ACL injury ends Redmond’s career at MSU

STARKVILLE — Will Redmond’s Mississippi State career is over.

The senior cornerback tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at practice Tuesday, but he was on the sidelines Saturday to watch the MSU football team beat Kentucky 42-16 at Davis Wade Stadium.

Redmond played in 27 games in his four-year career.

Change in attitude sparks West Point

WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team has attacked practice with a different attitude the last four weeks.

The change came following a 22-point loss at Oxford on Sept. 28. West Point coach Chris Chambless said he felt good about his team’s preparation prior to the game, but he said his team was shell-shocked in the loss to the Class 5A, Region 1 rival. After the loss, he wanted his team to avoid the “midseason blues,” so practices were intensified. That work paid off Friday night with a 50-0 victory against Saltillo at Hamblin Stadium in a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1 game.

Davis works behind scenes as MSU’s coordinator of football recruiting

STARKVILLE — Lee Davis is modest when she talks about her job.

Not many fans know Davis, who is Mississippi State’s coordinator of football recruiting. But she is an important member of the program and a key reason MSU has landed some of the top recruits in the state of Mississippi and the nation the past few seasons. Davis will be on the sidelines at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network) when MSU (5-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) plays host to Kentucky (4-2, 2-2) at Davis Wade Stadium.

5 Things to Watch for in Kentucky-Mississippi State

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team wants to enter its bye week on a three-game winning streak.

After defeating Troy and Louisiana Tech in the past two weeks, MSU (5-2, 1-2 Southeastern

Conference) returns to conference play at 6:30 p.m. Saturday when it plays host to Kentucky (4-2, 2-2) at Davis Wade Stadium.

Following its only bye week of the season, MSU will finish the season with conference games at Missouri, vs. Alabama, at Arkansas, and vs. Ole Miss.

MSU reportedly loses Redmond to torn ACL

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior cornerback Will Redmond tore his anterior cruciate ligament, according to media reports Thursday. He likely is done for the season.

MSU officials wouldn’t comment on the injury.

Veteran pitching coach Thompson takes job as head coach at Auburn

STARKVILLE — After Butch Thompson wasn’t hired away from the Mississippi State baseball team in the summer, John Cohen thought he had his pitching coach for at least one more season.

But MSU’s eighth-year head coach wasn’t surprised when Auburn came after Thompson and officially hired him Thursday. Thompson, who is from Amory, replaces Sonny Galloway, who was fired with cause after two years.

Starkville’s Brown receives Under Armour All-Star jersey

STARKVILLE — A.J. Brown has every reason to flaunt his athletic ability, but he doesn’t.

As the best wide receiver in the state of Mississippi, the Starkville High School senior is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2016.

But you wouldn’t know it talking to him.

Brown has grown from redshirt to key receiver

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen didn’t care how many stars were next to Fred Brown’s name in recruiting.

The Mississippi State football coach knew big things would be in store for the Jim Hill High School product if he could get the wide receiver into his program.

Hudson transitioning back to role as starting pitcher

STARKVILLE — Dakota Hudson has spent the past five months transitioning back to a familiar role.

After primarily being used a relief pitcher last season, the Mississippi State junior right-hander is moving back to being a starting pitcher. It’s a role he had in high school and as a freshman with the Bulldogs in 2014.

Maturing Ready wants to be bigger contributor

STARKVILLE — I.J. Ready has learned a lot in the last two years.

The Mississippi State junior guard arrived on campus in the summer of 2013 and quickly realized there was a big difference between the physicality in high school basketball and Division I men’s basketball.

Ready’s first season in the Southeastern Conference punctuated that point.

Ready embraces leadership role for MSU men’s basketball team

STARKVILLE – I.J. Ready has learned a lot in the last two years.

Jefferson on pace for record season at defensive end for MSU

STARKVILLE – A.J. Jefferson is on pace to have one of the best seasons by a Mississippi State defensive end.

Calvert making noise for West Point

WEST POINT — Off the football field, Chris Calvert is modest almost to the point you would think he is shy.

But the West Point High School running back can flip a switch when he steps on the field and play nothing like his personality.

Calvert showed that Friday night in a 47-21 victory against Lake Cormorant in West Point. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound sophomore had 14 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 91 yards and another touchdown to help the Green Wave improve to 6-2 and 3-1 in Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1 play.

MSU wants to continue success vs. Kentucky

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State and Kentucky football teams have developed a unique rivalry in the last 25 years.

The teams have played each other every year since 1990, and became constant opponents when the Southeastern Conference split into two divisions in 1992.

The Bulldogs (5-2, 1-2 SEC) and Wildcats (4-2, 2-2) will renew the series at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network) at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.

Starkville wants to keep defense focus, motivated

STARKVILLE — Brooks Oakley has plenty of options.

The Starkville High School defensive coordinator has some of the most talent he has coached in one of the state of Mississippi’s best defenses.

Still, he has to motivate them. Starkville (7-1, 4-0) will travel to Jackson to take on Murrah (3-5, 1-3) in a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 2 game at 7 p.m. Friday at Newell Field.

MSU gears up for return to SEC action

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team’s season is far from over.

In fact, it’s just beginning.

MSU finished its non-conference slate Saturday with a 45-20 victory against Louisiana Tech. MSU (5-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) went 4-0 against non-league foes. That has happened five times in coach Dan Mullen’s seven years at the school. Mullen is 28-5 against non-conference opponents.

MSU Notebook: Records continue for Prescott

STARKVILLE – With every game, Dak Prescott’s legacy continues to grow.

Former West Point standout Dora enjoys return to home

STARKVILLE – Vontarrius Dora has always been a tough football player.

Special teams play lift Bulldogs in easy home win

STARKVILLE – Donald Gray is more than capable of changing a game on the offensive side of the ball, but it was a special teams play Saturday that set the tone.

Starkville wins showdown with Madison Central for 4-0 start

STARKVILLE — Getting into the playoffs has become the norm for the Starkville High School football team.