SPORTS
Heisman watch
Last week was a crazy one for college football. But it helped Heisman voters sort through the contenders and pretenders.Dark horses such as N.C.
SPORTS
Williams, despite his struggles in third year as Spartan head coach, could recruit like no other
If there’s one thing Bobby Williams will be remembered for during his almost three-year tenure at MSU, it’s that the man could recruit.Williams, running backs coach and associate coach for 10 years before taking over for Nick Saban at the 2000 Citrus Bowl, was influential in bringing in a bulk of the talent the team has today.During those years as an assistant coach, he went on several recruiting visits, talking to families, high school coaches and the student-athletes about the opportunities MSU had to offer.Williams never had head coaching experience.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans hit road for two games
The MSU volleyball team doesn’t like being in the middle of the Big Ten standings, and players said this is a great weekend to do something about that. The Spartans (15-7 overall, 7-5 Big Ten) are stuck in fifth place, but a pair of wins would bump them up in the conference.
FOOTBALL
Mason speaks out on recent Williams firing
MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said he never expected such big problems only four months into his five-year term.“It’s really been kind of unfortunate and a sad time for MSU athletics that something like this has to come down,” Mason said concerning the football team.
SPORTS
Big man ready for big job
MSU freshman tailback David Richard created a hostile environment when he signed his National Letter of Intent.The St.
SPORTS
Head-to-head matchup tied neck and neck in progs
Death Ro and McSkinny are dead even after trying to predict 48 gamesDeath Ro (29-19) evened the overall records, going 4-1 for the second straight week, while McSkinny (29-19) went 3-2 for the second time in as many weeks.
ICE HOCKEY
Niagara visits Munn
Bye weeks on the MSU hockey schedule haven’t been very common in recent years, so it’s tough to guess how the Spartans will perform against Niagara at 7:05 p.m.
BASKETBALL
Izzo: Hit unfair to current U-M team
Spartan basketball head coach Tom Izzo said he’s saddened University of Michigan head coach Tommy Amaker and the current 2002-03 U-M basketball squad will be punished. U-M penalized its basketball program Thursday because of a scandal involving former booster Ed Martin. “I’ve always been a believer that the coaches and the players should take the hit, not the school,” Izzo said.
FOOTBALL
MIDDAY UPDATE: Moss back on football team, suspended indefinitely
Junior linebacker Monquiz Wedlow said Dawan Moss has been reinstated on the MSU football team, and MSU Sports Information spokesman John Lewandowski said the senior tailback is now suspended indefinitely.Wedlow said Moss won’t play Saturday at Indiana, but will stay on the team with a suspended status until his court charges are cleared or he is convicted.Moss was arrested Sunday morning for drunken driving, resisting and obstructing a police officer and fleeing and eluding, a felony.
VOLLEYBALL
Juniors lively spirit is contagious
Fans flock to MSU volleyball matches to watch the Spartans battle fierce competition. But they also come to see the buzz Jenny Rood creates with her performance on the court. Following every kill, block or opponent error, Rood makes her feelings known, ecstatically jumping like a bunny.
SPORTS
Swimming and diving teams set to compete
After a bye week, the MSU men’s and women’s swimming and diving squads return to action on Friday. MSU will meet Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., at 5 p.m.
SPORTS
Wrestling team hosts tourney at Jenison
No. 16 MSU is hosting one of the nation’s largest tournaments this weekend. The Michigan State Open, held Saturday and Sunday at Jenison Field House, is a double-elimination tourney with each wrestler competing on an individual basis, and no team scoring. Last season’s event brought to the mats more than 300 wrestlers from 18 different schools, including five ranked squads. This year, the Big Ten features seven of its 11 teams ranked in the top 20, according to the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association poll released Wednesday. Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State and Illinois grace the poll’s top 10 list, with Minnesota nabbing the top spot.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans getting stronger, fall to No. 13 in polls
When it comes to weight rooms, size is an issue for first-year MSU head coach Rick Comley. That’s why his hockey team has been commuting to the Duffy Daugherty Football Building for lifting sessions every Monday and Wednesday this year.
SPORTS
Spartans hungry for Big Ten Tournament championship
The No. 5 MSU field hockey team boarded the bus to Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday with visions of nothing less than a Big Ten Championship. “One more time, that’s what we tell (the players) every game,” head coach Michele Madison said.
FOOTBALL
List of possible replacements for Williams continues to grow
With Bobby Williams out the door and Morris Watts destined to make his exit in December, MSU should garner plenty of interest from talented coordinators and coaches across the country.
SPORTS
Bobby's World no more
Matt McKenna isn't going to hide his "Bobby's World" jersey in the back of his closet just yet. The co-director of Bobby's World said he thinks firing Bobby Williams was the right decision, especially after Williams admitted he "didn't know" if he had control of the team after the loss to Michigan on Saturday.
SOCCER
Women's soccer set to host Big Ten Tournament
After nine years of playing away in the Big Ten Tournament, the MSU women's soccer team finally has the opportunity to play at home. "We're all very excited," head coach Tom Saxton said.
FOOTBALL
Group to discuss firing
Members of Black Student Alliance are hosting a town hall meeting Thursday to discuss possible injustices in Bobby Williams' termination as MSU's head football coach. Marcelle Bryant, the group's programming director, said she personally was angered with the manner in which Williams was fired Monday, but said she wasn't convinced the act had anything to do with race.
FOOTBALL
Watts to close out Spartans' season
Less than 18 hours after Bobby Williams was fired Monday evening, Morris Watts fielded questions from the media for the first time as the interim head coach Tuesday afternoon. Watts has been handed the task of trying to motivate a 3-6 team that has been blown out in its last four games.
FOOTBALL
Williams reacts to firing
Former Spartans football head coach Bobby Williams spoke out Wednesday for the first time since his firing. Williams told ESPN his expectations as coach included the same opportunities extended to his predecessors - former head coaches George Perles and Nick Saban - when they took over the football squad. Williams was fired after a team practice Monday.