VOLLEYBALL
Fan support has dwindled away
The MSU Spartan volleyball team saw two extreme ends of the spectrum last weekend. At No.
FOOTBALL
Duckett vs. Anderson
If MSU’s T.J. Duckett is considered the Midwest’s “freak of nature,” then Northwestern’s Damien Anderson comes in a close second. Both Heisman Trophy candidate running backs are known for their uncanny speed and strength, despite the fact they differ in size. Duckett, at 6-foot-1 and 249 pounds, bruised his way to 1,353 yards in 2000, while Anderson, at 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, scampered for 2,063 - the most in the Big Ten.
SPORTS
Fans, Spartan players dig Jordans return
There was a time no one questioned his moves, his word was gospel, and he could do no wrong.But with one fax, he has brought a hellfire of controversy upon himself.Michael Jordan’s announcement Tuesday that he will return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards has the entire sports world wondering what to expect.To many around East Lansing, his return brings a lift to basketball and to sports in general.“It’s great,” human resources senior Ashli Fabiano said.
SPORTS
Death of Maine coach has team, family ties for Mason
Detroit - Sadness shrouded CCHA Media Day at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, as the league’s 12 coaches remembered Maine head coach and former MSU assistant Shawn Walsh, who died Monday after a 15-month battle with renal cell carcinoma, a rare form of cancer. But the loss hit at a much more personal level for MSU head coach Ron Mason. Walsh, 46, was the ex-husband of Mason’s daughter, Tracey Hein.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans star in CCHA poll; U-M takes second
Detroit - The CCHA unveiled its preseason media poll at the league’s annual Media Day in Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, and the Spartans were in familiar territory - atop the league. The media overwhelmingly endorsed MSU to repeat as CCHA regular season champions, giving the Spartans 22 out of 26 possible first-place votes.
ICE HOCKEY
Freshmen expected to bolster offense
Most of the talk at MSU’s hockey media day Monday in Munn Ice Arena centered around two things - “The Cold War” outdoor hockey game on Oct.
BASKETBALL
Izzone ticket sale process includes lottery, camp out; sign up this week
MSU students seeking a spot in the Izzone will have a chance to earn tickets this week, but the process is slightly different than in years past.
FOOTBALL
Rogers, Jarretts improvements earn Big Ten Player of Week honors
The Big Ten named freshman wide receiver Charles Rogers and senior punter Craig Jarrett Big Ten Players of the Week on Monday for their efforts in MSU’s 17-10 win over Notre Dame.Rogers was named co-offensive player of the week along with Northwestern’s Damien Anderson and Jarrett was named the special teams player of the week.
SPORTS
Field hockey squad hosts Central Michigan
The MSU field hockey team hosts Central Michigan at 7:30 p.m. today in the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. The Spartans (5-3, 1-0 Big Ten) are coming off a dominating 5-0 win over Northwestern in their Big Ten opener Saturday at Spartan Stadium. Despite its 3-3 overall record, Central could present a challenge for the Spartans.
SPORTS
Men, womens squads top college racers at invite
Early rain threatened to ruin the course, but the track held together for the MSU men’s and women’s cross country teams to host the 12th annual Spartan Invitational on Friday at Forest Akers East Golf Course.The women competed well against the field of 12 teams - which was open to the public for the first time - and took four of the top five spots.
ICE HOCKEY
Mason readies for first practice, not sure what to expect
Darkness is creeping in earlier every day, the daily highs are sinking lower and lower, and Ron Mason is back in the MSU Hockey Office after a summer vacation spent mostly away from East Lansing.By all indications, hockey season is imminent.
SPORTS
No. 6 Spartans open Big Ten season by toppling Northwestern
The No. 6 MSU field hockey team opened its Big Ten schedule with an impressive 5-0 win over the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.The Spartans (5-3, 1-0 Big Ten) dominated the game, outshooting Northwestern 15-4 in the win.“All week, we’ve been working on hits into the circle, and I’ve been working on my movement cutting to the ball,” senior forward Bridget Cooper said.It seems to be working - the first goal came 13 minutes into the first half as Cooper guided the ball past goalkeeper Kendra Mesa on a pass from freshman midfielder Annebet Beerman.
VOLLEYBALL
Two Big Ten losses end Spartans perfect record
The Spartan volleyball team left East Lansing on Thursday with hopes of returning with a 9-0 record and wins over Wisconsin on Friday and Northwestern on Saturday. Twenty-eight service errors later, the Spartans (7-2, 0-2 Big Ten) found themselves on the first losing streak of the season, falling 3-1 to No.
SPORTS
Marshall-Stefani lose in doubles final
In the first tournament of their collegiate careers, MSU freshmen tennis players Cameron Marshall and Anthony Stefani advanced to the final round of the doubles C division Saturday at the Ball State Invitational at Ball State. The team won 8-1 in the quarterfinals and 8-3 in the semifinals after receiving a bye in the first round. But the streak ended there, as the duo lost 8-4 to Findling-Grupp of Western Michigan. Marshall also played for the consolation B title, and beat Erik Lindroos of Western 6-2, 6-2.
SPORTS
Its not about traditions; Bobby made good call
MSU’s football team could have just waited in the locker room Saturday. It could have mouthed the words to “America the Beautiful” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The players could have paid their own private respects to the victims of the Sept.
SPORTS
Womens soccer starts conference play 0-2
After a scoreless first half, the MSU women’s soccer team finally fell to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday, losing 1-0 in its Big Ten season opener.
FOOTBALL
Labinjo becomes big-play man in Notre Dame win
South Bend, Ind. - Notre Dame head coach Bob Davie said Saturday he and his staff ran a sneaky play against the Spartans after researching MSU for the past couple of years.
SOCCER
Mens soccer splits weekend games
The MSU men’s soccer team began the weekend on a positive note, before losing to Big Ten powerhouse Indiana on Sunday.
SPORTS
Flights around sports stadiums banned by FAA
The Associated Press Washington - The government has banned all aircraft from flying within three miles of major professional and college sporting events and any other large open air gathering. The Federal Aviation Administration’s notice to pilots became effective at noon Thursday, said spokeswoman Laura Brown.
FOOTBALL
Smoker, Van Dyke play video games, share a pad, agree its all about support
Roommates Jeff Smoker and Ryan Van Dyke couldn’t wait to give the video game, NCAA Football 2002, a shot this summer.The two quarterbacks, who shared playing time during the Spartans 35-21 victory over Central Michigan last week, flicked on the television screen, loaded up their Sony PlayStation 2 and were amused at what they saw.Smoker, a sophomore, was listed as MSU’s starting quarterback, while Van Dyke, a senior, was depicted as backup with one noticeably inaccurate quality.“I’m just the backup, and I don’t appreciate that they have me left-handed too,” joked Van Dyke, who’s right-handed.