Brauchle finds range as MSU’s placekicker

STARKVILLE –– Sean Brauchle is finding his range at Mississippi State.

The confidence for the placekicker is rising as he makes field goals for the Bulldogs.

In Saturday’s 15-3 victory against Vanderbilt, Brauchle made three field goals and he’s starting to make them from long distances..

Brauchle, a transfer from Itawamba Community College, made field goals from 44 and 27 yards in the second quarter and a season-long of  49 yards in the third to give MSU a 9-3 lead.

Defense rebounds to help MSU beat Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mississippi State football team’s defense wasn’t going to let the play of the offense and special teams go to waste Saturday night against Vanderbilt University.

After not taking advantage of a blocked punt return for a touchdown by Robert Elliott last week in a loss to Auburn, the Bulldogs were again put in a position to win with solid special teams play and timely offense.

Lee’s touchdown provides needed cushion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tyson Lee picked a good time to score the second rushing touchdown of his Mississippi State career.

With the Bulldogs clinging to a 9-3 lead late in the fourth quarter, the senior quarterback from Columbus broke loose on a keeper and scored from 22 yards.

The run on fourth-and-1 provided the finishing touches on MSU’s 15-3 victory against Vanderbilt on Saturday night.

Noxubee County to be tested again by larger school

The defending Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state champions have survived every test this season against teamss that are in higher classifications.

The Noxubee County High School football team will get another chance to extend that streak at 7:30 tonight against Class 5A West Point High School.

The Tigers (4-0) have swept Class 6A schools Starkville, Columbus, Jackson Murrah, and Greenville-Weston.

MSU’s Smith well aware of Vanderbilt’s Smith

Zach Smith knows about the potential of Vanderbilt quarterback Larry Smith.

The Mississippi State junior safety became familiar with Larry Smith during preparation for the Alabama High School Athletic Association All-Star Game in 2005. They also spent time together attending high school football camps in Alabama and became friends.

Zach played at Susan Moore High School in Altoona, Ala., while Larry Smith prepped at Prattville (Ala.) High.

Recruiting remains crucial for Bulldogs

Dan Mullen has a plan to build the Mississippi State football program into a winner.

The first-year coach said successful recruiting will help the Bulldogs implement that plan and help them return to postseason bowl games, something they have done once (Liberty Bowl, 2007) in the past five years.

Vanderbilt has depth in backfield

Southeastern Conference teams know depth in the backfield is crucial.

Vanderbilt University is glad to have it.

With senior running back Jared Hawkins still unable to do very much in practice with a foot injury, freshmen Zac Stacy and Warren Norman and junior Kennard Reeves have emerged for the Commodores.

Recommendation made to extend contracts of Cohen, Stansbury

STARKVILLE — Greg Byrne understands the importance of recruiting for his head coaches.

That’s why the Mississippi State Athletic Director believes in keeping coaches’ financial contracts at four years.

Byrne has recommended that the contracts of basketball coach Rick Stansbury and baseball coach John Cohen be extended through June 30, 2013. The item on the College Board of Education’s agenda this week still has Stansbury’s contract through June 30, 2012, but Byrne expects it to be extended.

Hollivay, Outlaw contribute at North Texas

University of North Texas football coach Todd Dodge doesn’t mind going after Mississippi junior college talent.

Dodge intends to do plenty of more recruiting there if it means his program will get players like senior offensive guard Gabe Hollivay, who was a standout at Hamilton High School, and junior wide receiver Michael Outlaw, of Starkville.

Hollivay transferred from Itawamba Community College, while Outlaw transferred from East Mississippi C.C.

Mullen cautious in how he uses Bonner’s talents

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State appreciates Wade Bonner’s effort.

The Bulldogs just want to make sure the sophomore doesn’t get overworked.

Not only does Bonner back up Zach Smith at free safety, he also helps out on special teams.

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen likes Bonner’s versatility, but doesn’t want to use him too much.

MSU says its defense will get better

STARKVILLE — Charles Mitchell gave a statement on behalf of the Mississippi State defense Monday.

Coming off a 49-24 loss to Auburn University on Saturday, Mitchell expects the Bulldogs to play better.

Mississippi State’s Benock sidelined with ankle injury

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State basketball program has had another preseason blow due to injury at the guard position.

After sophomore point guard Twany Beckham was lost for the season because of hip surgery in August, it was confirmed by MSU team spokesman Gregg Ellis last week that junior guard Riley Benock will miss up to six weeks following a procedure to repair a stress fracture in his right ankle.

Benock, who averaged 2.3 points and 11.4 minutes per game last season, may be recovered enough in time to join the Bulldogs for practice by late October.

Mississippi State football team ready to move on

STARKVILLE –– Mississippi State receiver Leon Berry knows he and his teammates need to have short memories.

With another road game coming up for Mississippi State on Saturday at Vanderbilt, Berry said the Bulldogs need to put a 49-24 loss to Auburn behind them quickly.

“We have to forget about this,” Berry said. “We have to get a win (at Vanderbilt).”

Loss doesn’t diminish MSU’s hopes for season

AUBURN, Ala. — One loss shouldn’t keep Mississippi State from reaching its goal, according to senior running back Anthony Dixon.

Dixon, who returned from a one-game suspension, to lead the Bulldogs with 92 yards on 20 carries, still has hopes for this season despite a 49-24 loss to Auburn University on Saturday night.

“We are still trying to get to the Southeastern Conference championship game this year,” Dixon said. “Today didn’t change that. We are going to come up with a new plan for next week.”

MSU unable to keep up with Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. — It didn’t matter whether it was on the ground or in the air.

Mississippi State had no answer for the Auburn University offense Saturday night.

After only allowing 194 yards to Jackson State in the season opener, the Bulldogs gave up 589 yards to Auburn in a 49-24 loss in front of 85,269 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

MSU coach Dan Mullen was bothered by an effort that resulted in the Tigers getting 199 yards passing and 390 rushing.

Morgan brothers on opposite sidelines of Starkville, West Point rivalry

The matchup between the Starkville and West Point High School football teams pits friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor, and brother against brother.

That will be the case at 7:30 tonight when Starkville offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Rob Morgan and West Point wide receiver coach Brett Morgan stand on opposite sidelines.

Brett, who has been on the Green Wave staff since January, anticipates a fun night and hopes to enjoy it more than his big brother.

Dixon returns to give added boost to Mississippi State backfield

Greg Knox has plenty of weapons at Mississippi State.

As the running backs coach, Knox has a reason to smile with three seniors and one sophomore at his position.

“We’ve got good depth at running back,” Knox said. “Our talent is good there. We try to use all of those guys because they can do different things.”

Knox, who was an assistant coach at Auburn University from 1999-2008, said production from the running backs will be key Saturday when MSU takes on Auburn at 6 p.m. (FOX Sports Net South) at Auburn.

Mullen recalls spread origins

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen finds it interesting that the spread offense has caught on across the country.

The Mississippi State football coach has watched as numerous high schools, colleges, and nearly every NFL team has adopted an offense he discovered when he was a graduate assistant at Notre Dame in 1999.

Chizik: Auburn needs to be crisper

Like Dan Mullen at Mississippi State, Auburn University football coach Gene Chizik sees room for improvement for his team from week one.

Chizik doesn’t know if the Tigers are ready to enter a Southeastern Conference game yet, but he’s anxious to find out how they play against the Bulldogs.

Former Starkville High standout Macon to coach tonight vs. ICC

STARKVILLE — It doesn’t surprise Chuck Friend or Bracky Brett that Travis Macon went into coaching.

While Friend and Brett were coaching at Starkville High School, they got to watch Macon mature as a football player.