Mississippi State’s Tyler Russell unfazed by coaches’ choice of Relf

After featuring in Mississippi State’s first three football games, backup quarterback Tyler Russell found himself in an unfamiliar position last Saturday.

MSU’s defense plays key role in win

STARKVILLE — When Manny Diaz took over as co-defensive coordinator of the Mississippi State football team, his goal was to get his players to fly to the football without hesitation.

Win gives Mullen confidence

A day after Mississippi State’s galvanizing win over Georgia, head coach Dan Mullen has plenty to build upon.

Volunteers break through

Leading by 18 points in the third quarter, no one at J.E. Logan Field could have envisioned the ending of the Starkville Academy football team’s 31-29 Homecoming win against Winston Academy.

Dogs find winning combination

Mississippi State’s football team recaptured its form against Georgia on Saturday, riding a familiar formula for a 24-12 win.

Strong start sets tone for Mississippi State

Entering Saturday’s game, Derek DePasquale had attempted just two of MSU’s 10 kickoffs this season.

Struggling East Oktibbeha defense is surprise

East Oktibbeha High School’s football team didn’t envision being 0-5 at this point in the season.

Return to football paying off for Starkville High’s Hill

For Starkville High’s football team, particularly its offense, it was necessary a receiver step up to the challenge of leading a young and depleted receiver group. Against West Point, the Yellow Jackets (2-2) found the answer in senior Shaquille Hill, who scored the game-winner on a diving, 23-yard score. He had four catches for 66 yards in Starkville’s 21-20 win.

Eighth-grader finds spot in SA soccer defense

Certain responsibilities at the varsity level rarely fall on the shoulders of an eighth-grader, but Starkville Academy’s Anna McKell has handled her role well in her first season as a full-time starter.

MSU football needs better protection

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team has allowed fives sacks in three games, but linemen and coaches agree there’s plenty to fix before Saturday.

MSU men’s basketball assembling pieces for 2010-11

STARKVILLE — Players say they aren’t feeling the effects of all of the turnover and uncertainty in Mississippi State’s men’s basketball program.

MSU defense expects more sacks, turnovers

Mississippi State’s defensive players, despite having just four sacks entering Saturday’s game against Georgia, feel like they’re settling into State’s pressure-based scheme.

Preparing for 3-4 defense not an issue for Bulldogs

Mississippi State’s offensive line has placed greater emphasis on improving communication to shore up protection issues.

MSU still trying to put it all together

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team isn’t panicking despite committing eight turnovers in its past two games.

Even coming off a dismal offensive performance Saturday in a 29-7 loss at LSU that exposed protection issues and poor decision-making from both quarterbacks, coach Dan Mullen and the players insist consistency is the missing link.

MSU turnovers made difference

Mississippi State’s football team had several areas contribute to its 29-7 loss to LSU, but turnovers were the repeated nails in the coffin Saturday.

New Hope gets total effort against Caledonia

CALEDONIA — The New Hope High School football team rode a balanced offensive attack Friday night to a 40-0 win against Caledonia.

New Hope quarterback Zak Thrasher completed 10 of 12 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown, and the Trojans rushed for 237 yards to bounce back from their home loss to Columbus.

MSU still confident despite mistakes

STARKVILLE — If there was a loss that stood out the most to Mississippi State football fans in 2009, it was the home defeat to LSU.

The 30-26 loss could have been the Bulldogs’ first win against the Tigers since 1999. The sequence of events in the final minute of the game, however, made the result the most distinguishable of MSU’s seven defeats last season.

No hype needed for Noxubee County-West Point

Another week. Another rivalry matchup for the West Point High School football team.

Not that coach Chris Chambless minds, but coming off a heart-breaking 21-20 loss to Starkville High, he knows the importance of bouncing back at 7:30 tonight against Noxubee County (4-0). Chambless watched his team blow a 20-0 lead against the Yellow Jackets, turn the ball over three times in the second half, and commit four personal foul penalties in the loss. Carrying that lack of discipline into district play, which begins in a week, isn’t ideal for a team looking to repeat as Class 5A state champions.

Starkville Academy faces tough test against Jackson Academy

STARKVILLE — Jeff Terrill can’t wait for a handful of extra football players to appear at his office door.

Neither can his Starkville Academy football players, most of whom have learned and played multiple positions in the Volunteers’ 0-4 start this season.

MSU defense trying to find its identity

STARKVILLE — Through two games, Mississippi State’s defense has taken a “fresh” approach to which players are in the game.