Bulldogs’ comeback falls short

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –As the final seconds of what could have been an upset road win ticked by, Lamar Peters, for the first time in the second half, was the spectator.

Lukabu takes over MSU linebackers

STARKVILLE — Darren Rizzi was 38 years old and established as a college football coach when he took over the Rhode Island Rams in 2008.

Bulldogs look for first conference road win

STARKVILLE — Last season, Quinndary Weatherspoon was asked to score. The rebounding he contributed was a bonus from the Mississippi State guard, but there was no secret his No. 1 job was to score.

MSU beats Vanderbilt to snap losing streak

STARKVILLE — The numbers tell you to play zone against the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.

MSU’s 29.7-percent mark from 3-point range entering its game against Vanderbilt on Tuesday was last in the Southeastern Conference and 336th out of 351 teams nationally.

Vanderbilt obliged and started the game in a zone. By the final minute of the first half, MSU led by double digits and had forced Vanderbilt to abandon the strategy.

After going 3-for-13 from 3-point range in the first half, MSU went 5-for-7 in the second to pull away and beat Vanderbilt 80-62 at Humphrey Coliseum.

MSU men will try to end losing skid

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland had a duel in his head on the way back from Florida.

Mississippi State’s men’s basketball coach knew he had a team coming off two hard days of practice and a 71-54 loss on Wednesday in Gainesville, Florida. He also feels his players can benefit from every second on the practice floor.

No. 22 Auburn rallies past Mississippi State

STARKVILLE — A week ago Saturday, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team took to the road to face Ole Miss. MSU coach Ben Howland saw a team that had yet to learn how to make the key plays down the stretch fail to close out a game.

One week later, the Bulldogs still haven’t learned those lessons.

Timetable looks good for Dudy Noble renovation

STARKVILLE — It wasn’t part of the plan for the construction crews at Dudy Noble Field to get a two-week break around the turn of the new year, but the weather gave one to them anyway.

After it all, David Bryant — the project manager for JESCO, Inc., the company overseeing the renovation — feels good about the timeline.

Cannizaro looking at MacNamee to play 1B

STARKVILLE — It was the end of September and Elijah MacNamee was in class when he checked his phone and saw a text from Andy Cannizaro.

West Point’s Murphy one of MSU’s early enrollees

STARKVILLE — Chris Chambless has been preparing players to play college football for several years, but he hasn’t had one enroll early until this year.

Darty eager for challenge to transform MSU volleyball

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State volleyball program has won 18 Southeastern Conference matches in the last six seasons.

The Bulldogs, who are coming off a 10-23 season, have never advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Julie Darty doesn’t care.

Stapleton, MSU play at Florida

STARKVILLE — Back in October, everything was lining up for Xavian Stapleton. His junior season was supposed to be a big one; it still could be, with 16 games left in the regular season, but if it comes, it will take on a different form.

Cannizaro likes pieces Bulldogs have to replace Rooker

STARKVILLE — Andy Cannizaro knows better than to ask someone to do what Brent Rooker did last season.

Former player feels Getsy will be good fit at MSU

STARKVILLE — Patrick Smith credits Luke Getsy for his development as a football player.

In 23 games in two years at Indiana University (Pa.), Smith threw 14 touchdowns (four interceptions) and 1,778 yards with Getsy as his offensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012.

Bulldogs can’t convert in second half

OXFORD — All the Mississippi State men’s basketball team needed was a couple of buckets.

Its defense held Ole Miss, which was ranked in the top 50, according to Ken Pomeroy’s advanced statistics, to 34 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range. The Bulldogs also held Terence Davis, the Rebels’ leading scorer, to one field goal on 13 attempts. As a result, MSU led by 11 points with less than 11 minutes to play.

Sweat will return to MSU for senior season

STARKVILLE — The Southeastern Conference’s sack leader usually enjoys a lofty NFL draft selection.

Montez Sweat could have joined other college seniors and early draft entrants in April after leading the SEC with 10 1/2 sacks. Instead, he’ll take one more year with the Bulldogs.

MSU men hope to see progress after win

STARKVILLE — The box score after the Mississippi State men’s basketball teams first victory against a ranked opponent showed several numbers that aren’t conducive to repeating such a victory.

Moorhead’s coaching staff nearly complete

STARKVILLE — The college football coaching carousel found new life Wednesday when Arizona fired Rich Rodriguez, but Mississippi State’s coaching staff appears to be rounding into form.

Bulldogs top No. 22 Razorbacks, make statement in conference opener

STARKVILLE — Quinndary Weatherspoon has heard the chatter; Tuesday gave him a chance to respond.

Herard announces he will transfer from MSU

STARKVILLE — Schnider Herard last saw the court Dec. 20. Against Little Rock, the 6-foot-10 sophomore center played one minute in the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s 64-48 victory at Humphrey Coliseum. Herard committed two fouls and a turnover.

MSU could have a lot of pieces back in 2018

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The celebration for Mark McLaurin spanned at least half of the sideline.

After the Mississippi State safety intercepted Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson for the third time in the TaxSlayer Bowl, McLaurin crossed paths with freshman linebacker Willie Gay Jr. Montez Sweat, Johnathan Abram, Jeffery Simmons, and others also were celebrating and preparing for the next possession.