Sidney’s status unclear for first trip

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury doesn’t expect freshman forward Renardo Sidney to be available later this week when the Bulldogs travel to the San Padre Island Invitational in Texas.

MSU’s Mullen preparing for his first Egg Bowl

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen will get to experience the Egg Bowl for the first time Saturday.

Mullen has watched the annual rivalry game between MSU and Ole Miss as a neutral party in the past.

Once he became MSU’s coach less than a year ago, Mullen had to learn more about the Egg Bowl.

MSU and Ole Miss meet for the 106th time at 11:21 a.m. Saturday (WCBI).

Noxubee County has season come to an end

FULTON — Noxubee County High School football player Vincent Sanders was hurting Friday night.

It had a little bit to do with the pain from a sore hamstring, but more to do with his performance on the field.

While playing quarterback for the Tigers, Sanders was 3 of 7 for 49 yards with an interception against Itawamba Agricultural High School. He carried the football once for a loss of 5 yards and didn’t have a catch.

Arkansas game homecoming for MSU’s Hutchins

Heath Hutchins usually visits Arkansas each winter for a time of fun and fellowship with friends.

Saturday’s trip to Arkansas will be about business for the Mississippi State junior punter.

Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) needs a victory against the University of Arkansas (11:21 a.m., WCBI) to keep its bowl hopes alive.

Benock helps MSU men’s basketball team off bench

STARKVILLE — Two points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist doesn’t look impressive in a boxscore.

But that production is more than enough for Mississippi State basketball coach Rick Stansbury when it comes from junior guard Riley Benock.

Benock made those “tremendous” contributions Thursday night in 15 minutes off the bench on a sore foot in an 82-67 victory against the University of Southeastern Louisiana at Humphrey Coliseum.

Change doesn’t enable Sidney to get off bench for MSU

The status of Mississippi State freshman forward Renardo Sidney changed Thursday, but it wasn’t good enough to get him off the bench against the University of Southeastern Louisiana.

The NCAA Eligibility Center issued a statement saying the Sidney case went from Not Certified due to Non-Response to Under Review. This change allowed the Eligibility Center staff to restart the process of determining whether Sidney meets NCAA requirements for initial eligibility.

Sidney’s attorney Donald Jackson has called the change “insignificant.” He continues to insist this process drags on unnecessarily and the NCAA has failed to come up with a violation.

MSU could be shorthanded vs. SE Louisiana

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball could have more players in street clothes tonight than dressed out in basketball jerseys.

Dee Bost, Elgin Bailey, Shaun Smith, Twany Beckham, and Riley Benock are out or doubtful because of injuries for MSU’s game against Southeastern Louisiana at 7 tonight at Humphrey Coliseum.

Patterson, East Webster have matured to make playoff run

MABEN — Ledrick Patterson knew it wasn’t going to be easy taking over for Johnthan Banks at quarterback for the East Webster High School football team.

What made it especially tough for Patterson was he had never played the position. He wasn’t even listed as a quarterback on the preseason roster.

Smith hopes UFL will help lead to shot at NFL

Jamayel Smith’s situation in the United Football League is unique.

Sure, the former Mississippi State wide receiver believes he belongs there, but as a player with the New York Sentinels in the first-year league, he feels a little out of place.

Starkville shuts out New Hope in soccer

STARKVILLE — Raevonne Shoemaker takes her role as goalkeeper seriously.

The Starkville High School junior knows she has to be focused on a match at all times and has to know what her teammates are doing on the field.

“(Goalkeepers) have to be the strong foundation,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker has only allowed one goal this season for the Lady Yellow Jackets and has recorded three shutouts, including Tuesday’s 2-0 home victory against New Hope High School.

MSU’s Augustus apologizes after being suspended

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior forward Kodi Augustus made a public apology Tuesday afternoon for comments he made following Saturday’s season-opening 88-74 loss to Rider University.

After the game, Augustus voiced his displeasure about lack of playing time and criticized MSU coach Rick Stansbury by saying, “I talked to my dad. He said we got out-coached. I don’t know.”

Augustus said that statement was made out of frustration and was sorry for his choice of words.

MSU still has time to earn bowl bid

STARKVILLE — Linebacker Jamar Chaney and wide receiver Brian McRae wanted the same thing for their senior season at Mississippi State.

After seeing their junior seasons end due to injuries, they returned hoping to win a Southeastern Conference championship.

It didn’t happen.

Curry’s interception ignites Pickens County to playoff win

REFORM, Ala. — Pickens County High School’s Jematric Curry was looking to make a play.

When that didn’t come as the quarterback early against Goshen High in Friday’s second round game of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A playoffs, he turned to the other side of the football.

Curry’s second-quarter interception of running back Reginald Foster on a halfback pass attempt sparked the Tornadoes.

Once Pickens County got rolling, it recorded a 48-14 victory against the Eagles.

Starkville’s Perkins signs to play basketball at Southern Miss

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior basketball player Rashad Perkins can get back to business.

After signing a national letter of intent Friday to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, Perkins is ready to concentrate on the rest of his high school season.

“It feels good to get it out of the way,” Perkins said. “It takes a lot of pressure off of me because I don’t have to worry about people asking me where I’m going. I can focus on what I need to be doing.”

Alabama opens up offense to beat MSU

STARKVILLE — The University of Alabama offense chose to change its approach during an open date earlier this season.

Coach Nick Saban thought his offense showed balance, but was looking forward to the day when it could open things up.

That time came Saturday night in a 31-3 victory against Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium.

Wide receiver Darius Hanks started it for the Crimson Tide with a 45-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Greg McElroy in the second quarter.

MSU has to win final games to become bowl eligible

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team endured its most lopsided loss of the season Saturday night in a 31-3 loss to No. 3 Alabama.

The Bulldogs (4-6) will need to put that disappointment out of their minds quickly if they want to qualify for a postseason bowl.

To do that, MSU must win its final two games. MSU coach Dan Mullen wants to get that accomplished for the seniors.

MSU’s Dizon, Hanrahan develop bond

STARKVILLE –– Mississippi State tailback Anthony Dixon might want to consider wearing extra padding Saturday.

It’s not because he will face the University of Alabama defense, but it’s because of teammate Patrick Hanrahan.

Dixon could find running against the No. 3 Crimson Tide to be tough at 6 p.m. Saturday (ESPN) when the teams meet in a Southeastern Conference Western Division game. He also better be ready to face a pumped up Hanrahan during the game.

MSU’s Augustus earns start in season opener

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury hopes junior forward Kodi Augustus stays hungry.

Augustus started the first nine games last season before hitting a stretch where he didn’t play in 11 games due to a coaching decision.

During that time, Stansbury was trying to get Augustus to understand the importance of defense.

Augustus started to grasp what Stansbury wanted and his playing time increased late in the season. He averaged 9.8 points and three rebounds per game and hit 6 of 12 3-pointers to help the Bulldogs win the Southeastern Conference tournament. He then had nine points and eight rebounds in a loss to the University of Washington in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

Starkville builds momentum going into playoffs

STARKVILLE — Offensive lineman Jarrod Atterberry likes the future of Starkville High School football.

That doesn’t mean he’s ready for this season to end.

Atterberry believes the Yellow Jackets have momentum going into the Class 6A playoffs after defeating Columbus High 29-28 this past Friday.

MSU’s Smith will miss men’s opener

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State freshman guard Shaun Smith continues to have problems with a sore hip and won’t be available when the men’s basketball team opens its season at 8 p.m. Friday against Rider University.