Baker, Barron shine on offense

At football camps and combines, Columbus High School running back Damian Baker and Noxubee County wide receiver Terrence Barron have never worried about looking good on a scale or for a tape measure.

For The Dispatch co-Offensive Players of the Year, it is about producing on the field and making opponents regret dismissing them at first glance.

Mitchell, Terrill help put Starkville back at top

STARKVILLE — Jamie Mitchell and Jeff Terrill are responsible for putting high school football in the city of Starkville at the front of the line in the state of Mississippi.

MSU, Wake Forest use redshirts in similar fashions

STARKVILLE — Fans will have trouble finding freshmen on the depth charts for the 2011 Music City Bowl.

The leaders of the Mississippi State and Wake Forest University football teams refer to their programs as “developmental” entities that encourage 18- and 19-year-olds to begin their college careers doing something they might not have done: Stand on the sideline and watch.

Rogers proud of final season at Starkville

Eric Rogers will remember a lot about his final football season at Starkville High School.

His favorite moment was Monday mornings at school after a victory. It was a unique feeling he had been waiting three years to experience.

Swedenburg excels on, off field for MSU

STARKVILLE — Baker Swedenburg earned a title this month that is a source of pride.

It isn’t All-American, All-Southeastern Conference or starting Division I punter.

Swedenburg, a third-year sophomore punter, is a graduate of Mississippi State. He was one of eight members of the MSU football team who recently received his bachelor’s degree.

MSU men will try to win again in Jackson

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s annual contest in the state’s capital will be a homecoming for three players.

No. 18 MSU (11-1) will hope to win its ninth straight game at Memorial Coliseum under coach Rick Stansbury when it takes on Northwestern State (7-5) at 7 tonight.

Russell begins practice with injury

STARKVILLE — Tyler Russell is learning how to play with pain in preparation for the 2011 Music City Bowl.

Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen confirmed Monday that Russell has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and is expected to play against Wake Forest at 5:40 p.m. Dec. 30 (ESPN) in Nashville, Tenn.

SEC baseball tournament expands to 10 teams

STARKVILLE — Every Southeastern Conference baseball coach had the same question earlier this year when the NCAA tournament selection show ended: “Where’s LSU?”

LSU finished 36-20 (13-17 in the SEC) and 26th in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), but didn’t receive an invitation in large part for failing to make the conference tournament.

CHS girls win; CHS boys lose; Starkville boys lose

After going without a field goal in the opening minutes Saturday night, the Columbus High School girls basketball team found its rhythm at the free-throw line.

Eleven of the Lady Falcons’ first 19 points came at the charity stripe before guard Kiandria Patterson took over to lead Columbus to a 64-38 victory against Lawrence County on Saturday on the second day of the 15th annual Joe Horne Christmas Classic.

Spears, New Albany beat Starkville

The Starkville High School girls basketball team didn’t have an answer for one of the best front-court players in the state of Mississippi on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Jazmine Spears scored 24 points to lead New Albany to a 45-42 victory against Starkville on the second day of the Joe Horne Christmas Classic at Columbus High.

Mississippi State to face MTSU in 2012

STARKVILLE –Mississippi State’s football schedule for next season is now complete.

After a six-month search to find a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, MSU officials announced Friday afternoon a one-game contract to play Middle Tennessee State University at Davis Wade Stadium on Oct. 20.

Prescott gets heavy workload in scrimmage

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen knew his freshman quarterback would be exhausted, so after the open scrimmage at Davis Wade Stadium Friday night, he didn’t need statistics to prove the important result. The Mississippi State football coach knew Dak Prescott had survived the most work behind center in his early college career.

Bulldogs face true road test in Motor City

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State has already faced many unique challenges in the early part of the men’s basketball season. The 17th-ranked Bulldogs (10-1) have already suffered a disappointing upset loss at home, won a tournament at Madison Square Garden, won games without key players and now have a new task. MSU must now figure out a way to win its first road game of the 2011-12 season.

Young MSU safeties preparing for 2012 rotation

STARKVILLE — Lack of depth is the result of trying to replace a pair of senior safeties that played nearly every defensive snap during a season.

So it wasn’t surprising to hear Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen admit that his team will be “a little young” in the back two members of the Bulldogs secondary.

MSU closer chosen All-American

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s baseball coaches have the luxury that most staffs in the country would love. Late in the game, they’ll get to hand the ball to a senior All-American selection to ensure a victory on the mound.

MSU to extend Mullen’s contract

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University is expecting to put its head football coach back on a four-year agreement for the third consecutive winter. And all it took was a look, a nod and two words.

MSU to extend Mullen’s contract

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University is expecting to put its head football coach back on a four-year agreement for the third consecutive winter. And all it took was a look, a nod and two words.

Bulldogs land major catch in Autry

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University will be bringing in a football player to its 2012 recruiting class that knows what it takes to win a national championship.

A few weeks removed from winning a NJCAA national championship at East Mississippi Community College, defensive end Denico Autry gave his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs program Tuesday afternoon.

Bulldogs win streak continues: MSU tops FAU

STARKVILLE – It’s amazing what happens when Mississippi State has more of its pieces show up on the playing floor.

A senior guard and freshman wing player, both of whom weren’t available for last year’s loss to Florida Atlantic, led the No. 17 Bulldogs to 75-68 win over the same Owls team Tuesday night.

DOGS ON UPSET ALERT: MSU hopes to make amends for loss to FAU

STARKVILLE — There’s a single problem with calling Mississippi State’s men’s basketball matchup with Florida Atlantic University a revenge game.