MSU NOTEBOOK: MSU trying to simulate Auburn DE combo in practice

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University head coach Dan Mullen is experimenting in practice to prepare his young offensive tackles for the unique speed rush they’ll see Saturday.

Auburn offensive scheme creates challenges for MSU

STARKVILLE — Very little of last year’s game at Auburn University is being watched this week inside the football coaching offices of the Bryan Athletic Building.

Balance in running game key for MSU

STARKVILLE — Balance has been the key word on offense in preseason camp for the Mississippi State University football program.

MSU men’s basketball dismisses two players

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University men’s basketball coach Rick Ray announced Tuesday the dismissal of Shaun Smith and Kristers Zeidaks from the team for repeated violations of team rules.

MSU players recognize importance of Auburn game

STARKVILLE — The story Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen is telling the media about his team’s game at 11 a.m. Saturday (ESPN) against Auburn University may not be what he’s telling his players.

Veterans play big roles for MSU in first victory

STARKVILLE — This sort of football game is becoming an expectation for coach Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State University football team in season openers.

Saturday night turned out to be as painless as MSU hoped it would be as it completed its fourth-straight blowout win to start a season by defeating Jackson State University 56-9 in the season opener for both teams at Davis Wade Stadium.

Three MSU players suspended for opener

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University officials announced the indefinite suspension of three players for the season-opening game against Jackson State University.

Junior wide receiver Ricco Sanders, sophomore defensive tackle P.J. Jones, and sophomore defensive back Jamerson Love were suspended for the game.

Wells has strong showing for MSU

STARKVILLE — Matthew Wells was everywhere on the field Saturday before the snap of the football.

Once the play was in motion, the sophomore linebacker was where he needed to be — harassing the Jackson State University player with the football.

Wilson leads Starkville to first victory

TUPELO — Few envisioned a Starkville High School offensive explosion Friday night — not even head coach Jamie Mitchell.

Starkville High notches first win of season against Tupelo

TUPELO – Turns out week three would be when the Starkville HIgh School offense would introduce itself to Mississippi High School football. The passing duo

Injury-riddled Starkville set for Tupelo

STARKVILLE — Jamie Mitchell’s goal tonight will be to get his players to focus on who will be on the field instead who won’t be.

After two weeks, that become a more daunting task than Mitchell has faced in more than 20 years as a coach.

MSU will look to unleash passing attack

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen says the winning formula for his football team won’t change.

However, with four senior starting wide receivers and a former Parade All-American — junior Tyler Russell — at quarterback, the prevailing thought is MSU will become a pass-first football offense.

MSU football team names captains for 2012

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University football team will have three captains this season.

Seniors defensive back Johnthan Banks and senior linebacker Cameron Lawrence and junior offensive guard Gabe Jackson were chosen in a vote by MSU players to be captains when the team opens its season at 6 p.m. Saturday (Fox Sports South) against Jackson State University at Davis Wade Stadium.

To show or not to show: MSU coaches must make that decision

STARKVILLE — Coaches love tell anybody who will listen, specifically their own players, that the tape doesn’t lie.

New coach Brewster learning Bulldogs’ offensive system on the fly

STARKVILLE — MSU head coach Dan Mullen said on the first day new wide receivers coach Tim Brewster was on the job would be the language barrier.

MSU distances itself from booster

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University athletic department is disassociating itself with a booster involved in the NCAA investigation.

In documents obtained by The Dispatch, the MSU compliance department has refunded season ticket money for the 2012 season and a financial donation to the department to the booster, whose named was redacted in the paperwork.

MSU’s Morrow dedicates opener to those in hurricane’s path

STARKVILLE — Joe Morrow is dedicating the Mississippi State University football team’s season opener Saturday against Jackson State University to the people near his hometown dealing with Hurricane Isaac.

MSU freshman Thomas will have surgery today

STARKVILLE — The news continues to get worse for the Mississippi State University men’s basketball program.

The school announced Tuesday freshman Fred Thomas will have surgery today to repair a stress fracture in his right foot. Dr. Scott Jones will perform the surgery in Columbus. The projected recovery period is six weeks.

Smith takes long road back to MSU starting lineup

STARKVILLE — After recovering from multiple torn ligaments from an injury suffered last year, Tobias Smith will start in the 2012 season opener.

Backup quarterback position important to Bulldogs’ plans

STARKVILLE – The one thing we know Mississippi State University head coach Dan Mullen and offensive coordinator Les Koenning agree on is the backup quarterback must play Saturday.