Articles by Matthew Stevens
Starkville will take on Saltillo in Class 5A playoff opener
STARKVILLE — Tell Starkville High School football coach Jamie Mitchell his good friend Pat Byrd has revitalized a program at Saltillo High and he’ll happily say you’re underselling his efforts.
Ray will need time to evaluate team
STARKVILLE — It may take a couple of weeks before Mississippi State University men’s basketball coach Rick Ray knows what talent he has on his team.
Talent gap between MSU, LSU not shrinking fast enough for Mullen
STARKVILLE — The talent gap between the Mississippi State University and LSU football teams is shrinking, but it isn’t happening fast enough for MSU coach Dan Mullen.
MSU men’s golf team ends fall schedule on high note
STARKVILLE — There was a point last season where Mississippi State player Axel Boasson said he didn’t want to work on his golf game.
Short-handed Bulldogs lose Applewhite for season with injury
STARKVILLE — The bad news continues to roll in for the Mississippi State University men’s basketball program and first-year head coach Rick Ray.
MSU running game needs lift against LSU
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University football program has what is commonly referred to as a two-fold problem this weekend when they face Louisiana State University.
MSU will have to prepare for Zach attack
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University defensive coordinator Chris Wilson laughed Monday when talking about LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
LSU has been nearly unbeatable at night at home
STARKVILLE — Nobody is suggesting LSU’s football players transform into superior human beings when the sun goes down Saturdays at Tiger Stadium.
Mullen wants blame pointed at him
STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen wants everybody who has a passion for Mississippi State University football to know where to point the finger.
Ray, MSU beat William Carey in exhibition
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University men’s basketball coach Rick Ray has said repeatedly his team must work harder and be tougher and smarter than every opponent to consider its performance a success.
During brief portions of its exhibition game against William Carey University on Sunday afternoon, MSU accomplished all three of those items. In longer stretches, though, it did none of them, but it still earned an 80-74 victory at Humphrey Coliseum.
Overmatched, Outclassed: Texas A&M rolls past MSU
STARKVILLE — It may have taken another unexpected snowstorm to stop Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M University football team’s offense.
Texas A&M defense controls Russell
STARKVILLE — It was clear the Texas A&M University defensive staff watched the beating Mississippi State University quarterback Tyler Russell took last week.
Van Hook, Magnolia Heights too much for Starkville Academy
SENATOBIA — Starkville Academy football coach Jeff Terrill said he’ll lose sleep for weeks after one call: The choice to kick the ball to Fernando Van Hook.
Starters will play tonight for Starkville
STARKVILLE — Jamie Mitchell answered the question was answered before the week started: The Starkville High School football team will play its starters at 7 tonight in the regular-season finale against Neshoba Central.
MSU’s Ray curious to see how officials will call physical play
STARKVILLE — Rick Ray is curious to see how his style of play is received in his first season in the Southeastern Conference — and his first as a Division I head coach.
Sumlin, Wilson renew rivalry this weekend
STARKVILLE — The phone calls are still taken among the Wilson family in Starkville and the Sumlin family in College Station, Texas.
MSU BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Thomas shines in MSU open scrimmage
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University freshman guard Fred Thomas showcased his natural ability that could likely translate easiest from high school to college — scoring.
MSU FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Mullen: Texas A&M defense ‘underrated’
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University isn’t just worried about one side of the ball with its upcoming opponent.
MSU’s Holloway doing best Manziel impersonation
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University has its version of Texas A&M University freshman Johnny Manziel.
