MSU football wants to get back to strength

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University’s football team has a pretty good understanding of the thin line between wins and losses.

Against the top teams in the Southeastern Conference, it takes a handful of mistakes to turn a close, winnable game into a loss. Such was the case Saturday against the University of Alabama, where a 6-3 deficit ballooned to a 27-3 hole in just three Crimson Tide offensive plays.

Mullen wants rebound from loss to Alabama

A day after Mississippi State’s football team proved to be its own worst enemy in a 30-10 loss to Alabama, head coach Dan Mullen turned his attentions to rebounding the same way it did when it lost at LSU.

Surge in second half lifts EWHS

East Webster intercepted three passes and hung 27 points in the second half to post a 38-12 win over John F. Kennedy.

Alabama responds to loss by smashing MSU

Questions of how No. 11 University of Alabama (8-2, 5-2) would rebound from its national title-buster loss to LSU were paired with the questionable status of running back Trent Richardson.

Alabama, however, showed no ill effects from a physical match with LSU, topping the No. 17 Bulldogs 30-10 Saturday night.

Bulldogs bemoan mistakes against Tide

For the first couple of drives Saturday, Mississippi State looked ready to match Alabama on its home turf.

MSU feels its defense ready for Alabama

STARKVILLE — How can a football team ranked in the top five of nearly every statistical category in its league have anything wrong with its offense?

When that team is the University of Alabama, any aspect of play below a championship level isn’t accepted.

Healthy Moye driving force for East Webster

MABEN — After the East Webster High School football team beat rival Eupora on Oct. 1, Xavier Moye had an MRI for a nagging leg injury he suffered in the season opener.

He had no idea he had been playing on a broken left leg.

Punting game has been key to Bulldogs’ success

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team’s punting game hasn’t gotten enough credit for the team’s blistering start.

The No. 17 Bulldogs (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) are second in the nation in fewest punt return yards conceded with 16. That figure pops even more considering MSU has allowed 11 punt returns this season.

Stansbury wants to see better defense from MSU

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team will face more question marks than certainties Friday when it opens the regular season.

The Bulldogs, who’ll be without suspended players Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney, struggled defensively in their exhibition win against Lindsey Wilson College.

Lack of leadership sinks Yellow Jackets

A few noticeable faces were missing from Starkville High School’s state title game rematch against Meridian on Tuesday night.

Shell-shock: Freshmen must change workout, diet habits to succeed

Life as a Mississippi State football player begins immediately after the ink dries on the National Letter of Intent.

Rare ranked battle for Bulldogs, Crimson Tide

STARKVILLE — It’s not every year the Mississippi State and the University of Alabama football teams meet with identical records.

Both teams haven’t been ranked entering their annual late-season game since 1999, when the Bulldogs were No. 8 with an 8-0 record and the Crimson Tide were No. 11.

MSU bye week is stressful

A bye week should be the most relaxing time of a football team’s season.

For No. 17 Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference), last week’s break from competition shattered the ball club because of the death of defensive end Nick Bell.

East Webster continues ground dominance, beats Bruce

MABEN — The East Webster High School football team took its first step toward a state championship Friday night in a 35-20 win against Bruce.

The Wolverines (12-0) continued their dominance on the ground, rushing for 327 yards on 41 carries in their Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A playoff opener.

Basketball Bulldogs will look different this year

The Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s exhibition opener against Lindsey Wilson College showed how different the Bulldogs will look this season.

MSU to experiment with rotations against Lindsey Wilson

When Mississippi State’s men’s basketball team faces exhibition opponent Lindsey Wilson on Saturday, all eyes will be on the two players who won’t be in uniform when the games start to count.

MSU remembers friend, teammate Nick Bell

Nick Bell’s memorial service featured several speakers and slideshows honoring the former Mississippi State football player. But each shared a common theme about their friend: his bright smile.

MSU remembers friend, teammate Nick Bell

Nick Bell’s memorial service featured several speakers and slideshows honoring the former Mississippi State football player. But each shared a common theme about their friend: his bright smile.

Starkville boys team full of question marks

How does Starkville High’s boys basketball team go about duplicating last season’s state title run? It doesn’t.

East Webster defense not concerned about the spotlight

Defensive players rarely get the shine cast on those who score touchdowns. And that’s fine by East Webster High School football players.