Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports | Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans rebound from loss, trump Michigan 7-2

After falling 5-1 to U-M Friday night, Kevin Walrod said the loss was going to provide motivation for the Spartans the following night. Turns out, it provided motivation and then some, as MSU hockey (4-5-1 overall, 3-3-0 CCHA) dominated its cross state rival by a score of 7-2.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball tops No. 10 Minnesota in four sets

The MSU volleyball team came into Friday’s match against No. 10 Minnesota riding on a wave of momentum after defeating No. 4 Nebraska last weekend. That wave only has picked up speed, as the Spartans (20-7 overall, 8-7 Big Ten) downed the Golden Gophers (20-6, 11-4) in four sets (25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-20).

ICE HOCKEY

MSU renews rivalry with U-M in weekend series

Growing up in Michigan, the MSU-U-M rivalry simply is a part of life. It’s the line dividing households, cities and the entire Mitten state. It’s the source of those two color combinations that residents display with pride on their clothing, bumper stickers and flags. It’s the matchups that bring out the best and the worst in people, and most of all, it’s not just a game.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans look to maintain momentum in critical stretch

Last weekend, the MSU volleyball team shocked the crowd at Jenison Field House when it toppled No. 4 Nebraska in a five-set thriller. This weekend, the Spartans (19-7 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) look to repeat that episode, as they have the chance to knock off No. 10 Minnesota (20-5, 11-3) to start their Big Ten doubleheader.

FOOTBALL

Column: Students need to show pride, end excuses

It was an instantly telling indictment. After leading the entire afternoon against Iowa on Oct. 13, the MSU football team (5-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) had lost the lead, was headed to overtime and had now lost the coin toss. With all of the momentum favoring the Hawkeyes, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio made what would normally be a surprising decision. He elected to play the overtime period in the end zone away from the student section because the Spartans needed as much support as possible and looking at a section about a quarter full didn’t inspire intimidation.

FOOTBALL

Maxwell leans on faith during difficult season

Andrew Maxwell did something unusual before his weekly press conference. He woke up and made his way approximately two hours north to open the polls at 6:45 a.m. at Adams Elementary School, 1005 Adams Drive, in Midland, Mich.

FOOTBALL

Dennard, Adams discuss controversial foul calls in heartbreaking loss to No. 18 Nebraska

Darqueze Dennard played the game of his life Saturday. The junior cornerback finished with two interceptions, four tackles, one called-back touchdown and one controversial pass interference penalty.

ICE HOCKEY

Canceled Winter Classic affects many, MSU hockey team included

Growing up in Metro Detroit, Brent Darnell spent his winters with his backyard turned into an ice sheet. Like many young hockey players, the sophomore forward said he would wait for the pond to finally freeze so he could lace up his skates and head outside for the rare outdoor hockey play.

BASKETBALL

Merchant discusses injuries, team’s progress

When MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant cast her vote on Tuesday morning, she encountered a broken ballot machine — a good representation of the week the Spartans had.

VOLLEYBALL

Carney makes impact felt as assistant coach, father

For MSU volleyball’s assistant coach Russ Carney, a day’s work might seem like something it would take an army of people to accomplish. But after 10-12 hours a day filled with coaching and tracking the team’s academics, housing situations and even parking on game days, Carney still can’t get enough of his job.

SOCCER

Men's soccer opens Big Ten Tournament with No. 22 Indiana

The last time Jay Chapman took the soccer field against Indiana, he walked away with his first collegiate hat trick and a 3-1 win for MSU men’s soccer (8-9-1 overall, 3-3-0 Big Ten). Chapman looks to have similar success as the Spartans open up the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday in Evanston, Ill., against the No. 22 Hoosiers at 1 p.m., Central time.

BASKETBALL

No. 14 Spartans preparing for trek to Germany

There are times when Tom Izzo wonders what MSU athletics director Mark Hollis has gotten him into. Traveling more than 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to open the No. 14 MSU men’s basketball season in Germany was one of those times.