MSU investigating possible NCAA violation

The appearance of former Mississippi State football coach Jackie Sherrill at spring football practice last week has caused quite a stir.

Sherrill’s possible interaction with the Bulldogs at Friday’s workout might have violated an NCAA bylaw regarding the limitation of coaches taking part in on-the-field teaching.

East Webster’s Harris, Bell win state championships

MABEN — Senior Jacob Harris showed what four years of hard work could do as a powerlifter at East Webster High School, and sophomore Timakis Bell is following the same path.

Harris and Bell both won Class A state powerlifting championships in their weight class and gave East Webster quite a lift.

Bell said it was the effort and support of the entire team that made individual success possible.

MSU football team gets jump on Easter

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team was hard at work early Thursday, but it had nothing to do with spring football practice.

The Bulldogs helped children from the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability in Starkville participate in an Easter Egg hunt inside the Palmeiro Center.

It was an opportunity to meet some of the children in the community and to have fun between classes.

MSU baseball team travels to Tennessee

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State baseball team needs to make up some ground in a hurry if it is to avoid the fate it endured last season.

Ever since John Cohen took over for Ron Polk, his goal has been to avoid a repeat of last season, when the Bulldogs finished 22-33 and 9-21 in the Southeastern Conference.

MSU (18-15, 4-8 SEC) showed some signs of life this week in victories against the University of Alabama-Birmingham (10-0) and Southern Miss (7-6). It will try to build on that momentum this weekend at Tennessee (13-20, 1-11).

SHS girls basketball players pick Meridian C.C.

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School’s Tay Odneal and Kierra Jones kept it within the family when it came to choosing their basketball future.

As cousins, the Lady Yellow Jackets wanted to go down the same path together.

They joined coaches, family members, and friends in the school library Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony in which they signed national letters of intent to play basketball at Meridian Community College.

Sallach adjusting with MSU

STARKVILLE — Whether it’s coaching in the Ivy League or in the Southeastern Conference, football is played the same way.

Scott Sallach is finding that out as a member of Dan Mullen’s coaching staff at Mississippi State.

Walk-off home run lifts MSU past USM

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State baseball team found the momentum Wednesday night it will need in a weekend Southeastern Conference baseball series at Tennessee.

The Bulldogs used a walk-off solo home run by junior designated hitter Ryan Duffy in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Southern Mississippi 7-6 at Dudy Noble Field.

Starkville’s Olsen beats Columbus on Senior Night

STARKVILLE — Senior Night is usually reserved for the final regular season home game.

However, the Starkville High School baseball team decided to recognize its senior class Tuesday against Columbus in its second-to-last home game.

That was just fine with Starkville starting pitcher Colin Olsen, who pitched a complete-game five-hitter to help beat the Falcons 9-4.

MSU’s Wilder hopes to regain speed

STARKVILLE — O’Neal Wilder hopes the speed that helped him run a state best 48.3 seconds in the 400-meter dash at Carthage High School in 2006 will serve him well as a member of the Mississippi State football team.

After a knee injury sidelined him last season, Wilder will try to get back in shape to provide the Bulldogs with a valuable weapon in coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense.

Tate strives to win every time he runs

STARKVILLE — Finishing second doesn’t exist in Tavaris Tate’s vocabulary.

The goal for the Starkville High School senior sprinter is to win every race, whether it is the 100, 200 or 400 meters, or as a member of the 4×400 relay team.

Tate stepped up his competitive drive after finishing second to Ja’Vell Bullard in the 400 meters at the 2008 Nike Outdoor Nationals last June.

Defense dominates during MSU practice

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team’s offense wasn’t spreading around much fun Saturday in its scrimmage.

It is a sign the unit still has a long way to learn the new system of coach Dan Mullen.

The offense had moments during a two-hour practice at the MSU practice fields, but the defense made the biggest statement.

MSU baseball team atones for late-inning loss

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State made sure it wasn’t going to lose a late-inning lead on Saturday afternoon.

After blowing a 6-3 advantage in a 9-8 loss to Auburn on Friday night, the Bulldogs knew they had to handle a similar situation different in the second game of the series.

MSU scored two insurance runs in the eighth inning and left-handed starting pitcher Nick Routt handled the rest as the Bulldogs beat Auburn 8-3 at Dudy Noble Field.

Works in progress square off at MSU

John Cohen and John Pawlowski are in new situations as head baseball coaches in the Southeastern Conference this season.

Cohen already was an SEC coach at Kentucky, but he left and returned to his alma mater, Mississippi State, replacing Ron Polk, while Pawlowski took over for Tom Slater at Auburn.

The Bulldogs and Tigers meet this weekend at Dudy Noble Field, and both programs are still trying to win on a consistent basis in the conference. The series takes place at 6:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

MSU’s Berry adjusting to Division I

STARKVILLE — Leon Berry experienced success as a wide receiver at East Mississippi Community College by reaching the second round of the junior college playoffs last season.

He hopes that success rubs off on Mississippi State.

“We’re going to try and turn this program around,” Berry said.

Berry, one of the Bulldogs’ mid-term signees, is adjusting slowly to Division I-A football after being an All-American in junior college.

Movie night planned to help kick off Super Bulldog Weekend

Get the popcorn ready.

Mississippi State’s Student Association and the school’s athletic department are planning a movie night April 16 on the new video board at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.

Hevesy helping Bulldogs build depth on ‘O’ line

STARKVILLE — One of the rewards for offensive line coach John Hevesy when he joined Dan Mullen’s football staff at Mississippi State was getting a chance to work with Derek Sherrod.

While at Florida three years ago, Hevesy recruited the former Caledonia High School player for the Gators.

Defense steps up at Mississippi State practice

STARKVILLE –– Tuesday’s spring football practice at Mississippi State ended differently than the previous one.

After the offense scored a touchdown to end a scrimmage Saturday, the defense made a statement Tuesday at the end of a three-hour practice.

Linebacker Jamie Jones intercepted a pass from quarterback Chris Relf that caused the defense to celebrate much like the offense did Saturday.

Wright sticks with Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Football has always been in Jody Wright’s blood.

From winning three state championships in his playing days at Pickens Academy to playing at Jacksonville State University in Alabama to coaching at Jacksonville and Mississippi State, Wright has always found a way to keep the game a part of his life.

Starkville outlasts New Hope in baseball

STARKVILLE –– The Starkville Yellow Jackets experienced another walk-off victory at home on Saturday afternoon.

For the New Hope Trojans, it was a another disappointing loss.

After Blake Dawkins singled in the winning run last Tuesday to help Starkville defeat Tupelo 3-2, it was R.J. Johnson’s turn to do the same.

This time the game-winning hit came in the 10th inning as Starkville beat New Hope 2-1.

Starkville Akins signs with Harding

STARKVILLE –– Starkville High School wide receiver Kasey Akins played the waiting game to make sure he found the right place for him to continue his football career.

More than a month after watching two of his teammates sign scholarships on National Signing Day, Akins has made his choice.

Akins decided to take his talents to Harding University in Searcy, Ark., and made it official on Friday by putting his name on the dotted line.