MSU football team returns to field

STARKVILLE — After two weeks away from the practice field, the Mississippi State football players were bound to be rusty.

MSU started spring practice March 3 and had four sessions before taking two weeks off for spring break.

The Bulldogs returned to the field Thursday for a two-hour session in front of fans and dozens of high school coaches who were attending MSU’s coaches’ clinic.

Bell Foundation will honor wishes of former MSU football player

STARKVILLE — Before Nick Bell died last fall, he told his mother he wanted to be a mentor to kids.

The former Mississippi State defensive end, who lost a brief battle with cancer Nov. 2, didn’t have a father figure growing up, leaving his mother, Linda, to rely on his coaches to help mold the respectful, personable young man she and many others remember.

MSU’s Tate set to face Ole Miss’ Oliver

STARKVILLE — Tavaris Tate says he doesn’t study opponents.

No matter what track meet he competes in, each track is different, everyone is fast, and someone in the race won’t have their ‘A’ game.

To Tate, there are too many variables to study every move of national rivals like Southern California’s Joey Hughes and the University of Alabama’s Kirani James.

MSU eager to compete on its new track

STARKVILLE — When members of the Mississippi State track and field team first stepped on the renovated surface at the Carl Maddox facility, they didn’t want to stop running.

It had been four years since MSU held its last on-campus track meet, but that will change Saturday when MSU will play host to the Southeastern Conference-Big Ten Challenge.

Roquez Johnson commits to MSU’s 2011 class

STARKVILLE — With a pair of extra scholarships heading into next season, Mississippi State basketball coach Rick Stansbury has added a fourth member to his 2011 class in Alabama native Roquez Johnson.

MSU too good to pass up for Maye

STARKVILLE — There was too much that stood out to go anyplace else.

That’s how former Clemson University linebacker Brandon Maye felt Monday when he decided to transfer to Mississippi State for his fifth and final season of college football.

Columbus baseball beats Starkville

STARKVILLE — The Columbus High School baseball team used a six-run sixth inning and a stellar outing from pitcher Christian Dale to top Starkville High 8-2 on Tuesday night.

The Falcons (7-4, 1-0 Class 6A, Region 2) received a two-run home run from senior Nick Durrah in the second and RBI hits from Aaron Cooks and Trace Lee in the sixth to turn a 2-2 tie into an 8-2 lead.

Starkville’s Pichardo will play soccer at Mobile

STARKVILLE — Alvaro Pichardo couldn’t wait on the “big names” to recognize his talent.

East Webster’s Graham signs with Holmes C.C.

MABEN — Miguel Graham will be plenty comfortable at Holmes Community College.

The current pipeline from East Webster High School to HCC added another player to the list Tuesday when Graham signed to play football in Goodman. He will join East Webster High football teammate and cousin Ledrick Patterson.

Four Starkville High baseball players suspended

STARKVILLE — Shaquille Hill and Nick Brooks are among four Starkville High School baseball players who have been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules.

The suspensions were confirmed Monday by Starkville High baseball coach Danny Carlisle, who declined to comment on the reasons Hill, Brooks, Andrew Armburst, and Jalen Campbell were suspended.

Starkville High boys will look to distance group

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School’s boys track team will lean heavily on its distance group this season after a solid performance last weekend at the Paul W. Bryant Stampede Invitational.

The Yellow Jackets’ second-place finish at their first meet of the season was powered by distance standouts Kamau Bostic and Joseph MacGown, who finished second and third, respectively, in the 1,600-meter run.

MSU softball beats Arkansas again

STARKVILLE — Courtney Nesbit hit a two-run double, and three pitchers allowed one hit in the Mississippi State softball team’s 2-0 win against the University of Arkansas on Saturday at the MSU Softball Field.

The Bulldogs (14-14, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) clinched the three-game series and shut out the Razorbacks (9-19, 0-7) for the second straight day. MSU won 3-0 Friday night.

Ilyushin’s play helps MSU men’s tennis start quickly in SEC

STARKVILLE — Artem Ilyushin hasn’t always been the most level-headed, even-keeled player.

His temperament hindered his ability to respond to adversity the right way, which held back his game and ultimately kept the Mississippi State men’s tennis team from reaching its full potential.

Lately, Ilyushin’s ability to channel his emotions and his improved service game have been major assets in MSU’s current run.

Ranked opponent awaits MSU baseball in SEC opener

A year older, Mississippi State’s baseball team enters conference play with more tools and experience than it did last season.

Freshman All-American Harris to provide extra dimension to MSU track

STARKVILLE — James Harris was already well known in track and field before he arrived at Mississippi State.

But Harris’ reputation didn’t earn him special consideration from the judges at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship.

MSU’s Homan hopes Boasson’s breakthrough carries over

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State golfer Axel Boasson ended the fall semester as a promising freshman the Bulldogs thought they would rely on in the spring.

Consistency had been lacking from his game, though he’d flashed the ability to fire sub-par rounds in the fall.

Sidney posts on Facebook he will return to MSU

The biggest news Sunday for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team didn’t involve a postseason tournament. Several hours before its chances of making the National Invitational Tournament ended, sophomore forward Renardo Sidney announced on his Facebook page he would return for his junior season at MSU.

Walk-ons will try to earn time on field for MSU

STARKVILLE — Each year, hundreds of walk-ons join college football teams hoping to make their dreams come true.

Some do it for the love of the game and relish the opportunity to be on a college team.

Others shun the chance to be on scholarship or to have playing time at a lower level in an attempt to earn their way onto the field.

Three Mississippi State walk-ons just want to wear the colors of their favorite college team and to play close to home.

MSU’s bench leads way in first half; ‘Dogs hoping for NIT berth

ATLANTA — The bizarre fortune that saw Mississippi State’s front court depleted by foul trouble actually produced a bright spot in its 87-81 loss to Vanderbilt.

The Bulldogs’ bench, which had been under fire at times this season for not producing enough, came through with quality minutes in the first half when forwards Renardo Sidney and Kodi Augustus each drew fouls and sat the majority of the period.

MSU’s post depth was so depleted, Stansbury had no choice but to piece together a lineup to make it to halftime.

Jenkins, Vandy send MSU crashing out of SEC tournament

ATLANTA — In the end, John Jenkins was too much for Mississippi State to defend.

The Vanderbilt two-guard scored 29 points, including seven of the Commodores’ last nine to lift his team to an 87-81 win over Mississippi State in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament Friday.