Balow win secures Viking victory over Mavericks
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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Former MSU running back Nathan Carter scores long touchdown for the Atlanta Falcons
It's been a big night for Spartans in the NFL. Shortly after former MSU defensive back and current member of the Tennessee Titans, Kendell Brooks took an interception all the way for a touchdown, Nathan Carter fired back and broke a huge run for a 43-yard touchdown for his Atlanta Falcons. Carter, who, like Brooks, is vying for a roster spot in the NFL, managed to take what looked like a simple inside handoff, found a seam, and showed some nice top-end speed to take it all the way to the end zone. You can watch it below: Kendell Brooks and Nathan Carter are both fighting for roster spots right now, and plays like that will make a great case for them to stick around in the league. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
What Jeff Lebby loved about Mississippi State football's first preseason scrimmage
STARKVILLE — No defensive players were left behind during Mississippi State football's walk from the practice facility to Davis Wade Stadium on Aug. 10. The unit made sure everyone was ready before trekking to the stadium together for the first scrimmage of MSU's preseason. The scrimmage was closed to the public, including reporters, but second-year coach Jeff Lebby said that connectedness was the start of what was an encouraging performance by the defense. 'What I loved was defensively finding ways to create turnovers and some negative plays,' he said afterward. 'That, for me, was a great thing to see from the defensive side of the ball. They got their hands on the ball, made plays, created some huge momentum plays in the scrimmage. That was good to see.' Lebby didn't single out any players except for one: Kelley Jones. The redshirt sophomore cornerback, according to Lebby, had a scoop-and-score touchdown of '50-60 yards.' Jones is expected to be a starter for the Bulldogs' defense, which allowed an SEC-worst 34.1 points per game in 2024. On the opposite end, that means the Bulldogs' offense didn't limit turnovers. 'Today, the frustrating thing offensively was not taking care of the ball,' Lebby said. 'We did some really good things. We created a couple of explosives. We did some decent things in the run game, but turnovers were the storyline today. The ball is the program, and we've got to make sure we're doing a great job taking care of it. We've done a pretty good job of it throughout fall camp and doing that nine practices in.' Mississippi State doesn't have many injuries, says Jeff Lebby Lebby added that MSU is generally healthy as the first game of the season nears, at Southern Miss on Aug. 30 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN). Lots of eyes are on starting quarterback Blake Shapen, who missed the last eight games of 2024 with a fractured scapula. He has been a full participant since the start of spring practices. Sophomore defensive tackle Kai McClendon was the only player to miss the most recent practice that was open to the media, on Aug. 8, but he was already out with a torn ACL. Michigan State transfer wide receiver Jaron Glover was the only player in that practice wearing a non-contact jersey. 'We are healthy, so that's a great thing,' Lebby said. 'Really, as you look at it nine days into camp, I think our guys have taken it to the culture of recovery and finding time to make sure they're doing everything they possibly can to get themselves ready for the next day's practice. I think the growth in that has been fun to see and been really good.' Why Mississippi State is scrimmaging differently in Jeff Lebby's second season The Bulldogs have harped numerous times about their improved depth compared to last season. It has helped them be able to practice differently. That's translated into the scrimmages, too, Lebby said. He cautioned that the defense could be ahead of the offense now because seven of the 10 spring transfers play offense. MORE: When are Mississippi State vs Ole Miss basketball games in 2025-26? SEC schedule released 'I think the cool thing is that we are getting more guys getting more reps,' he said. 'There's more tape to watch, there's more film and there's more going on because we, from a roster standpoint, have been able to practice how we need to practice just to give ourselves a chance.' Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@ and follow him on X @sklarsam_. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football: Jeff Lebby loved this part of scrimmage
USA Today
08-08-2025
- USA Today
TJ Metcalf poised for major role in Michigan's versatile secondary at safety or nickel
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- There are a few positions on the Michigan football team that may not be settled, but there is little-to-no concern about who will end up taking the field with the first snap of each game. The most heralded, at least in local and regional media, is defensive tackle, as there's expected to be a six-man rotation among the two spots. But safety is arguably as deep, and nickel may be too, with so many players who are capable and have experience at those positions. At safety, Rod Moore is expected to return this year after missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL. But Brandyn Hillman and Mason Curtis got good time on task and will be, at the very least, heavily in rotation. Jaden Mangham missed last season after transferring from rival MSU, and he could find his way in. But one player who came aboard this year isn't just a shoo-in to see the field, he might be the best of them all, save for Moore. Former Arkansas transfer TJ Metcalf put on a show in the spring game and there's been a lot of buzz about the junior's potential. We know we'll see him early and often, but the big question appears to be, 'Where?' A versatile player who can play either safety position or nickel, Metcalf says he's not the only one moonlighting across the defensive backfield, but he's confident that the team will be better for it -- wherever he ends up. "Yeah, they got me a couple different -- both safety spots, playing nickel, too," Metcalf said. "We've got a lot of guys rotating at different positions, so I like it for us. Like I said in the spring, everybody getting different snaps, different positions, so I think it's going to be good for us." Even so, Metcalf is clear that he'll be out on the field with the first defensive snap each game. The question may remain 'Where?' but no matter what, he's quite determined to be somewhere. "I'm a starter. After spring, I knew for sure, coaches would come up to me and be like, 'This is your team, just like it's any other leader's team,'" Metcalf said. "I think my role is going to be big for this team this year. The coaches constantly let me know, 'You got a voice, too. You're a leader, too. You're a vet. Just take over.' That's pretty much where I fit with that." With Moore's return and Hillman and Curtis likely to also play safety, it does appear that Metcalf could end up being the team's nickel this season. However, it is one of just a few fall camp mysteries that will not be solved until the 2025 season opener against New Mexico on August 30.
