MSU long snappers perfecting their tricks

STARKVILLE — Winston Chapman and Hunter Bradley have found a unique way to practice their craft.

The Mississippi State long snappers do what all of their peers do in practice: snap the ball. But they have found a way to mix it up when they are away from the practice fields.

It’s called trick long snapping, and the duo tries to hit targets that can be just about anything. Their work has made the rounds on

YouTube, Twitter, and other social media sites.

Love will look to new seniors at Starkville High

STARKVILLE — Coming off the best finish in program history, the Starkville High School volleyball team will have to replace eight seniors.

Starkville lost to DeSoto Central in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class III North State championship last season to finish 22-11.

Coach Lauren Love relied on the seniors in the playoff run, but this year there will be new players stepping into the roles left by the likes of Khris Carr and Vicky Vo. On Saturday, Love will get a chance to see who might take leadership roles on the team when Starkville plays exhibition matches in Tupelo against host Tupelo and Madison Central.

Starkville High’s Brown emerging as one of nation’s best

STARKVILLE — A.J. Brown is one of the hottest commodities in the state of Mississippi.

The Starkville High School senior is the state’s fifth-best player in the 2016 recruiting class and the 14th-best wide receiver in the country, according to 247Sports.

With all the attention he is receiving from football, Brown doesn’t want his second love — baseball — to fall to the wayside. He wants to play both sports at the next level.

Ross hopes work with Prescott pays off

STARKVILLE — After last season ended, Mississippi State wide receiver Fred Ross knew his role in the offense was going to expand in 2015.

Ross wanted to be prepared for the chance to fill the void left by Jameon Lewis and Robert Johnson, so he and starting quarterback Dak Prescott worked together anytime they could in the spring and summer to build chemistry.

Former junior college players adapting to life in the fast lane

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State has four junior college transfers that will be competing for playing time this month.

MSU’s Market back on field after Achilles injury

STARKVILLE — When Kendrick Market left Oxford last year after the Mississippi State football team’s loss to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, the safety didn’t know what the 2015 season was going to hold for him.

The Batesville native saw a ruptured Achilles tendon end his junior season. He watched from a scooter on the sidelines as MSU lost to Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl at the end of December. He didn’t go through spring drills and was skeptical about playing this season.

But he participated in the first day of fall camp Monday.

MSU’s Bougard working to improve at javelin, shot put

STARKVILLE — There were times this summer when Erica Bougard left the Mississippi State track discouraged after a long practice.

Many of the events that make up the heptathlon come easy to the Southeastern Conference champion. But there are two — the javelin and the shot put — that usually get the best of her.

This summer, Bougard has taken steps to improve in both. It has been taxing.

MSU football team opens camp today

STARKVILLE — The road to Atlanta and the Southeastern Conference title game starts today for the Mississippi State football team.

The Bulldogs reported Suanday night and open fall camp today. No practices will be open to the public.

MSU opened the 2014 season with nine-straight victories and was ranked No. 1 for five-straight weeks. The Bulldogs lost three of their final four games, including losses to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, to finish 10-3. MSU earned its highest finish in The Associated Press rankings (No. 11) and tied its highest finish in the USA Today Coaches poll (No. 12).

Logan enjoys fruitful career with MSU athletics

STARKVILLE – Jay Logan has had two revelations about his career.

New MSU softball stadium proves bittersweet for Mississippi College coach O’Hair

STARKVILLE – When former Mississippi State second baseman Brooke O’Hair looks at her husband Tony, she thinks of the MSU softball stadium and field.

Howland likes MSU’s non-conference schedule

STARKVILLE — In the past three seasons, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team found competing in the Southeastern Conference to be an uphill battle.

In three seasons at MSU, former coach Rick Ray didn’t post a winning record in the SEC. His highest win total (six) came last season. As a result, Ray was fired a week and a half after a season-ending loss to Auburn in the SEC tournament. He has since been hired to lead the Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball program.

Former MSU RB Griffin earns gold medal with Team USA

STARKVILLE — Nick Griffin has experienced almost everything a player can on a football field.

The running back played four seasons in the Southeastern Conference, arguably the nation’s best college football league. This past season, Griffin helped Mississippi State rise to No. 1 for five weeks and earn an invitation to the Orange Bowl last December.

Last week, Griffin did something not many football players can say they did: He helped the United States win a gold medal at the International Federation of American Football World Championship in Canton, Ohio.

McFatrich has plan to revitalize MSU volleyball

STARKVILLE — David McFatrich knew what he was getting into when he became Mississippi State’s new volleyball coach.

McFatrich realized MSU never has qualified for the NCAA tournament and has won only 86 Southeastern Conference matches in its 40-year history.

MSU’s Sword should have more help this season

STARKVILLE — Scoring never has been an issue for Craig Sword.

Sword has scored in double figures in each of the past three seasons to lead the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.

Last season, Sword was bothered by a back injury that required surgery weeks before the 2014-15 opener. After missing the first four games of the season, Sword needed additional time to find his rhythm, but the Montgomery, Alabama, native still averaged 11.3 points per game. As a sophomore and freshman he averaged 13.7 and 10.5 ppg., respectively.

Wood ready to be a leader for MSU as a senior

STARKVILLE — Ben Wood was in the midst of his best season at Mississippi State in 2014-15.

He won two tournaments in the fall and was preparing to carry that momentum to the spring and help the Bulldogs reach the postseason.

Then his mother, Robin, lost her battle to bile duct cancer, which attacks the liver, in January.

Former MSU player faces domestic violence charge, again

For the second time in less than a year, former Mississippi State football player Justin Cox was arrested and charged with domestic violence.

MaxxSouth airing local high school athletic events

MaxxSouth Broadband is trying to get the community involved with sporting events taking place in Mississippi.

Analysis: What We Learned at SEC Media Days

STARKVILLE – Southeastern Conference Media Days officially marks the beginning of football season.

Funk wins Southern Amateur Championship

WEST POINT – There’s no doubt that Taylor Funk knows what it takes to win on the golf course.

SEC Media Days: Johnson, Rebels talking national championship

HOOVER, Ala. – C.J. Johnson isn’t lacking for confidence.