QUICK LINKS: RECRUITING > 4 > 6 NFL > 18 MLB > 32 NHL > 38 NBA > 41 COLLEGE > 42 NASCAR > 43 No. 20 Miami 33, No. 14 Georgia Tech 17 L.A. Angels 4, Boston 3 Miami’s LaRon Byrd caught five passes, including this 40-yard TD, as the Canes ripped the Yellow Jackets to end a four-game losing streak to Tech. FRIDAY CHARLES KRUPA / AP Page 6 SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 A frustrated David Ortiz struck out in SEE A DIFFERENT GAME the ninth as the Red Sox fell to their HANS DERYK / AP VOLUME 2 ISSUE 58 likely ALDS opponent. Page 35 Trojan force Postseason power poll If can’t go, Aaron What’s real and what’s fiction How MLB’s playoff probables Corp will give USC something it rank with two-plus weeks hasn’t had in the Carroll era: A QB about Week 2’s best matchups remaining in the regular season: who can hurt you with his legs. Mythbusters Matt Hayes, Page 8 Yankees. Powerful lineup, Mariano Rivera and home- BY New Orleans at Philadelphia 1. field advantage make them the Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX) Scoreboard [email protected] favorites. Red Sox. Three reasons Myth: The Saints’ defense is no match for the Eagles’ offense. College Football Five sets of 1-0 teams they are ranked this high: Reality: The Saints’ D played better last week than the 2. Top 25 go head-to-head this lineup, rotation, bullpen. scoreboard showed, and coordinator Gregg Williams is sure No. 20 Miami 33, No. 14 Georgia Tech 17 weekend. Four of those Phillies. Late-inning relief is to attack QB Kevin Kolb, if he makes his first NFL start. matchups hit the 3. a big concern, but with their Baseball marquee (sorry, 49ers, offense, they might not have many Baltimore at San Diego close games. American League Seahawks ... but we’ll wait and see). Sunday, 4:15 p.m. (CBS) Cardinals. They have Albert Kansas City 9, Detroit 2 Too early to float the 4. Pujols and arguably the best Seattle 4, Chicago White Sox 3, 14 innings term “Showdown”? Myth: The Ravens’ offense can’t keep up with San Diego. 1-2 pitching punch (Chris Carpenter Tampa Bay 3, Baltimore 0 “This is the ‘New Reality: San Diego got pushed around by the Raiders last and Adam Wainwright). But they are L.A. Angels 4, Boston 3 England Factor’ for week, and then there’s Baltimore’s suddenly balanced, pro- 6-10 vs. Philly, Colorado and L.A. Oakland 5, Cleveland 2 us,” Jets safety lific offense that went for 501 yards in Week 1. Angels. They hit, run, pitch and play defense as well as Kerry Rhodes 5. anyone. But they can’t beat Boston. said. “Whenever New England at N.Y. Jets National League Dodgers. Lack of an ace is they come in Milwaukee 7, Chicago Cubs 4 Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS) 6. their only flaw, but that’s a Philadelphia 4, Washington 2 here, it’s going to significant October flaw. Myth: The Patriots have a big edge in personnel. Cincinnati 3, Florida 2 be turned up Rockies. The N.L.’s hottest naturally.” Reality: At QB and receiver, yes. Things are even else- Atlanta 7, N.Y. Mets 3 7. team since June (63-35) Real or imagined, where offensively, and the Jets’ defensive personnel is far might be running out of steam. even in Week 2, these superior. But don’t overlook ’s matchup ability. Tigers. Their best—Justin NHL AP four games are getting 8. Verlander and Miguel Preseason plenty of hype. Here’s a Cabrera—aren’t as good as other Myth: Tony Romo struggles against the Giants. Results, schedule, Page 39 quick guide to cut 1144 PPAGES contenders’ best. AGES Reality: Romo didn’t play well in the January ’08 playoff through some of it (all NFLNFL WEEK 2 — Stan McNeal WEEK 2 game, but is 4-0 in the regular season vs. New York, the last WNBA times ET): COVERAGE N.Y. Giants at Dallas three double-digit wins. The Giants are relentless. “Hopefully, Playoffs PAGES 18-31 Sunday, 8:20 p.m. (NBC) we can account for guys and make them pay,” Romo said. ALDS debate: Red Sox Results, schedule, Page 42 or Angels? , Page 33 TODAY www.sportingnews.com See a Different Game FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 2

GUIDE OFF THE FIELD AUTO RACING Tune In Today Noon SPEED—NASCAR, Sprint LeBron leaping to big screen A quick look at the best sports on TV Cup, practice for Sylvania — all times Eastern 300, at Loudon, N.H. LeBron James is leaving Cleveland—for 3 p.m. Hollywood. COLLEGE FOOTBALL ESPN2—NASCAR, Sprint Cup, pole qualifying for The Cavaliers superstar and reigning NBA No. 10 Boise State Sylvania 300, at Loudon, MVP will make his feature film debut by play- N.H. ing himself in an upcoming comedy. 10:30 p.m. James will appear in Fantasy Basketball Camp by at Fresno State VERSUS—IRL, Indy Japan 9 p.m., ESPN 300, at Motegi, Japan Universal Pictures. The movie is about five guys from different backgrounds who come to Las Two wins down, 11 to go for the Broncos in BOXING Vegas to live out their fantasy by attending James’ their quest for an unbeaten season and a possible 9 p.m. BCS bowl berth. Boise State has allowed just basketball camp. Production will begin next sum- ESPN2—Junior feather- mer, when James can become a free agent. eight points all season, and its offense seemed weights, Giovanni Andrade to click last weekend in a drubbing of Miami (52-11-0) vs. Guillermo James is experienced in front of the camera. (Ohio). Fresno State plays tough at home and, Rigondeaux (2-0-0), at Along with appearing in numerous TV com- after its performance in a double overtime loss at Miami mercials, he has hosted Saturday Night Live. Wisconsin, might rank as Boise’s toughest remain- ing game. The Broncos have lost only two WAC COLLEGE FOOTBALL New claim from QB 9 p.m. games since 2002; one came in 2005 at Fresno. Lawyers for Ben Roethlisberger claim in new — Dave Curtis ESPN—Boise St. at Fresno court documents that the woman accusing the GENERAL St. Steelers QB of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel- Today Show GOLF casino concocted the story in part to try to ANDY KROPA / AP 9 a.m. shield herself from possible layoffs at the Producer Brian Grazer says LeBron James, above, can 7 a.m., NBC TGC—European PGA Tour, easily make the transition from NBA star to movie star. Austrian Open, second resort. Before we get our first official look at the round, at Vienna, Austria Cowboys’ new $1.2 billion stadium on Sunday 3:30 p.m. Crimes and courts case of sophomore lineman Max Gilpin’s death from Night Football, Matt Lauer and Al Roker will be TGC—Champions Tour, A judge in California ruled that Lakers star Kobe heat stroke. Prosecutors contended that Stinson, broadcasting live from the venue this morning. Greater Hickory Classic, first Bryant’s former housekeeper can continue her 37, withheld water from players and ran them Lauer and Roker are getting a guided tour of round, at Conover, N.C. the facility by former Cowboys great Emmitt 6:30 p.m. wrongful discharge case but can’t sue for emo- excessively in a series of sprints known as “gas- Smith, while Lauer will be interviewing team TGC—Nationwide Tour, tional distress. Maria Jimenez says she was denied sers.” Defense attorneys, however, presented for- owner Jerry Jones. But Roker has perhaps Boise Open, second round, health insurance and was forced to quit because mer Kentucky chief medical examiner George the best assignment of all—interviewing the at Boise, Idaho (same-day the Bryants demeaned and humiliated her. Nichols and Daniel Danzl, chairman of the University Cowboys cheerleaders. tape) of Louisville department of emergency medicine, — Roger Kuznia 8:30 p.m. TGC—LPGA, Samsung Former Detroit Lions Charles who testified Gilpin was not dehydrated and that World Championship, Rogers was arrested on a drunken-driving charge excessive running did not contribute to his heat BASEBALL second round, at La Jolla, after he refused a Breathalyzer test. Rogers was stroke. Calif. (same-day tape) arraigned Thursday on charges of operating The Faces of RBI 2009 while intoxicated and operating without a valid Quick hit RUGBY 8 p.m., ESPN2 11 p.m. license. He was ordered held on $50,000 bond. The Suns and Phoenix’s Metro light rail system With this year’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner SPIKE—NRL, playoffs, A pretrial conference is set for Monday. have partnered on a new program—the first of its Cities) World Series in the books, it’s time to take semifinals, Gold Coast vs. kind, according to the team—in which customers a deeper look at the kids who play in RBI, the Parramatta, at Sydney, A Jefferson County (Kentucky) jury acquit- who buy tickets to a Suns game or any other event coaches that teach them, and the volunteers and Australia (same-day tape) ted former Pleasure Ridge Park High School foot- at US Airways Center will receive free transpor- MLB executives that help make the program go. SOCCER ball coach Jason Stinson on charges of reckless tation on the Metro on the day of the event, Sports- The show, hosted by former RBI alumnus and homicide and wanton endangerment in the death Business Journal’s John Lombardo reported. current Arizona Diamondback Justin Upton, will 11 p.m. ESPN2—MLS, Colorado at of a player in 2008, according to The Courier-Jour- feature a number of kids, most notably two from San Jose MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com L.A. and one from Houston. nal. The jury reached the verdict approximately — Roger Kuznia 90 minutes after beginning deliberations in the Sporting Blog: sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/ SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com My Profile FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 3

YOUR TURN Want to sound off on a sports topic in the news? Sporting News Today THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL welcomes reader-submitted stories Bo Pelini DAILY SPORTS NEWSPAPER of 150 words or less. E-mail them to [email protected] CHAIRMAN & CEO ...... Ray Shaw (1989 to 2009) and be sure to include your name Nebraska football coach and hometown. We’ll pick the best PRESIDENT ...... Whitney Shaw ones and run them regularly in PUBLISHER ...... Ed Baker the world’s most comprehensive (What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend) daily sports section. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...... Jeff D’Alessio Born: Dec. 13, 1967, in Youngstown, Ohio MANAGING EDITOR ...... Paul Kasko Status: Married CREATIVE DIRECTOR ...... Keith Wood Alma mater: Ohio State DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MEDIA...... Geoff Shaw What’s on TV: Sports, Seinfeld, 24 VP, MARKETING & SALES DEVELOPMENT . .Eric Karp QUICK HITS What’s in my iPod: Springsteen What I drive: Nissan Armada EDITORIAL OFFICES Football factories Favorite flick: Braveheart 120 West Morehead Street, Suite 200 What I’m reading: Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Charlotte, NC 28202 The 10 college programs that produced the most players on 2009 NFL opening day rosters: Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes 704-973-1550 of SEAL Team 10, by Marcus Luttrell 1-800-443-1886 1 (tie). LSU 41 Magazine subscriptions: Sports Illustrated, Sporting 1 (tie). Miami 41 News Letters to the editor: 3. Texas 37 Bookmark: ESPN.com [email protected] 4 (tie). USC 36 Worst habit: Staying up too late 4 (tie). Ohio State 36 On my office walls: Pictures of my family and General feedback: 6. Georgia 35 Nebraska photos [email protected] 7. Tennessee 30 Love to trade places for a day with … A Navy Seal or 8. Michigan 29 Tiger Woods National Digital Sales Managers 9 (tie). Notre Dame 28 First job: Coach/scout for Joey Glowacki, 704-973-1546 10 (tie). Florida State 28 in 1993. Provided me with a great base in [email protected] On the defensive coaching—working with George Seifert, Ray Gary Strauss, 212-500-0672 Average points allowed per game by BCS teams Rhodes, etc. [email protected] with all-time most wins: Talent I’d most like to have: Love to be a great golfer Michigan (874 wins) allowed avg. 10.9 ppg Favorite meal: Spaghetti and meatballs Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Michael ON NEWSSTANDS NOW Texas (834 wins) allowed avg. 12.6 ppg Jordan Notre Dame (832 wins) allowed avg. 12.2 ppg Favorite city to visit: Destin, Fla. Favorite teams as a kid: Indians, Browns, Celtics Nebraska (829 wins) allowed avg. 12.8 ppg Favorite value in others: Honesty Ohio St. (809 wins) allowed avg. 11.9 ppg Dream date: My wife, Mary Pat My greatest love: My family Penn St. (803 wins) allowed avg. 12.3 ppg My heroes: My parents *Through Sept. 13 My bucket list: Watch my kids succeed in Source: World Features Syndicate whatever they choose to do!! My mottos: “Stay focused on the process” and “Compete every day” — Jeff D’Alessio NATI HARNIK / AP CORRECTION The photo published with the Sept. 17 You know who’s in college football’s top Michael Jenkins “My Profile” was of for- 20. But what about college football’s top mer Falcons WR Joe Horn, not Jenkins. 20 jobs? The latest issue of SN Magazine takes you to work. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Next Gen: Recruiting FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 4

RECRUITING DISH CLASS OF 2010 Four-star California RB TOP 25 RECRUITS

chooses Washington Marcus Lattimore, RB Jackson Jeffcoat, DL Xavier Grimble, TE 6-0/207, 6-4/233, 6-5/245, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian 1. 8. 14. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) Plano West Senior Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) might have landed his best recruit Considering: North (Plano, Texas) Committed to: USC for 2010 this week, quite an accom- Carolina, Oregon, South Considering: USC, Texas, plishment considering he has added Carolina, Penn State, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Jake Heaps, QB Auburn some big prospects of late. Houston 15. 6-2/195, Consensus four-star RB Deontae Lache Seastrunk, RB Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) COURTESY OF LACHE SEASTRUNK Cooper out of Citrus Hill (Perris, Demarco Cobbs, WR Committed to: BYU Lache Seastrunk Calif.) committed to the Huskies—a 2. 5-10/183, 9. 6-2/200 big pickup only a couple of weeks Temple (Texas) Tulsa Central (Tulsa, Okla.) Christian Jones, LB Eduardo Clements, RB after Sporting News Top 100 offen- Considering: Auburn, Committed to: Tennessee 6-4/215, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, 16. 21. 5-11/185, sive lineman Erik Kohler chose USC Lake Howell (Winter Park, Fla.) Booker T. Washington (Miami) Washington. Trey Hopkins, OL Considering: Florida State, Considering: Miami, Alabama, Florida, USC Cooper (6-0, 205) also was being Seantrel Henderson, OL 10. 6-4/260, Georgia, Michigan North Shore heavily recruited by Nebraska, Ari- 6-8/301, 3. (Galena Park, Texas) Chris Martin, DL Lamarcus Joyner, DB zona State and Fresno State. Others Cretin-Derham Hall who were pursuing him included Ari- Committed to: Texas 17. 6-4/222, 22. 5-9/162, (St. Paul, Minn.) The Hun School zona, Colorado, Stanford and Utah. Considering: Florida, Ohio St. Thomas Aquinas Malcolm Jones, RB/LB (Princeton, N.J.) “I see great things happening at JOHN FROSCHAUER / AP State, USC, Oklahoma, Notre (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Committed to: Notre Washington,” Cooper told Sporting Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, left, is building quite a recruiting class for 2010. Dame, Minnesota 11. 6-0/210, Considering: Florida State, Dame Ohio State, Florida News Today. “The coaches have got Oaks Christian Matt Elam, DB (Westlake Village, Calif.) me believing in them and what come in as a true freshman and try nal) is all about being a family.” Brennan Clay, RB 6-1/205, Considering: Stanford, Devin Gardner, QB they’re doing. I think this is the way to compete for a starting spot,” Duckett (6-0, 205) rushed for 595 4. UCLA 6-0/190, Dwyer (Palm Beach 18. 23. 6-4/196, it is with all of us recruits. The Faustin told Rivals.com. “They like yards and eight touchdowns as a Scripps Ranch (San Diego) Gardens, Fla.) Inkster (Mich.) coaches there do a good job of bond- the way I play physically and they junior but is playing as Michael Dyer, RB Committed to: Oklahoma Committed to: Michigan Committed to: Florida ing with all of us. They’re younger think I have good feet. a senior. He is expected to make the 12. 5-10/195, and they relate to you.” “... I think I can cover well and switch to defense in college. Phillip Sims, QB Justin McCay, WR Little Rock Christian Jamel Turner, DE Cooper put up numbers as a support the run well. But I think 6-2/215, 6-4/200, Academy (Little Rock, Ark.) 19. 24. 6-2/205, junior that led the state of Califor- things I need to work on are my Two junior college safeties 5. Considering: Arkansas, Oscar Smith Bishop Miege Ursuline (Youngstown, Ohio) nia—he finished with 2,953 yards technique and my ball skills.” have committed to Kentucky. Mychal Auburn, Oklahoma, Notre (Chesapeake, Va.) Committed to: Ohio State (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) and 47 touchdowns. Bailey is no stranger to the Wildcats, Dame Committed to: Alabama Committed to: Oklahoma “I’m a team player, and I’m going Encinal (Alameda, Calif.) DB having signed with them out of high Zack McCray, DL Erik Kohler, OL Blake Bell, QB to do whatever it takes to win,” Coo- Tyrone Duckett has committed to school in 2007. Josh Gibbs is from the Corey Nelson, LB per said. “I have a positive attitude Washington State, Scout.com College of the Canyons in Califor- 13. 6-4/235, 6-5/265, 6-6/215, 6-1/200, 20. 25. in the huddle and I’m not selfish.” reported. nia. Bailey (6-5, 205), from 6. Brookville (Lynchburg, Va.) Oaks Christian Bishop Carroll Skyline (Dallas) Fresno State and San Diego State LaGrange, Ga., has played for Committed to: Virginia (Westlake Village, Calif.) (Wichita, Kan.) Committed to: Texas A&M Tech Lely (Naples, Fla.) CB Jhony Faus- also recruited him, but the Cougars Southwest Mississippi Community Committed to: Committed to: Oklahoma tin (5-10, 170) has committed to Pur- were the only program to offer a College. Gibbs (6-0, 200) also had Washington Gabe King, DL/LB — Brian McLaughlin due, Rivals.com reported. He also scholarship. received interest from New Mexico 7. 6-5/260, reported scholarship offers from “That family vibe—that really State, Nevada, Louisville and Syra- Northern Guilford Maryland, Middle Tennessee, Iowa captured me,” Duckett told Scout. cuse. Kentucky has eight commit- (Greensboro, N.C.) State, Pitt and Florida International. com. “Everyone there was just one. ments for 2010. Considering: Alabama, MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com “They told me they’d like me to That was big for me because (Enci- — Brian McLaughlin California, Oregon, Tennessee Top 100 recruits: sportingnews.com/blog/TheRecruitnik/tag/160168/sn100 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Overnight Report FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 5 BASEBALL / AMERICAN LEAGUE NHL PRESEASON

Oakland 5, Cleveland 2 Calgary 5, N.Y. Islanders 4, SO Dallas 1 0 0 — 1 N.Y. Islanders 1 2 1 0 — 4 Colorado 0 2 1 — 3 Calgary 1 2 1 0 — 5

First Period: 1, Dallas, Morrow 1 (Robidas, Calgary won shootout 1-0 Ribeiro), 11:45 (pp). Penalties: Barch, Dal, major First Period: 1, Calgary, Dawes 1 (Langkow), 4:53. Suzuki cleans up in key spot (fighting), 3:29; Koci, Col, major (fighting), 3:29; 2, N.Y. Islanders, Smith 1 (Bailey), 11:51. Penalties: Fleury gets winner in return Tucker, Col (hooking), 10:38. MacDonald, NYI (hooking), 9:13; Haley, NYI, minor- Second Period: 2, Colorado, Svatos 1 (Hejduk, major-misconduct (instigator, fighting), 13:49; Jokinen, OAKLAND—Kurt Suzuki thinks Athletics 5, Indians 2 Peltier), 2:13 (pp). 3, Colorado, Stoa 1, 8:38. Pen- Cal, major (fighting), 13:49. defense first. When the catcher Cleveland AB R H BI BB SO Avg. CALGARY, ALBERTA—Theo Fleury, alties: Morrow, Dal (slashing), 1:11; Robidas, Dal Second Period: 3, N.Y. Islanders, Comeau 1 (Martinek, Brantley cf 5 0 1 1 0 2 .317 (hooking), 5:58; Galiardi, Col (goaltender interfer- Okposo), :59. 4, N.Y. Islanders, Moulson 1 (MacDonald, makes a rare appearance as Oak- J.Carroll 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .289 returning to hockey after being ence), 13:25; Peltier, Col (holding stick), 17:47. Hillen), 4:24 (pp). 5, Calgary, Jokinen 1 (Dawes, Sarich), land’s cleanup hitter, though, he Choo rf 2 0 1 0 1 0 .302 away for 6 years, scored the only Third Period: 4, Colorado, Wolski 1 (Stastny, 6:53 (pp). 6, Calgary, Jokinen 2 (Dawes, Moss), 14:35 Jh.Peralta 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .270 Hejduk), 6:39. Penalties: Petersen, Dal (hook- (pp). Penalties: Giordano, Cal (hooking), 2:52; Mor- slides into the role of run Hafner dh 3 0 0 0 1 1 .272 of the shootout to lead the ing), 1:57; Hannan, Col (holding), 11:46; O’Neill, ency, NYI, minor-game misconduct (roughing), 5:35; producer. LaPorta 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .255 Calgary Flames to a 5-4 pre- Col (tripping), 14:37; Barch, Dal, misconduct, Kiprusoff, Cal, served by Van der Gulik (leaving the Valbuena ss 4 0 0 0 0 2 .235 16:26; McLeod, Col, misconduct, 16:26. crease), 5:35; Phaneuf, Cal (roughing), 5:35; Martin, NYI Suzuki hit a three-run homer to Marson c 4 1 3 0 0 0 .294 season victory over the New York Shots on Goal: Dallas 3-8-8: 19. Colorado (roughing), 9:06; Jaffray, Cal (roughing), 9:06; Haley, NYI, help the Athletics beat the Cleve- Crowe lf 4 1 1 1 0 2 .227 Islanders on Thursday night. 9-8-11: 28. major (fighting), 11:54; Jaffray, Cal, major (fighting), Totals 32 2 6 2 4 9 Power-play opportunities: Dallas 1 of 5; 11:54; Martin, NYI, minor-major (roughing, fighting), land Indians 5-2 on Thursday. Olli Jokinen had two goals and Colorado 1 of 3. 13:54; Giordano, Cal, major (fighting), 13:54; Aulie, Cal “When you’re not trying to do Oakland AB R H BI BB SO Avg. an for the Flames, but it Goalies: Dallas, Auld 0-1-0 (14 shots-12 saves), (hooking), 15:01; Regehr, Cal (high-sticking), 16:50. Kennedy 3b 5 2 2 1 0 1 .288 Climie (10:14 second, 14-13). Colorado, Anderson Third Period: 7, N.Y. Islanders, Moulson 2 (Hillen, too much it seems the ball goes R.Davis cf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .313 was the 41-year-old Fleury who 1-0-0 (19-18). Streit), 3:10 (pp). 8, Calgary, Moss 1 (Jokinen, Phaneuf), farther,” Suzuki said. “We’re hav- R.Sweeney lf-rf 2 1 0 1 2 0 .287 had the crowd chanting his name. A: 0 (18,007). T: 2:16. 7:09 (pp). Penalties: Fleury, Cal (hooking), 1:43; K.Suzuki c 3 1 1 3 1 2 .267 Referees: Tim Peel, Dan O’Rourke. Linesmen: Klementyev, NYI (slashing), 5:40; Haley, NYI (tripping), ing fun and it’s showing on the Powell dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .236 He was first off the bench to hug Lyle Seitz, Vaughan Rody. 8:58; Iginla, Cal (elbowing), 12:40; Haley, NYI, miscon- field.” Cust rf 2 0 1 0 1 1 .235 goaltender David Shantz after he duct, 15:14; Jaffray, Cal, misconduct, 15:14. Suzuki batted fourth for the Hairston lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .236 turned aside Greg Moore’s final San Jose 1 0 0 0 — 2 Overtime: None. Penalties: Witt, NYI (roughing), M.Ellis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .270 0 0 1 0 — 1 3:34. fifth time this season, and D.Barton 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .239 attempt to clinch the victory. Shootout: N.Y. Islanders 0 (Moulson NG, Smith NG, improved his slugging percentage Pennington ss 2 1 1 0 2 0 .289 “I don’t miss those chances San Jose won shootout Moore NG), Calgary 1 (Dawes NG, Fleury G). Totals 30 5 7 5 7 10 First Period: 1, San Jose, Ferriero 1 (Dan- Shots on Goal: N.Y. Islanders 4-13-4-1: 22. Calgary in the spot to .667. He’s hitting ever,” the 5-foot-6 Fleury denault), 12:52. Penalties: Murray, SJ 11-8-17-7: 43. .286 there with a pair of home Cleveland 000 020 000 — 2 6 0 declared. “Not in the big (boarding), 1:56; Helminen, SJ (hooking), Power-play opportunities: N.Y. Islanders 2 of 5; Oakland 104 000 00x — 5 7 0 5:53; Dandenault, SJ (interference), 8:44; Calgary 3 of 7. runs and eight RBIs. moments. Never have, never Nichol, SJ (roughing), 15:37; Cliche, LA Goalies: N.Y. Islanders, Biron (17 shots-15 saves), Poulin “He doesn’t strike out much LOB: Cleveland 8, Oakland 8. 2B: Marson (2), Kennedy 2 will.” (roughing), 15:37. 0-0-1 (10:49 second, 26-24). Calgary, Kiprusoff (14-11), (25). 3B: Crowe (2), Pennington (2). HR: K.Suzuki (13), Second Period: None. Penalties: Frolov, Shantz 1-0-0 (13:40 second, 8-7). and puts the ball in play,” A’s off Masterson. RBIs: Brantley (7), Crowe (13), Kennedy Islanders forward Kyle Okposo LA (hooking), :49; San Jose bench, served by A: 19,289 (19,289). T: 2:46. (56), R.Sweeney (49), K.Suzuki 3 (78). SB: R.Davis (39). Referees: Tom Kowal, Kelly Sutherland. Linesmen: manager Bob Geren said. “That’s was removed from the ice immo- JACK DEMPSEY / AP Mashinter (too many men), 1:59; Staubitz, CS: Brantley (3), D.Barton (2). Runners left in scoring SJ, major (fighting), 10:37; Ivanans, LA, Ryan Galloway, Brian Mach. how you pick up runs when you position: Cleveland 4 (Crowe 2, LaPorta, Brantley); bilized on a stretcher after a hit Dallas D Ivan Vishnevskiy (59) and Colorado RW Darren Haydar tangle for the puck. minor-major-misconduct (instigator, fight- have a man at third.” Oakland 4 (D.Barton, K.Suzuki, R.Davis, Hairston). from Flames defenseman Dion ing), 10:37; Drewiske, LA (cross-checking), Vancouver 1 2 0 — 3 10:50; Demers, SJ (tripping), 12:15; Mash- Anaheim 0 0 0 — 0 Suzuki has driven in 21 runs Cleveland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Phaneuf early in the second San Jose 2, Los Angeles 1 SO Dallas Stars. inter, SJ, major (fighting), 14:29; Clifford, LA, over his last 17 games despite hit- Masterson L, 4-8 4 6 5 5 4 6 93 4.49 period. , CALIF.—Jason Demers Brendan Morrow scored for major (fighting), 14:29; Johnson, LA (closing First Period: 1, Vancouver, Bernier 1 (Wellwood, J.Lewis 2 1 0 0 0 3 22 4.34 hand on puck), 15:47; Doughty, LA (interfer- Oberg), 7:09. Penalties: McIver, Van (interference), ting .219 over that span. He leads Gosling 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 8 4.82 Okposo, the seventh pick in scored the shootout winner and the Stars, who were playing their ence), 16:21; Joslin, SJ, major (fighting), 1:20; Ramsey, Van (tripping), 2:51; Kesler, Van, major the A’s with 78 RBIs and is trying Veras 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 2 1 24 5.72 the 2006 draft, remained the won in their second preseason game in as 20:00; Johnson, LA, minor-major (slashing, (fighting), 8:08; Perry, Ana, major (fighting), 8:08; Oakland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA fighting), 20:00. McIver, Van (interference), 8:23; Bolduc, Van, major to become the first catcher to lead Mortensen W, 2-2 5 4 2 2 3 4 91 6.14 motionless on the ice for more preseason opener. many nights. Third Period: 2, Los Angeles, Brown 1 (Lok- (fighting), 11:54; McCue, Ana, major (fighting), 11:54; the team in the category since Kilby H, 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 0.00 than 6 minutes as he was attended Thomas Greiss had 24 saves for tionov), 19:50 (pp). Penalties: Henderson, Calder, Ana (high-sticking), 15:57. Breslow H, 13 1 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 23 3.59 SJ (tripping), 4:22; Joslin, SJ (interference), Second Period: 2, Vancouver, Bieksa 1 (Wellwood), 1944. Wuertz H, 22 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 2 15 2.85 to by trainers from both teams San Jose and stopped all four Los Vancouver 3, Anaheim 0 10:32; Loktionov, LA (cross-checking), 16:56; 9:44 (pp). 3, Vancouver, Rome 1 (Raymond, Samuels- “I just want to be productive,” A.Bailey S, 25-29 1 1 0 0 0 3 19 1.95 and other medical personnel. Angeles skaters in the shootout. ANAHEIM—Defenseman Kevin Hinote, SJ (cross-checking), 19:40. son), 17:47. Penalties: Glass, Van, minor-major- Overtime: None. Penalties: Drewiske, LA misconduct (instigator, fighting), 2:47; Wisniewski, he said. “Last year I hit .279 and Inherited runners-scored: Veras 1-0, Wuertz 1-0. A CT scan showed Okposo had He came close to starting the pre- Bieksa scored on a power play, (tripping), :20; Clifford, LA (hooking), 3:43. Ana, major (fighting), 2:47; Niedermayer, Ana (holding), had half as many RBIs (42). I want HBP: by Breslow (Choo). WP: Wuertz. Umpires: Home, a mild concussion, Islanders season with a shutout but Dustin Aaron Rome and Steve Bernier Shots on Goal: San Jose 5-9-4-8: 26. Los 8:45; Parros, Ana (slashing), 11:37; McIver, Van, major Gerry Davis; First, C.B. Bucknor; Second, Mike Everitt; Angeles 10-5-9-1: 25. (fighting), 15:15; McCue, Ana, major (fighting), 15:15. to put the ball in play and make Third, Angel Campos. T: 2:50. A: 10,873 (35,067). spokesman Seth Sylvan said in a Brown tied the game at 1 with 9.5 added goals and Kyle Wellwood Power-play opportunities: San Jose 0 of Third Period: None. Penalties: Perry, Ana, minor- the defense work.” text message to The Associated seconds left in regulation. had two assists to lead the Van- 8; Los Angeles 1 of 8. misconduct (cross-checking), 20:00. Goalies: San Jose, Greiss 1-0-0 (25 shots-24 Missed Shot: Marchant, Ana, 11:02 third. Adam Kennedy doubled twice Press. Sylvan said Okposo couver Canucks. saves). Los Angeles, Quick 0-0-1 (26-25). Shots on Goal: Vancouver 12-12-12: 36. Anaheim and drove in a run for the A’s, accompanied the team on the Colorado 3, Dallas 1 Roberto Luongo played the A: 6,245 (9,736). T: 2:37. 8-11-9: 28. Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Brian Pochmara. Power-play opportunities: Vancouver 1 of 3; Ana- who have won four straight and flight to Saskatoon, Saskatche- DENVER—Marek Svatos and first two periods and stopped all Linesmen: Shane Heyer, Jay Sharrers. heim 0 of 4. nine of 11. Clayton Mortensen wan, where the Islanders are Ryan Stoa scored goals in the 19 shots he faced. Cory Schneider Goalies: Vancouver, Luongo 1-0-0 (19 shots-19 saves), C.Schneider (0:00 third, 9-9). Anaheim, Giguere 0-1-0 (2-2) pitched five innings to win conducting training camp and second period, and Wojtek Wol- took over with a 3-0 lead and (16-14), Pogge (9:44 second, 20-19). his second consecutive start. where these teams play again ski added another in the third as made nine saves. Thursday’s other A: 14,258 (17,174). T: 2:30. Angels avoid sweep, rally Referees: Dennis LaRue, Brad Watson. Linesmen: — The Associated Press for victory, Page 35 Saturday the beat the — The Associated Press preseason games, Page 39 Don Henderson, Thor Nelson. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 6

No. 20 Miami 33, No. 14 Georgia Tech 17 winning.” Since taking a 24-0 lead against No. 10 Boise State (2-0) Clemson last Thursday night, at Fresno State (1-1) Tech’s hex broken by poised Harris Georgia Tech has been outscored Tonight, 9, ESPN 60-23. MIAMI—Jacory Harris watched “We just killed ourselves,” The line: Boise State by 7½. Georgia Tech run over, past and Dwyer said. “We didn’t play Series record: Boise State leads 7-4. around Miami’s defense on the Georgia Tech football. I think we Last meeting: 2008, Boise State 61-10. opening series of the game, barely finally learned our lesson. We Announcers: Joe Tessitore and Rod showing any emotion on the realized that if we don’t go out Gilmore sideline. here and work hard, we’re going He saved it all for the field. to get our butts kicked.” What’s at stake And Georgia Tech’s hex over Georgia Tech ran the ball on its The Broncos must win to keep their Miami? It’s over. first 12 plays, quickly forcing hopes alive for another BCS berth. The Cool and in control throughout, Miami into a series of frantic Bulldogs know if they want to win a share Harris completed 20-of-25 passes substitutions. of their first WAC title since 1999, they for 270 yards and three touch- Eric Moncur—Miami’s sixth- likely must start with a win tonight. downs, and the 20th-ranked year defensive end who was Hurricanes snapped a four-game injured most of last season and Key matchup losing streak against No. 14 Geor- was held out of this year’s Boise State CB Kyle Wilson vs. Fresno State WR Seyi gia Tech with a 33-17 victory opener—got a big stop on third- Ajirotutu. Ajirotutu has yet to make it into Thursday night. and-6, forcing Tech to settle for a the end zone in two meetings with the Miami scored on its first three . Broncos and will have one of the nation’s possessions, built a 24-3 lead — The Associated Press top in his way this week in shortly after halftime and out- Wilson. gained the Yellow Jackets by Georgia Tech 3 0 7 7 — 17 Miami 7 10 16 0 — 33 nearly a 2-to-1 margin. Players to watch “One thing I congratulate this First Quarter Boise State: WR Titus Young. Young had GaT: FG Blair 32, 8:09. team on is how we stay focused,” Mia: Byrd 40 pass from J.Harris (Bosher kick), 6:30. six catches for 114 yards and two touch- Harris said. “You know, there’s a Second Quarter downs last week against Miami (Ohio). He Mia: Epps 13 pass from J.Harris (Bosher kick), 13:33. lot of people around campus and Mia: FG Bosher 34, 5:45. was suspended for 10 games last season for in the community, they praise us Third Quarter undisclosed reasons. His speed gives Boise Mia: J.James 3 run (Bosher kick), 11:50. now and they’ve got our back and HANS DERYK / AP GaT: Allen 3 run (Blair kick), 8:07. the ability to stretch opposing defenses. all this. But the thing I know QB Jacory Harris, right, helped Miami win consecutive games against ranked opponents for the first time since 2003. Mia: Graham 14 pass from J.Harris (Bosher kick), 3:08. Fresno State: QB Ryan Colburn. Colburn Mia: Safety, :32. about this team, we’re not (let- Fourth Quarter makes his third career start against one of ting) anything go to our head.” “Big win for us tonight,” Miami injury—only a stinger, he said field goals by Matt Bosher, there GaT: D.Thomas 56 pass from Nesbitt (Blair kick), 8:37. the nation’s stingiest defenses. He com- A: 45,329. Miami (2-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast coach Randy Shannon said. “Big, afterward—and finished with 7 wasn’t much for Miami to com- pleted 22 of 36 passes for 289 yards last Conference) matched its best huge win. Big for this football yards on five carries. Josh Nesbitt plain about, and the Hurricanes GaT Mia week against Wisconsin but also threw First downs ...... 12 ...... 21 league start since 2004, out- team and this program.” completed 6-of-15 passes, all to sauntered off celebrating their Rushes-yards ...... 39-95 ...... 39-184 three . gained Georgia Tech 454-228 Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-1) blew Demaryius Thomas, for 133 most significant win in years. Passing ...... 133 ...... 270 Comp-Att-Int ...... 6-15-0 ...... 20-25-0 and set up a Coastal Division Miami out a year ago, dooming yards, including a 56-yard touch- Even tight end Jimmy Graham— Return Yards ...... 0 ...... 14 Facts & figures showdown at Virginia Tech on the Hurricanes’ conference title down midway through the fourth who spent four years on Miami’s Punts-Avg...... 3-45.7 ...... 1-41.0 Boise State outscored Fresno State 48-0 -Lost ...... 3-0 ...... 0-0 Sept. 26. Graig Cooper ran for 93 hopes by rushing for 472 yards. quarter. basketball team—got into the act, Penalties-Yards ...... 8-44 ...... 9-74 in the second half last year on its way to a yards, Javarris James rushed for This time, Miami handled the “We could never get them off catching a 14-yard touchdown Time of Possession ...... 26:25 ...... 33:35 third straight win in the series. ... The Bull- 72 more and a touchdown, and triple option with relative ease, the field,” Georgia Tech coach pass in the third quarter. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS dogs have beaten the Broncos only once in LaRon Byrd caught five passes holding the Yellow Jackets to 95 Paul Johnson said. “In a game Graham was the only Miami RUSHING: Georgia Tech, Allen 6-42, Nesbitt 14-29, Jones 6-18, eight tries since Boise State joined the WAC, Wright 3-7, Dwyer 5-7, Lyons 1-6, Cox 2-6, Peeples 1-3, Team for 83 yards and another score. yards rushing—60 of those com- like that, you better maximize player ever to beat Georgia Tech 1-(minus 23). Miami, Cooper 17-93, J.James 14-72, Benjamin a 27-7 home win in 2005. ... Boise State has It’s the first time Miami has ing on the game’s first drive. and we didn’t. We played very before: He was 4-1 against the 1-13, Chambers 2-12, J.Harris 1-0, Team 4-(minus 6). allowed fewer than 200 total yards in each PASSING: Georgia Tech, Nesbitt 6-15-0-133. Miami, J.Harris won consecutive games against Tech’s reigning ACC player of poorly on offense.” Yellow Jackets in basketball. 20-25-0-270. of their first two games. ranked opponents since the end the year, fullback Jonathan Miami didn’t. “This offense is not selfish,” RECEIVING: Georgia Tech, D.Thomas 6-133. Miami, Byrd 5-83, — The Associated Press Epps 3-37, Cooper 3-32, Benjamin 3-29, J.James 2-12, Hanker- of the 2003 season. Dwyer, was slowed by a shoulder Other than two late missed Byrd said. “As long as we’re son 1-35, Graham 1-14, P.Hill 1-14, T.Johnson 1-14. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 7

GAME OF THE WEEK: Florida State at No. 7 BYU, 7 p.m. Saturday, Versus Sporting News Today’s Matt Hayes analyzes WHAT WE LEARNED what Thursday’s buzz means to college football

Arm in arm upset loss to Houston. Mendenhall seeking changes John Marinatto has been on the job Gundy told reporters Bryant as Big East commissioner for all of “needs to become a better team three or four deep breaths, yet already player,” and not be so concerned with he’s falling in line with the rest of his celebrating before and during the to BCS system that hurts BYU BCS brethren. Or more specifically, game. It was Gundy who became a the party line. YouTube sensation with his “I’m a A home win for No. 7 BYU on Saturday It’s clearly time to look at it again In an interview with The Birming- man” speech while defending against Florida State would keep the and update it. ham News, Marinatto says there may benched quarterback Bobby Reid, Cougars in the conversation for (gasp!) not be a BCS in five years, and if there but this one—without the emotion a spot in the BCS national champion- isn’t, it likely means college football and passion of a postgame press con- ship game. Coach Bronco Mendenhall If this system was in has gone old school: reverting to the ference—carries even more weight. discussed that quest and the BYU-related Q: place back then, would previous backroom bowl deals and “Yes, he is a terrific player for us, history behind it on this week’s Mountain BYU have won that conference tie-ins. You know, the very and Dez will play this game for a long West Conference teleconference: championship? mess the BCS was supposed to clean time, but we’ve got to get him to con- Not under the current up with its No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. trol himself some. He needs to A: circumstances. We just “You see what’s going on with Con- DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP become a better team player and play This is the 25th learned last year the University of gress in regards to the playoffs, and Dez Bryant was called out by coach Mike as well without the ball as he does Q: anniversary of the lone Utah went undefeated and wasn’t you know how the schools and con- Gundy following OSU’s loss to Houston. with the ball.” national championship team at allowed to play for the national ferences across the country feel rela- Think of the impact of this state- BYU. How special is it, championship. I think the answer tive to that issue,” Marinatto said. “At some or ment, this early in the season. Gundy is calling out his considering BYU is the only to that is no. another, I think people are going to be going back to the team’s best player after the biggest upset of the early sea- team to do that from outside old system.” son. It’s a Cardinal sin to blame players in public, and Notre Dame or the BCS What Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman began Gundy doesn’t have a reputation of doing so. automatic qualifier With the win over this summer by telling Congress the very same thing, In other words, this is Motivation 101. conferences? Q: Oklahoma, is there a Marinatto continued in a seemingly innocuous inter- “Dez is the biggest cheerleader we’ve got,” Gundy It’s very special. And in carrot out there besides view: It’s either the BCS, or old school. There’s no said. “If you really watch the tape of when we have A: fact, no one has ever said winning the conference? in-between. somebody score a touchdown and he’s away from the this, nor do I think the correlation If you’re talking about a “The BCS was really instituted as an attempt to get ball, instead of finishing the , he’s signaling touch- has ever been drawn, but the A: carrot beyond what a away from all that and create a 1-2 championship game,” down and celebrating.” current system might be in place PATRICK SEMANSKY / AP conference championship is, and a Marinatto told the newspaper. “It may not be perfect. I because of what you just alluded to. Cougars coach Bronco Mendenhall said the chance to be considered for (a think we all acknowledge it’s not perfect. But we all felt Banking 101 So, it’s interesting because it’s 25 BCS system is unfair to schools like BYU. national championship), that’s our it was better than what was before.” Look, every coach does it. It’s just that, you know, no years later. BYU was part of the ultimate goal. It is for every Meanwhile, the folks in Pasadena already have made coach does it as well as Mike Leach. motive to create this system, and in that way and demand attention. program in the country. Timetable it clear to new Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott that Only Leach, Texas Tech’s dry-witted, deep-thinking now we’re now trying to break the But then, there becomes a level of is the only thing they wouldn’t there will be no national playoff. coach, could pull this one off. Apparently, Leach pro- system down. So we find ourselves maybe injustice or being unfair acknowledge. If teams are saying So any hope of new blood infusing different ideas— motes a bank in Lubbock, Texas, and the Vista Bank in a unique situation. from the standpoint that the times their goal is not to do that, I would Plus One?—into the game is gone. The power brokers of commercials are entitled “Banking 101.” are quite different now. When you have an issue with that. Any time college football enjoy their perfectly imperfect world One of the classics: Leach, on the practice field in his look at the number of teams programs in our league claim that produces more revenue than they could dream. black Texas Tech T-shirt, looking into the camera with How do you feel about playing, and just because of center stage against a quality Why change now? sage advice for those with credit cards. Shoot, Dave Q: that knowing the wheels conference affiliation, it’s supposed opponent and have success, we Ramsey would be proud. were basically set in motion to mean that league is better or that come one step closer. But I won’t Making a statement—again “Today,” Leach says, “We’re going to talk about credit after that championship to team is better. We’ve proven as a allow us to consider or think about It has been a couple of years since we’ve heard some- card smarts. You don’t just swipe it, sign it and take it. have what we have today? league and as a football team that anything else right now other than thing like this from Mike Gundy. But understand this: You have to pay credit cards back. That’s just the way You have to take it as a that is no longer the case. And the Florida State, and certainly not For Gundy to publicly call out All-American wideout the deal is. Pay your credit cards off monthly.” A: compliment to start with, system needs to be revised. anything beyond our conference. Dez Bryant, it has to be an issue that has been festering And then, we fade to black. that the program had to be viewed Twenty-five years is a long time. — Dave Curtis longer than the past few days since Oklahoma State’s Priceless. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 8 Corp getting a chance wouldn’t be bad thing

Sporting News Today’s Matt Hayes previews the five as, if not more, a legitimate pick for that big game? We biggest story lines of the weekend in college football: can all agree that the Mountain West is at least as good or better than the Big East. And BYU would have wins 1. The dreaded quarterback controversy over Oklahoma and Florida State and a MWC schedule I’m not exactly sure what was more perplexing last that includes ranked TCU and Utah. Cincinnati’s week: that, on third and long and the game on the line, resume couldn’t match that. Ohio State had linebacker Ross Homan covering speedy tailback Joe McKnight, or that ABC’s 4. Letdown from the showdown Brent Musburger acted like a queasy I don’t know about you, but I’ve watched Toledo twice schoolgirl with his man crush on now, and even though the Rockets’ defense couldn’t freshman Matt Barkley. stop my local high school team, the offense behind Despite what Musburger and many senior quarterback Aaron Opelt (nine total TDs) is flat- others have proclaimed about The out ridiculous. Next John Elway, Joe McKnight won The reality is, Ohio State’s defense is much better than that game last week. Ask Homan. Or the Purdue and Colorado units, which Toledo torched Matt Hayes Jim Tressel. for 85 points and 1,117 total yards. So let’s say Ohio State COLLEGE FOOTBALL Why is this significant? Because still is in the jar about the loss to USC, a game it should’ve the last thing USC needs right now is won and let slip away in the last two minutes. a quarterback controversy. And if Barkley can’t go Let’s say Tressel’s dressing down of lunatic Buckeye against Washington this weekend because of a bruised fans earlier this week has created a distraction, and shoulder, backup Aaron Corp will take over and the suddenly his still-maturing, still-uneasy quarterback offense suddenly will have an added dimension it hasn’t Terrelle Pryor presses too much, commits a couple of had since arrived at Troy in 2001. turnovers and the next thing you know Ohio State is Yes, everyone, the Trojans will have a quarterback trailing by a couple of scores and has to actually, you who can hurt you with his legs, too. Remember, Corp know, score points with its offense. won the job in spring practice—clearly won it—and was the leader going into fall camp and Com-Pete was gush- 5. Payback time ing about Corp’s potential. Then Corp broke a bone in Two plays, two hard-to-imagine plays kept Texas from his leg and got Wally Pipp’d. the BCS national championship game last season. That and the weird other story line (see: 45-35) I’m sure Texas 2. Bluster and blowouts JAY LAPRETE / AP already has forgotten. Let’s go back six months—not all the way back to Even if Matt Barkley, right, is unable to play Saturday because of a bruised shoulder, Aaron Corp’s mobility could give Washington fits. The Longhorns get their first crack at redemption this Lane Kiffin’s gigging of Florida that started this fabri- weekend when they play host to Texas Tech. You remem- cated nonsense of Florida getting paybacks … ooooooh All this talk about a Florida blowout, and all I can way now. ber last year’s game, right? Tech used a dropped intercep- … for the way mean Lane talked about the Gators. But think about is Florida hasn’t found a go-to receiver yet, Does BYU deserve to be in the BCS national champi- tion by one Texas freshman safety (Blake Gideon) and a back to the spring, when I was sitting in Monte Kiffin’s hasn’t played a meaningful snap against a legitimate onship game if it wins out? The fact that we’re even missed tackle by another Texas freshman safety (Earl corner office in the Tennessee football complex and he team yet, and hasn’t faced a Monte Kiffin defense. The addressing this so early is absurd, but because the Cou- Thomas) a play later to upset the Longhorns in Lubbock. already was breaking down tape of the Gators. Vols aren’t going to beat Florida, but it certainly won’t gars could get another boost this weekend with a vic- But this is a Tech team with Joaquin Phoenix, I mean His greaseboard was full of Florida’s personnel and be the beatdown everyone expects. tory over BCS big boy Florida State (which, at this point, Taylor Potts, as its starting quarterback and a whole lot of plays and specific sets and looks. Monte Kiffin had is no better than a win over any other middling BCS newness on defense. In other words, this game in Austin back surgery this spring, and was supposed recuperate 3. The BYU question team; but that’s a story for another time), we must at will look a whole lot like the previous five under coach for a week before returning to work. Frankly, we’re getting way ahead of ourselves. But least all come face-to-face with our BCS snobbery. Mack Brown vs. Texas Tech in Austin. In those five He left the hospital the day after surgery, went to his since this is the 25th anniversary of BYU’s national Let’s say every BCS team had one loss with the excep- games, Texas has scored 58, 42, 43, 52 and 59 points. office and started breaking down Florida. championship season, and since Utah and Boise State tion of Cincinnati. There’s no doubt the Bearcats would This one may hit 60. Not because Texas is trying to “Have you seen this team?” Kiffin asked this spring. have been banging on the BCS door the previous five be in the BCS national championship game. prove a point or anything. “I’m not wasting any time.” seasons, we may as well go ahead and get it out of the If that’s the case, why wouldn’t unbeaten BYU be just [email protected] SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football ACC INSIDE DISH Florida State needs to find running game against BYU Florida State figures it is headed for trouble Satur- day at BYU if its running game doesn’t show big improvement. The Seminoles, with their offensive line returning intact from last season, has managed just 188 yards rushing through two games. “If we want to get up to the next level, we’re going to have to improve our line blocking and our running game,” coach Bobby Bowden told reporters earlier this week. Jermaine Thomas, the starting tailback in the opener against Miami, has just 18 yards on 9 carries. The Seminoles’ leading rusher is RB Ty Jones, with 99 yards, and next is QB Christian Ponder, with 35. “We would love to have the running game where it needs to be to keep defenses honest,” running backs coach Dexter Carter said in a report by The Associated Press. “The running game is imperative to our PHIL COALE / AP success.” Jermaine Thomas, left, started FSU’s opener against Miami, but now likely will play behind Ty Jones. Virginia Tech’s defense finds itself in an unusual position entering Saturday’s game against Nebraska— had asked for his release so he could transfer. But the 80th in the country in yards allowed. school later said Dye is staying with the program. Coordinator Bud Foster’s group has ranked in the top Swinney and Dye met Thursday afternoon. 10 nationally each of the past five seasons. Dye began the season as a starter but dropped a pass Tech’s biggest problem in its first two games? Giving in the opener against Middle Tennessee. He was up big plays. The Hokies were gashed for 310 yards on moved to second team at practice last week and did seven plays over the Alabama and Marshall games, not play in a 30-27 loss to Georgia Tech. according to a report by The Virginian-Pilot. On the Brandon Clear has replaced Dye in the starting lineup. other 133 plays, Tech allowed an average of 3.3 yards. Swinney said Dye would not play Saturday against Foster said he saw improvement in Week 2’s 52-10 Boston College. win over Marshall but reminded his unit there still were too many mistakes. He pointed to a 61-yard Maryland, implementing a more aggressive scheme touchdown run by Marshall’s Darius Marshall, who on defense under first-year coordinator Don Brown, is the bounced outside after a missed tackle up front and only ACC team that hasn’t forced a turnover through two took advantage of a linebacker being out of position. games. The Terps’ defense ranks 108th or worse nation- “They can’t feel good about themselves,” Foster said. ally in four statistical categories. “We’ve got to always have an edge. We’ve got to let “After being in a defensive system for nine years, we them know what our expectations are around here.” have been in it for two weeks,” Brown said in a report by The Washington Post. “I think that is showing up a Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said during a radio little bit. Everywhere I have been there has always interview Thursday morning that junior WR Xavier Dye been that little period of growing pains.” SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 10

PLAYER DIARY PLAYER DIARY ‘We’ve had three straight who can play’ Coach Bible is ‘like my brother and my dad’

BY DEKODA WATSON BY RUSSELL WILSON For SN Today For SN Today

I think BYU is going to be a great There aren’t many more impor- challenge. They just beat Oklahoma tant relationships for a quarter- recently, and that was big time. It’s back that the ones he has with his going to be a tough situation, play- quarterback and his offensive ing in that atmosphere. The altitude coordinator. For me, it’s the same will be tough. When we played at guy—coach Dana Bible. And he’s Colorado a few years back, I had one of the big parts of any success extra oxygen whenever I could I’ve had at N.C. State. Basically, because I have asthma. It was he’s like my brother and my dad. extremely tough for me to breathe He’s with me every day, out at at that high altitude. practice, in the film room. The only With Utah being just like Colo- way that I can get better is to listen rado, high up, I know it’s going to to him and let him teach me. be a big challenge for me. I’m sure I’ve known coach Bible for a my breathing will be all right, but at few years now. I had made a ver- the same time it’s going to be differ- bal commitment here when the PEYTON WILLIAMS / N.C. STATE ent from what I go through week to coaching change happened and N.C. State offensive coordinator Dana Bible also coached in the NFL with the Eagles week, something I’m not used to. the new staff came on board. and Bengals. I’m just going to try to control my PATRICK SEMANSKY / AP Coach Bible came out to my school breathing and go hard. Dekoda Watson says BYU QB Max Hall, above, is an accurate thrower and mobile, as well. before I signed and told me how receivers, too, so all of us are in something like, “That was a BYU’s offensive line is great, and much they wanted me to come to the same meeting room together. decent play.” Or, “That was an the running back—Bryan Kariya— team—period. They’re very disci- One thing we haven’t been this N.C. State. That really helps us get on the OK throw.” is a hard runner. The quarterback, plined, not just on offense but on year is consistent. I know that was That was big for me, that he same page for the next game. That’s one of the things I like Max Hall, is mobile, too. For us, it’s special teams and defense, too. They my goal this year, consistency. I came out and recruited me as Out at practice, Coach is a real about him, actually. He’s always like we’ve had three straight quar- go hard, they have good technique didn’t want to just make one big well. Plus, I knew the other quar- hands-on guy, and he’s very pushing me, and I’m sure he terbacks who can play and move— and they’re very fundamentally play and then that’s it. I want to be terbacks he had coached, espe- focused on what we have to do. always will be. Jacory Harris from Miami, Ryan sound. That’s one of the reasons consistent in all games. cially Matt Ryan and those guys We definitely laugh and joke a — As told to Dave Curtis Perrilloux from Jacksonville State they’re undefeated right now. — As told to Brian McLaughlin at Boston College. I was hoping he little bit, but it’s usually all busi- and now BYU’s quarterback. As far Our Jacksonville State game was could have the same effect on me. ness. He’s helped me in so many About the author as quarterbacks are concerned, it’s close. You would like to have a week Since I’ve been here, we’ve areas, but the biggest thing prob- been a challenge the first three or so to prepare for any team, and About the author really grown to trust each other. ably has been learning to make Russell Wilson, weeks. obviously we didn’t have a week to Dekoda He has a lot of knowledge that can reads and move through a play. N.C. State With no disrespect to Perrilloux, prepare for Jacksonville State— Watson, help me, and it really comes He’s also made me more accurate QB I feel like BYU’s quarterback is a lot since we’d played Miami that Mon- Florida State through with all the time we and helped me with my mechan- A sopho- more accurate than what we faced day night. I didn’t think I was very LB spend together. We’ll play Satur- ics and fundamentals. more from A 6-2, 226- last week. They pass a lot more than well prepared, and it was something day, and the day after, Sunday, He’s also a very humbling guy. Richmond, pound senior Va., Wilson Jacksonville State, and I think that’s new for the freshmen and sopho- from Aiken, he’ll help me start preparing for He’s never satisfied. He’ll say, threw for what they’re going to do in this mores. Two years back when we S.C., Watson the next opponent right way. “You were good, but you’ve got to 228 yards and four touchdowns game. I think it’ll be more of a pass- played Miami on that Monday, we had nine Then, it’s lots of time in the film be better.” Sometimes, in a game, last week as the Wolfpack ing game, but at the same time, they had to fight for four quarters that tackles and 3.5 sacks in Saturday’s room, and, of course, the time I’ll make what I think was a great thumped Murray State 65-7. Next win over Jacksonville State. He have running backs who can run next weekend to beat Troy. But then we’re on the practice field. play, and then I’ll come to the up Saturday at home is Gardner- currently ranks fifth nationally with Webb, the Pack’s second-straight the ball and do some damage. again, a win is a win in my eyes. It 4.5 sacks in two games. The other good thing is that sidelines and get on the phone I-AA opponent. Overall, I think they’re a sound doesn’t matter how you do it. coach Bible works with the with him. And he’ll say SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 11

PLAYER DIARY BIG 12 Seats are ‘soft and wide in first class’ BY NDAMUKONG SUH INSIDE DISH For SN Today Tannehill’s role a work in progress for Aggies I’ve heard a lot about the game- day atmosphere at Virginia Tech, Ryan Tannehill lost the quarterback competition with and how it’s so tough to play Jerrod Johnson in the preseason, then caught three passes there. But I love away games; I for 40 yards against New Mexico in A&M’s season love everything about it from the opener. travel to the game to being put in So what happened when Johnson was replaced late the position where it’s you against in the Sept. 5 game with the Aggies leading, 41-6? Red- the world, you can take the home shirt freshman Tommy Dorman got the call, even though crowd out of the game, mess with Tannehill is listed as No. 2 quarterback on the depth their day and make them mad. chart. We love going on the road Coach Mike Sherman said he went with Dorman because we have a group of fans because he considers Tannehill a first-stringer— that travel with us and stay at the whether or not he’s playing quarterback. same hotel and it makes it excit- “I just didn’t see any need,” Sherman said. “He had ing. This trip is an alumni trip, so been playing in the game and we had exposed him to we’ll take a big jumbo jet to the some risk. I didn’t want to do that any further in the game because alumni will also be DAVE WEAVER / AP ballgame, to put a starter—and I consider Ryan a on board. It’s one of those double- Ndamukong Suh has 12 tackles in two games, including four for loss and 1 ½ sacks. starter—in that late in the ballgame. That was the rea- deck planes. son to go with Tommy.” MATT SLOCUM / AP I love to fly, especially now that relax. Right now, I’ve got Casino conserve energy. But once we get Sherman wouldn’t say how much Tannehill will play It’s unclear how much time Ryan Tannehill will see at WR on Saturday. we get to sit in first class and don’t Royale and American Gangster on into the locker room at the sta- at wide receiver against Utah State Saturday, reiterat- have to sit in coach and take those there, and another random dium, that’s when I turn it to rap ing that he’s walking “a very fine line” in the way he Two days after Bradford hurt his shoulder in OU’s long plane rides in those small movie. and get ready. uses him. 14-13 season-opening loss to the BYU, Stoops specu- seats. We charter a plane, and When you’re an underclass- I’m excited now just thinking lated that “two to four weeks” was the prognosis. have it to ourselves. Seniors and man and not a starter, and you about it. We’re ready to go play in The Texas Longhorns will be bracing for an air But when Stoops refused to provide a progress report starters get first-class seats, and see the upperclassmen riding in a rowdy environment and show raid Saturday when they play host to Texas Tech. But Tuesday on Bradford, some wondered if the Sooners the luxury of being up front is first class, you definitely get a lit- everyone what we’ve got. so will the Red Raiders. were playing coy with their quarterback’s condition. tremendous. That’s just another tle jealous. In coach, it’s really not — As told to Matt Hayes Tech CB Taylor Charbonnet has a hunch the Red Raid- Not so, Stoops said. cool thing about (Nebraska) that bad because there are so ers’ secondary will be equal to the task of stopping Landry Jones, who threw for 286 yards and three touch- Coach Bo (Pelini): He wants the many seats that you get a seat About the author Texas QB Colt McCoy and his stable of wide receivers— downs in his first start last week against Idaho State, best for us, and wants to give us between you and the next guy. Ndamukong they have certainly had plenty of practice. will get the call again Saturday. the best. But the seats aren’t the same, no Suh, “I think we’ve been challenged enough all camp, This time, with the double-deck way. They’re soft and wide in first Nebraska DT because we’ve played against our offense—and who’s Nebraska coach Bo Pelini announced that RB Collins plane, the entire upper deck is class. It’s definitely one of the Suh, who is better at passing the ball than our offense?” Charbon- Okafor has left the football program. first-class seating. There are first- perks of working hard and doing projected net told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “We’ve played Okafor, a redshirt freshman, is the second back to class seats in the lower deck, too, the right thing. by some as the top against the best passing offense in the nation, so I think leave the team this fall. Quentin Castille was dismissed for but up top it’s nothing but first We’ll fly into Roanoke and bus overall pick our secondary is ready to play.” violating team rules. class. When you’re up there, to Virginia Tech. I’m excited to in the 2010 NFL draft, helped A spokesman said Okafor’s decision to leave was a you’re kind of secluded and can see the stadium and hear the fans the Huskers rout Florida Atlantic Just in case anyone was wondering—and many personal one and did not involve disciplinary issues. do your own thing. You could and just get pumped for the game. and Arkansas State the first two were—Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops made it official Okafor had been expected to compete for playing time have your own party up there; it’s On the ride over, I usually listen weeks. A much more difficult task awaits Saturday: Virginia Thursday when he told the Tulsa World that injured QB this fall, but was locked behind junior Roy Helu and great. I usually bring my iPod to some R&B on my iPod to kind Tech in Blacksburg. Sam Bradford will not be playing Saturday against Tulsa freshman Rex Burkhead on the depth chart. and watch movies and just try to of slow it down a little bit and SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 12 BIG TEN BIG EAST

INSIDE DISH INSIDE DISH Tressel: I should have kept my mouth shut Anderson no longer bothered by cruel billboard It’s not the way Louisville RB of the series. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who sarcastically referred to Victor Anderson envisioned getting The Bearcats’ ranking this time a segment of hard-core Buckeyes fans as “miserable” on his face on a billboard. But there around, as well as Oregon State’s Wednesday, said Thursday he regrets his comments. the sophomore is, plastered on a growing profile, make this half of He told reporters he gets critical e-mails, then added, sign not far from Cardinal Sta- the series especially important, “They’ve got to be some of the most unhappy people in dium, his No. 20 getting crushed said Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard. the world, and I feel bad because we just made them by a handful of Kentucky defend- “We know we’re going to get a less happy, and I hate to be a part of making someone ers as part of the Wildcats’ lot of national attention toward less happy. I mean, they’re already miserable.” aggressive advertising campaign this game,” he said. “They’re a A day later, Tressel was the one feeling miserable. in the state’s largest city. good team at home. They beat “My dad taught me a long time ago, you’ll have a It serves as a painful reminder USC last year. ... It’s not going to thousand chances to keep your mouth shut, use every of Anderson’s first college game be a walkover.” one of them,” Tressel said. last fall as Kentucky whipped the He said he wasn’t aware of any fallout to his earlier Cardinals 27-2. West Virginia is looking for comments. “When I first saw it, I was kind answers to its special teams fol- “But no one could have better fans than we do,” he of shocked, I ride past it every day lies and other simple mistakes said. “And if anyone was half as miserable as we were TONY DING / AP to come to the stadium,” Ander- entering the toughest stretch of on Sunday (and) Monday, I could understand them A 2-0 start has Rich Rodriguez, left, feeling better about his program. son told The Associated Press. its nonconference schedule. Jock being miserable.” “But, you know? I ride past it. It Sanders and Brandon Hogan mishan- Almost always in control of the situation in his public ago,” Rodriguez said. “And certainly better than I did a goes right over my head. When dled first-half punts that led to appearances, Tressel added, “You live and learn.” year ago. ... It’s kind of neat for my family, for my wife. I’m riding, it just keeps going. East Carolina scores. The Moun- In other Buckeyes news, starting RT Jim Cordle, the She loves to DVR the games but she only watches the When I first saw it, it kind of taineers managed to overcome most experienced lineman for Ohio State, will miss the ones we win, of course. She’s probably watched the last bothered me.” those gaffes and a 10-point deficit next 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury. couple games 30, 40 times already.” Not anymore. Besides, he Saturday to beat the Pirates Tressel disclosed the injury on Thursday, saying knows if the Cardinals can upset ED REINKE / AP 35-20. Cordle had complained of pain in his ankle and it got Illinois coach Ron Zook said Thursday that starting the Wildcats on Saturday, he Victor Anderson and the Cardinals will try West Virginia (2-0) at least has steadily worse. Tests showed the severity of the injury, LB Martez Wilson will have surgery to repair a herniated could make a case that the bill- to avenge a 27-2 loss to Kentucky last year. temporarily fixed its long-stand- though nobody was sure whether it occurred in Satur- disk in his neck and miss the remainder of the season. boards are false advertising. ing problem of consistently allow- day’s game against USC or in practice. Zook said he feels especially bad for Wilson because “Hey, it’s an honor to have for both teams. ing long kickoff returns. But the J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams are the top candidates to he worked hard in the offseason to move from outside another team have you on their “We’re both trying to break punt return problems and 11 pen- replace Cordle, a fifth-year senior. The Buckeyes play to inside linebacker. He didn’t play in Saturday’s win billboard, but we’ve got a great through. Both of us want to move alties for 104 yards stood out with Toledo on Saturday. over Illinois State. The Illini have this weekend off team and for them to just have me up the echelon, and these are the tough tests looming at Auburn before heading to Columbus to face Ohio State. on the billboard and not a team kind of games you want to play,” next Saturday, followed by an It took a while—and required a little prodding photo of our team, that’s what he told reporters. Oct. 1 home game with Colorado. from ESPN broadcasters on Pardon the Interruption— The Muncie Star Press reported that Ball State bothers me the most because they Kelly said he tries to set up BCS “We’ve got a long way to go,” but Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez finally admitted that wants to drop its 2010 football game against Iowa. should respect our whole team,” opponents for the Bearcats. The West Virginia coach Bill Stewart he’s sleeping a little better these days and feeling a little Ball State athletic director Tom Collins said coach Stan he said. Big Ten has been difficult for him told reporters. “We’re not close more relaxed after last year’s unsightly season. Parrish is not wild about playing Purdue and Iowa on to land, but Oregon State was enough to being a good football It was that last-minute win over Notre Dame—plus back-to-back weeks, even though the school would Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly amenable. team, but I’m happier to be where the Wolverines’ 2-0 start—that relieved the pressure. stand to make about $800,000 by playing in Iowa said the two-game series with Cincinnati defeated Oregon we are today than where we were “Well, I’m sleeping better now than I did two weeks City. Oregon State has worked out well State 34-3 in 2007, the first game a year ago (after a 1-1 start).” SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 13

PLAYER DIARY PAC-10 USC win was good for Pac-10 INSIDE DISH BY ALTERRAUN VERNER For SN Today Back to reality of being one of many stars for McKnight I thought Tennessee was just an amazing arena for Joe McKnight finally appeared ready Anderson is a two-time NCAA college football. I would have to say if you’re a college to take his place in USC’s star-stud- champion in the 400-meter hurdles football player, it’s so essential to go to that place and ded lineage of tailbacks last week, and finished ninth at the U.S. play in front of that crowd. They bleed football in rushing and receiving and relent- Olympic trials last year. He caught Tennessee, and the crowd was so great. That place lessly driving the Trojans to their 33 passes and had two touchdowns has so much tradition: Peyton Manning, Reggie victory at Ohio State. while starting 11 games in 2008. White, and so many great SEC players have played Then the junior calmly got back He had four catches in two starts there. in line this week, vying with five this season. I didn’t know it was close to the river, so seeing that talented teammates for a few car- Cougars coach Paul Wulff said was pretty cool. All the boats—I’ve never seen that ries at practice. Anderson is a “once-in-a-lifetime before, people coming in by boat in all orange. We get There’s nothing singular about athlete” and that he respects his to the game more than two hours before kickoff, so Tailback U any longer: The No. 3 dedication to try to be best in the we saw plenty of that. Trojans (2-0) are overflowing with world in the hurdles. The fans were really respectful. I was catching talented running backs again this punts before the game, and the fans were entertain- season under Pete Carroll. Stanford becomes the final ing us. They were cheering for us when we caught After emerging as the starter in Pac-10 team to play a home game them, booing us when we didn’t. camp, McKnight again is threaten- when the Cardinal play host to San But once the game started, it was just a regular ol’ ing to embrace his enormous Jose State in the Bill Walsh Legacy football game. potential. Game at Stanford Stadium. It was a great win. We take a lot of pride in our Yet he claims he’s content to be MARK J. TERRILL / AP The matchup between the Cardi- defense. We try to win things on defense. We know one part in the USC machine. Joe McKnight rushed for 60 yards and caught nal and Spartans has been named every game this season is gonna ride on how we play. “The competition is one of the two passes for 45 yards against Ohio State. in honor of the late Hall of Fame No matter what, how we shut teams down, that will great things about ’SC,” McKnight coach and his association with both determine if we win no matter what the offense does. told The Associated Press. “It’s somebody to get in front of some- schools. We haven’t mentioned what happened after the never frustrating, because it saves body and step it up every week, but Walsh received his bachelor’s Tennessee win last year (a 59-0 loss to BYU) too much your body. We’re all healthy and I guess we’re pretty equal every degree from San Jose State in 1955 as a team. People that were here, they know about it. happy here. It’s the perfect situation week, too.” and his master’s in 1959. You can’t rest on a big win. We know that. for me.” Meanwhile, freshman CB Brian He then served as an assistant at We were all very in tune with the USC game on Sat- WADE PAYNE / AP Even after seven straight Pac-10 Baucham will miss Saturday’s game Stanford in 1963 and 1964, before urday night. It was exciting. It was very similar to our Alterraun Verner, right, found playing in Tennessee to be titles and BCS bowl games, one of after getting into a car accident. two head coaching stints with the game, but just flipped—their offense had it last. That a great experience. Carroll’s most underrated achieve- Carroll says Baucham was cut in Cardinal—1977-78 and 1992-94. last drive Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson took ments might be his ability to keep the freeway accident Thursday Walsh went 34-24-1 as head coach over. It’s the resiliency of that program, how they just almost every ball-carrier in his pro- morning on the way to school. at Stanford. won’t let themselves lose. It was a good win for our About the author gram happy, even at the expense of T.J. Bryant and Marshall Jones will “His stamp is all over the game,” conference. I tip my hat to them. Alterraun Verner, UCLA CB individual stardom. compete to be the Trojans’ No. 3 Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh told The A lot of people give respect to USC already. But all Verner, a senior from Carson, “We’re all friends,” junior C.J. . AP. “He had a special influence on the other teams in this league are competing well. Calif., chipped into the Bruins’ 19-15 win at Tennessee last Gable said. “We all joke around Stanford, the tradition of players Washington played LSU pretty tough. We beat Ten- week with six tackles and an every day still. It’s not a personal Washington State WR Jeshua that have played in this program nessee, Oregon beat Purdue. We’re competing with , which he returned thing. The best man wins the job, Anderson is quitting football to focus through the years. Part of the fabric the other conferences, but we have a little further to 26 yards. The Bruins face Kansas basically. Coach Carroll wants one on track, another blow to the strug- and tradition of Stanford football is go. State on Saturday. of us to do that. He told us he wants gling Cougars (0-2). his legacy.” — As told to Derek Samson SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 14

PLAYER DIARY SEC ‘We want to be sure we’re hitting on all cylinders’ BY MIKE JOHNSON INSIDE DISH For SN Today Any time you can pick up a win in college football, it’s a big thing Bulldogs comfortable with 2-QB system for you. You try to focus on one game at a time. We’re playing You can count at least two people not really prepared to play in the North Texas this week, and they who don’t have a problem with the game like he needs to be,” Saban have a really good, quality two-quarterback system Dan Mullen told The Tuscaloosa News in regards defense. In fact, they should be is running in his first season at Mis- to a player being able to play after undefeated coming in here; they sissippi State: the Bulldogs’ two an injury. lost a tough game last week in quarterbacks. Also, freshman WR Kenny Bell was overtime. Tyson Lee and Chris Relf are both on non-contact and has missed time We know that the SEC sched- board as Mississippi State prepares with shin splints. LB Jerrell Harris, ule is right around the corner. But for Saturday’s game against Van- who is ineligible, wore No. 42 on the the biggest thing we’ve got to do is derbilt in Nashville. scout team, mimicking North Texas make sure we play well and bring “I wouldn’t say it’s really hard to LB Craig Robertson, the paper some momentum into that, and master,” Lee told The Clarion-Ledger reported. the best way to do that is to win of Jackson, Miss. this week. We just want to be sure Lee is 15 of 24 passing for 150 Georgia sophomore DE Justin we’re hitting on all cylinders yards and a TD. He’s added 12 yards Houston, who had to sit out the first heading into the Arkansas week. on the ground. Relf is the Bulldogs’ two games as his punishment from A lot of what we’re focused as leading rusher, gaining 134 yards ROGELIO V. SOLIS / AP coach Mark Richt for an undisclosed offensive linemen is actually just BOB LEVERONE / SN on 19 carries with a score. He’s 12 of Chris Relf, above, has no problem sharing violation of team rules, returns this working together. I’ve got new Mike Johnson, left, said communication is paramount along the offensive line. 21 for 152 yards passing with three snaps with fellow Bulldog QB Tyson Lee. week. He returns as the replace- guys on each side of me, and it’s a scores and two interceptions. ment for starter Rod Battle, who suf- lot of talking to them. Just mak- Sometimes defenses will try communicating, then usually we “It’s not a big deal for me,” Relf respond very well,” Robinson told fered a season-ending knee injury ing sure we’re on the same page is and confuse us so we’re not on can come out with a positive play. told the newspaper. “I guess it’s not The Morning News. last week vs. South Carolina. a BIG thing for us. And I think the same page. You see that some- — As told to Bob Hille a big deal for Tyson, either.” our communication has paid off times on TV, but we try to make About the author Tennessee offensive lineman Vanderbilt RB Jared Hawkins told in the last couple of weeks in as few mistakes as possible. A lot Florida WR Andre Debose had Vladimir Richard will play against The Tennessean that he still hasn’t terms of yardage and success. of people say we started out slow Mike surgery to repair a torn hamstring Florida, despite wearing a brace on recovered from a foot injury and is Especially with the new guys against Florida International. Johnson, Alabama tendon in his left thigh and is his left foot to brace his sore Achil- unsure when he can play. He prac- on the line, as an older guy, I like What people might not under- OG expected to fully recover in 4-6 les’ tendon, the Knoxville News Sen- ticed Tuesday and Wednesday. to make sure they’re talking to stand is that was their first game Johnson, months, making it possible for him tinel reported. Also, center Josh the guys next to them. It’s a lot of and they came out doing a lot of a senior to return for spring practice. Debose McNeil, who’s battled various knee Heisman Trophy winner and ‘you’ve got to know what I’m stuff that we weren’t expecting. three-year was coach Urban Meyer’s prized injuries, will be available if needed. former QB for Steve Spurrier at Flor- doing, and I’ve got to know what It was one of those times you from recruit in February. At one point, it was thought McNeil ida, Danny Wuerffel, visited South you’re doing,’ and it starts with had to make adjustments, and Pensacola, Fla., has 29 career might miss the entire season. Carolina’s practice Wednesday and the center and fans out from you had to do it on the run on the starts for the Crimson Tide. A Arkansas defensive coordina- talked to the team. there. As soon as we identify our sideline. It all worked out in the preseason All-American, he is tor Willy Robinson told The Morning The status of Alabama receiver Wuerffel told the Gamecocks he guys, I’m talking to James Car- end; we started running the ball a part of an offensive line that has News of Northwest Arkansas he’s and RB Roy Upchurch still is had watched them the past two penter next to me and making lot better in the second half. helped No. 4 ’Bama roll up more than 1,000 yards of offense—543 interested to see how his unit reacts uncertain, Nick Saban said. games and thought they had the sure he’s got the right call for the We can’t panic in situations like on the ground—in just two if Georgia strikes big Saturday. “Even if he is physically ready to makings of a good team if they put tight end next to him. People don’t that when they do something we games. He is on the watch lists “We got punched in the mouth play in the game because he’s not it all together and play more mis- get to hear that on TV, but it’s a haven’t seen. We communicate, for the Lombardi Award and the early last year and we didn’t practiced all week, he’s probably take-free. huge part of what we do. and if everyone is Outland Trophy. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 15

INSIDE DISH PLAYER DIARY Tulsa’s Graham to coach from press box vs. Sooners ‘The atmosphere we’ll see Look for Tulsa coach Todd Graham on the sideline Saturday afternoon against Oklahoma and you won’t at Oregon is what it’s all about’ see him. Graham decided to coach from BY ZANE BEADLES the press box last week and liked For SN Today the view in the Golden Hurricane’s win at New Mexico. Oregon has great athletes and “From a strategical standpoint, is a great team. Both of our teams there’s probably a lot of advantages are in the same situation where to being up there,” Graham said in a we feel we haven’t played our best report by The Associated Press. game yet. Our teams are very “You sit there. It’s a quiet room, similar, and both of us could use you’ve got a headset on, you’re this game to spring into the rest of watching, you can see the score- the season and show the nation board, you can see everything that’s what this year’s team is all about. happening on the field. You can I’ve never played at Autzen Sta- manage the clock and do all those dium, and I’ve never seen it, but JAY DROWNS / SN things.” I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ve heard Zane Beadles is looking forward to playing at Autzen Stadium for the first time. Graham said he was on the side- BILL HABER / AP they’re right on top of you, and line for the opener at Tulane in case Tulsa coach Todd Graham said sitting in the press box affords many advantages. the noise goes straight to the field. little things we’ve been doing to somebody has bad technique on a new starting quarterback G.J. Kinne It’s not the biggest stadium in the ourselves. block and allows the quarterback needed hands-on instruction. and tricky,” LB Toryan Smith told The Honolulu Star-Bulletin. country, but they get into it and We don’t feel we’ve played our to be pressured, and he has to get Another reason for Graham’s AP. “Michigan State, what you see McMackin said defensive line- make it a very hostile place to best game, and we’re still making rid of the ball too early. A cham- move upstairs—he has a degenera- is what you get.” man John Fonoti (bruised kneecap) is play. mistakes. It’s not necessarily our pionship team will learn to take tive disk condition that causes him Notre Dame is ranked 88th in the unlikely to play. The kind of atmosphere we’ll opponents beating us but us beat- care of that kind of thing. chronic pain in his neck and back, nation against the run, giving up see at Oregon is what it’s all about. ing ourselves. We’ve had five It’s easy to do the big things on and he eventually will need sur- 171.5 yards a game. Coach Charlie Charlotte is moving ahead with Game day is your reward for turnovers in two games now, so the football field. Focusing on the gery. But he said he was prepared Weis said the Irish plan some plans to start a football program in practicing all week. Running out we’ve been trying to cut down on little things is what makes a to spend the season on the sideline. “tweaks” on “some of those inside 2013 despite lagging sales for per- of the tunnel on to the field— those and mental mistakes here player great and a team champi- “I did not go upstairs because I rush lanes that exist.” manent seat licenses and the shaky whether it’s your crowd cheering and there—that’s what will make onship-caliber. physically can’t be on the sideline,” economy. for you or you’re being booed a team a champion. If you can — As told to Brian McLaughlin Graham said. “… My deal is that I’m Kent State freshman QB Spencer Chancellor Philip Dubois unveiled a when you’re on the road—just perfect those small things, that’s going to do whatever’s best for my Keith will start Saturday’s game new $23.5 million stadium proposal creates a rush that you can’t what makes you one of the best About the author team to win, and right now I think against Iowa State in place of Giorgio Thursday that was greeted with explain. It’s something every- teams in the nation. that’s what it is.” Morgan, who has a sprained left enthusiasm by the board of trust- body who plays football lives I know lots of people talk about Zane Beadles, ankle. Keith came off the bench last ees. It calls for building a temporary for—when you’re out on the field the little things but don’t explain Utah OT Notre Dame is looking forward week against Boston College and field on the site for the proposed in the thick of battle and you can’t what they’re talking about. But A 6-4, to facing a more conventional threw for 71 yards and a permanent, on-campus stadium, hear each other. here’s an example of what I mean: 312-pound offense Saturday against Michigan touchdown. instead of converting the soccer and This will be the best team we’ve Let’s say you’re 3rd-and-1 and senior from State after opening against the track and field facility. played—and it’s going to be one of you’re at a pivotal point in the Sandy, Utah, spread attacks of Nevada and Mich- Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said Athletic director Judy Rose said the the best teams we play all season. game and you don’t have a lot of Beadles is igan. The Spartans’ base offense is LB Paipai Falemalu injured an ankle school had sold 2,573 PSLs worth We expect them to be ready to momentum going your way. You mechanical engineering major. a pro-style formation that the Irish in practice Wednesday in Las Vegas $3.27 million, far short of the $5 play, and we’re going to give them have a pretty good drive going He has started all four seasons are more used to defending. and play in Saturday’s game at million it originally hoped to have our best shot. Our team is going and there’s one small missed and is on the watch list for the “It ain’t as much razzle-dazzle UNLV, according to a report by the committed by Thursday. to be focused on cleaning up the assignment on the play—let’s say Lombardi Award. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 16

POLLS Betting lines Scores and schedule FAVORITE TODAY UNDERDOG Thursday Boston College 19, Baylor 15, Clemson 10, Oregon 5, Arizona 4, Arkansas 52, Northern Arizona 45, Gardner-Webb 42, Brown 36, Prairie View A&M 33, SOUTH USA Today / Coaches 3, Colorado State 2, Florida State 1, Minnesota 1, South Florida 1. Stephen F. Austin 28, Western Illinois 26, Valparaiso 23, Sam Houston St. 19, Today Record Pts Pvs Florida A&M 48, Howard 10 Top 25 Boise St...... 7½...... at Fresno St. Southern 18, Georgia Southern 15, Tennessee St. 15, Tennessee-Martin 13, Miami 33, Georgia Tech 17 1. Florida (56) 2-0 1,472 1 Butler 12, Lafayette 8, Southeastern Louisiana 8, North Carolina A&T 7, North 2. Texas 2-0 1,399 2 Dakota State 7, Alabama State 6, Jackson State 6, North Dakota 6, The Citadel Today Saturday Today No. 10 Boise State at Fresno State, 9 p.m. 3. USC (3) 2-0 1,368 3 Sporting News 5, Albany 4, Drake 4, Rhode Island 4, Northern Colorado 3, Tennessee Tech 3, FAR WEST at Army...... 7½...... Ball St. 4. Alabama 2-0 1,277 4 Record Pvs Missouri St. 2, Saint Francis 2, Murray St. 1, San Diego 1, Yale 1. Boise St. at Fresno St., 9 p.m. at Purdue...... 13...... N. Illinois 5. Penn State 2-0 1,216 5 1. Florida 2-0 1 Saturday at Michigan...... 24...... E. Michigan 6. Mississippi 1-0 1,060 8 2. USC 2-0 4 Saturday No. 1 Florida vs. Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh...... 7½...... Navy 7. LSU 2-0 1,051 9 3. Texas 2-0 2 AFCA Division II Coaches EAST Northwestern...... 3...... at Syracuse Record Pts Pvs No. 2 Texas vs. Texas Tech, 8:05 p.m. 7. California 2-0 1,051 10 4. Alabama 2-0 3 Ball St. at Army, Noon at Clemson...... 7...... Boston College 1. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (25) 3-0 625 1 No. 3 Southern Cal at Washington, 3:30 p.m. 9. BYU 2-0 941 12 5. California 2-0 13 Delaware St. at Delaware, Noon at Penn St...... 29½...... Temple 2. Abilene Christian (Texas) 3-0 592 2 Duquesne at Monmouth, N.J., Noon No. 4 Alabama vs. North Texas, 12:20 p.m. 10. Boise State 2-0 913 11 6. Mississippi 1-0 5 at North Carolina ...... 7½...... East Carolina 3. North Alabama 3-0 577 3 Temple at Penn St., Noon 11. Ohio State 1-1 855 7 7. LSU 2-0 9 No. 5 Mississippi vs. SE Louisiana, 7:30 p.m. at W. Michigan ...... 16½...... Miami (Ohio) 4. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 3-0 541 5 Dayton at Robert Morris, Noon 12. Oklahoma 1-1 794 14 8. Georgia Tech 2-0 7 No. 5 Penn State vs. Temple, Noon p.m. at Vanderbilt ...... 9...... Mississippi St. 5. Central Washington 3-0 526 6 Bucknell at Cornell, 12:30 p.m. 13. Georgia Tech 2-0 771 13 9. BYU 2-0 11 Yale at Georgetown, D.C., 1 p.m. No. 7 BYU vs. Florida State, 7 p.m. at Colorado ...... 7...... Wyoming 6. Northwest Missouri St. 2-1 510 7 14. Virginia Tech 1-1 709 15 10. Penn State 2-0 8 Harvard at Holy Cross, 1 p.m. No. 8 California at Minnesota, Noon p.m. at Iowa ...... 5½...... Arizona 7. Minnesota St.-Mankato 3-0 432 8 15. TCU 1-0 648 16 11. Virginia Tech 1-1 10 Youngstown St. at Northeastern, 1 p.m. No. 9 LSU vs. La.-Lafayette, 7 p.m. at Akron ...... 4½...... Indiana 8. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1 418 9 16. Utah 2-0 533 17 12. Ohio State 1-1 14 Colgate at Dartmouth, 1:30 p.m. at Kansas ...... 22½...... Duke 9. Delta St. (Miss.) 1-1 392 10 No. 11 Ohio State vs. Toledo at Cleveland, 17. Oklahoma State 1-1 485 6 13. Boise State 2-0 15 Winston-Salem vs Morgan St. at East at Southern Miss...... 15½...... Virginia 10. Texas A&M-Kingsville 3-0 388 11 Rutherford, N.J., 2 p.m. Noon 18. Nebraska 2-0 471 18 14. Oklahoma 1-1 12 at Oregon...... 4½...... Utah 11. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 2-1 355 4 The Citadel at Princeton, 3 p.m. No. 12 Oklahoma vs. Tulsa, 3:30 p.m. 19. North Carolina 2-0 341 19 15. Cincinnati 2-0 21 Southern Cal ...... 18½...... at Washington 12. Central Missouri 3-0 320 13 Rhode Island at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m. No. 13 Virginia Tech vs. No. 19 Nebraska, 3:30 20. Georgia 1-1 333 21 16. Georgia 1-1 19 at UCLA...... 12½...... Kansas St. 13. Albany St. (Ga.) 3-0 301 12 Maine at Albany, N.Y., 4 p.m. p.m. 21. Cincinnati 2-0 328 23 17. Miami 1-0 17 Fla. International at Rutgers, 5 p.m. at Virginia Tech ...... 5...... Nebraska 14. Catawba (N.C.) 3-0 262 17 22. Miami 1-0 291 22 18. Houston 2-0 — Columbia at Fordham, 6 p.m. No. 15 TCU vs. Texas State, 7 p.m. at Notre Dame ...... 10...... Michigan St. 15. Chadron St. (Neb.) 2-1 258 15 23. Kansas 2-0 195 25 19. Oklahoma State 1-1 6 Liberty at Lafayette, 6 p.m. No. 16 Oklahoma State vs. Rice, 7 p.m. Ohio St.-x...... 20½...... Toledo 16. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 1-1 230 18 24. Oregon State 2-0 118 24 20. TCU 1-0 — Navy at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. No. 17 Cincinnati at Oregon State, 6:45 p.m. at Auburn...... 7...... West Virginia 17. Tuskegee (Ala.) 2-1 211 14 25. Missouri 2-0 104 — 21. North Carolina 2-0 22 Brown at Stony Brook, 6 p.m. No. 18 Utah at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. at Florida ...... 29½...... Tennessee 18. Ashland (Ohio) 2-1 183 19 Villanova at Penn, 7 p.m. Dropped out: Notre Dame (20) 22. Kansas 2-0 — SMU...... 6...... at Washington St. 19. Tarleton St. (Texas) 3-0 178 22 Northwestern at Syracuse, 7 p.m. No. 22 Kansas vs. Duke, Noon 23. Utah 2-0 23 San Diego St...... 3½...... at Idaho Others receiving votes: Michigan 84, Houston 69, Texas Tech 68, 20. Wayne St. (Neb.) 3-0 157 23 Coastal Carolina at Towson, 7 p.m. No. 23 Georgia at Arkansas, 7:45 p.m. Pitt 40, Notre Dame 32, Auburn 30, Iowa 27, Florida State 19, Oregon 24. Michigan 2-0 — Nevada...... 3...... at Colorado St. 21. Indiana (Pa.) 3-0 136 t24 No. 24 North Carolina vs. East Carolina, Noon 16, West Virginia 16, South Florida 13, UCLA 13, Kentucky 9, Arizona 25. Oregon State 2-0 24 SOUTH Bowling Green ...... 3...... at Marshall 22. Washburn (Kan.) 3-0 113 NR No. 25 Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan, Noon 4, Central Michigan 2, Colorado State 2, Minnesota 2, Northwestern Dropped out: Notre Dame (16), Michigan State (18), Oregon (20), Boston College at Clemson, Noon California ...... 14...... at Minnesota 23. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.) 2-1 88 16 2, Arkansas 1, South Carolina 1, Tulsa 1. Missouri (24). Louisville at Kentucky, Noon at UCF ...... 4...... Buffalo 24. Midwestern St. (Texas) 3-0 69 NR East Carolina at North Carolina, Noon at Oklahoma St...... 32½...... Rice 25. Augustana (S.D.) 3-0 66 NR North Texas at Alabama, 12:20 p.m. at Oklahoma ...... 17½...... Tulsa The Associated Press Division I-AA Old Dominion at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Record Pts Pvs Record Pts Pvs Morehead St. at N.C. Central, 1:30 p.m. at Baylor...... 10...... Connecticut 1. Florida (56) 2-0 1,491 1 1. Richmond (122) 2-0 3,607 1 Chattanooga at Presbyterian, 1:30 p.m. at Texas A&M...... 19...... Utah St. Miles at Samford, 3 p.m. at Kentucky ...... 13½...... Louisville 2. Texas (1) 2-0 1,404 2 2. Villanova (13) 2-0 3,369 3 TV schedule Savannah St. at McNeese St., 8 p.m. SOUTHWEST 3. USC (1) 2-0 1,396 3 3. Northern Iowa (6) 1-1 3,271 4 Tennessee at Florida, 3:30 p.m. Iowa St...... 3...... at Kent St. Middle Tennessee at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. Tenn.-Martin at Memphis, 8 p.m. Tulsa at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. 4. Alabama (2) 2-0 1,328 4 4. Montana 2-0 3,075 5 Today Virginia Tech, ABC at BYU...... 7½...... Florida St. Hofstra at Richmond, 3:30 p.m. Connecticut at Baylor, 5 p.m. at Arkansas ...... 1...... Georgia 5. Mississippi 1-0 1,145 6 5. William & Mary (2) 2-0 2,865 7 9 p.m. No. 18 Utah at Oregon, ESPN MIDWEST Rice at Oklahoma St., 7 p.m. No. 10 Boise State at Fresno *Arizona at Iowa, ABC Virginia at Southern Miss., 3:30 p.m. Air Force ...... 17...... at New Mexico 5. Penn State 2-0 1,145 7 6. New Hampshire (1) 2-0 2,701 9 UAB at Troy, 3:30 p.m. Duke at Kansas, Noon Texas St. at TCU, 7 p.m. 7. James Madison 0-1 2,618 6 State, ESPN Michigan State at Notre E. Michigan at Michigan, Noon Utah St. at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. UTEP ...... 14...... at New Mexico St. 7. BYU 2-0 1,122 9 Dame, NBC Nebraska at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. 8. California 2-0 1,058 10 8. McNeese State (1) 2-0 2,358 16 Grambling St. at Jackson St., 4:30 p.m. California at Minnesota, Noon Texas College at Texas Southern, 7 p.m. at Texas...... 17½...... Texas Tech Saturday Indiana at Akron, ESPNU N. Illinois at Purdue, Noon Georgia at Arkansas, 7:45 p.m. at UNLV...... 7...... Hawaii 9. LSU 2-0 951 11 9. Southern Illinois 0-1 2,296 8 Noon 6:45 p.m. Campbell at Davidson, 6 p.m. VMI at James Madison, 6 p.m. Ohio St. vs. Toledo at Cleveland, Noon Texas Tech at Texas, 8 p.m. at Stanford...... 17...... San Jose St. 10. Boise State 2-0 945 12 10. Appalachian State 0-2 2,241 2 *Temple at No. 5 Penn State, No. 17 Cincinnati at Oregon Wofford at Wisconsin, Noon 11. Ohio State 1-1 840 8 11. Elon 2-0 2,219 10 Big Ten Network State, FSN Ark.-Pine Bluff at MVSU, 6 p.m. at Oregon St...... 1...... Cincinnati Hampton at N. Carolina A&T, 6 p.m. Hanover at Butler, 1 p.m. FAR WEST 12. Oklahoma 1-1 835 13 12. Cal Poly 1-0 1,885 12 No. 8 California at Minnesota, 7 p.m. at Rutgers ...... 15½...... Fla. Int’l Gardner-Webb at N.C. State, 6 p.m. Furman at Missouri, 2 p.m. Portland St. at Montana, 3:05 p.m. at Alabama ...... 38...... North Texas 13. Virginia Tech 1-1 749 14 13. Weber State 0-2 1,719 11 ESPN Florida State at No. 7 BYU, Indiana at Akron, 3:30 p.m. Wyoming at Colorado, 3:30 p.m. Duke at No. 22 Kansas, Versus Versus William & Mary at Norfolk St., 6 p.m. at Maryland...... 6½...... Middle Tenn. 14. Georgia Tech 2-0 683 15 14. Wofford 1-1 1,612 14 Elon at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. Alcorn St. at Cent. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Utah at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. 15. South Carolina St. (1) 2-0 1,515 15 East Carolina at No. 24 North Louisiana-Lafayette at No. 9 Michigan St. at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Southern Cal at Washington, 3:30 p.m. at South Carolina ...... 21...... Fla. Atlantic 15. TCU 1-0 609 16 Carolina, ESPN2 LSU, ESPNU Jacksonville St. at Alabama A&M, 7 p.m. 16. Oklahoma State 1-1 445 5 16. Central Arkansas 0-1 1,503 13 Tennessee Tech at E. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Arizona at Iowa, 3:35 p.m. Marist at San Diego, 4 p.m. at Troy ...... 6½...... UAB *Eastern Michigan at No. 25 7:45 p.m. Murray St. at Missouri St., 4 p.m. N. Colorado at E. Washington, 4:05 p.m. at LSU ...... 27...... La.-Lafayette 17. Cincinnati 2-0 407 23 17. Massachusetts 1-1 1,346 17 Michigan, Big Ten Network No. 23 Georgia at Arkansas, W. Carolina at Georgia Southern, 7 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU, 7 p.m. St. Francis, Pa. at N. Iowa, 5:05 p.m. Nevada at Colorado St., 5 p.m. at Arizona St...... 19½...... Louisiana-Monroe 18. Utah 2-0 405 17 18. South Dakota State 1-0 1,089 21 Louisville at Kentucky, ESPNU ESPN Drake at South Dakota, 5:05 p.m. San Diego St. at Idaho, 5 p.m. 19. Nebraska 2-0 365 22 19. Texas State 1-0 977 19 *Northern Illinois at Purdue, West Virginia at Auburn, ESPN2 Nicholls St. at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. x-at Cleveland Bowling Green at Marshall, 7 p.m. Iowa St. at Kent St., 7 p.m. SMU at Washington St., 5 p.m. 20. Miami 1-0 364 20 20. Maine 2-0 973 20 Big Ten Network 8 p.m. Wagner at N. Dakota St., 7 p.m. S. Utah at N. Arizona, 5:05 p.m. *Wofford at Wisconsin, Big Ten Texas Tech at No. 2 Texas, ABC North Dakota at Northwestern St., 7 p.m. 21. Houston 2-0 341 — 21. Eastern Washington 1-1 572 18 Florida Atlantic at South Carolina, 7 p.m. Cal Poly at Ohio, 7 p.m. Cincinnati at Oregon St., 6:45 p.m. 22. Kansas 2-0 271 24 22. Eastern Kentucky 0-1 505 22 Network Kansas State at UCLA, FSN Indiana St. at S. Dakota St., 7 p.m. Florida St. at BYU, 7 p.m. 3:30 p.m. *—Regional telecast Charleston Southern at South Florida, 7 p.m. 23. Georgia 1-1 260 21 23. Holy Cross 2-0 476 25 Tennessee St. at Southern U., 7 p.m. SW Baptist at S. Illinois, 7 p.m. Air Force at New Mexico, 7:30 p.m. Tennessee at No. 1 Florida, CBS E. Illinois at SE Missouri, 7 p.m. UTEP at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. 24. North Carolina 2-0 250 19 24. Jacksonville State 0-2 471 23 *No. 3 USC at Washington, ABC Mississippi St. at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. 25. Michigan 2-0 169 — 25. Harvard 0-0 267 24 Cent. Arkansas at W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at W. Michigan, 7 p.m. Idaho St. at Weber St., 8:05 p.m. Tulsa at No. 12 Oklahoma, FSN Stephen F.Austin at W. Illinois, 7:05 p.m. San Jose St. at Stanford, 9 p.m. Dropped out: Notre Dame (18), Missouri (25) Others receiving votes: Eastern Illinois 241, Liberty 205, Florida A&M 182, *No. 19 Nebraska at No. 13 SE Louisiana at Mississippi, 7:30 p.m. Buffalo at UCF, 7:30 p.m. Austin Peay at Illinois St., 7:30 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe at Arizona St., 10 p.m. Others receiving votes: Missouri 93, Pitt 87, Oregon State 64, Texas Delaware 177, Furman 124, Colgate 100, Grambling St. 89, Hofstra 82, Ala- Kansas St. at UCLA, 10:15 p.m. Tech 54, UCLA 44, Notre Dame 40, West Virginia 30, Auburn 26, Iowa 23, bama A&M 77, Samford 71, Montana St. 64, Youngstown St. 53, Pennsylvania West Virginia at Auburn, 7:45 p.m. Edward Waters at Alabama St., 8 p.m. Hawaii at UNLV, 11 p.m. Conference standings, Page 17 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 17 Conference standings ACC BIG EAST BIG TEN BIG 12 CONFERENCE USA MAC Atlantic Conference All Games Conference All Games North East East Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA Conference All Games Conference All Games Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Cincinnati 1 0 47 15 2 0 117 18 Indiana 0 0 0 0 2 0 42 32 W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA Boston College 0 0 0 0 2 0 88 7 Pittsburgh 0 0 0 0 2 0 92 30 Iowa 0 0 0 0 2 0 52 19 Kansas 0 0 0 0 2 0 83 10 Southern Miss. 1 0 26 19 2 0 78 19 Akron 0 0 0 0 1 1 48 31 N.C. State 0 0 0 0 1 1 68 14 West Virginia 0 0 0 0 2 0 68 40 Michigan 0 0 0 0 2 0 69 41 Missouri 0 0 0 0 2 0 64 29 UAB 1 1 77 59 1 1 77 59 Bowling Green 0 0 0 0 1 1 51 41 Wake Forest 0 0 0 0 1 1 45 41 Louisville 0 0 0 0 1 0 30 10 Minnesota 0 0 0 0 2 0 43 33 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 2 0 87 12 East Carolina 0 0 0 0 1 1 49 59 Buffalo 0 0 0 0 1 1 50 71 Maryland 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 52 South Florida 0 0 0 0 1 0 40 7 Northwestern 0 0 0 0 2 0 74 38 Iowa St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 37 52 Marshall 0 0 0 0 1 1 41 80 Kent St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 25 34 Clemson 0 1 27 30 1 1 64 44 Connecticut 0 0 0 0 1 1 33 28 Penn St. 0 0 0 0 2 0 59 14 Kansas St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 36 34 Memphis 0 0 0 0 0 2 28 76 Ohio 0 0 0 0 1 1 47 53 Florida St. 0 1 34 38 0 1 34 38 Syracuse 0 0 0 0 0 2 27 51 Wisconsin 0 0 0 0 2 0 62 51 Colorado 0 0 0 0 0 2 55 77 UCF 0 1 19 26 1 1 47 50 Temple 0 0 0 0 0 1 24 27 Rutgers 0 1 15 47 0 1 15 47 Ohio St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 27 Miami (Ohio) 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 90 Coastal Purdue 0 0 0 0 1 0 52 31 South West Conference All Games Saturday’s games Illinois 0 0 0 0 1 1 54 54 Conference All Games Conference All Games West W L PF PA W L PF PA Louisville at Kentucky, Noon Michigan St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 71 32 W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA Conference All Games Georgia Tech 1 1 47 60 2 1 84 77 Connecticut at Baylor, 5 p.m. Texas Tech 0 0 0 0 2 0 93 23 SMU 1 0 35 33 2 0 66 56 W L PF PA W L PF PA Miami 2 0 38 34 2 0 71 51 Fla. International at Rutgers, 5 p.m. Saturday’s games Texas 0 0 0 0 2 0 100 30 Tulsa 1 0 37 13 2 0 81 23 Cent. Michigan 0 0 0 0 1 1 35 46 North Carolina 0 0 0 0 2 0 52 16 Navy at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. Wofford at Wisconsin, Noon Baylor 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 21 Houston 0 0 0 0 2 0 100 42 N. Illinois 0 0 0 0 1 1 61 35 Duke 0 0 0 0 1 1 51 43 Cincinnati at Oregon St., 6:45 p.m. Temple at Penn St., Noon Texas A&M 0 0 0 0 1 0 41 6 UTEP 0 0 0 0 0 2 24 57 Toledo 0 0 0 0 1 1 85 90 Virginia Tech 0 0 0 0 1 1 76 44 Northwestern at Syracuse, 7 p.m. Ohio St. vs. Toledo at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Noon Oklahoma St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 59 55 Rice 0 1 24 44 0 2 34 99 Ball St. 0 0 0 0 0 2 26 43 Virginia 0 0 0 0 0 2 28 56 Charleston Southern at South Florida, 7 p.m. N. Illinois at Purdue, Noon Oklahoma 0 0 0 0 1 1 77 14 Tulane 0 1 13 37 0 2 16 91 E. Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 2 38 54 West Virginia at Auburn, 7:45 p.m. E. Michigan at Michigan, Noon W. Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 2 26 54 Thursday’s game Nebraska at Virginia Tech, 3:30 California at Minnesota, Noon Saturday’s games Iowa St. at Kent St., 7 p.m. Saturday’s games Bowling Green at Marshall, 7 Miami 33, Georgia Tech 17 p.m. Indiana at Akron, 3:30 p.m. Duke at Kansas, Noon Rice at Oklahoma St., 7 p.m. East Carolina at North Carolina, p.m. Saturday’s games Cal Poly at Ohio, 7 p.m. Virginia at Southern Miss., 3:30 Michigan St. at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Furman at Missouri, 2 p.m. Texas Tech at Texas, 8 p.m. Noon Buffalo at UCF, 7:30 p.m. Temple at Penn St., Noon Iowa St. at Kent St., 7 p.m. Saturday’s games p.m. Arizona at Iowa, 3:35 p.m. Wyoming at Colorado, 3:30 Kansas St. at UCLA, 10:15 p.m. UAB at Troy, 3:30 p.m. Tenn.-Martin at Memphis, 8 Ball St. at Army, Noon Miami (Ohio) at W. Michigan, Duke at Kansas, Noon Gardner-Webb at N.C. State, Northwestern at Syracuse, 7 p.m. p.m. Tulsa at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. p.m. Ohio St. vs. Toledo at Cleveland 7 p.m. Boston College at Clemson, 6 p.m. Tulsa at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. Virginia at Southern Miss., 3:30 UTEP at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Browns Stadium, Noon Bowling Green at Marshall, 7 Noon Elon at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. Nebraska at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. N. Illinois at Purdue, Noon p.m. East Carolina at North Carolina, Florida St. at BYU, 7 p.m. p.m. SMU at Washington St., 5 p.m. E. Michigan at Michigan, Noon Buffalo at UCF, 7:30 p.m. Noon Connecticut at Baylor, 5 p.m. Rice at Oklahoma St., 7 p.m. Indiana at Akron, 3:30 p.m. Middle Tennessee at Maryland, Utah St. at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. Alcorn St. at Cent. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. MOUNTAIN WEST PAC-10 SEC SUN BELT WAC INDEPENDENTS Conference All Games Conference All Games East Conference All Games Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA Army 1 1 46 49 BYU 0 0 0 0 2 0 68 16 Stanford 1 0 39 13 1 1 56 37 W L PF PA W L PF PA La.-Lafayette 0 0 0 0 2 0 59 34 Idaho 1 0 21 6 1 0 21 6 Navy 1 1 59 45 Colorado St. 0 0 0 0 2 0 47 40 Arizona 0 0 0 0 2 0 53 23 Georgia 1 0 41 37 1 1 51 61 Arkansas St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 70 38 Hawaii 0 0 0 0 2 0 63 40 Notre Dame 1 1 69 38 Utah 0 0 0 0 2 0 59 31 California 0 0 0 0 2 0 111 20 Florida 0 0 0 0 2 0 118 9 La.-Monroe 0 0 0 0 1 1 78 59 Boise St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 8 TCU 0 0 0 0 1 0 30 14 Oregon St. 0 0 0 0 2 0 57 28 Kentucky 0 0 0 0 1 0 42 0 Middle Tenn. 0 0 0 0 1 1 45 51 Fresno St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 82 34 Saturday’s games Air Force 0 0 0 0 1 1 85 20 Southern Cal 0 0 0 0 2 0 74 18 Tennessee 0 0 0 0 1 1 78 26 North Texas 0 0 0 0 1 1 50 41 Nevada 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 35 Ball St. at Army, Noon San Diego St. 0 0 0 0 1 1 49 52 UCLA 0 0 0 0 2 0 52 29 South Carolina 0 1 37 41 1 1 44 44 Fla. International 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 40 San Jose St. 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 56 Michigan St. at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. UNLV 0 0 0 0 1 1 59 26 Ariz. St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 50 3 Vanderbilt 0 1 9 23 1 1 54 23 Fla. Atlantic 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 49 Utah St. 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 35 Navy at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. Wyoming 0 0 0 0 1 1 39 63 Oregon 0 0 0 0 1 1 46 55 Troy 0 0 0 0 0 2 20 87 Louisiana Tech 0 0 0 0 0 2 27 69 New Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 2 16 85 Washington 0 0 0 0 1 1 65 54 West W. Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 2 20 98 New Mexico St. 0 1 6 21 0 1 6 21 Washington St. 0 1 13 39 0 2 33 77 Conference All Games Saturday’s games W L PF PA W L PF PA Saturday’s games Today’s game Utah at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Saturday’s games Auburn 1 0 49 24 2 0 86 37 North Texas at Alabama, 12:20 p.m. Boise St. at Fresno St., 9 p.m. Wyoming at Colorado, 3:30 p.m. California at Minnesota, Noon LSU 1 0 23 9 2 0 54 32 UAB at Troy, 3:30 p.m. San Diego St. at Idaho, 5 p.m. Utah at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Alabama 0 0 0 0 2 0 74 38 Middle Tennessee at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. Saturday’s games Nevada at Colorado St., 5 p.m. Southern Cal at Washington, 3:30 p.m. Arkansas 0 0 0 0 1 0 48 10 Fla. International at Rutgers, 5 p.m. San Diego St. at Idaho, 5 p.m. Texas St. at TCU, 7 p.m. Arizona at Iowa, 3:35 p.m. Mississippi 0 0 0 0 1 0 45 14 Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU, 7 p.m. Nevada at Colorado St., 5 p.m. Florida St. at BYU, 7 p.m. SMU at Washington St., 5 p.m. Mississippi St 0 1 24 49 1 1 69 56 Cent. Arkansas at W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Utah St. at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. Air Force at New Mexico, 7:30 p.m. Cincinnati at Oregon St., 6:45 p.m. Florida Atlantic at South Carolina, 7 p.m. Nicholls St. at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Hawaii at UNLV, 11 p.m. San Jose St. at Stanford, 9 p.m. Saturday’s games lina, 7 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe at Arizona St., 10 p.m. UTEP at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe at Arizona St., 10 p.m. Louisville at Kentucky, Noon Mississippi St. at Vanderbilt, San Jose St. at Stanford, 9 p.m. Kansas St. at UCLA, 10:15 p.m. North Texas at Alabama, 12:20 7 p.m. Hawaii at UNLV, 11 p.m. p.m. SE Louisiana at Mississippi, Tennessee at Florida, 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU, 7 Georgia at Arkansas, 7:45 p.m. p.m. West Virginia at Auburn, 7:45 Florida Atlantic at South Caro- p.m.

WEEKDAYS 10AM–1PM ET Listen on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 127, online at SportingNews.com or check your local listings for broadcast times in your area. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 18

INSIDE DISH Colts’ Gonzalez could miss half the season with knee injury

WIN * MONDAY † THURSDAY ‡ SATURDAY § THANKSGIVING DAY 2009 SCOREBOARD LOSS ^ IN LONDON ° CHRISTMAS DAY ◊ IN TORONTO AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST

NE NYJ MIA BUF BAL PIT CLE CIN IND TEN HOU JAC SD DEN KC OAK W-L 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 Pct. 1.000 1.000 .000 .000 1.000 1.000 .000 .000 1.000 .000 .000 .000 1.000 1.000 .000 .000 PF 25 24 7 24 38 13 20 7 14 10 7 12 24 12 24 20 PA 24 7 19 25 24 10 34 12 12 13 24 14 20 7 38 24 Div. 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 AFC 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 1 BUF* @HOU @ATL @NE* KC TEN † MIN DEN JAC @PIT † NYJ @IND @OAK* @CIN @BAL SD* 2 @NYJ NE IND* TB @SD @CHI @DEN @GB @MIA* HOU @TEN ARI BAL CLE OAK @KC 3 ATL TEN @SD NO CLE @CIN @BAL PIT @ARI @NYJ JAC @HOU MIA @OAK @PHI DEN 4 BAL @NO BUF @MIA @NE SD CIN @CLE SEA @JAC OAK TEN @PIT DAL NYG @HOU 5 @DEN @MIA* NYJ* CLE CIN @DET @BUF @BAL @TEN IND @ARI @SEA — NE DAL @NYG 6 TEN BUF — @NYJ @MIN CLE @PIT HOU — @NE @CIN STL DEN † @SD* @WAS PHI 7 TB ^ @OAK NO @CAR — MIN GB CHI @STL — SF — @KC — SD NYJ AJ MAST / AP 8 — MIA @NYJ HOU DEN — @CHI — SF JAC @BUF @TEN OAK @BAL — @SD With Anthony Gonzalez, above, hurt, the Colts are expected to sign ex-Eagle Hank Baskett. 9 MIA — @NE — @CIN @DEN* — BAL HOU @SF @IND KC @NYG PIT* @JAC — 10 @IND JAC TB @TEN @CLE* CIN BAL* @PIT NE BUF — @NYJ PHI @WAS @OAK KC WR Anthony Gonzalez may be out longer receptions for 1,052 yards and six TDs. 11 NYJ @NE @CAR † @JAC IND @KC @DET @OAK @BAL @HOU* TEN* BUF @DEN SD PIT CIN than the Colts first feared, and the team 12 @NO* CAR @BUF MIA PIT @BAL @CIN CLE @HOU ARI IND @SF KC NYG § @SD @DAL § appears to have a replacement for him. After Jets coach Rex Ryan said he’s not 13 @MIA ◊ BUF † NE ◊ NYJ † @GB* OAK SD DET TEN @IND @JAC HOU @CLE @KC DEN @PIT Coach Jim Caldwell said the third-year receiver kissing Bill Belichick’s rings, S Kerry Rhodes 14 CAR @TB @JAC @KC DET @CLE † PIT † @MIN DEN STL SEA MIA @DAL @IND BUF WAS could miss up to two months after spraining went a step farther in heating up Sunday’s 15 @BUF ATL @ TEN NE CHI GB @KC @SD @JAC † MIA @STL IND † CIN OAK CLE @DEN ligaments in his right knee during the 14-12 matchup at the Meadowlands. Rhodes said 16 JAC @IND HOU @ATL @PIT BAL OAK KC NYJ SD° @MIA @NE @TEN° @PHI @CIN @CLE victory over Jacksonville Sunday. Indianapo- he not only wants to beat the Patriots, he 17 @HOU CIN PIT IND @OAK @MIA JAC @NYJ @BUF @SEA NE @CLE WAS KC @DEN BAL lis will sign former Eagles WR Hank Baskett to wants to “embarrass” them. Since 2003, take Gonzalez’s place, ESPN reported. the Patriots are 11-2 against the Jets, includ- “Since Anthony’s going to be out a while, ing a playoff win in 2006. hopefully we can catch him up as soon as pos- “You go out from the first quarter on, from followed by a two-week team suspension. Patriots ILB Jerod Mayo is wearing a The Kansas City Star reported that sible,” QB Peyton Manning said about Baskett. the first play on, and try to embarrass them,” Other than stating he has been completely brace on his injured right knee and walk- Chiefs QB Matt Cassel (knee) was limited in “It’s a lot of offense to learn in a couple of days, Rhodes told the New York Daily News. “Not healthy “a long time,” Marshall talked in ing with crutches. Last year’s NFL Defen- practice Thursday and that his status for but he’s a veteran, so he could help us.” just go out there and try to win, try to embar- circles, deflecting every question about his sive Rookie of the Year walked through Week 2 is uncertain. Cassell said he is mak- The Colts play Miami on Monday night. rass them. Try to make them feel bad when personal situation and relationship with New England’s locker room and into the ing good progress and his mobility is Losing Gonzalez for an extended period is a they leave here. We want to send a message to the franchise and teammates. training room on Thursday. He did not talk improved greatly over last week. big blow to the Colts, who expected their 2007 them: ‘We’re not backing down from you and In the opener in Cincinnati, he had two with reporters. first-round pick to replace Marvin Harrison in the we expect to win this game, and it’s not going drops, including a deep ball down the seam Mayo sprained the MCL in the first quar- Texans CB Dunta Robinson has been lineup. Harrison was released in February. to be luck, it’s not going to be a mistake.’ ” that went through his hands. Marshall ter of Monday night’s 25-24 win over the fined $25,000 by the team for the “pay me Baskett gives the Colts some intriguing needs to prove he still has the downfield Bills and could miss up to eight weeks, The Rick” shoes he wore during Sunday’s possibilities. At 6-4, 220 pounds, he’s big- Broncos WR Brandon Marshall spoke to speed to gain separation from cornerbacks Boston Globe reported. The Patriots said game. It was first reported by the Houston ger than any other Indy receiver. In three the media for the first time since his well- and be classified as a top-tier receiver. only that he had a knee injury and did not Chronicle. The shoes targeted G.M. Rick years with the Eagles, he has 72 career publicized fit at practice Aug. 26 that was — Lee Rasizer practice Wednesday. Smith. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 19

INSIDE DISH Eagles aren’t ruling out McNabb for Sunday WIN * MONDAY † THURSDAY ‡ SATURDAY § THANKSGIVING DAY 2009 SCOREBOARD LOSS ^ IN LONDON ° CHRISTMAS DAY ◊ IN TORONTO NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST

NYG PHI DAL WAS GB MIN DET CHI NO ATL TB CAR SEA SF ARI STL W-L 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 Pct. 1.000 1.000 1000 0.000 1.000 1.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 1.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 1.000 0.000 0.000 PF 23 38 34 17 21 34 27 15 45 19 21 10 28 20 16 0 PA 17 10 21 23 15 20 45 21 27 7 34 38 0 16 20 28 Div. 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 NFC 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1 WAS @CAR @TB @NYG CHI @CLE @NO @GB DET MIA DAL PHI STL @ARI SF @SEA 2 @DAL NO NYG STL CIN @DET MIN PIT @PHI CAR @BUF @ATL @SF SEA @ JAC @WAS 3 @TB KC CAR* @DET @STL SF WAS @SEA @BUF @NE NYG @DAL CHI @MIN IND GB 4 @KC — @DEN TB @MIN* GB* @CHI DET NYJ — @WAS — @IND STL — @SF 5 OAK TB @KC @CAR — @STL PIT — — @SF @PHI WAS JAC ATL HOU MIN 6 @NO @OAK — @KC DET BAL @GB @ATL NYG CHI CAR @TB ARI — @SEA @JAC 7 ARI @WAS* ATL PHI* @CLE @PIT — @CIN @MIA @DAL NE ^ BUF — @HOU @NYG IND 8 @PHI NYG SEA — MIN @GB STL CLE ATL* @NO* — @ARI @DAL @IND CAR @DET 9 SD DAL @PHI @ATL @TB — @SEA ARI CAR WAS GB @NO DET TEN @CHI — BARBARA JOHNSTON / AP 10 — @SD @GB DEN DAL DET @MIN @SF † @STL @CAR @MIA ATL @ARI CHI † SEA NO If Donovan McNabb, right, is out this week, Jeff Garcia, left, will back up QB Kevin Kolb. 11 ATL @CHI WAS @DAL SF SEA CLE PHI @TB @NYG NO MIA † @MIN @GB @STL ARI The Eagles aren’t giving up hope of having serve one more week of his league-man- 12 @DEN § WAS OAK § @PHI @DET § CHI GB § @MIN NE* TB @ATL @NYJ @STL JAC TEN SEA Donovan McNabb on the field when they play dated suspension, split the remaining snaps 13 DAL @ATL @NYG NO BAL* @ARI @CIN STL @WAS PHI @CAR TB SF @SEA MIN @CHI their home opener Sunday against the Saints. and worked with the scout team. 14 PHI @NYG SD @OAK @CHI CIN @BAL GB @ATL NO NYJ @NE @HOU ARI* @SF* @TEN McNabb, who fractured a rib in Philadel- 15 @WAS* SF @NO ‡ NYG* @PIT @CAR ARI @BAL DAL ‡ @NYJ @SEA MIN TB @PHI @DET HOU phia’s 38-10 win at Carolina Sunday, made a Chris Canty’s return to Dallas is in doubt. 16 CAR DEN @WAS DAL SEA @CHI* @SF MIN* TB BUF @NO @NYG @GB DET STL @ARI brief appearance on the practice field Thursday The Giants’ defensive tackle missed practice 17 @MIN @DAL PHI @SD @ARI NYG CHI @DET @CAR @TB ATL NO TEN @STL GB SF afternoon but did not take part in any drills. on Thursday with a calf injury and his status “You know Donovan, he’s doing every- for Sunday night’s game at the Cowboys’ new thing in his power to get back out there, make stadium in Arlington is uncertain. it to this game,” offensive coordinator Marty Canty, who left Dallas to sign with the tice Thursday. said. “But we can’t dwell on it. I can’t dwell The Bears have placed CB Trumaine McBride Mornhinweg said. “He’s played with a broken Giants as a free agent, was hurt in practice Bryant had arthroscopic surgery in early on it. The city is obviously a little bit disap- on the waived/injured list and claimed CB ankle, a broken sternum and all these things. on Wednesday. He received treatment on August to repair a torn meniscus in his left pointed as well. We’re going to bounce back. DeAngelo Smith off waivers from the Browns. Donovan is a very tough man.” Thursday while the team practiced. LB knee and left the season-opening game I’m going to bounce back. We’re going to get Smith was drafted by Dallas in the fifth round If McNabb isn’t available, the Eagles will Michael Boley (hip) showed improvement and against Dallas early because of knee fatigue. better, that I can promise you.” in the spring but did not make the final cut. go with Kevin Kolb, the team’s second-round has a shot to play. He spent 10 days with Cleveland before get- draft pick in 2007. Kolb would make his Coming off his four-interception debut The Lions have acquired DE Turk McBride ting waived on Wednesday. The Bears will first start and would be backed up by vet- Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant has with the Bears, Jay Cutler says he is “confi- on waivers from the Chiefs. McBride had won’t have two starters—TE Desmond Clark (rib) eran Jeff Garcia, who as signed Tuesday. regressed in his recovery from preseason dent” he’ll play better Sunday against Pitts- been playing outside linebacker in Kansas and OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) available on Kolb took nearly all the reps with the first knee surgery, and he isn’t sure to play Sun- burgh, NFL.com reported. City’s new 3-4 scheme after being a starter Sunday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Greg team on Thursday. Garcia and , day at Buffalo, The Tampa Tribune reported. “I’m disappointed in my performance. I most of last year at end. He was a second- Olsen will fill in at tight end, and Nick Roach will who is on the active roster but still must Bryant didn’t participate in the team’s prac- let the guys down (with) four picks,” Cutler round choice by the Chiefs in 2007. start at outside linebacker. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 20 Standings Former Lions coach Clark dies at 72 PATRIOTS: DNP: LB Jerod Mayo (knee). LIMITED: C Dan Injury report Connolly (back), WR Julian Edelman (ankle), LB Rob NEW YORK—The AFC Ninkovich (calf), DT Myron Pryor (calf), WR Matt Slater injury report, as provided by the league (OUT - DETROIT—Monte Clark, who coached the (elbow), LB Adalius Thomas (foot), WR Wes Welker East W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div Definitely will not play; DNP - Did not practice; (knee), CB Terrence Wheatley (knee). FULL: QB Tom Detroit Lions for seven years and led LIMITED - Limited participation in practice; FULL - Full New England 1 0 0 1.000 25 24 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 Brady (right shoulder). JETS: LIMITED: DT Kris Jenkins N.Y. Jets 1 0 0 1.000 24 7 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 them to the playoffs in 1982 and 1983, has participation in practice): NOTE: An injury report for (back), DT Sione Pouha (ankle), T Damien Woody (ill- Buffalo 0 1 0 .000 24 25 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 Monday’s game was not included. died. He was 72. ness), WR Wallace Wright (hamstring). FULL: QB Kellen Miami 0 1 0 .000 7 19 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 SUNDAY Clemens (right elbow), DE Mike Devito (hamstring), He died Wednesday night at Henry AT JACKSONVILLE RB Shonn Greene (rib), LB Bryan Thomas (ankle), LB South W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div Ford Hospital in Detroit, the team said JAGUARS — CARDINALS: DNP: WR Steve Breaston Jamaal Westerman (quadricep). (knee), DE Kenny Iwebema (ankle), LB Chike Okeafor Thursday. He had a bone marrow malig- AT PHILADELPHIA Indianapolis 1 0 0 1.000 14 12 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 (shoulder), S Matt Ware (shoulder). LIMITED: WR nancy associated with lung and liver EAGLES — SAINTS: DNP: T Jammal Brown (hip), T Houston 0 1 0 .000 7 24 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 Anquan Boldin (hamstring), WR Early Doucet (ribs), Jermon Bushrod (ankle), DT Kendrick Clancy (knee), TE Jacksonville 0 1 0 .000 12 14 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 disease. WR Sean Morey (ribs), QB Brian St. Pierre (back). FULL: Tennessee 0 1 0 .000 10 13 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 Darnell Dinkins (foot), CB Tracy Porter (knee), TE Jeremy Clark was the offensive line coach for G Reggie Wells (thumb). JAGUARS: DNP: TE Zach Miller Shockey (ankle). LIMITED: S Roman Harper (thigh, (knee), CB Brian Witherspoon (hamstring). North W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div the team that went 17-0 hamstring). FULL: RB Pierre Thomas (knee), S Usama BALTIMORE RAVENS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS in 1972. He became the Lions’ coach in Young (shoulder). EAGLES: OUT: G Todd Herremans Baltimore 1 0 0 1.000 38 24 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 — RAVENS: DNP: LB Terrell Suggs (concussion, chest), (foot). DNP: S Quintin Demps (hamstring), LB Joe Mays Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1.000 13 10 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 1978. S Tom Zbikowski (concussion). LIMITED: S Ed Reed (con- (shoulder), QB Donovan McNabb (rib). LIMITED: WR Cincinnati 0 1 0 .000 7 12 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 cussion), TE L.J. Smith (hamstring). FULL: LB Tavares “Monte will always be remembered as a DeSean Jackson (groin). FULL: WR Kevin Curtis (knee), Cleveland 0 1 0 .000 20 34 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 Gooden (knee). CHARGERS: Practice Not Complete. consummate football man,” Lions presi- T (elbow), G Max Jean-Gilles (knee), T CAROLINA PANTHERS AT — (shoulder). West W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div dent Tom Lewand said. “He knew football PANTHERS: DNP: S Chris Harris (knee), DT Nick Hayden OAKLAND RAIDERS AT — inside and out, and had a passion for it. He (toe), CB Sherrod Martin (knee), RB Jonathan Stewart San Diego 1 0 0 1.000 24 20 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 RAIDERS: Practice Not Complete. CHIEFS: LIMITED: QB (heel). LIMITED: DE Everette Brown (ankle), DE Charles Denver 1 0 0 1.000 12 7 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 played the game at a high level and had suc- Matt Cassel (knee), CB Brandon Flowers (shoulder). Johnson (knee), T Jeff Otah (shoulder). FALCONS: Kansas City 0 1 0 .000 24 38 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 cess wherever he coached.” AT CHICAGO BEARS — LIMITED: K Jason Elam (left hamstring), S William Oakland 0 1 0 .000 20 24 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 STEELERS: DNP: S Tyrone Carter (not injury related), Under Clark, the Lions went 43-63-1 Moore (hamstring). FULL: DT Peria Jerry (chest). S Troy Polamalu (knee), DE Aaron Smith (not injury RICHARD SCHEINWALD / AP AT and made back-to-back postseason related), WR Hines Ward (not injury related). LIMITED: NFC — BENGALS: OUT: CB David Jones (foot), T Andre appearances for the first time since their Monte Clark was an assistant coach for the unbeaten WR Limas Sweed (foot), LB Lawrence Timmons (ankle). East W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div Smith (foot). DNP: DE Jonathan Fanene (not injury ‘72 Dolphins and led the Lions to the playoffs twice. BEARS: DNP: DE Mark Anderson (toe), TE Desmond three straight playoff runs from 1952-54. related), G Nate Livings (knee). LIMITED: RB Brian N.Y. Giants 1 0 0 1.000 23 17 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 Clark (rib), S Danieal Manning (back), CB Trumaine The Lions lost both games. Leonard (chest). FULL: T Scott Kooistra (knee). PACKERS: Dallas 1 0 0 1.000 34 21 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 McBride (knee), LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee). LIMITED: S OUT: S Atari Bigby (knee). DNP: RB Brandon Jackson Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 38 10 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 Seven players were named to 14 Pro Clark also was on Shula’s staff when Al Afalava (shoulder), DT Tommie Harris (knee), G Frank (ankle). LIMITED: K Mason Crosby (abdomen), WR Greg Washington 0 1 0 .000 17 23 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 Bowls during Clark’s stay in Detroit, Miami again won the Super Bowl in 1973. Omiyale (ankle). Jennings (wrist). FULL: CB Will Blackmon (quadricep), AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS including lineman Al “Bubba” Baker, After his coaching stints in San Fran- DT B.J. Raji (ankle). South W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div — SEAHAWKS: OUT: LB LeRoy Hill (groin). DNP: WR running back Billy Sims and kicker Eddie cisco and Detroit, Clark returned to CLEVELAND BROWNS AT — Deion Branch (hamstring), CB Travis Fisher (hamstring), New Orleans 1 0 0 1.000 45 27 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 BROWNS: OUT: G Rex Hadnot (knee). DNP: RB James Murray. Miami as director of pro personnel in WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back spasms), T Walter Atlanta 1 0 0 1.000 19 7 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 Davis (shoulder). LIMITED: LB David Bowens (knee), Clark was born in Kingsburg, Calif., and 1990. Jones (knee), C Chris Spencer (quadricep), LB Lofa Carolina 0 1 0 .000 10 38 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 RB Jamal Lewis (neck), WR Mohamed Massaquoi Tatupu (hamstring). FULL: S C.J. Wallace (rib). 49ERS: Tampa Bay 0 1 0 .000 21 34 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 starred as an offensive lineman at Southern Clark served as offensive line coach at (shoulder), RB Cedric Peerman (thigh), DT Shaun Rog- Practice Not Complete. ers (foot). FULL: RB Jerome Harrison (knee), TE Steve California before San Francisco drafted Stanford in 1993-94 and was Miami’s ST. LOUIS RAMS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS North W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div Heiden (knee), P Dave Zastudil (right knee). BRONCOS: him in 1959. He spent three seasons with offensive line coach in 1995, Shula’s final RAMS— DNP: S Craig Dahl (hamstring), T Practice Not Complete. Green Bay 1 0 0 1.000 21 15 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 (wrist). REDSKINS: LIMITED: LB Robert Henson (illness). the 49ers and one with the season as coach of the Dolphins. He spent AT — Minnesota 1 0 0 1.000 34 20 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT before playing for the Cleveland Browns the 1998 season as offensive line coach at TEXANS: DNP: DT Shaun Cody (knee), WR Andre Davis Chicago 0 1 0 .000 15 21 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 — BUCCANEERS: DNP: CB E.J. Biggers (shoulder), C (concussion), RB Vonta Leach (knee), CB Antwaun Detroit 0 1 0 .000 27 45 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 from 1963-69. Cal-Berkeley and joined the Lions that Jeff Faine (triceps), DE Kyle Moore (groin). LIMITED: WR Molden (quadricep). LIMITED: DE Antonio Smith Clark served as an assistant in Miami year for the first of 11 seasons as a Antonio Bryant (knee), TE John Gilmore (ankle). BILLS: (illness). FULL: CB Jacques Reeves (fibula), WR Kevin West W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div DNP: DE Chris Kelsay (knee), LB Paul Posluszny (fore- from 1970-75 before becoming head coach consultant. Walter (hamstring), CB Eugene Wilson (knee). TITANS: arm). LIMITED: TE Derek Fine (hamstring), CB Drayton San Francisco 1 0 0 1.000 20 16 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 DNP: TE Jared Cook (ankle), TE Bo Scaife (knee), LB in San Francisco in 1976, leading the After his coaching career, Clark was a Florence (knee). FULL: DE Aaron Schobel (back). Seattle 1 0 0 1.000 28 0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 David Thornton (knee). FULL: P Craig Hentrich (back). 49ers to an 8-6 record. football broadcaster in Detroit and color NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS — Arizona 0 1 0 .000 16 20 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS — GIANTS: DNP: S Michael Johnson (shoulder), T Adam St. Louis 0 1 0 .000 0 28 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 Don Shula, whose 26 years as coach in analyst for the University of Michigan. He VIKINGS: DNP: LB Erin Henderson (calf). LIMITED: LB Koets (ankle), WR (foot), S Kenny Phillips Miami included the perfect 1972 season, was a sideline reporter for the Michigan Heath Farwell (hamstring), G Anthony Herrera (back). (knee), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring), RB Danny Ware FULL: TE Jim Kleinsasser (hand). LIONS: DNP: DE Cliff Schedule called Clark an “outstanding coach.” State radio network in 1992. (elbow). LIMITED: LB Michael Boley (hip), DE Chris Avril (hamstring), QB Drew Stanton (knee). LIMITED: Sunday Cincinnati at Green Bay, 1 p.m. Cleveland at Denver, 4:15 p.m. “Monte was an outstanding teacher and Survivors include Clark’s wife of 52 Canty (calf), CB Kevin Dockery (hamstring), LB Clint DT Andre Fluellen (knee), DT Grady Jackson (knee), CB Houston at Tennessee, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Dallas, 8:20 p.m. Sintim (groin). COWBOYS: DNP: S Michael Hamlin knew how to present information to his years, Charlotte, three sons and eight William James (foot), CB Eric King (shoulder). FULL: K Minnesota at Detroit, 1 p.m. Arizona at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. (wrist), LB Jason Williams (ankle). FULL: LB Curtis Monday players in a way that made it interesting grandchildren. Jason Hanson (right knee). Carolina at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 4:05 p.m. Johnson (hamstring), QB Stephen McGee (knee), QB Indianapolis at Miami, 8:30 p.m. and exciting for them,” he said in a state- Funeral arrangements are incomplete. AT NEW YORK JETS — St. Louis at Washington, 1 p.m. Seattle at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. Tony Romo (ankle), S Gerald Sensabaugh (chest). New England at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. Pittsburgh at Chicago, 4:15 p.m. ment released by the Dolphins. — The Associated Press Oakland at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Baltimore at San Diego, 4:15 p.m. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 21 Tips for the office pool The confidence pool Everything you need to know to talk trash at the water cooler: For those in weekly “con- fidence pools,” where you AFC game of the week Packers (-9) over Bengals. For deliver more often away from get more points based on which picks you’re most con- Patriots (-3 1/2) at Jets. New the second consecutive week, the face of the pass rush. York hopes that the rookie com- Cincinnati draws a 3-4 team fident about, here’s how our prognostication panel feels bination of coach Rex Ryan and with a ballhawking secondary Upset special Vinnie Dennis Steve Russ Clifton Albert Real about this week’s games: Iyer Dillon Greenberg Lande Brown Breer Scouts quarterback that can silence Chad Ochocinco. (straight up and vs. the spread) 14-2 14-2 15-1 12-4 13-3 13-3 12-4 finally will change their for- The Packers will swarm Carson Ravens over Chargers (-3). Balti- tunes against Bill Belichick and Palmer, and Green Bay QB more proved it can win by throw- Tom Brady. The home team Aaron Rodgers will provide the ing often last week, and with its should hang in there with their offensive spark with more big prolific ground game and play- 1. Packers over Bengals running game and improved plays downfield. making defense still intact, it is a defense, but count on Brady to better overall team than San 2. Vikings over Lions make one more clutch play. Shootout of the week Diego at the moment. Look for Joe (over the over/under) Flacco to outduel Philip Rivers 3. Redskins over Rams NFC game of the week Steelers at Bears (37 1/2 o/u). late to a big road victory. Giants at Cowboys (-3). Dallas will The running games likely will be inspired to break in its new sta- be slowed by two physical front Trap of the week 4. Falcons over Panthers dium with a win, and Tony Romo sevens. But with Pittsburgh Cardinals at Jaguars (-3). Arizona will deliver against New York’s safety Troy Polamalu and Chi- is trying to shake off the Super banged-up secondary. Eli Man- cago middle linebacker Brian Bowl hangover, which showed up 5. Titans over Texans ning also will play well, but his lack Urlacher both out, it will be on in Week 1 with a shaky perfor- of a go-to receiver will keep him quarterbacks Ben Roethlis- mance by . Jackson- 6. Bills over Buccaneers from a successful late comeback. berger and Jay Cutler to exploit ville will get physical to try to keep the middle of the field. Roethlis- the Cards folding. Still, the visi- Lock of the Week berger has the better downfield tors’ firepower and the Jags’ lack 7. Steelers over Bears options and also will get to thereof makes the outcome iffy. (survival pool pick and vs. the spread) — Vinnie Iyer 8. Broncos over Browns The spread Week 2 schedule OVER/UNDER CLOSING LINES 9. Patriots over Jets at Kansas City (-3 1/2) ...... 38 1/2 ...... Oakland ...... Raiders have covered in 5 of past 6 at Kansas City. Sunday Houston at Tennessee, 1 p.m. at Tennessee (-6 1/2) ...... 40 1/2 ...... Houston ...... Texans have won only 2 of past 11 road games. Minnesota at Detroit, 1 p.m. 10. Colts over Dolphins New England (-3 1/2) ...... 46 ...... at New York Jets ...... Patriots have covered in 7 of past 10 games vs. Jets. Carolina at Atlanta, 1 p.m. at Green Bay (-9) ...... 42 ...... Cincinnati ...... Bengals haven’t covered in past 5 games vs. Packers. St. Louis at Washington, 1 p.m. New England at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. 11. Raiders over Chiefs Minnesota (-10) ...... 46 1/2 ...... at Detroit ...... Lions have covered only once in past 9 home games. Oakland at Kansas City, 1 p.m. at Philadelphia (Pick ‘em) ...... 46 1/2 ...... New Orleans...... Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (ribs) questionable for game. Cincinnati at Green Bay, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. at Atlanta (-6 1/2) ...... 43 ...... Carolina ...... Falcons have won 9 of past 10 home games. 12. Giants over Cowboys Arizona at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. at Washington (-10) ...... 37 ...... St. Louis ...... Redskins have covered only once in past 6 home games. Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 4:05 p.m. at Jacksonville (-3) ...... 42 1/2 ...... Arizona ...... Jaguars have covered only once in past 8 home games. Seattle at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. 13. Cardinals over Jaguars Pittsburgh at Chicago, 4:15 p.m. at San Francisco (-1 1/2) ...... 39 1/2 ...... Seattle ...... Seahawks have covered in 4 of past 5 games. Baltimore at San Diego, 4:15 p.m. at Buffalo (5) ...... 42 ...... Tampa Bay...... Bills have failed to cover in past 5 home games. Cleveland at Denver, 4:15 p.m. 14. Eagles over Saints at Denver (-3) ...... 37 1/2 ...... Cleveland ...... Browns have failed to cover in past 5 games. N.Y. Giants at Dallas, 8:20 p.m. at San Diego (-3) ...... 40 1/2 ...... Baltimore ...... Ravens have covered in 5 of past 6 games. Monday 15. 49ers over Seahawks Pittsburgh (-3) ...... 37 1/2 ...... Chicago ...... Bears have won 6 of past 7 home games. Indianapolis at Miami, 8:30 p.m. at Dallas (-3) ...... 44 1/2 ...... New York Giants ...... Cowboys have covered in 4 of past 5 home games. Indianapolis (-3)...... 42 ...... at Miami ...... Colts have won 10 of past 11 games. 16. Ravens over Chargers — Vinnie Iyer SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 22 WEEK 2: FANTASY FOCUS

Start ’em or sit ’em For more Start ‘em, Sit ‘em advice, check out Vinnie Iyer’s GEORGE BILL BRAD MATT KYLE ‘The Decider’ column at WINKLER BENDER PINKERTON LUTOVSKY WHITFIELD fantasy.sportingnews.com/football Senior Editor, Assoc. Editor, Assoc. Editor, Assoc. Editor, Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Intern VERDICT QB vs. TB Start Start Start Sit Start Bucs’ defense gave up three long passing TDs to Dallas in Week 1 RB Willie Parker at CHI Sit Start Sit Sit Sit Big Ben is taking over as the focal point of the Steelers’ offense. RB Leon Washington vs. NE Start Start Sit Start Start Pats’ LB injury leaves short passing game open for Washington. WR Lance Moore at PHI Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit Moore seems to be losing action in fight for Drew Brees’ attention. PAUL CONNORS / AP TE Greg Olsen vs. PIT Start Sit Start Start Start If Jay Cutler’s smart, (that’s debatable) he’ll go with safer passes to the TE. Reggie Wayne torched the Jags last week, and that bodes well for Larry Fitzgerald, above.

Top 10 wide receivers Five stats to exploit Insurance policies Buffalo’s Lee Evans is a big-play specialist, Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins. If Donovan McNabb 1. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI, at JAC 1. and the Bucs allowed four 20-plus yard owners are in a bind, they should consider 2. Andre Johnson, HOU, at TEN completions to the Cowboys last week. Campbell’s matchup against the Rams. But if Johnson had four catches for 35 The Lions allowed 46 yards and two TDs McNabb owners have a solid backup and are just yards in Week 1 and faces Tennessee’s to tight ends in Week 1. Expect Visanthe physical cornerbacks. He’s still not worth 2. looking for a No. 3, Mark Sanchez has better benching. Johnson had 207 yards and a Shiancoe to be Brett Favre’s No. 1 receiver on long-term value than Campbell. TD in the last meeting with the Titans. Sunday. The Panthers committed seven turnovers Jerheme Urban, WR, Cardinals. Anquan Boldin or 3. Calvin Johnson, DET, vs. MIN 3. in Week 1; the Falcons caused four Steve Breaston owners should consider Urban 4. Randy Moss, NE, at NYJ turnovers. Simple math says Atlanta’s D/ST is a as a bench piece. He had five receptions for 74 good play against Carolina this week. 5. Reggie Wayne, IND, at MIA yards playing for the injured Breaston and The 49ers tied for second in most fantasy while Boldin wasn’t 100 percent. This week’s 6. Greg Jennings, GB, vs. CIN 4. points allowed to kickers last year (10.1), matchup versus Jacksonville should be 7. Marques Colston, NO, at PHI and they’re tied for No. 1 after one week this favorable. year (12.0). Have Seattle kicker Olindo Mare in 8. Roy Williams, DAL, vs. NYG your lineups. Hank Baskett, WR, Colts. If you’re looking for a 9. Steve Smith, CAR, at ATL The Patriots were burned by Fred Jack- potential sleeper in deep leagues, Baskett son’s 83 receiving yards in Week 1. This 10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, SEA, at SF 5. certainly is an option now that Anthony Gonza- week, they face Leon Washington, who’s an lez will miss significant time with his knee — Bill Bender even better receiver out of the backfield than injury. Jackson. — George Winkler — Matt Lutovsky TIM LARSEN / AP For a full look at the rankings, go to For all game-time decisions, check out sportingnews.com/ sportingnews.com/fantasy/football Jason Campbell’s matchup against the Rams may be one fantasy owners want to exploit. blog/FantasySourceBlitz. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 23

Q&A with ... Bears OLB Lance Briggs Pittsburgh (1-0) at Chicago (0-1)

When: Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET ‘As far as we’re concerned, we’re fine’ TV: CBS/DirecTV 715 The loss of Brian Urlacher, who’s out for the season after dislo- Weather: 75, mostly cloudy cating his wrist in the season-opening loss at Green Bay, means Line: Steelers favored by 3 Last meeting: Steelers, 21-9 (2005) Pro Bowl outside linebacker Lance Briggs and the rest of the Chicago defense will have to ratchet up their games to compen- sate. Sporting News Radio’s 2 Live Stews talked to Briggs about Steelers’ keys to success losing Urlacher, Jay Cutler’s rough start and Briggs’ passion for Corral the pass rush. The offen- comic books. 1. sive line did not play as poorly as it might have appeared Did you want to go over and yell at Jay against the Titans, even though Ben Q: Cutler when he was throwing all of those Roethlisberger was sacked four interceptions? times. He also attempted 43 passes No, it’s not like that. We all have our bad games. and, by his own admission, probably A: The thing I’m not worried about is our offense, was responsible for at least two of the and I’m definitely not worried about Jay Cutler. This is sacks by holding the ball too long. a guy I played against in the Pro Bowl. To me, we have The Bears had four sacks against the games like that. Whatever is going on with the offense, Packers in Week 1, including a safety, they’ll get their stuff fixed and we’ll jell and continue and applied lots of pressure. on. No matter what happens, defensively we had a Confuse Bears QB Jay Cutler. chance to win the game and didn’t do it. 2. If Cutler had a tough time finding receivers and figuring out When you see Cutler going through the Packers’ new 3-4 defense, he Q: struggles, as a team leader, do you go might have an even more difficult over and encourage him? time against the team that plays the We’re all grown men out there. For one, I talk 3-4 better than anyone. Cutler A: to the guys who are on the defensive side of the threw four interceptions in his ball. For two, I talk to younger guys who aren’t as experienced out there. Us older guys, the guys I’ve Bears debut, mostly because he and GENE J. PUSKAR / AP his receivers were out of sync. Steel- Ben Roethlisberger makes his share of plays, but he can hang on to the ball too long, too. been playing with for a while, they know. I don’t need ers coordinator Dick LeBeau is the to go up to Tommie Harris or Adewale (Ogunleye) or JAY DROWNS / SN master at disguising coverages. Alex Brown and tell them, ‘Hey, you’re screwing up, Lance Briggs says the Bears’ D will be OK without Brian Urlacher. best when buying time by moving with plays that feature Forte—espe- pick it up.’ They know that. Lovie Smith preaches us Contain Devin Hester in the in the pocket, especially stepping cially as a receiver—because it’s diffi- to be accountable, and that’s what we are. You know what we’re going to do? We’re 3. return game. This will be up into the pocket and finding cult to run on the Steelers, who have A: going to do exactly what we did when Brian the first time the Steelers will face receivers over the middle. DTs been in the top three against the run Has Lovie said anything to you about went down. We’re going to play great defense. the Bears’ Pro Bowl returner, which Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams for five consecutive years. Q: being more of a team leader now that We’re going to continue to do that week in and should make for the ultimate test and Marcus Harrison must get a Get Cutler, receivers on the Brian Urlacher is out for the season? week out. for their improved coverage units. better push up the middle to force 3. same page. Cutler certainly As far as we’re concerned, we’re fine. The return of punter Daniel Sep- Roethlisberger to the outside and is going to be flushed out of the A: Obviously, we lost a crucial part of our Talk to us about your social ulveda has been a plus because he is toward Adewale Ogunleye, Alex pocket by the Steelers’ blitz on Sun- defense, but Hunter (Hillenmeyer) has been in this Q: networking site for comic books. able to kick directionally and hang Brown and Mark Anderson. day afternoon. When Green Bay defense almost as long as I have and Brian has I’m a comic-book head. I got into it when I punts toward the sideline, a neces- Get Matt Forte more involved. did this to him using the same 3-4 been. We came into this season with depth at A: was a younger kid. My mom and I were sity against Hester. 2. The offense looked its best scheme, Cutler thought his receiv- linebacker. We don’t have a lot of depth now, but we always into trading baseball and football cards. To last week when Forte was the focal ers were going one way while they have guys that can fill in and play well. be honest with you, we’ve got boxes of old baseball Bears’ keys to success point, taking pressure off Jay Cutler. actually went the other. It led to two and football cards in mint condition. As soon as Get a stronger push. Ben Offensive coordinator Ron Turner of his interceptions. How are you going to cope without this (economy) comes back, we’re going to look to 1. Roethlisberger is at his must do a better job early in the game — Gene Chamberlain & Gerry Dulac Q: Urlacher? make some money off of these cards. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 24

N.Y. Giants (1-0) at Dallas (1-0) Carolina (0-1) at Atlanta (1-0)

When: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET TV: NBC TV: FOX/DirecTV 709 Weather: Retractable dome, 77, partly Weather: Dome cloudy Line: Falcons favored by 6 1/2 Line: Cowboys favored by 3 Last meeting: Falcons, 45-28 (2008) Last meeting: Cowboys, 20-8 (2008) Giants’ keys to success Panthers’ keys to success Contain the Cowboys’ receiv- Rebuild Jake Delhomme’s 1. ers. The depleted second- 1. confidence. The Panthers’ ary—again likely to be without quarterback has turned the ball cornerback Aaron Ross and per- over a ridiculous 11 times in his haps both safeties—kept the Red- past 22 possessions (not counting skins in check, limiting Santana a kneel down). The key—to not Moss to two catches for six yards only this game but the season—is and the other starting receiver, to get his head right. Mostly, that Malcolm Kelly, to one catch for six means running well and protect- yards. The next test will be much ing him against the blitz, which tougher, as Dallas QB Tony Romo is the protection scheme failed to do coming off a career-best 353-yards against the Eagles. passing game and fired three long Return the favor. There BOB LEVERONE / SN touchdown passes, one apiece for were moments last week 2. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme (17) has 11 turnovers in his past 22 possessions. wide receivers Miles Austin, Roy BILL KOSTROUN / AP when the Panthers were effec- Williams and . Mario Manningham, right, had four catches all of last season, and had three in the ‘09 opener. tive pass-rushing Eagles quar- Falcons’ keys to success 24-9 victory over the Falcons last terback Donovan McNabb. Convert on short yardage. try to put Manningham in positions marked the fourth time since Romo season. They were able to control Atlanta’s Matt Ryan is not nearly Create turnovers. Carolina 2. This was a major headache where he gets the ball in his hands on became the starter he’s had as few as the clock and keep Atlanta’s offense as mobile as McNabb, so making has been having big-time last season and was so again in the the move with room to maneuver. 27 pass attempts. The Cowboys, who 1. off the field. With Delhomme strug- him move out of the pocket will turnover issues, and the Falcons’ opener. The Giants had seven plays ran the ball 60 percent of the time gling in the passing attack, the Pan- have a bigger impact. The Pan- defense had four takeaways in the against the Redskins where they last season, vowed to run the ball thers will have no choice but to lean Cowboys’ keys to success thers also owe Ryan one for the opener. They had only 16 take- needed 2 or fewer yards and picked more to take the pressure off Romo on Williams and Stewart. 45 he dropped on them in the aways all of last season, and they’d up two first downs. Running back Control Jacobs. The Cow- and limit his opportunity to make Keep Muhsin Muhammad teams’ second meeting last like to keep the turnovers coming Brandon Jacobs was held without a 1. boys allowed 174 yards poor decisions. If they run the ball 24 under control. Muham- season. against Carolina. Newly acquired 3. first down on four of those plays. rushing and a 5.6 average per carry times against the Giants, even if they mad put on a clinic in the first linebacker Mike Peterson had his Moving the pile against the Cow- last week. They played poor gap don’t rush for 100 yards, it’ll be a Defend the middle. The meeting last season, catching hand in two of the turnovers last boys is essential, as the Dallas control and had limited success run positive because they’re controlling Panthers have tradition- eight passes for 147 yards and a 3. week, and middle linebacker Cur- defense allowed 159 rushing yards blitzing. Now, they must deal with the tempo and keeping their defense ally struggled with tight ends in touchdown while Brent Grimes tis Lofton forced one. In Delhom- and two touchdowns to the Bucca- Jacobs, who has a 5.0 average and off the field and fresh. the passing game. And now that tried to defend him. We’ll likely me’s past seven quarters, he has 11 neers’ Cadillac Williams and Der- more than 1,000 yards rushing the Falcons have added Tony see that matchup a lot on Sunday. turnovers, including nine intercep- rick Ward. each of the past two seasons. Nose Get big plays on offense. Gonzalez, they’re looking at a Though newcomer Brian Wil- tions in his last 51 passing attempts. Throw more to Mario Manning- tackle Jay Ratliff is the key. If he 3. Romo had five completions potential matchup nightmare. liams starts at left cornerback for The goal is to get a pick early and ham. can’t play strong at the point of of 20-plus yards to four receivers With strong safety Chris Harris Atlanta, he slides to the slot in 3. In the past, the Giants keep him reeling. were able to exploit the Cowboys’ attack—even against double- last week. The Cowboys must hit struggling with a balky knee (he nickel situations and Grimes smallish cornerbacks with tall receiv- teams—the defense has no chance big plays to beat the Giants because dressed but didn’t play last week), Defend the duo. The Pan- comes in to man the outside. The ers but that’s not the physical attri- to slow Jacobs. it’s unlikely they’re going to be able the Panthers have to make sure 2. thers’ excellent running Falcons mixed in a heavy dose of to consistently drive 80 yards bute of this year’s receivers. The best Maintain good run-pass ratio. their linebackers are sharp in back duo of DeAngelo Williams zone coverages to help out their against the Giants’ defense. run-after-catch player on the roster is 2. The Cowboys had 24 runs their assignments or Gonzalez and Jonathan Stewart combined for corners last week against Miami. Manningham, and Eli Manning will and 27 passes in the opener, which — Jean-Jacques Taylor & Paul Schwartz could light them up. 109 yards on 30 carries in the team’s — D. Orlando Ledbetter & Darin Gantt SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 25

Baltimore (1-0) at San Diego (1-0) New Orleans (1-0) at Philadelphia (1-0)

When: Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET TV: CBS/DirecTV 717 TV: FOX/DirecTV 710 Weather: 87, sunny Weather: 73, mostly sunny Line: Chargers favored by 3 Line: Pick’em Last meeting: Chargers, 31-14 (2007) Last meeting: Eagles, 38-23 (2007)

Ravens’ keys to success Saints’ keys to success Be unpredictable. The Create pressure on offense. The 1. Ravens’ offensive line is 1. Saints’ strategy every Sun- young and still getting comfortable day is to put a ton of points on the with each other after adding center board—ideally early in the game, Matt Birk and right tackle Michael forcing an opponent to play catch-up. Oher in the offseason. This group QB Drew Brees doesn’t need to throw won’t overpower opponents, but it’s for six touchdown passes every an extremely athletic unit. The week—but he’s capable of it, whether Chargers are big on the defensive he’s in the lead or coming from BILL FEIG / AP front, so the Ravens won’t be able to behind. He has more weapons than TE Jeremy Shockey grabbed his first two TDs with the Saints last week. muscle these guys and thus must ever before with receiver Marques Clean up the mistakes. The for DeSean Jackson on the outside. keep them off-balance. The plan: Colston, tight end Jeremy Shockey Saints should have beaten Run when expected to throw, and and running back 3. Add another wrinkle. The Detroit by 30 points in Week 1, if not throw when expected to run. healthy, in addition to dangerous 2. beauty of having a first- receiving threats Lance Moore, Dev- 50, but kept giving charity points to year is that Improve on special teams. San ery Henderson and Robert Meachem. the Lions with turnovers and sloppy opponents have little film with 2. Diego certainly will go after The Saints have shown the potential special teams play. The Lions which to study his schemes. Sean Ravens punts, especially since the BOB LEVERONE / SN to run efficiently with Mike Bell returned a Bell for a touch- McDermott is a Jim Johnson disci- Chiefs did it with ease last week. The Despite being the underdog, Ravens QB Joe Flacco could help his team have a big day. emerging as a workhorse. But the down, and they took over possession ple and has carried over a blitz- Ravens must tighten up protection on Eagles’ defense—with good pass in scoring position three times heavy philosophy, but McDermott the right side of the line. Baltimore must hold their ground and turn Rivera needs to find them help. The rushers, a good secondary and an thanks to Bush’s muffed punt return, added his own twist last week also must be better at returning punts. Sproles back inside. Chargers gave up six passes to the aggressive, versatile scheme—will an 87-yard kickoff return and a against Carolina when he blitzed Returner Chris Carr seems timid and tight end last week, including five present a stiff test. 43-yard punt return. Brees also from the middle line- needs to run straight instead of side- Chargers’ keys to success for first downs. Uh-oh: Baltimore’s Create pressure on defense. threw an interception when he tried backer spot, resulting in a sack, a Todd Heap caught a 10-yard touch- to force a ball deep after a flea-flicker. line to sideline. Field position will be The Saints will face another forced fumble and a touchdown Pressure Ravens QB Joe Flacco. down pass with 34 seconds remain- 2. Those kinds of miscues will be unac- an important part of this game. inexperienced quarterback if Kevin return. McDermott will add new The Chargers didn’t show ing to give the Ravens a 16-13 victory ceptable on the road. Stop the run. Chargers starter 1. Kolb starts for Philadelphia in place trinkets each week, and he’ll need much of the promised pass rush in when these teams met in ’06. of injured starter Donovan McNabb to be creative against Brees. 3. LaDainian Tomlinson Week 1. Maybe they didn’t want to Eagles’ keys to success Run with more consistency. (broken rib). The Saints will blitz Attack the backup. The (ankle) could miss the game, so that give much away against an inferior Be it misdirection or better from different angles and mix up Ground control. It never has Saints will protect Brees just means more pressure on the quarterback. Maybe, as it appeared, 3. 3. blocking or more help, the Chargers fronts. New Saints defensive coor- been coach ’s with an inexperienced left tackle in perimeter defense because of backup they were simply beat in many situa- 1. must do better. Sproles and Michael dinator Gregg Williams loves to style to lean heavily on the running Jermon Bushrod. This should Darren Sproles’ burst and pure tions they shouldn’t have been. Flacco Bennett likely will carry the load switch from 4-3 to 3-4 alignments, game, but in the absence of McNabb sound an alarm for every pass speed. Few opponents can run inside will have an easier time completing Sunday. The Chargers could also moving players around on the line it’s important that he simplifies the rusher on the Eagles’ defense, espe- against the Ravens because of the passes than the Raiders’ JaMarcus have two backups (Scott Mrucz- and in the secondary. The Saints offense in Kolb’s first career start. cially Cole. The Eagles should over- outstanding play from tackles Haloti Russell—if he has all day to throw. Ngata, Kelly Gregg and Justin Ban- kowski and Brandyn Dombrowski) only sacked Lions rookie Matthew Heavy doses of Brian Westbrook, load some blitzes toward Bushrod’s nan. The Ravens also have outstand- Stop the tight end. Inside starting on the interior in place of Stafford once last week but kept LeSean McCoy and fullback Leon- side and make the Saints add tight ing speed, but they do have small 2. linebacker Kevin Burnett center Nick Hardwick (ankle) and him off-balance all day, forcing ard Weaver will set up play-action end and running backs protection, linebackers. Outside linebackers Jar- and strong safety Clinton Hart must right guard Louis Vasquez (knee). three interceptions and several passes for Kolb, who can warm up limiting their offensive weapons. ret Johnson and Tavares Gooden play better, and/or coordinator Ron — Kevin Acee & Mike Preston errant throws. with some man-to-man matchups — Geoff Mosher and Mike Triplett SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 26

New England (1-0) at N.Y. Jets (1-0) Houston (0-1) at Tennessee (0-1)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET TV: CBS/DirecTV 706 TV: CBS/DirecTV 707 Weather: 74, sunny Weather: 78, scattered thunderstorms Line: Patriots favored by 3 1/2 (40%) Last meeting: Jets, 34-31 (2008) Line: Titans favored by 6 1/2 Last meeting: Texans, 13-12 (2009) Patriots’ keys to success Texans’ keys to success Go on without Mayo. Star inside 1. linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) Stay committed to the run- will be out for at least a month, which 1. ning game. Last season, means other players must adjust. only one running back rushed for Gary Guyton, who moved from the at least 100 yards against the outside to the inside in Mayo’s Titans. And it wasn’t Minnesota’s absence, has to be tougher against the Adrian Peterson; it was the Tex- run. Perhaps playing Adalius ans’ Steve Slaton—and he did it Thomas in the middle would help. twice. Slaton had only nine carries for 17 yards against the Jets. Unless Control the Jets’ blitzes. New the Texans fall behind, coordina- GENE J. PUSKAR / AP 2. York’s linebackers will line tor Kyle Shanahan has to stay com- The Titans need RB Chris Johnson to play like he did last season against the Texans. up anywhere and come from all mitted to him. Slaton is capable of angles. On Monday, the Pats’ offen- double-edged sword in Chris John- of opportunities against Pitts- breaking long ones. The coaches son and LenDale White, who com- burgh, and the duo struggled in the sive line gave up a sack and Brady need to give more threw an interception into the arms bined for 214 yards rushing in two preseason. The Titans need to carries, as well, in his first game games against the Texans last sea- change that and will try to force the of Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel. against his former teammates One way to maximize protection and son. The Texans have to be disci- issue against the Texans. Tackles security is to move Brady from the Get production from Andre plined on the outside to keep David Stewart and Michael Roos pocket, if he’s mobile enough. Using a 2. Johnson. In the Titans’ Johnson from cutting and getting will play a big role on outside runs, running back to help in pass block- 31-12 victory over the Texans at LP around the corner. They have to get but center Kevin Mawae will need ing may be another big factor. Field last season, they limited a helmet on White early to tie him to get a body on Texans middle Andre Johnson to two catches for up in traffic. linebacker DeMeco Ryans, a tack- Make the rookie feel like a 29 yards. In the Texans’ 13-12 vic- ling machine. DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP 3. rookie. Jets quarterback tory at Reliant Stadium, Johnson Titans’ keys to success Mark Sanchez was impressive in his The Patriots must make Jets QB Mark Sanchez feel more like a rookie than he did last Sunday. Slow down Andre Johnson. had 11 receptions for 207 yards and Stop Slaton. Slaton put first game as a pro. He shook off a 3. Andre Johnson has had times last week instead of just once. something is taken away from him, a TD. He faces a tough competitor together back-to-back 100- pick-six and earned the win. But the 1. big days against many NFL He will face many more confusing and the Jets’ defense will have to in cornerback Cortland Finnegan, yard games against the Titans in big-ticket rookie was allowed to get teams, but he had a monster per- looks than he saw against the Tex- counter. who will also get a lot of help. John- 2008. The Titans plan to stop him comfortable at Houston. Bill Belichick formance against the Titans last ans. With Mayo out, however, San- son (6-3, 220) has a big size advan- in his tracks on Sunday, and all must ratchet up the pressure, even if Give Sanchez help. The Jets’ year. In Houston’s 13-12 win in chez should be able to exploit New tage over Finnegan (5-10, 188), but signs point to them accomplishing it means leaving other areas vulnera- running game didn’t get December, Johnson had 11 catches England underneath. 3. Finnegan is quick, smart and feisty. their mission. The Titans stuffed ble. With Richard Seymour gone, the cranked up until the second half for a career-high 207 yards. The Johnson needs to come up big if the the run against the Steelers in Week defensive line may not get enough Make adjustments. Several against Houston; New York must get Titans will likely match up Texans hope to win. 1 while the Texans couldn’t run the pressure by itself. 2. Jets defenders noted after it in gear earlier this week. Leon Finnegan on the physical John- Sunday’s win that finesse-oriented Washington had 15 carries in the Contain the combo. In three ball vs. the Jets. Titans middle line- son. Although Johnson rolled up backer Stephen Tulloch, who had a Jets’ keys to success Houston didn’t make many adjust- opener and needs to get plenty of 3. preseason games, the Tex- big numbers last December, ments against the Jets. They also said action again this week. He can loosen ans allowed 148 yards per game team-high 12 tackles in Week 1, will Finnegan has been able to hold Be on the Mark. Sanchez they know that won’t be the case things up for downhill runner rushing. In the opening loss to the be a key factor. his own in one-on-one matchups 1. needs to keep improving. against Brady and New England. Thomas Jones. Jets, they surrendered 190 yards. Run the ball. Chris Johnson in the past. He could have been picked off three Brady usually adapts well if — J.P. Pelzman & Ian R. Rapoport Now they go against the Titans’ 2. and White didn’t get a lot — Jim Wyatt & John McClain SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 27

Minnesota (1-0) at Detroit (0-1) Cincinnati (0-1) at Green Bay (1-0)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET TV: FOX/DirecTV 711 TV: CBS/DirecTV 704 Weather: Dome Weather: 74, partly cloudy Line: Vikings favored by 10 Line: Packers favored by 9 Last meeting: Vikings, 20-16 (2008) Last meeting: Bengals, 21-14 (2005)

Vikings’ keys to success Bengals’ keys to success Unleash the passing game. Be patient in the passing 1. The Vikings should be able 1. game. The Packers are to crank up the passing attack going to keep their safeties deep against the Lions, who gave up six to stop the long ball, so QB Carson touchdown throws to the Saints’ Palmer must take what Green Drew Brees in the opener. This Bay gives him. He needs to chip would be the perfect time for Brett away until strong safety Aaron Favre to establish rhythm with his Rouse inches closer to the line of receivers after a sluggish start scrimmage as the eighth man in against Cleveland. The Lions were the box. Then Palmer can take 27th against the pass in 2008 and his chances deep with wide didn’t fare any better against Brees. receivers Chad Ochocinco and Chris Henry running post and Feed the beast. Until Favre corner routes. 2. gets going, the Vikings need to give the ball Adrian Peterson, who’s Be strong up front. With the coming off a 180-yard, three-touch- 2. Packers’ safeties deep, the MORRY GASH / AP down performance against Cleveland. middle of the field should be open Green Bay has to do a better job of protecting QB Aaron Rodgers, right, than it did last week. Most of that production came in the for the Bengals’ running game. The much better chance of winning. second half after the Vikings started MARK DUNCAN / AP line’s challenge will be to crease the Packers’ keys to success They can’t count on every blitz using more two-tight end sets to coun- Until he’s stopped, the Vikings should go to RB Adrian Peterson, right, over and over and over. Packers’ front three at the point of Be patient with their blitzes. working, so their safety play has to ter Cleveland’s run blitzes. Peterson attack, then scrape off and reach quickly if the Lions have any chance they allow Favre to scan the field, 1. Palmer plays twice a year be better than it was in the opener. should be in for another big day the linebackers to create running running against the Vikings’ stout they’ll give up 50 points. The Lions against the Steelers-type 3-4 defense Rouse will replace Atari Bigby against a defense that finished last room. Running back Cedric Ben- front seven. They can’t burn a lot of must at least try to force some bad the Packers run, so he won’t be (knee) and will be tested. The Ben- against the run in 2008. son could have a big game if the line early possessions by getting a feel for passes because what they’re doing fooled by much. He’ll run the play gals will want to take advantage of can do that. Stay in your lanes. Several the game. If the Lions really think now isn’t working. clock down as far as he can to make Rouse’s lack of speed. 3. Vikings special teams players they’ve got a shot at controlling the Use countermoves and bull Win the mind games. No team the Packers show their blitzes Keep Aaron Rodgers upright. got out of their lanes during a 67-yard ball, they have to go for it. If they don’t, 3. rushes. When Detroit doesn’t 3. snatches defeat from the before the snap. It will be important 3. The Bengals, who have punt return for a touchdown by Cleve- they have to come out very aggres- blitz, the ends must do a better job of jaws of victory like the snakebit Ben- to get heat on Palmer and make him been working on improving their land’s Josh Cribbs. It was a nightmar- sively and use the passing game to using countermoves and bull rushes gals. It’ll be difficult for them to uncomfortable in the pocket so he pass rush, sacked Kyle Orton three ish flashback to 2008 for Minnesota, control the tempo of the game. to get to the quarterback. Dewayne from last week’s crushing pick out holes in the coverage. This times last week. Rodgers was won’t be the turkey hunt the Pack- which allowed four punt returns for Keep blitzing. The Lions White and Cliff Avril are decent out- loss to the Broncos. This young team bruised and battered as his line ers had with Jay Cutler. TDs last season. Detroit’s Dennis 2. didn’t blitz nearly as much side speed rushers, but quarterbacks must maintain its poise in the hostile allowed four sacks and five quar- Northcutt (43-yard punt return) and as expected in the first game, and are stepping up to avoid trouble. environment of Lambeau Field. The Take away the deep ball. terback hits against the Bears. That Aaron Brown (87-yard kickoff return) the results were predictably bad. White and Avril have to take a more team’s margin for error is extremely 2. Ochocinco, Henry and can’t happen again. No changes were dangerous in the opener. Yes, Favre has seen every blitz on direct line to the QB, and the tackles small, and it can’t repeat mistakes Laveranues Coles give the Bengals will be made in the line, but if the the planet, but that doesn’t mean it must get some push so QB can’t step from last week and expect to win. a lot of options in the passing game. pressure comes again, coach Mike Lions’ keys to success can’t be effective. The Lions have to up so easily. The linemen also have to Taking an 0-2 record into a Week 3 If the Packers can keep their safe- McCarthy will have to use his tight Run if it’s there. The coaching get creative and force the ball out of start winning one-on-one matchups. home game against the Steelers ties back and make Palmer settle ends to help protect Rodgers. 1. staff will have to decide very the pocket in a hurry because if — Tom Kowalski & Rick Alonzo would be potentially disastrous. for shorter passes, they’ll have a — Tom Silverstein & Chick Ludwig SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 28

Tampa Bay (0-1) at Buffalo (0-1) Arizona (0-1) at Jacksonville (0-1)

When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET TV: FOX/DirecTV 713 TV: FOX/DirecTV 708 Weather: 72, mostly sunny Weather: 87, scattered thunderstorms Line: Bills favored by 5 (40%) Last meeting: Bucs, 19-3 (2005) Line: Jaguars favored by 3 Last meeting: Jaguars, 24-17 (2005) Bucs’ keys to success Cardinals’ keys to success Clean up play in the secondary. 1. The Bucs lost their opener Get the passing game going. primarily because every defensive 1. Arizona struggled to move back except cornerback Ronde Barber the ball through the air in the final played miserably. These guys missed two preseason games, and it car- tackles, missed assignments and bit ried over to last week against the on pump fakes. In doing so, they gave 49ers. Kurt Warner has been off, up four big plays, including three for and his protection wasn’t great touchdowns. The Bills don’t have the against San Francisco. The Cardi- nals need to get the ball to Larry weapons that Dallas has, but Terrell WINSLOW TOWNSON / AP Owens will beat them up if they aren’t Terrell Owens could exploit a Buccaneers secondary that gave up several big plays in Week 1. Fitzgerald earlier in the game. He on their keys and don’t stick to their didn’t catch a pass until late in the second quarter last week. assignments. The secondary must Sooner or later, they’ll run into some- were effective in creating pressure bounce back and play sound. If it one that stops them down near the before wearing down late in the Control the Jaguars’ running doesn’t, the Bucs will lose another goal line, and that’s when field goals game. Defensive end Aaron Schobel 2. game. The Cardinals did a MATT YORK / AP game against another beatable team. made on drives that stall out around showed he’s back from last season’s great job against the 49ers’ Frank Kurt Warner needs better protection from his offensive line against Jacksonville. Stick to the running game. the 30 become important. If the Bucs foot injury. Rookie end Aaron May- Gore last week and need a repeat can do a better job capitalizing on bin should get more time with starter against the Jaguars’ Maurice Jones- Coaches showed a tendency Monroe struggled against the needs to get his eyes downfield— 2. scoring chances, they stand a better Chris Kelsay (knee) out. But the Drew. Inside linebacker Gerald in Week 1 to abandon the run after Colts’ Dwight Freeney last week, even if scrambling—and take chance of winning. coaches should be more aggressive Hayes excels against this kind of falling behind early. The Bucs have and Garrard rushed throws on at advantage of opportunities. and blitz more against QB Byron team. He’s a physical player, and he some big-play weapons in the pass- least 11 occasions. Under constant Leftwich, who is vulnerable to sacks and Karlos Dansby do a nice job Pressure Kurt Warner. Jack- ing game, but that’s not their strength. Bills’ keys to success pressure, Garrard tends to lock on because of a lack of mobility and his with run blitzes. sonville’s experimenta- Their line is good enough and their Get T.O. involved. receivers, which leads to incomple- 3. Terrell slow, wind-up delivery. tion with the 3-4 scheme hasn’t backs are good enough to gain big Reduce the stupid penalties. tions and increases the chance for 1. Owens had a quiet debut as yielded enough pressure on the yardage and wear down defenses. Coach Ken Whisenhunt interceptions. The Jags must iden- he was thrown to four times in 25 Win on special teams. All eyes 3. QB, but the club might not have They always should be looking first can live with the occasional pass- tify weak spots in pass protection pass attempts and finished with two 3. will be on return ace Leodis any choice in using the front now and foremost to suck an extra interference call or hold. What he early Sunday and make adjust- catches for 46 yards. Owens is known McKelvin to see how he bounces because left end Reggie Hayward defender into the box and then throw can’t tolerate, however, are the off- ments, using a running back to to sulk when he doesn’t get enough back after his fumble of a kickoff (broken leg) is out for the season. deep off play-action fakes. side and false-start penalties. The chip or keep more receivers in on opportunities. Offensive coordinator return set up the Patriots’ winning No matter the scheme, the club Cardinals had 12 penalties last passing downs. Alex Van Pelt must dial up more touchdown Monday. McKelvin is must disrupt Warner’s rhythm Capitalize on scoring chances. week, and half were of the false plays for Owens, and QB Trent confident but needs a big return or Take chances downfield. because Arizona’s receivers are 3. The Bucs missed one field- start and offside variety. The tight Edwards also must look in Owens’ two to get him going. He and punt Garrard must capitalize explosive and the Jags will have goal try and had another blocked last ends, Stephen Spach and Anthony 2. direction more often. The Buccaneers returner Roscoe Parrish can change on the deep speed he has on the rookie cornerback Derek Cox start- week. That can’t happen. They have Becht, had two false starts and gave up three touchdowns of 40-plus a game with their big-play ability. outside with Troy Williamson. ing opposite Rashean Mathis. Jack- a pretty good offense, but their didn’t do that greart in blocking. defense is suspect. Thus, they can’t yards, so there could be opportuni- Punter Brian Moorman excels at cre- Because of Jacksonville’s rushing sonville might be best served ties for Owens—not to mention Lee ating field position. If he can do that afford to leave points on the field. The Jaguars’ keys to success attack, opponents tend to crowd moving around outside linebacker offense was 3-for-3 getting touch- Evans—to stretch the field. Sunday, the Buccaneers will be chal- the box to stop the run. That often Quentin Groves so he can blitz downs in the red zone last week, but Bring more pressure. The Bills lenged to sustain long drives. Protect QB David Garrard. puts Williamson and Torry Holt in from a variety of locations. that type of efficiency won’t last. 2. had one sack Monday but — Allen Wilson & Roy Cummings 1. Rookie left tackle Eugene man-to-man coverage. So Garrard — Michael C. Wright & Kent Somers SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 29

St. Louis (0-1) at Washington (0-1) Seattle (1-0) at San Francisco (1-0)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET TV: FOX/DirecTV 712 TV: FOX/DirecTV 714 Weather: 73, partly cloudy Weather: 82, sunny, windy (11 mph) Line: Redskins favored by 10 Line: 49ers favored by 1 1/2 Last meeting: Rams, 19-17 (2008) Last meeting: Seahawks, 34-13 (2008)

Rams’ keys to success Seahawks’ keys to success Run Steven Jackson early and Pressure 49ers QB Shaun Hill. 1. often. Despite all the 1. Seattle had five or more buildup about the Rams’ featuring sacks in only two games last sea- Jackson and the running game, he son, and those were the two games had only 16 carries in the 28-0 loss against San Francisco. The Sea- at Seattle. No matter the score or the hawks didn’t blitz on more than game circumstances, the Rams half a dozen plays last week against need to get him more involved— St. Louis because they got consis- even if it’s against a Washington tent pressure from four linemen. team that is built to stop the run. Seattle must dial up the pressure against San Francisco, which will Avoid penalties. Eight offen- load up on its protection. 2. sive penalties doomed the Rams last week. Many of them Throw more to tight end scuttled early-game drives in which 2. John Carlson. Tight ends the Rams had a chance to take the can be a quarterback’s security lead. The team’s lack of receiving blanket, but Carlson is a play- punch makes long-yardage situa- maker. He’s big enough to out- muscle a cornerback, too fast for tions a considerable challenge. FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP most linebackers and the Sea- Coach Steve Spagnuolo was hired The Redskins need to run and run often with Clinton Portis, left, against the Rams. in part because of his ability to run hawks consistently put him in the slot to create mismatches. He a tight ship at Rams Park, which Portis is a good back. Against the three NFL starts. Laurinaitis bit on ELAINE THOMPSON / AP lined up as a wide receiver for his made the undisciplined play all the Giants, they tried a receiver pass on a play-action pass last week that For the 49ers to beat Seattle, they must hassle QB Matt Hasselbeck. 33-yard touchdown last week. more surprising. the second play of the game. It lost resulted in a touchdown. blitzes on nearly every play in 49ers mix coverages well, and line- 11 yards and the offense sputtered. Keep running. The Seahawks Contain Clinton Portis. If Bring the heat. The defense Week 1, and yet the 49ers stub- backers Patrick Willis and Manny If the Redskins intend to be in the will need half the season to 3. is capable of did not get enough pressure 3. bornly continued to try to pound Lawson are particularly adept at playoff picture, they must be able to 3. get fully acclimated to the new zone- putting up 117 yards against St. in the opener, and that must change the ball inside. There needs to be dropping into coverage and break- outmuscle an inferior opponent. blocking scheme, and they showed Louis, Clinton Portis might double this week. Of course, it should be a better mix of runs and passes ing on the ball. steady improvement over the course that total. The only way the Rams Attack the young linebackers. easier considering the Rams’ offen- this week. If the Seahawks com- of the first game. Seattle averaged 3 Be aggressive up front. The have a chance against the Redskins 2. Another reason for the sive line is nowhere near the level of mit a safety to stopping the run yards per carry in the first half, 6.4 49ers’ offensive line strug- is to keep Portis bottled up as much emphasis on running the ball is the Giants’. If the Redskins’ D-line is like Arizona did, it means a 3. in the second. Specifically, backup gled in Arizona because the Cardi- as possible and force quarterback how it sets up the team’s play-action as good as they think, they should be receiver should be open. center Steve Vallos showed more nals’ defensive linemen were Jason Campbell to throw a lot. game for Campbell. That’s one able to get pressure with four-man mobility and was impressive in the Hurry Seattle QB Matt Hassel- getting off the snap quickly and thing the Redskins could not do fronts. Because Rams rookie right final two quarters. beck. The best thing the initiating contact. Part of that was against New York—and it’s one tackle Jason Smith plays upright at 2. Redskins’ keys to success 49ers did in Week 1 was disrupt because of the crowd noise in Glen- thing they have to do against a times, he is vulnerable against speed the timing of Kurt Warner and the dale, which won’t be a factor at Don’t get cute. The Redskins’ young St. Louis linebacking unit. rushers. Look for the Redskins to 49ers’ keys to success Cardinals’ receivers. They’ll need Candlestick Park. Still, the offen- 1. offensive identity should Ramsmiddle linebacker James Lau- target him. be tied to its running game. The line rinaitis and strongside ’backer Neutralize the blitz. The to do the same against another sive line must show more urgency. is better suited for run blocking and David Vobora have combined for — John Keim & Jim Thomas 1. Cardinals called run savvy veteran in Hasselbeck. The — Matt Barrows & Danny O’Neil SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 30

Oakland (0-1) at Kansas City (0-1) Cleveland (0-1) at Denver (1-0)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET When: Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET TV: CBS/DirecTV 705 TV: CBS/DirecTV 716 Weather: 76, showers (30%) Weather: 75, partly cloudy Line: Chiefs favored by 3 Line: Broncos favored by 3 Last meeting: Chiefs, 20-13 (2008) Last meeting: Broncos, 34-30 (2008)

Raiders’ keys to success Browns’ keys to success Pound the ball. The Raiders’ Don’t let Brady Quinn’s confi- 1. offense is built around the 1. dence crash. Quinn’s start run, and for several reasons, it’s last week bordered on awful. He imperative the running game suc- seemed to grope his way through ceeds. For one, it would take the the game. He must recapture the pressure off quarterback JaMarcus spark of his first NFL start, Nov. 6 Russell to make a ton of plays. Rus- last season—against Denver. sell’s inaccuracy and penchant for Quinn was poised and assertive, making poor decisions make it dif- going toe-to-toe against Jay Cutler ficult for the Raiders to succeed if in a shootout. Quinn’s finest they are forced to rely heavily on moment was steering the Browns the pass. Secondly, the Raiders’ to a late, go-ahead TD. Cutler defense wouldn’t be on the field as answered with a long drive of his much, which figures to be impor- own to win the game. Avoiding tant in humid conditions. Finally, penalties that ruptured any chance ED REINKE / AP the Raiders can wear down the of continuity is a must. Correll Buckhalter proved to be the more effective RB last Sunday against the Bengals. Chiefs’ defense the way they did at Get a better play-calling. intensity fell off after halftime, Get more out of the running Arrowhead Stadium last year. MARCIO SANCHEZ / AP when Peterson ran with more game. The coaches rotated Oakland’s ground game has to produce and help take pressure off QB JaMarcus Russell. 2. Brian Daboll’s first game 2. Keep the game close. The Raid- as offensive coordinator was dis- purpose. Denver’s tandem of vet- Buckhalter and Moreno about 2. ers can’t afford to let the Asomugha and Chris Johnson are 40 minutes and ran 85 plays last jointed, but he gets somewhat of a eran Correll Buckhalter and equally last week and didn’t adjust Chiefs get ahead by too much or else two of their most talented defenders. week because in large part the Chiefs pass since he was sending a young rookie hardly even though Buckhalter was the they will be faced with having to deal had too many three-and-out posses- QB against an elite defense. He did equals the impact of Peterson, but more effective early. Moreno should with deafening crowd noise at one of Chiefs’ keys to success sions. Sometimes, it was a matter of earn points for being unpredictable. Moreno is talented enough to benefit from the experience, how- the league’s loudest venues. The the receivers running their routes He’ll be in quite a chess match worry the Browns, whose tack- ever, and he should add a spark to Raiders also have a history of com- Find a way to cover TE Zach just short of the first-down marker. against Broncos coach Josh McDan- ling at the second level is suspect. the running game as he gets health- mitting a lot of penalties when it gets 1. Miller. The Ravens’ Todd Those types of issues have to be fixed iels. They coached together in New ier and more comfortable. loud, and they aren’t talented enough Heap was a major problem for the because the Raiders can control the England, where Bill Belichick chose Broncos’ keys to success Disrupt Quinn. Last week offensively to overcome a slew of mis- Chiefs last week, and Miller pres- McDaniels over Daboll as offensive game with the running game if given No turnovers. Yes, Orton 3. against the Bengals, takes. They need the down and dis- ents a similar challenge. Strong coordinator after Charlie Weis left too many opportunities. was perhaps a little too Denver wanted to stop big plays. tance in their favor so they can run safety Mike Brown isn’t as fast as for Notre Dame. 1. Win the early downs on safe at times against Cincinnati. The Broncos shouldn’t have the the ball more than they pass. he once was and outside linebacker defense. Kansas City’s Play two halves of run But that’s what the team wants same concern against the Browns, Tamba Hali is a liability in cover- 3. Stop the run. The Raiders chances of forcing Russell into defense. It’s not as if the out of him. Coaches do not want who don’t have a great downfield age, so Miller could do some dam- 3. need to commit eight or nine making mistakes goes up dramati- Browns got battered early and turnovers, and they stress that to passing game. What they must 3. age. Whether it’s with free safety men to stopping the run because cally if he has to face long-yardage often in yielding 180 rushing QB Kyle Orton repeatedly. Even do is make sure Quinn doesn’t Jarrad Page or one of the other line- that’s what the Chiefs do best. That situations on second and third yards to Adrian Peterson last though their season opener was complete a high percentage of backers, the Chiefs need to clamp could persuade the Chiefs to throw down. That means stopping Oak- week. They used frequent run decided on a fluky touchdown, passes, perhaps by flooding his down on the tight end. downfield against one-on-one cover- land’s running game on first down, blitzes and a fly-to-the ball men- they said Orton’s turnover-free passing lanes, and allow Cleve- age. That wouldn’t bother the Raid- Convert on third down. Balti- something that won’t come easily. tality in holding Peterson to 25 game was a big reason they were land to sustain drives. ers because cornerbacks Nnamdi 2. more controlled the ball for — Adam Teicher & Steve Corkran yards in the first half. The in it at the end. — Steve Doerschuk & Frank Schwab SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Indianapolis (1-0) at Miami (1-0) Are you a fan with

When: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET TV: ESPN Weather: 82, isolated thunderstorms (30%), windy (12 mph) Line: Colts favored by 3 something Last meeting: Colts, 27-22 (2006) Colts’ keys to success Tame the Wildcat. Whether 1. it’s running back Ronnie to say? Brown or QB Pat White at the con- trols, the defense must limit the effectiveness of Miami’s Wildcat offense. The Colts haven’t faced a true Wildcat threat since the wrin- kle hit the league last season, but the defense was exposed to a similar scheme when it faced Titans QB CHRIS CARLSON / AP Vince Young. Frequently, he was Colts DE Robert Mathis, right, will try to cause havoc in the Dolphins’ backfield. more of a threat with his legs than arms. Dolphins’ keys to success Vernon Carey shorten the edges by engaging pass-rushers sooner than JOIN THE SPORTING NEWS FAN NETWORK Get the base offense going. Force the action. The Dol- both did last week. That way, the battle Team up with the Sporting News Fan Network and have your voice heard! You’ll have the opportunity 2. phins’ 11-win season of ’08 1. When the Dolphins suc- between the tackles and their defend- was in large part a result of tying an ceeded running the Wildcat last year, ers won’t be taking place only 1 or 2 to interact with other Sporting News insiders, provide your thoughts on everything from current sports NFL record for fewest turnovers it was mainly because the base offense yards away from QB Chad Penning- subjects for publication in Sporting News Magazine to valuable feedback on marketing strategies of our with 13. But in their last two games, already had some success at earlier ton. But it’s a fixable situation. including the playoff loss to Balti- parts of the game. So if Miami wants partners, and win special prizes. Pressure Peyton Manning. Yes, more, they’ve turned the ball over to still use innovations like the Wild- it’s probably an obvious nine times. Colts defensive ends cat (via Brown) and the spread (via 3. point that Miami needs to get some Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis White), the team must first find some serious pressure on Manning. But EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFITS: can create havoc and force turn- rhythm in a more traditional sense. this week, there’s another reason: In overs with pass-rush prowess. The coaches should lean more on s!CCESSTOPRE RELEASEPRODUCTSANDEXCLUSIVEOFFERSFROMOURPARTNERS the wake of wide receiver Anthony Brown in the running game and feed s/PPORTUNITIESTOATTENDREGIONALSporting News events Forget the stretch. The team’s him the ball. That didn’t happen last Gonzalez’s knee injury that will side- 3. running game remains in week, and the result was obvious. line him this week, Manning will be s5PDATESONNEWSporting News features and product offerings neutral after averaging just 2.3 even more unfamiliar with his pass yards per carry last week. Part of Improve the offensive line. When catchers. The level of unfamiliarity the problem is neither Joseph Addai 2. last year’s first-overall pick, should provide an extra second or nor Donald Brown was effective on left tackle Jake Long, gives up two two for the Dolphins’ pass rush to get the team’s patented stretch play. Too tough sacks, it’s never a good thing. after the quarterback. So watch out often, the offensive line was unable When the rest of the line doesn’t look for some serious edge rushing from to provide the back with a crease. all that much better, the problem is Jason Taylor and Joey Porter, who The running game is more effective compounded. No doubt, the Dolphins will be more comfortable with each MEMBERSHIP IS FREE! when it allows Joseph Addai or must get their highly paid line into a other after a week playing opposite To join log on to groove. Coach Tony Sparano said he Donald Brown to attack between one another. sportingnews.com/fannetwork the tackles. wants to see Long and right tackle — & Mike Chappell SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 32

INSIDE DISH THE LAUNCHING PAD Cubs’ Zambrano not expected to waive his no-trade clause What to expect in the major leagues today Minnesota magic? Amid speculation that the Cubs back into the closer role. Before Thanks to a four-game winning streak, the Twins are within four games of will try to trade P Carlos Zambrano being sidelined on Sept. 2, Street the A.L. Central-leading Tigers. The two teams will begin a critical three-game this offseason, sources told the Chi- converted 33 of 34 save chances and series tonight at the Metrodome (with four games remaining at Comerica Park in late September/early October). Minnesota leads the season series 7-4 cago Tribune that the righthander is posted a 2.96 ERA. In place of and has won five of the six games at the Metrodome. The Twins will be with- unlikely to waive his full no-trade Street, P Franklin Morales has con- out first baseman Justin Morneau, who hit .340 with three homers and 10 clause. Zambrano was upset about verted all six of his save chances. RBIs against Detroit this season, but will have catcher Joe Mauer (.349-3-11) the rumors following his poor out- and outfielder/first baseman Michael Cuddyer (.333-3-9) in the lineup. ing Tuesday (five earned runs in According to The Philadelphia five innings pitched), though the Inquirer, Phillies P J.A. Happ (ribcage) One more chance newspaper noted he was joking will start today. Happ, who is 10-4 Like the Twins, the second-place Rangers have a huge home series against about the situation a day later. Man- with a 2.77 ERA in 31 games (19 the team leading their division this weekend. Unlike the Twins, the Rangers are ice-cold. Texas has lost five of its past six games (all at home) and has ager Lou Piniella told the Chicago Tri- starts) this season, hasn’t started scored only one run in its past four games. The reason for hope: The Rangers bune that Zambrano is capable of since Sept. 2. In other Phillies news, are 9-3 this season against the A.L. West-leading Angels. In those 12 games pitching better and must conquer P Brad Lidge told the newspaper that against Los Angeles this season, Texas has hit 28 homers and scored 78 runs. his inconsistency himself. In other he doesn’t believe his season-long New Angels lefthander Scott Kazmir will try to stop the onslaught and put rotation news, the newspaper struggles can be attributed to him the Rangers’ playoff hopes to rest. reported the Cubs have decided to tipping his pitches. After Lidge shut down struggling P Rich Harden posted a 5.28 ERA with Houston in Giant problem for the season. Harden, a pending 2006, an opposing player informed Facing an 8 1/2-game deficit in the N.L. West, not even a sweep of the Dodgers this weekend will make a division title a realistic possibility for free agent, is 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA Lidge that he had tipped his pitches. the Giants. However, a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers could kill San in 26 starts this season but 1-2 with The Phillies also said reliever Chan Francisco’s wild-card hopes. Los Angeles has won nine of the 15 games a 4.76 ERA and 15 walks in his past Ho Park will miss 2-3 weeks with a between the teams this season, including four of six since Aug. 10. The Giants four starts. strained right hamstring. will need a strong effort from lefthander Jonathan Sanchez in tonight’s opener at Dodger Stadium, but Sanchez is 0-3 with a 6.04 ERA in four starts vs. L.A. this season. The Los Angeles Times reported With P Jarrod Washburn (knee) GENE J. PUSKAR / AP Major League Baseball is reviewing scratched from his Sunday start Carlos Zambrano has three years and $54 million remaining on his contract. — Chris Bahr some of the statements from Angels against the second-place Twins, the manager Mike Scioscia and some of Tigers’ website reported P Nate Robert- With the red-hot Juan Uribe taking bankruptcy court to the Tribune the Angels players following son is the top candidate to replace him. over at third base recently, Pablo San- Co.’s sale of the team, saying he’s Wednesday’s loss to the Red Sox. doval has shifted from the hot corner still owed college scholarship Those comments were critical of According to The Boston Globe, to first base, leaving Garko as the money. The family of billionaire Joe the umpiring crew that night, hint- Red Sox P Tim Wakefield (back/legs) odd man out. Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade, ing that the umpires were showing could start Monday. Wakefield has has agreed to buy a 95 percent stake favoritism toward Boston. Angels P pitched only twice since July 9 and Braves manager Bobby Cox told the in the team and its Wrigley Field Brian Fuentes told the Los Angeles admitted the strength in his legs—a team’s website that P Derek Lowe (blister) home for $845 million, but the deal Times, “It’s frustrating, especially side effect of the bulging disk in his should make his next scheduled start. must be approved by the bank- here and in other places where they back—actually is getting worse. He Lowe left Wednesday’s game after ruptcy court and Major League seem a little timid to make a call. It likely will have surgery this offseason. only two innings. If Lowe isn’t ready Baseball. just seems like that’s the way it is Monday, the site speculated the team here, time and time again.” The San Jose Mercury News could move P Kenshin Kawakami back to Put away the coin: MLB.com noted Giants 1B Ryan Garko hasn’t the rotation. Kawakami was shifted to reported teams’ head-to-head The Denver Post reported Rock- started since Sept. 6 and has only the bullpen when P Tim Hudson joined records will determine home-field ies P Huston Street (biceps) will throw two at-bats since then. Acquired the rotation recently. advantage in any necessary one- a simulated game today. Barring a from Cleveland in late July, Garko game playoff scenarios. Prior to this ANN HEISENFELT / AP setback, Street will return to action has hit just .232 with two homers Former Cubs SS Shawon Dunston year, coin flips determined home- Justin Morneau is out, but Joe Mauer, above, has hit .349 against Detroit. Sunday, though he will be eased and 12 RBIs with San Francisco. has filed an objection in Delaware field advantage in such cases. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 33 In this year’s probable ALDS matchup, the Angels will ...

McNeal says Bahr says Lose to Finally solve Boston again the Red Sox

BY STAN MCNEAL BY CHRIS BAHR [email protected] [email protected]

As we saw in their three-game It has to feel like Groundhog Day. series at this week, Red Once again, the Angels put together Sox vs. Angels promises to be this an outstanding regular season— year’s can’t-miss divisional series. this time in the midst of a horrible Both teams have dynamic lineups, tragedy—yet once again their pressure-tested pitchers and excel- reward actually is a penalty. Boston lent managers. You can count on has owned the Angels in the post- (long) edge-of- season this your-seat games decade, winning CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP with thrilling nine of the 10 Ervin Santana has gone 4-2 in his past nine starts, showing he’s ready for the postseason. finishes. games between You also can the teams and rounding into form, and Jered highest homer total since 2000. count on the Red MICHAEL DWYER / AP eliminating Los Weaver has been solid all season. And it still ranks second in the Sox to prevail. A healthy Daisuke Matsuzaka would give Boston a formidable trio of pitchers for the playoffs. Angeles in three In addition, new acquisition Scott majors in stolen bases. Again. ALDS match- Kazmir has been outstanding. Stan McNeal This week’s throw his curveball for strikes, he Read what Torii Hunter told the Los Chris Bahr ups. As a result, Meanwhile, the Red Sox aren’t Lessons learned. The Angels, BASEBALL series provided has to hope that hitters will chase. Angeles Times after the Angels lost a BASEBALL the Angels of the sure what to expect from ace Josh aggressive to a fault in last sea- three more rea- The Red Sox don’t chase. heartbreaker Wednesday night: 2000s quickly Beckett. Jon Lester has been son’s ALDS, were one botched sons to believe these teams’ upcom- “You have to play to win, play the are becoming the Braves of the great, but there are real questions suicide squeeze away from rally- ing October series will end the same The Red Sox’s rotation is getting right game, have fun, do what you do 1990s: postseason regulars with about who will serve as the No. 3 ing in Game 4 and potentially way as the previous three this at just the right time. A leaner, perhaps against every other team. Don’t one World Series win to show for it. starter (the injured Tim Wake- forcing a Game 5 back on the decade: with the Red Sox advanc- meaner Daisuke Matsuzaka returned change anything because it’s the After the Angels beat the Red field? The enigmatic Daisuke West Coast. Manager Mike Scio- ing to the ALCS. from a 13-week absence Tuesday and Red Sox or the Yankees. If you play Sox in eight of the nine games Matsuzaka? Clay Buchholz, who scia won’t make that kind of mis- pitched as well as ever. His approach nervous, you’re going to make mis- they played in the 2008 regular never has pitched in the take again, and with the improved The Angels have a closer problem. As was as impressive as his six shutout takes. Show some (guts)!” season, it appeared they were set postseason?). offense, Los Angeles won’t need misleading a stat as a pitcher’s wins innings against the Angels. Dice-K Hunter understandably was speak- to break Boston’s postseason to get creative to drive in runs. can be, a closer’s saves total can be worked with confidence, he worked ing in frustration after the Red Sox stranglehold. Although L.A. Offense. Unlike in past sea- Last season’s loss left such a bad just as deceiving. Brian Fuentes has fast and he showed great stuff. Put walked in with the tying run on what managed to win one game in last sons, the Angels won’t be con- taste in the Angels’ mouth that 42 saves, as many as anyone in the him with Josh Beckett, the best post- should have been a game-ending third season’s ALDS, it suffered the cerned about whether they can hit they will be hungrier than ever to majors. He also has seven blown season pitcher of this decade, and Jon strike to pinch hitter Nick Green. But same fate as in 2004 and 2007. and drive in runs. Los Angeles has clear the Boston hurdle. Lackey saves and a 4.35 ERA, and he has Lester, who leads the majors with a Hunter’s comments prove the Red Sox Why this season will be the majors’ best batting average and center fielder Torii Hunter allowed 72 baserunners in 49 2/3 1.81 ERA since August, and the Red have firmly entrenched themselves in different: and has scored more runs than were quite vocal about their dis- innings. He has been shaky from the Sox have three power starters well- the Angels’ heads. The Angels won’t every team except the Yankees. At appointment in 2008, and both start and his 7.11 ERA this month is equipped for the first round. Three beat the Red Sox when it matters until Starting pitching. A weakness one point this season, everyone in will be in prime position to do his highest of the season. Because the starters are all they will need in the they can get rid of that mindset. for the Angels earlier this season, the Angels’ lineup was hitting something about it in ’09. lefthander lacks an overpowering best-of-5 first round. And the Angels have given us no the rotation is peaking at the per- .300. With Kendry Morales put- Los Angeles’ bullpen remains a fastball, he works without much reason to think they will shake it fect time. John Lackey, Ervin ting up Mark Teixeira-like num- concern, but not enough of one to margin for error. When he doesn’t The Red Sox have the mental edge. anytime soon. Santana and Joe Saunders are bers, L.A. will finish with its cost them the ALDS. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 34

LEAGUE LEADERS Fantasy Focus American League standings Batting Average Home Runs East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Start ’em, Sit ’em New York 94 53 .639 — — 7-3 W-1 52-23 42-30 A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Boston 86 59 .593 7 — 8-2 L-1 52-22 34-37 Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Tampa Bay 74 73 .503 20 13 2-8 W-1 43-26 31-47 Mauer Minnesota .374 HaRamirez Florida .356 CPena Tampa Bay 39 Pujols St. Louis 47 Toronto 66 80 .452 27½ 20½ 5-5 L-1 38-36 28-44 Baltimore 60 86 .411 33½ 26½ 5-5 L-1 36-39 24-47 ISuzuki Seattle .353 Pujols St. Louis .333 Teixeira New York 35 Reynolds Arizona 42 MiCabrera Detroit .332 Sandoval San Francisco .322 Bay Boston 33 Fielder Milwaukee 39 Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Jeter New York .330 Helton Colorado .318 NCruz Texas 32 AdGonzalez San Diego 38 Detroit 78 68 .534 — — 3-7 L-1 48-26 30-42 Minnesota 74 72 .507 4 12½ 6-4 W-4 43-32 31-40 Bartlett Tampa Bay .326 DWright New York .315 AHill Toronto 32 Howard Philadelphia 38 Chicago 72 75 .490 6½ 15 4-6 L-2 40-32 32-43 MYoung Texas .322 Braun Milwaukee .310 Branyan Seattle 31 ADunn Washington 37 Cleveland 61 85 .418 17 25½ 1-9 L-5 31-41 30-44 Cano New York .320 Coghlan Florida .309 Five tied 30 Werth Philadelphia 34 Kansas City 59 87 .404 19 27½ 8-2 W-1 30-44 29-43 West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Runs Stolen Bases Los Angeles 87 59 .596 — — 6-4 W-1 44-27 43-32 BEN MARGOT / AP Texas 80 65 .552 6½ 6 4-6 L-4 45-30 35-35 Start ’em A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Seattle 76 71 .517 11½ 11 4-6 W-2 41-31 35-40 Oakland 68 78 .466 19 18½ 8-2 W-4 35-36 33-42 Edgar Renteria SS Giants. Renteria, Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team above, returned from a sprained Figgins Los Angeles 107 Pujols St. Louis 119 Ellsbury Boston 61 Bourn Houston 57 National League standings shoulder Wednesday. He is Damon New York 102 Braun Milwaukee 103 Crawford Tampa Bay 58 Morgan Washington 42 East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away 8-for-19 (.421) with a pair of Jeter New York 102 Utley Philadelphia 103 Figgins Los Angeles 42 Kemp Los Angeles 33 Philadelphia 85 60 .586 — — 8-2 W-5 42-32 43-28 BRoberts Baltimore 102 Zimmerman Washington 99 RDavis Oakland 39 Rollins Philadelphia 29 Atlanta 78 68 .534 7½ 4½ 8-2 W-7 38-33 40-35 homers against Dodgers right- Pedroia Boston 101 HaRamirez Florida 94 BUpton Tampa Bay 37 Fowler Colorado 27 Florida 78 69 .531 8 5 6-4 L-1 40-35 38-34 hander Vicente Padilla. New York 63 84 .429 23 20 1-9 L-5 36-36 27-48 Scutaro Toronto 100 Victorino Philadelphia 94 BAbreu Los Angeles 29 Pierre Los Angeles 27 Washington 50 96 .342 35½ 32½ 4-6 L-3 29-43 21-53 Tim Stauffer SP Padres. Stauffer has Cano New York 95 Three tied 91 BRoberts Baltimore 29 Three tied 25 allowed one run in each of his Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away St. Louis 85 62 .578 — — 4-6 L-2 44-31 41-31 past three starts and is 3-1 in his RBIs Pitching Chicago 75 70 .517 9 7 7-3 L-2 44-30 31-40 past four road outings. Start him Milwaukee 71 75 .486 13½ 11½ 5-5 W-2 34-37 37-38 A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Houston 70 76 .479 14½ 12½ 4-6 L-4 42-33 28-43 at Pittsburgh. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Cincinnati 68 79 .463 17 15 5-5 W-4 35-37 33-42 Mark Teahen OF/3B Royals. Teahen Teixeira New York 112 Pujols St. Louis 127 Sabathia New York 17-7 Wainwright St. Louis 18-8 Pittsburgh 55 89 .382 28½ 26½ 2-8 L-3 36-34 19-55 is an ideal desperation play. He is Bay Boston 106 Fielder Milwaukee 126 Feldman Texas 16-5 CCarpenter St. Louis 16-4 West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away 24-for-53 (.453) with nine extra- Longoria Tampa Bay 104 Howard Philadelphia 118 Verlander Detroit 16-8 JoJohnson Florida 15-4 Los Angeles 88 59 .599 — — 7-3 W-3 46-29 42-30 Lind Toronto 103 DLee Chicago 102 FHernandez Seattle 15-5 De La Rosa Colorado 15-9 Colorado 83 64 .565 5 — 6-4 W-1 45-27 38-37 base hits against White Sox San Francisco 79 67 .541 8½ 3½ 4-6 L-1 48-26 31-41 Morneau Minnesota 100 Braun Milwaukee 101 Beckett Boston 15-6 Marquis Colorado 15-11 lefthander Mark Buehrle. San Diego 66 81 .449 22 17 6-4 W-1 39-37 27-44 Two tied 98 HaRamirez Florida 100 JerWeaver Los Angeles 15-6 Lincecum San Francisco 14-5 Arizona 64 83 .435 24 19 3-7 L-1 32-40 32-43 ADunn Washington 99 Halladay Toronto 15-9 Haren Arizona 14-8 z-first game was a win Sit ’em Hits Strikeouts Rafael Furcal SS Dodgers. Furcal Pitching matchups Today’s games (All times Eastern) who is hitting .250 in September A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. American League The Line is 0-for-12 with three strikeouts Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Boston (Buchholz 5-3) at Baltimore (Guthrie 10-14) 7:05 p.m. Bos -145 at Bal +135 against San Francisco’s Jonathan ISuzuki Seattle 205 HaRamirez Florida 188 Verlander Detroit 239 Lincecum San Francisco 244 Toronto (Richmond 6-9) at Tampa Bay (J.Shields 9-11) 7:38 p.m. at Tam -165 Tor +155 Jeter New York 194 Braun Milwaukee 175 Greinke Kansas City 224 JVazquez Atlanta 216 Sanchez. L.A. Angels (Kazmir 8-8) at Texas (Tom.Hunter 8-3) 8:05 p.m. LA -115 at Tex +105 Cano New York 188 Tejada Houston 172 Lester Boston 211 Haren Arizona 201 Jeremy Guthrie SP Orioles. Boston Detroit (Porcello 13-8) at Minnesota (Duensing 3-1) 8:10 p.m. at Min -135 Det +125 has abused Guthrie this season. MiCabrera Detroit 180 FLopez Milwaukee 170 FHernandez Seattle 193 Gallardo Milwaukee 197 AHill Toronto 176 Pujols St. Louis 170 Halladay Toronto 189 Wainwright St. Louis 183 Kansas City (Hochevar 6-10) at Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 12-8) 8:11 p.m. at Chi -230 KC +210 He is 0-2 with an 8.00 in three Markakis Baltimore 175 Two tied 168 Beckett Boston 187 De La Rosa Colorado 179 Cleveland (D.Huff 10-7) at Oakland (Bre.Anderson 9-10) 10:05 p.m. at Oak -145 Cle +135 starts against the Red Sox. Mauer Minnesota 173 Sabathia New York 178 WRodriguez Houston 176 N.Y. Yankees (A.Burnett 11-9) at Seattle (F.Hernandez 15-5) 10:10 p.m. at Sea -115 NY +105 Skip Schumaker OF Cardinals. Schumaker is hitting .211 against Doubles Saves National League The Line lefties and is 1-for-12 (.083) against A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. San Diego (Stauffer 4-6) at Pittsburgh (Morton 3-8) 7:05 p.m. at Pit -120 SD +110 Cubs southpaw Ted Lilly. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Florida (VandenHurk 2-2) at Cincinnati (H.Bailey 5-5) 7:10 p.m. at Cin-115 Flo +105 — Bill Bender BRoberts Baltimore 52 Sandoval San Francisco 41 Fuentes Los Angeles 42 Cordero Cincinnati 38 Washington (J.Martin 4-4) at N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey 10-10) 7:10 p.m. at NY -140 Wa +130 Butler Kansas City 46 Ethier Los Angeles 40 Nathan Minnesota 41 Franklin St. Louis 37 Philadelphia (Happ 10-4) at Atlanta (T.Hudson 1-0) 7:35 p.m. at Atl -115 Phi +105 MORE COVERAGE Lind Toronto 46 Tejada Houston 40 MaRivera New York 40 HBell San Diego 37 Houston (Norris 5-3) at Milwaukee (Narveson 1-0) 8:05 p.m. at Mil -115 Hou +105 Longoria Tampa Bay 44 Hawpe Colorado 39 Papelbon Boston 36 Broxton Los Angeles 35 Chicago Cubs (Lilly 12-8) at St. Louis (Smoltz 1-1) 8:15 p.m. at STL -120 Chi +110 Get everything you need to Pedroia Boston 44 Pujols St. Louis 39 Aardsma Seattle 35 BrWilson San Francisco 34 Colorado (Marquis 15-11) at Arizona (Mulvey 0-1) 9:40 p.m. Col -145 at Ari+135 dominate your fantasy league at Cano New York 42 HaRamirez Florida 39 Rodney Detroit 33 Street Colorado 33 San Francisco (J.Sanchez 6-12) at L.A. Dodgers (V.Padilla 3-0) 10:10 p.m. at LA -160 SF +150 sportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball Markakis Baltimore 42 Rollins Philadelphia 38 Jenks Chicago 29. Hoffman Milwaukee 33 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 35 AMERICAN LEAGUE L.A. Angels 4, Boston 3 Tampa Bay 3, Baltimore 0 ‘Winning cures everything’ now for Angels Rays party after Davis’ win BALTIMORE—Wade Davis had Rays 3, Orioles 0 BOSTON—The Los Angeles Angels Angels 4, Red Sox 3 just thrown a four-hit shutout Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Los Angeles AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Bartlett ss 4 2 1 0 1 0 .326 couldn’t afford to give the Boston Red Figgins 3b 5 0 2 1 0 1 .301 to earn his first major league Crawford lf 4 0 2 1 1 0 .303 Sox yet another psychological advantage E.Aybar ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 .308 win, and getting the game ball Longoria 3b 4 0 3 1 1 0 .280 B.Abreu dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .300 Zobrist 2b 3 1 1 0 2 0 .283 in their budding postseason rivalry. Tor.Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .310 wasn’t nearly enough to mark Burrell dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 .228 One night after a ninth-inning col- K.Morales 1b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .301 the occasion. W.Aybar 1b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .248 J.Rivera lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 .289 Ch.Richard 1b 2 0 0 0 0 2 .154 lapse, the Angels rallied behind Howie 2-T.Evans pr-rf 0 1 0 0 0 0 --- During the postgame televi- Kapler rf 1 0 0 1 0 0 .231 Kendrick’s tie-breaking blooper in the Matthews Jr. rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .238 sion interview, the rookie got a a-Gross ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .240 b-Willits ph-lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .206 Navarro c 4 0 1 0 0 0 .226 ninth to beat Boston 4-3 on Thursday H.Kendrick 2b 4 2 3 2 0 0 .298 shaving-cream pie to the face F.Perez cf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .130 night and avert a three-game sweep. J.Mathis c 2 1 1 0 0 0 .210 from Tampa Bay teammates b-B.Upton ph-cf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .232 a-M.Izturis ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .297 Totals 35 3 10 3 5 5 Brian Fuentes, who blew the previous 1-Pettit pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Matt Garza and Evan Longoria. game, earned the save and snapped Bos- Bo.Wilson c 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- That was followed by a beer Baltimore AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Totals 34 4 8 3 1 7 B.Roberts 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .287 ton’s seven-game winning streak. shower in the clubhouse. Pie cf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .259 “Winning cures everything,” out- Boston AB R H BI BB SO Avg. With Davis leading the way, Reimold lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 .279 Ellsbury cf 4 1 1 1 0 0 .301 Markakis rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .297 fielder Torii Hunter said. “I have already Pedroia 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 .295 the Rays beat the Baltimore Mora 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 .264 forgotten about the Red Sox and am V.Martinez 1b 3 1 1 0 0 1 .297 Orioles 3-0 Thursday night to Scott dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 .256 Bay lf 4 1 2 2 0 2 .265 Wieters c 3 0 0 0 0 1 .270 thinking about our series with Texas.” D.Ortiz dh 4 0 0 0 0 3 .232 salvage a split of the four-game Aubrey 1b 3 0 2 0 0 0 .324 Los Angeles improved to 6½ games Lowell 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .292 series. Andino ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 .228 3-Gathright pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 c-Fiorentino ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .286 ahead of Texas in the A.L. West, and the J.Drew rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 .267 Making his third big league C.Izturis ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253 Red Sox hold a six-game lead over the c-Baldelli ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .255 start, Davis (1-1) struck out 10 Totals 29 0 4 0 2 10 Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 1 .212 idle Rangers in the wild-card race. If the Ale.Gonzalez ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 .290 and walked two in his first Tampa Bay 001 100 001 — 3 10 0 standings hold, Boston will open the Totals 32 3 6 3 1 9 complete game. The right- Baltimore 000 000 000 — 0 4 0 playoffs in Anaheim; the Red Sox have Los Angeles 001 010 101 — 4 8 0 hander worked out of a bases- a-grounded out for Kapler in the 6th. b-grounded out beaten the Angels in 12 of their last 13 Boston 000 300 000 — 3 6 0 loaded jam in the first, then for F.Perez in the 7th. c-struck out for Andino in the a-doubled for J.Mathis in the 7th. b-sacrificed for Mat- 8th. LOB: Tampa Bay 12, Baltimore 4. 2B: Longoria postseason games dating to 1986 and are thews Jr. in the 9th. c-popped out for J.Drew in the permitted only one runner past (44), Zobrist (22), Pie (8), Aubrey (3). 3B: Bartlett (7). 4-0 all-time in postseason series against 9th. 1-ran for M.Izturis in the 7th. 2-ran for J.Rivera in first base over the final eight RBIs: Crawford (63), Longoria (104), Kapler (28). SB: the 9th. 3-ran for Lowell in the 9th. LOB: Los Angeles Bartlett (25), Crawford (58). S: Kapler. Runners left them. 6, Boston 4. 2B: Figgins (28), J.Mathis (8), M.Izturis innings. in scoring position: Tampa Bay 7 (Zobrist, Navarro, “Let’s get there first,” Angels manager (20). HR: H.Kendrick (9), off Beckett; Ellsbury (7), off Davis capped his outstand- Burrell 4, Ch.Richard); Baltimore 3 (Scott 2, B.Roberts). E.Santana; Bay (33), off E.Santana. RBIs: Figgins (49), DP: Tampa Bay 1 (Bartlett, Zobrist, W.Aybar); Baltimore Mike Scioscia said. “No messages to H.Kendrick 2 (55), Ellsbury (51), Bay 2 (106). SB: Figgins ing performance by striking 1 (Andino, B.Roberts, Aubrey). send tonight or feelings to get. Our first (42). CS: Bay (3). S: Willits, Bo.Wilson. Runners left in out the side in the ninth. He scoring position: Los Angeles 4 (E.Aybar 3, Figgins). Tampa Bay IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA goal is to make the playoffs.” DP: Los Angeles 1 (J.Mathis, J.Mathis, E.Aybar). threw 124 pitches. W.Davis W, 1-1 9 4 0 0 2 10 124 4.34 Kendrick also homered in the third Los Angeles IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Then came the antics. It was Baltimore IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA E.Santana 7 4 3 3 1 6 111 5.43 Hendrickson L, 5-5 3 1⁄3 5 2 2 0 0 56 4.47 and score the tying run in the seventh, Jepsen W, 6-3 1 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 2 14 4.44 only the second win in 15 games Sarfate 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 3 1 32 6.48 and Fuentes rebounded from Wednes- Fuentes S, 42-49 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 11 4.35 for the Rays, who desperately Meredith 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 12 4.37 Boston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Bass 2⁄3 2 0 0 0 0 18 4.97 day night’s collapse to hand the Red Sox Beckett 8 7 3 3 0 7 114 3.80 needed a reason to smile. Henn 1 1 0 0 1 2 31 6.23 their first loss at Fenway in 11 games. Wagner L, 1-1 1 1 1 1 1 0 13 2.45 “The shaving cream didn’t C.Ray 2⁄3 1 1 1 1 1 16 6.53 HBP: by E.Santana (V.Martinez). WP: Beckett. A.Castillo 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 12 2.25 Kevin Jepsen (6-3) got four outs, then Umpires: Home, Jeff Kellogg; First, Tim Timmons; taste very good,” Davis said. Fuentes got the last two batters to earn Second, Mark Wegner; Third, Rick Reed. T: 2:38. A: “But it’s fun. It’s supposed to Inherited runners-scored: Sarfate 2-1, Meredith 3-0, 38,157 (37,373). Henn 2-0, C.Ray 1-0, A.Castillo 1-0. HBP: by Hendrick- his major league-leading 42nd save and be.” son (Burrell). Umpires: Home, Ron Kulpa; First, Dale end Los Angeles’ three-game losing The 24-year-old was coming Scott; Second, Rob Drake; Third, Mike DiMuro. T: 2:47. American League A: 12,436 (48,290). streak. off a horrid outing in Boston in — The Associated Press wild-card standings which he yielded eight runs in CHARLES KRUPA / AP W L Pct. GB 2 2/3 innings. Boston 86 59 .593 — MLB looks into Angels’ incident, Page 32 Howie Kendrick’s RBI single in the ninth gave the Angels the lead for good. Texas 80 65 .552 6 — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 36 AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE Kansas City 9, Detroit 2 Seattle 4, Chicago White Sox 3, 14 innings Milwaukee 7, Brewers 7, Cubs 4 Milwaukee AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Chicago Cubs 4 F.Lopez 2b 3 2 1 0 2 1 .308 Gerut rf 2 1 1 4 1 0 .217 c-C.Hart ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .257 Loss tightens Central race Sox miss out on opportunity Braun lf 4 1 2 0 1 1 .310 Gerut does his Fielder 1b 4 0 1 0 1 2 .298 M.Cameron cf 4 1 1 1 0 1 .255 DETROIT—Jim Leyland was Royals 9, Tigers 2 Mariners 4, White Sox 3, 14 innings part in rare start Gamel 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 .229 unhappy. Kansas City AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg. d-McGehee ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 .304 Bloomquist rf 5 2 4 0 0 0 .273 Podsednik lf 5 1 1 0 2 1 .302 Counsell 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283 Leaning back in his chair Maier lf 4 0 0 0 2 2 .250 Beckham 3b 6 1 1 0 1 2 .272 CHICAGO—Jody Gerut welcomed Mi.Rivera c 4 0 1 2 0 2 .232 with his feet propped up on top Butler 1b 5 2 1 0 0 0 .298 Pierzynski c 6 0 0 1 0 0 .310 the chance to start and responded A.Escobar ss 3 1 0 0 1 0 .300 Jacobs dh 3 0 0 0 2 2 .234 Konerko dh 6 1 3 0 0 1 .285 Bush p 3 1 1 0 0 2 .121 of his desk, the Detroit manager Callaspo 2b 4 1 2 3 1 0 .299 2-Lillibridge pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 .145 with one of his biggest hits since Coffey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 didn’t relish discussing his Olivo c 5 1 1 3 0 2 .248 Kotsay 1b 6 0 4 2 0 0 .281 joining the Milwaukee Brewers. Villanueva p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111 B.Pena c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270 Dye rf 6 0 0 0 0 3 .248 e-Bourgeois ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .161 team’s latest loss to last-place A.Gordon 3b 4 1 1 0 1 1 .205 Al.Ramirez ss 6 0 1 0 0 0 .279 Gerut’s second career grand C.Vargas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Kansas City. Lu.Hernandez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .186 Getz 2b 2 0 0 0 4 1 .268 slam lifted the Brewers to a 7-4 Hoffman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Y.Betancourt ss 5 1 2 0 0 1 .241 Rios cf 6 0 0 0 0 2 .242 Totals 33 7 8 7 6 11 “There’s no excuses,” he said. J.Anderson cf 5 1 1 3 0 2 .241 Totals 49 3 10 3 7 10 victory over the Chicago Cubs Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Zack Greinke lowered his Totals 40 9 12 9 6 10 on Thursday. It also helped Mil- Theriot ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 .289 Seattle AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Fukudome cf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .256 major league-leading ERA to Detroit AB R H BI BB SO Avg. I.Suzuki rf 6 0 2 1 1 1 .353 waukee earn a split in the four- D.Lee 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .304 2.14 with five scoreless innings Granderson cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .248 F.Gutierrez cf 6 0 1 0 0 1 .275 game series between two teams J.Fox lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .283 Thomas cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .241 Jo.Lopez 1b 6 1 2 1 0 1 .270 Bradley rf 2 0 1 0 0 0 .257 in a 9-2 victory Thursday over Polanco 2b 3 1 1 0 1 1 .278 M.Sweeney dh 5 0 2 0 0 0 .274 finishing disappointing 1-Scales pr-rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .247 1-M.Saunders pr-dh 1 0 1 0 0 0 .208 the Tigers. W.Ramirez rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .364 seasons. Je.Baker 3b 4 1 2 1 0 0 .296 C.Guillen lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .239 Beltre 3b 5 1 1 1 1 1 .263 Fontenot 2b 3 1 1 0 1 2 .237 Kansas City, an A.L.-worst Mi.Cabrera 1b 4 1 1 2 0 1 .332 Hall lf-2b 6 1 1 1 0 3 .238 “I’m happy for whatever I can K.Hill c 4 0 0 0 0 2 .237 Thames 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 Jo.Wilson ss 6 0 1 0 0 2 .250 59-87, has won six of its last Tuiasosopo 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .250 do,” Gerut said. R.Wells p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .167 A.Huff dh 4 0 2 0 0 1 .246 a-M.Hoffpauir ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 .236 seven games against the Tigers Avila c 3 0 0 0 1 2 .286 a-Griffey Jr. ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .217 Out of baseball for two years, Langerhans lf 1 1 1 0 0 0 .220 S.Marshall p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231 (78-68), whose A.L. Central Kelly rf-2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .241 Moore c 5 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Gerut put together a decent sea- Heilman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Inge 3b 3 0 1 0 0 2 .234 b-Ar.Ramirez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .321 lead over Minnesota (74-72) was b-Johjima ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255 son for the Padres a year ago and Dlugach 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Totals 52 4 13 4 2 11 Gorzelanny p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222 cut to four games. Detroit starts Santiago ss 2 0 1 0 2 1 .259 then was traded to the Brewers Caridad p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 33 2 7 2 4 13 Chicago 101 010 000 000 00 —3 10 0 Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 a three-game series at the TED S. WARREN / AP Seattle 000 000 102 000 01 —4 13 1 in May for Tony Gwynn. Berg p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Metrodome today. Kansas City 203 003 010 — 9 12 0 Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki delivers on his game-winning single in the 14th. One out when winning run scored. a-struck out for His start Thursday at Wrigley f-Miles ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .181 Detroit 000 002 000 — 2 7 0 Tuiasosopo in the 12th. b-was hit by a pitch for Moore Totals 34 4 8 3 1 7 “It’s going to be a playoff in the 14th. 1-ran for M.Sweeney in the 11th. 2-ran for Field was just his 18th in 71 Milwaukee 100 400 200 — 7 8 0 atmosphere,” Detroit’s Brandon LOB: Kansas City 11, Detroit 8. 2B: Callaspo (36). HR: SEATTLE—Manager Ozzie Jose Lopez and Bill Hall Konerko in the 12th. E: Hall (1). LOB: Chicago 12, Seattle appearances for the Brewers. Chicago 200 200 000 — 4 8 0 Olivo (21), off E.Jackson; J.Anderson (1), off Galarraga; 11. 2B: Konerko (29), I.Suzuki (31), Tuiasosopo (1). HR: a-doubled for R.Wells in the 4th. b-flied out for Heilman in Inge said. Mi.Cabrera (30), off Chen. RBIs: Callaspo 3 (65), Olivo Guillen was at a loss for each homered off Sox closer Beltre (7), off Danks; Jo.Lopez (24), off Jenks; Hall (2), “If you look at his history, he’s the 6th. c-grounded out for Gerut in the 7th. d-was hit by Greinke (14-8) gave up three 3 (58), J.Anderson 3 (23), Mi.Cabrera 2 (91). CS: Inge words after the Chicago Bobby Jenks in the ninth to off Jenks. RBIs: Pierzynski (46), Kotsay 2 (20), I.Suzuki done fine. So, a couple things he a pitch for Gamel in the 7th. e-popped out for Villanueva (5). Runners left in scoring position: Kansas City (41), Jo.Lopez (89), Beltre (39), Hall (9). SB: Getz (25), in the 8th. f-flied out for Berg in the 9th. 1-ran for Bradley hits, struck out eight and walked 6 (Olivo, Maier, Callaspo 2, A.Gordon 2); Detroit 3 White Sox’s latest loss. And tie it. Chicago, third in the Beltre (11). SF: Pierzynski. Runners left in scoring can do: He plays center field. He in the 6th. LOB: Milwaukee 7, Chicago 5. 2B: Braun (34), two. He has allowed only one (C.Guillen, Thomas 2). he rarely is ever at a loss for division, trails Detroit by position: Chicago 7 (Kotsay, Beckham 3, Podsednik, plays all three positions, keeps Mi.Rivera (7), M.Hoffpauir (10). 3B: Fielder (3). HR: Gerut Al.Ramirez, Dye); Seattle 4 (Tuiasosopo, F.Gutierrez 2, (7), off R.Wells. RBIs: Gerut 4 (29), M.Cameron (62), earned run in his past four Kansas City IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA words. 6½ games and Minnesota Hall). DP: Chicago 1 (Al.Ramirez, Getz, Kotsay); Seattle himself ready. He’s a pro and Mi.Rivera 2 (14), Je.Baker (18), M.Hoffpauir 2 (31). SB: starts, lowering his ERA from Greinke W, 14-8 5 3 0 0 2 8 77 2.14 With an opportunity to by 4 with 15 games to play. 1 (Jo.Wilson, Tuiasosopo, Jo.Lopez). he’s got some pop in his bat,” Theriot (20). SF: M.Cameron. Runners left in scoring Chen 1 2⁄3 2 2 2 1 1 33 5.78 Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA position: Milwaukee 5 (Gamel, M.Cameron, Mi.Rivera, 2.43. Farnsworth 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 15 4.63 improve their slim shot of With one out in the 14th, Danks 8 4 1 1 2 3 97 3.59 Milwaukee manager Ken Macha A.Escobar 2); Chicago 3 (Fontenot, Theriot, Ar.Ramirez). Greinke struck out two in the Soria 1 2 0 0 1 3 23 2.49 catching the Tigers in the Ryan Langerhans singled to Jenks BS, 6-35 1 2 2 2 0 1 13 3.71 said. DP: Milwaukee 1 (Gamel, F.Lopez, Fielder). Detroit IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Thornton 1 1 0 0 0 0 10 2.73 Milwaukee IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA first and three in the second. E.Jackson L, 12-7 5 6 5 5 1 6 96 3.37 A.L. Central on Thursday center off Scott Linebrink T.Pena 1 2⁄3 2 0 0 0 2 20 4.05 Mike Rivera also had a key Bush W, 5-7 5 2⁄3 8 4 4 1 4 90 5.88 The only real trouble he faced Galarraga 1⁄3 3 3 3 1 1 21 5.64 night, the White Sox blew a (3-7). Pinch-hitter Kenji Williams 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 4 6.08 bases-loaded hit for the Brewers, Coffey H, 24 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 8 3.09 Figaro 2 1 1 1 4 1 45 6.92 Dotel 1 2 0 0 0 3 26 3.32 Villanueva H, 9 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 5.46 was in the fourth, when the Bonderman 1 2⁄3 2 0 0 0 2 24 9.31 two-run lead in the ninth Johjima was hit by a pitch Linebrink L, 3-7 1⁄3 2 1 1 0 1 10 4.30 a two-run double in the seventh C.Vargas H, 9 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 2.06 righthander was struck on the inning then lost 4-3 in 14 then Suzuki hit his 205th Seattle IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA to push the lead to three. Hoffman S, 33-36 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 1.91 Inherited runners-scored: Farnsworth 1-0, Figaro Morrow 5 2⁄3 6 3 2 6 5 97 5.08 Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA upper part of his throwing arm 2-0, Bonderman 3-1. HBP: by Galarraga (Bloomquist). innings to the Seattle Mari- hit of the season, scoring J.Vargas 2⁄3 2 0 0 0 1 15 4.97 Gerut’s grand slam capped a R.Wells L, 10-9 4 5 5 5 5 4 80 3.18 by a liner off the bat of Miguel WP: Soria. Umpires: Home, Paul Emmel; First, Scott ners on Ichiro Suzuki’s Langerhans. Messenger 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 10 5.19 two-out rally that started when S.Marshall 1 1 0 0 0 2 11 4.46 Barry; Second, Gary Darling; Third, Bruce Dreckman. T: Olson 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 5.78 Heilman 1 0 0 0 0 2 12 4.09 Cabrera. Greinke gathered him- 3:05. A: 26,457 (41,255). game-ending single. As he rounded first base, Batista 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 4.41 Randy Wells (10-9) walked No. 8 Gorzelanny 2⁄3 1 2 2 1 1 14 5.29 Aardsma 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 2.06 self and threw out Cabrera at “Go on and ask (the play- the Mariners spilled out of hitter Alcides Escobar, gave up a Caridad 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 15 2.31 M.Lowe 2 2 0 0 1 2 33 2.89 Grabow 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 3.09 first, then needed several war- ers),” Guillen said. “I don’t the dugout and chased the Kelley W, 5-3 2 0 0 0 0 2 26 4.75 single to Brewers starter Dave Berg 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0.00 Inherited runners-scored: Williams 1-0, J.Vargas mup pitches and a visit from a have any more quotes. Seri- star right fielder all the way 2-0, Messenger 2-0. HBP: by Linebrink (Johjima). Bush and another walk to Felipe Inherited runners-scored: Coffey 2-0, Caridad 2-2. IBB: off R.Wells (Fielder). HBP: by Bush (Bradley), by trainer before he continued. ously, what am I going to into the outfield. Umpires: Home, Randy Marsh; First, Lance Barksdale; Lopez. Second, Marvin Hudson; Third, Angel Hernandez. T: Caridad (McGehee). Umpires: Home, Brian Knight; — The Associated Press say?” — The Associated Press 3:59. A: 16,336 (47,878). — The Associated Press First, Hunter Wendelstedt; Second, Dana DeMuth; Third, Doug Eddings. T: 2:49. A: 39,158 (41,210). SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 37 NATIONAL LEAGUE Cincinnati 3, Florida 2 Reds 3, Marlins 2 Philadelphia 4, Washington 2 Florida AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Atlanta 7, N.Y. Mets 3 Coghlan lf 4 1 4 0 0 0 .309 N.Johnson 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 .300 Phillies 4, Nationals 2 Rookie ruins Ha.Ramirez ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 .356 Cantu 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .278 Hamels looks Washington AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Uggla 2b 4 0 1 1 0 2 .246 Braves closer after 7th straight Maxwell cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .233 C.Ross cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .274 C.Guzman ss 4 0 0 0 0 2 .289 opportunity R.Paulino c 2 0 1 0 1 0 .270 Braves 7, Mets 3 Zimmerman 3b 4 1 1 0 0 1 .289 c-Gload ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .265 solid again Willingham lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .274 B.Carroll rf 3 0 1 0 0 1 .267 New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Dukes rf 4 1 2 1 0 0 .259 Pagan cf 5 0 1 0 0 1 .304 for Marlins d-Jo.Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .270 PHILADELPHIA—Cole Hamels is Desmond 2b 3 0 0 1 1 1 .500 A.Sanchez p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 L.Castillo 2b 5 0 0 0 0 1 .305 Morse 1b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .286 CINCINNATI—A rookie pitcher a-G.Sanchez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .200 D.Wright 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .315 again pitching like Philadel- d-W.Harris ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .230 Badenhop p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Dan.Murphy 1b 4 2 3 1 0 0 .262 with a bum finger and no career Pinto p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 phia’s October ace. Nieves c 1 0 0 0 0 0 .258 Francoeur rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .276 J.Bard c 2 0 0 0 0 2 .232 T.Wood p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 Thole c 4 0 0 0 0 0 .367 wins kept the Florida Marlins e-Helms ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .277 Hamels has turned his season Detwiler p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .071 Tatis lf 4 0 1 2 0 2 .272 a-J.Padilla ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .100 running in place. Totals 34 2 8 2 1 9 W.Valdez ss 3 0 2 0 1 0 .254 around down the stretch for the Cincinnati AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Clippard p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Emergency starter Matt Figueroa p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .214 N.L. East-leading Phillies, put- S.Rivera p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 D.McDonald cf-lf 3 1 2 1 1 1 .256 a-Reed ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .253 Maloney gritted it out for five Janish ss 4 1 1 0 0 1 .218 ting himself in position for Villone p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Votto 1b 2 1 0 0 2 0 .303 Stoner p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Kensing p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 innings to get his first big league B.Phillips 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .279 c-Sullivan ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .256 another postseason run. c-Alb.Gonzalez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .254 Totals 35 3 9 3 2 6 victory Thursday night, leading Rolen 3b 2 0 0 0 2 1 .257 Hamels took a perfect game Estrada p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Gomes lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .271 Totals 33 2 6 2 1 10 the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 vic- Cordero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg. into the sixth inning, master- McLouth cf 4 2 2 0 0 0 .274 tory that cost the Marlins a Bruce rf 4 0 1 2 0 2 .210 fully using his changeup while Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Hanigan c 3 0 0 0 0 1 .267 Prado 3b 4 2 3 2 0 1 .296 Rollins ss 4 0 2 1 0 0 .247 chance to gain ground in the Maloney p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .222 G.Anderson lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .275 matching a season high with 10 Victorino cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .296 R.Ramirez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- McCann c 2 1 1 4 1 0 .282 N.L. wild-card chase. Rhodes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 strikeouts and leading the Phil- b-Ibanez ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .280 Y.Escobar ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 .303 Utley 2b 3 1 1 0 1 1 .296 b-Sutton ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .189 Ad.LaRoche 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .278 The Marlins remained 5 Masset p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- lies to a 4-2 win over the Wash- Howard 1b 2 1 0 0 1 1 .269 M.Diaz rf 3 0 1 1 0 1 .320 Werth rf-cf 3 1 1 0 1 0 .272 games behind Colorado and 1 Stubbs cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .252 Infante 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .305 ington Nationals on Thursday Totals 29 3 6 3 5 8 B.Francisco lf-rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .246 1/2 behind San Francisco, both Jurrjens p 3 1 1 0 0 0 .133 night. P.Feliz 3b 3 1 0 0 1 0 .264 Florida 000 020 000 — 2 8 0 O’Flaherty p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 of whom were off. They couldn’t Cincinnati 300 000 00x — 3 6 0 JOHN BAZEMORE / AP “I think you have to enjoy it,” C.Ruiz c 3 0 0 1 1 0 .256 a-grounded out for A.Sanchez in the 6th. b-flied out for b-Conrad ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .262 Hamels p 3 0 1 1 0 2 .127 R.Soriano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- break their extended slump at Rhodes in the 7th. c-grounded out for R.Paulino in the Brian McCann’s three-run homer in the fifth gave Atlanta a 6-2 lead. Hamels said. “Sometimes, the Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 9th. d-struck out for B.Carroll in the 9th. e-struck out Totals 32 7 13 7 2 4 Totals 29 4 6 3 5 7 Great American Ball Park, for T.Wood in the 9th. LOB: Florida 7, Cincinnati 7. 2B: games get a little bit more mean- where they’ve dropped nine in a Coghlan 2 (23), Uggla (24), Janish (18), B.Phillips (27), New York 000 200 010 — 3 9 0 ingful. The fans know it, we Washington 000 000 101 — 2 6 0 Gomes (13). HR: D.McDonald (2), off A.Sanchez. RBIs: Atlanta 002 041 00x — 7 13 1 Philadelphia 000 012 10x — 4 6 0 row. Ha.Ramirez (100), Uggla (80), D.McDonald (9), Bruce ATLANTA—The Atlanta Atlanta (78-68) is 4½ know it. It’s just going out there Whenever they come to Cin- 2 (45). SB: D.McDonald (1). Runners left in scoring Braves and New York Mets games behind N.L. wild a-grounded out for Figueroa in the 6th. b-grounded and doing what we know best.” a-struck out for Detwiler in the 6th. b-struck out for position: Florida 4 (Cantu, A.Sanchez, Uggla, C.Ross); into a double play for O’Flaherty in the 8th. c-lined out cinnati, things never quite add Cincinnati 5 (Hanigan, Votto, Bruce, Rolen, B.Phillips). are streaking in opposite card-leading Colorado. Hamels (10-9), the MVP of Victorino in the 7th. c-flied out for Kensing in the 8th. for Stoner in the 9th. E: M.Diaz (3). LOB: New York 8, d-popped out for Morse in the 9th. LOB: Washington DP: Florida 1 (Ha.Ramirez, N.Johnson); Cincinnati 1 Atlanta 6. 2B: Dan.Murphy (34), Prado (28), Jurrjens (2). up. They fell behind 3-0 in the (B.Phillips, Votto). directions. “This is the best we’ve last season’s N.L. championship 5, Philadelphia 7. 2B: Maxwell (3), Rollins (38). 3B: 3B: Pagan (10). HR: Dan.Murphy (10), off O’Flaherty; Dukes (4). RBIs: Dukes (55), Desmond (5), Rollins (67), first inning and never made up Florida IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Brian McCann hit a tie- played since I’ve been McCann (19), off Figueroa. RBIs: Dan.Murphy (56), Tatis series and World Series, allowed A.Sanchez L, 2-7 5 5 3 3 3 7 98 4.50 C.Ruiz (42), Hamels (4). SB: Rollins (29). Runners left the ground in the N.L.’s most breaking three-run homer here,” McCann said. “It 2 (42), Prado 2 (44), McCann 4 (84), M.Diaz (49). SB: one run and five hits in eight in scoring position: Washington 3 (J.Bard 2, Zimmer- Badenhop 1 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 28 3.58 D.Wright (25), M.Diaz (10). S: Figueroa, McLouth. SF: hitter-friendly ballpark. Pinto 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 3.21 in the fifth inning and the feels great because we strong innings. He even chipped man); Philadelphia 4 (Werth, Victorino, Rollins 2). DP: T.Wood 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 18 1.89 McCann. Runners left in scoring position: New York Washington 1 (Zimmerman, Morse). “It held up,” manager Fredi Cincinnati IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Braves beat the reeling could have folded. That 5 (Francoeur 2, Pagan 2, L.Castillo); Atlanta 3 (Y.Escobar, in with an opposite-field RBI Jurrjens, Infante). DP: New York 2 (W.Valdez, Dan.Mur- Gonzalez said. “You figure with Maloney W, 1-4 5 7 2 2 1 3 96 5.35 Mets 7-3 on Thursday could have been it. I think single to help the Phillies win Washington IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA R.Ramirez H, 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 6.00 phy), (Dan.Murphy, W.Valdez, Dan.Murphy); Atlanta 1 Detwiler L, 0-6 5 4 1 1 1 6 87 5.80 the way we’re swinging the bats Rhodes H, 25 1 1 0 0 0 1 9 2.58 night for their first seven- we’re playing with a care- (Y.Escobar, Ad.LaRoche). their fifth straight game. Clippard 2⁄3 1 2 2 3 0 31 3.38 and the ballpark, it wouldn’t.” Masset H, 17 1 0 0 0 0 2 19 2.60 game winning streak since free attitude. There’s noth- “There’s nothing better than S.Rivera 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 6 5.40 Cordero S, 38-41 1 0 0 0 0 2 10 2.25 New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Villone 2⁄3 0 1 1 1 1 16 4.29 The Marlins have lingered in Pinto pitched to 1 batter in the 7th. Inherited run- 2006. ing to lose. At the end (of Figueroa L, 2-6 5 9 6 6 1 4 81 5.21 pitching at home in September,” Kensing 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 710.55 ners-scored: Pinto 1-0, T.Wood 2-0. HBP: by Maloney Stoner 3 4 1 1 1 0 24 5.14 the wild-card race by winning (N.Johnson). Umpires: Home, Bill Miller; First, Adrian “Everything’s going the regular season), we he said. “The fans are great and Estrada 1 0 0 0 0 0 1113.50 Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Johnson; Second, Derryl Cousins; Third, Jim Joyce. T: Jurrjens W, 12-10 7 6 2 1 2 5 100 2.75 10 of their last 15. They’ve strug- 2:51. A: 9,685 (42,319). good right now,” manager hope it will be enough. it kind of gives you that extra Hamels W, 10-9 8 5 1 1 1 10 109 4.07 O’Flaherty 1 2 1 1 0 1 13 3.20 Lidge S, 30-40 1 1 1 1 0 0 16 7.21 gled against the Reds, losing 11 Bobby Cox said. We’ll see.” R.Soriano 1 1 0 0 0 0 19 2.67 motivation.” of their last 14 since 2007. McCann also had a sac- The Braves, who moved Hamels finally ran into trou- Inherited runners-scored: S.Rivera 3-1, Kensing National League HBP: by Figueroa (M.Diaz). Umpires: Home, Dan The Reds sold only 9,685 rifice fly in his fifth game past Florida for second in ble in the seventh when he gave 1-1. HBP: by Detwiler (Howard). WP: Villone, Kensing. wild card standings Iassogna; First, Larry Vanover; Second, Sam Holbrook; Umpires: Home, Paul Schrieber; First, Paul Nauert; tickets for the game, the second- of the season with at least the N.L. East, host divi- Third, Mike Estabrook. T: 2:22. A: 20,192 (49,743). up a run and loaded the bases. Second, Joe West; Third, Ed Rapuano. T: 2:43. A: 45,210 smallest gate in Great Ameri- W L Pct. GB four RBIs, helping the sion-leading Philadelphia The 25-year-old lefthander got (43,647). Colorado 83 64 .565 — can Ball Park’s seven-year San Francisco 79 67 .541 3½ Braves move 10 games for a weekend series begin- Mike Morse to fly out and struck history. Atlanta 78 68 .534 4½ over .500 for the first time ning tonight. out Josh Bard to escape the jam. Florida 78 69 .534 5 — The Associated Press Chicago 75 70 .517 7 since May 16, 2007. — The Associated Press — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 38

INSIDE DISH Report: Kessel trade will happen within a week

With the Bruins facing the loom- signing free-agent C Manny Malhotra, Register that he’s ready for a quieter ing threat of an offer sheet being who has played the last five seasons existence as just another player for extended to restricted free agent Phil for the Columbus Blue Jackets. the Anaheim Ducks. Kessel, the Boston Herald is reporting Malhotra, the newspaper says, While acknowledging that his that the team is close to pulling off a immediately becomes the top candi- long run as captain of the Montreal blockbuster trade for the 21-year- date for a spot on the Sharks’ third Canadiens was an honor and a old sniper. line—an opening created with last privilege, he also said that position Citing two “well-placed sources week’s trade for Dany Heatley. of responsibility in a city where in Toronto,” the newspaper said Malhotra scored 11 goals and 35 hockey is religion can be wearing that four teams still are in the run- points in 77 games last season for and frustrating. ning and that a deal should be final- the Blue Jackets. “Montreal is a great place, but it ized within the next week. Toronto can be a tough place as well,” Koivu and Nashville are known to have Welcome to the NHL, kid! told the newspaper. “Right now I made offers and are the leading con- Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet didn’t can focus on my own stuff and try tenders. But Minnesota and the waste any time exposing No. 2 over- to help the team and the guys with- reportedly are all draft pick Victor Hedman to the rig- out having to worry about the extra in the mix, too. ors of the NHL Wednesday night stuff as a captain. I’m still going to The Bruins had hoped to keep when the Lightning played their do things the same way that I did Kessel, who scored 36 goals last first preseason game—a 4-3 shoot- when I was captain, but not having season. But he rejected what they out loss at Dallas’ American Air- that responsibility, it kind of feels considered a lucrative offer and his lines Center. good.” $5 million-plus asking price would The Lightning’s prized Swedish Koivu, who signed as a free agent put them well over the salary cap. If defenseman was on the ice for a after 13 years in Montreal, says he a team extends an offer sheet just game-high 27 minutes, 15 seconds, looks forward to skating alongside before the start of the season, Bos- 4:39 more than anyone else. Did he longtime Finnish friend Teemu ton general manager Peter Chiarelli pass the test? Selanne and deferring to Ducks cap- would be forced to clear a lot of sal- “If I had to say who tried and tain Scott Niedermayer on all team ary quickly to keep him on the Oct. played hard, Victor would be in my matters. 1 roster. A deal timed in that way, top, absolutely,” Tocchet told the St. the newspaper surmises, would Petersburg Times. “Victor is an excel- Veteran G Manny Legace said he make it virtually impossible for lent player. He makes mistakes like knows it will be tough to win a ros- Chiarelli to match. everybody, and we’ll work with ter spot with the , Kessel appears to be in the driv- him. But the poise of his is some- but there’s no doubt his game is HANS DERYK / AP er’s seat because he can hold out for thing you don’t teach.” NHL-ready and he can provide The Predators reportedly have offered a first-round pick, the rights to forward Alexander Radulov and another prospect for Phil Kessel, center. a big offer sheet while rehabbing his Hedman also showed some skill valuable insurance in some team’s shoulder after offseason surgery. in the interview room. net. “I talked to a lot of teams,” he told tion in my mind.” Sykora, 32, was the fourth-lead- He has started skating and report- “It was great,” he told the news- Legace, a former All-Star and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ing scorer last season for the Stanley edly is ahead of schedule, but he paper. “It was great to play those Stanley Cup winner, lost his start- “but (couldn’t find) what I was look- It didn’t take long for the Min- Cup champion Penguins. His 25 won’t be ready to play for at least minutes.” ing job in St. Louis last season and ing for. Atlanta said, ‘Why don’t you nesota Wild to decide they want to goals, giving him 300 over his several weeks. spent most of the second half in the come to camp?’ They were the first keep RW Petr Sykora. After two prac- 13-year career, marked his 10th After 10 years as captain of the AHL. He is with the Thrashers on a ones to ask ... and I jumped at it. tices on a tryout basis in training straight season of 20 or more. The San Jose Mercury News most celebrated franchise in hockey, pro tryout, one of four goalies com- There is no question (that I can play camp, the team signed the veteran Sykora also has played in the Stan- reported that the Sharks are close to C Saku Koivu told The Orange County peting for a roster spot. at the NHL level). There is no ques- Thursday to a one-year contract. ley Cup finals five times. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 39

SUMMARIES Preseason Glance PRESEASON All Times ET SPOTLIGHT Washington 1 0 2 1 — 4 Atlanta 0 0 0 — 0 EASTERN CONFERENCE Buffalo 0 0 3 0 — 3 Nashville 2 1 2 — 5 Atlantic Division W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 4, Buffalo 3, OT First Period: 1, Washington, Giroux 1 (Morrison, First Period: 1, Nashville, Laakso 1 (Eaves, Clark), 8:30. Penalties: Giroux, Was (slashing), Wilson), 14:14. 2, Nashville, Arnott 1 (Sullivan, New Jersey 1 0 0 2 3 2 11:35. Suter), 17:43. Penalties: O’Reilly, Nas (hooking), Pittsburgh 1 0 0 2 5 4 Second Period: None. Penalties: Schultz, Was 2:03; Kulda, Atl (cross-checking), 6:31; Oystrick, N.Y. Rangers 0 1 1 1 3 5 Pothier benefits from (cross-checking), 3:33; Laich, Was (interference), Atl (tripping), 7:25; Kulda, Atl (hooking), 17:34; N.Y. Islanders 0 2 1 1 8 10 7:05. Wilson, Nas (diving), 17:34. Philadelphia 0 2 0 0 1 7 Third Period: 2, Buffalo, Pominville 1 (Vanek, Second Period: 3, Nashville, Dumont 1 (Arnott, Northeast Division Kostka), 2:16. 3, Buffalo, MacArthur 1 (Butler, Sullivan), 8:02. Penalties: Olvecky, Nas (hook- W L OT Pts GF GA two-man advantage Stafford), 6:12. 4, Washington, Knuble 1 (Back- ing), 3:00; Sterling, Atl (goaltender interference), Boston 2 0 0 4 5 3 strom, Pothier), 13:29. 5, Buffalo, Kennedy 1 13:38; Franson, Nas (hooking), 19:29; Suter, Nas Montreal 1 0 0 2 3 2 BUFFALO—Brian Pothier scored scored third-period goals for (Gogulla, Gerbe), 17:28. 6, Washington, Beagle (cross-checking), 19:59. Toronto 1 1 0 2 6 3 during a two-man advantage in Buffalo. Patrick Lalime started 1 (A.Gordon), 17:51. Penalties: Clark, Was (trip- Third Period: 4, Nashville, Weber 1 (Hornqvist, Buffalo 0 0 1 1 3 4 ping), 13:50; Enroth, Buf, served by McCormick Wilson), 2:17. 5, Nashville, Wilson 1 (Jones, Horn- overtime to lift the Washington in goal for the Sabres and (delay of game), 19:24; Weber, Buf (boarding), qvist), 4:40. Penalties: Valabik, Atl, misconduct, Ottawa 0 2 0 0 2 5 Capitals to a 4-3 victory over stopped six of seven shots in 19:46. 7:34; Boulton, Atl (cross-checking), 9:23; Kulda, Southeast Division Overtime: 7, Washington, Pothier 1 (Backstrom, Atl, major (fighting), 10:45; Franson, Nas, served W L OT Pts GF GA the on Thursday just over 33 minutes. Enroth Bourque), :49 (pp). Penalties: None. by Dumont, minor-major (interference, fighting), Florida 2 1 0 4 7 5 night in the preseason opener made 21 saves. Shots on Goal: Washington 7-12-13-1: 33. Buf- 10:45. Washington 1 0 0 2 4 3 falo 8-9-6-0: 23. Shots on Goal: Atlanta 7-8-7: 22. Nashville Tampa Bay 0 0 1 1 3 4 for both. Power-play opportunities: Washington 1 of 2; 17-10-9: 36. Carolina 0 0 0 0 0 0 Buffalo, which had not been Montreal 3, Florida 2 Buffalo 0 of 4. Power-play opportunities: Atlanta 0 of 5; Atlanta 0 1 0 0 0 5 Goalies: Washington, Varlamov 1-0-0 (23 shots- Nashville 0 of 4. assessed a penalty until 39 sec- Scott Gomez and WESTERN CONFERENCE MONTREAL— 20 saves). Buffalo, Lalime (7-6), Enroth 0-0-1 Goalies: Atlanta, MacIntyre 0-1-0 (36 shots-31 Central Division onds remained in regulation, Mike Cammalleri scored goals (13:13 second, 26-23). saves). Nashville, D.Ellis 1-0-0 (13-13), Dekanich W L OT Pts GF GA A: 17,597 (18,690). T: 2:16. (10:39 second, 9-9). incurred two in a span of 25 to lead the overhauled Montreal Referees: Greg Kimmerly, Dan Marouelli. Lines- A: 14,103 (17,113). T: 2:19. Detroit 1 0 0 2 3 1 seconds to set up the overtime Canadiens. men: Brad Kovachik, Brian Murphy. Referees: Stephane Auger, Chris Lee. Linesmen: Nashville 1 0 0 2 5 0 Mark Pare, Pierre Racicot. St. Louis 1 0 0 2 3 1 power play. Pothier fired a slap Carey Price stopped all nine Philadelphia 0 0 0 — 0 Columbus 0 0 1 1 4 5 shot from the center point past shots he faced in the first half of Toronto 2 1 1 — 4 Florida 0 0 2 — 2 Chicago 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montreal 1 2 0 — 3 Northwest Division Buffalo goalie Jhonas Enroth. the game and Matt D’Agostini First Period: 1, Toronto, Stempniak 1 (Hagman, W L OT Pts GF GA “Eventually you get an oppor- also scored for Montreal, which Kaberle), 4:12. 2, Toronto, Kadri 1 (Hagman, First Period: 1, Montreal, Gomez 1 (Spacek, Edmonton 2 0 0 4 7 3 Kaberle), 13:54. Penalties: Ondrus, Tor (hook- Cammalleri), 18:24. Penalties: Seidenberg, Fla tunity and you win,” Washing- won its preseason opener before Vancouver 2 0 0 4 5 1 ing), 1:41; Tollefsen, Phi, major (fighting), 5:50; (cross-checking), :42; Markov, Mon (hooking), Colorado 1 0 0 2 3 1 ton coach Bruce Boudreau said. a sellout Bell Centre crowd of Ondrus, Tor, major (fighting), 5:50; Carcillo, Phi, 8:10; McArdle, Fla (elbowing), 11:13; Trotter, Mon Minnesota 0 1 0 0 1 3 minor-major (roughing, fighting), 9:26; Schenn, (tripping), 17:20; Booth, Fla, double minor (high- Alexandre Giroux, Mike 21,273. PETER MCCABE / AP Tor, minor-major (roughing, fighting), 9:26. sticking), 17:56. Calgary 1 1 0 2 6 8 Knuble and Jay Beagle scored Cammalleri got a kick out of Montreal’s Max Pacioretty, left, hits Florida’s Nathan Horton during an exchange Second Period: 3, Toronto, Grabovski 1 (Kulemin), Second Period: 2, Montreal, Cammalleri 1 Pacific Division 19:26. Penalties: Richards, Phi (elbowing), :32; (A.Kostitsyn), 8:21. 3, Montreal, D’Agostini 1, W L OT Pts GF GA for Washington. Semyon Varla- being announced as the game’s in the second period Thursday. Kalinski, Phi (hooking), 6:37; Kadri, Tor (high- 12:51. Penalties: Mink, Fla (holding stick), 3:37; Los Angeles 1 1 1 3 7 9 mov played the entire game in first star in French. sticking), 8:20; Wallin, Tor (hooking), 11:16; Powe, Cammalleri, Mon (hooking), 3:37; Gomez, Mon Phoenix 1 1 1 3 9 9 Phi, double minor (high-sticking), 14:04; Timonen, (high-sticking), 12:07; Weiss, Fla (slashing), 12:29; Anaheim 1 1 0 2 3 5 goal for the Capitals and made “I’ve got to admit since I was the game in place of Brian capping his sophomore season Phi (high-sticking), 15:24. Subban, Mon (slashing), 13:08; Allen, Fla (rough- Dallas 1 1 0 2 5 6 20 saves. a kid I remember hearing, ‘La Boucher. Christian Hanson at Boston University with a Third Period: 4, Toronto, Hanson 1 (Rosehill, ing), 16:01; Lapierre, Mon (roughing), 16:01; San Jose 1 0 0 2 2 1 Bozak), 14:26. Penalties: Cote, Phi, major Booth, Fla (high-sticking), 18:27. “Varly was pretty outstand- premiere etoile!’” Cammalleri made it 4-0 with 5:34 left in the national championship. Two points for a win, one point for over- (fighting), 2:02; Rosehill, Tor, major (fighting), Third Period: 4, Florida, Booth 2 (Horton), time loss or shootout loss. ing in the first two periods,” said. “That’s something that me third. Arnott gave Nashville a 2-0 2:02; Kulemin, Tor (tripping), 5:16; Richards, Phi 5:27. 5, Florida, Dadonov 1 (Campbell, Mink), (hooking), 9:35; Stephenson, Phi, minor-major 10:38. Penalties: Allen, Fla (roughing), 1:51; Boudreau said. “There were a and my dad would always tease Kadri, a former member of lead at 17:43 of the first. On (boarding, fighting), 11:57; Ondrus, Tor, major Campbell, Fla, major (fighting), 1:51; Duco, Fla, Thursday’s Games lot of good efforts. The defen- about, we’d say those words. the London Knights, completed Nashville’s third goal, Steve (fighting), 11:57; Carcillo, Phi, double minor- minor-misconduct (cross-checking), 1:51; Lapi- Washington 4, Buffalo 3, OT misconduct (roughing), 17:15; A.Rogers, Tor, erre, Mon (cross-checking), 1:51; O’Byrne, Mon, Toronto 4, Philadelphia 0 sive veterans had a good game.” He’s here tonight so I’m sure it a nifty behind-the-back pass Sullivan slid a pass to Arnott, minor-misconduct (roughing), 17:15; Kaberle, major (fighting), 1:51; Weiss, Fla, major (spearing, Montreal 3, Florida 2 Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff was special for him as well.” from Niklas Hagman for his who sent a cross-ice pass to J.P. Tor (hooking), 17:35; Asham, Phi, major-game match--deliberate injury), 11:31; McArdle, Fla Nashville 5, Atlanta 0 misconduct (charging), 19:20. (delay of game), 15:17. Colorado 3, Dallas 1 agreed about the Capitals’ first professional goal on the Dumont, who scored on a wrist Shots on Goal: Philadelphia 9-8-11: 28. Shots on Goal: Florida 7-6-17: 30. Montreal Calgary 5, N.Y. Islanders 4, SO goaltending. Toronto 4, Philadelphia 0 same ice he played most of his shot. Toronto 3-9-8: 20. 17-9-5: 31. Vancouver 3, Anaheim 0 Power-play opportunities: Philadelphia 0 of 0; Power-play opportunities: Florida 0 of 4; “Varlamov was the story in LONDON, ONTARIO—Lee Stemp- junior career. Nashville defensemen Teemu San Jose 2, Los Angeles 1 Toronto 0 of 0. Montreal 0 of 9. Today’s Games the first period,” Ruff said. “We niak and rookie Nazem Kadri Laakso and Shea Weber also Goalies: Philadelphia, Boucher 0-1-0 (6 shots-4 Goalies: Florida, Clemmensen 1-1-0 (26 shots-23 saves), Backlund (10:33 second, 14-12). Toronto, saves), Salak (0:00 third, 5-5). Montreal, Price Nashville at Carolina, 7 p.m. could have ran away with the scored in the first period to lead Nashville 5, Atlanta 0 scored. MacDonald 1-1-0 (13-13), Reimer (10:33 second, 1-0-0 (9-9), Sanford (10:26 second, 21-19). Toronto at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. game, but he made four or five Toronto. NASHVILLE—Rookie Colin Wil- Dan Ellis started in goal for 15-15). A: 21,273 (21,273). T: 2:25. Ottawa at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. A: 9,090 (0). T: 2:29. Referees: Eric Furlatt, Stephane Auger. Lines- Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. really good saves when we had Mikhail Grabovski made it son had a goal and two assists, Nashville, stopping 13 shots. Referees: Don Van Massenhoven, Frederick men: Pierre Champoux, Michel Cormier. N.Y. Rangers at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. 2-on-1s and outnumbered 3-0 in the final minute of the and Nashville captain Jason Mark Dekanich replaced him L’Ecuyer. Linesmen: Greg Devorski, Steve Miller. Colorado at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Columbus at Minnesota, 8 p.m. situations.” second period with an offspeed Arnott had a goal and an assis. midway through the second Florida at Edmonton, 9 p.m. Jason Pominville, Clarke shot that beat Johan Backlund, Wilson signed with the Pred- period. Anaheim at Phoenix, 10 p.m. MacArthur, and Tim Kennedy who played the second half of ators in the offseason after — The Associated Press Fleury marks return by helping Flames win in SO, Page 5 Vancouver at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 40 Numbers NHL countdown Every day in September leading into the Oct. 1 season openers, Sporting CATEGORY TEAM STATS RANKS News Today will preview each of the 2008-09 record: 45-30-7, 97 points Goals per game 2.88 16 Penalty kill percentage 80.40 19 NHL teams, counting backward from Last Playoff: 2009 (lost in conference championship) Power play goals 70 10t its July 24 Power Poll. Coach: Paul Maurice Power play percentage 18.72 18 13 Saves 2198 16 Save percentage .909 11 BY LUKE DECOCK defense that failed to slow Pittsburgh’s for- Shorthanded goals for 8 12t Sporting News Yearbooks wards in the playoffs; and a veteran group Shots against per game 29.50 14 of forwards led by budding superstar Eric Shots per game 32.62 6 After a season that went longer than Staal. Shutouts 6 11t expected, the Hurricanes did less than The biggest variable in standing pat is Total points 645 15 expected over the summer. whether the Hurricanes were a legitimately Faceoff percentage .513 8 Their big free-agent signings? Forwards good team that got off to a bad start last sea- Goals against per game 2.70 8 Erik Cole and Chad LaRose. Both were free son, or a middle-of-the-pack squad that got Power play 374 1t agents for about 48 hours before returning hot at the right time. In both word and opportunities to the Hurricanes. action, Rutherford is certain they are the Shorthanded goals 99t By re-signing those two players, the Hur- former. against ricanes go into this year with essentially “We’re going to start the season with a Times shut out 1 30 the same team that made it to the Eastern pretty darn good team,” Rutherford said. Conference finals last season before being For the Hurricanes, everything starts in Offseason moves swept by the eventual champion Penguins. net, where Ward had his best season since Additions Of course, the big changes for the Hurri- taking over the No. 1 job in the 2006 play- Andrew Alberts, D (Flyers); Zach Fitzgerald, D canes happened in the middle of last sea- offs. His fundamentals have never been in (Canucks); Steven Goertzen, RW (Coyotes); Jay son, when they replaced Stanley question, but Ward made giant strides in Harrison, D (Maple Leafs); Tom Kostopoulos, RW Cup-winning coach Peter Laviolette with his mental approach under the guidance of (Canadiens), Aaron Ward, D (trade, Bruins). his predecessor, Paul Maurice, and picked goalie coach Tom Barrasso. Jussi Jokinen off Tampa Bay’s scrap heap. And it showed down the stretch of the Subtractions Given how well Carolina played at the regular season, when he started 28 straight Patrick Eaves, RW (Red Wings); Mark Flood, D end of the season, general manager Jim games, and in the playoffs, where he added (Islanders); Dwight Helminen, C (Sharks); Frantisek Rutherford decided the best move was to two more Game 7 wins to his resume. Kaberle, D (buyout). stand pat. Maurice, who replaced Laviolette Expect Ward to play in 65 to 70 games, on an interim basis, was awarded a long- with as a competent term deal, and Cole and LaRose were re- backup. appears to have resurrected his career. signed, even after they became unrestricted Ward was Carolina’s first-round pick in On defense, the Canes have a wealth of free agents. 2002. The Hurricanes’ No. 1 pick in 2003 puck-movers and power-play guys, but Other than a few minor departures— has had a similar impact. Staal stepped BILL KOSTROUN / AP they could use a few more defensemen who Dennis Seidenberg and Ryan Bayda were straight into the lineup that fall and hasn’t Eric Staal has the ability to carry the Hurricanes, as evidenced by his play in the first round of the playoffs last season. excel at playing defense. Joni Pitkanen (33 allowed to leave—and the addition of gritty left since, missing only one game in his points) and Joe Corvo (14 goals, 38 points) forward Tom Kostopoulos and defenseman career. Staal, but he hasn’t had a playmaking pick —who started last sea- lead the way offensively, with Tim Gleason Andrew Alberts, the Hurricanes stuck Staal started slowly last season but picked winger since Cory Stillman was traded. son in the NHL but was derailed by a con- being the only defensive stalwart. with the status quo, partially by choice and up his game when Cole came over from the Beyond Staal, there’s depth at center and cussion—could get a look as well. With Niclas Wallin and Tim Conboy the partly because of financial necessity. Even Oilers at the trade deadline. He is Carolina’s on the wings. Matt Cullen has been an On the wings, Ray Whitney led the team only other blue liners with NHL contracts, the though they made money for the first time most dangerous offensive player—by far— effective No. 2 center, while Rod in scoring despite playing most of the sea- Canes signed Alberts and traded for Aaron in three years, their payroll budget is still and is capable of carrying the team, as he Brind’Amour is due to bounce back after son with a broken finger. Cole and LaRose Ward. Prospects such as Bryan Rodney and well below the league salary cap. did during the first round of the playoffs. injuries ruined the former Selke winner’s were welcomed back after briefly testing Brett Carson could compete for spots. What’s left is a team built around goalie The biggest issue is finding wingers to 2008-09 campaign. the market. Tuomo Ruutu provides a physi- — For much more on the Hurricanes, purchase a copy of Sporting Cam Ward, who showed his 2006 playoff complement Staal’s game. Cole’s speed has Jokinen is a useful utility winger or cal edge to go with his skill, Kostopoulos News Hockey ’09-10 yearbook by calling 1-800-380-7404. Or order it run was no fluke; an offensive-minded proven effective when he’s paired with fourth-line center, and 2007 first-round adds toughness and Sergei Samsonov online at sportingnews.com or streetandsmiths.com SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 41 Refs’ spokesman: INSIDE DISH Lockout appears Arenas: Wizards ‘should have held me back’

‘imminent’ Those who have seen G Gilbert Arenas NEW YORK—The lead negotiator and spokesman play this offseason say he looks in great for the NBA’s referees union said Thursday a shape. Arenas, coming back from three lockout appears “imminent and unavoidable” knee surgeries over the past two years, following the latest breakdown in talks. DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP doesn’t debate this point. “Nobody Lamell McMorris said the officials made Joe DeRosa, center, has been an NBA referee for 20 seasons. could guard me before, and can’t nobody another $1 million in concessions in their pro- guard me now,” Arenas recently told posal, but believes it’s evident the league is reconvened early Thursday morning to finalize The Washington Times. not interested in further discussions. The the counterproposal they made to the league. But Arenas credits renowned trainer officials then headed home after spending the Talks previously broke down after NBA Tim Grover of Attack Athletics, rather last 24 hours meeting in Chicago. commissioner David Stern ended a meeting in than the Wizards, for his comeback. In “It’s become evident that the league would New York, saying the officials had reneged on fact, Arenas told The Times the Wizards not be interested in continuing conversation at previously agreed to items. McMorris sounded should have held him back rather than this time,” McMorris said. hopeful of a deal Wednesday night, but little let him try to return from his previous The NBA had a similarly pessimistic view. progress was made in Thursday’s talks. rehabs too quickly. “I’m not going to handicap it, other than to “I would say that the parties had discussions “If you have a kid that loves basket- say there’s always time to make an agreement if today. They made some new proposals, we ball, that eats, sleeps, drinks and thinks the parties want to do that,” NBA general coun- made some additional proposals. We didn’t basketball and all he knows is basket- sel and lead negotiator Rick Buchanan said. make a deal,” Buchanan said. ball and he gets hurt and he’s your “I’m not optimistic based on what happened McMorris previously said the officials, sen- franchise player, you need to hold him today. We’ll just have to see what happens.” sitive to the financial difficulties the league is back from himself,” Arenas said. “If The contract between the NBA and its offi- facing, agreed to $2.5 million in concessions, I’m saying I feel good and you know it’s cials expired Sept. 1 and the sides have been but the league sought further cuts in areas such supposed to take six months, instead of STEVE HELBER / AP trying to reach a new two-year deal. McMorris as the travel budget and per diems. Stern said letting me at four months run ... they Gilbert Arenas, above, credits trainer Tim Grover for helping save his career. said they largely agree on salaries, but the the goal was to bring the referees’ budget in line should have held me back. Rather than union has balked at the league’s attempt to with other departments. saying, ‘Let’s let this guy do what he Hawks F will sit out the Free-agent G/F Desmond Mason signed change retirement benefits. But McMorris said the officials are unwilling wants and use him to sell tickets’— next 10 days after cutting his left hand a one-year contract with the Sacramento Besides the severance and pension disagree- to accept any further changes to their retire- sometimes you have to protect players while playing a pickup game with team- Kings on Thursday. His deal is not guar- ments, the officials are resisting a league devel- ment benefits. from themselves. I don’t feel like I got mates and other NBA players, The Atlanta anteed and will pay him the league mini- opment plan for young officials. “We’ve given so many concessions in other that type of protection. But, I don’t Journal-Constitution reported. Smith mum of $1.18 million. Mason played only Without a new deal, replacement officials areas, a line has to be drawn,” he said. “It has to judge them for that. Some things just needed seven stitches to close the cut. 39 games last season for Oklahoma City, will be used when preseason play opens Oct. 1. be fair and equitable for everyone in our group.” happen. I told them I felt OK because I missing the second half of the season with The NBA last began a season without its regu- McMorris said the referees won’t be in New wanted to play, and they did what they The Blazers signed F Juwan Howard a hyperextended right knee. lar referees in 1995-96, when the caliber of offi- Jersey for their annual training camp, sched- did.” to a one-year contract, the team ciating was roundly criticized. uled to begin Sunday. He praised them for the announced Thursday. Terms of the con- Spain easily moved past France “We’re prepared to be locked out by the NBA efforts they made in Chicago at their own Developer Bruce C. Ratner, who tract were not disclosed. Howard, 36, and into the semifinals of the European but also remain open to ongoing dialogue,” expense, even while struggling to remain opti- received final state approval Thursday has spent 15 seasons in the NBA. basketball championship, winning McMorris said, adding that negotiations have mistic they could eventually pay off. to build an $800 million arena in 86-66 Thursday. Lakers PF/C been difficult because the league “has made “I’m extremely proud of the 57 individuals Brooklyn for the Nets, is close to selling The Heat will retire former guard had 28 points and nine rebounds for pretty clear they have a goal they are trying to that we represent. Their unity, the good-faith a majority stake to a Russian billionaire Tim Hardaway’s No. 10 jersey in a cere- Spain, while Spurs PG Tony Parker was achieve as it relates to these long-term benefits.” nature that they have sought to negotiate with Mikhail Prokhorov, The New York Times mony Oct. 28, immediately prior to the kept in check for France, with only six All 57 active referees arrived in Chicago on their employee,” McMorris said. “We’re quite reported on its website Thursday night. season-opener against the Knicks. It points and three assists. Wednesday, meeting for more than seven hours proud and confident that we’ve given it our best The deal, if completed, would not affect will be the second Heat jersey retired in In Thursday’s other quarterfinal, and unanimously rejecting a proposal the league shot, that we’ve put forth a good-faith effort.” the team’s planned move, The Times team history: Alonzo Mourning’s No. 33 Serbia used tough defense to upset made earlier that day. McMorris said the officials — The Associated Press reported. went to the rafters last season. defending champ Russia 79-68. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Basketball / WNBA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 42

INSIDE DISH Indiana 88, Washington 79 Suspensions result from rape investigation Fever take ownership of fourth quarter COLLEGE PARK, MD.—Tamika Catchings said the Indi- Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said Thursday he will ana Fever had a simple mantra as they walked off the suspend at least one player 2-3 games following a rape court trailing after three quarters in their playoff investigation that did not result in charges. The school opener: “Pick It Up.” released a statement from Pelphrey outlining punish- From their offensive pace to their defensive inten- ment in the aftermath of the allegations. The release sity, the top-seeded Fever did exactly that as they did not name any players and Pelphrey said he could opened the fourth quarter with a 17-3 run on the way not disclose specific punishments because of federal to an 88-79 victory over the Washington Mystics on privacy laws. Thursday night in their Eastern Conference first- Authorities decided against charges after investi- round series. gating a woman’s claim that she had been raped Aug. “We have 10 more minutes, its all or nothing,” 27 at a fraternity house. The allegations were made Catchings, who had 26 points and 12 rebounds, said against three Arkansas basketball players. in recapping the talk before the fourth quarter. “Although the student-athletes involved have been “Everybody came out and right off the bat we got like cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, we expect Razor- four layups in a row. Our tempo went up and we have back student-athletes to adhere to a higher standard to keep feeding off of that.” and code of conduct,” Pelphrey said. Katie Douglas added 19 points and Briann January The school did not say how many players would be was a spark off the bench with 16—all in the second suspended, though athletic department spokesman half—for the Fever, who entered the fourth quarter Kevin Trainor said it could be more than one. The school down 58-56. ERIC GAY / AP also said it would include educational programming, Indiana came into the playoffs having lost seven of Ann Wauters, left, and the Silver Stars fought for a Game 1 win. community service, additional conditioning and “indi- its last 10 games, but the Fever turned up their noted vidualized meetings with an appropriate professional ORLIN WAGNER / AP defensive pressure late and improved to 5-0 against Diana Taurasi, DeWanna Bonner and Pondexter all regarding decision-making choices” as part of its cor- Retiree-in-waiting Gene Iba is 22 wins away from 500 for his career. the Mystics this season and 17-4 in their last 21 added 15. rective actions. meetings. — The Associated Press The school said the educational programs would be Henry Iba, has a 252-154 record in 14 years at Pittsburg “I think everybody came out real focused tonight,” provided to all players. State and a 478-357 record in 29 years of college coach- Catchings said. “As a team, one of the things we talked An 18-year-old freshman named three basketball ing. Before Pittsburg State, Iba coached for 7 seasons about coming into the locker room right before the WNBA glance (Best-of-3) players in the rape complaint, saying one forced her to at Baylor, 8 years at Houston Baptist and was Hall of game was coming out having fun, playing together, EASTERN CONFERENCE commit a sex act and another began a sex act with her Famer Don Haskins’ assistant at Texas-El Paso. sticking together no matter what.” Indiana vs. Washington a short time later in a locked bedroom. Thursday: Indiana 88, Washington 79 (Indiana leads series 1-0) Prosecutor John Threet said last week he wouldn’t file Former Kentucky player Derrick Miller has pleaded San Antonio 92, Phoenix 91 Saturday: Washington at Indiana, 7 p.m. charges in the case, saying the investigation didn’t not guilty to theft by deception charges in connection SAN ANTONIO—Sophia Young scored 24 points to lead x-Monday: Washington at Indiana, 8 p.m. Detroit vs. Indiana show that the woman was unaware a sex act occurred with an alleged ticket scam, The Lexington Herald- the Silver Stars to a victory over the Mercury in the Wednesday: Detroit 94, Atlanta 89 (Detroit leads series 1-0) or that she was unable to say no. Leader reported. opener of the Western Conference first-round series. Today: Detroit at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Judge Earl-Ray Neal said another felony count has been The previous two Western Conference champions x-Sunday: Detroit at Atlanta, 3 p.m. UCLA coach Ben Howland has undergone an appen- filed in Bell County against the 42-year-old ex-Wild- will play Game 2 in Phoenix on Saturday night. WESTERN CONFERENCE dectomy. Howland was resting comfortably Thursday, cat, according to the newspaper. Edwige Lawson-Wade added 16 points for the Sil- San Antonio vs. Phoenix Thursday: San Antonio 92, Phoenix 91 (S.A. leads series 1-0) a day after he had what the school referred to as a Miller also faces another felony theft by deception ver Stars, while Becky Hammon had 13, including the Saturday: San Antonio at Phoenix, 10 p.m. “standard appendectomy” performed at the Ronald charge in Fayette County. Lexington police say Miller clinching free throws with 2 seconds left, and Shanna x-Monday: San Antonio at Phoenix, 10 p.m. Reagan UCLA Medical Center by Dr. Joe Hines. How- accepted payment in advance for tickets when they Crossley 11. Los Angeles vs. Seattle land said he expects to return to work Monday. weren’t available to him to sell. Former Kentucky star Down by 12 points in the third quarter, Phoenix cut Wednesday: Los Angeles 70, Seattle 63 (L.A. leads series 1-0) Ed Davender was arrested Sept. 1 in a similar case. the lead to 87-86 on a 12-foot jumper by Cappie Pon- Today: Los Angeles at Seattle, 10 p.m. x-Sunday: Los Angeles at Seattle, 5 p.m. Pittsburg State coach Gene Iba will retire after the Miller can be released from the Clark County jail on dexter with 1:12 left, but that’s as close as the Mercury upcoming season to spend more time with his family. 10 percent of $5,000 bond, but Neal said Miller still would get. (x-if necessary) Iba, the nephew of legendary Oklahoma State coach will have to post bond in Fayette and Bell counties. Penny Taylor led the Mercury with 18 points and SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NASCAR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 43 INSIDE DISH Gordon sees positives Martin to get Go Daddy sponsorship in being overlooked An announcement was planned for this of deciding a championship over the course of morning that Sprint Cup points leader Mark Mar- the full 35-race schedule. NEW YORK—Jeff Gordon may have tin will have a new sponsor at the Sprint Cup “It’s been ready for one the last couple of already won four championships, level in 2010—Go Daddy.com, Sporting News years,” Jason Leffler says. “I know (NASCAR is) but the Hendrick Motorsports Today has learned. trying to put the Sprint Cup up on its own ped- driver may be one of the most over- The new deal will be a major step for the web- estal and do its own deal. But you have the looked competitors in the Chase for site hosting company. It has been involved in (NHRA) and some other racing series doing the NASCAR Sprint Cup. NASCAR with Brad Keselowski in the Nation- the same format. I think we need to do it.” Most of the attention seems to be wide Series and IndyCar as a secondary spon- But NASCAR is happy with the current sys- going to Hendrick drivers Jimmie sor for Danica Patrick for the last few years. tem in the Nationwide Series, spokesman Ram- Johnson, who has won the last three Neither of those deals would come close to the sey Poston says. titles, and Mark Martin, who at age exposure—or expenditure—of a high-profile “We are not considering a format change for 50 tops the rankings heading into car like Martin’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports the NASCAR Nationwide Series at this time,” the final 10 races. Meanwhile, Joe Chevy. Poston says. “One of those reasons is that points Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is a The deal marks the rare emergence of a new system now is working well for that series. It’s hot story, having won the most Cup sponsor in recent months in NASCAR. also something that keeps a distinction between recent race, and Red Bull Racing’s The poor economy has hurt many companies that series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.” Brian Vickers is a hot story, too. marketing programs, and several companies — Lee Montgomery, SceneDaily.com So is Gordon being overlooked? have scaled back or left the sport completely. “I hope that’s the case,” Gordon — Matt Crossman Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gos- NAM Y. HUH / AP said at the Hard Rock Cafe, where sage said he feels like himself again after a bout Count Jason Leffler among those who think the Nationwide NASCAR assembled the Chase NASCAR is using its Chase format, which with cancer is now in “complete remission,” Series should adopt a Chase format like Sprint Cup. drivers for media sessions. “We’re GLENN SMITH / AP starts this weekend at New Hampshire, only The Associated Press reported. going to try to make it work to our Jeff Gordon has 10 top-10 finishes in the last for its Sprint Cup Series. Gossage made his first public appearance hasn’t disclosed the type diagnosed last fall. advantage. Being under the radar 13 races entering this weekend’s Chase. However, some Nationwide drivers think Thursday since revealing in July that he had “I feel great, better than I have in years,” Gos- here helps us a little bit going into their series is ready for a similar system instead cancer, though at the request of his family sage said. New Hampshire, (or) at least the confidence and momentum, having first few races. If we can go and finished in the top 10 in 10 of the have strong runs there, it allows us last 13 races. definitely made it more challenging. There is a greater to get off to a good start. “If we can put together a good for the road potential for bumping, crashes and cautions, but you “I want to be in one position or Chase, the crucial race for us is Sunday’s race at New can gain or lose a lot of positions during the restarts as the other. I’d either want to be in the Phoenix,” Gordon said. “That has well. And a lot of that can be out of your hands if you’re position I’m in with a strong team been a very inconsistent track for Hampshire marks the not leading.” and what I feel is a legitimate shot at us, and we need to step it up there.” opening of the Chase it—and a little bit under the radar, Gordon was 25th at Phoenix in for the NASCAR Sprint Kasey Kahne: “Loudon is a great track for us. I or I’d like to be in Mark’s position April and hasn’t finished better Cup. Three Chasers talk 2. had a top-four car there last spring and the rain where you’ve got the most wins, than 10th since his win there in 3 came and we ran 10th because of track position. If it you’re leading the points going into ’07. about what’s on their mind heading hadn’t rained, we’d have run top four; maybe even a it, you’ve got a lot of positive things “The best team is going to win into the first of those 10 races. chance to win the race. We were pretty strong there. FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP behind the storyline.” this Chase,” Gordon said. “It hap- It’s a great track for us.” Mark Martin goes for his fifth win of the season Sunday. Gordon won once this season, pens every year. I’ve not seen one meaning he had only 10 bonus guy that lucked his way into this Jeff Gordon: “I think double-file restarts will Mark Martin: “Anybody that’s in the Chase can guy is running good and they’ve been points racing. points when the Chase contenders’ championship in this format. Ten 1. play a big role in this year’s Chase, and this 3. win this thing. All they have to do is get on a They may go after it now. I know the last few weeks points were reset. That puts Gor- races is still a lot of races. The best weekend’s race may be the most crucial. Double-file 10-race roll. I’m telling you anybody in this Chase can we’ve raced to win, but we’ve been real careful, too. don sixth in the standings, 30 team, in my opinion, wins the restarts have changed the sport for the good, but it’s win. Watch out for Juan Montoya. I’m telling you the Now we can go do our thing.” points behind leader Martin. championship.” But he starts the Chase with some — SceneDaily.com SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Back Page FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 44

IN BRIEF TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL Urquhart, D Nigel Williams, F Andres American League Ambuhl, F Daniel Bartek, F Devin Kim, Shin tied for Samsung lead at Torrey Pines BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Placed RHP Kam DiDiomete, F Brodie Dupont, F Dan Mickolio on the 15-day DL, retroactive LaCouture, F Matt Maccarone, F Justin Soryal and F Dale Weise to Hartford SAN DIEGO—Song-Hee Kim and Jiyai to Sept. 7. TEXAS RANGERS: Agreed to terms with (AHL). Returned G Scott Stajcer to Owen Shin each shot a 6-under 66 to share the Major League Soccer Sound (OHL), D Tomas Kundratek to EASTERN CONFERENCE RHP Tanner Scheppers. lead atop the elite 20-player field in the W L T Pts GF GA American Association Medicine Hat (WHL), F Ryan Bourque opening round of the Samsung World Columbus 11 4 9 42 36 26 WICHITA WINGNUTS: Traded RHP Derek to Quebec (QMJHL), F Roman Horak to Chicago 10 6 9 39 34 29 Chilliwack (WHL) and F Ethan Werek to Championship at Torrey Pines on D.C. 8 6 12 36 39 38 Blacksher to Newark (Atlantic) for future Toronto FC 9 9 7 34 33 36 considerations. Kingston (OHL). Thursday. : Assigned D Drew New England 9 8 6 33 28 32 BASKETBALL Kim was the runner-up in this tour- Kansas City 7 11 6 27 25 32 Bannister, D Tomas Kudekla, F Erik Con- National Basketball Association nament last year, losing by one stroke to New York 4 17 4 16 20 42 dra, F Denis Hamel, F Jim O’Brien and G WESTERN CONFERENCE HOUSTON ROCKETS: Promoted director Chris Holt to Binghamton (AHL). W L T Pts GF GA Paula Creamer at Half Moon Bay in of player personnel Gersson Rosas to PHOENIX COYOTES: Assigned D Mathieu Houston 11 8 7 40 32 24 vice president of player personnel. Northern California. Los Angeles 9 5 11 38 31 29 Brodeur to Cape Breton (QMJHL), RW Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa of Mexico Seattle 9 6 10 37 31 24 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Signed G Jared Staal to Sudbury (OHL) and D Colorado 10 8 6 36 38 30 Sasha Pavlovic to a one-year contract. Michael Stone to Calgary (WHL). and Sophie Gustafson of Sweden were Chivas USA 11 9 3 36 25 24 : Signed G Sun Yue. Real Salt Lake 9 9 7 34 36 28 SAN JOSE SHARKS: Re-assigned RW one stroke behind the leaders. FC Dallas 7 11 6 27 39 40 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS: Signed F Dan DaSilva, C Dean Strong and LW T.J. San Jose 5 12 5 20 27 40 Juwan Howard to a one-year contract. Trevelyan to Worcester (AHL). OBERWALTERSDORF, AUSTRIA—Benn Bar- NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. FOOTBALL ST. LOUIS BLUES: Assigned F Adam ham of England shot an 8-under 63 to Sept. 13 National Football League Cracknell, F Mitch Love, F Chris More- Chivas USA 2, New England 0 BUFFALO BILLS: Signed TE Jonathan house, F Anthony Peluso, F Adrian Veide- lead the Austrian Open by one stroke Columbus 2, Houston 1 Today’s games Stupar to the . man, D T.J. Fast, D Justin Fletcher, D Alex after the opening round. New England at New York, 7:30 p.m. CHICAGO BEARS: Placed CB Trumaine Hellstrom, D Ryan Turek and G Sebastian Ryder Cup player Soren Hansen of Colorado at San Jose, 11 p.m. McBride on the waived/injured list. Dahm to Peoria (AHL). Returned F James Saturday’s games Claimed CB DeAngelo Smith off waivers Denmark, the highest ranked player at Chivas USA at Seattle FC, 3 p.m. Livingston to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), F Real Salt Lake at Houston, 8:30 p.m. from Cleveland. Tyler Shattock to Kamloops (WHL), D No. 42, shot a 67. Jose Maria Olazabal, a FC Dallas at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. DETROIT LIONS: Claimed DE Turk Mark Cundari to Windsor (OHL) and D winner of 23 European Tour titles, fin- Toronto FC at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. McBride off waivers from Kansas City. Brett Ponich to Portland (WHL). Sunday’s game ished with a 70. DENIS POROY / AP Columbus at Chicago, 3 p.m. : Released DE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Assigned C James Wyche. Signed DE Jeremy Navarre Mitch Fadden, D Scott Jackson, C Chris Jiyai Shin is coming off her tour-leading third victory of the year at the NW Arkansas Championship. from the practice squad. Signed DE Zach Lawrence and D Kevin Quick to Norfolk Olympics Potter to the practice squad. (AHL). LONDON—IOC president Jacques Rogge loss in the U.S. Open final, Roger Soccer later accused Adebayor of a “malicious HOCKEY ECHL said disputes with the U.S. Olympic Federer will play every day when Swit- MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—Manchester City stamp.” VICTORIA SALMON KINGS: Signed RW Committee will have “no negative effects zerland faces Italy in the Davis Cup striker Emmanuel Adebayor was BUFFALO SABRES: Returned F Zack Jason Deleurme. whatsoever” on Chicago’s chances of playoffs. banned for three matches on a charge of The Europa League became the first Kassian to Peterborough (OHL), F International Hockey League Luke Adam to Cape Breton (QMJHL), landing the 2016 Summer Games. The top-ranked Federer, who reached violent conduct against former Arsenal European competition to use five match BLOOMINGTON PRAIRIE THUNDER: F Marcus Foligno to Sudbury (OHL), F Signed D Brian Boulay. Rogge also reiterated that he believes all four Grand Slam finals this year, teammate Robin van Persie and will officials, with two extra assistant helping Jacob Lagace to Chicoutimi (QMJHL), D TENNIS the Oct. 2 decision will come down to a believes his form can hold up after los- miss the showdown with Manchester the referee on an experimental basis by Nick Crawford to Saginaw (OHL) and D U.S. OPEN: Fined Roger Federer $1,500 handful of votes. ing to Juan Martin del Potro in New United. watching out for incidents from behind Brayden McNabb to Kootenay (WHL). for using a profanity while arguing with COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: Released F He said President Obama told him York on Monday. The Football Association announced the goals for the 24 first-round games. the chair umpire during the Monday’s Tim Miller and G Andrew Loverock. men’s singles final. that first lady Michelle Obama is the In the draw, Federer was picked to the punishment after a disciplinary U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard got a : Assigned RW Jamie COLLEGE best “stand-in” to push Chicago’s case at play Simone Bolelli in today’s singles. committee had heard the case. shutout as Everton opened European Bates, D Jordan Bendfeld, RW Kelly Czuy, PITTSBURG STATE: Announced the retire- the meeting in Copenhagen. Stanislas Wawrinka will open the The charge arose out of an incident soccer’s second-tier cup competition D Jesse Dudas, LW Riley Emmerson, LW ment of men’s basketball coach Gene Colton Fretter, LW Bryan Lerg, RW Ryan Iba, effective after the 2009-10 season. Rogge spoke in a conference call with best-of-five series for Switzerland during Man City’s 4-2 victory over with a 4-0 victory over AEK Athens in MacMurchy, D Matt Dickerson, G Andrew reporters two weeks days ahead of the against Andreas Seppi. Arsenal in the Premier League on Sat- Group I on goals by Joseph Yobo, Syl- POTSDAM: Named Tim Crowley men’s Perugini and D Cody Wild to Springfield assistant hockey coach. International Olympic Committee vote urday after Van Persie had tackled the vain Distin, Steven Pienaar and Jo. (AHL). PROVIDENCE: Named Mike Mennenga in the tight race between Chicago, Rio GUANGZHOU, CHINA—Anastasija Sev- striker. In Group E, American midfielder MINNESOTA WILD: Signed RW Petr coordinator of men’s basketball coordi- Sykora to a one-year contract. nator of player development and video de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo. astova of Latvia rallied to defeat top- As Van Persie slipped to the turf, Clint Dempsey and most of Fulham’s NEW YORK RANGERS: Assigned G Miika seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Adebayor appeared to kick out and other regular starters didn’t play in a 1-1 operations. Wiikman, D Trevor Glass, D Brent Henley, RIDER: Named Patrick Horvath and Ray Tennis Spain 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the second round caught him on the side of the head. Van tie at CSKA Sofia. D Sam Klassen, D Mike Sauer, D David Scipione assistant baseball coaches. GENOA, ITALY—Coming off a five-set of the Guangzhou Open. Persie, who needed treatment for a cut, — The Associated Press