Shoop likes what he sees in MSU’s defense

STARKVILLE — First-year defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and new linebackers coach Tem Lukabu like what they see from the Mississippi State defense.

Alexander walk-off sends Bulldogs past Rebels in 11 innings

STARKVILLE — Luke Alexander craned his neck toward the overcast sky and watched as what will almost certainly be the biggest moment of his Mississippi State baseball career soar away. Even he didn’t think it would come in this fashion.

Notebook: Catching position comes through for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — In the Mississippi State baseball team’s well-documented offensive struggles through March, the catcher position was offering little relief. Marshall Gilbert entered this weekend’s series against No. 3 Ole Miss (27-6, 7-5 Southeastern Conference) with a .238 batting average and Dustin Skelton was getting more starts with his .193.

MSU basketball team loses pair to transfer

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s men’s basketball program announced Sunday evening that forwards Xavian Stapleton and Eli Wright will transfer away from the program.

Bulldogs, Rebels split cold doubleheader at Dudy Noble

STARKVILLE — An inning like this one has been a long time coming for the Mississippi State baseball team.

Moorhead finding balance with coaching responsibilities

STARKVILLE — Joe Moorhead’s days of having a vested interest in the offense over the defense in practice are over. In all his years as an offensive coordinator, he had the same demeanor he presumed every other offensive coordinator has: he wants his offense to do well at all costs, even if the defense suffers with an embarrassing day. Now, as Mississippi State’s head football coach, he wants to see some back and forth.

Q Weatherspoon declares for NBA draft

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon announced Friday he has declared for the NBA draft but that he won’t hire an agent, which means he maintains his eligibility if he chooses to return to school.

MSU baseball team aims for breakout weekend

UPDATE — Rain has washed out Game 1 Friday. The teams will play a doubleheader at noon Saturday.

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State baseball team needs a breakthrough.

At 15-15 and 2-7 in the Southeastern Conference, MSU is last in the league with the SEC’s worst batting average (.256) and run production (139, 4.6 per game).

Nick Weatherspoon declares for NBA draft, won’t hire agent

STARKVILLE — If it wishes to have it, the NBA can lay claim to the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s backcourt.

One day after sophomore point guard Lamar Peters announced his intent to enter the NBA draft without hiring an agent, thus saving his eligibility if he chooses to return to MSU, freshman guard Nick Weatherspoon did the same Thursday.

MSU coaches giving WRs plenty of chances to make impressions

STARKVILLE — Joe Moorhead’s first signing class for the Mississippi State football team was widely hailed for its depth at wide receiver.

At 6-foot-2 or taller, four-star recruits Stephen Guidry, Devonta “Whop” Jason, and Malik Heath were supposed to be what the new coach needed for his first four years on the job.

MSU’s Peters declares for NBA draft, won’t hire agent

STARKVILLE — In most sports, making yourself a candidate for the professional draft ends your collegiate eligibility. Men’s basketball allows players to examine their prospects before making a final decision about their eligibility.

MSU overcomes offensive struggles to beat Southern

STARKVILLE — Offensive struggles have become the norm for the Mississippi State baseball team. On Wednesday, the Bulldogs won in spite of them.

MSU used two hits to build a one-run lead through seven innings. It added four more runs in the eighth to earn a 5-0 victory against Southern at Dudy Noble Field.

MSU’s Simmons recovering from shoulder injury

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons had a breakout season in 2017.

Simmons had 60 tackles, including 12 for a loss, five sacks, and five quarterback hurries to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition.

Simmons did it with an injured shoulder.

Thompson ready to anchor MSU linebackers

STARKVILLE — Dez Harris was more than a middle linebacker producing over five tackles per game for last year’s Mississippi State football team; he was a senior for a position group that desperately needed one, as the rest of its rotation was made up of two freshmen and a sophomore. In the midst of installing a new defense with a new coaching staff, MSU will have to find a replacement for Harris as the defensive signal caller, the one in charge of all postsnap adjustments.

Moorhead speaks at Golden Triangle Boys & Girls Club fundraiser

STARKVILLE — Joe Moorhead isn’t a fan of talking about himself at length. Mississippi State’s new football coach said as much as he addressed supporters of the Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Triangle Thursday night, when he found a way to tell his tale from playing youth sports in Pittsburgh to his exceedingly brief professional football career all in the span of a few minutes.

MSU Notebook: Progression of practice pleases Moorhead

STARKVILLE — The first five practices of Joe Moorhead’s first spring as Mississippi State’s head football coach have had plenty of visitors. Some of them were fans for the open practice last week, some at Thursday’s practice were MSU faculty invited to practice, others have been coaches from different levels visiting the new staff.

Rankin shines at MSU Pro Day

STARKVILLE — Martinas Rankin’s last action at center came with two caveats: he knew it was most likely temporary and therefore would likely never do it in a regular season game. Those reps came in spring practice before his senior season; a year later, Rankin was in the corner of the Palmeiro Center snapping once again, this time trying to play center in the National Football League.

Pro Day Notebook: Gray happy for chance to perform

STARKVILLE — Former Mississippi State safety J.T. Gray entered Wednesday’s Pro Day with just one National Football League team in contact, the Arizona Cardinals, after weeks of preparing for a possible roster spot. He left Wednesday with a business card from the Seattle Seahawks in hand.

Westburg gives MSU baseball team lift

STARKVILLE — It was in the sixth inning of the March 11 game against Vanderbilt when the Mississippi State baseball team desperately needed a run. Down 4-2 to the Commodores with the threat of being swept, MSU turned to Jordan Westburg — with a rousing five collegiate plate appearances to his name, 20 games into the season.

Sweat eager to continue growth in senior season

STARKVILLE — Montez Sweat is an elite pass rusher in a sport that values them more than any other time in its history.

Pass rushers of Sweat’s projected ability can easily makes tens of millions of dollars before their 30th birthday. Sweat had every chance to join them and be a part of April’s NFL draft. Instead, he’s spending the spring practicing as a Mississippi State Bulldog.