oregon loss and keys to beating Eastern Michigan.

VOLLEYBALL

After Halle Peterson injury, freshman Rachel Minarick to see increased role

Troy Jefferson

September 16, 2014

No. 25 MSU volleyball (5-3 overall) will have to find a way to pick up the slack left behind after junior setter Halle Peterson dislocated her shoulder. Peterson injured her shoulder during Friday’s game against No. 14 Oregon. There is no timetable for her return.

FOOTBALL

2014 football season ticket sales total second-highest in school history

Jonathon Chun

September 16, 2014

Still reeling in the benefits of a Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship, MSU football has now seen its season ticket totals reach a near record high.

FOOTBALL

COLUMN — Bye week did more harm than good for MSU football last weekend

Robert Bondy

September 16, 2014

Despite having the weekend off, No. 11 MSU (1-1 overall) took a step back, or at least its playoff chances did.

SPORTS

Women's tennis dominates Auto-Owner's Insurance Spartan Invitational

Katie Winkler

September 16, 2014

By Katie Winklerkwinkler@statenews.comTHE STATE NEWSnnThe Women’s tennis team hosted their 25th annual Auto-Owner’s Insurance Spartan invitational tournament on Saturday and Sunday against Detroit Mercy, IPFW and Toledo.

MEN'S SOCCER

After injuries to Montague and Kreutz, men's soccer will look for younger players to step up

Matthew Argillander

September 16, 2014

After defeating Loyola-Chicago this past Sunday, the men’s soccer team has moved to 3-1-1 on the season heading into their first conference game of the year against Maryland on Sept. 19. The Spartans will need the other members of the team to step up while senior forward Adam Montague and senior forward Tim Kreutz sit out with injuries. According to head coach Damon Rensing, junior midfielder Jay Chapman is one of those guys, commenting on his performance after Sunday’s game.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

2014 Midnight Madness will take place on Oct. 24

Matthew Argillander

September 15, 2014

In preparation for the 2014 season, Director of Basketball Operations Kevin Pauga has announced MSU basketball will hold its annual "Midnight Madness" event on Friday Oct. 24. No official start time has been announced as of yet, but in 2013 doors opened at 8:30 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball splits Big Ten/Pac-12 challenge in Oregon

Troy Jefferson

September 15, 2014

The Spartan volleyball team (5-3 overall) returned home on Sunday with one more loss and one more win after splitting two games in the Big Ten/Pac-12 challenge.“We played two quality Pac-12 teams,” head coach Cathy George said. “I think there were areas where we grew and areas where we need to get sharper as a whole.”

SPORTS

Three Spartans in NFL brought home wins Sunday

Troy Jefferson

September 15, 2014

Sunday was a good day to be a former Spartan quarterback.

SPORTS

Leah O'Connor shines in 25th annual Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational

Katie Winkler

September 14, 2014

Senior Leah O’Connor won the Spartan Invitational with a time of 21:03. This is the second consecutive year that she has won home event.

MEN'S SOCCER

Men's soccer defeats Loyola-Chicago at home, 1-0

Matthew Argillander

September 14, 2014

Sunday afternoon the men's soccer team played the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers on a brisk partly-sunny day in DeMartin Soccer Stadium.MSU's defense gave the Ramblers fits holding them to only 2 shots in the first half and that shot didn't come until the 29:28 mark.

FOOTBALL

Now a senior, Tony Lippett emerges as one of best weapons in Big Ten

Robert Bondy

September 14, 2014

Entering the 2014 season, there was plenty of hype surrounding the No. 11 MSU offense, a group that returned seven starters from a year ago. While the offense has returned plenty of playmakers, none have been more impressive thus far than senior wide receiver Tony Lippett.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women's soccer lose second-consecutive overtime match to Minnesota at home, 1-0

John Neidhart

September 14, 2014

Coming off of a tough loss in their Big Ten opener, the women’s soccer team lost another tight battle to Minnesota, 1-0.MSU (6-2 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) played its third straight overtime game, but for the second time of the weekend, the Spartans lost in extra time.

SPORTS

Field hockey sweeps road trip with win over Richmond

Jonathon Chun

September 14, 2014

For the first time this season, No. 19 MSU field hockey was able to put together two wins in a row this weekend in Kent, Ohio. After beating Kent State in overtime yesterday afternoon, the Spartans turned in a dominating performance Sunday, defeating Richmond 6-1.

FOOTBALL

MSU moves up two spots to No. 11 in latest AP poll

Geoff Preston

September 14, 2014

Coming off of a bye week, MSU football benefitted in the Associated Press poll by moving up two spots to No. 11.

VOLLEYBALL

Chloe Reinig's high-scoring game helps volleyball defeat Oregon State, snap three-game skid

Troy Jefferson

September 14, 2014

MSU (5-3 overall) snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over previously undefeated Oregon State (7-1), 3-1 (26-24, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21). The Spartans were able to salvage a split in the Big Ten- Pac 12 tournament after losing to Oregon on Friday night, 3-1 (25-22, 13-25, 15-25, 12-25).