http://www.statenews.com Stories from The State News en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:45:11 -0500 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/penn_state_hammers_spartans_4214_in_final_regular_season_game The MSU football team failed in its search for a winning regular season, falling 42-14 to No. 13 Penn State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:45:11 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/penn_state_hammers_spartans_4214_in_final_regular_season_game http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/a_senior_with_a_kick It is winter 2006, and then-freshman kicker Brett Swenson is alone, playing in the snow. While his teammates are sweating in the indoor practice facility at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building, Swenson is clearing the snow outside and kicking field goals. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:24:54 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/a_senior_with_a_kick http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_amped_to_avenge_last_years_happy_valley_beatdown A lot is on the line when MSU and No. 13 Penn State meet for the Land Grant Trophy on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. In what has become an increasingly important game each year as the Spartans return to respectability under head coach Mark Dantonio, MSU is looking to pick up the all-important seventh victory — a win that would secure a winning season, regardless of what happens in a bowl game. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:22:02 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_amped_to_avenge_last_years_happy_valley_beatdown http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/hawken_endures_coaching_position_changes_to_end_career_strong With the prevalence of the spread offense in college football, the fullback slowly is fading away from the football landscape. But while other Big Ten schools have decided not to utilize one, the fullback is a very important part of MSU’s offense. And senior Andrew Hawken is a big reason why. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:28:02 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/hawken_endures_coaching_position_changes_to_end_career_strong http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/strong_class_has_shot_to_play_in_3_straight_bowls A look at the senior football class. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:07:32 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/strong_class_has_shot_to_play_in_3_straight_bowls http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/prognosticators_112009 This is prognosticators comin’ at you like a mob of sorority girls at a Victoria’s Secret sale. Except maybe less scary. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:02:37 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/prognosticators_112009 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/battle_for_land_grant_trophy_comes_to_el The Spartans welcome Penn State to Spartan Stadium on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC) in a game that has major bowl implications. The outcome of the game will affect almost every bowl-eligible Big Ten team. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:05:40 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/battle_for_land_grant_trophy_comes_to_el http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/martin_provides_spark_in_shootout_victory Of all the players who have made big plays for the Spartans in 2009, sophomore receiver Keshawn Martin is at the top of the list. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:03:34 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/martin_provides_spark_in_shootout_victory http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/swenson_honored_for_purdue_performance Senior kicker Brett Swenson was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday after his career-best performance in MSU’s 40-37 victory against Purdue on Saturday. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:44:30 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/swenson_honored_for_purdue_performance http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/spartans_in_biggest_state_football_rivalry When game times for this weekend’s Big Ten games were announced, a friend of mine, who happens to be a Michigan fan, texted me, “Michigan-Ohio State at noon on ABC. Great, now the whole nation can laugh at us again.” Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:33:28 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/spartans_in_biggest_state_football_rivalry http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/neely_spartans_sack_purdue West Lafayette, Ind. — The Spartans had seen this movie before. After the MSU football team took a 40-37 lead with less than two minutes remaining Saturday, Purdue began to drive toward a late victory. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:33:29 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/neely_spartans_sack_purdue http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_possibly_heading_to_san_antonio The Spartans’ 40-37 win against Purdue on Saturday, made them bowl-eligible for the third straight season. It marks the first time the Spartans have done so since 1995-97, and just the third time in program history. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:24:19 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_possibly_heading_to_san_antonio http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/spartans_become_bowl_eligible_with_4037_win_against_purdue West Lafayette, Ind. — For the first time this season, the MSU football team won a game it probably shouldn’t have — and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:39:59 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/spartans_become_bowl_eligible_with_4037_win_against_purdue http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/spartans_hope_to_improve_performance_in_road_games The MSU football team’s defense hasn’t been the same this season when waking up on game days in a place other than the Kellogg Center. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:31:22 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/spartans_hope_to_improve_performance_in_road_games http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/hope_recognizes_spartans_are_formidable_opponent With its season on the brink following a crushing 37-0 loss at Wisconsin, Purdue again breathed life into its season last week, overcoming a two touchdown deficit to beat Michigan 38-36 in Ann Arbor. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:27:18 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/hope_recognizes_spartans_are_formidable_opponent http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/white_recognized_for_achievement Senior receiver Blair White was named one of 12 finalists for the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded to the college football player who best exemplifies community service and outstanding athletic and academic achievement. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:53:07 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/white_recognized_for_achievement http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_purdue_in_need_of_win_to_make_bowl_game The MSU football team heads to West Lafayette, Ind., for its final road game of the season Saturday (noon, ESPN). Purdue (4-6, 3-3 Big Ten) is coming off its first win at Michigan since 1966 and will hope to ride the emotions of its senior day. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:06:24 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_purdue_in_need_of_win_to_make_bowl_game http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/big_targets_becoming_popular_for_spartans The MSU football team’s tight end position was considered to be strong when this season began. But early in the year, the talent didn’t seem to be used to its full potential. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:32:41 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/big_targets_becoming_popular_for_spartans http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_kicker_named_award_semifinalist Senior kicker Brett Swenson was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award on Monday, which goes to the nation’s top placekicker. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:46:00 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/msu_kicker_named_award_semifinalist http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/no_real_favorite_for_annual_top_football_honor With five weeks remaining in the college football season, there still is no clear-cut favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:44:58 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/no_real_favorite_for_annual_top_football_honor