Articles by Ben Wait
Mullen working on extension with MSU
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen confirmed Wednesday he is working on a contract extension with MSU.
Mullen didn’t offer any further details, and MSU director of athletics John Cohen couldn’t be reached for a comment.
MSU football player Hankerson arrested again
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State freshman defensive back John Michael Hankerson was arrested for the second time in less than a week, a university official confirmed Wednesday.
Coaches name MSU’s Ross to All-SEC team
STARKVILLE — A day after accepting an invitation to the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl, Mississippi State senior wide receiver Fred Ross was named to the All-Southeastern Conference second team by the league’s coaches, the league announced Tuesday.
Ross is the 22nd player to earn All-SEC Coaches’ honors under MSU coach Dan Mullen.
Ross, Clayborn will play in All-Star games
STARKVILLE — Two Mississippi State football players will play in postseason All-Star games.
Wide receiver Fred Ross accepted an invitation to the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl, and center Jamaal Clayborn will play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Howland, MSU men will take advantage of time off
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland is excited about the next week and a half.
The Bulldogs won’t play any games while the players study for final exams that run through Friday. After giving his team Monday and Tuesday off, Howland will get MSU back on the court for practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
MSU will play Miami (Ohio) in St. Petersburg Bowl
STARKVILLE — Despite finishing 5-7, the Mississippi State football team is going to a school-record seventh-straight bowl game.
Thanks to an Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 971, MSU and North Texas earned the right to go bowling despite having 5-7 records. MSU will play Miami (Ohio) at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 26, in the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, the bowl and both schools announced Sunday afternoon.
Peters has career day in Bulldogs’ victory
STARKVILLE — Lamar Peters’ week didn’t start on a strong note.
The Mississippi State freshman guard overslept for a 6 p.m. game against Northwestern State on Monday. MSU coach Ben Howland sent a manager to Peters’ dorm and when the manager informed him Peters had overslept, Howland told the manager to tell Peters not to show up to the gym. It was the second time Peters was suspended for a game. He missed the game against Central Florida on Nov. 17 for undisclosed reasons.
Green Wave end years of frustration, take eighth crown
STARKVILLE — Frustrating.
That’s how West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless described the last six years. The Green Wave won Mississippi High School Activities Association Class (MHSAA) 5A State championships in 2009 and 2010. But with Oxford and Starkville as formidable opponents, it was hard for West Point to get a chance to play for a title, let alone win one.
Howland hopes Weatherspoon can help Bulldogs build identity
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team had to develop a new identity for two games.
With leading scorer Quinndary Weatherspoon sidelined with a wrist injury, the Bulldogs had to find a way to make up for the sophomore guard’s 18.8 points per game.
MSU hopes it won’t have to play assume that identity again.
MSU football player Mullins will transfer
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football redshirt freshman defensive lineman Anfernee Mullins tweeted Friday he plans to transfer.
Weatherspoon returns to lead MSU past Oregon State
STARKVILLE — Quinndary Weatherspoon’s last two weeks have been full of uncertainties.
On Nov. 21, it was announced the Mississippi State sophomore guard/forward was going to miss the remainder of the season with a tear to his Scapholunate ligament in his left hand — his non-dominant hand. He suffered the injury Nov. 18 against Boise State in the Gildan Charleston Classic in Charleston, South Carolina. Weatherspoon played the next day against UTEP.
Mullen suspends WR Hankerson indefinitely
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football freshman John Michael Hankerson has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities after being arrested for simple assault and trespassing Wednesday, MSU coach Dan Mullen announced Thursday.
Wright carving out role with MSU men
STARKVILLE — Eli Wright was ready for college basketball.
After beginning his high school career at Apollo High School in Owensboro, Kentucky, Wright transferred to 22 Feet Academy in Greenville, South Carolina, for his senior season. The move allowed Wright to play a national schedule, which including games against perennial powers like Oak Hill Academy, of Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
Twitter post says Tiano will explore options outside of MSU
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Tiano said he will explore his options outside of MSU via a Twitter post posted Wednesday afternoon.
Tiano served as the third-string quarterback behind sophomore starter Nick Fitzgerald and junior backup Damian Williams this season.
Cannizaro hits the ground running with MSU baseball program
STARKVILLE — Andy Cannizaro didn’t waste anytime.
Starkville Academy’s Carrell excited about all-star opportunity
STARKVILLE — Dillon Carrell gets one more opportunity to show what he’s got.
Bulldogs bask in glow of Egg Bowl win
OXFORD — Dan Mullen was beaming.
After the Mississippi State football team beat Ole Miss 55-20 Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in the Battle for the Golden Egg, the MSU coach found it hard to suppress a smile and was lively answering questions.
MSU seniors enjoy bringing Egg Bowl back to Starkville
OXFORD — A.J. Jefferson walked around Vaught-Hemingway Stadium with a big smile.
The Mississippi State senior defensive lineman was followed by all of his teammates as he showed off the new hardware that was about to be transported back to Starkville.
