MSU self-reports 14 violations to NCAA

HOOVER, Ala. — The Mississippi State athletic department self-reported 14 violations from the 2016-17 academic year, five of them related to football and all of them secondary violations.

Gray looks to make most of senior season at MSU

HOOVER, Ala. — As he does with every soon-to-be senior, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen sat down with wide receiver Donald Gray in his office. These meetings always come in January and they always carry the same question.

Media Days Notebook: Georgia to rely on defensive experience

HOOVER, Ala. — The only thing missing from Georgia’s 2016 defense — which ranked 16th nationally and fourth in the conference — is a single defensive back, Maurice Smith.

Officials to enforce stricter conduct penalties for coaches

HOOVER, Ala. — Any time Kirby Smart caught the attention of a television camera while he was Alabama’s defensive coordinator, Scott Cochran was probably in the shot, too. Cochran was given the duty of sideline management, which often meant grabbing Smart by the belt loop to keep him from meandering onto the field in giving a defensive call.

Orgeron more confidence about second coaching stint in SEC

HOOVER, Alabama — Ed Orgeron took the podium at Southeastern Conference Media Days and launched into a story from 1971.

Media Days Notebook: Bielema counting on offensive line play during critical season ahead

HOOVER, Ala. — The 10 years of Bret Bielema’s head coaching career have provided enough precedent to assume one thing of his teams: quality offensive line play.

MSU running back forms lasting friendship with a young boy suffering from spina bifida

Pinson Valley High School football practices used to have a regular spectator with a pretty good eye for talent. An honest eye, too, not one to favor his brother on the offensive line.

Offensive linemen take center stage when the SEC hosts Media Days

STARKVILLE — The Southeastern Conference is not expected to hurt for quality offensive linemen. The players around them will be the topic of discussion beginning Monday.

Former Starkville High standout Jones uses redshirt year to learn

STARKVILLE — For all the comfort that comes with going to college in one’s hometown, it could’ve easily come with just as much pressure for Kobe Jones. The ease of access due to proximity can lead to an exaggerated itch for early playing time, whether that’s the beneficial first step or not.

Todd hopes changes help him earn playing time at WR for MSU

STARKVILLE — Reggie Todd has changed from the man he was prior to his redshirt year with the Mississippi State football team.

This season, Todd hopes the changes he has made to his body will help him be a serious threat at wide receiver.

But there’s more to Todd than the physical transformation.

Cannizaro not surprised by how MLB draft affected MSU

STARKVILLE — Seven months removed from the start of the 2018 baseball season, Mississippi State coach Andy Cannizaro knows playing time will be up for grabs.

Cannizaro praises fight of team in his first year

STARKVILLE — Andy Cannizaro only had three seasons of college baseball experience before getting his first head coaching job.

If Cannizaro had 30 years of experience, he isn’t sure his first year as coach would have been any easier.

MSU baseball team will have makeshift schedule for 2018

STARKVILLE — In describing his first season as Mississippi State’s baseball coach as a series of “hoops to jump through,” Andy Cannizaro and the Bulldogs couldn’t escape a series of injuries that started in the fall and continued through the spring.

MSU pitcher Plumlee suspended for 1 year for failing drug test

The Dispatch has learned from multiple sources close to the program that Mississippi State pitcher Peyton Plumlee has been suspended for 365 days after failing a drug test during the Baton Rouge Super Regional.

Eastern Michigan tabs MSU’s Wetherbee as AD

Scott Wetherbee’s career in collegiate athletics has taken him from California to North Carolina to Mississippi, but home has always been his native Michigan.

Dudy Noble Field construction continues on schedule

STARKVILLE — The smoke was the final selling point for George Bratcher.

Howland knows MSU men face higher expectations

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland is well aware of the expectations that await his Mississippi State men’s basketball team in November.

Howland doesn’t deny the basis of those expectations. Last year, he coached the least experienced roster in Division I to a 16-16 record. Five of the losses came by six or fewer points in the final two months of the season.

Local West Point standout Williams carries confidence into junior year at MSU

STARKVILLE — Aeris Williams is not one that lacks in confidence.

Former Bulldogs Brown, Lovelady set for pro ball

STARKVILLE — Josh Lovelady never minced words in the final weeks of his Mississippi State baseball career.

Lovelady never was afraid to use the words “last time” because he appeared certain his final game in a MSU uniform also would be the last time he played organized, competitive baseball.

MSU announces hiring of Gautreau as assistant baseball coach

STARKVILLE — Louisiana’s best baseball prospects have another connection to Mississippi State.

On Wednesday, MSU announced baseball coach Andy Cannizaro added Jake Gautreau, his former teammate at Tulane, to his staff. Gautreau takes over Will Coggin’s position as recruiting coordinator and assistant hitting coach.