DE William Gholston Michigan State

DE Marcus Rush Michigan State

DT Anthony Rashad White Michigan State

DT Kawann Short Purdue

LB Kenny Demens University of Michigan

LB Max Bullough Michigan State

LB Chris Norman Michigan State

LB Denicos Allen Michigan State

CB Ricardo Allen Purdue

CB Johnny Adams Michigan State

S Isaiah Lewis Michigan State

S Jordan Kovacs University of Michigan

Big Ten Pre Season Defensive Player of the year:  DE William Gholston Michigan State

Team                                         Number of Players

Michigan State Spartans                     8*

Michigan Wolverines                           2

Purdue Boilermakers                           2

*In all of our years only Ohio State once had this many players on either side of the ball.  Prior to Dantonio twice Michigan State had no players on EITHER team.

RB LeVeon Bell Michigan State

RB Rex Burkhead Nebraska

WR Roy Roundtree University of Michigan

WR Demetrius Fields Northwestern

WR Jared Abbrederis Wisconsin

TE Jake Stoneburner Ohio State

C Travis Frederick Wisconsin

OG Chris “MAGNUS” McDonald Michigan State

OG Spencer Long Nebraska

OT Fou Fonoti Michigan State

OT Jack Mewhort Ohio State

Big Ten Pre Season Offensive Player of the year:  RB Rex Burkhead Nebraska

Team                                         Number of Players

Nebraska Cornhuskers:                      3

Michigan State Spartans                     3

Ohio State Buckeyes                            2

Wisconsin Badgers                               2

Michigan Wolverines                           1

Northwestern Wildcats                        1

Comerica Park

Nearly 3,500 hundred fans headed down to Comerica Park here in Detroit to watch the second annual, “Clash at Comerica,” between
the Michigan State Spartans (visitors) and the Central Michigan Chippewas, the home team.  The Spartans entered this
game having won last year and on a roll this season.

Showing the fortune that most visiting teams have playing baseball at Comerica this year the Spartans survived having an amazing
five players picked off of the base paths and still overcame for the 5-2 win and the sweep over the Chippewas for the season.

MSU head coach Jake Boss was obviously pleased with the big win and said afterward, “It’s a thrill for us. It’s tough to beat a team three times.”  Justin Scanlon was the star of the night for the Spartans.  He went three for three an added two walks show great discipline at the plate.

Scanlon also served on the most dynamic play of the game, and it happened on defense.  With a runner on first and two
outs, the Chips hit a double down the left field line.  Spartan LF Jordan Keur made a great play on the ball, relaying it to Scanlon who made a great throw in transition and the Spartans nailed the Chippewa base runner at the plate.

With the win on Tuesday the Spartans move their season record to a very solid 34-17.

The 14th annualACC/Big Ten Challenge Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on Nov. 27-28 will be highlighted by North Carolina at Indiana,Ohio Stateat DukeandNorth Carolina State at Michigan, six programs expected to be highly ranked entering the 2012-13 season. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 12 games of the two-day event matching top college basketball programs playing for conference supremacy and the Commissioners Cup.

All 12 games will also be available via WatchESPN, which delivers live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 on PCs, smartphones and tablets to fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV.

The 2012Challenge involves nine teams ranked in an ESPN.com early preseason top 25, including five of the top nine: No. 1 Indiana, No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 NC State, No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Michigan State.

The ACC won the first 10Challenges while the Big Ten captured the Commissioner Cup for the third consecutive event, including an eight to four win advantage over the ACC last year. In the event of a 6-6 tie, the Commissioner’s Cup will remain with the conference that won the previous year. 2012 Challenge highlights:

·        Off a Ratings High:ESPN’s telecast of Ohio State’s 85-63 victory over Duke last year was the highest-rated and most-viewedChallenge game ever, averaging a 2.6 rating and 2,618,000 households. The telecast propelled ESPN to its most-viewedChallenge, averaging 1,555,000 households, based on a 1.6 rating.

·        One more Shot at the Dozen:Duke, which has won 11 of its 13Challenge games, will host Ohio State in its quest for an event-record 12th victory. Duke lost to Ohio State last year and to Wisconsin in 2009.

·        First Challenge Matchups:Four of the telecasts will feature first-timeChallenge matchups: Virginia at No. 22 Wisconsin, Maryland at Northwestern, No. 9 Michigan State at Miami and Georgia Tech at Illinois.

o  In addition to first-timeChallenge games, several of the teams are infrequent opponents: Michigan State and Miami have never met; Northwestern and Maryland played one other time, a Northwestern victory in 1958; Virginia and Wisconsin split its two games, Virginia in 1975 and Wisconsin in 1999; and Illinois has defeated Georgia Tech in six of its seven games, including the last one in 2001.

·        Tourney Teams: Eleven teams between the two conferencesplayed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament: Duke, Florida State,North Carolina, NC State and Virginia from the ACC, andIndiana, Michigan,Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin from the Big Ten.

·        Following a First with a Rematch:Boston College and Penn State and Nebraska and Wake Forest will follow first-timeChallenge meetings with a second consecutive showdown in the event.

o  Boston College, which won its first five games, lost to Penn State last year, while Nebraska lost itsChallenge debut to Wake Forest.

• Threepeat: Five of the games will mark three-time Challenge matchups: North Carolina at Indiana (Indiana win in 2001 and North Carolina in 2004), NC State at Michigan (Michigan win in 2003 and NC State in 2006), Ohio State at Duke (Duke win in 2002 and Ohio State in 2011), Iowa at Virginia Tech (won by Virginia Tech in 2006 and 2009) and Purdue at Clemson (Purdue win in 2003 and Clemson in 2007).
• Three and one more: Minnesota and Florida State will meet for the fourth time (Minnesota won in 2000 and Florida State in 2004 and 2007).

2012ACC/Big Ten Challenge schedule (times and networks are to be determined):

-

Mitchell signed on to play linebacker for Michigan State, and was an impact player early in his career.  However, after a devastating injury which caused many to doubt if he’d ever be able to compete athletically at any sport again, Mitchell was forced to give up football.  He graduated from Michigan State, but couldn’t get the competitor out of his system.  That’s when Seth decided to take up boxing.  Seth had been through the ringer physically because of his injury, but he worked his way back into peak physical shape despite numerous naysayers.  He could handle anything the boxing world could throw at him.

Since then, Mitchell has worked his way up the ranks to one of the fastest rising heavyweight contenders.  He’s amassed an 25-0-1 professional record with 19 knockouts, with the most recent coming in a hard fought third round TKO of Chazz Witherspoon.  Witherspoon came out swinging in the first round of that fight, and really gave Mitchell a tough time in that round.  That didn’t phase Mitchell though.  He said of the early adversity, “It was a tough first round, but I weathered the storm and I pulled through like a true champion.”

Mitchell later went on to explain where his perseverance comes from.  “Once I got to my stool I just started thinking about how hard I had worked,” he said.  “He should have taken me out while he had the chance, because I was about to really fight, really dig and get the victory.”  Mitchell couldn’t let Witherspoon take him out though, because he was fighting for more than just himself.  He explained, “I was thinking about my family.  My wife, my daughter, and where I’m trying to go and how much a loss would set me back.  And I just wasn’t ready for that setback.”

While many may see a tough first round as a negative, that just isn’t Mitchell’s style.  He’s constantly working to make himself a better boxer, and getting his tail handed to him for a round is just the fuel he needs to keep going strong.  “I want to thank Chazz for doing what he did in the first round, because it will do nothing but make me better,” he stated confidently.  And there was another silver lining to that first round according to Seth as well.  “This last fight could have been a blessing in disguise.  People saw that I got rocked in the first round, so now a lot of people are calling me out,” he said.  “Before that I had a lot of problems getting opponents.  Now I can work on what I need to work on, and be a much improved fighter.”  Without fighters ducking him, now may be the time for Mitchell to make his move to the top.

However, he doesn’t see himself getting a title shot any time in the immediate future.  Mitchell thinks that he needs “2 or 3 more fights” before he’ll get his opportunity to fight for the title.  However, he doesn’t want to wait too long.  “No more than three fights and then I should get my opportunity,” he said.

When he does get that shot though, it won’t be just because of his skills in the ring.  It will be because of his devoted fan base.  “The fans really make you,” he began.  “If you’re a boxer and you don’t have a fan base, you’re considered nothing.  If you can’t draw a crowd, you might be undefeated, but you won’t get the big prices because they want ratings.”  Mitchell shouldn’t have any problems there, as he has already amassed a sizable following, and with additional publicity now coming his way, should attract many more fans.  “I’m just glad that my style resonates with them,” he said.

While Seth Mitchell may not be at the peak of boxing’s mountain just yet, he can certainly see it with the naked eye by now.  And he’ll continue to climb, because as Seth says himself:  “I have a tremendous will.”

Tony Bucciferro, Michigan State

RHP – Sr. – Joliet, Ill. – Minooka Community

·        Tossed his fourth career complete-game shutout to lead Michigan State to a win over Iowa on Friday

·        Scattered five hits and no walks over nine innings while striking out nine batters, one shy of his career high

·        Became Michigan State’s all-time leader in innings pitched with the performance

·        Earns his third career Pitcher of the Week honor and his second this season

·        Last Michigan State Pitcher of the Week: David Garner (April 30, 2012)

Salim was introduced to Seth by an assistant coach, Maurice Banks, at Mitchell’s former high school. A former football player
himself, Salim was instantly impressed with Seth and decided to become Mitchell’s manager. Neither has looked back since. A twenty-one year veteran
boxing manager, Salim soon hired a well-respected trainer (Andre Hunter) and cut man (Chris Ray) for Mitchell. After only two professional matches, Mitchell
had a promoter, as Salim convinced Golden Boys Promotions to take on the young boxer. Since then Mitchell has compiled a stellar record as a heavyweight.

If Mitchell’s rise to the top is surprising, then the fact that he had absolutely no prior experience in boxing is more stunning. The
transition from a team-oriented sport to a team-less sport was particularly tough for Mitchell. But physically, Seth has had little trouble.

Salim recently joined Hondo and Spartan Nation Radio and talked about Mayhem and his rise from Spartan Nation hero to National
Heavyweight contender.  Salim is not surprised that Mitchell has had no problems with the change: “Middle
linebackers, like fighters, have to have lateral movement. Like fighters, they have to be able to shift their weight, and project their strength… towards their
enemy,” Salim explained. “You have to be able to have that dog-nosed [mentality]. That’s what linebackers are like, that’s what fighters, what you
call heavyweights, are like. So this transformation, which is still in development, wasn’t that great. It wasn’t that hard of a learning curve because
he played defense, because he played middle linebacker.”

Salim enjoys working with someone like Mitchell.  Salim finds it nice to work with someone with the same values as himself: “It’s
always better to work with someone who’s morally upright and spiritually well-grounded. And Seth is like that. He’s a man of great character. And with
that, he truly knows that he’s not the source: God almighty is the source,” the manager went on. “So he takes the good with the bad. He believes that
everything is happening to him is truly a gift. He’s getting a second chance here, whereas of course we all believe that he would have made it to the NFL.
With that, everything that is coming now is just pure gravy. He appreciates that and he respects that. He also has a deep, deep set of values that make it
an absolute joy to work with someone like that.”

Salim also finds it enjoyable to work with heavyweights, which is why three of the four pro fighters he
represents are heavyweights. He feels that crowds love the big men, and that the fans love the excitement the big boxers bring. “That’s what I like about
the heavyweights: the action that they bring. I’m talking about the heavyweights who have huge punch steps. I’m not talking about the ones who slow
dance and lay all on top of you every day. That’s not Seth Mitchell,” Mr. Salim stated. “The fact that he’s bringing that action, that’s why people are all
over him. They mobbed him this weekend in Las Vegas, literally mobbed him.”

Salim’s love of the huge punch step has found an outlet in Mitchell. The linebacker turned boxer has a killer power punch.
Announcers have quite rightly called his ability “major league punching power”.  In a recent interview, Salim went so far as to say that – besides Tony Thompson
– Mitchell is one of the best American heavyweights now.

But Salim sees no rush to get the recent NABO (North American Boxing Association) belt holder into a title fight. The smart manager
wants “Mayhem” to fight a few more times. “In the words of a famous actor and playwright, Orson Wells, we try to sell no wine before it’s time. We just want
to take our time. We’re not in a hurry.” The 29 year old Mitchell is still a young heavyweight, as he does not have the wear and tear of an older fighter.
So what is Salim’s target date to take on one of the title-holding Klitschko brothers?  “We’re looking at 2013, which is not that far away. So there’s no need to rush
it for 2012,” Salim elaborated. “He’s got a couple more fights, hopefully maybe get one of the big titles. And then we’ll fight for the unification of all the
belts and be absolute champion of the world.”

Sharif Salim has been critical in the rise of Mitchell. Without Salim, the former football player might not be where he is
today. Thanks in part to Salim, “Mayhem” has arrived. As Salim recently said: “I think that the world knows it now, that this guy is the real deal.”

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Sophomore right-hander David Garner allowed just two hits in seven shutout innings to lead Michigan State past Iowa, 7-3, Sunday afternoon at McLane Baseball Stadium, securing the series win for the Spartans.

“Today was a big day and another opportunity to win another series,” said MSU head coach Jake Boss, as the Spartans won their fifth Big Ten series of the season. “Our guys took care of business. It was good to be able to do that and close

the weekend on a positive note.”

With one weekend left to play in the regular season, the Spartans (33-17) are tied for fourth place in the Big Ten standings with Nebraska at 12-9. Purdue has clinched at least a share of the title with a 16-5 league record, while Indiana and Penn State are tied for second at 13-8. The top-six teams will advance to the Big Ten Tournament May 23-26 in Columbus, Ohio, with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams receiving byes.

On Sunday, Garner did his best to try and push Michigan State to a No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. The product of Niles, Mich., who struck out six, improved to 3-0 in Big Ten starts and has fanned 31 batters in 34 1/3 innings since joining the conference rotation.

“It feels great, especially on Mother’s Day with the family being here,” said Garner. “Trying to get a No. 2 seed is big. That bye is huge in the (Big Ten) tournament – you give all your pitchers a day rest, you give all your position players a day rest. I knew that I had to go out and give my team a chance just to try and get that No. 2 seed.”

Clinging to a 1-0 lead after four and a half innings of play, Michigan State broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning to push the advantage to 4-0.

A leadoff double by Blaise Salter and a single by Anthony Cheky put runners on first and third with one out, and Ryan Jones came through with an RBI single to left for the first run of the inning. After a two-out walk loaded the bases, the Hawkeyes gave the Spartans two runs, first on an error by first baseman Mike McQuillan, then on a hit batter.

In the sixth, Salter connected on a shot over the left-field fence for his second home run of the series to make it 5-0.

Garner (4-3) let the first two batters reach in the top of the seventh on a double and a walk, but closed his outing in style with back-to-back swinging strikeouts.

“David’s stuff is really good – if he’s around the strike zone, he has a chance to beat anybody,” Boss said. “To have David on a Sunday for us is really big. It’s a testament I think to how good Tony Bucciferro and Andrew Waszak have thrown as well.”

MSU added some insurance runs in the bottom half of the seventh, as John Martinez delivered a two-run homer to left field, his third of the season.

Garner exited the game after throwing 108 pitches in seven innings, giving way to Trey Popp. The Hawkeyes (20-26, 8-13) got on the board with three runs on four hits in the eighth, but Bryce Jenney finished things out for the Spartans with a scoreless ninth.

The Spartans collected nine hits at the plate, led by John Martinez, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs. Salter was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, and Jones had two hits, including a double in the sixth, which tied him with Bob Malek for second in MSU history with 45 career doubles.

On a beautiful spring day in East Lansing, a crowd of 1,451 gathered at McLane Baseball Stadium to watch the Spartans win their 33^rd game of the season, which is tied for eighth most in school history.

“When we get good weather, our fan base is tremendous,” said Boss. “We have a lot of loyal people that come out and watch us play. To have a large crowd out here on Mother’s Day is really special for our baseball family. That’s the attitude that we wanted to bring here when we got here four years ago. Our players and their families have really embraced that as well. It was a special day for everybody.”

Michigan State will host Penn State in the final Big Ten series, Thursday-Saturday (May 17-19), at McLane Baseball Stadium.

Prior to taking on the Nittany Lions, the Spartans will head to Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday (May 15) to face Central Michigan in the second annual “Clash at Comerica” at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on BTN.

The game was a pitcher’s duel between Spartan starter Andrew Waszak and Hawkeye southpaw Sasha Kuebel, but it was ultimately decided by the bullpens.

In the top of the ninth, the Hawkeyes (20-25, 8-12 Big Ten) scored the game-winning run on a two-out, bases-loaded walk to pinch hitter Anthony Torres on a full count.

The Spartans (32-17, 11-9 Big Ten) scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the sixth, finally getting to Kuebel as Ryan Jones hit a one-out double to right-center, then scored on a single off the bat of Justin Scanlon. MSU just missed out on scoring more runs as Hawkeye left fielder Kris Goodman made an excellent two-out catch, crashing against the left-field fence to rob Jordan Keur of an extra-base hit with Torsten Boss on base.

Waszak, who only allowed three hits in his 7 1/3 innings, was pulled in the eighth after walking leadoff batter Nick Day and letting him reach second on a sacrifice bunt. Spartan reliever Jeff Kinley then gave up a single to Eric Toole to put runners on first and third with one out. Jake Mangler’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 1, but the damage could have been worse, as Anthony Cheky made a diving catch just before the warning track in center field to prevent an extra-base hit.

Kuebel also exited the game in the eighth following a leadoff single to Joel Fisher and a sacrifice bunt from Cheky. Kuebel, a freshman who entered the game with a 5-0 record, yielded just one run and scattered six hits without walking a batter.

Hawkeye reliever Nick Brown got Jones to pop up to second base on a full count, but hit Scanlon to place runners on first and second with one out for Boss. Although Boss had two singles earlier in the game and became just the 16^th Spartan to collect his 200^th career hit, he went down swinging against Iowa lefty Taylor Kaufman to end the inning.

Kinley, who hadn’t allowed a run in his previous 27 1/3 innings, gave up a leadoff single to Mike McQuillan in the ninth. McQuillan then went to second on a sacrifice bunt and eventually scored following three walks by Spartan relievers.

Tony Wieber entered first, but walked two straight batters on nine pitches to load the bases. Bryce Jenney then came on for MSU, and struck out pinch hitter Taylor Zeutenhorst on three pitches. That brought up the pinch hitter Torres, who worked Jenny into a full-count walk, allowing McQuillan to score from third. Another outstanding defensive play, this time from Keur in left field, ended the Hawkeye ninth as Keur made a head-first diving catch to rob Toole of at least a double.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Krill was hit by a pitch with one out, but a 6-4-3 double play sealed the win for Iowa.

Kinley (6-3) took the loss after getting charged with the game-winning run, while Kaufman (3-0) earned the win by pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Jones had two doubles for Michigan State and now ranks third in Spartan history with 44 career doubles.

The game, originally scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. start, was delayed by rain for two hours and 26 minutes and didn’t start until 3:31 p.m.

The Spartans return to action for the series finale against Iowa Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.

Needing a top-eight finish at the 24-team NCAA East Regional to reach nationals, the Spartans vaulted from 12^th place to a tie for sixth in the third and final round after carding 5-under-par 283, tying for the second-best round in program history. MSU finished the 54-hole tournament with a 23-over 887 (300-304-283).

The Spartans got off to an incredible start with 15 birdies after nine holes and were 13-under at the turn.

“Today was a do-or-die situation, and we just started out like gangbusters,” said 15^th-year head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, who will be making her eighth career appearance at the NCAA Championships. “I’ve never in my career seen nine holes played by four players like that.

“I think it says a lot about our team. We were Big Ten Champions, but if you can’t back it up and make it to the NCAA Championships, that’s not a good feeling. We knew we had to play good today.”

On her reasoning for the team’s astounding start, Slobodnik-Stoll said, with a laugh, “Welcome to athletics. (Assistant coach) Lorne (Don) and I were like ‘what did we do, what did we say? What happened? How do you bottle this?’ But that’s the greatest part about coaching and playing sports, moments like this today. They’re driven kids, they’re motivated, and they’re competitive. When you get a group of players like that together, special things happen.”

Leading the charge was senior Lindsey Solberg, who carded a school single-round record with a 5-under 67.

Solberg collected seven birdies, 10 pars and one double-bogey on Saturday and finished tied for third overall on the individual leaderboard with an even-par 216 (74-75-67), which equaled her career low.

The Verona, Wis., native started on hole No. 10 and compiled five birdies to shoot a 5-under 31 in her first nine holes. She closed her back nine with an even-par 36. Solberg’s round of 67 also tied a Penn State Blue Course record.

Michigan State’s previous single-round record of 68 was accomplished seven times, most recently by Caroline Powers in the Tar Heel Invitational in October.

“Lindsey was just incredible – we’ve had a lot of very, very talented players at Michigan State, and none have been able to crack a 68,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “For her to do it in this situation, as a senior, was awesome. She’s been playing great golf, she just didn’t make her putts yesterday. She was feeling good about what she was doing. Putting has always been one of the strongest features in her game, and today it just came together for an amazing round of golf.”

Solberg wasn’t the only Spartan with success on Saturday.

Red-shirt sophomore Liz Nagel carded a career-low 69 (-3) and had six birdies, while junior Caroline Powers shot even-par 72.

“Liz has had an excellent spring,” Slobodnik-Stoll remarked. “She was right there with Lindsey today and had a great round. The nice thing about Liz is that she’s capable of those numbers.”

Powers tied for 14^th with a 3-over 219 (74-73-72), while Nagel tied for 44^th with a 7-over 223 (74-80-69).

Allyssa Ferrell rounded out the team scoring for MSU in the third round with a 3-over 75. For the tournament, Ferrell posted a 230 (78-77-75). Sophomore Christine Meier closed with a 239 (82-79-78).

South Carolina won the regional with a 9-over 873 (288-294-291). Texas A&M (878), Texas (878), Alabama (879), Florida (879), Arizona State (887) and Duke (887) also qualified for nationals.

The 2012 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships will be held May 23-26 at the Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn. Overall, it will be Michigan State’s 10^th team appearance at the NCAA Championships, and the first since 2009. The Spartans also qualified in 1982, 1984, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007.

“I told them afterward, ‘don’t ever in your life, when you’re playing golf or whatever you’re doing, don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t believe in something and make it happen,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “The potential is there, and that’s what we’ll be drawing on for the next week. You have to believe you can win.”

During the 2011-12 regular season, the Big Ten welcomed 2,856,785 fans over 222 games, which marks the conference’s all-time total attendance record and is the 20th straight year the conference eclipsed the two-million mark.

Six conference schools ranked in the top 25 in average attendance, while no other conference had more than four top-25 programs. Wisconsin led the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally with an average of 17,181 fans per game. Ohio State (16,511) and Indiana (16,462) ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, followed by No. 14 Illinois (14,986), No. 15 Michigan State (14,797) and No. 21 Purdue (13,324). The Buckeyes and Hoosiers also posted two of the largest increases from the previous season.

Click here for more information: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/pdfs/2012/2012+ncaa+mens+basketball+attendance

Spartan Nation was first to report that the decision was coming momentarily.  We have a reporter in Atlanta where Dantonio is addressing alumni and friends of the
program today.  We reported at 9:56 am via Twitter, “Mark Dantonio is speaking as we type this and just said that DeAnthony Arnett that the NCAA is deciding right now.”

Over an hour later Michigan State Football issued this statement via their Twitter handle @MSU_Football, “The NCAA has granted WR DeAnthony Arnett’s request for a residence waiver, so he will be eligible to play in 2012.”  They went on to report that, “Mark Dantonio said DeAnthony Arnett was “Thrilled with NCAA’s decision.”

Arnett is from Saginaw, Michigan and was a highly sought after recruit coming out of high school.   He joined the Volunteers and scored two touchdowns on 24 catches.  Arnett admitted he was struggling at times and even with his experience did not separate himself from the pack of WR’s this past spring.  In case you are wondering Arnett was the 3^rd WR picked in the spring.  Andre Sims, Jr. was picked first and Jeremy Langford (moved from RB at the start of spring) second.

The first recruit of the 2012 class to commit to MSU, Riley has been ready for a long time. Committing a year early, Riley knew
that he was born to wear the Green and White. The colors may be in his blood, since his grandfather, father, uncle, and brother Max (a stellar starting linebacker
returning from last year) have all donned the Spartan uniform.

We recently caught up to him on Spartan Nation Radio.  Of the chance to be a Spartan he said, “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Bullough got a taste of it when
he attended the spring game. In a recent interview on Hondo’s Spartan Nation Radio, Riley said: “It was exciting to get down there for the spring game, be
with some of the guys, and get ready to be down there during the summer.”

Riley’s eagerness to be in a Spartan uniform has paid large dividends. He has gotten the chance to get to know most of the team, and coaches have gotten a chance to know him. He will certainly benefit because of his early decision. “It’s made it a lot easier through this whole process and a lot of people don’t get to experience that,” Bullough stated.

Riley’s enthusiasm has also led him to connect with the other members of the class of 2012. “What we used to do – when there was only a few of us committed to Michigan State – was if we saw someone who recently committed, we would talk to him in the computer and reach out to him right away,” he explained. “It’s important to get to know the guys before you’re coming on campus… so it’s not as hard on you when you get there.”

But Bullough did not stop with the class of 2012. He has already started contacting the first members of the class of 2013. “I’ve actually talked to a few of them,” Riley said. “I’ve been meeting them – I met a couple last weekend – and I’ve talked to Jon Reshke [a LB recruit from Bloomfield, Michigan] quite a bit. He’s been talking about some of the other commits for 2013, so I just look forward to being able to meet them all.”

Merely talking to his future teammates is not enough for Riley, however. He is anxious to head down to East Lansing and get to a chance to work with them: “I’m just really excited to get down there this summer and finally be a part of everything,” he said. Head Coach Mark Dantonio also seems eager to have the talented outside linebacker on campus. Coach Dantonio has said that he can see Riley contributing right away.

But though the MSU staff might like to see Riley in the green and white as soon as possible, the staff still might decide to redshirt him. Bullough isn’t worried either way: “I’m just going to come down there and obviously work as hard as I can,” Riley stated. “I’m not going to shy away from playing well so I redshirt. I’m going to leave it up to the coaches.  That’s what all the players do, and that’s how it should be.”

Regardless of whether or not Riley is a redshirt for the upcoming season, he will crack the starting lineup at some point in his career. Those who have seen his highlight tapes know that Riley, just like the rest of the Bullough family, loves to hit. He roams the field at linebacker, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting ball carriers. The pundits who have said that Riley is too small for the position will soon be silenced.

Thanks to an offseason training regimen, in which Riley lifts nearly every day, he has gained nearly 20 pounds in the last seven months. He now stands at about 6’2 and 225 pounds. “It’s all good weight, which is good because you don’t want to put on the wrong kind of weight,” Riley explained. “I’ve gotten a lot bigger. I need to play outside linebacker, so I need to have the size.”

Riley Bullough is both physically and mentally ready to be a Spartan. The latest in a long line of Bullough’s, Riley is ready to make an impact on an already good team. “Michigan State is such a great team, with such great chemistry on it. I’m just definitely excited to be a part of that family.”

VanVossen (3-0), who scattered nine hits and struck out four while tossing 109 pitches, has been one of the key factors in MSU’s 9-1 record in midweek games this season. Michigan State is 5-0 in games he has started, and in addition to picking up the win over the Rockets, VanVossen also has victories against Notre Dame and Western Michigan.

“I was happy with myself today,” said VanVossen. “I had better control of my fastball than in the past; I was able to go in and out with batters. Ultimately it came down to the placement of pitches.

“The team didn’t get the (NCAA) Regional bid last year that they would have liked. So this year, if it comes down to it and we get that regional bid, all of these midweeks count. I’ve been going into (the games) with that mentality.”

Sophomore catcher Joel Fisher led MSU (31-16) at the plate by tying his season high with three hits, including two doubles. Jimmy Pickens and Ryan Jones also had multi-hit games for the Spartans.

Toledo (24-24) actually got on the board first on a Mark Lapikas solo homer in the second, but Michigan State tied it at 1

on a bases-loaded walk to Jordan Keur in the third.

The Spartans took the lead for good in the fourth as Pickens hit his third triple of the season, then scored on a Joel Fisher single through the left side of the infield.

MSU built its advantage to 7-1 after scoring two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and two more in the seventh.

In the fifth, Keur had a sacrifice fly and Pickens drove in a run with a single up the middle. Hook added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to make it 5-2 in favor of Michigan State.  Hook did not have an official at-bat in the game, but made an impact by walking twice, scoring a run, and producing two sacrifices.

Fisher collected his third and final hit with a two-run double down the left-field line in the seventh which put MSU on top, 7-2.

VanVossen ran into trouble in the eighth, and after surrendering a two-out, bases-loaded RBI single, he was relieved by Jeff Kinley.

With the bases still loaded and the potential game-tying run on deck, Kinley found himself in a save situation, and he delivered by coming through with a huge strikeout against Zack Michael.

Kinley, who hasn’t allowed a run in his last 27 1/3 innings, closed out the ninth to record his first save of the season.

Michigan State returns to action for a three-game series against Iowa this weekend (Friday-Sunday) at McLane Baseball Stadium. Game one of the series is set for Friday at 3:05 p.m.

One thing that stands out when you watch LBs in high school
play is the inability to master technique.
Even Greg Jones they spent considerable time mastering his craft.  Reschke is already ahead of most freshmen on campus that will arrive for 2013 and he is only a high school junior.

One thing he does exceptionally well is playing with his
head up.  Reschke knows that he has to trust his ability to see and you can’t do that looking down to protect your legs and feet from pulling guards, sure-handed centers, and bruising tackles.

We recently caught up with Reschke on Spartan Nation Radio
and he said of his ability to play with his eyes up, “I worked specifically on my eyes, reading it…read my keys, reading your keys is the most important part.  Get your read and get to the ball carrier.”

It is refreshing to see a bruiser who is a solid player and not trying to make the Sportscenter hit.  He is a blue collar lunch-pail carrying no-frills linebacker.  He attacks the ball, makes
the tackle, and gets ready for the next play.
 He said of that style that doesn’t draw attention to his immense talent,
“My parents raised me to be a humble kid and my coaches at Birmingham Brother Rice it is all about your character.
Team first.”

As good as his vision is, it is equally matched with his amazing footwork.  To go along with keeping his eyes up and on the ball, Reschke has amazing feet.  Moving laterally, backwards or forwards, he has
pin point accuracy and placement.  “I’ve  been an athlete my whole life, my freshman year I played varsity baseball and
varsity hockey.  I gave up hockey this
year to focus on football.  Focus on working on my speed, and working on getting bigger.”

Reschke is very similar to Max Bullough if not even a little
ahead of where Bullough was at this point.
 He admires Max and said of the compliment, “Max is an outstanding middle linebacker and does an amazing job leading that defense.”

For Reschke it meant a lot to him that Mark Dantonio and Pat Narduzzi targeted him early in the recruiting process.  “It played a big factor.  It was an honor to get the offer early, even
before my junior season.”

Reschke is a natural leader and has already started to
assert himself with the 2013 class.  “I
am starting to get real close with the 2013 class, all of those commits.  Max’s (Bullough) little brother Riley (Bullough)
I am really good friends with him.  It is
going to be fun playing with Riley.”

Reschke is aware of the reputation that MSU is getting
nationally as the next linebacker university and he is proud of it.  “I think Michigan State is definitely the new linebacker university with the coaching staff. Coach Dantonio, Coach Narduzzi
and Coach Tressel have done an excellent job with their athletes.”

Reschke comes from an excellent family, not people who are
living their lives vicariously through him.
“I definitely have a great family.
 Making my dad proud is the best feeling in the world. ..Right when I was
born I‘ve been a Spartan.”  Was the
choice to pick MSU easy?  “Honestly I
knew it!”

For a young man like Reschke who loves to practice as much
as play, getting to be molded and sculpted by Ken Mannie is an exciting proposition.  He said of legendary Coach Ken Mannie, “I love him.  He is a great coach.  I can’t wait to work for him.  I can’t wait to be on his program.  He has done a great job getting
guys huge.  It’s going to be fun.  Its’ going to be a lot of fun.”

Dantonio once again landed a big fish.  With so many great defenders getting ready to
take the field in 2012, it is nice to know the reloading for the future is
already underway.  So what makes Reschke lay awake at night?  Where do his dreams take him before he heads to sleep each night?

“I can’t wait (to run out the Spartan Stadium tunnel.)  I think about it all the time before I go to
sleep.  It is the number one thing I want
to do.  I can’t wait!”

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Michigan State baseball team won its 30^th game of the season with a 15-7 victory over Western Michigan Tuesday afternoon at Robert J. Bobb Stadium. After winning 34 games in 2010 and 36 last year, it marks the first time in program history the Spartans have recorded three straight 30-win seasons.

Perhaps more importantly, it keeps MSU’s hopes alive for a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans (30-16) are well within range of a bid after moving up seven spots to No. 44 in this week’s NCAA RPI rankings.

One of the keys has been success during midweek games, as Michigan State is now 8-1 outside of weekend series in 2012.

“Our seniors have taken a lot of ownership,” said Spartan head coach Jake Boss. “(Captain) Justin Scanlon in particular was telling the guys what an important day this was in the grand scheme of things for our program and if we want to keep playing. You want to get it to a point where the guys do take ownership of it. Hopefully we’re there, and hopefully that continues tomorrow.”

MSU collected 15 hits on Tuesday and tied a season high with six doubles. Junior John Martinez led the way by producing career highs in hits (4), RBIs (4) and doubles (2); he went 4-for-4 overall with two walks and also scored twice.

In addition, freshman center fielder Anthony Cheky had a season-high three hits with three runs.

“Offensively it was a good day,” said Boss. “We hit a lot of balls hard. John Martinez, Anthony Cheky and Ryan Jones were all very productive at the plate, and we took advantage of almost every scoring opportunity we had.”

The game was a slugfest the first five innings, as the two teams combined for 22 hits while Michigan State clung to a 9-7 lead.

The Spartans struck early with three runs in the first, keyed by RBI doubles from Jordan Keur and Martinez. Jones, who went 3-for-6 with two doubles, connected on a run-scoring double in the second to make it 4-0. Jones now has 41 career doubles, which moved him into fifth place in MSU history.

Western Michigan bounced back in the bottom of the third and tied it with four runs on five hits.

Jones hit his second RBI double in the fourth, followed by a Torsten Boss RBI single, to put MSU back on top, 6-4. The Broncos trimmed the lead to 6-5 with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but once again, the Spartans extended their advantage to 9-5 by scoring three times in the top of the fifth. Blaise Salter delivered the big hit in the inning, crushing a two-run double to left-center.

The Broncos (20-25) continued the back-and-forth affair with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 9-7, but it’s all they would get the rest of way.

Senior reliever Bryce Jenney entered the game with runners on first and third and no outs in the fifth, and although an unearned run would score, Jenney got out of the jam with a strikeout and two foul popouts to first base.

From there, Jenney was in complete control.

He closed the game without allowing a run and only gave up only two hits. The Northville, Mich., product was credited with a five-inning save, his first of the season.

“The guys behind me played great,” said Jenney. “We were back and forth all game – it was like a tennis match there for a bit. It was big to come in and shut it down, and the guys scored more runs, which took the pressure off of me.

“These games are extremely important, especially when you’re trying to make an NCAA Regional. These become the games that make or break the season in regards to an at-large bid.”

“Bryce was outstanding,” Boss said. “It was a little disappointing the way the game started out for us on the mound, but I think you have to credit Western Michigan too because they really compete and swung the bat well. Bryce came in and settled the ship for us, and was really good the rest of the way.

“We’ve been pitching it so well, so our guys in the bullpen have been itching to get out there. And Bryce was one of them. He hasn’t thrown much in the past two weeks just because our starters have gone so deep into the game. That’s what you want out of guys – when they’re given an opportunity, they take advantage of it.”

Meanwhile, the Spartan offense padded their lead with single runs in the sixth and seventh, and finished out with a four-run ninth to put the final at 15-7.

In the ninth, following two Bronco errors, Martinez came through with his fourth hit of the game, an RBI double to left field. Martinez’s two-out hit brought up Jared Hook, who grew up in nearby Portage.

With several friends and family in attendance, Hook sailed a 2-1 pitch over the 335-foot right-field fence for a three-run homer, prompting a smile after he rounded third and greeted his teammates at home.

“That homer did feel really good – I was rounding third and Coach Boss had this huge grin on his face, and that just put an even bigger smile on my face,” said Hook. “Luckily I got it up in the wind and it took it over that fence.”

“It was a neat moment for Jared, and it also was a big moment in the game,” Boss said. “We had a lead, but you can never have enough runs. He hit that ball hard, he hit it a long way, and it was in front of his hometown fans.”

Although Trey Popp allowed eight hits and three runs, two earned, in his two innings of work, he earned his third victory of the season out of the bullpen. Popp entered the game in the third to relieve starter Mike Theodore (2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R).

Michigan State returns to action Wednesday to host Toledo at 3:05 p.m. at McLane Baseball Stadium.

Keith, thanks for the email.  You must not have read the article.  I was adamant that Jacks was as close to a
lock as you can be for MSU and Young the opposite way.  I didn’t say anything like you “Quoted” me for
with Parker.  Here is an exact quote, “As
far as Parker I do not think he will be a Spartan.  I have certain reasons that make me lean that
way, but I do not have the confidence in my opinion, or maybe certainty is a
better word, as I do for Jackson and Young.” 
Sorry, but I don’t see what you quoted and what I said as the same
thing.

Hondo, I loved the
recruiting information last week.  Can we
look at 2014 for a minute?  What do you
think of Jones, Okafor, and Alexander?
Kristine

I love Izzo’s shot with Tyus Jones (2014 MN
PG) and Jahill Okafor (2014 ILL C). Okafor, I think, comes if Jones does, but I
think Jones is the deciding factor.  With
Cliff Alexander (2014 ILL PF), I don’t think there is a lead either way.  We have had him on the radio show and I would
say that I think right now the odds look against it…I certainly don’t think it
is a lost cause though.

Hondo, I heard you
talking Trice on the radio show, but didn’t get to hear it all.  Sounds like you have high hopes for him next
year.  Can you elaborate since I missed
it?  Tim

Sure Tim.
Travis is the key to the Spartans next year in my opinion.  He is the best candidate to lead this team
and this summer it will be interesting to see him grow into a leader and see if
he can take that role.

Hondo, I hear a lot
of people talking Indiana last year, but little about MSU.  With Payne and Nix, do you see them as the
best bigs combo in the conference and who do you think wins the Big Ten next
year?  Thank you, Doug

Great question, Doug.  I do think that Derrick and Adreian will be
the best big man combo in the Big Ten next year, but Izzo doesn’t go with them
as a general rule at the same time.
Leadership is the big question on next year’s team.  They will have the talent, but lacking the
leadership.  I think IU is the pre-season
favorite and will get my nod for that spot, but don’t count MSU out.  If they can find leadership, they will be
very good.

Hondo, I was
shocked that we hadn’t lost any assistants this season from MSU
basketball.  Were you?  Stan

No.

Hondo, I hear so
much about Ken Mannie the MSU strength and conditioning coach for
football.  Does he ever work with
basketball?  Sean

He is in charge of the MSU strength and
conditioning program.  He doesn’t work
with them every day.  That would be Mike
Vorkapich and let me tell you that he is a star, but Mannie is involved and the
guys love him.  He is respected in the
Breslin as much as the Duffy.

There you go everyone.  Another week of your MSU Basketball Q and A
in the books.  Make sure to send in your
questions for next week.  Simply email
them to SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com
and put weekly Q and A Basketball in the subject line.

This marks the 14th consecutive year MSU has made postseason play; the Spartans were automatic qualifiers this season after claiming the Big Ten Championship for the second straight season.

The NCAA Women’s Golf Championships are divided into three regional sites and conclude with the finals May 23-26 at the Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn.

Each regional site hosts 24 teams and six individuals, with the top eight teams and two individuals in each region advancing to the finals. The tournament format is 54 holes over three days.

Michigan State’s streak of 14 straight NCAA appearances is the third-longest in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State (18) and Purdue (15). The Spartans have twice placed third at the NCAA Regionals, in 2001 and 2004.

MSU will be looking to make its 10th appearance at the NCAA Championships with a top-eight finish at the NCAA East Regional. The Spartans have participated in the NCAA Championships seven out of the last 12 years, with the last appearance arriving in 2009.

“It’s definitely an accomplishment to make the NCAA Regional, it says that you’re one of the best in the country – but truly our goal is to qualify for the national championships,” said MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, who was named the 2012 Big Ten Coach of the Year, marking the third time in her career she has won the award. “We certainly hope to be in the field of the top 24 teams in the nation.”

The Penn State Blue Course, which hosted the Big Ten Championships in 2008, is the site for this year’s NCAA East Regional. The course features a par 72, 6,253-yard layout.

Michigan State enters the NCAA East Regional after winning the program’s 10th Big Ten Championship April 27-29 at the Donald Ross Course at French Lick (Ind.) Resort. The Spartans beat Purdue by 10 strokes. It also marked the fourth Big Ten title during Slobodnik-Stoll’s 15-year career at MSU.

MSU is listed at No. 21 in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. In addition to the Big Ten Championships, the Spartans won the 2011 Mary Fossum Invitational in September, which was held at MSU’s Forest Akers West Course. Slobodnik-Stoll has won 30 tournaments total since taking over the program in 1997.

Although the Spartans feature just one senior in their lineup, four of MSU’s five starters have experience playing in the NCAA Regionals. MSU has just missed qualifying for the NCAA Championships the past two seasons, falling short by two strokes in 2010 and four shots in 2011.

“I think their confidence is building after winning two Big Ten Championships,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “Everyone is feeling very good about their games right now. I just think that year of experience that everyone has (playing in last year’s NCAA East Regional) is going to make us feel a lot more comfortable being in the position of knowing what we have to do to get in the national championship field.”

Junior Caroline Powers, who was named first-team All-Big Ten for the second straight year, leads the team with a 73.77 scoring average and is ranked 29th in the nation by Golfweek. The Bowling Green, Ohio, native has placed in the top 10 in six of MSU’s 10 tournaments this season, including a victory at the Mary Fossum Invitational in September. Powers tied for third at the Big Ten Championships with a 2-over 218 and was named to the All-Championships Team for the second straight year. She currently owns the best career scoring average in Michigan State history with a 74.43 (Laura Kueny second at 74.60).

Senior Lindsey Solberg, a second-team All-Big Ten selection for the third time in her career, tied for third at the Big Ten Championships and is second on the team with a career-best 75.73 scoring average. For her career-best showing at the Big Ten Championships, she garnered all-tournament team honors for the second consecutive season.

Red-shirt sophomore Liz Nagel has been one of the team’s most consistent golfers down the stretch, placing in the top 20 in three of her last four tournaments, and was rewarded as a second-team All-Big Ten pick. Playing in her first career Big Ten Championships, Nagel tied for 18th with a 228. The DeWitt, Mich., native is third on the Spartans with a 75.86 average in seven tournaments. She placed a career-best fourth at the Lady Buckeye Invitational on April 22 and carded a career-low 54-hole score of 216 at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic.

Sophomores Allyssa Ferrell and Christine Meier came up big for the Spartans on the final day of the Big Ten Championships, carding a 73 and a 74, respectively, to help lead MSU to back-to-back Big Ten titles. Ferrell tied for 14th overall with a 225, marking her fourth career top-20 finish, while Meier tied for 36th with a 235. For the season, Ferrell has a 76.56 average, and Meier is at 77.0.

Live scoring of the NCAA East Regional will be available at www.golfstat.com. Michigan State will tee off at 7:30 a.m. for the first round on Thursday, along with Oklahoma State and South Carolina.

Teams (24)

No. 2 Alabama, No. 4 Arizona State, No. 8 Duke, No. 17 Texas A&M, No. 13 Florida, No. 14 Arizona, No. 16 Oklahoma State, No. 20 South Carolina, No. 21 Michigan State, No. 23 Washington, No. 30 Texas, No. 34 Tulane, No. 36 Central Florida, No. 42 Wake Forest, No. 44 Northwestern, No. 47 San Diego State, No. 49 Kent State, No. 57 Maryland, No. 64 Augusta State, No. 55 Campbell, No. 69 Chattanooga, No. 102 Oral Roberts, No. 120 Jacksonville State, No. 214 LIU Brooklyn. (Teams listed in order of seeds; all rankings according to Golfweek)

I am not a big softball person.  I admit it. 
I can also say that before this year I would hear something about the
program from time to time, but never anything of great substance.  This year is different.  Your sentiments are not alone and from an
outside view this season is beyond abysmal and looks embarrassing.  I assure you that I am looking into why.  Was there major injuries?  Are there other things that would explain
it?  I hope to adjust it next week, but I
am hearing and looking.  I know they lost a pitcher, had some issues with recruiting, but not sure any of that warrants the season they have had.  More next week.

Hondo, I want to thank you for doing the show with the MSU swimming and
diving team.  That radio show was
fun.  Would have never even thought about
them, but I have to go to a meet this year.
Michael

Thanks Michael. 
The response was amazing and I loved it. 
The student athletes and coaches were amazing and the response of the
audience was exceptional.

Hondo, what a fun show with the MSU aquatics team.  I certainly would not want the Olympic sports
every night, but hope you do another one like that with another team.  Kim

Thanks Kim.  I
would love to do other sports and like I said last week, the Olympic teams have
a standing invitation with me.  I would
schedule one with all of them if they chose to take advantage of it.

Hondo, as I was listening to the MSU swim coach I was shocked to learn
that they use the coaches to judge swimming and diving.  I wasn’t shocked to hear about issues with
UM.  It was nice to hear the rivalry is
alive and well in the pool.  Seth

Agree Seth.  Let me
tell you, spend time with that team and it means as much in the pool and on the
board as on the gridiron.

On the swimming show Hondo, you and the coach talked about doing a game
during the day so schools could come in on an assembly.  I would have never considered an MSU swim
game as a trip, but the planetarium in the AM, dairy for lunch and a game that
afternoon is a great idea and my fifth grade class is so there.  Mary

Mary, I loved that idea as much as the media cannonball
meet.  Coach G is a brilliant
administrator and really seemed interested. 
I don’t know if he will do it, but I do know he is going to think about
it.

OK everyone, there you go,
our weekly general MSU athletics Q and A article.  We will continue them, so if you have a
question (not about basketball or football) here is a simple way to get it
here.

Send your questions to SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and
put in the subject line general.  If it
doesn’t get answered in the article you will get a personal response.  Thank you!