Bulldogs host South Carolina in SEC opener tonight

STARKVILLE — Many coaches will use the cliché line of a college basketball season being the culmination of three different seasons: non-conference, conference and postseason.

Martin, Ray both embracing rebuilding projects

STARKVILLE — The two head coaches at Humphrey Coliseum were given the same task on paper but not the same procedure to get the rebuilding project accomplished.

Three MSU players invited to pre-draft combine

STARKVILLE — At least three Mississippi State University football players have been invited to participate in the NFL draft Combine next month.

Mullen has two coaching spots to fill

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen wanted to “try something different” in the 2013 Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day.

That decision created some major changes in the defensive coaching staff for the 2013 season.

On Friday, MSU announced the promotion of Geoff Collins to defensive coordinator. The move came three days after he was assigned play-calling duties for the first time in a 34-20 loss to Northwestern University in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

Starkville Academy sweeps Lamar School

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy girls basketball coach Glenn Schmidt hopes her team’s victory Saturday proves it can win even if isn’t making outside shots.

While facing one of the state’s best perimeter players in guard Olivia Mabry, Starkville Academy held the rest of the Lamar School team to 16 points en route to a 74-36 victory.

MSU men rout New Orleans

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University men’s basketball fans may see head coach Rick Ray out in public more often this week.

Ray no longer is embarrassed to be recognized as the leader of the Bulldogs program. A 51-point victory in the team’s final non-conference game will do that for a coach.

Noxubee County’s Bradley commits to Southern Miss

MACON — Dylan Bradley feels he can bring a winning mentality to the University of Southern Mississippi football program.

The Dispatch’s Large School Defensive Player of the Year, who led the Noxubee County High School football team to a undefeated season and a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state championship, gave a verbal commitment to the Golden Eagles on New Year’s Day.

Quarterback position topic of discussion entering MSU off-season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A decision by the Mississippi State University is looming less than two months from now when spring practice begins: Who will be taking snaps from behind center in 2013?

NU Year’s Interrupted: Northwestern beats MSU to end bowl drought

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Draped in blue Gatorade following his first bowl victory as a Northwestern University football player or coach, Pat Fitzgerald found the answers Tuesday to move his program forward.

Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen left EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., with the feeling his team was stuck in neutral.

Russell has New Year’s Day to forget

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After the way his quarterback started the 2013 TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, the only thing Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen knew to do was hit the reset button.

After junior quarterback Tyler Russell threw his third interception in the first half, Mullen told him to go into the locker room and re-do his pregame routine, including the way he put his uniform on.

Collins calls MSU’s defensive plays vs. Northwestern

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Mississippi State University football program wanted to make sure everybody knew who was calling the defensive signals before the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl.

For the first time as a MSU assistant coach, co-defensive coordinator Geoff Collins was given the defensive play calling duties in place of two-year co-defensive coordinator Chris Wilson.

ALL AREA FOOTBALL: Trio of coaches lead elite teams

The path in which all three local head coaches which led their teams to state championships this season couldn’t have been three more different pictures to envision.

ALL AREA FOOTBALL: Robinson makes good on goals

Darrell Robinson walked up to his head coach one day during summer camp with a proclamation that Noxubee County High School coach Tyrone Shorter took very seriously.

ALL AREA FOOTBALL: Bradley overcomes obstacles

His own coach will tell anybody he can find that Dylan Bradley is one of the best defensive players in the state. Bradley himself feels like he’s been disrespected because no one outside the Noxubee County High School field house seems to feel the same way.

Bumphis relishes next opportunity to play on New Year’s Day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two years ago, Chad Bumphis was in a sling watching his teammates prepare and then have all the fun at the Gator Bowl.

MSU prepares for final shot at up-tempo offensive attack

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Mississippi State University defense will get one final shot at a similar spread-option tempo offense and are desperate for better results.

Aberdeen strikes for home state

Playing their style throughout the contest, Aberdeen High School basketball got the first and only win for the state of Mississippi through two days of the Travis Outlaw Slam Dunk at the Hump Tournament Thursday.

Hughes to coach secondary; Russell back at full strength

After the entire Mississippi State University football team arrived in Jacksonville, Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen addressed the staff adjustment in the secondary.

Stansbury retirement top MSU sports story for 2012

STARKVILLE – When a man decides after 28 years in the profession, 22 of them at Mississippi State University and 14 years as the head coach to do something else with his life, The Dispatch certainly believes this act is more than justifiable to be named MSU story of the year.

Smith leaves MSU to become coach at Auburn

STARKVILLE — Melvin Smith spent Christmas packing up his belongings and moving to another Southeastern Conference school.

Smith, the Mississippi State University football team’s cornerbacks coach from 2006-12, accepted the same position at Auburn University under new coach Gus Malzahn.