MEN'S SOCCER
MSU hits road to Chicago for pair of games
September 27, 2011 is a date junior Kyle Rutz will never forget.
VOLLEYBALL
Weekend of huge upsets for Spartans on road trip
A couple months from now, last weekend might be considered the moment when the MSU volleyball team proved themselves a national powerhouse. Prior to Friday, their 11-1 preseason record wasn’t good enough to top a historically competitive Big Ten.
MEN'S SOCCER
Keener splits forehead open, follows with header goal
Ryan Keener is a warrior. Three jerseys and three stitches later, the junior defender led the MSU men’s soccer team (5-1-1 overall) to a 2-0 win against Northern Illinois Saturday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Izzo addresses expectations, leaders
The MSU’s men’s basketball team is expected to be among the nation’s best teams for the 2013-14 season, but head coach Tom Izzo wants to keep expectations in perspective. The Spartans are opening up a new campaign and are anticipated to be among the top five teams in the country. They are even being touted as the No. 1 team in the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook Preseason Top 25, ahead of Kentucky, Louisville, Duke and Arizona, respectively.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's soccer splits weekend against Minnesota, Wisconsin
The MSU women’s soccer team couldn’t pick up the weekend sweep as the Spartans lost to No. 18 Wisconsin, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans (7-2-2 overall, 1-2-0 Big Ten) won their first Big Ten game in nearly a year Friday against Minnesota, 3-0, but head coach Tom Saxton said tired legs hit the young squad Sunday against the Badgers (7-1-2, 2-0-1).
SPORTS
Field hockey wins Big Ten opener against OSU
The MSU field hockey team stated earlier in the week that they wanted to put their preseason record behind them as they enter Big Ten play. Thanks to the continued strong play of junior forward Allie Ahern, the Spartans were able to do so Saturday.
BASKETBALL
Thousands gather for Izzone Campout
MSU basketball is back. With it comes high expectations, a beloved coach and the return of one of the best student sections in college basketball. It all got kick started Friday night with the annual Izzone Campout.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's soccer picks up first Big Ten win
It’s been nearly a year, but the MSU women’s soccer team was able to finally pick up a Big Ten win.
SPORTS
MSU volleyball upsets No. 1 Penn State on the road
They attacked, and they conquered. The MSU volleyball team (12-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten), showed their resiliency in a thrilling five-game upset (25-23, 26-24, 19-25, 19-25, 15-9) over No.
FOOTBALL
Cook fine tuning skills in bye week
During MSU’s bye week, quarterbacks coach Brad Salem told his players to focus on improving one aspect of their game following the loss to Notre Dame. Sophomore quarterback Connor Cook chose two: footwork and accuracy.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball hits road for No. 1 Penn State, No. 13 Ohio State
With the overall strong preseason performance of the Big Ten conference, it’s been questioned just how good the No. 15 Spartans (11-1 overall) actually are. A clearer picture will come to focus this weekend as the Spartans travel to take on No. 1 Penn State Friday and No. 13 Ohio State Sunday.
MEN'S SOCCER
Alashe outstanding stepping in for Cope
For a team to be elite, every player needs to be as great as the one in front of them. For the last three games, junior midfielder Fatai Alashe moved into the spot senior defender Kevin Cope left because of an injury.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's soccer moves on to Minnesota, Wisconsin
This will be a crucial weekend for the women’s soccer team as they prepare to face Big Ten opponents Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Spartans (6-1-1 overall, 0-1-0 Big Ten) dropped their first match of the season last week against Nebraska, 1-0. With only one game last weekend, MSU got a couple of extra days to rebound and freshen up for this weekend’s slate.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
MSU hoops picks up its first recruit
The Spartans have their next young point guard. Making his announcement Thursday morning at Christian Sunrise Academy in Wichita, Kan., 2014 recruit LouRawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. said he will be attending MSU next fall.
ICE HOCKEY
Experience to help MSU on ice this season
Tom Anastos is a man who likes experience, and fortunately for him, this year’s MSU hockey team is gaining in that area. “This year, for the most part, we have guys that know what the expectations are,” Anastos said. “We have guys that have college experience now, where last year we didn’t have that.”
FOOTBALL
Dantonio talks Jones, offensive line, pass interference
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is using some of his extra time this week to help fill the void left by senior linebacker Jairus Jones, who is sidelined at least six weeks with a medial collateral ligament injury.
SPORTS
Field hockey optimistic after slow start
After an up-and-down, inconsistent preseason, the field hockey team welcomes the start of Big Ten play against Ohio State on Saturday. It’s like a fresh start.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartan hockey resetting their confidence level in 2013-14
The last time the hockey team had more losses than last year’s 25-loss squad was the 1977-78 team, with 27. The 2012-13 team was coming off of its first playoff berth since the Spartans won the National Championship in 2007. However, with the graduation of nine seniors and Torey Krug’s departure to the NHL, MSU found itself with with a sizable incoming class with 10 true freshmen and two transfers.
FOOTBALL
Jairus Jones out six weeks with MCL injury
With the first of two bye weeks underway, the MSU football team is hoping the extra rest will prove beneficial for players on the mend. For senior linebacker Jairus Jones, it will be at least six weeks before he returns to action after suffering a medial collateral ligament, or MCL, injury against Notre Dame, head coach Mark Dantonio announced.
FOOTBALL
New season, same situation?
Two seasons, two identical records. That’s the situation facing the MSU football team (3-1) following a weekend loss to No. 22 Notre Dame after opening victories against Western Michigan, South Florida and Youngstown State.