MSU trying to iron out kicking situation

STARKVILLE – If Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen had his way, he’d have a two new kickers at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (WCBI) for his team’s game against No. 6 University of Arkansas.

But there isn’t a waiver wire in college football, so MSU will bring the same special teams players to Little Rock, Ark., to face the Razorbacks (9-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference)

MSU loses Whitley for season

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore safety Nickoe Whitley will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles’ tendon in his left foot.

Alwal doubles up again for MSU women

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team made a statement Monday night.

Not only did it beat a quality opponent in Xavier 71-65 at Humphrey Coliseum, but it also may have found a third offensive option in center Martha Alwal.

Defense dominates for No. 4 Tide

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team’s offense didn’t have much success Saturday night against the No. 4 University of Alabama.

The Bulldogs didn’t move the ball much and they certainly didn’t light up the scoreboard for the first three quarters.

When the final whistle blew, the Crimson Tide proved why they are on another level in the Southeastern Conference with a 24-7 victory at David Wade Stadium.

Mullen tries different things in loss

STARKVILLE — Earlier in the week, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen said a lack of effort wasn’t the reason his team was falling short in big home games.

In a way, MSU’s third-year coach proved that line of thinking true Saturday night when he and the Bulldogs tried everything to no avail in a 24-7 loss to the No. 4 University of Alabama.

Alabama, MSU struggle in kicking game

STARKVILLE — With 7 minutes, 32 seconds left in the third quarter Saturday night, University of Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley let out a sigh of relief all of Oktibbeha County felt.

His 24-yard field goal helped him became the first kicker to convert a field goal in five tries just when fans had started to think the task was impossible.

MSU will try for breakthrough victory

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen’s motto for winning in the Southeastern Conference always has started with winning home games.

Mississippi State’s third-year football coach acknowledged Monday it was about time his Bulldogs squad practiced what it preached.

Mullen and MSU will try to start a trend at 6:45 tonight (ESPN) when they play host to the No. 4 University of Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium.

Myles shines in Starkville victory

STARKVILLE — Last week, Gabe Myles proclaimed his school was back on top.

Seven days later, Myles made sure the Starkville High School football team would be back for practice next week.

The junior quarterback used his right arm to help Starkville dominate Hernando 42-28 in a Class 5A first-round playoff game.

MSU faces bounce-back game against South Alabama

STARKVILLE — Suddenly, the game everybody around the Mississippi State campus considered a throw-away game is critical.

MSU’s game against the University of South Alabama at 1 p.m. today will give the Bulldogs (1-1) an opportunity to regroup from a disheartening loss before they go to New York for two games in the 2K Classic Invitational.

Starkville hopes to continue maturation tonight

STARKVILLE — Jamie Mitchell can look back at last week as proof his team is ready for playoff football.

The second-year Starkville High School football coach watched his squad commit zero turnovers and four penalties in a 35-14 win at Neshoba Central to secure the Class 5A, Region 2 title.

Starkville High’s Ware signs with MSU

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School forward Gavin Ware finalized his destination of choice Wednesday when he signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play basketball for Mississippi State.

“It’s a big step forward that gets me closer to my future and where I want to be in life,” Ware said. “It’s close to home and gives me endless opportunities to be somebody.”

Akron proves to be more than mid-major

STARKVILLE — Wednesday’s upset is exactly why the executives of the 2K Classic made this an invitational event and not a traditional tournament.

The University of Akron men’s basketball team’s 68-58 victory against an out-of-sync Mississippi State team in front of a stunned 6,897 fans at Humphrey Coliseum didn’t earn the Zips at trip to Madison Square Garden next week, but it gave them a season-opening victory against a major program.

Runaway red elephant coming to MSU

STARKVILLE — Chris Wilson has an easy answer to the average Joe who wonders why the Mississippi State football team won’t line up 10 guys at the line of scrimmage to stop the University of Alabama’s running game.

Russell ready to shine vs. Crimson Tide

STARKVILLE — It’s possible to reverse history and imagine Tyler Russell on the opposite sideline Saturday for the Mississippi State football team’s game against the University of Alabama.

Three years ago, the Parade All-American quarterback’s college decision was down to a pair of schools less than 85 miles apart on Highway 82.

MSU men will take on Akron

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury never has been shy about touting the skills of his team’s next opponent days before a game.

Ballard driving force for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — The pressure was beginning to mount on Mississippi State senior tailback Vick Ballard.

In a 55-17 victory against the University of Tennessee-Martin on Saturday, that pressure valve went down a few notches after he found the end zone again.

Bost leads MSU past Eastern Kentucky

STARKVILLE — In a surprisingly tight victory, the Mississippi State men’s basketball found a flaw it will need to fix before opponents get a book on them.

Mullen: Nutt’s dismissal doesn’t change Egg Bowl

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen said Monday the dynamic of the 2011 Egg Bowl matchup against the University of Mississippi remains the same after the announcement that Houston Nutt won’t return as Ole Miss’ coach after that game.

Starkville boys will play role of favorite

STARKVILLE — This is the time of year Starkville High School boys basketball coach Greg Carter has a one-time conversation with his team.

Carter’s Yellow Jackets enter the 2011-12 season as the favorites to win their region and to win another championship trophy in their first season back in Class 5A of the Mississippi High School Activities Association.

Starkville girls have clean slate

STARKVILLE — Everybody involved with the Starkville High School girls basketball team knows last year was a struggle.

The Lady Jackets will try to change their ways in a new classification and region by relying on three senior leaders and several talented sophomores who will see significant playing time.