Articles by Matthew Stevens
Starkville’s defense up to challenge vs. NW Rankin
STARKVILLE — Starkville High School defensive coordinator Brooks Oakley admitted before his team’s game against Northwest Rankin that he had no idea what kind of offense he and the Yellow Jackets would see.
It didn’t matter.
Starkville will try to find winning formula vs. Northwest Rankin
STARKVILLE — Starkville High football coach Jamie Mitchell admits he isn’t sure what flicked the mental switch for his program.
MSU men’s basketball team dismisses Lewis
STARKVILLE — The tradition of Rick Ray and the Mississippi State men’s basketball program losing players before the season tips off continues.
Stats show power football on third down can be used out of shotgun spread
STARKVILLE — Defensive coordinators across the country have been racking their brains trying to figure out a method to stop tempo offenses.
MSU Notebook: Defense leads list of concerns for LSU
STARKVILLE — The panic is already being felt in Baton Rouge, La., after the LSU defense gave up 44 points in its first loss of the 2013 season.
Perkins hopes to play bigger role vs. LSU
STARKVILLE — Even LaDarius Perkins can get frustrated about his lack of production.
The Mississippi State senior tailback admitted Monday he has dealt with a lot of negative emotions while trying to recover from a right foot injury and to get the better of defenses focusing on him.
Miles, Mullen have unique quirks
STARKVILLE — Whether it’s eating grass or the hat he wears on the sideline, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen stopped short of saying Les Miles’ mannerisms were a act.
Call it what you will, MSU has two at QB
STARKVILLE — Call it what you want — controversy, dilemma, or decision.
Dan Mullen’s choice of who will play quarterback for Mississippi State football team is a been-there, done-that scenario for Matt Wyatt.
West Point gets long-awaited win vs. West Point
OXFORD — More than once, Oxford High School quarterback Jack Abraham has been told he doesn’t look, think, or act like a 10th-grader.
On Friday night, he proved that observation correct by leading his team to a 30-20 victory against West Point at Bobby Holcomb Field.
Starkville, Columbus renew rivalry in Class 6A, Region 2
STARKVILLE — Odd.
This was the common word used to describe two schools in the Golden Triangle not being on each other’s football schedule.
Oxford game week arrives for West Point football team
WEST POINT – Two weeks ago, West Point quarterback Josh Ewing looked around and thought to himself he was all his team had left behind center. And it was a comforting feeling.
MSU secondary makes strides in win over Troy
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State essentially made up for its deficiencies in the secondary with one play.
MSU Notebook: Bulldogs make changes to defensive line
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State is dealing with another defensive player being injured in the past month leaving a big hole in the middle of the line.
No misunderstanding Mullen: Russell is MSU’s starting QB
STARKVILLE — The statement couldn’t be misunderstood.
Minutes after a 62-7 victory against Troy on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen made sure everybody knew who was the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. The individual he named didn’t play in the 55-point blowout.
Perkins injures ankle vs Troy, expected to play vs. LSU
STARKVILLE — Not that Mississippi State needed him in the second half Saturday, but an ankle injury forced senior tailback LaDarius Perkins to miss most of MSU’s 62-7 victory against Troy.
Prescott leads MSU’s offensive explosion
STARKVILLE — So … about that faulty Mississippi State offense?
MSU’s defense suffocates Troy
STARKVILLE — Even Dan Mullen thought his Mississippi State football team would be in for a shootout Saturday night against Troy.
Mullen should have asked his defense for a second opinion.
Lewis pulls out all tricks in blowout
STARKVILLE — Jameon Lewis is used to having the kind of first half he experienced Saturday.
