NOAH TRISTER
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2012, file photo, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, right, runs out on to the Michigan Stadium field alongside the school mascot, Sparty, before an NCAA college football game with Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Dantonio announced his retirement Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, ending a 13-year run in which he guided the Spartans to heights they hadn't reached in decades. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio retiring after 13 seasons

By Noah Trister Feb. 04, 2020 02:58 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — From “pride comes before the fall” to Little Giants,

Maryland quarterback Josh Jackson, left, looks to throw against Michigan State's Kenny Willekes during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Willekes finishing up remarkable run for Michigan State

By Noah Trister Dec. 25, 2019 01:45 PM EST
Almost a year to the day after breaking his leg, Kenny Willekes is ready for

Central Michigan wide receiver Tyrone Scott walks off the field as the Miami of Ohio team celebrates their 26-21 win over Miami of Ohio in the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Miami, Ohio holds off CMU 26-21 in MAC title game

By Noah Trister Dec. 07, 2019 04:00 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — As long as Miami of Ohio kept the game close, coach Chuck Martin

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2019, file photo, Miami of Ohio quarterback Brett Gabbert throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Cincinnati. Miami faces Central Michigan on Saturday in the Mid-American Conference championship game Saturday, Gabbert has thrown for 1,967 yards as a freshman this season. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
CMU, Miami to meet in unexpected matchup for MAC title

By Noah Trister Dec. 06, 2019 02:44 AM EST
DETROIT (AP) — It was just over a year ago that Central Michigan introduced Jim

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Tar Heels bowl eligible in 1st year of Brown’s return

By Noah Trister Dec. 01, 2019 01:13 PM EST
Mack Brown and North Carolina are bowl eligible after routing a rival.

Maryland quarterback Josh Jackson, left, looks to throw against Michigan State's Kenny Willekes during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State bowl eligible after edging Maryland 19-16

By Noah Trister Nov. 30, 2019 07:01 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State players came out to meet reporters

Charlotte becomes bowl eligible for 1st time

By Noah Trister Nov. 24, 2019 11:11 AM EST
In its fifth season in the FBS, Charlotte is bowl eligible for the first time.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio watches against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Dantonio says he plans to return as Michigan State coach

By Noah Trister Nov. 19, 2019 12:51 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Mark Dantonio made his clearest statement yet about

Georgia Tech running back Jordan Mason (27) is tackled by Virginia Tech defensive back Divine Deablo (17) in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Virginia Tech bowl eligible again, Stanford in trouble

By Noah Trister Nov. 17, 2019 07:22 PM EST
The longest active bowl eligibility streak in college football is still intact.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, and Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, back to camera, meet after an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
It wasn’t Ohio State, but Michigan has pounded other rivals

By Noah Trister Nov. 17, 2019 02:39 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The knock on Jim Harbaugh at Michigan is that he hasn’t

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, center, congratulates Giles Jackson after he returned the opening kickoff from Maryland for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Michigan-Michigan State rivalry goes beyond just the games

By Noah Trister Nov. 15, 2019 03:50 AM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — When Michigan faces Michigan State, the actual 60

Michigan State linebacker Chase Kline (21) jumps on cornerback Davion Williams (14) after Williams' recovery of a fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State coach Dantonio not thinking about his future

By Noah Trister Nov. 12, 2019 01:15 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — It's the type of question that comes up when a team

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh gestures toward his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 38-7. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
No. 14 Michigan knows Michigan State can still be dangerous

By Noah Trister Nov. 11, 2019 07:45 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Even a stumbling Michigan State team represents a

Members of the Illinois football team sing at the end of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Illinois joins list of bowl eligible with huge comeback

By Noah Trister Nov. 10, 2019 03:37 PM EST
Several more teams became bowl eligible this week — none with more flair than

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Illinois storms back to beat Michigan State 37-34

By Noah Trister Nov. 09, 2019 07:57 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Lovie Smith and Illinois are now eligible for a bowl

Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke throws a pass against Penn State during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Illinois can become bowl eligible by beating Michigan State

By Noah Trister Nov. 08, 2019 02:12 AM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — One stat jumps out at Michigan State coach Mark

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie walks off the field following an NCAA college football game against Indiana in East Lansing, Mich. Bachie has been declared ineligible by the Big Ten after testing positive for a banned supplement. The school says it will appeal. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Losing Bachie the latest blow for Michigan State

By Noah Trister Nov. 05, 2019 05:04 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — It's been over a month since Michigan State won a

Central Michigan bowl eligible a season after going 1-11

By Noah Trister Nov. 03, 2019 03:21 PM EST
Central Michigan's quick turnaround reached another milepost: The Chippewas are

Penn State coach James Franklin watches the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 6 Penn State handles Michigan State 28-7

By Noah Trister Oct. 26, 2019 07:17 PM EDT
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Pat Freiermuth scored the game's first two

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Michigan State hopes to knock off Penn State yet again

By Noah Trister Oct. 25, 2019 03:22 AM EDT
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Regardless of how the season has gone so far,