Articles by Danny P Smith
Mullen finding out who can contribute
STARKVILLE –– Saturday was like Christmas morning for Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen.
By the end of a two-and-a-half hour spring workout, it began to feel a little that way with a cool front blowing through.
Mullen was anxious to watch the film of what the Bulldogs had just done on the practice field so he could find out which players were ready to contribute.
MSU’s McPhee impressive in practice
Defensive lineman Pernell McPhee has looked like a man among boys the first three days of Mississippi State spring football practice.
McPhee’s 6-4, 270-pound frame was impressive enough without pads, but when the Bulldogs put them on for the first time Saturday, he really had the appearance of a giant.
The former Itawamba Community College player, from Pahokee, Fla., could probably play in the National Football League right now.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is glad to have him on his side, even if it’s only for two seasons.
MSU prepares for another road challenge
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior second baseman Jet Butler said one thing has given the Bulldogs problems on the road.
“We haven’t been able to execute our game plans, but we’ll get better,” Butler said. “We’ll keep scratching and clawing.”
MSU faces another road challenge this weekend when it travels to Arkansas for a series of games at 6:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Bulldogs (14-10, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) haven’t had the kind of start they wanted in coach John Cohen’s first year, mainly due to a 1-8 record in road and neutral-site games.
MSU’s Varnado undecided about future
STARKVILLE — Jarvis Varnado still hasn’t decided if he will return for his senior season with the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.
Varnado will explore the possibility of leaving Mississippi State and turning professional.
Varnado and MSU coach Rick Stansbury met Thursday, but no decision was made.
Stansbury said there is no rush because the deadline for early-entry candidates to apply for the NBA Draft is April 26.
MSU’s Swedenburg glad to get chance
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State punter Baker Swedenburg probably doesn’t mind a three-hour practice one bit.
The work gives the former Heritage Academy player more time to prove himself on the field.
After signing with the Mississippi State football team in 2008, Swedenburg, of Columbus, sat out a grayshirt year that enabled him to enroll as a part-time student and to keep his four years of eligibility.
Swedenburg finally made it to the practice field Tuesday when the Bulldogs kicked off spring practice. He was back on the field Thursday for the second workout.
Mullen learning to juggle responsibilities at work, home
Among the 75 or so spectators at Mississippi State’s first day of spring football practice on Tuesday were coach Dan Mullen’s wife, Megan, and his 1-month-old son, Canon.
Canon was born Feb. 13 and the smile can’t be wiped from coach Mullen’s face whenever he talks about his son.
Freshmen help MSU beat Memphis
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen is looking for players who will give a consistent effort every time they step on the field.
If Cohen can get that effort from a freshman, he will go that route.
On Wednesday night against the University of Memphis, two MSU freshmen showed they could be a key to the program’s future.
Dawkins makes most of second chance
STARKVILLE — Blake Dawkins hoped for another opportunity.
The Starkville High School catcher struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning against Tupelo on Tuesday night, and the Yellow Jackets left three on base that inning.
In the seventh, the bases were loaded again with Dawkins at the plate. This time he singled in Jayson Keel to lift Starkville to a 3-2 victory.
Tupelo (6-3, 1-1 Class 5A, Division 2) walked Daniel Forde in front of Dawkins twice. Starkville (10-2, 3-0) didn’t take advantage of the first situation, but did on the second.
Smith rejoins MSU football team
STARKVILLE –– It has been a long seven months for Mississippi State offensive lineman Tobias Smith, of Columbus.
After breaking his left leg during two-a-days and having surgery last August, Smith went through rehabilitation and rejoined the Bulldogs for the first day of spring practice Tuesday.
MSU coach Dan Mullen was happy Smith could be a part of his first practice in Starkville.
Smith a graduate of Columbus High School, was excited to get back on the field, even if it was just a practice.
Polk, Palmeiro chosen to Collegle Baseball HoF
Ron Polk believes he wouldn’t be Hall of Fame material if not for the players he has coached.
That’s why he is glad to be inducted into a Hall of Fame with one of his former Mississippi State players.
Polk and Rafael Palmeiro will be two of 10 players and coaches who will be inducted to the College Baseball Hall of Fame on July 3 in Lubbock, Texas.
Freshmen lead Starkville past West Lowndes
STARKVILLE — It was a good night to get a one-hitter from two freshmen.
Frustrated that his Yellow Jackets left 12 runners on base, Starkville High School baseball coach Danny Carlisle liked that Nick Brooks and Hayden Higginbotham combined to give up only one hit Tuesday night in a 5-1 victory against West Lowndes.
MSU, Ole Miss basketball players named finalists for state award
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State and the University of Mississippi are well represented among the finalists for the Cellular South Bailey Howell and Peggy Gillom Trophies.
The awards, which go to the state’s top men’s and women’s college basketball players, will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson.
Champions Club member Lee set to lead Mullen’s first practice
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen already considers quarterback Tyson Lee, of Columbus, a champion before he sees what he can do on the practice field today.
That’s because Lee is one of 16 Bulldogs chosen to the “Champions Club,” which is made up of players who excelled on and off the field in offseason conditioning and met standards set by their position group.
Koenning welcomes return to MSU
STARKVILLE -–– Les Koenning returns to the Mississippi State football practice field Tuesday after a 20-year absence.
Koenning was the running backs and wide receivers coach at Mississippi State from 1986-89. He returned when Dan Mullen was hired to replace Sylvester Croom this past December.
Koenning welcomes the opportunity to work with Mullen and return to Mississippi State.
Dixon won’t be forgotten man at MSU
STARKVILLE — Tailback Anthony Dixon will not be a forgotten man in the spread offense of new Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen.
It is Mullen’s hope that the former 1,000-yard rusher will be again next fall his senior season.
Mullen said there is a misconception that a running game is not important in the spread, but he begs to differ.
MSU softball team swept by LSU
STARKVILLE –– Mississippi State’s softball team had an opportunity to answer with a good third inning after LSU put up a four-spot in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
Mississippi State scored one run when Ali Bainbridge was hit by a pitch with the bases-loaded and two outs, but ended up leaving three runners on base when Sammie Jo Bailey popped out to the catcher to end the inning.
Mississippi State coach Jay Miller said it was tough to see his clean-up hitter fail to get the job done in that situation.
MSU’s Mullen ready to `Spread the Fun’
STARKVILLE –– The Mississippi State football team will begin to “Spread the Fun” next week when coach Dan Mullen opens spring football practice.
After a week of spring break where some of his assistants were finishing moves to Starkville, Mullen said everyone will be ready to get down to business.
Mullen, who was hired Dec. 11, 2008, after Sylvester Croom resigned Nov. 29, will try to start out with a clean slate with the players.
MSU pitching coach faces former team
It’s Butch Thompson’s turn.
The Mississippi State pitching coach was an observer Wednesday when Alabama-Birmingham coach Brian Shoop and volunteer coach Ron Polk returned to Dudy Noble Field.
Shoop was an assistant coach at Mississippi State and Polk was MSU’s coach for 29 seasons.
This weekend will be a homecoming for Thompson when MSU plays at Georgia.