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NFL Colorado 4, San Diego 1

New heights Move over, Lou
The mighty Quinn? for Air Jordan Jeter gets hit No. 2,722 to
Eric Mangini Packs ’em in pass Gehrig as Yankees’
is apparently
putting
for Hall of Fame induction all-time leader
his team in Page 5 Page 25
the mostly-
untested hands
of Brady Quinn.
Brady Quinn DENIS POROY / AP
A look at three
Yorvit Torrealba’s three-run, ninth-
signs pointing to Quinn being the
inning double lifted the Rockies and
Browns’ starting QB. Page 19 SATURDAY SEE A DIFFERENT GAME kept them two back of L.A. Page 6
SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 52
NHL N.L. West could
Going camping
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
be Rocky Top
Training camps open this
weekend, 11 PAGES The N.L. West has three contend-

Tier drop
ers fighting for two playoff berths.
and a
Penguins
repeat is
Losses today could knock WLELEEKG2EPFROEOVTIEBAWLL CO The Giants are on the outside
looking in, but because Friday’s loss
PAGES 7-17 to the Dodgers began a stretch of
among
the issues
Craig
top programs down a rung nine consecutive games against
Los Angeles and Colorado, San
Custance Francisco can control its own fate.
addresses. BY MATT HAYES Three factors in the race:
Page 31 mhayes@sportingnews.com INJURIES:
Sidney Crosby The Rockies (SS Troy Tulowitzki, 3B
It’s Moving Week in Ian Stewart, RP Huston Street, SPs
MARK HUMPHREY / AP Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Jose
college football, the time Contreras) and Dodgers (SPs Randy
Scoreboard when coaches say teams Wolf and Clayton Kershaw, 3B
Baseball make their most Casey Blake) are hurting.
American League improvement of the Advantage: Giants, if Tim
Lincecum returns early next week.
Toronto 6, Detroit 4 season.
Tampa Bay at Boston, ppd., rain The big question: SCOTT R. GALVIN / MICHIGAN MARK J. TERRILL / AP WADE PAYNE / AP SCHEDULE:
Kansas City 2, Cleveland 1, 12 innings Michigan QB Tate Forcier USC RB Joe McKnight Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton Los Angeles gets Colorado and San
Who moves up and who Francisco at home, and has 13 games
Seattle at Texas, ppd., rain moves down? remaining against last-place teams.
Oakland 12, Minnesota 5 No. 18 Notre Dame at Michigan No. 3 USC at No. 8 Ohio State UCLA at Tennessee
“If we get this win 3:30 p.m., ABC 8 p.m., ESPN 4 p.m., ESPN
L.A. Angels 7, Chicago White Sox 1 Advantage: Dodgers
under our belt,” says Irish: The ND confidence is built on Trojans: Freshman QB Matt Bruins: UCLA has improved
Baltimore 10, N.Y. Yankees 4 Michigan tailback Carlos NEWCOMERS:
two wins against overmatched WAC Barkley gets his first road experience physically, adding speed and athleti-
Jim Thome’s trade to the Dodgers
National League Brown, “we can get some teams (Hawaii in 2008, Nevada last in a rowdy environment. Win here, cism under coach Rick Neuheisel. made headlines, but Jason Giambi
Chicago Cubs 6, Cincinnati 4 momentum rolling.” week). Michigan isn’t elite again just yet, and that looming brutal road sched- The transformation has to take the has been a hitting hero since
They’re not alone. but winning in a tough environment ule (Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon) doesn’t next step by winning big games on joining Colorado.
Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Mets 2
will continue ND’s positive momentum. look so daunting. the road.
Washington 5, Florida 3 Three intriguing non- Advantage: Rockies
Wolverines: With a win, Michigan Buckeyes: Maybe it’s not so much Vols: Playtime is over for new-look
Atlanta 1, St. Louis 0 conference games today will be one win from matching the total what a win means but what a loss will Tennessee—and more important, for Bottom line: San Francisco
Houston 9, Pittsburgh 1 can change the course of of three from a disastrous 2008, and do for Ohio State and the Big Ten. The QB Jonathan Crompton, who must will miss the cut. And don’t be
Milwaukee 6, Arizona 3 the season. Here’s what beating a rival will further distance Rich beleaguered duo badly needs a big prove he can play efficiently against surprised if Colorado relegates L.A.
L.A. Dodgers 10, San Francisco 3 is riding on today for Rodriguez’s program from an awkward win in a big game to heal their an active defense before next week’s to the wild card.
Colorado 4, San Diego 1 those six teams: and controversial transition period. reputations. game at Florida. — Stan McNeal
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com See a Different Game SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 2
OFF THE FIELD
Tune In Today
A quick look at the best sports on TV
AUTO RACING
8 a.m.
SPEED—Formula One,
GUIDE
Championship, third
round, at Cologne,
Germany
England coach: Girls gotta go, guys
— all times Eastern qualifying for Italian 1 p.m. Fabio Capello is wagging a finger at the
Grand Prix, at Monza, TGC—LPGA,
Italy NW Arkansas glamorous wives and girlfriends of
COLLEGE FOOTBALL 11 a.m. Championship, second English soccer players.
SPEED—NASCAR, round, at Rogers, Ark. Wary of the distractions accompa-
No. 3 USC Truck Series, pole 3 p.m. nying soccer players’ celebrity life-
qualifying for Copart NBC—PGA Tour, BMW styles, England’s coach will allow the
at No. 8 Ohio State 200, at Madison, Ill.
2:30 p.m.
Championship, third
round, at Lemont, Ill. so-called WAGS to visit the squad
8 p.m., ESPN SPEED—NASCAR, 4 p.m. only on the days after games at next
The Buckeyes are winless in their last
Truck Series, Copart TGC—USGA, Walker year’s World Cup.
five games against teams ranked in the top Cup, first round, at
200, at Madison, Ill. Capello is set to take a tougher
five, but they have a real shot at ending Merion, Pa.
7:30 p.m. stance than his predecessors, seeking JOEL RYAN / AP
that streak tonight. Trojans freshman QB 6:30 p.m.
ABC—NASCAR, Sprint
Matt Barkley hasn’t played a road game yet,
Cup, Chevy Rock & Roll TGC—Nationwide to avoid a repeat of what defender Rio Singer Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud is married
and it doesn’t get much tougher than the Tour, Utah Ferdinand called “a circus” during the to England defender Ashley Cole.
400, at Richmond, Va.
Horseshoe. Meanwhile, a great perfor- Championship, third 2006 tournament in Germany.
mance by OSU QB Terrelle Pryor could vault
him into the Heisman picture. A lot on the
COLLEGE FOOTBALL round, at Sandy, Utah “I hope we will be there for a very Speech was … bad
Noon (same-day tape) long period but the players will have New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey
line for both schools as they chase national
ESPN—Fresno St. at
title glory. one day with their family, with the gave the worst Basketball Hall of
Wisconsin MAJOR LEAGUE
NASCAR ESPN2—Cent. BASEBALL girls and with their friends,” Capello Fame speech of all time, according to
Michigan at Michigan 4 p.m. said. “It will be one day a week, after Jeff Pearlman at jeffpearlman.com.
Chevy Rock & Roll 400 St. FOX—Regional each game, and that is enough. That’s Pearlman said Vecsey looked
7:30 p.m., ABC FSN—Iowa at Iowa St. coverage, N.Y. Mets at it. We are there to play football, not unprepared and rattled off names of
Following tonight’s race, we’ll finally 3:30 p.m. Philadelphia, Chicago
ABC—Notre Dame at White Sox at L.A. for a holiday.” players he thought should be in the
know whether Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch
qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Michigan Angels, or Atlanta at Several of the players conceded that Hall of Fame and used inappropriate
Sprint Cup, and who was left out, if that’s ESPN2—BYU at Tulane St. Louis the presence of the likes of Victoria Beck- language, among other things. It was
the case. Busch is a real threat to win, FSN—Houston at ham and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole, so bad that NBA commissioner David
having won here before and led hundreds Oklahoma St. RODEO
who is married to defender Ashley Cole, Stern shook his head throughout while
of laps at the track, while Vickers is certainly VERSUS—Texas at 9 p.m.
Wyoming VERSUS—PBR, and the subsequent media attention checking his Blackberry and Michael
a threat to finish in the top 10 for the simple
reason he has not finished worse than 12th 4 p.m. Copenhagen had distracted the players at the World Jordan—who is being inducted—
since late June. A DNF for any driver not yet ESPN—UCLA at Invitational, at Reno, Cup. walked out and didn’t return, Pearl-
locked in could open the door for either Tennessee Nev. man said.
competitor. 7 p.m. SOCCER
Cowboys’ band debuts “I almost felt sorry for Peter Vec-
ESPN2—South 9:55 a.m.
GOLF Carolina at Georgia ESPN2—Premier This weekend’s Dallas-Tampa Bay sey,” Pearlman wrote.
8 p.m. League, Liverpool vs. matchup will feature a little more
BMW Championship ESPN—Southern Cal Burnley, at Liverpool, head-banging than most NFL games. Quick hits
3 p.m., NBC at Ohio St. England The heavy metal band Free Reign, Heat guard and Chicago native
Tiger Woods has a handful of courses 10:15 p.m. which includes three Cowboys offen- Dwyane Wade was expected to present a
where he simply dominates, and Cog Hill FSN—Purdue at TENNIS
is one of those. A four-time winner at the Oregon Noon sive linemen, will debut its new song $25,000 check to the William Leon-
suburban Chicago course, Woods is tied CYCLING CBS—U.S. Open, Rise Up during Sunday’s FOX telecast ard Public Library District on Thurs-
for the lead with Mark Wilson heading into 1 a.m. men’s semifinals, at of the game in Tampa Bay. day in Illinois. The library, facing
third-round play. Their pairing will be an VERSUS—Tour of New York The band is made up of Marc Colombo financial problems, had been threat-
interesting one for history buffs—Woods Missouri, sixth stage, 8 p.m. on guitar and vocals, Cory Procter on ening to close if it couldn’t find the
beat Wilson in the U.S. Junior Amateur in Chillicothe to St. CBS—U.S. Open,
1992. Padraig Harrington continues to lurk Joseph, Mo. (delayed women’s champion- drums, Leonard Davis on bass and non- money to operate, the Southtown Star
near Tiger, as he’s just one shot back with a tape) ship match, at New football player Justin Chapman on guitar. reported.
trio of others. York
— Compiled by Roger Kuznia GOLF
8:30 a.m. MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com
TGC—European PGA
Tour, Mercedes-Benz SN Sporting Blog: sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com My Profile SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 3
QUICK HITS
Great finishes
THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL
Ten years ago, author Howard G. Peretz pub- DAILY SPORTS NEWSPAPER
lished The 100 Greatest Sports Finishes of All Time,
but without ranking those finishes. Now, Peretz CHAIRMAN & CEO . . . . . . . Ray Shaw (1989 to 2009)
has designed a proprietary rating system that
ranks the finishes and updates the list with great
finishes since the book originally was published.
Here are the updated Top 5, as determined
by the rating system that takes into account
Kevin Curtis PRESIDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whitney Shaw
PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ed Baker
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff D’Alessio
MANAGING EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paul Kasko
whether the result was determined on the last Eagles wide receiver
play, whether it was a “magical moment,” the
CREATIVE DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Wood
outcome’s importance, the environment sur- DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MEDIA. . . . . . . . . . . . Geoff Shaw
rounding the event and whether it was an upset (What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend) VP, MARKETING & SALES DEVELOPMENT . .Eric Karp
or involved a comeback:
EDITORIAL OFFICES
1. Hoops robbery: 1972 Born: July 17, 1978, in Murray, Utah 120 West Morehead Street, Suite 200
Olympic basketball: USSR 51, USA 50 Status: Single Charlotte, NC 28202
2. Miracle on Ice: 1980 Alma mater: Utah State 704-973-1550
Olympic hockey: USA 4, USSR 3
What’s on TV: Lost, Survivor, Arrested Development, Flight of 1-800-443-1886
3. Miracle of Coogan’s Bluff: 1951
the Conchords
N.L. playoff: Giants 5, Dodgers 4
What’s in my iPod: Ray LaMontagne, The Sounds, Jimmy Letters to the editor:
4. The Perfect Game: 1985
NCAA Tournament: Villanova 66, Georgetown 64 Eat World yourturn@sportingnews.com
5. The Tuck Rule: 2002 What I drive: Charcoal Prius
AFC playoffs: Patriots 16, Raiders 13 Favorite flick: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou General feedback:
What I’m reading: The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis editors@sportingnews.com
And because it’s a college football Saturday, Superstition: Wearing the same socks under team socks
here are Peretz’s 10 greatest college football for every game
finishes of all time: National Digital Sales Managers
Worst habit: Constantly hitting the snooze button Joey Glowacki, 704-973-1546
First job: Cleaning horse stalls and feeding horses when I jglowacki@sportingnews.com
1. Jim McMahon lets fly: 1980
Holiday Bowl: BYU 46, SMU 45
was 12 years old Gary Strauss, 212-500-0672
Talent I’d most like to have: To be musically gifted gstrauss@sportingnews.com
2. And the Band Played On: 1982
Pac-10: Cal 25, Stanford 20 Favorite meal: Mexican food
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: LeBron James
3. Win One for the Gipper: 1905
Non-conference: Notre Dame 12, Army 6 Favorite city to visit: Barcelona ON NEWSSTANDS NOW
4. Please Take a Knee: 1999 Favorite team as a kid: Miami Dolphins
Non-conference: UNLV 27, Baylor 24 Favorite value in others: Happiness
5. The Kick: 1985 Favorite physical attribute about myself: Elbows
Iron Bowl: Alabama 25, Auburn 23 And least … Upper thighs
6. Harvard “Beats” Yale: 1968 My greatest love: Family
Ivy League football: Harvard 29, Yale 29 My hero: Jesus Christ
7. The Fifth-Down Game: 1990 My bucket list: Go to every continent
Big Eight: Colorado 33, Missouri 31 My motto: Don’t burn bridges.
8. When a Tie Wasn’t Enough: 1984 — Jeff D’Alessio
Orange Bowl: Miami 31, Nebraska 30
9. Montana Ignites Irish: 1979
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame 35, Houston 34
10. Fifth-Down Reversal: 1940
Ivy League: Dartmouth 3, Cornell 0 RICH SCHULTZ / AP You know who’s in college football’s top
20. But what about college football’s top
Source: The 100 Greatest Sports Finishes of All 20 jobs? The latest issue of SN Magazine
Time takes you to work.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Next Gen: Recruiting SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 4
RECRUITING DISH CLASS OF 2010

SN 100 DB Parker looking

beyond California’s borders
TOP 25 RECRUITS
It has become a recurring theme running back LeGarrette Blount after
1. Marcus Lattimore, RB
6-0/207,
Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
8. Jackson Jeffcoat, DL
6-4/233,
Plano West Senior
14. Xavier Grimble, TE
6-5/245,
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
with some of California’s top pros- punching a Boise State player— Considering: North Committed to: USC
(Plano, Texas)
pects—they are curious about col- doesn’t seem to have affected the Carolina, Oregon, South Considering: USC, Texas,
lege football on the other side of the Ducks when it comes to recruiting. Carolina, Penn State,
continent, and they want to check it
out before they settle on a school.
Oregon has reached into North
Carolina and come away with a pair
Auburn
Oklahoma, Arizona State,
Houston 15. Jake Heaps, QB
6-2/195,
Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) COURTESY OF JUSTIN MCCAY
Whether it’s Brennan Clay, Dietrich Riley
or Kenny Stills, it seems the Sporting
of Greensboro natives.
Four-star defensive end/outside 2. Lache Seastrunk, RB
5-10/183,
Temple (Texas)
9. Demarco Cobbs, WR
6-2/200
Committed to: BYU Justin McCay

News Top 100 is full of California

natives wanting to branch out.
Add Sean Parker to that list. The
linebacker Chris McCain (6-6/210)
made his announcement public on
national television, choosing the
Considering: Auburn,
Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas,
Tulsa Central (Tulsa, Okla.)
Considering: Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, LSU,
16. Christian Jones, LB
6-4/215,
Lake Howell (Winter Park, Fla.)
21. Eduardo Clements, RB
5-11/185,
Booker T. Washington (Miami)
USC Tennessee, Oklahoma
Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) Ducks over Auburn, Kentucky, Considering: Florida State, Considering: Miami,
Alabama, Florida, USC Georgia, Michigan
safety will be checking out the North Carolina, N.C. State, South
country before he decides. Carolina and Wake Forest. McCain 3. Seantrel Henderson, OL
6-8/301, 10. Trey Hopkins, OL
6-4/260,
“I’m still wide open because I
haven’t seen anything yet,” Parker
recently transferred from Northern
Guilford in Greensboro to Central
Cretin-Derham Hall
(St. Paul, Minn.)
North Shore
(Galena Park, Texas)
17. Chris Martin, DL
6-4/222,
The Hun School
22. Lamarcus Joyner, DB
5-9/162,
St. Thomas Aquinas
(5-10/185) told SN Today. “I want to Carolina Sports Academy in the Considering: Florida, Ohio Committed to: Texas
see everything with my own eyes, same town. State, USC, Oklahoma, Notre (Princeton, N.J.) (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Dame, Minnesota Committed to: Notre Considering: Florida State,
see it myself. Sometimes it’s just Joining McCain as an Oregon
best to go out of state, just do what JOE RAYMOND / AP commitment is Northern Guilford 11. Malcolm Jones, RB/LB
6-0/210,
Dame Ohio State, Florida

you want. You’re going to have to

think about where you’d want to
Charlie Weis, above, is trying to lure Sean
Parker from California to South Bend.
athlete James Scales (5-10/180). Duke,
Kentucky and Louisville had also 4. Matt Elam, DB
6-1/205,
Dwyer (Palm Beach
Oaks Christian
(Westlake Village, Calif.) 18. Brennan Clay, RB
6-0/190, 23. Devin Gardner, QB
6-4/196,
live the next four or five years. offered scholarships to Scales, who Considering: Stanford, Scripps Ranch (San Diego) Inkster (Mich.)
Everybody’s got their own opinion Reed, the safety from the Baltimore could play cornerback at the next Gardens, Fla.) UCLA Committed to: Oklahoma Committed to: Michigan
Committed to: Florida
about it. Ravens,” Parker said. “I’m his type level.
“If you think about it, we’re just
17 or 18 years old. We can live in
California the rest of our life. Some-
of caliber safety. We have a lot in
common as far as attributes and
whole style of play. He’s physical
SN 100 players Keenan Allen and
Gabe King are also playing at North-
ern Guilford this fall. McCain is a 5. Justin McCay, WR
6-4/200,
12. Michael Dyer, RB
5-10/195,
Little Rock Christian
19. Phillip Sims, QB
6-2/215,
Oscar Smith
24. Jamel Turner, DE
6-2/205,
Ursuline (Youngstown, Ohio)
times we just want to see what else also, and he’s a ball-hawking safety. Rivals.com four-star recruit, while Bishop Miege Academy (Little Rock, Ark.) Committed to: Ohio State
(Chesapeake, Va.)
is out there. We don’t want to be just I’m in the same boat and we’re Scales is a three-star. (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) Considering: Arkansas, Committed to: Alabama
Committed to: Oklahoma Auburn, Oklahoma, Notre
stationary, in one spot.” around the same height. I definitely
Dame
Parker has already taken an offi-
cial visit to Notre Dame, and he said
think my strength is my instinct
and ball skills. I’m not a vocal
As long as everything is all set
for Josh Lovell academically, he’ll be
6. Corey Nelson, LB
20. Erik Kohler, OL
6-5/265, 25. Blake Bell, QB
6-6/215,
he’ll definitely check out Michigan
and Washington. Other schools in
leader, I’m a leader by action.”
As a junior, Parker—a member of
playing for Maryland next fall, his
high school coach told ESPN.com.
6-1/200,
Skyline (Dallas)
Committed to: Texas A&M
13. Zack McCray, DL
6-4/235,
Brookville (Lynchburg, Va.)
Oaks Christian
(Westlake Village, Calif.)
Bishop Carroll
(Wichita, Kan.)
Committed to: Oklahoma
contention for official visits are the SN 100—finished with 57 tack- The tight end/offensive lineman out Committed to:
Committed to: Virginia Washington
USC, California, Arizona State and les, five interceptions, one sack and of Christchurch School
Tennessee, he said. Right now, all
of those schools are dead even.
one fumble recovery. (Christchurch, Va.) is 6-6, 265
pounds and also had scholarship
7. Gabe King, DL/LB
6-5/260,
Northern Guilford
Tech — Brian McLaughlin

He knows exactly what he’ll bring The recent negativity sur- offers from West Virginia, South (Greensboro, N.C.)
to the next level. rounding Oregon football—follow- Carolina and East Carolina. Considering: Alabama, MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com
“I would compare myself to Ed ing the seasonlong suspension of — Brian McLaughlin California, Oregon, Tennessee Top 100 recruits: sportingnews.com/blog/TheRecruitnik/tag/160168/sn100
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Basketball Hall of Fame SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 5

New heights for Air Jordan

SPRINGFIELD, MASS.—Michael Jordan,
maybe the greatest of them all, has
taken his place alongside basket-
ball’s other greats.
And he never forgot anyone who
motivated him to get there.
Jordan was enshrined in the Hall
of Fame on Friday night, a final
honor that followed all the champi-
onship rings and MVP trophies he
collected during his career.
From the high school coach who
cut him to the last player to defend
him in the NBA finals, Jordan
remembered everyone who did
something to bring out the competi-
tiveness that carried him to the top
of basketball.
“I’d do anything to win,” he said. STEPHAN SAVOIA / AP
He joined David Robinson and John Stockton and his presenter, fellow Hall of Fame PG Isiah Thomas.
John Stockton, a pair of his 1992
Dream Team teammates, and
coaches Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian STEPHAN SAVOIA / AP
Stringer in a distinguished class. Jor- The 2009 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class, from left, Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton and C. Vivian Stringer.
dan insisted during a morning press
conference that the weekend wasn’t at the same time, when the light title.
just about him, but he was clearly the comes on, I’m as competitive as any- “From this day forward, if I ever
star Friday night before a crowd that body you know.” see him in shorts, I’m coming at
included former teammates Scottie The media who said Jordan, him.”
Pippen and Dennis Rodman. though a great player, would never Robinson was enshrined first on
“He makes one big shot and win like Bird or Johnson. Friday before a large San Antonio
everybody thinks he’s kind of cool,” “I had to listen to all that, and that contingent that included teammates
Stockton joked. “I don’t get it.” put so much wood on that fire that it Tim Duncan and Avery Johnson,
Jordan cried before beginning his kept me each and every day trying and coaches Larry Brown and
acceptance speech, then entertained to get better as a basketball player.” Gregg Popovich. Stockton told the
the crowd with memories of any Lastly, Utah’s Bryon Russell. Spurs that his running mate, Karl
slights that inspired him to get to Jordan recalled meeting Russell Malone, was the best power for-
Springfield: STEPHAN SAVOIA / AP while he was retired and playing ward, not Duncan.
The coach who cut him from STEPHAN SAVOIA / AP minor league baseball in 1994—and The enshrinement ceremony took
David Robinson got a hug from fellow Spurs
the varsity as a North Carolina Michael Jordan cried before beginning his acceptance speech. great George Gervin. with Sloan looking on in horror— place at Springfield’s Symphony
schoolboy. told of how Russell insisted he could Hall, because Jordan was too big for
“I wanted to make sure you in his first All-Star game. anybody else, and I hope over the players by acting friendly toward have covered him if Jordan was still the Hall of Fame. The move to the
understood: You made a mistake, “I wanted to prove to you, Magic period of my career I’ve done that them, then attacking them in playing. Russell later got two cracks other building allowed for a crowd
dude.” (Johnson), Larry (Bird), George without a doubt.” games. at Jordan in the NBA finals, and he of about 2,600, more than double
Isiah Thomas, who allegedly (Gervin), everybody that I deserved Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, “I just so happen to be a friendly was the defender when Jordan hit what the Hall can accommodate.
orchestrated a “freezeout” of Jordan (to be there) just as much as who accused Jordan of “conning” guy. I get along with everybody, but the clinching shot to win the 1998 — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Overnight Report SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 6
Rockies 4, Padres 1
Colorado AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
BASEBALL / NATIONAL LEAGUE
C.Gonzalez lf 5 0 1 0 0 1 .289
Fowler cf
Helton 1b
4 0
2 0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
.270
.326 Colorado 4, San Diego 1 L.A. Dodgers 10, San Francisco 3
1-McCoy pr-2b 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000
Tulowitzki ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 .279 Dodgers 10, Giants 3
Hawpe rf
G.Atkins 3b
3 1
3 0
f-Giambi ph-1b 0 1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
.292
.225
.375 Torrealba pushes Rockies’ streak to 8 Kuroda gives Los Angeles AB R
Furcal ss 5 1
H BI
1 0
BB
0
SO
0
Avg.
.258
Barmes 2b
b-S.Smith ph
Quintanilla 2b
2 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
.243
.316
.173
Dodgers boost Loretta 3b
Ethier rf
M.Ramirez lf
0 0
5 2
4 1
0 0
2 0
1 1
0
0
1
0
1
1
.223
.283
.305
g-Murton ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .255 1-Pierre pr-lf 0 1 0 0 0 0 .318
Stewart 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235 SAN DIEGO—Yorvit Torrealba Kemp cf 4 2 2 1 1 1 .306
Iannetta c 2 0 0 0 0 0 .223 Repko cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
c-Spilborghs ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .248 was down to his final strike SAN FRANCISCO—Hiroki Kuroda
Torrealba c 1 1 1 3 0 0 .277 Loney 1b 4 1 2 3 0 0 .281
De La Rosa p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .137 before helping Colorado rally figures if he got hit with both a Blake 3b 3 2 2 3 1 1 .276
d-E.Young ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .324 for another September win. ball and a bat within a month he J.Castro 3b-ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 .296
Daley p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Belliard 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 .256
Beimel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Torrealba hit a three-run might need to quit pitching and R.Martin c 4 0 2 2 1 0 .258
R.Betancourt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- A.Ellis c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
h-P.Phillips ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 .326 double off N.L. saves leader walk away from baseball all Kuroda p 2 0 0 0 1 2 .130
F.Morales p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .400 Heath Bell to lead the Rockies together.
Totals 32 4 6 4 4 9 Troncoso p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
to a 4-1 win over the San Diego Kuroda dodged the barrel of a Totals 37 10 13 10 5 6
San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
E.Cabrera ss 4 0 2 0 0 2 .264 Padres on Friday night. broken bat that flew in his direc- San Francisco AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Eckstein 2b 4 1 2 0 0 0 .268 Velez lf-cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .275
Ad.Gonzalez 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .273 Torrealba’s bases-loaded hit tion and retired 19 straight dur- F.Sanchez 2b 3 0 0 0 0 2 .293
Headley 3b 4 0 2 0 0 1 .262 into the left-center field gap ing one stretch, Casey Blake Aurilia 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .225
O.Salazar lf 0 0 0 1 3 0 .310
Gregerson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 allowed the Rockies to pull out homered and the Los Angeles Sandoval 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .325
e-L.Rodriguez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .210 Ishikawa 1b 1 1 1 0 0 0 .254
H.Bell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- a comeback win and remain Dodgers matched their 2008 B.Molina c 3 1 1 0 0 1 .261
Venable cf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .274 two games behind the first- win total by beating the archri- Frandsen 2b 1 0 1 1 0 0 .146
Ed.Gonzalez rf-lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 .207 Uribe 3b 3 0 1 0 0 1 .278
Macias lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .170 place Los Angeles Dodgers in val San Francisco Giants 10-3 J.Martinez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
Hundley c 4 0 0 0 0 2 .215 b-Garko ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .234
Mujica p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .500 the N.L. West. on Friday night.
Gallagher p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Schierholtz rf 3 0 0 1 0 0 .270
a-Alfonzo ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .179 “We’ve had some dramatic Los Angeles (84-58) main- Rowand cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 .271
Russell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 games since the end of May, but tained a two-game division lead Bowker lf 1 1 1 0 0 0 .216
Thatcher p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Renteria ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 .254
Gwynn cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .257 that one there goes to the top of over Colorado, which rallied to Rohlinger ss 1 0 0 1 0 0 .100
Totals 31 1 7 1 4 9 Cain p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .143
the list,” Rockies manager Jim win at San Diego. The Rockies
a-F.Lewis ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .267
Colorado 000 000 004 — 4 6 1 Tracy said. extended their N.L. wild-card
San Diego 100 000 000 — 1 7 0 M.Valdez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Colorado, with a major- lead to 5½ games over the Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-struck out for Gallagher in the 5th. b-was intentionally DENIS POROY / AP Posey c 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000
walked for Barmes in the 7th. c-struck out for Iannetta league best record of 62-28 Giants. Totals 32 3 5 3 0 5
in the 7th. d-struck out for De La Rosa in the 8th. e-flied Jason Giambi, above, slides safely into home, one of three runs that scored on Yorvit Torrealba’s double.
out for Gregerson in the 8th. f-walked for G.Atkins in the since June 4, had been held to Kuroda (6-6) quickly ducked
Los Angeles 200 002 510 — 10 13 0
9th. g-struck out for Quintanilla in the 9th. h-singled just three hits off five Padres saves, struggled with his con- first inning. by Mike McCoy. Brad Hawpe out of the way and off the mound San Francisco 010 000 011 — 3 5 0
for R.Betancourt in the 9th. 1-ran for Helton in the
9th. E: De La Rosa (5). LOB: Colorado 6, San Diego 7. pitchers before tagging Bell trol throughout the inning. But Colorado rebounded for singled with one out before when Matt Cain’s bat splintered
2B: Hawpe (39), Torrealba (8), Eckstein (25). RBIs: Tor- a-grounded out for Cain in the 6th. b-grounded out for
realba 3 (21), P.Phillips (8), O.Salazar (9). SB: C.Gonzalez with his first blown save at “My mechanics were off and its eighth straight win as the pinch-hitter Jason Giambi on his third-inning groundout J.Martinez in the 9th. 1-ran for M.Ramirez in the 8th.
(13). Runners left in scoring position: Colorado home. The N.L. co-leader with I wasn’t hitting my spots,” he Rockies increased their lead in walked to load the bases. and sailed onto the dirt past sec- LOB: Los Angeles 7, San Francisco 2. 2B: Kemp (23),
2 (Spilborghs 2); San Diego 5 (Venable 3, Hundley, Loney (24), Belliard (10), R.Martin (17), Frandsen (2),
L.Rodriguez). GIDP: Tulowitzki, Eckstein, Venable. DP: 37 saves gave up four runs on said. “I should have thrown the wild-card race to 5½ games Bell struck out pinch hitter ond base. That had to be a scary Uribe (23). 3B: Bowker (2). HR: Blake (17), off Cain.
Colorado 3 (Helton), (De La Rosa, Tulowitzki, Helton), RBIs: M.Ramirez (55), Kemp (90), Loney 3 (83), Blake
(Barmes, Tulowitzki, Helton); San Diego 1 (E.Cabrera, three hits and two walks. him a curve ball. If I had over the Giants. Colorado Matt Murton before Torrealba moment for the righthander,
Eckstein, Ad.Gonzalez). 3 (73), R.Martin 2 (43), Frandsen (1), Schierholtz (29),
Torrealba, who came into the thrown him a curve ball, I raised its record to 10-1 in Sep- drove a ball into the gap to clear who gave up two hits to start the Rohlinger (3). S: Kuroda. SF: Loney. Runners left in
Colorado IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA game defensively in the seventh think we would have won the tember, tops in the majors. the bases. Paul Phillips added second then got 19 straight outs scoring position: Los Angeles 5 (Blake, Ethier, Kuroda
De La Rosa 7 5 1 1 4 8 112 4.37 2, Loney); San Francisco 2 (Renteria, Garko). DP: San
Daley 0 2 0 0 0 0 9 3.80 inning, fell behind 0-2 before game. He’s not a good breaking “After being down 1-0 almost an RBI single off Bell. before John Bowker’s one-out Francisco 1 (Uribe, F.Sanchez, Sandoval).
Beimel 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 3 3.55
R.Betancourt W, 3-1 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 10 1.56 he connected on Bell’s 2-2 ball hitter. I should have all game, to be able to come — The Associated Press triple in the eighth. Los Angeles IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
F.Morales S, 6-7 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 2.52 fastball. thrown a breaking ball. It’s through off the bench, it was “At first I didn’t know if it was
San Diego IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Kuroda W, 6-6 8 3 2 2 0 5 86 4.00
Mujica 4 2 0 0 0 3 56 3.33 “He surprised me that he probably a better percentage huge,” Torrealba said. “We’re National League a ball or bat coming at me,” Troncoso 1 2 1 1 0 0 22 2.59
Gallagher 1 0 0 0 1 0 15 0.00 San Francisco IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Russell H, 4 1 0 0 0 0 2 18 1.29 threw so many fastballs,” Tor- pitch.” trying to get to the playoffs, so wild card standings Kuroda said through an inter- Cain L, 13-5 6 7 4 4 3 5 109 2.61
Thatcher H, 4 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 17 2.68 M.Valdez 0 3 4 4 1 0 20 5.72
Gregerson H, 24 1 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 2 29 2.91 realba said. “At 2-2, I figured he San Diego was on the verge it’s pretty exciting.” W L Pct. GB preter. “Since I got a ball hit at Howry 1 2 1 1 0 1 19 3.49
H.Bell L, 5-3 BS, 4-41 1 3 4 4 2 1 33 2.55 would throw me a fastball since of handing the Rockies a tough Torrealba is 13-for-18 (.722) Colorado 82 60 .577 — my head, I didn’t think a bat J.Martinez 2 1 1 1 1 0 26 7.31
San Francisco 76 65 .539 5½
Daley pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Inherited he doesn’t want to go 3-2. It loss in their playoff chase with with runners in scoring posi- Florida 75 66 .532 6½ could get there that fast. If I get M.Valdez pitched to 4 batters in the 7th. Inherited
runners-scored: Beimel 2-0, R.Betancourt 2-0, Atlanta 73 68 .518 8½
Gregerson 2-0. IBB: off Gregerson (S.Smith). HBP: by seems like he doesn’t feel com- 20 games left in the season tion since May 29. hit by a bat, I think I’m going to runners-scored: Howry 3-3. IBB: off Cain (R.Martin).
Thatcher (Helton). Umpires: Home, Jim Wolf; First, Chicago 72 67 .518 8½ WP: M.Valdez. Umpires: Home, Brian Gorman; First,
Jerry Crawford; Second, Tom Hallion; Third, Phil Cuzzi. T: fortable throwing his slider.” after Jorge De La Rosa walked Bell gave up a leadoff walk to retire.” Dan Iassogna; Second, Larry Vanover; Third, Sam Hol-
3:13. A: 18,022 (42,691). Bell (5-3), who has four blown in the game’s only run in the Todd Helton, who was replaced Marlins lose ground, Page 30 — The Associated Press brook. T: 2:49. A: 39,212 (41,915).
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 7
Roundup of
TODAY’S TV GAMES the wrapup shows
Don’t have time to watch all of
Noon 7:30 p.m.
the games from start to finish?
Syracuse at No. 7 Penn State, Big Ten Network No. 24 Kansas at UTEP, CBS College Sports
Announcers: Craig Coshun, Gren Mason and Kenny Announcers: Tom Hart and Aaron Taylor
Here’s a handy guide of all the
Jackson wrapup shows available for
Western Michigan at Indiana, Big Ten Network 8 p.m. your fancy.
Announcers: Matt Devlin, Anthony Herron and Larra
No. 3 USC at No. 8 Ohio State, ESPN
Overton
Announcers: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa
Big Ten Network
Eastern Michigan at Northwestern, Big Ten Network
Salters
Big Ten Football Post-Game Show,
Announcers: Matt Rosen, Mark Campbell and Rebecca 10 p.m.
Haarlow The skinny: Fitting that each
Duke at Army, CBS College Sports
10:15 p.m.
member of the on-crew team
Announcers: Dave Ryan and Jason Sehorn Purdue at Oregon, FSN
has Big Ten ties. Host Dave
Fresno State at Wisconsin, ESPN Announcers: Barry Tompkins, Petros Papadakis and
Michael Eaves
Revsine is a graduate of
Announcers: Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman and Bob Griese
Central Michigan at Michigan State, ESPN2 Northwestern, Gerry DiNardo
Announcers: Pam Ward and Ray Bentley 10:30 p.m. coached at Indiana and How-
Iowa at Iowa State, FSN ard Griffith played his college
No. 17 Utah at San Jose State, ESPNU
Announcers: Joel Meyers, Dave Lapham and Jim Knox ball as a running back for
Announcers: Carter Blackburn and J.C. Pearson
Illinois and holds the NCAA
3:30 p.m. 11 p.m. record for most touchdowns in
Houston at No. 5 Oklahoma State, FSN a game (8).
Oregon State at UNLV, CBS College Sports
Announcers: Bill Land, Gary Reasons and Emily Jones Announcers: Jason Knapp and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
No. 9 BYU at Tulane, ESPN2 ESPN
Announcers: Terry Gannon and David Norrie College Football Final,
No. 16 TCU at Virginia, ESPNU midnight
Announcers: Todd Harris and Charles Arbuckle
No. 18 Notre Dame at Michigan, ABC
Game to watch The skinny: Host Rece Davis
and analysts Mark May and
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Mat Millen and Holly Lou Holtz do a great job of
Rowe
breaking down the action, but
Louisiana Tech at Navy, CBS College Sports
Holtz’s poor diction makes me
Announcers: Pete Medhurst and Randy Cross
want to hit the mute button at
4 p.m. South Carolina times. I miss Trev Alberts. We
at No. 21 Georgia need to get him out of his A.D.
UCLA at Tennessee, ESPN job and back on TV.
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Erin 7 p.m., ESPN2
Andrews
A pair of SEC squads kick off their conference schedule
CBS College Sports
7 p.m. tonight. Last week, South Carolina beat North Carolina Inside College Football Extra,
State 7-3 in an opener remembered more for offensive approx. 2:30 a.m.
Vanderbilt at No. 11 LSU, ESPNU clumsiness. Georgia, meanwhile, was manhandled by The skinny: Veteran CBS
Announcers: Eric Collins and Brock Huard Oklahoma State. The game also gives South Carolina sideline reporter Sam Ryan
South Carolina at No. 21 Georgia, ESPN2 coach Steve Spurrier a chance to pull even against
Announcers: Mike Patrick, Craig James and Heather Cox
hosts with analyst Brian Jones.
Georgia’s Mark Richt in their head-to-head series:
Air Force at Minnesota, Big Ten Network Oct. 27, 2001: Florida 24, Georgia 10 The show follows the station’s
Announcers: Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Sept. 10, 2005: Georgia 17, South Carolina 15 broadcast of the Oregon
Thompson Sept. 9, 2006: Georgia 18, South Carolina 0 State-UNLV game, which
Illinois State at Illinois, Big Ten Network Sept. 8, 2007: South Carolina 16, Georgia 12 means this is the only place
Announcers: Ari Wolfe, Tony McGee and Sarah Spain Sept. 13, 2008: Georgia 14, South Carolina 7 you’ll get your Jacquizz Rod-
JOHN BAZEMORE / AP gers highlights.
A.J. Green, right, was held to just 52 receiving yards in Georgia’s opening loss to Oklahoma State. — Roger Kuznia
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Spotlight Game
No. 3 USC at No. 8 Ohio State, 8 p.m., ESPN
The Line: USC by 7
DON RYAN / AP
RB Joe McKnight rushed for 145 yards in USC’s season opener.
Three reasons USC will win
Joe McKnight: McKnight arrived three years ago
1. expected to pick up where Heisman Trophy
winner Reggie Bush left off. Injuries and a crowded
backfield have prevented that so far, but 2009
looks to be different. Word is that McKnight
enjoyed the best training camp of his career last
month, and his 145 rushing yards and two scores in
the opener (albeit against San Jose State) provide
some evidence. The Buckeyes struggled to tackle
Navy last week; they might not have a prayer against
McKnight.
No defensive drop-off: Ohio State coach Jim Tres-
2. sel watched USC tape last week and struggles
to separate last year’s dominant group from this
year’s Trojans defense. “They’re so sound,” he said on
a teleconference. “If you took the jersey numbers off
them, they wouldn’t look any different.” All-Ameri-
can Taylor Mays returns to anchor the group, and
Chris Galippo and Michael Morgan project as SC’s
next great ’backers.
Big-game Pete: Pete Carroll-coached USC teams
3. are perfect on the road in nonconference play
since a loss at Kansas State in 2002. OSU will rank as
the Trojans’ biggest test since a trip to Notre Dame in
2005. And that day, USC needed the Bush Push to
come out with a win.
— Dave Curtis
College Football
JAY LAPRETE / AP
Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor’s athleticism could be tough on USC.
Three reasons Ohio State will win
Terrelle Pryor: Dennis Dixon. Vince Young. Even
1. way back to Ell Roberson for Kansas State.
USC has long struggled with mobile QBs, and Pryor
fits that profile. By Sunday, he easily could find him-
self on the list above. The OSU sophomore has the
size to run inside against USC’s inexperience and
the speed to get to the corner and make plays on the
sideline.
2. Pass rush: The strength of the Buckeyes’ defense
comes with its front line, which might feature
four future pros. Ends Cameron Heyward and Thad-
deus Gibson have impressed scouts coast-to-coast,
and inside, Doug Worthington ranks among the best
in the Big Ten. The defensive line flustered Daryll
Clark last year and helped Colt McCoy and Texas to
its lowest scoring output of last season.
No pressure: It seems that the more Ohio State
3. loses these sorts of games (Florida, LSU, USC,
two-of-three versus Texas), the more the stress would
build to perform better. Not so, says cornerback
Chimdi Chekwa. “If someone doesn’t expect you to
win, or a lot of people are doubting you,” he said on a
teleconference this week, “you go out there with noth-
ing to lose.” So maybe the heat’s off the scarlet and
gray. And maybe that’s the missing ingredient in
OSU’s quest for a big win.
— Dave Curtis
Spotlight Game
No. 18 Notre Dame at Michigan, 3:30 p.m., ABC
The Line: Notre Dame by 3
SCOTT R. GALVIN / MICHIGAN
Michigan QB Tate Forcier faces a much touger defense this week.
Three reasons Michigan will win
Protect the football: As good as the Wolverines’
1. offense looked last week, the Western Michigan
defense really didn’t put up much resistance. This
will be a much greater test—physically and men-
tally—for Michigan freshmen quarterbacks Tate
Forcier and Denard Robinson. Ball security will be at
a premium, especially since the Notre Dame offense
is good enough to score with the help of short fields
given up by the Michigan offense.
Stick to the game plan: If Notre Dame shows it can
2. stop the zone read option early, don’t abandon
it. Too many times last year—and likely because of
personnel issues—Michigan got away from the run
and tried to throw in an offense not necessarily built
for it. Forcier looked solid last week as a thrower, but
the time to throw and the margin for error in the sec-
ondary will be significantly smaller this week.
3. Be aggressive on defense: Two years ago in this
game, the Michigan defense pressured then-
freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen, and Clausen
took the worst beating of his career. Last year, the
Wolverines played mostly zone and got routinely beat
on short and intermediate throws. Look for new
Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson to do
what he did last year as the Syracuse head coach:
Pressure Clausen with various blitz schemes.
— Matt Hayes
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 8
MARCO GARCIA / AP
Golden Tate has the matchup advantage vs. Michigan’s secondary.
Three reasons Note Dame will win
Balance on offense: Notre Dame talked all spring and
1. through fall camp about a commitment to running
the ball. Here is where it starts. If the Irish can run with
consistency, it makes the offense virtually impossible to
defend. Michigan doesn’t have the personnel in the sec-
ondary to win individual battles with WRs Michael
Floyd and Golden Tate and TE Kyle Rudolph.
Mix it up defensively: Here’s the problem defend-
2. ing the spread option: Simply being aggressive
doesn’t always work. ND defensive coordinator Jon
Tenuta has been here before, dealing with spread-
option teams in the ACC while at Georgia Tech. The
Irish last week mixed blitzes and coverages against
Nevada—a very good spread-option team—and shut
out the Wolf Pack. Michigan’s offensive line is better
at holding and continuing blocks, but ND still can
confuse the young quarterbacks by mixing it up.
3. Play with confidence: We’ve heard since last
December that this Irish team turned the cor-
ner mentally with the big bowl win over Hawaii. In
fact, QB Jimmy Clausen says this team is 2-0—because
they count the Hawaii win as the beginning of this
season. Now is not the time to be timid on either side
of the ball, or get conservative if something goes
wrong early. Play with confidence, and play with
aggressiveness on both sides of the ball.
— Matt Hayes
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football

WHAT WE LEARNED Sporting News Today’s Derek Samson analyzes

what Friday’s buzz means to college football

ACC re-evaluation
Georgia Tech’s escape against
Clemson on Thursday, three
nights after an entertaining
Miami-Florida State bout, raises
more questions about the pecking
order in the ACC. If the Yellow
Jackets are indeed one of the best
teams in the country, they sure
didn’t show it.
Tech QB Josh Nesbitt came up
big at the end, but he was forced to
come up big only because his play
was shockingly miserable through-
out the night. He handed future
opponents a blueprint on how to
stop the vaunted spread-option
attack: make Nesbitt throw. When
your team’s most impressive passer
is the kicker (on a fake field goal),
you’re in trouble.
Check out the preseason top two
teams in each division now—Vir-
ginia Tech (lost) and Georgia Tech
(very suspect) in the Coastal, and
Florida State (lost) and N.C. State JOHN BAZEMORE / AP
(lost) in the Atlantic. QB Josh Nesbitt looked terrible against Clemson, making the entire Tech team seem suspect.
Meanwhile, Miami received little
love in the preseason. But after Ohio State wins by more than the bumbling Buffs 13-26 since
watching the Hurricanes beat FSU seven points: 14 percent Hawkins took over the program.
on the road in Week 1, is there any USC wins by seven points or Never in those four-plus seasons
reason to think they won’t win this less: 5 percent has CU looked so awful. The news
league? Nearly half the people reading a is bad for Hawkins. He recruited
popular Ohio State website believe all these players, hired a staff to
Ohio St. Doubting Thomases it’ll be USC in a rout at their beloved coach them, and supervised
At buckeyextra.com, the Ohio Horseshoe. Wow, the Buckeyes schemes to make them successful.
State sports website of The Colum- really have instilled a lot of faith in He’s 0 for 3 in those areas. Hawk-
bus Dispatch, a poll question asked these big games. ins’ guys get Wyoming at home
readers for predictions on the OSU- next weekend, then face roadies
USC game, giving them four Buffaloed with West Virginia and Texas
options. Here were the results as of Coach Dan Hawkins’ demise at before Kansas visits. A 1-5 start
Friday afternoon (and, again, Colorado accelerated Friday night looks like a lock. In that case,
remember this comes from when his team posted the most Hawkins probably wouldn’t, and
buckeyextra.com): embarrassing performance in col- definitely shouldn’t, keep his job
USC wins by more than seven lege football’s opening fortnight. The longer than that. If he does hang
points: 45 percent 54-38 loss to Toledo, with its rookie on, he’ll need a North title to make
Ohio State wins by seven head coach and its 4th-in-the-MAC- it to 2010.
points or less: 36 percent West preseason designation, makes — Dave Curtis contributed to this report
SPORTING NEWS TODAY
Kansas State’s Snyder agrees to five-year contract
Southern Mississippi WR DeAndre Brown could see about 25 plays of action against Central Florida today.
www.sportingnews.com College Football
INSIDE DISH
Bill Snyder agreed to a five-year contract with
Kansas State on Friday, giving the 69-year-
old coach the opportunity to pull off another
reclamation project after the program he built
unraveled under Ron Prince.
Snyder will be paid a base salary plus sup-
plemental licensing payments totaling $1.85
million this season, $1.875 million next sea-
son, $1.925 million in 2011-12, $1.95 million in
2012-13 and $1.975 million in 2013-14.
Performance incentives could reward Sny-
der up to an additional $455,000, including
$75,000 for winning the Big 12 title game and
$250,000 for winning the BCS national
championship.
Snyder compiled a 136-68-1 record over his
first 17 seasons—a remarkable turnaround
for a program that had won only 130 games
the previous 51 years. He retired in November
2005, citing fatigue and the desire to spend
more time with his family, only to come back
this season.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen hasn’t
spent much time poring over video from last
year’s Auburn game, and that’s not just
because it produced a final score that might
make an offensive guy like him cringe:
Auburn 3, Mississippi State 2.
Both teams enter the Bulldogs’ visit to
Auburn tonight in their SEC opener with new
coaches who have won big as assistants and
implemented decidedly different offensive
systems.
“They’re a whole new program. We’re a
new program,” Mullen told The Associated
Press. “That’s such old news with me at this
point with both programs heading in new
directions that we haven’t spent much time
on it.”
Neither has Auburn’s Gene Chizik, and he’s
an old defensive coach.
STEVE COLEMAN / AP
Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora said WR
DeAndre Brown will play today against Central
Florida. The 6-6 sophomore sat out last week’s
52-0 win against Alcorn State still recovering
from a broken leg he suffered last year in the
New Orleans Bowl. Fedora says he could see
about 25 plays against UCF.
Brown set the single-season school records
for catches and touchdowns as a freshman
and should add another dimension going
against the Knights’ stingy defense.
He was cleared for contact last week but
was held out because Fedora didn’t see a need
to rush him back after he began to experience
soft-tissue swelling near the break in July.
Two North Carolina players will miss
today’s game at Connecticut with apparent
cases of swine flu. The school said Friday that
starting FB Bobby Rome and DT Jordan Nix have
tested positive for “probable” swine flu.
Neither player practiced this week for the
No. 19 Tar Heels (1-0).
Purdue RB Ralph Bolden was recovering
from a severe knee injury a year ago and look-
ing at a redshirt season.
Now, he’s the nation’s leading rusher.
Bolden ripped through Toledo for 234 yards
in Purdue’s season-opening 52-31 win last
Saturday, the third-highest single-game total
in school history.
His first carry as a college starter went for a
78-yard touchdown.
That explosiveness is one of the reasons he
got the starting job competing with senior
Jaycen Taylor during training camp.
“Many, many times in practice (Bolden)
took it the full length of the field,” Purdue
coach Danny Hope said.
Purdue would welcome a similar effort
from Bolden today at Oregon.
Bolden gave much of the credit for his big
game to the offensive line. The starting unit of
Dennis Kelly, Zach Reckman, Jared Zwilling, Ken Plue
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 10
and Zach Jones helped pave the way for Purdue
to run for 315 yards, its best total since 2003.
There was a time when Georgia fans
would’ve been looking forward to the South
Carolina game like no other, largely because
of the coach on the other sideline.
When someone dubbed Steve Spurrier the
“Evil Genius,” rest assured that everyone
wearing red and black nodded their heads in
agreement. He used to beat the Bulldogs with
numbing regularity, which was bad enough
for those between the hedges.
My, how things have changed.
When Spurrier trots on the field tonight
with his Gamecocks, he will undoubtedly
hear plenty of boos from the Georgia faithful.
But it’s not likely to be much worse than the
reception given to any other visiting team or
coach venturing into Sanford Stadium.
Over the last few years, this once bitter feud
has changed dramatically. Georgia has beaten
South Carolina three out of four times since
Spurrier took over in Columbia, a striking
reversal from the 11-wins-in-12-years domi-
nance he once lorded over the Bulldogs as the
mastermind behind Florida’s “Fun ‘n’ Gun”
offense during the 1990s and early 2000s.
“All that has worn off,” Spurrier told the
AP. “I think it’s just Georgia and South Caro-
lina playing now.”
Stanford (1-0) hopes its internal clock
becomes just as synchronized as its on-the-
field timing was last week.
The team is coming off their most produc-
tive opener since 2005: A 39-13 beating of
Washington State that left them atop the Pac-
10 standings—if only for a short while.
Now, as they prepare to play in the East for
just the 10th time since 1971, they’re looking
to match their best start in five years by send-
ing reeling Wake Forest to its second, error-
filled 0-2 start in three years.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
TODAY’S TOP 25 GAMES
Troy (0-1) at No. 1 Florida (1-0)
12:21 p.m., SEC Network
Line: Florida by 36½
Series Record: Florida leads 1-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Realistically, not much. Although the
Gators expect a better test than what they
got from Charleston Southern in last
week’s opener, no one anticipates Troy
coming into The Swamp and knocking off
the defending national champions.
KEY MATCHUP
Troy DEs Brandon Lang and Cameron
Sheffield vs. Florida OTs Marcus Gilbert
and Carl Johnson. Lang and Sheffield, both
seniors, combined for 16 sacks and 30
tackles for loss last season and have
potential NFL futures.
No. 2 Texas (1-0) at Wyoming (1-0)
3:30 p.m., Versus
Line: Texas by 33½
Series Record: Texas leads 2-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Longhorns’ defense needs a good
game against a spread offense to get ready
for next week’s showdown with Texas
Tech. First-year Wyoming coach Dave
Christensen would make a huge splash
with an upset. Texas is the highest-ranked
team to ever play in Laramie, Wyo.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas QB Colt McCoy vs. the Wyoming
secondary. The Cowboys intercepted five
passes last week against Weber State, three
by freshman strong safety Shamiel Gary.
No. 3 USC (1-0) at No. 8 Ohio State (1-0)
8 p.m., ESPN
Line: USC by 7
Series Record: USC leads 12-9-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
For USC, keeping alive the dream of a
berth in the national championship game,
although there’s a long way to go. Ohio
State needs a win to quiet its many critics;
the Buckeyes have made it a habit of
playing top-10 opponents the past three
years and losing in a rout.
KEY MATCHUP
USC TB Joe McKnight vs. Ohio State’s
defense. McKnight rushed for 105 yards on
just 12 carries a year ago at the Coliseum. If
he gains traction and starts piling up yards
this year at Ohio Stadium, it’ll be a long
night for the Buckeyes.
No. 4 Alabama (1-0)
vs. Florida International (0-0)
7 p.m.
Line: Alabama by 33½
Series Record: Alabama leads 1-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
A test for Alabama’s focus coming off a big
win over Virginia Tech. Maybe a chance to
get some youngsters on the field, since it
didn’t come in the opener. A monumental
upset would boost FIU coach Mario
Cristobal’s efforts to build his program.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama’s bruising running game against
a defense that yielded 156 yards a game on
the ground last season and must replace
three starting defensive linemen. RBs
Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch are
coming off big games.
Houston (1-0)
at No. 5 Oklahoma State (1-0)
3:30 p.m., FSN
Line: Oklahoma State by 15½
Series Record: Tied, 9-9-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Houston can get revenge for last year’s loss
and also pick up the first marquee win of
Kevin Sumlin’s head coaching career with
an upset. The Cougars had a 16-7 lead in
the first half last year in Stillwater before
Oklahoma State’s offense came alive for
College Football
Houston’s Case Keenum threw for 387 yards and four TDs in a loss to Oklahoma State in September 2008.
472 yards after halftime.
KEY MATCHUP
QB Case Keenum vs. Oklahoma State’s
defense. The Cowboys’ debut under new
defensive coordinator Bill Young has
reignited talk that OSU could finally have
the stingy defense to go with its potent
offense.
Syracuse (0-1)
at No. 7 Penn State (1-0)
Noon, Big Ten Network
Line: Penn State by 29
Series record: Penn State leads 41-23-5
WHAT’S AT STAKE
An upset over traditional rival Penn State
would do wonders for first-year coach
Doug Marrone’s rebuilding Syracuse
program. The Nittany Lions would like to
get their running game going after a
relatively slow start against Akron.
KEY MATCHUP
Syracuse OL vs. the Penn State front
seven. Orange must protect QB Greg
Paulus to have any chance for an unlikely
win.
KARL B. DEBLAKER / AP
No. 9 BYU at Tulane
3:30 p.m., ESPN2
Line: BYU by 17½
Series record: Tied 1-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
A shot at a BCS bowl and maybe even a
national championship. BYU’s upset of
third-ranked Oklahoma, a 14-13 victory
moved the Cougars from No. 20 to No. 9 in
the AP rankings and put the Mountain
West power in mix for the title. BYU will
play its three toughest remaining foes—
Florida State, TCU and Utah—at home,
where the Cougars are on an 18-0 run.
KEY MATCHUP
Tulane’s defense against the BYU offense and
quarterback Max Hall. Last week against
Oklahoma, Hall completed 26-of-38 pass
attempts for 329 yards and two touchdowns.
His favorite target is tight end Dennis Pitta.
No. 10 California
vs. Eastern Washington
5:37 p.m., CSNCA
Line: No line
Series Record: first meeting
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 11
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Golden Bears are looking to avoid a
letdown following a 52-13 season-opening
win against Maryland.
KEY MATCHUP
Cal defensive line vs. Eastern Washington
QB Matt Nichols. The Bears put heavy
pressure on Maryland QB Chris Turner
last week, recording six sacks.
Vanderbilt (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
at No. 11 LSU (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
6 p.m., ESPNU
Line: LSU 14½
Series Record: LSU leads 20-7-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Strong starts in their respective divisions
in the SEC, LSU in the West and Vander-
bilt in the East. Vanderbilt won four SEC
games last season, the most since divi-
sional play began in 1992.
KEY MATCHUP
LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who is
making his first home start, against Vander-
bilt’s confident defense. Jefferson, 19, is the
youngest starting QB in the SEC. He’s an
efficient passer, but in three starts has yet to
throw for more than 172 yards.
Miami (Ohio) (0-1)
vs. No. 12 Boise State (1-0)
8 p.m.
Line: Boise State by 37
Series Record: First meeting
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Boise State cleared its biggest hurdle on the
schedule by beating then No. 16 Oregon
19-8 last week. The test now is avoiding a
letdown that could spoil a perfect season
and the Broncos’ hopes of moving up the
rankings and inserting themselves in the
BCS discussion at the end of the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Miami’s defensive line vs. Boise State
running backs Jeremy Avery and D.J.
Harper. Boise State heads into the game
looking to run the ball and swapping
carries between Avery and Harper, who
combined for 162 yards against the Ducks.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
TODAY’S TOP 25 GAMES
Idaho State (0-1)
at No. 13 Oklahoma (0-1)
7 p.m.
Line: No line.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Redshirt freshman Landry Jones makes
his first career start as Oklahoma tries to
bounce back from a season-opening loss to
BYU in which Heisman Trophy winner
Sam Bradford suffered a sprained shoul-
der. Idaho State is trying to avoid a record
with a 17th straight road loss.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma offensive line vs. officials. The
Sooners’ linemen piled up nine penalties in
the loss to BYU, stalling what had been the
highest-scoring offense in college football
history last season.
No. 14 Virginia Tech (0-1)
vs. Marshall (1-0)
1:30 p.m.
Line: Virginia Tech by 19
Series Record: Virginia Tech leads 7-2
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Hokies started the season with national
championship aspirations that took a punch
in their 34-24 loss to No. 4 Alabama. Their
defense allowed nearly 500 yards, their
offense managed just 155 and they had two
turnovers on special teams.
KEY MATCHUP
The Virginia Tech offense against the
Marshall defense. The Thundering Herd
has eight starters back on defense, and the
Hokies were largely inept with the ball
against Alabama. Tyrod Taylor threw
poorly—9-for-20 for 90 yards—and was
hesitant to run.
No. 16 TCU (0-0) at Virginia (0-1)
3:30 p.m., ESPNU
Line: TCU by 11
Series Record: Virginia leads 1-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Horned Frogs open a season of high
expectations—their No. 17 preseason
ranking was their highest since
1960—against a team with a new offensive
system, a new special teams coach and a
coach in the hot seat after a 26-14 loss to
William & Mary of the I-AA ranks.
KEY MATCHUP
The TCU offense against the Virginia
defense. The Cavaliers get a chance to
measure themselves against a refined
form of the spread attack orchestrated by
dual-threat QB Andy Dalton.
No. 17 Utah (1-0) at San Jose St. (0-1)
10:30 p.m., ESPNU
Line: Utah by 13½
Series Record: Utah leads 4-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Utah holds the nation’s longest current
winning streak at 15 games and cannot
afford a letdown this week if it wants to
reach a major bowl.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah RB Matt Asiata vs. San Jose State LB
Justin Cole. Cole is San Jose State’s most
experienced linebacker and will need to
help keep Asiata in check.
No. 18 Notre Dame (1-0)
at Michigan (1-0)
3:30 p.m., ABC
Line: Notre Dame by 3
Series Record: Michigan leads 20-15-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The once-proud programs are both hoping
for a turnaround, and the victors at the Big
House will be 2-0 with a ton of
momentum.
KEY MATCHUP
Notre Dame OTs Paul Duncan and Sam
Young vs. Michigan DE Brandon Graham. If
Duncan and Young can keep Graham away
from QB Jimmy Clausen, he will have time to
College Football
KENNY CROOKSTON / AP
Priot to last week’s 156 yards, Matt Asiata’s previous high in rushing was 116 last September against Air Force.
pick at Michigan’s inexperienced safeties. since 1996 and a huge blow to its prestige.
South Carolina is hoping to produce a little
No. 19 North Carolina (1-0) offense after a lackluster performance in
at Connecticut (1-0) its 7-3 victory over N.C. State.
Noon, ESPNU KEY MATCHUP
Line: North Carolina by 4½ Georgia OTs Vince Vance and Clint Boling
Series Record: North Carolina leads 2-0 vs. South Carolina DEs Devin Taylor and
Cliff Matthews.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Respect: North Carolina, which started Arkansas State (1-0)
the season ranked for the first time since vs. No. 22 Nebraska (1-0)
1998, must prove it is worthy of that 2:10 p.m.
ranking. Line: Nebraska by 22½
KEY MATCHUP Series Record: First meeting
Connecticut running backs vs. North
Carolina’s front seven. UConn will use WHAT’S AT STAKE
tailbacks Jordan Todman and Andre Arkansas State won at Texas A&M last year
Dixon, who combined for 257 yards in a and is looking for another Big 12 win.
season-opening win over Ohio. Nebraska is looking to polish its game
before next week’s visit to No. 14 Virginia
South Carolina (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Tech.
at No. 21 Georgia (0-1, 0-0 SEC) KEY MATCHUP
7:06 p.m., ESPN2 Arkansas State’s Reggie Arnold vs.
Line: Georgia by 7 Nebraska’s front seven. The Red Wolves
Series Record: Georgia leads 45-14-2 are going to try to run, and the Huskers
know it. Arnold has had three straight
WHAT’S AT STAKE 1,000-yard seasons and opened with 126
Georgia is trying to avoid its first 0-2 start yards and 4 TDs last week.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 12
Southeast Missouri St. (1-0)
at No. 23 Cincinnati (1-0)
7:30 p.m., FSN Ohio
Line: No line
Series Record: Cincinnati leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
SE Missouri State will be looking to get a
breakthrough win for the Ohio Valley
Conference, while Cincinnati carries the
Big East flag.
KEY MATCHUP
The Redhawks showed they can score in
their opener, a 72-3 win over NAIA
Quincy. Now, the question is whether they
can slow down a no-huddle offense.
No. 24 Kansas (1-0) at UTEP (0-1)
7:30 p.m.
Line: Kansas by 12½
Series Record: First meeting
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Kansas hasn’t won a nonconference road
game since 2003 and faces a UTEP team
coming off a 23-17 home loss to Buffalo.
KEY MATCHUP
Kansas’ running game vs. UTEP’s defense.
Powered by RB Jake Sharp (123 rushing
yards) and QB Todd Reesing (79), the
Jayhawks ran for 328 yards against
Northern Colorado.
Bowling Green (1-0)
at No. 25 Missouri (1-0)
7 p.m.
Line: Missouri by 18½
Series Record: Bowling Green leads 3-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Missouri seeks to build on momentum of
37-9 opening victory over Illinois that
propelled Tigers back into Top 25 after
receiving only a few votes in preseason
poll. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert had
nearly flawless debut.
KEY MATCHUP
Gabbert vs. Bowling Green defense. Gabbert
produced scores on seven of nine drives
against Illinois and WR Danario Alexander
had career best 10 catches for 132 yards.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY
Toledo 54, Colorado 38
Opelt, Rockets drop Buffs to 0-2
Tom Burzine, right, caught only one pass all night, but it went for a 23-yard score.
TOLEDO, OHIO—Colorado looked
helpless trying to stop Aaron
Opelt and Toledo.
Now the Buffaloes have to find
a way to keep their season from
flying apart after starting off
coach Dan Hawkins’ fourth sea-
son with two discouraging losses
in less than a week.
Colorado (0-2) gave up big play
after big play against Toledo (1-1)
which averaged nearly 10 yards
per play and amassed 624 yards
in Toledo’s 54-38 win over the
Buffaloes on Friday night.
The tired-looking Buffs were
pushed around by archrival
Colorado State just five days ear-
lier in a 23-17 loss on Sunday that
was capped by the indignity of
Rams fans storming Folsom
Field.
Hawkins exhaled deeply after-
ward when asked about what
www.sportingnews.com
J.D. POOLEY / AP
was wrong with his defense.
“Too many big plays for sure,”
he said.
Opelt threw a 70-yard touch-
down pass in the first quarter
and scampered 61 yards early in
the fourth to thwart a late Colo-
rado rally and put the Rockets
up by 20.
“I didn’t know I could still run
like that,” Opelt said. “I got out
in the open field and it shocked
me a little bit.”
Opelt took apart Colorado’s
defense through the air and on
the ground, throwing four touch-
down passes and running for
two more. He rolled up 428 yards
of offense, nearly outgaining the
Buffaloes (451 yards) on his
own.
Hawkins, who had to answer
critics earlier in the week about
his decision to start his son,
College Football SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 13
Betting lines Scores and schedule All Times ET
Top 25
FAVORITE TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Sept. 10 5 p.m. St., 4 p.m. Sept. 10
EAST Furman at Chattanooga, 6 p.m. South Dakota at N. Iowa, 5:05
Jacksonville St. at Florida St., p.m.
No. 15 Georgia Tech
Today Wagner 41, N.Y. Maritime 10
6 p.m. New Hampshire at Ball St., 7 p.m. 30, Clemson 27
North Carolina .......4 ½ ......45 ½....at Connecticut SOUTH James Madison at Maryland, Illinois St. at Illinois, 7 p.m.
Colorado 0 3 21 14 — 38 at West Virginia ......6 ½ ..........44...... East Carolina Carson-Newman 38, 6 p.m. Air Force at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Today
Toledo 13 10 14 17 — 54 at Penn St.................29 ......50 ½.............Syracuse Campbellsville 10 Norfolk St. at N. Carolina A&T, Bowling Green at Missouri, 7 p.m. No. 1 Florida vs. Troy,
Florida A&M 34, Winston-Salem 6 p.m. Georgia Southern at S. Dakota
First Quarter at Virginia Tech .........19 ..........43.............Marshall 12:21 p.m.
10 Murray St. at N.C. State, 6 p.m. St., 7 p.m.
Tol: Noble 8 pass from Opelt (pass failed), 7:18. at Michigan St......14 ½ ......52 ½...Cent. Michigan Virginia Union at Old Dominion, SE Missouri at Cincinnati, 7:30 No. 2 Texas at
Georgia Tech 30, Clemson 27
Tol: Page 70 pass from Opelt (Steigerwald kick), 3:00. at Northwestern ......20 ......52 ½........E. Michigan 6 p.m. p.m. Wyoming, 3:30 p.m.
Second Quarter SE Louisiana 69, Union, Ky. 20
Iowa ...........................6 ......46 ½..........at Iowa St. Tennessee Tech 51, Pikeville 10 Gardner-Webb at W. Carolina, W. Illinois at N. Illinois, 7:30 p.m. No. 3 Southern Cal at
Col: FG Goodman 32, 13:31.
Tol: FG Steigerwald 50, 9:59. at Auburn.................14 ..........44.....Mississippi St. West Alabama 35, Arkansas 6 p.m. Southern Cal at Ohio St., 8 p.m.
Fla. International at Alabama,
No. 8 Ohio State, 8 p.m.
Tol: Opelt 27 run (Steigerwald kick), :36. at Army ....................Pk ......42 ½...................Duke Tech 30
Third Quarter 7 p.m. SOUTHWEST No. 4 Alabama vs.
Tol: Stafford 26 pass from Opelt (Steigerwald kick), 12:36. at Wisconsin...........8 ½ ......52 ½............Fresno St. Friday’s game Hampton at Alabama A&M, Houston at Oklahoma St., Florida International,
Col: McKnight 4 pass from C.Hawkins (Goodman kick), 7:26. at Wake Forest ...........3 ......43 ½.............Stanford MIDWEST 7 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Tol: Burzine 23 pass from Opelt (Steigerwald kick), 4:51. Toledo 54, Colorado 38 Mississippi St. at Auburn, 7 p.m. Langston at Ark.-Pine Bluff,
Col: Espinoza 5 pass from C.Hawkins (Goodman kick), 1:43. at Georgia...................7 ......37 ½...South Carolina No. 5 Oklahoma State
Monmouth, N.J. at Coastal 5 p.m.
Col: Geer 4 pass from C.Hawkins (Goodman kick), 1:23. at Tennessee ............10 .......... 45...................UCLA vs. Houston, 3:30 p.m.
Today’s games Carolina, 7 p.m. Ohio at North Texas, 7 p.m.
Fourth Quarter BYU.......................17 ½ .......... 54.............at Tulane No. 7 Penn State vs.
Tol: Opelt 61 run (Steigerwald kick), 14:10. EAST South Carolina at Georgia, 7 p.m. Idaho St. at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
Tol: Collins 23 run (Steigerwald kick), 8:41. at Oregon .................12 ......58 ½................Purdue Duke at Army, Noon Northwestern St. at Grambling N. Dakota St. at Sam Houston Syracuse, Noon
Tol: FG Steigerwald 43, 4:01. Texas.....................32 ½ ......56 ½.......at Wyoming Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Noon St., 7 p.m. St., 7 p.m. No. 9 BYU at Tulane,
Col: Devenny 18 pass from C.Hawkins (Goodman kick), 2:56. at Navy ...................7 ½ .......... 50....Louisiana Tech North Carolina at Connecticut, Tennessee St. vs. Jackson St. at Texas College at Stephen F.Austin,
Col: C.Hawkins 12 run (Goodman kick), 1:53. Memphis, Tenn., 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Notre Dame ...............3 .......... 48........at Michigan Noon
A: 20,082. Syracuse at Penn St., Noon Vanderbilt at LSU, 7 p.m. Rice at Texas Tech, 7 p.m. No. 10 California vs.
at Washington .........21 ..........53..................Idaho Hofstra at Bryant, 1 p.m. N.C. Central at Liberty, 7 p.m. Kansas at UTEP, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Washington,
Col Tol Kansas St. at Louisiana-Lafayette,
First downs ...................................25.......................................21 at UAB ......................12 ......61 ½....................SMU Sacred Heart at Holy Cross, 1 p.m. 5:35 p.m.
Rushes-yards .......................... 23-95...............................43-305 Pittsburgh ............10 ½ .......... 47........... at Buffalo Drake at Marist, 1 p.m. 7 p.m. FAR WEST No. 11 LSU vs.
Passing ........................................356.....................................319 Maine at Northeastern, 1 p.m. Texas Southern at Louisiana- Dixie St. at Montana St., 3:05
TCU ...........................11 ......41 ½...........at Virginia Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.
Comp-Att-Int .......................30-64-3............................. 15-23-0 Morehead St. at St. Francis, Pa., Monroe, 7 p.m. p.m.
Return Yards..................................15.........................................4 at Boston College.....21 ..........45...............Kent St. Memphis at Middle Tennessee, Idaho at Washington, 3:30 p.m. No. 12 Boise State vs.
1 p.m.
Punts-Avg. ............................. 3-33.0................................3-31.7 at Texas Tech.........27 ½ ......66 ½.....................Rice Kent St. at Boston College, 2 p.m. 7 p.m. Texas at Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. Miami (Ohio), 8 p.m.
Fumbles-Lost ...............................3-1.....................................2-2 at Minnesota..............3 ......48 ½............. Air Force Richmond at Delaware, 3:30 p.m. Jacksonville at Samford, 7 p.m. San Diego at N. Colorado, 3:35
Penalties-Yards ....................... 9-100...............................12-104 No. 13 Oklahoma vs.
Hawaii-x.................2 ½ ..........53..Washington St. Louisiana Tech at Navy, 3:30 p.m. UCF at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. p.m.
Time of Possession...................29:08................................. 30:52 Central St., Ohio at Southern S. Oregon at Portland St., 4:05
Idaho State, 7 p.m.
at Indiana...................1 ......51 ½.......W. Michigan Howard at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m.
East Carolina at West Virginia, U., 7 p.m. p.m. No. 14 Virginia Tech
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Colorado, Scott 12-85, Sumler 4-20, DiLallo 1-9, at Missouri ...............20 ..........57...Bowling Green 3:30 p.m. Cent. Connecticut St. at William & Weber St. at Colorado St., 5 p.m. vs. Marshall, 1:30 p.m.
Mary, 7 p.m. E. Washington at California,
Moyd 1-2, C.Hawkins 5-(minus 21). Toledo, Collins 20-160, Kansas ..................12 ½ ......62 ½...............at UTEP Robert Morris at Bucknell, 6 p.m. No. 16 TCU at
Opelt 8-109, Thomas 6-21, Pasquale 6-18, Team 3-(minus 3). at Southern Miss......15 ..........51.....................UCF Stony Brook at Colgate, 6 p.m. Charleston Southern at Wofford, 5:35 p.m.
PASSING: Colorado, C.Hawkins 30-64-3-356. Toledo,
Virginia, 3:30 p.m.
at Oklahoma St. ...15 ½ ..........68............. Houston Lafayette at Georgetown, D.C., 7 p.m. Hawaii vs. Washington St. at
No. 17 Utah at San
Opelt 15-23-0-319. 6 p.m. South Florida at W. Kentucky, Seattle, 7 p.m.
RECEIVING: Colorado, McKnight 11-114, Espinoza 8-109, Geer at Boise St. ...............37 ......52 ½......Miami (Ohio) 7:30 p.m. Sacramento St. at Cal Poly, Jose State, 10:30 p.m.
3-28, Sumler 3-4, A.Wright 1-42, Deehan 1-34, Devenny 1-18, Albany, N.Y. at Massachusetts,
at LSU ...................14 ½ ..........45..........Vanderbilt 6 p.m. 7:05 p.m. No. 18 Notre Dame at
Ebner 1-6, Scott 1-1. Toledo, Noble 5-56, Stafford 4-88, Page
3-138, Burzine 1-23, Bailey 1-8, Collins 1-6. Tulsa .....................17 ½ ..........57...at New Mexico Lehigh at Villanova, 7 p.m. MIDWEST Miami (Ohio) at Boise St., 8 p.m. Michigan, 3:30 p.m.
W. Michigan at Indiana, Noon Tulsa at New Mexico, 8 p.m.
Southern Cal ..............7 ..........45...........at Ohio St.
Iowa at Iowa St., Noon Prairie View at New Mexico
No. 19 North Carolina
Utah .....................13 ½ ..........48....at San Jose St. SOUTH
Cody, at quarterback, is sure to Stanford at Wake Forest, Noon Cent. Michigan at Michigan St., 8 p.m. at Connecticut, Noon
hear more questions now. Oregon St. ..................7 ..........54.............. at UNLV Troy at Florida, 12:21 p.m. St., Noon S. Utah at San Diego St., 8:30 No. 21 Georgia vs.
at Nebraska..............22 ......53 ½....... Arkansas St. Campbell at Birmingham- E. Michigan at Northwestern, p.m. South Carolina, 7 p.m.
He’s 13-26 in his fourth season Noon N. Arizona at Arizona, 10 p.m.
at Alabama ..........33 ½ ......48 ½.............. Fla. Int’l Southern, 1 p.m. No. 22 Nebraska vs.
with Colorado. Weeks after the Lenoir-Rhyne at Davidson, 1 p.m. Fresno St. at Wisconsin, Noon Montana at UC Davis, 10 p.m.
South Florida .......24 ½ ......48 ½...at W. Kentucky Arkansas State, 2 p.m.
Buffaloes fell to Nebraska to Elon at Presbyterian, 1:30 p.m. E. Illinois at Indiana St., 12:05 Purdue at Oregon, 10:15 p.m.
at Florida ..............36 ½ ..........60.....................Troy p.m. Utah at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. No. 23 Cincinnati vs.
miss becoming bowl eligible in Marshall at Virginia Tech, 1:30
Ohio........................2 ½ ..........52....at North Texas p.m. Urbana at Dayton, 1 p.m. Oregon St. at UNLV, 11 p.m. SE Missouri, 7:30 p.m.
the finale last season, Hawkins at Middle Tenn. ..........1 ......52 ½............Memphis Duquesne at Nicholls St., 2 p.m. Butler at Franklin, 1:30 p.m. No. 24 Kansas at
predicted “10 wins and no Kansas St................6 ½ ..........56..at La.-Lafayette McNeese St. at Appalachian St., Morgan St. at Akron, 2 p.m.
UTEP, 7:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. Valparaiso at Concordia, Wis.,
excuses” for 2009. He said it x-at Seattle 2 p.m. No. 25 Missouri vs.
BYU at Tulane, 3:30 p.m.
wasn’t a prediction. TCU at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Arkansas St. at Nebraska, 2 p.m. Bowling Green, 7 p.m.
“I can’t control what people S. Carolina St. at Bethune- Notre Dame at Michigan, 3:30
Cookman, 4 p.m. p.m.
think,” he said. “I know that Tenn.-Martin at Missouri St.,
UCLA at Tennessee, 4 p.m.
we’re doing things right.” SMU at UAB, 4 p.m. 4 p.m. Conference standings,
— The Associated Press Alabama St. at Savannah St., Austin Peay at Youngstown schedules, Page 17
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 14
Sporting News Today’s Matt Hayes picks the best 10 games of the weekend,
Pick 10
BEAT MY 1. USC AT OHIO STATE
8 p.m., today, ESPN
and throws in his upset pick as a bonus. (Betting line, Page 13)

GRANDMA
Sporting News Today’s Dave Curtis takes on his
Yep, picking the Buckeyes goes against
everything that makes sense. So does
starting a true freshman at quarterback in a
monster non-conference game.
Ohio State 20, USC 16
96-year-old grandmother each week. This fall, Grams 2. NOTRE DAME AT MICHIGAN
B. tries to defend her title won rather easily in 2008. 3:30 p.m., today, ABC
Grams B. Irish need it more than Michigan. They
also have more experience and continu-
ity on offense, and will create more
I didn’t even get a greeting this week. She skipped a friendly turnovers on defense.
hello to start the skewering right away. Standings Notre Dame 31, Michigan 16
“I did really well again last week, didn’t I,” Grams B. asked MARK J. TERRILL / AP

from back in Rhode Island.

Last week:
3. UCLA AT TENNESSEE Fresno State coach Pat Hill
Yes, oh wise one, you’ve still got it. A 4-for-5 week, including Grams B. 4-1 4 p.m., today, ESPN
a second-straight opening weekend special (BYU over Okla- Dave 1-4 A poorly-played, down-to-the-wire game
from 2008 will be a well-played, down-to-
DOG OF THE WEEK:
homa this time, ECU over Virginia Tech last year), leaves FRESNO ST. AT WISCONSIN
the-wire game today, setting up UT’s trip
Dave Curtis Grams living large in front of the big screen. Season: to Gainesville next week. Bulldogs have gone to Madison and won before, why
COLLEGE FOOTBALL There’s not a shocker on the board this week, but Grams says Grams B. 4-1
Tennessee 24, UCLA 23 not again? Badgers simply have too much uncertainty
she’s confident regardless. “I feel good about these,” she said of Dave 1-4 on offense.
the upcoming slate. Another big week, and this year’s family feud might look like 4. SOUTH CAROLINA AT GEORGIA
Obama-McCain. Except this time, age will rout beauty. 7 p.m., today, ESPN2 Fresno State 28, Wisconsin 24
Georgia dropped three interceptions in the
first 20 minutes against Oklahoma State.
NO. 19 N. CAROLINA NO. 18 NOTRE DAME UCLA NO. 21 GEORGIA NO. 3 USC ‘Dawgs will get more chances—and be
AT CONNECTICUT AT MICHIGAN AT TENNESSEE AT SOUTH CAROLINA AT NO. 8 OHIO STATE more successful—with South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia.
NOON 3:30 P.M. 8. PURDUE AT OREGON
4 P.M. 7 P.M. 8 P.M. Georgia 14, South Carolina 6 10:15 p.m., today, FSN
The Skinny: As The Skinny: She The Skinny: Count The Skinny: The Skinny: When The biggest game of coach Chip Kelly’s
she talked Tar loves the Wolver- Lane Kiffin as a There’s more you’re nearly old
5. EAST CAROLINA AT WEST VIRGINIA coaching career. That’s not hyperbole;
3:30 p.m., today that’s the potential of a season unwinding
Heels, Grams ines, she loves candidate for offense in Grams’ enough to get a Pirates have been through these play-up after the LeGarrette Blount fiasco.
remembered the them not. Appar- Grams’ football card games than birthday shoutout games with BCS opponents, and sixth-year
program’s hoops ently, beating up crush of 2009. either of these two from Willard QB Patrick Pinkney won’t get frazzled. Oregon 35, Purdue 17
national champi- the WAC scores Young, smooth teams showed in Scott, Fight On East Carolina 27, West Virginia 21 9. STANFORD AT WAKE FOREST
onship. “They more with Grams and undefeated are their openers. But becomes more Noon, today
should be good at than beating up the all positives; Grams still than a catchy fight 6. MISSISSIPPI STATE AT AUBURN Wake Forest can’t afford to drop two con-
football, then, MAC. hopefully his potty believes in the song. It’s also the 7 p.m., today secutive home games to begin the season,
A much stiffer test for the new Auburn and steadily improving Stanford is gaining
too,” she said. A mouth goes over Dawgs. “They do time to stick with offense under coordinator Gus Malzahn,
Grams B: confidence on offense.
shame it doesn’t Notre Dame, 31-17
better with Grams well,” she said. what works. “I whose quarterback (Chris Todd) still has to
work that way than mine did. Still “They’ve got to don’t think I’ve prove he can make quality throws against SEC defenses. Wake Forest 27, Stanford 24
down the street at Dave: tasting that dish start winning ever lost with
Michigan, 28-25 Auburn 24, Mississippi State 14 10. HOUSTON AT OKLAHOMA STATE
Duke. detergent… some time.” them,” she said of 3:30 p.m., today, FSN
USC. 7. AIR FORCE AT MINNESOTA A classic letdown game for Oklahoma
Grams B: Grams B: Grams B: 7 p.m., today, Big Ten Network regional State against a team that can score points
N. Carolina, 30-21 Tennessee, 21-13 Georgia, 28-14 Grams B: The euphoria of opening the on-campus on anyone. These are the games the
Dave: Dave: Dave: USC, 27-23 stadium will soon turn into the reality of Cowboys must win to take the next step as a legitimate Big 12
Connecticut, 21-19 UCLA, 28-10 South Carolina, 13-9 Dave: playing a team that’s better than Syracuse, power.
USC, 30-13 which probably should’ve beaten the Gophers last week.
Oklahoma State 41, Houston 34
Air Force 30, Minnesota 20
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
‘Exciting atmosphere,’ but we’ll learn from loss
BY DEKODA WATSON
For SN Today
Monday was tough, losing to Miami.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew it was going to
be a fight to the finish, and that’s exactly
what it was. I was glad to be a part of that
game, and it’s an instant ESPN classic—and
to be a part of an ESPN classic against a
good football team, you couldn’t ask for
anything more in college football. I liked
how neither team gave up the entire game.
I told the Miami players after the game
that we’re both just trying to make our way
back up to the top right now, and we should
keep it all in stride. Also, who knows? We
might play each other again in the ACC
championship. I really believe that even
though we lost, I think we made a state-
ment, and so did Miami. I don’t think it’s a
total loss for Florida State. There’s a lot both
teams can gain from that game.
I made a couple of good plays on Miami’s
quarterback, Jacory Harris, but at the same
time I know I’m capable of much more.
You’re always your own worst critic, and
I’m not going to stop striving to improve my
performance. I guess another way to say it
is I’m just not ever satisfied. If you think
you’ve already made it to the top, what else
can you do? I have that mindset that I want
to get better.
I think Jacory was already a great player,
and I made some mistakes overpursuing
him. His passing game was tremendous,
and he had a great offensive line helping
him out. But all of that is going to help me
out too, because running around chasing
him is only going to make me better.
The game against Miami was crazy.
Everybody was talking about the game for
months. We weren’t even out there warm-
ing up yet, and oh my goodness, we had all
kinds of fans already in the stands. Even
Coach Bobby Bowden said he’d never had it
be like that in all the years he’d been there.
We appreciate the fans getting out there for
College Football: Player Diaries
Jacory Harris, above, and Miami beat FSU, but Dekoda Watson says the teams still may meet in the ACC title game.
us. We had a very exciting atmosphere, like
the kind that is only going to make the game
better when you play in it.
This week we take on Jacksonville State
and quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who
used to play at LSU. We like challenges like
this. I respect any player we line up against,
but we’re looking forward to playing
against him because he’s slippery and
smart. He can throw and run, so we’re
going to have to be focused.
I need to make sure I don’t overpursue. I
guess it’s another chance to get after a great
quarterback.
— As told to Brian McLaughlin
PHIL COALE / AP
About the author
Dekoda Watson
FSU LB
Watson is a 6-2, 226-
pound linebacker who
is projected by some
NFL draft experts to
be a third-round pick
or better. The senior
had six tackles, two
tackles for loss and one sack in Monday’s
loss to Miami, and is preparing for today’s
home game against Jacksonville State.
I have to give ‘offense their props’
BY LAMARR HOUSTON
For SN Today
I got to play some offense last week
against Louisiana-Monroe, and it was a
good time playing fullback. It took me
back to Pee Wee football again, when I
played in the backfield. It sort of felt like
high school again a little bit too. I rushed
for about 1,700 yards my senior year in
high school, but I didn’t get the ball this
weekend—but I enjoyed blocking.
I got overly excited being on offense.
It’s a tradition at Texas for a senior on
defense to play some offense. It’s a little
thing we do here. It’s a lot different than
playing on defense. They run the plays
in so fast, you’ve just got to pay attention.
I’ve got to give the offense their props for
how they do things.
I’ll probably get in there at times when
they get a third down and less than two,
or a goal-line situation.
I did it three times Saturday, so I was
pretty happy. The coaches say that if I
keep blocking well, they’re going to give
me the ball. I’d like that. I have no idea
what it would be like to score a touch-
down or something. It would be really
exciting for me. I haven’t touched the
ball like that for a long time, so it would
be bittersweet, because it probably
would only happen once. It’ll be short-
lived. If I get a chance to touch the ball,
and I score, I’m not going to dance. I’m
just going to go back to the sidelines.
It felt like it was a good game, but we
still have a lot to improve on before we
play Wyoming. Wyoming’s new coach,
About the author
Lamarr Houston, Texas DT
Houston is a 6-2, 300-pound senior defensive tackle who tallied four
tackles and a tackle for loss in Texas’ win over Louisiana-Monroe last
week. The preseason All-Big 12 Conference candidate and the Longhorns
travel to Wyoming for today’s game.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 15
MIKE LOCKHART / WYOMING
Dave Christensen and Wyoming face Texas today.
Dave Christensen, was Missouri’s offen-
sive coordinator the past couple of
years—so we know we’re going to see a
lot of things we saw before with
Missouri.
Coach Mack Brown talked about how
they beat Tennessee on the road at Ten-
nessee, and how we have to prepare for
them and not slack off—because you
never know what’ll happen. That’s been
talked about in a huge way. This is going
to be their biggest game of the year.
I guess it’s pretty exciting for the state
of Wyoming, too.
Football is pretty big there in Wyo-
ming, so it’ll be pretty cool playing in a
big event there in Laramie. I was a little
surprised when I found out we were
going to Wyoming, but it’s close to my
home in Colorado so hopefully my high
school friends and my family can get up
there—I’m thinking I might have around
25 or so coming up to watch me.
It’s already sold out, and I’m stoked.
— As told to Brian McLaughlin
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Playing for teammates is my glory
BY ZANE BEADLES
For SN Today
Coaches say the greatest improve-
ment happens between the first and
second games, and I absolutely agree.
You never fully know what you have
until you go out and play a football
game. You’re going to make mistakes
in your opener, especially offensively.
Now you have one game under your
belt—80 plays to look at. You can
focus on those things and look to
improve. We had some turnovers
against Utah State, ones we shouldn’t
have had. They were just little mental
mistakes that I feel we’ll work out. We
always talk about striving to achieve
excellence.
This week, I thought I’d talk a little
bit about being on the offensive line.
In Salt Lake City, when you’re a kid,
there’s a weight limit when you play
little league football. They put an ‘X’
on your helmet and you’re not allowed
to touch the ball. Well, I’ve been an ‘X’
man since I was 10 years old. I was
never allowed to touch the ball. So
being a lineman has been normal for
me since day one. That’s all I’ve done
since I played football as a kid. But
people who know the game of football
know everything starts up front—
everything happens because of the
offensive and defensive lines.
Those of us on the offensive line
aren’t in this for the glory. We just
look at it as playing for the guy stand-
ing next to us. We have to work
together or we’re not going to be suc-
cessful on the field. We enjoy giving
each other crap, but we’re very tight.
It’s a unique position on the football
field, and because all five of us are
constantly working together, it brings
us closer together. That’s the reason
we play the game of football.
Zane Beadles says that other than QB, offensive line is the toughest position to get used to playing.
Other than quarterback, I think
the offensive line is the position that
needs to know the most when you
get on the field. That’s why so many
people redshirt when they come in
as freshmen. It’s definitely good to
also get a year in the weight room
and let your body mature, but I think
the reason offensive linemen red-
shirt the most is because you’re
learning new technique and the
speed of the game is so much faster.
You have to learn an entirely new
offense that you may not have had in
high school, and you’ve got this big
playbook that you need to learn. To
be successful, you also need to learn
what the other guys on the offensive
line will do in every situation. You
have to be ready for the different
looks that can be thrown at you …
there’s a lot to absorb and a lot of
things to learn.
College Football Player Diaries
STEVE C. WILSON / UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
About the author
Zane Beadles,
Utah OT
Beadles is a
6-foot-4, 312-
pound offensive
tackle out of Utah.
He is considered
an All-America
candidate heading
into his senior year, and early NFL Draft
projections have him going anywhere
from the second to fourth round.
Beadles and the Utes travel to San Jose
State today.
So, if you’re an offensive lineman,
and you’re playing this game for the
glory, you’re in the wrong sport. All
that matters is the other four guys
playing next to you on the line.
— As told to Brian McLaughlin
Walter Thurmond already knows how loud Autzen Stadium can get, but it will be a new experience for his younger teammates.
Blount’s punch ‘shocked everyone’
BY WALTER THURMOND
For SN Today
We’re really motivated to get
back on the field. I think we have
a lot to prove—to ourselves and
to everyone else—and everyone’s
just getting focused and looking
forward to Purdue. We’ve had
some tough, physical practices
this week, and we’ve been look-
ing good on the offensive and
defensive side of the ball. It’s
looking good right now.
The incident with LeGarrette
(Blount) has been in the news, and
everyone hears about it, but we’ve
just moved on. It happened last
week, it’s in the past, and we can’t
do anything about it. We have to
focus on Purdue; we can’t dwell on
last week’s game. LeGarrette is still
part of the team, but he’s not in the
lineup anymore. Everyone realizes
that, and other players have to step
up.
Everyone knows the lessons
that are involved in a situation
like this. Sometimes things can
get tough, but we just have to
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 16
GREG WAHL-STEPHENS / AP
About the author
Walter Thurmond III, Oregon CB
Thurmond returned two kickoffs for 49 yards last
week in the Ducks’ loss to Boise State, a game that
stayed in the national spotlight after LeGarrette
Blount was suspended for punching the Broncos’
Byron Hout. This week, Thurmond addresses how
the team is moving forward.
control our emotions. Every- and they do some good things on
one’s seen the incident, and it offense from what we’ve seen on
wasn’t right, and that’s not the film. We can’t have another per-
way we do things, but it was real formance like we did last week
uncharacteristic of LeGarrette and embarrass our fans. Everyone
to do that. I think it shocked knows what’s at stake. I think
everybody when it happened, everyone is on board and every-
but it just goes back to him not one is learning from last week’s
controlling his emotions, and game and just trying to get better.
everyone has to learn from that. We finally get a home game,
I talked to the team after the and it’s great to come out on the
game, after the incident hap- field at Autzen Stadium. There’s
pened, and let everyone know so much energy in the air. But you
that’s not us—we have to perse- really have to control that emo-
vere. Now more than ever, we tion because you don’t want to get
really have to come together as a worn out at the beginning of the
team and put that negative energy game. I think some of the young
behind us. players are going to find that out,
We feel that Purdue is going to and they’re going to find out how
come out and fight hard. They just loud Autzen really is.
went to work on Toledo last week, — As told to Benson Taylor
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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 1 0 47 15 Indiana 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 13 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 1 0 54 0 Connecticut 0 0 0 0 1 0 23 16 Iowa 0 0 0 0 1 0 17 16 Iowa St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 34 17 UAB 1 0 44 24 1 0 44 24 Bowling Green 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 14
Maryland 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 52 Louisville 0 0 0 0 1 0 30 10 Michigan 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 7 Kansas 0 0 0 0 1 0 49 3 East Carolina 0 0 0 0 1 0 29 24 Buffalo 0 0 0 0 1 0 23 17
N.C. State 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 7 Pittsburgh 0 0 0 0 1 0 38 3 Michigan St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 44 3 Kansas St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 21 17 Marshall 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 28 Kent St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 18 0
Wake Forest 0 0 0 0 0 1 21 24 South Florida 0 0 0 0 1 0 40 7 Minnesota 0 0 0 0 1 0 23 20 Missouri 0 0 0 0 1 0 37 9 Southern Miss. 0 0 0 0 1 0 52 0 Akron 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 31
Clemson 0 1 27 30 1 1 64 44 West Virginia 0 0 0 0 1 0 33 20 Northwestern 0 0 0 0 1 0 47 14 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 1 0 49 3 UCF 0 0 0 0 1 0 28 24 Miami (Ohio) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 42
Florida St. 0 1 34 38 0 1 34 38 Syracuse 0 0 0 0 0 1 20 23 Ohio St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 27 Colorado 0 0 0 0 0 2 55 77 Memphis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ohio 0 0 0 0 0 1 16 23
Rutgers 0 1 15 47 0 1 15 47 Penn St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 7 Temple 0 0 0 0 0 1 24 27
Coastal Purdue 0 0 0 0 1 0 52 31 South West
Conference All Games Today’s games Wisconsin 0 0 0 0 1 0 28 20 Conference All Games Conference All Games West
W L PF PA W L PF PA Syracuse at Penn St., Noon Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 37 W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA W L PF PA Conference All Games
Georgia Tech 1 0 30 27 2 0 67 44 Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Noon Baylor 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 21 Tulsa 1 0 37 13 1 0 37 13 W L PF PA W L PF PA
Miami 1 0 38 34 1 0 38 34 North Carolina at Connecticut, Noon Today’s games Oklahoma St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 10 Houston 0 0 0 0 1 0 55 7 Toledo 0 0 0 0 1 1 85 90
North Carolina 0 0 0 0 1 0 40 6 Howard at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m. Iowa at Iowa St., Noon Texas 0 0 0 0 1 0 59 20 SMU 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 23 Ball St. 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 20
Duke 0 0 0 0 0 1 16 24 East Carolina at West Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Syracuse at Penn St., Noon Texas A&M 0 0 0 0 1 0 41 6 UTEP 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 23 Cent. Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 19
Virginia 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 26 SE Missouri at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. W. Michigan at Indiana, Noon Texas Tech 0 0 0 0 1 0 38 13 Rice 0 1 24 44 0 1 24 44 E. Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 27
Virginia Tech 0 0 0 0 0 1 24 34 South Florida at W. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. E. Michigan at Northwestern, Noon Oklahoma 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 14 Tulane 0 1 13 37 0 1 13 37 N. Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 1 20 28
Fresno St. at Wisconsin, Noon W. Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 31
Sept. 10 p.m. Cent. Michigan at Michigan St., Noon Friday’s game Idaho St. at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. Today’s games Rice at Texas Tech, 7 p.m.
Georgia Tech 30, Clemson 27 TCU at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Notre Dame at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Toledo 54, Colorado 38 Rice at Texas Tech, 7 p.m. Marshall at Virginia Tech, 1:30 UCF at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Friday’s game Kent St. at Boston College, 2
Murray St. at N.C. State, 6 p.m. Air Force at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Bowling Green at Missouri, 7 p.m. Memphis at Middle Tennessee, Toledo 54, Colorado 38 p.m.
Today’s games James Madison at Maryland, Illinois St. at Illinois, 7 p.m. Today’s games p.m. BYU at Tulane, 3:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Today’s games Ohio at North Texas, 7 p.m.
Duke at Army, Noon 6 p.m. Southern Cal at Ohio St., 8 p.m. Iowa at Iowa St., Noon Kansas St. at Louisiana- Houston at Oklahoma St., 3:30 Kansas at UTEP, 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Noon Bowling Green at Missouri, 7
Stanford at Wake Forest, Noon Jacksonville St. at Florida St., Purdue at Oregon, 10:15 p.m. Arkansas St. at Nebraska, 2 Lafayette, 7 p.m. p.m. Tulsa at New Mexico, 8 p.m. W. Michigan at Indiana, Noon p.m.
North Carolina at Connecticut, 6 p.m. p.m. Kansas at UTEP, 7:30 p.m. East Carolina at West Virginia, E. Michigan at Northwestern, New Hampshire at Ball St., 7 p.m.
Noon Texas at Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Noon W. Illinois at N. Illinois, 7:30
Marshall at Virginia Tech, 1:30 Houston at Oklahoma St., 3:30 SMU at UAB, 4 p.m. Cent. Michigan at Michigan p.m.
p.m. p.m. St., Noon Miami (Ohio) at Boise St., 8
Kent St. at Boston College, 2 Morgan St. at Akron, 2 p.m. 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 0 27 14
Air Force 0 0 0 0 1 0 72 0 Stanford 1 0 39 13 1 0 39 13 W L PF PA W L PF PA Arkansas St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 61 0 Idaho 1 0 21 6 1 0 21 6 Notre Dame 1 0 35 0
BYU 0 0 0 0 1 0 14 13 Arizona 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 6 Florida 0 0 0 0 1 0 62 3 Louisiana-Lafayette 0 0 0 0 1 0 42 19 Boise St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 8 Navy 0 1 27 31
Colorado St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 23 17 Arizona St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 50 3 Kentucky 0 0 0 0 1 0 42 0 North Texas 0 0 0 0 1 0 20 10 Fresno St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 51 0
UNLV 0 0 0 0 1 0 38 3 California 0 0 0 0 1 0 52 13 South Carolina 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 3 Fla. International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hawaii 0 0 0 0 1 0 25 20 Today’s games
Utah 0 0 0 0 1 0 35 17 Oregon St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 34 7 Tennessee 0 0 0 0 1 0 63 7 Florida Atlantic 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 49 Louisiana Tech 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 37 Duke at Army, Noon
Wyoming 0 0 0 0 1 0 29 22 Southern Cal 0 0 0 0 1 0 56 3 Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 1 0 45 0 Louisiana-Monroe 0 0 0 0 0 1 20 59 Nevada 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 35 Notre Dame at Michigan, 3:30 p.m.
TCU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UCLA 0 0 0 0 1 0 33 14 Georgia 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 24 Middle Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 37 San Jose St. 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 56 Louisiana Tech at Navy, 3:30 p.m.
New Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 41 Oregon 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 19 Troy 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 31 Utah St. 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 35
San Diego St. 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 33 Washington 0 0 0 0 0 1 23 31 West W. Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 63 New Mexico St. 0 1 6 21 0 1 6 21
Washington St. 0 1 13 39 0 1 13 39 Conference All Games
Today’s games W L PF PA W L PF PA Today’s games Today’s games
BYU at Tulane, 3:30 p.m. Today’s games Alabama 0 0 0 0 1 0 34 24 Troy at Florida, 12:21 p.m. Fresno St. at Wisconsin, Noon
Texas at Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. Stanford at Wake Forest, Noon Arkansas 0 0 0 0 1 0 48 10 Arkansas St. at Nebraska, 2 p.m. Idaho at Washington, 3:30 p.m.
TCU at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Idaho at Washington, 3:30 p.m. Auburn 0 0 0 0 1 0 37 13 Ohio at North Texas, 7 p.m. Louisiana Tech at Navy, 3:30 p.m.
Weber St. at Colorado St., 5 p.m. UCLA at Tennessee, 4 p.m. LSU 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 23 Kansas St. at Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m. Hawaii vs. Washington St. at Qwest Field, 7 p.m.
Air Force at Minnesota, 7 p.m. E. Washington at California, 5:35 p.m. Mississippi St. 0 0 0 0 1 0 45 7 Fla. International at Alabama, 7 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at Boise St., 8 p.m.
Tulsa at New Mexico, 8 p.m. Hawaii vs. Washington St. at Qwest Field, 7 p.m. Mississippi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Memphis at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Prairie View at New Mexico St., 8 p.m.
S. Utah at San Diego St., 8:30 p.m. Southern Cal at Ohio St., 8 p.m. Texas Southern at Louisiana-Monroe, 7 p.m. Utah at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m.
Utah at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. N. Arizona at Arizona, 10 p.m. Today’s games South Florida at W. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m.
Oregon St. at UNLV, 11 p.m. Purdue at Oregon, 10:15 p.m. Troy at Florida, 12:21 p.m.
Oregon St. at UNLV, 11 p.m. UCLA at Tennessee, 4 p.m.
Vanderbilt at LSU, 7 p.m.
Mississippi St. at Auburn, 7 p.m.
Fla. International at Alabama, 7 p.m.
South Carolina at Georgia, 7 p.m.

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SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Seymour reportedly set to report to Raiders; Orton to start
Richard Seymour will arrive in Oak-
land this weekend, in time for Mon-
day’s opener against San Diego,
ESPN reported early today.
Oakland did not give a new con-
tract to the defensive lineman,
acquired from New England for a
2011 first-round pick, nor a prom-
ise not to slap its franchise tag on
him after this season.
But Seymour will not risk losing
any of this year’s $3.685 million
base salary and he will be that
much closer to free agency in a
potentially uncapped year in 2010,
ESPN reported.
The news comes after the Raiders
reportedly sent Seymour a letter
giving him until Tuesday to report
to the team or face a possible sea-
son-long suspension.
Kyle Orton, showing some Uni-
tas-type grit, is set to start the Bron-
cos’ opener despite stitches on his
right index finger, The Denver Post
reported. Wearing a glove to pro-
tect the bandage on his throwing
hand, Orton practiced all week and
apparently has been unaffected by
the injury.
According to The Post, the only
thing that would prevent him from
playing would be a mishap with the
stitches in the warmup before the
game at Cincinnati. Orton, who
dislocated the finger in the third
preseason game Aug. 30, took
snaps all week from starting C Casey
Wiegmann and says he has no
limitations.
“He’s got a lot of respect from us,
and a lot of credit for being able to
play with stitches,” wide receiver
Eddie Royal said. “It’s a tough injury
A dislocated and bandaged right index finger won’t stop Kyle Orton.
for a quarterback, but he’s a tough
guy. You want a quarterback like
that. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Meanwhile, WR Brandon Marshall
is expected to play after coming off
his suspension Monday. “He’s had
a good week of practice,” coach Josh
McDaniels said. “He’s practiced hard.
He’s doing everything we’re asking
him to do. We’re excited about the
opportunity to put all the guys on
the field together.”
The Steelers face the challenge
of replacing Pro Bowl SS Troy
NFL
INSIDE DISH
DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP
Polamalu for much of the first half of
the season. Polamalu, one of the
NFL’s most irreplaceable players,
sprained the MCL in his left knee in
Pittsburgh’s overtime win over
Tennessee Thursday night and is
expected to be out 3-6 weeks. He
underwent tests Friday, but the
Steelers didn’t divulge new infor-
mation on his condition.
Players have returned from such
an injury within a month, but not
often. Polamalu was injured after a
blocked field goal attempt when
Titans TE Alge Crumpler fell on his
knee. Tyrone Carter, who is solid in
run support and likes playing close
to the line of scrimmage, will
replace Polamalu. Carter is a sure
tackler but lacks Polamalu’s speed
and explosiveness and can be a lia-
bility in coverage.
Brett Favre concedes his on-field
chemistry with Vikings top WR
Bernard Berrian is a work in progress.
Berrian injured his hamstring in
the preseason opener, a few days
before Favre signed with the team,
and did not play in the final three
preseason games. Even their prac-
tice time together has been limited,
so neither knows what to expect
Sunday at Cleveland.
“I think it would be foolish to say
that we’re on the same page,” Favre
said, “It would have been nice to get
some work done the last few weeks.
I would say I’m way behind on
where I need to be with him.”
Eagles RT Shawn Andrews will
miss the season opener at Carolina
because of a sore back. The condi-
tion flared up at practice on
Wednesday, and Andrews sat out
Thursday and Friday. Winston Justice,
who started all four preseason
games in place of Andrews, will
replace him. The Eagles opted not
to re-sign longtime RT Jon Runyan,
who worked out for the team Thurs-
day. LG Todd Herremans (foot) also is
out of Sunday’s game and will be
replaced by Nick Cole.
Michael Vick is traveling with the
Eagles to Carolina to get a taste of
the team’s road routine. Coach Andy
Reid said Friday it was important for
Vick to become familiar with how
the Eagles handle their business on
trips. Vick will not be reinstated
until the third game of the season
against the Chiefs on Sept. 27. He
can’t practice with the team until he
is placed on the roster.
Titans TE Bo Scaife called Steel-
ers OLB James Harrison’s tackle on his
left leg a “cheap shot.” Titans coach
Jeff Fisher doesn’t agree. After being
hit by Harrison on the opening
drive of the third quarter, Scaife
missed the rest of the Titans’ 13-10
overtime loss. He was limping badly
in the locker room and told The Ten-
nessean newspaper he thought Har-
rison dived at his knee.
“I have been playing my whole
life and no one has ever hit me like
that,” Scaife said. “It was a cheap
shot, and I don’t care if that gets
back to him either.”
Fisher said Friday that Scaife was
a ballcarrier and the defender can
tackle him any way he wants. Fisher
said he thought Harrison already
was driving low and called it a
strange set of circumstances. Scaife
had an MRI on his knee Friday, and
Fisher said the tight end has some
swelling but will be day to day.
Pittsburgh’s overtime victory
against Tennessee drew the biggest
TV audience for the NFL’s season
opener in seven years. The game,
televised on NBC, scored a 13.8
overnight rating and a 23 share,
beating the 2003 mark of 14.5 and
equaling the share, according to
Nielsen Media Research.
Those numbers were up 37 per-
cent from the 2008 opener (Giants-
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 18
Redskins, 10.1/17), which started
early to allow coverage of the Repub-
lican Convention, and up 6 percent
from 2007 (Colts-Saints, 13.0/21).
Texans CB Dunta Robinson will
start Sunday—less than a week
after he signed his tender as the
team’s franchise player and
reported—but the team will be
without FS Eugene Wilson (knee) and
may not have WR Kevin Walter (ham-
string), the Houston Chronicle
reported. Wilson will be replaced
by veteran Nick Ferguson, who started
nine games last season. If Walter
can’t go, Andre’ Davis will start.
As expected, Colts S Bob Sanders
will sit out Sunday’s opener against
the Jaguars, The Indianapolis Star
reported. Sanders, who had offsea-
son surgery on his right knee, will
be replaced by Melvin Bullitt. Bullitt
started nine games last season with
Sanders out and finished with a
team-best four interceptions.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis
on Friday dismissed reality TV star
Tila Tequila’s accusations that Char-
gers LB Shawne Merriman choked her
and threw her to the ground early
Sunday while she was trying to
leave his suburban home.
Merriman was arrested after
Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest
warrant accusing Merriman of bat-
tery and false imprisonment. Both
are felonies.
Dumanis decided not to charge
Merriman after her office spent
three days reviewing reports from
the San Diego County Sheriff’s
Department.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL
There’s not much mystery in this move: Quinn’s the one
BY ALBERT BREER
abreer@sportingnews.com
BEREA, OHIO—On Sunday, it finally
becomes official. And it will come
as no surprise—at least for anyone
who has been paying attention.
Brady Quinn will line up as start-
ing quarterback of the Browns. And
until then, the club will continue to
do everything it can to make you
believe that Derek Anderson might
line up under center.
See, if you think that Anderson
still has a chance to play, the
Vikings—Cleveland’s opponent in
the opener—might sink valuable
time into preparing for Anderson
and slip somewhere else. And then,
well, you get the picture.
In two days, this will all be irrel-
evant, as the world will know who
the Browns’ quarterback is. Until
then, it matters. And that’s one
thing the Browns actually did
reveal.
“Any time you make a team pre-
pare for a couple of different sce-
narios, yeah, it’s going to make it
hard to prepare for a team,” Quinn
said.
Browns coach Eric Mangini met
with Quinn and Anderson on Tues-
day and informed each of his place
on the team. With the decision
finally real, the rest of this story
turned into the surreal.
Terrell Owens tweeted his con-
gratulations to Quinn on his Twit-
ter page, and The Plain Dealer
reported on its website Wednesday
that the Notre Dame product would
start. On Friday, The Associated
Press reported that Quinn ran the
first-team offense during the 30
DON HEUPEL / AP minutes of practice open to the
Brady Quinn completed just over 50 percent of his passes in his three starts last season. media, something the club was not
happy about.
All along, the team has, to an
almost comical level, kept the deci-
sion under wraps. Speaking to the
local media for just the second time
since becoming Browns offensive
coordinator, Brian Daboll was pep-
pered with questions aimed at get-
ting him to comment on Quinn.
Eventually, he politely moved to end
the ruse.
“I’m not going to separate them,”
Daboll said. “I’m going to keep them
together. Both of them have done a
good job with their huddle pres-
ence. Both of them have done a good
job executing the offense, and I’ve
been pleased with both of them.”
Want more signs Quinn is the
guy? Here are three:
Preseason performance. Quinn
started two of the three preseason
games in which he played (though
Mangini points out that Anderson
started an in-stadium scrimmage),
and completed 67.7 percent of his
passes. He had his best game in the
third and most important contest,
posting a 121.0 passer rating against
the Titans.
The unknown. The Browns
already have struggled with Ander-
son, but they don’t know what they
have in Quinn. Truth is, Quinn’s
three pro starts didn’t clear up any-
thing. He was 23 of 35 for 239 yards,
two touchdowns and no picks in his
first start, though Cleveland blew a
big lead in that game.
Then, Quinn broke a finger on his
throwing hand in his second start,
tried in vain to go the next week and
was eventually placed on injured
reserve. Anderson, meanwhile,
completed 50.2 percent of his passes
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 19
last year and is in a slump that dates
to December 2007.
The investment. Quinn was a
first-round pick, and though it
wasn’t this regime’s decision to
select him, he is connected to the
“family tree” with his experience
at Notre Dame under Charlie Weis,
who worked with Mangini on the
Patriots’ staff. Anderson, mean-
while, is in the second year of a
three-year, $24 million contract
that the team can easily wiggle out
of after this year.
So given all that, why have the
Browns waited so long to announce
a decision? Part of it’s the afore-
mentioned game-planning aspect.
Another is to promote competition
across the board.
In seven years in Baltimore,
Browns running back Jamal Lewis
constantly dealt with that kind of
upheaval at the game’s most
important position. So this, to him,
is old hat.
“It’s nothing different for me,
going in wondering who your
quarterback’s going to be,” Lewis
said. “I think it does make the
offense, as a whole, better. You
have to adjust to Brady, you have
to adjust to D.A., you have to
adjust to (third-stringer Brett)
Ratliff.”
Conversely, guard Eric Stein-
bach, who knew who the starting
QB would be in each of his his final
three years in Cincinnati, said,
“It’s not like we’re going to play
better with one guy versus the
other. You have to play at a high
level, no matter who’s back there.”
That much is obvious.
And soon enough, the rest of the
story will be, too.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY
Everybody’s going wild over the Wildcat—for now
Troy Aikman doesn’t excuse Brandon Marshall’s behavior, but can understand it.
www.sportingnews.com NFL
Troy Aikman weighs in on a variety of
topics during his show on Sporting News
Radio.
Fads are fleeting
I think we’re going to see more of
the Wildcat this year. To me, it will
be interesting to
see where this
Wildcat offense is
five years from
now. Will it still
be a staple
amongst a lot of
the teams in the
Troy Aikman league? Last year,
SPORTING NEWS RADIO
there were 18
teams that ran at
least a snap of the Wildcat offense.
We see that now with Michael
Vick coming to Philadelphia. You
want to get him on the field, but
then what do you do with Donovan
(McNabb)? It, in my opinion, will
be more pronounced this year.
We’ll see more of it from more than
just 18 teams. But I don’t know if
it’s a long-term thing. I don’t know
if it’s something that five years from
now we’re still going to be talking a
lot about.
The story in Philadelphia
I’m not convinced Donovan
McNabb campaigned to go sign
Michael Vick, as it was portrayed in
the media. I’m sure he was asked. I’m
sure that Andy Reid and Joe Banner
and Tom Heckert went to him and
said, “Hey, we’re thinking about
signing Michael Vick. Is that OK
with you? Do you have an issue with
that?” And he probably said no.
When they signed him, I said—
DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP and I’m on record as saying—I
thought that was about as good of
an organization as Michael Vick
could’ve gone to. Yet a couple of
weeks in, all of a sudden now there’s
discussion as to whether or not
Donovan really is on board. You’re
struggling as an offense, and yet
you’re still going with this offense
that’s not going to be a main staple
of what you do. I could see where
there becomes a little bit of a
problem.
The coordinator purge
If Todd Haley had not fired Chan
Gailey, I doubt there would’ve been
any changes in Tampa Bay or Buffalo.
It just seemed that once Todd Haley
did that in Kansas City, then Tampa
Bay felt, “OK, it’s happened already.
We’ll be able to do this without every-
one looking at us like we’re crazy.”
I think it was a similar situation in
Buffalo, although with Dick Jauron,
he’s a veteran head coach, so he may
have gone ahead and made that type
of change. The one in Tampa is the
most surprising to me because
Raheem Morris hired Jeff
Jagodzinski.
Understanding Marshall mess
What’s happened in Denver
throughout the entire offseason is
really pretty remarkable, with Jay
Cutler leaving, and I can under-
stand where there might be some
players upset. I can understand
why Jay Cutler was upset. And then
he ultimately goes to Chicago.
I’m not excusing Brandon Mar-
shall’s behavior or actions. But for
an offense that was as prolific as
Denver’s was a year ago—and then
to be without the offensive coordi-
nator, without the offensive staff,
getting a new offensive system, and
now we don’t have our franchise
quarterback—I think it’s under-
standable that some other offensive
players might be upset as well.
Favre should‘ve been at camp …
When he made the initial
announcement the first week into
camp that he was not going to come
back, that surprised me. But then
at the end of the day when he came
back a couple of weeks later and
signed, that did not. As far as some
of the dissension reported in the
locker room, that doesn’t surprise
me, either. That’s the one thing I
was disappointed in with Brad
Childress and I guess the entire
organization because I don’t know
how much of it really rested solely
on Brad Childress’ shoulders.
You go off to training camp so
you can bond and unite as a team.
There’s no position more important
to be there and be the leader of that
group than at quarterback. And
Brett understands that as well as
anybody. I don’t think it’s ended
yet. Now, if they get off to a good
start and win, all will be forgotten.
But if they struggle as a team and
Brett Favre is also struggling, then
I think we’ll probably hear more
about it.
… but Vikings are better with him
I can’t imagine anybody looking
at that situation and not thinking
they’re a better football team with
Brett Favre at quarterback. If Brett
had made the decision early in the
offseason that he wanted to play,
then none of this would have been
an issue whatsoever with anybody.
Brett would’ve been fully embraced.
That team, they’ve got everything
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 20
you could really want. What has
held them back has been the quar-
terback position.
Troy’s take: NFC
Minnesota can certainly be a con-
tender. As far as the NFC North
goes, I like Green Bay. The NFC
East, in my opinion, is the best divi-
sion in football. The only team I
don’t see winning th2at division is
Washington.
The NFC South … I like New
Orleans. I met with Sean Payton
this offseason. He was almost giddy
with how good he thought they
could be—which they need to be,
because they haven’t done much
since they went to the champion-
ship game his first season. (Ari-
zona) is going to have a little
different look. Both of their coordi-
nators are gone. The team that I
really think is going to challenge
Arizona is Seattle.
Troy’s take: AFC
I don’t know that you can get too
far away from Pittsburgh. As
defending champs, they certainly
have earned that. New England and
Tom Brady are coming back—I cer-
tainly see them in the mix. I see
them winning their division. The
Chargers were very disappointing
last year.
If they can get off to a better start
than a year ago, I believe they’ve
already shown the ability to beat
Indianapolis, which is a big deal.
The key for them is being able to get
those playoff games at home.
— Troy Aikman, a Pro Football Hall of Fame
quarterback, is a regular contributor to Sporting
News Magazine and host of the weekly Troy Aikman
Show on Sporting News Radio.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Money ball: Both sides prepare for uncapped year
BY DANIEL KAPLAN
AND LIZ MULLEN
SportsBusiness Journal
The prospect of an uncapped NFL
season, once regarded as a poison
pill in the league’s collective-bar-
gaining talks, is being increasingly
embraced by owners and players.
Many of the league’s 32 owners,
who in 2006 agreed to a labor
extension they now loathe in part to
keep the cap, have shifted to argu-
ing that not having a cap for the
2010 season might put them in bet-
ter position to overhaul the system
in their favor. It’s a stand that runs
counter to the conventional think-
ing in sports: that management
always wants a cap in order to con-
trol costs. That logic has been par-
ticularly prevalent in the NFL,
where the cap has been credited
with underpinning the league’s
growth into an $8 billion a year
business.
The NFL Players Association,
meanwhile, maintains its long-
stated position that once the cap is
gone, it won’t return, though some
players, as is the case among the
owners, might find more benefit
than others in an uncapped season.
League and union officials have
until March to reach a new deal
before the current CBA makes 2010
an uncapped season, which would
be the first such season for the
league since 1993. The CBA would
expire after that uncapped year.
While both sides say reaching a
new deal remains their goal, getting
to that new contract might now
require an uncapped season first.
“There is a strong reality we will
be in an uncapped year,” commis-
sioner Roger Goodell said last week
To be sure, a season without a cap
would not be a season of unfettered
spending. Restrictions are in place
that limit a complete free-for-all.
For the players, years of service
required for unrestricted free
agency jumps from four to six. That
means that more than 200 players
who would be eligible for free
agency under the current, capped
system would lose that designation
in 2010. Free agents, however, could
sign deals for dollars likely unat-
tainable with a cap in place.
“There are lots of players who
would like the fact that next year
would be uncapped, because it is
open season on contracts,” NFLPA
general counsel Richard Berthelsen
said. “Once you have a year without
a cap, the players are not going to go
back, and that has always been the
feeling of the leadership.”
On the owners’ side, the teams
that finish in the top eight on the
field this year would have some
restrictions on their access to free
agents. Perhaps more important,
though, the loss of a cap also means
the loss of a salary floor. Currently,
teams are required to spend around
85 percent of the salary cap.
Without a floor, teams would be
free to operate as do some MLB
clubs, which work in a capless sys-
tem. Some teams, instead of spend-
ing millions on a season that all but
certainly will end with losses both
on the field and on the balance
sheet, opt to rein in their spending
so that at least the off-the-field losses
are minimized.
“(The owners) think an uncapped
year is not necessarily worse than
the current arrangements they
NFL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 21
have, and if going into an uncapped
year is necessary to help get to a bet-
ter system down the road, that is
something they are prepared to do,”
said Jeff Pash, the NFL’s general
counsel and chief labor negotiator.
Berthelsen said he thinks owners
will spend next year if there is an
uncapped year. “There may be own-
ers who want to go on the cheap and
increase their profits,” he said, “but I
think they will be in the small minor-
ity because by doing so, they are say-
ing they don’t want to compete.”
For their part, some players have
expressed concern for what losing
the cap could mean for retirees’
benefits. Concern also exists for
prospective free agents who are not
front-line players. Ravens corner-
back Dominique Foxworth, an
executive committee member, dis-
cussed both isses this summer to
the Carroll County Times.
“It’s devastating to the retired play-
ers,” he said. “You lose the benefits and
the salary floor. While the big-name
guys may break the bank, everybody
else is going to be working for much
less than what their value is.”
As for NFL agents, opinions dif-
MARY ALTAFFER / AP
fer on both the likelihood of an
uncapped year and what its effect NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with union chief DeMaurice Smith on Tuesday over lunch, but no negotiations took place.
could be. “The game appears restricted free agents,” Berthelsen said. by former NFL commissioner Paul want to lock the players out in 2011,
healthier than ever,” said Jonathan Pash would not comment on spe- Tagliabue and the late NFLPA “We still remain without a proposal
Blue, whose agency, BEST, repre- cific restrictive free agent scenarios, Executive Director Gene Upshaw, (for a new labor deal), and that is a
sents 60 players. “Sometimes it is but when asked whether the intended that the NFL never get to matter of great concern to us.”
better not to tinker with things.” uncapped year gave leverage to the the uncapped year because of the The NFL would not comment on
Other agents said big-market club players or owners, he said, “I think potential negative ramifications for that directly, but Pash said, “We are
owners or those teams with high the uncapped year was designed to both sides. a long way from shutting any busi-
revenue streams would spend freely be a balance. Yes, there is no cap, “We would like to have a deal ness down … and that is not our
in an uncapped season and would but there are many other mecha- tomorrow and we continue to have goal. Our goal is to make a deal.”
find a way around the restrictions nisms to hopefully preserve com- March of 2010 as a very important — Daniel Mullen and Liz Kaplan are staff writers at
in the system. petitive balance.” deadline,” Berthelsen said. But he SportsBusiness Journal.
“Some of the best contracts ever Both Pash and Berthelsen agree added that while Pash and other E-mail them at dkaplan@sportsbusinessjournal
obtained in this league have been by that the current system, designed NFL officials have said they don’t and lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 22
Standings
Vikings defensive tackles Injury report
SUNDAY
NEW YORK JETS AT HOUSTON TEXANS—JETS:
QUESTIONABLE: DE Mike Devito (hamstring). AFC
cleared for all 16 games
PROBABLE: QB Kellen Clemens (right elbow), RB
DALLAS COWBOYS AT TAMPA BAY East W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div
Shonn Greene (ribs), TE Dustin Keller (toe), LB
BUCCANEERS—COWBOYS: OUT: CB Michael
Bryan Thomas (ankle), WR Wallace Wright (knee). Buffalo 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Hamlin (wrist), LB Curtis Johnson (hamstring), Miami 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
TEXANS: OUT: CB Jacques Reeves (fibula), CB
LB Jason Williams (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: QB New England 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Eugene Wilson (knee). QUESTIONABLE: DT Deljuan
MINNEAPOLIS—A federal appeals court Stephen McGee (knee). BUCCANEERS: OUT: CB E.J.
Robinson (calf), WR Kevin Walter (hamstring). N.Y. Jets 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
on Friday cleared the way for Vikings Biggers (shoulder). DOUBTFUL: TE John Gilmore
PROBABLE: QB Matt Schaub (ankle).
(ankle), LB Adam Hayward (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: South W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div
defensive tackles Pat Williams and DE Kyle Moore (groin). PROBABLE: WR Antonio
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT CAROLINA
Kevin Williams to play all season, PANTHERS—EAGLES: OUT: T Shawn Andrews Houston 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Bryant (knee), WR Michael Clayton (hamstring), DT
(back), G Todd Herremans (foot), LB Joe Mays Indianapolis 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
despite the NFL’s attempts to suspend Ryan Sims (not injury related).
(shoulder). PROBABLE: C Nick Cole (knee), WR Jacksonville 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
them for violating the league’s anti- DENVER BRONCOS AT CINCINNATI
Kevin Curtis (knee), T King Dunlap (elbow), LB Tennessee 0 1 0 .000 10 13 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
doping policy. BENGALS—BRONCOS: OUT: S Josh Barrett
Moise Fokou (shoulder), DE Darren Howard (groin),
(shoulder), DT Le Kevin Smith (knee). QUESTION- North W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div
The NFL had already said the two ABLE: WR Jabar Gaffney (finger), G Chris Kuper
T Winston Justice (shoulder), CB Dimitri Patterson
defensive linemen would play in Sun- (ankle), DT Mike Patterson (ankle), RB Leonard Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1.000 13 10 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
(ankle), RB Knowshon Moreno (knee), QB Kyle Orton
Weaver (knee), RB Brian Westbrook (knee), LB Baltimore 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
day’s opener at Cleveland because their (right finger), QB Chris Simms (ankle). PROBABLE: S
Tracy White (rib). PANTHERS: QUESTIONABLE: S
Brian Dakins (hand). BENGALS: OUT: CB David Jones Cincinnati 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
court fight over the suspensions would Chris Harris (knee), CB Sherrod Martin (knee). Cleveland 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
(foot), T Andre Smith (foot). QUESTIONABLE: G Scott
not be decided in time. Kooistra (knee). PROBABLE: WR Chris Henry (thigh),
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ARIZONA
That fight isn’t over, but the 8th U.S. JIM MONE / AP CARDINALS—49ERS: OUT: LB Ahmad Brooks West W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div
QB Carson Palmer (ankle), S Roy Williams (thigh).
(knee), WR Brandon Jones (shoulder). CARDINALS:
Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Kevin Williams, left, and Pat Williams took a weight- DETROIT LIONS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—
QUESTIONABLE: WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring),
Denver 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
lower court ruling that says the legal loss supplement that contained a banned substance. LIONS: DOUBTFUL: QB Drew Stanton (knee). Kansas City 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
WR Early Doucet (ribs), QB Brian St. Pierre (back).
QUESTIONABLE: CB Phillip Buchanon (neck), Oakland 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
issues—and there are many—must be PROBABLE: WR Steve Breaston (knee), WR Sean San Diego 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
WR Yamon Figurs (finger), G Stephen Peterman
resolved in state court. agreement is governed by federal labor Morey (ribs), S Matt Ware (shoulder).
(ankle). PROBABLE: K Jason Hanson (right knee),
The judge there has issued an injunc- law, which they argued pre-empted the ST. LOUIS RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—
DE Jason Hunter (ribs), DT Grady Jackson (knee),
RAMS: OUT: S Craig Dahl (hamstring), T John Greco
NFC
tion prohibiting the NFL from sus- state laws the Williamses are using to WR Dennis Northcutt (hand). SAINTS: OUT: T
(wrist). QUESTIONABLE: LB Larry Grant (knee). East W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div
pending the players, and he has also block their suspensions. Jammal Brown (hernia), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot),
PROBABLE: QB Marc Bulger (right finger). SEA- Dallas 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
RB Pierre Thomas (knee). PROBABLE: TE Jeremy
said a state trial during the 2009 sea- The case has attracted attention, and Shockey (ankle), S Usama Young (shoulder).
HAWKS: OUT: T Walter Jones (knee), C Chris Spencer N.Y. Giants 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
son was unlikely. opinions, from other pro sports leagues. (quadricep). DOUBTFUL: CB Travis Fisher (hamstring), Philadelphia 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS
DE Derek Walker (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: WR Washington 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
It wasn’t known whether the NFL An attorney for the Williamses was COLTS— JAGUARS: OUT: TE Zach Miller (knee).
Deion Branch (hamstring), S C.J. Wallace (rib).
will appeal Friday’s decision. “We are pleased with Friday’s ruling. PROBABLE: DT Derek Landri (knee), T Tra Thomas
WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT NEW YORK South W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div
(back). COLTS: OUT: S Bob Sanders (knee), TE
looking at our options on how to pro- “It’s a terrific ruling for us, and it’s a GIANTS— REDSKINS: PROBABLE: CB Carlos Rog-
Atlanta 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Tom Santi (ankle), CB Jamie Silva (abdomen).
ceed,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello terrific ruling for unionized employees ers (calf), T Mike Williams (ankle). GIANTS: OUT: CB Carolina 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
QUESTIONABLE: DT Fili Moala (knee).
Aaron Ross (hamstring). DOUBTFUL: T Adam Koets
said in an e-mail. everywhere,” Peter Ginsberg said. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT BALTIMORE New Orleans 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
(ankle), LB Clint Sintim (groin). QUESTIONABLE: CB Tampa Bay 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
The NFL wants to suspend the Wil- —The Associated Press RAVENS—CHIEFS: QUESTIONABLE: QB Matt
Kevin Dockery (hamstring).
liamses for four games each after they Cassel (knee), WR Terrance Copper (hamstring), CB
CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS— North W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div
Brandon Flowers (shoulder). RAVENS: DOUBTFUL:
both tested positive for a banned sub- TE L.J. Smith (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: LB
BEARS: QUESTIONABLE: WR Devin Aromashodu (quad-
ricep), CB Charles Tillman (back). PROBABLE: DT Israel Chicago 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
stance during training camp in 2008. Betting lines Dannell Ellerbe (knee). PROBABLE: LB Brendon Detroit 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Idonije (hamstring). PACKERS: DOUBTFUL: RB Brandon
The players are not accused of taking FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Ayanbadejo (foot), DE Haloti Ngata (knee).
Jackson (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: CB Will Blackmon
Green Bay 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
steroids. MIAMI DOLPHINS AT ATLANTA FALCONS—DOL- Minnesota 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Sunday (quadricep), DT B.J. Raji (ankle). PROBABLE: QB Matt
PHINS: PROBABLE: CB Vontae Davis (knee). FALCONS:
They acknowledge taking the over- at Atlanta ..........................4 .............4. . . . .(43½) . . . . . . . . .Miami Flynn (right shoulder), S Aaron Rouse (hamstring). West W L T Pct PF PA Home Away NFC AFC Div
at Baltimore ..................8½ ...........13. . . . . .  (36) . . . . Kansas City OUT: S William Moore (hamstring). PROBABLE: DE John
the-counter weight loss supplement MONDAY
Philadelphia..................+1 ......... 2½. . . . .(43½) . . . . .at Carolina Abraham (knee), DE Chauncey Davis (foot), LB Tony Arizona 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRI-
StarCaps, which did not state on the at Cincinnati ......................1 .............4. . . . .(42½) . . . . . . . . Denver Gilbert (hamstring), C Todd McClure (calf), RB Jerious St. Louis 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Minnesota.....................2½ .............4. . . . . .  (40) . . . at Cleveland OTS—BILLS: DNP: TE Derek Fine (hamstring),
label that it contained the diuretic at Houston ........................4 ......... 4½. . . . . .  (44) . . . . . . . N.Y. Jets
Norwood (knee), LS Mike Schneck (knee).
CB Drayton Florence (knee). LIMITED: DT Spencer San Francisco 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
bumetanide. The diuretic is banned by at Indianapolis ..............7½ .............7. . . . .(44½) . . . .Jacksonville MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CLEVELAND Seattle 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0
Johnson (thigh). PATRIOTS: DNP: DT Myron Pryor
at New Orleans .............. 12 ...........13. . . . . .  (49) . . . . . . . . Detroit BROWNS— VIKINGS: OUT: LB Erin Henderson (calf).
the NFL because it can mask the pres- Dallas.................................3 .............6. . . . . .  (39) . . at Tampa Bay QUESTIONABLE: WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring).
(calf), WR Matt Slater (elbow). LIMITED: C Dan
ence of steroids. at Arizona......................6½ ......... 6½. . . . . .  (46) . . San Francisco Connolly (back), WR Julian Edelman (ankle), RB Schedule
PROBABLE: TE Jim Kleinsasser (hand). BROWNS: OUT:
at N.Y. Giants.....................6 ......... 6½. . . . .(37½) . . . Washington Sammy Morris (finger), CB Shawn Springs (knee), Sept. 10 Denver at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Washington at N.Y. Giants, 4:15 p.m.
Attorneys for the NFL had argued it at Seattle...........................7 ......... 8½. . . . .(41½) . . . . . . . St. Louis
G Rex Hadnot (knee). DOUBTFUL: RB Cedric Peerman
WR Wes Welker (knee), CB Terrence Wheatley Pittsburgh 13, Tennessee 10, OT Kansas City at Baltimore, 1 p.m. San Francisco at Arizona, 4:15 p.m.
should be allowed to enforce its anti- at Green Bay......................3 ......... 3½. . . . . .  (46) . . . . . . . Chicago (thigh). QUESTIONABLE: LB David Bowens (knee), RB
(knee). FULL: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), S Bret Dallas at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Chicago at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m.
Jerome Harrison (knee), DT Shaun Rogers (foot), CB Sunday’s games
doping policy because it was a product Monday Lockett (chest), TE Benjamin Watson (hamstring).
Miami at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Minnesota at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Monday’s game
at New England ............. 10 ...........11. . . . .(47½) . . . . . . . .Buffalo Eric Wright (knee). PROBABLE: LB Alex Hall (shoulder), Philadelphia at Carolina, 1 p.m.
of the NFL’s collective bargaining SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS CHAR- N.Y. Jets at Houston, 1 p.m.
San Diego..........................7 ......... 9½. . . . . .  (43) . . . . .at Oakland TE Steve Heiden (knee). Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. Buffalo at New England, 7 p.m.
GERS: No report. RAIDERS: OUT:WR Chaz Schilens (foot). Detroit at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
agreement with the players union. The St. Louis at Seattle, 4:15 p.m. San Diego at Oakland, 10:15 p.m.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Frustrated Chipper hints at retirement after 2010 season
Braves 3B Chipper Jones told The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he
will consider retiring after the 2010
season. He is signed through the
2012 season but said he is disap-
pointed by his production this sea-
son. The reigning N.L. batting
champion is hitting about 100 points
lower this season than he did in
2008. His on-base percentage and
slugging percentage, among other
stats, are down this season as well.
“I’m not going to tolerate the
numbers I have right now for very
long,” Jones told the newspaper.
“I’m certainly not going to stick
around for a big contract if I’m not
having fun and not producing. I’m
not saying I’m retiring at the end of
this year or the end of next year,
but if I become an average player,
I’m not sticking around.
Would the 37-year-old really
walk away from all of that guaran-
teed money? Apparently so, and
his loyalty to the only organization
for which he ever has played is one
reason why. Said Chipper: “I’m not
going to hamstring the ballclub
with the money I’m making, and
I’m not going to be happy being a
mediocre player.”
Jones told the newspaper that he
plans to work on his swing this off-
season and isn’t considering a posi-
tion change.
Though there are indications
that P Joba Chamberlain will begin
the postseason in the bullpen, the
righthander told the New York
Daily News that he would prefer to
start. In his past three outings,
Chamberlain has been limited to
three innings, perhaps in prepara-
tion for a relief role. When asked
INSIDE DISH
earlier this week whether Cham-
berlain would relieve in the post-
season, Yankees manager Joe Girardi
told the newspaper, “There’s a
division series where you need
three starters and one you need
four, and I’ll just leave it at that.”
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
reported the Rangers’ coaching
staff mapped out the team’s rota-
tion for its final 23 games Friday.
Kevin Millwood, Scott Feldman and
Tommy Hunter will get five starts
apiece, with Derek Holland and Bran-
don McCarthy each starting four
times. Pitching coach Mike Maddux
acknowledged that there is some
concern about Hunter and Hol-
land, who are rookies. “As guys
come up through the minor
leagues, the finish line is Septem-
ber 1,” Maddux said. “In the course
of this game, when it’s your first
time pitching in September, it’s
going to be tough.”
Red Sox P Tim Wakefield, who
has started only twice since July 9,
told The Boston Globe that he still
hopes to start next weekend. He
got a third cortisone shot in for his
sore back earlier this week. As for
P Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder), the
team has yet to announce whether
he will make his first start since
June 19 for the Red Sox next week.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella told
the team’s website that OF Alfonso
Soriano (knee) is “doubtful” to play
again this season. Soriano, who
hasn’t played since September 3,
likely will need knee surgery once
he officially is ruled out for the sea-
son. Piniella told the website that
Baseball
After hitting .364 last season, Chipper Jones entered Friday’s game at .268.
the surgery will be a clean-up pro-
cedure and that Soriano should be
ready for spring training. If this is
the end, Soriano will finish with a
.241 average, 20 homers and 55
RBIs in 117 games this season.
If the Marlins are going to
make a late postseason charge,
they might have to do it without OF
Jeremy Hermida (oblique). Hermida,
who hasn’t played since September
2, told The Miami Herald that “it’s
not bouncing back as quick as I
would have hoped.” However, he
still hopes to return this season.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 23
THE LAUNCHING PAD
What to expect in the major leagues today
Hello, old friend
Banished to the bullpen when the team inserted Pedro Martinez into the
rotation, lefthander Jamie Moyer still leads the Phillies with 12 wins. In fact,
the 46-year-old picked up two of those wins in relief of Martinez. Because of
J.A. Happ’s oblique injury, Moyer will get a spot start this afternoon against
the Mets. In four starts against New York this season, Moyer is 1-1 with a 7.08
ERA. The Met who has done the most damage against him this season is
fresh off the disabled list. Center fielder Carlos Beltran is 3-for-7 with a homer
and five RBIs vs. Moyer in 2009.
Rested rookie
Because of Friday night’s rainout, the Rangers and Mariners will play a
doubleheader Sunday. It will be Texas’ third doubleheader this month. The
Rangers swept the previous two (vs. Toronto, at Cleveland). First things first,
however. Tonight, Kevin Millwood will try to bounce back from a string of
rough outings (he has allowed five earned runs three times in his past four
starts) and keep Texas hot on the heels of Boston in the A.L. wild-card chase.
The Rangers have won nine of 13 against the Mariners this season, including
six of seven at home.
Colorado must be cautious
As the Dodgers and Giants face off in San Francisco, the Rockies hope to
take advantage of a weekend series against the Padres. However, Colorado
would wise not to overlook San Diego. Earlier this week, the Padres took
two of three from the Giants at AT&T Park. Colorado had hoped to have
righthander Ubaldo Jimenez, who tweaked his hamstring in his most recent
outing, ready for tonight’s start. However, Jimenez won’t pitch again until
Tuesday. Starting in Jimenez’s place tonight—and making his major league
debut—will be 24-year-old righthander Esmil Rogers.
— Chris Bahr
JOHN BAZEMORE / AP
According to the New York Post,
Mets P John Maine (shoulder) is on
track to come off the disabled list
and start the first game of Sunday’s
doubleheader. Maine, who hasn’t
started since June 6, is 5-4 with a
4.52 ERA in 11 starts this season. In
other Mets news, OF Gary Sheffield
(back) told the New York Post that he
could return to action as soon as
this weekend. Sheffield, who hasn’t
played since August 28 and was
believed to be lost for the remainder
of the season, is hitting .279 with 10 SHARON ELLMAN / AP
homers and 43 RBIs in 95 games Kevin Millwood has a 4.71 ERA since the All-Star break.
this season.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 24
Fantasy Focus LEAGUE LEADERS
American League standings
Hitter rankings Batting Average Home Runs East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
New York 91 51 .641 — — 7-3 L-1 49-21 42-30
A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Boston 81 58 .583 8½ — 6-4 W-2 47-21 34-37
A glance at the movers and
Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Tampa Bay 72 68 .514 18 9½ 1-9 L-8 43-26 29-42
shakers in the Fantasy Source’s Mauer Minnesota .364 HaRamirez Florida .360 CPena Tampa Bay 39 Pujols St. Louis 47 Toronto 64 77 .454 26½ 18 5-5 W-2 38-36 26-41
latest hitter rankings: ISuzuki Seattle .354 Pujols St. Louis .328 Teixeira New York 35 Reynolds Arizona 41
Baltimore 57 83 .407 33 24½ 4-6 W-1 34-37 23-46
MiCabrera Detroit .334 Helton Colorado .326 Bay Boston 31 Fielder Milwaukee 38 Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
Jeter New York .331 Sandoval San Francisco .325 Branyan Seattle 31 Howard Philadelphia 38 Detroit 75 65 .536 — — 6-4 L-4 45-23 30-42
Minnesota 70 71 .496 5½ 12 4-6 L-2 39-31 31-40
Bartlett Tampa Bay .331 DWright New York .315 NCruz Texas 31 ADunn Washington 37 Chicago 70 72 .493 6 12½ 6-4 L-1 40-32 30-40
MYoung Texas .322 LCastillo New York .311 AHill Toronto 31 AdGonzalez San Diego 37 Cleveland 60 80 .429 15 21½ 2-8 L-4 30-40 30-40
Cano New York .316 Braun Milwaukee .309 Three tied 30 Werth Philadelphia 33 Kansas City 56 85 .397 19½ 26 6-4 W-5 30-44 26-41
West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
Runs Stolen Bases Los Angeles 85 55 .607 — — 7-3 W-4 43-26 42-29
Texas 79 60 .568 5½ 2 7-3 W-3 44-25 35-35
A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Seattle 72 69 .511 13½ 10 4-6 L-5 39-30 33-39
Oakland 63 77 .450 22 18½ 6-4 W-1 34-36 29-41
Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team
CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP Figgins Los Angeles 106 Pujols St. Louis 116 Ellsbury Boston 60 Bourn Houston 53 National League standings
Royals 1B Billy Butler Damon New York 100 Braun Milwaukee 99 Crawford Tampa Bay 56 Morgan Washington 42 East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
BRoberts Baltimore 99 Zimmerman Washington 98 Figgins Los Angeles 39 Kemp Los Angeles 31 Philadelphia 80 59 .576 — — 4-6 W-1 37-31 43-28
UP Jeter New York 97 Utley Philadelphia 97 BUpton Tampa Bay 37 Rollins Philadelphia 28 Florida 75 66 .532 6 6½ 7-3 L-1 39-34 36-32
▲ Rajai Davis, OF, A’s. Davis leads the Pedroia Boston 97 Victorino Philadelphia 93 RDavis Oakland 35 Fowler Colorado 26 Atlanta 73 68 .518 8 8½ 4-6 W-2 35-33 38-35
New York 62 79 .440 19 19½ 3-7 L-4 36-36 26-43
majors with 24 stolen bases since Scutaro Toronto 96 HaRamirez Florida 90 Three tied 28 Pierre Los Angeles 25 Washington 49 92 .348 32 32½ 3-7 W-2 29-43 20-49
the break and is making a strong Cano New York 93 Bourn Houston 89 Taveras Cincinnati 25
Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
for an everyday job in 2010. St. Louis 84 58 .592 — — 7-3 L-1 43-27 41-31
RBIs Pitching Chicago 72 67 .518 10½ 8½ 7-3 W-4 41-27 31-40
▲ Billy Butler, 1B, Royals. Butler has Houston 69 72 .489 14½ 12½ 6-4 W-1 41-32 28-40
A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L.
six multi-hit games since last Milwaukee 67 73 .479 16 14 3-7 W-1 34-37 33-36
Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Cincinnati 63 78 .447 20½ 18½ 5-5 L-5 31-37 32-41
Saturday and is hitting .444 in Teixeira New York 106 Fielder Milwaukee 125 Feldman Texas 16-4 Wainwright St. Louis 18-7 Pittsburgh 54 85 .388 28½ 26½ 1-9 L-4 36-34 18-51
September. Longoria Tampa Bay 103 Pujols St. Louis 124 Sabathia New York 16-7 CCarpenter St. Louis 16-3 West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
▲ Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs. Lee is on Bay Boston 100 Howard Philadelphia 117 Verlander Detroit 16-8 Marquis Colorado 15-10 Los Angeles 84 58 .592 — — 6-4 W-1 43-29 41-29
Morneau Minnesota 100 Braun Milwaukee 98 JerWeaver Los Angeles 15-5 JoJohnson Florida 14-4 Colorado 82 60 .577 2 — 9-1 W-8 45-27 37-33
pace to have his best month San Francisco 76 65 .539 7½ 5½ 4-6 L-3 45-24 31-41
(average and power) of the season. CPena Tampa Bay 100 ADunn Washington 98 FHernandez Seattle 14-5 De La Rosa Colorado 14-9 San Diego 63 79 .444 21 19 7-3 L-1 36-35 27-44
KMorales Los Angeles 98 HaRamirez Florida 98 Beckett Boston 14-6 DLowe Atlanta 14-9 Arizona 62 80 .437 22 20 2-8 L-1 32-38 30-42
DOWN
Lind Toronto 97 DLee Chicago 96 Halladay Toronto 14-9 Pineiro St. Louis 14-10 z-first game was a win
▼ Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox. After
hitting .302/.375/.567 in the first Hits Strikeouts
Pitching matchups Today’s games (All times Eastern)
half, Dye’s second-half numbers A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. American League The Line
have plummeted. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Baltimore (Matusz 4-2) at N.Y. Yankees (A.Burnett 11-8), 1:05 p.m. at NYY -320, Bal +260
▼ Miguel Tejada, SS, Astros. Tejada is ISuzuki Seattle 196 HaRamirez Florida 182 Verlander Detroit 230 Lincecum San Francisco 233 Oakland (Bre.Anderson 8-10) at Minnesota (Manship 0-0), 1:10 p.m. at Min -130, Oak +120
starting to overcome his late- Jeter New York 188 Braun Milwaukee 168 Greinke Kansas City 216 JVazquez Atlanta 208
Chicago White Sox (Danks 12-9) at L.A. Angels (E.Santana 7-8), 4:10 p.m. at LAA -130;ChW +120
Cano New York 179 Tejada Houston 167 Lester Boston 204 Haren Arizona 197
season offensive struggles, but he Kansas City (Hochevar 6-9) at Cleveland (D.Huff 9-7), 7:05 p.m. at Cle -140, KC +130
MiCabrera Detroit 174 Victorino Philadelphia 164 FHernandez Seattle 188 Gallardo Milwaukee 192
is expected to lose playing time to Markakis Baltimore 173 FLopez Milwaukee 163 Halladay Toronto 183 Wainwright St. Louis 175 Toronto (Richmond 6-9) at Detroit (E.Jackson 12-6), 7:05 p.m. at Det -180, Tor +170
prospect Tommy Manzella. AHill Toronto 172 Three tied 162 Sabathia New York 177 De La Rosa Colorado 170 Tampa Bay (W.Davis 0-0) at Boston (Beckett 14-6), 7:10 p.m. at Bos -230, TB +210
▼ B.J. Upton, OF, Rays. Upton could MYoung Texas 168 Beckett Boston 176 Two tied 168 Seattle (Morrow 0-4) at Texas (Millwood 10-9), 8:05 p.m. at Tex -190, Sea +180
be sidelined for a few days with
Doubles Saves National League The Line
lingering pain in his sprained left
A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L.
Cincinnati (Cueto 9-10) at Chicago Cubs (R.Wells 10-8), 1:05 p.m. at ChC -170, Cin +160
ankle. That won’t help him finish
Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Atlanta (T.Hudson 1-0) at St. Louis (Lohse 5-8), 4:10 p.m. at StL -110, Atl +100
the season strong. N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey 10-10) at Philadelphia (Moyer 12-9), 4:10 p.m. at Phi -210, NYM +190
— Brad Pinkerton BRoberts Baltimore 50 Sandoval San Francisco 40 Fuentes Los Angeles 40 Franklin St. Louis 37
Lind Toronto 46 Tejada Houston 40 MaRivera New York 39 HBell San Diego 37 Washington (Estrada 0-0) at Florida (A.Sanchez 2-6), 6:10 p.m. at Fla -210, Was +190
MORE COVERAGE Butler Kansas City 45 Ethier Los Angeles 39 Nathan Minnesota 38 BrWilson San Francisco 34 Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf 11-9) at Houston (Moehler 8-10), 7:05 p.m. at Hou -125, Pit +115
Markakis Baltimore 42 Hawpe Colorado 39 Papelbon Boston 35 Broxton Los Angeles 34 Milwaukee (Bush 3-7) at Arizona (Mulvey 0-0), 8:10 p.m. at Ari -110, Mil +100
Get everything you need to Pedroia Boston 42 HaRamirez Florida 39 Aardsma Seattle 34 Street Colorado 33 L.A. Dodgers (V.Padilla 2-0) at San Francisco (J.Sanchez 6-11), 9:05 p.m. at SF -105, LAD -105
dominate your fantasy league at Cano New York 41 Pujols St. Louis 37 Rodney Detroit 32 Cordero Cincinnati 33
sportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball Colorado (Rogers 0-0) at San Diego (Stauffer 4-6), 10:05 p.m. Col -110, at SD +100
Longoria Tampa Bay 41 Victorino Philadelphia 37 Jenks Chicago 28 Hoffman Milwaukee 31
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 25
Orioles 10, Yankees 4
AMERICAN LEAGUE Baltimore AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Baltimore 10, N.Y. Yankees 4 B.Roberts 2b
Turner 2b
3 2
1 0
1 3
1 0
1
0
2
0
.283
.333
C.Izturis ss 5 2 2 2 1 0 .253

Jeter gets historic hit in typical fashion

Markakis rf 5 0 2 2 1 0 .306
Reimold lf 4 0 1 1 0 1 .273
Mora 3b 2 1 1 1 0 0 .262
b-Wigginton ph-3b 2 0 1 0 0 0 .270
Scott 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .257
Aubrey 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 .318
Wieters dh 5 1 1 0 0 2 .270
NEW YORK—Puddles soaked in the fourth that put New first-base line. After this one, character and athletic ability is Pie cf 1 1 0 0 1 1 .265
a-Fiorentino ph-cf 3 1 1 0 0 1 .444
the warning track and pon- York up 4-1. He came out of the Yankees players poured out of something he shares with the Moeller c 4 2 2 0 1 1 .276
chos dotted the stands when game after a 67-minute rain the dugout and engulfed Jeter previous record holder, Lou Totals 40 10 16 10 5 8
Derek Jeter stepped to the plate delay in the seventh when at first base with hugs and pats Gehrig,” the statement said. New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
in the third inning, hoping to manager Joe Girardi pulled on the back. When his grounder got past Jeter ss 4 0 2 1 0 1 .331
R.Pena 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .280
give the soggy Yankee Stadium most of his starters with the “I didn’t know that they diving first baseman Luke Swisher rf 2 1 0 0 1 1 .253
crowd a reason for showing up Yankees trailing 10-4. were going to do that, so that Scott, Jeter’s parents raised Hairston Jr. ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 .271
Teixeira 1b 2 1 1 0 1 1 .281
in all this rain. Once play resumed, the Yan- sort of caught me off-guard,” their arms in excitement. Join- Hinske 3b 2 0 0 0 0 2 .222
With one of his classic, kees held an unusual in-game Jeter said. “It’s a special ing them in an upstairs box A.Rodriguez 3b 3 1 2 3 0 1 .286
S.Duncan rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
inside-out swings, Jeter sent a news conference with Jeter moment for me, it’s a special filled with family and friends H.Matsui dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 .271
sharp grounder skimming and then teammates Jorge moment for the organization. were his sister and steady girl- Posada c 3 0 0 0 0 3 .283
J.Molina 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 .248
through the infield. And there Posada, Andy Pettitte and To be able to enjoy it with my friend, actress Minka Kelly. Cano 2b 3 1 2 0 0 0 .316
it was, the record-setting hit Alex Rodriguez. teammates was a lot of fun.” Jeter tied Gehrig’s mark Cervelli c 1 0 0 0 0 0 .259
Me.Cabrera lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .277
that pushed him past Lou “I didn’t expect that many Jeter spread his arms wide Wednesday night, snapping Gardner cf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .270
Gehrig. people to be out there after the after rounding first base on his an 0-for-12 slump with three Totals 36 4 12 4 2 11
Jeter broke the New York rain delay considering how record-breaking hit and gave hits against the Tampa Bay Baltimore 010 024 300 — 10 16 0
Yankees’ hit record held by hard it was raining when we an emphatic clap as he headed Rays. The Yankees were off New York 300 100 000 — 4 12 1
Gehrig for more than seven started the game,” Jeter said. back to the bag. Thursday, and Jeter resumed a-singled for Pie in the 6th. b-singled for Mora in the
decades on Friday night with “But the fans were incredible. Rain-drenched fans, many his pursuit Friday at soggy 6th. E: Gardner (2). LOB: Baltimore 11, New York 8.
2B: Mora (16), Scott (21), Moeller (8), Hairston Jr. (5).
an opposite-field single against It says a lot about how they feel wearing bright ponchos, Yankee Stadium. HR: A.Rodriguez (25), off Tillman. RBIs: B.Roberts 3
Baltimore. It gave Jeter 2,722 about their team and more roared during an ovation that “I’m happy I was able to do it (69), C.Izturis 2 (28), Markakis 2 (93), Reimold (44),
Mora (41), Scott (66), Jeter (63), A.Rodriguez 3 (83).
hits, one more than Gehrig, importantly how they feel lasted about 3 minutes. Jeter quickly,” he said. SF: B.Roberts, Reimold. Runners left in scoring
whose Hall of Fame career was about the history of their team. twice waved his helmet to the The start was delayed 87 position: Baltimore 7 (Pie, Wieters, Scott 3, Wigginton,
Markakis); New York 4 (H.Matsui, Posada, Jeter, Hinske).
cut short by illness in 1939. I appreciate each and every crowd of 46,771—just as he did minutes by heavy rain that had DP: Baltimore 2 (C.Izturis, B.Roberts, Aubrey), (Wig-
“The whole experience has one that was there.” after tying the record. Fans tapered off by the third inning. ginton, Turner, Aubrey); New York 1 (R.Pena, Hairston
Jr., J.Molina).
been overwhelming,” Jeter Jeter’s record-breaking hit chanted his name and the ball Jeter struck out swinging
said. “This is more than I was remarkably similar to the was taken out of play as a against Tillman in his first at- Baltimore IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Tillman W, 2-3 5 9 4 4 2 8 104 4.91
could’ve imagined.” one that tied Gehrig on souvenir. bat, but came through his next A.Castillo H, 3 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 5 3.00
The captain kept right on Wednesday night, a well- “For those who say today’s time up. Albers H, 8 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 6 5.40
Hendrickson S, 1-3 3 3 0 0 0 2 38 4.43
going, too, with an RBI single struck grounder inside the game can’t produce legendary “It’s vintage Derek Jeter. New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
players, I have two words: Stay inside the ball and hit it Pettitte 5 5 3 3 3 5 103 4.14
Marte L, 1-2 BS, 1-1 1⁄3 4 4 4 1 0 21 11.32
Derek Jeter. Game in and game the other way,” Girardi said. “I Albaladejo 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 7 4.75
Jeter’s milestone hits out he just produces,” Yankees think everyone was just E.Ramirez
Melancon
2⁄3
1 1⁄3
3
2
3 3 1 2 33 5.75
0 0 0 0 23 3.60
1 May 30, 1995 at Seattle Tim Belcher owner George Steinbrenner ecstatic for him. ... I think we M.Dunn 1 1 0 0 0 1 17 6.75
100 July 17, 1996 at Boston Joe Hudson said in a statement. “As his- all feel very proud to be around Tillman pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. Inherited
toric and significant as becom- him.” runners-scored: A.Castillo 2-0, Albers 2-0, Albaladejo
1,000 Sept. 25, 2000 vs. Detroit Steve Sparks ing the Yankees’ all-time hit Gehrig’s final hit came on 2-1, Melancon 1-0. HBP: by Tillman (Me.Cabrera), by
2,000 May 26, 2006 vs. Kansas City Scott Elarton Pettitte (Mora). WP: E.Ramirez, M.Dunn. Umpires:
leader is, the accomplishment April 29, 1939, a single against Home, Kerwin Danley; First, Wally Bell; Second, Marty
2,500 Aug. 22, 2008 at Baltimore Radhames Liz is all the more impressive the Washington Senators. The Foster; Third, Mark Carlson. T: 3:49 (Rain delay: 1:07).
A: 46,771 (52,325).
2,721 Sept. 9, 2009 vs. Tampa Bay Jeff Niemann because Derek is one of the Iron Horse had held the club
FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP 2,722 Sept. 11, 2009 vs. Baltimore Chris Tillman finest young men playing the record since September 6, 1937,
Derek Jeter follows through on a single in the third inning that made him the game today. when he passed Babe Ruth.
Yankees’ all-time hits leader, passing Lou Gehrig. — The Journal News of New York “That combination of — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 26
AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels 7, Chicago White Sox 1 American League Oakland 12, Minnesota 5
wild-card standings
Healthy Saunders boost for Angels Boston
W
81
L
58
Pct.
.583
GB
—
Homers calming for prospect
Texas 79 60 .568 2
Tampa Bay 72 68 .514 9½
Seattle 72 69 .511 10 MINNEAPOLIS—With each Oak- Athletics 12, Twins 5
ANAHEIM—Now that he’s healthy again, land drive that soared over the Oakland AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Angels 7, White Sox 1 Kennedy 3b-2b 6 0 2 0 0 2 .283
Joe Saunders is starting to look like the outfield wall at the Metrodome R.Davis cf 6 1 2 0 0 1 .307
Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg. R.Sweeney rf 5 1 1 0 1 1 .283
same pitcher who got off to such a terrific Podsednik lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .306 on Friday, Clayton Mortensen K.Suzuki c 5 3 3 3 0 0 .273
start last season. Beckham 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .271 felt a little more comfortable. Powell c 1 0 0 0 0 0 .252
Pierzynski c 4 0 1 0 0 1 .314 Cust dh 4 4 2 1 2 2 .240
And the timing couldn’t be better for Konerko 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .280 That comfort translated into M.Ellis 2b 4 1 2 3 0 0 .283
the Los Angeles Angels. Al.Ramirez ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 .277 the first major league victory Crosby 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .219
Dye rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 .255 D.Barton 1b 5 1 1 3 0 1 .215
Saunders won his fourth straight out- Quentin dh 3 0 1 0 0 0 .232 for one of the Athletics’ top E.Patterson lf 4 0 3 0 1 0 .213
ing since coming off the disabled list, Rios cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .245 pitching prospects. Pennington ss 3 1 1 2 2 2 .269
J.Nix 2b 2 1 1 1 0 0 .233 Totals 44 12 17 12 6 10
Bobby Abreu drove in two runs without a-Kotsay ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .270 Mortensen, acquired in the
the benefit of a hit and the Angels beat Lillibridge 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .145 trade that sent Matt Holliday to Minnesota AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Totals 31 1 5 1 1 4 Span lf 4 2 1 1 1 0 .308
the Chicago White Sox 7-1 on Friday St. Louis, limited the Minne- O.Cabrera ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 .274
night. Los Angeles AB R H BI BB SO Avg. sota Twins to one run on five Tolbert ss 2 0 2 2 0 0 .191
Figgins 3b 2 2 0 0 2 0 .302 Mauer c 2 0 1 0 1 0 .364
“It’s like night and day, besides the B.Wood 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .154 hits over six innings as the Ath- J.Morales c 2 0 1 1 0 0 .342
results,” said Saunders, who missed 17 M.Izturis 2b 4 2 3 2 0 0 .297 letics rolled to a 12-5 victory. Morneau 1b 2 0 0 0 1 0 .275
B.Abreu rf 3 1 1 2 0 0 .298 Huber 1b 2 0 1 0 0 0 .500
games last month because of irritation in T.Evans rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Jack Cust, Mark Ellis, Cliff Kubel dh 3 0 1 0 0 0 .305
his shoulder. “I feel strong. I feel good, I Guerrero dh 4 0 2 2 0 0 .298 Pennington, Daric Barton and a-Crede ph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 .228
1-Pettit pr-dh 0 1 0 0 0 0 --- Cuddyer rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .269
feel confident, and I’ve turned the page. Tor.Hunter cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .308 Kurt Suzuki all homered for an Buscher 3b 4 1 1 0 0 0 .238
I’m way past the injury and the D.L. K.Morales 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .306 Oakland team that entered the Gomez cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .237
J.Rivera lf 4 0 2 1 0 1 .293 A.Casilla 2b 4 1 1 1 0 0 .196
stint, and I’m ready to go through the Napoli c 4 0 0 0 0 1 .272 game last in the American Totals 37 5 11 5 3 1
stretch.” E.Aybar ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 .306 League in home runs.
Totals 31 7 10 7 3 4 Oakland 015 033 000 — 12 17 1
Saunders (13-7) allowed just three hits When the game was over, Minnesota 100 000 004 — 5 11 1
over seven innings, struck out three and Chicago 001 000 000 — 1 5 0 however, no Oakland player
Los Angeles 200 030 02x — 7 10 0 E: Pennington (2), Buscher (1). LOB: Oakland 11, Min-
retired his final 15 batters after Jayson had a bigger smile on his face nesota 8. 2B: Kennedy (23), R.Davis (19), R.Sweeney
Nix homered leading off the third. The a-struck out for J.Nix in the 8th. 1-ran for Guerrero in than Mortensen. The 24-year- (25), K.Suzuki (32), E.Patterson (4), Mauer (24). HR:
the 8th. LOB: Chicago 4, Los Angeles 4. 2B: M.Izturis Cust (22), off Blackburn; Pennington (4), off Blackburn;
left-hander has a 1.85 ERA over his last 2 (18), B.Abreu (25), J.Rivera (22). HR: J.Nix (12), off old, who saved the official M.Ellis (8), off Blackburn; D.Barton (3), off Mahay;
four outings, after a stretch of eight starts J.Saunders. RBIs: J.Nix (30), M.Izturis 2 (57), B.Abreu lineup card and the red cap that K.Suzuki (12), off Gabino; Span (8), off Mortensen. RBIs:
2 (93), Guerrero 2 (42), J.Rivera (79). CS: Tor.Hunter K.Suzuki 3 (72), Cust (62), M.Ellis 3 (53), D.Barton 3 (12),
in which he was 1-3 with a 9.63 ERA. (4). SF: B.Abreu. Runners left in scoring position: teams wore in honor of the Pennington 2 (12), Span (56), Tolbert 2 (14), J.Morales
Saunders escaped a jam in the second, CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP
Chicago 2 (Rios, Beckham); Los Angeles 3 (Figgins, anniversary of the September (6), A.Casilla (16). SB: R.Davis (35). Runners left in
Napoli 2). DP: Chicago 1 (J.Nix, Al.Ramirez, Konerko); scoring position: Oakland 6 (R.Sweeney 2, Kennedy 2,
turning a comebacker by Alex Rios into Los Angeles 1 (J.Saunders, M.Izturis, K.Morales). 11, 2001, terror attacks, finally Cust 2); Minnesota 3 (Cuddyer 2, Crede). DP: Oakland 2
an inning-ending double play with two Vladimir Guerrero drove in two runs with two hits to help the Angels beat the White Sox. felt like he was able to throw (Pennington, D.Barton), (Crosby, D.Barton).
Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
men on. It was a key moment because G.Floyd L, 11-10 5 6 5 5 2 2 96 3.98 his fastball, curveball and Oakland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
the on-deck hitter was Nix, who hit a D.Carrasco 2 1 0 0 0 0 23 3.68 changeup well in the same Mortensen W, 1-2 6 5 1 1 2 0 92 6.88
pair of solo homers against Saunders the Red Sox, Rangers rained out Linebrink
Los Angeles IP
1 3
H
2 2 1 2 25 4.24
R ER BB SO NP ERA game. Blevins 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 5.40
Eveland 1 2 0 0 0 0 10 7.76
last time they faced each other on May 26 It was a night of washouts among A.L. wild-card teams. J.Saunders W, 13-7 7 3 1 1 1 3 101 4.81 “Once I can get that per- S.Casilla 1⁄3 3 4 3 1 1 28 6.35
Boston and Texas had their games rained out on Friday. The Red Sox and Bulger 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 6 3.43 Gray 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1.86
at Anaheim. Oliver 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 10 2.77 fected, the confidence just goes Minnesota IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Nix got to Saunders again in the Tampa Bay got in just 12 minutes of baseball before the game was postponed. Arredondo 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 5.98 up,” said Mortensen, who was Blackburn L, 9-11 3 6 6 6 1 2 68 4.39
rematch with a towering drive into the Texas and Seattle never even got its game started. making only his third start and Keppel 1 1⁄3 2 2 2 2 0 21 5.19
Inherited runners-scored: Oliver 1-0. IBB: off Line- Mahay 2⁄3 2 1 1 0 1 16 4.67
lower seats in the left-field corner for his Boston and Tampa Bay will start fresh Sunday at noon as part of a double- brink (K.Morales). WP: G.Floyd, Linebrink. Umpires: fourth major league appear- Gabino 1 4 3 3 2 1 38 17.18
header, with Clay Buchholz facing Matt Garza. The regularly scheduled 1:35 Home, Dana DeMuth; First, Doug Eddings; Second, Liriano 2 2 0 0 0 4 35 5.71
12th homer of the season. It ended a Angel Campos; Third, Hunter Wendelstedt. T: 2:32. A: ance. “Being able to see that I Rauch 1 1 0 0 1 2 22 4.76
2-for-19 slump by the White Sox’s No. 9 game will be moved to 5 p.m. Seattle and Texas will play a doubleheader Sun- 38,375 (45,257). can get a win against a team
hitter, who is second among A.L. rookies day. Texas’ Kevin Millwood (10-9) and Seattle’s Brandon Morrow (0-4), Fri- like this, a really potent hitting Inherited runners-scored: Gray 2-1, Mahay 2-2. WP:
Mortensen, S.Casilla. Umpires: Home, Bob Davidson;
in home runs. day’s scheduled starters, will take the mound today. team, definitely helps out.” First, Scott Barry; Second, Jeff Nelson; Third, Tim Tschida.
— The Associated Press — The Associated Press — The Associated Press T: 3:15. A: 21,084 (46,632).
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 27
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Toronto 6, Detroit 4 Kansas City 2, Cleveland 1, 12 innings

Tallet showing move to rotation was smart Royals win, Greinke doesn’t
CLEVELAND—Despite another Royals 2, Indians 1, 12 innings
Blue Jays 6, Tigers 4 Kansas City AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Toronto AB R H BI BB SO Avg. solid performance, Zack Greinke DeJesus lf 4 0 1 0 1 1 .275
Scutaro ss 3 1 0 0 3 0 .280 ended up with a no-decision. Maier cf-rf 4 0 1 0 1 0 .251
A.Hill 2b 6 1 4 0 0 0 .290 Butler 1b 5 0 1 0 0 2 .304
Lind lf 3 0 1 1 0 0 .301 Thanks to Miguel Olivo and Jacobs dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 .235
a-Snider ph-lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .231 David DeJesus, the Kansas City a-B.Pena ph-dh 2 0 0 0 0 1 .271
V.Wells cf 3 0 2 2 1 0 .255 Callaspo 2b 4 1 1 0 1 2 .297
Millar 1b 4 0 0 0 1 1 .213 Royals ended up with their fifth Teahen rf-3b 4 0 1 0 1 2 .274
Overbay 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265 straight win. Olivo c 4 1 2 2 0 0 .248
Barajas c 4 1 1 1 1 1 .239 A.Gordon 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 .202
Encarnacion 3b 5 1 2 0 0 0 .198 Olivo homered with one out in 1-J.Anderson pr-cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .246
R.Ruiz dh 5 2 2 2 0 1 .277 the 12th inning after DeJesus Y.Betancourt ss 5 0 0 0 0 2 .238
J.Bautista rf 2 0 0 0 2 1 .227 Totals 38 2 7 2 5 11
Totals 37 6 12 6 8 5 saved the game for Kansas City
with two accurate throws to the Cleveland AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Detroit AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Brantley cf 4 0 0 0 1 2 .324
Raburn lf 4 1 2 2 0 2 .288 plate from left field, and the Roy- A.Cabrera ss 5 0 1 0 0 1 .311
Polanco 2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 .277 als beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 Choo rf 3 1 1 0 2 0 .298
Ordonez rf 5 0 2 0 0 0 .290 Jh.Peralta 3b 5 0 2 0 0 0 .273
Mi.Cabrera 1b 5 0 1 1 0 2 .334 on Friday night. Hafner dh 5 0 3 1 0 1 .284
Thames dh 3 0 2 1 0 1 .260 “It’s a great win for us,” Royals 2-Crowe pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .213
b-A.Huff ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .245 Valbuena 2b 5 0 1 0 0 3 .244
Inge 3b 2 0 0 0 2 1 .230 manager Trey Hillman said. LaPorta lf 5 0 0 0 0 2 .238
Granderson cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .251 “The only thing that would have A.Marte 1b 5 0 0 0 0 1 .232
Laird c 4 2 2 0 0 1 .221 Marson c 4 0 0 0 0 3 .125
Everett ss 4 0 2 0 0 1 .240 been better if Zack had gotten Totals 41 1 8 1 3 13
Totals 37 4 13 4 2 8 (the win.)”
Olivo, who drove in the Royals’ Kansas City 000 100 000 001 —2 7 0
Toronto 000 201 300 — 6 12 0 Cleveland 000 000 100 000 —1 8 0
Detroit 001 000 300 — 4 13 0 first run with a fourth-inning
groundout, hit an 0-2 pitch from 1-ran for A.Gordon in the 10th. 2-ran for Hafner in the
a-struck out for Lind in the 7th. LOB: Toronto 15, Detroit 12th. LOB: Kansas City 7, Cleveland 7. 2B: Callaspo
10. 2B: V.Wells (32), Thames (9), Laird (21), Everett (19). Jose Veras into the bleachers in (32). 3B: Choo (6). HR: Olivo (19), off Veras. RBIs: Olivo
HR: Barajas (17), off Galarraga; R.Ruiz (7), off Perry. 2 (51), Hafner (42). SB: J.Anderson (19). CS: Teahen
DUANE BURLESON / AP RBIs: Lind (97), V.Wells 2 (59), Barajas (62), R.Ruiz left field for his 19th home run of (1). S: A.Gordon. Runners left in scoring position:
Detroit CF Curtis Granderson, above, makes a diving attempt on a fly ball hit by Toronto’s Aaron Hill in the first inning. 2 (14), Raburn 2 (37), Mi.Cabrera (85), Thames (34). the season. Kansas City 5 (Callaspo, Y.Betancourt 2, Jacobs, Maier);
CS: Ordonez (1). SF: V.Wells, Raburn, Thames. Run- Cleveland 1 (Hafner). DP: Kansas City 1 (Callaspo,
ners left in scoring position: Toronto 9 (Barajas 2, Greinke held the Indians to Butler); Cleveland 2 (Valbuena, A.Cabrera, A.Marte),
DETROIT—Brian Tallet has bounced back accident,” he said. “I’m mainly pitching to because they are everywhere,” said Curtis A.Hill, Encarnacion, Millar 3, V.Wells, Snider); Detroit 6 one run in seven innings, but (Valbuena, A.Cabrera, A.Marte).
(Polanco 2, Granderson 3, Inge). DP: Toronto 1 (Barajas,
and forth between Toronto’s rotation and contact, but tonight I was getting ahead of Granderson. “You have to look at how Barajas, A.Hill). ended up with his eighth no- Kansas City IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
bullpen all season. guys and putting them away. I don’t usu- we’ve lost these four games. Kansas City decision of the season, the first Greinke 7 4 1 1 0 6 102 2.19
Toronto IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Farnsworth 2 2 0 0 1 3 30 4.81
So far, a bit of stability seems to be doing ally do that.” pitched well, and that’s why they won, and Tallet W, 7-9 6 1⁄3 8 3 3 2 7 104 5.26 Kansas City has won. He has J.Wright W, 2-5 2 1 0 0 2 2 33 4.73
him good. The A.L. Central-leading Tigers have tonight the Jays pitched well.” Accardo 2⁄3 3 1 1 0 1 17 2.84 received 29 runs in his combined Soria S, 25-28 1 1 0 0 0 2 17 2.54
S.Downs H, 8 1 2 0 0 0 0 22 2.86 Cleveland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Tallet, who is expected to start for the lost four straight to Kansas City and The Blue Jays won for just the third time Frasor S, 9-11 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 2.15 15 starts of losses and Masterson 6 4 1 1 4 4 103 4.25
rest of the season, responded with one of Toronto after a six-game winning streak. in their last 13 road games. Detroit IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA no-decisions. Sipp 2 2 0 0 0 2 29 2.94
N.Robertson L, 1-2 3 2⁄3 6 2 2 5 0 83 5.35 C.Perez 2 0 0 0 1 3 31 2.81
his best outings of the year in a 6-4 victory “Maybe we’re looking at the scoreboard, “This is great for our team, because we Galarraga 2 1⁄3 3 3 3 1 3 43 5.46 “I try to pitch,” he said when Veras L, 4-3 2 1 1 1 0 2 27 6.12
over Detroit Friday night. but we should be looking at something get a chance to play spoiler,” Tallet said. Perry 1 2 1 1 1 1 26 4.13 asked if he’s feeling frustrated
Lyon 1 1 0 0 0 0 9 2.86 IBB: off J.Wright (Choo). HBP: by Masterson (Olivo).
“It helps with my focus, because I know else,” said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “I “That’s a bonus for us.” Rodney 1 0 0 0 1 1 17 3.75 about his win total preventing Umpires: Home, Mike Estabrook; First, Jerry Meals;
I’ll be getting the ball every five days or think guys are a little too casual around Three relievers finished, with Jason him from winning postseason Second, Ron Kulpa; Third, Dale Scott. T: 3:39. A: 26,006
Galarraga pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. Inherited (45,199).
so,” he said. “I’m just trying to soak up as here. They need to step it up. We need to Frasor getting his ninth save. runners-scored: Accardo 1-1, Galarraga 2-0, Perry awards. “Hopefully, it works out.
many innings as I can.” play better, pitch better, hit better and shut “Jason’s been great for us,” Toronto 1-1. HBP: by Rodney (J.Bautista), by Galarraga (Lind). I can’t focus on that.”
Umpires: Home, Mark Wegner; First, Rick Reed;
Tallet (7-9) is now 2-0 as a starter in some people down.” manager Cito Gaston said. “I don’t know if Second, Jeff Kellogg; Third, Tim Timmons. T: 3:22. A: The righthander hadn’t
September. He allowed three runs and One Tiger, though, thought the opposi- the success comes first or the confidence, 31,575 (41,255). allowed an earned run in 23 con-
eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, and matched a tion pitching had more to do with the but he’s got both of them right now and secutive innings until the Indi-
career high with seven strikeouts. losses than any loss of focus. they build off each other.” ans tied the game in the seventh.
“When I strike guys out, it is usually an “It’s hard not to look at the scoreboard, — The Associated Press — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 28
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Mets 2 Phillies 4, Mets 2 Houston 9, Pittsburgh 1 Astros 9, Pirates 1
Pittsburgh AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Pagan cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .308 A.McCutchen cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .275

Hamels hopes to start picking it up L.Castillo 2b

D.Wright 3b
Francoeur rf
2
4
4
0
0
0
1
0
3
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
.311
.315
.272
Astros relax, Delw.Young 2b 2
G.Jones 1b
Milledge lf
4
4
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
.269
.305
.282
Tatis 1b
N.Evans lf
Takahashi p
4
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
.267
.230
.000
win another Doumit c
Moss rf
An.LaRoche 3b 4
4
4
0
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
1
.237
.242
.246
PHILADELPHIA—Cole Hamels hopes to Dessens p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Cedeno ss 3 0 1 0 0 2 .286
b-Dan.Murphy ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .259 Morton p 2 0 0 0 0 2 .174
make up for a so-so season by pitching Stokes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- HOUSTON—The Houston Astros a-N.Walker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .200
well when it matters most. Feliciano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- finally got an easy win after six Hanrahan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Santos c 4 1 1 0 0 1 .259 J.Chavez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Hamels pitched 6 2/3 effective innings, W.Valdez ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 .235 close games in a row. Veal p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
a new-look bullpen got the last seven outs c-Reed ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .259 Carlos Lee hit a three-run Totals 32 1 7 1 2 11
Figueroa p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .231
and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New Sullivan lf 2 0 1 0 0 0 .284 homer, Lance Berkman added a Houston AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
York Mets 4-2 in a game played through Totals 34 2 9 1 1 6 solo shot and the Astros beat Bourn cf 4 1 1 1 0 1 .295
K.Matsui 2b 4 2 3 2 0 0 .251
steady rain Friday night. Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on Maysonet 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
Jimmy Rollins and Pedro Feliz had RBI Rollins ss 5 0 2 1 0 0 .244 Friday night. Berkman 1b 2 2 2 2 2 0 .277
Victorino cf 3 1 3 0 2 0 .301 Ca.Lee lf 4 1 1 3 0 0 .306
singles and Shane Victorino hit a career- Utley 2b 4 0 2 1 0 1 .295 Kaz Matsui drove in two runs Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
high three doubles for the N.L. East-lead- Howard 1b 4 0 0 0 1 2 .271 and Bud Norris struck out Quintero c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
Ibanez lf 5 1 2 0 0 0 .279 Tejada ss 3 0 1 0 1 0 .300
ing Phillies, who increased their lead over Werth rf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .270 seven in six innings for the Bazardo p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Florida to six games. P.Feliz 3b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .270 Astros, who’ve won 11 of their Pence rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .289
C.Ruiz c 1 1 0 1 2 0 .253 C.Johnson 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .100
Hamels (9-9) allowed one run and seven Hamels p 3 0 0 0 0 2 .115 last 15 home games. Towles c 2 1 0 0 1 0 .125
hits, striking out six. Last year’s World Park p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143 Houston’s previous six games c-Manzella ph-ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 1.000
a-Stairs ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .196 Norris p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .167
Series and NLCS MVP, Hamels has been Myers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222 had been decided by margins of Gervacio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
sharp in three of his last four starts. Madson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- two runs or less, but the Astros b-Michaels ph-lf 1 1 1 0 1 0 .244
Totals 34 4 12 4 5 6 Totals 31 9 11 8 5 5
“I’m trying to redeem my season and blew this one open with a six-
finish strong, finish the way I planned on New York 000 000 101 — 2 9 0 run seventh, capped by Lee’s Pittsburgh 000 010 000 — 1 7 1
Philadelphia 011 000 11x — 4 12 1 Houston 102 000 60x — 9 11 0
starting the year,” Hamels said. 24th homer.
Chan Ho Park retired David Wright a-struck out for Park in the 7th. b-fouled out for Dessens “I don’t remember too many a-grounded out for Morton in the 7th. b-walked for
in the 8th. c-singled for W.Valdez in the 9th. E: P.Feliz Gervacio in the 7th. c-singled for Towles in the 8th. E:
with the tying run on second in the sev- (14). LOB: New York 8, Philadelphia 13. 2B: Francoeur times in recent memory that we Doumit (3). LOB: Pittsburgh 6, Houston 4. 2B: G.Jones
enth. Brett Myers needed just six pitches (26), Santos (13), Victorino 3 (37), Utley (26), Ibanez felt really comfortable going (15), K.Matsui (18), Berkman (29), Pence (22). HR:
(30), P.Feliz (24). RBIs: L.Castillo (36), Rollins (63), An.LaRoche (9), off Norris; Berkman (20), off Morton;
to get through an easy eighth. Ryan Mad- Utley (87), P.Feliz (67), C.Ruiz (37). SB: Rollins 2 (28). into the eighth or ninth innings,” Ca.Lee (24), off J.Chavez. RBIs: An.LaRoche (51), Bourn
son finished for his seventh save in 12 S: Pagan. SF: L.Castillo, C.Ruiz. Runners left in scor- Berkman said. “That’s always (35), K.Matsui 2 (38), Berkman 2 (71), Ca.Lee 3 (92).
ing position: New York 4 (Tatis, W.Valdez, Santos, SB: K.Matsui (17). CS: Pence (10). SF: Bourn. Runners
chances after giving up one run. D.Wright); Philadelphia 7 (Ibanez 3, Utley 2, Howard, nice to play games like that.” left in scoring position: Pittsburgh 4 (Milledge 2,
Brad Lidge, who has 10 blown saves Hamels). DP: New York 1 (D.Wright, Tatis); Philadelphia Norris (5-3) allowed six hits Moss, G.Jones); Houston 3 (Ca.Lee, Tejada, Bourn).
1 (P.Feliz, Utley, Howard). GIDP: Milledge, Moss, Tejada, Pence. DP: Pittsburgh
this year after going 48-for-48 last season, and won for the second straight 2 (Cedeno, Delw.Young, G.Jones), (Morton, Cedeno,
hasn’t been used in the last two save situa- New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA time after three consecutive G.Jones); Houston 2 (K.Matsui, Tejada, Berkman),
Figueroa L, 2-5 5 1⁄3 9 2 2 5 3 117 4.57 (K.Matsui, Tejada, Berkman).
tions. Madson relieved Lidge after he Takahashi 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 8 2.59 losses. The 24-year-old right-
loaded the bases in the ninth on Tuesday Dessens 1 1 1 1 0 1 19 2.96 hander has earned a decision in Pittsburgh IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Stokes 1⁄3 1 1 1 0 0 5 3.96 Morton L, 3-8 6 6 3 3 2 3 89 5.35
night and got the last two outs in a win at Feliciano 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 10 3.17 each of his starts since the Hanrahan 1⁄3 1 3 0 2 1 21 5.16
Washington. Madson also closed out Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Astros purchased his minor- J.Chavez 2⁄3 2 3 0 1 0 15 4.17
Hamels W, 9-9 6 2⁄3 7 1 1 1 6 113 4.21 Veal 1 2 0 0 0 1 23 4.50
Wednesday night’s victory over the Park H, 11 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 3 4.52 league contract on July 29. Houston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Nationals. Myers H, 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 4.37 “You’ve just got to trust your- Norris W, 5-3 6 6 1 1 1 7 84 5.44
Madson S, 7-12 1 2 1 1 0 0 9 3.19 Gervacio H, 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 0.73
“We’re definitely going to get Lidge back self,” Norris said. “The first Hawkins 1 1 0 0 1 0 16 2.43
out there,” Phillies manager Charlie Man- Inherited runners-scored: Takahashi 2-0, Feliciano three (starts), it was more Bazardo 1 0 0 0 0 3 12 9.00
1-1, Park 1-0. IBB: off Figueroa (C.Ruiz). HBP: by
uel said. “I want to just give him time to Figueroa (Utley). WP: Dessens. Umpires: Home, Gary adrenalin. The next three, I was Inherited runners-scored: J.Chavez 3-3. IBB: off
settle down from a mental state and (work Darling; First, Bruce Dreckman; Second, Paul Emmel; kind of timid to a certain extent. J.Chavez (Berkman). WP: Morton 2. Umpires: Home,
Third, Todd Tichenor. T: 2:56. A: 44,377 (43,647). Derryl Cousins; First, Jim Joyce; Second, Bill Miller; Third,
on) his command.” But these last couple, I’ve really Adrian Johnson. T: 2:46. A: 31,302 (40,976).
New York fell to a season-low 17 games felt like myself again, just play-
under .500. MATT SLOCUM / AP ing the game.”
— The Associated Press Philadelphia’s Carlos Ruiz slides under Mets C Omir Santos to score in the second inning. — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 29
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Atlanta 1, St.Louis 0 Chicago Cubs 6, Cincinnati 4

Braves, Jurrjens cool off Cardinals, Pineiro Soto enduring

Cubs 6, Reds 4
Cincinnati
Stubbs cf
Janish ss
AB
3
3
R
1
0
H
1
0
BI
0
0
BB
2
2
SO
1
1
Avg.
.250
.207

Braves 1, Cardinals 0
tough season Votto 1b
B.Phillips 2b
Rolen 3b
5
4
3
1
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
3
2
2
.299
.275
.268
Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Gomes lf 4 1 1 3 0 0 .279
McLouth cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .260 CHICAGO—Ten months ago, D.McDonald rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .211
Prado 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .293
G.Anderson lf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .278 Geovany Soto was the near- Tatum c 3 0 1 0 0 0 .175
Burton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Gorecki lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227 unanimous choice as N.L. Herrera p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
McCann c 3 1 1 0 1 0 .278
Y.Escobar ss 4 0 2 0 0 0 .305 Rookie of the Year. These days, b-Barker ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .348
Masset p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Ad.LaRoche 1b 4 0 2 0 0 2 .272 the Chicago Cubs catcher is just Lehr p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .125
Infante 2b 2 0 1 1 2 0 .290
Church rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 .275 trying to find his swing so his Hanigan c 2 0 0 0 0 1 .271
Totals 33 4 6 4 6 12
a-C.Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .267 manager will put him on the
M.Diaz rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .320
Jurrjens p 3 0 0 0 0 2 .123 lineup card more often. Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Fukudome cf 2 1 0 0 2 0 .267
R.Soriano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- “This game will humble you Bradley rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .266
Totals 32 1 6 1 3 10
in a minute,” Soto said Friday D.Lee 1b 4 1 1 0 0 0 .299
Ar.Ramirez 3b 3 2 3 3 0 0 .315
St. Louis AB R H BI BB SO Avg. after driving in two runs with M.Hoffpauir lf 2 0 0 0 1 0 .233
Schumaker 2b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .292
Br.Ryan ss 3 0 1 0 1 0 .288 his first homer since August 10 Heilman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Caridad p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Pujols 1b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .328 and a sacrifice fly in a 6-4 vic- c-Scales ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 .253
Holliday lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 .378
Ludwick rf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .276 tory over the Cincinnati Reds. Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Je.Baker 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .297
Rasmus cf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .256 “Everything’s a challenge. Soto c 3 1 1 2 0 0 .220
DeRosa 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .240
Y.Molina c 4 0 1 0 0 0 .284 You’ve got to keep grinding. K.Hill c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
Theriot ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 .286
Pineiro p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .138 You can’t give up. Sometimes, I Harden p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .186
b-Ankiel ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .231
T.Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- wanted to put my head down ... a-Miles ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .179
Stevens p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
McClellan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 but I never did.” Fuld lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .271
Totals 31 0 6 0 2 8
After batting .285 with 23 Totals 29 6 7 6 3 2
Atlanta 010 000 000 — 1 6 2 home runs and 86 RBIs last Cincinnati 001 030 000 — 4 6 0
St. Louis 000 000 000 — 0 6 2
season, Soto is at .220 with 10 Chicago 012 110 01x — 6 7 0
a-grounded into a fielder’s choice for Church in the homers and 37 RBIs this year. a-grounded out for Harden in the 4th. b-struck out for
7th. b-grounded out for Pineiro in the 7th. E: Jurrjens
JEFF ROBERSON / AP (4), Prado (6), Pujols 2 (11). LOB: Atlanta 7, St. Louis The falloff came after a difficult Herrera in the 8th. c-doubled for Caridad in the 8th.
LOB: Cincinnati 9, Chicago 4. 2B: D.Lee (31), Scales (5).
St. Louis’ Matt Holliday, left, is tagged out at home by Atlanta C Brian McCann during the sixth innin. 8. 2B: Y.Escobar (24), Holliday (13). RBIs: Infante (22). offseason, as the Cubs didn’t HR: Gomes (19), off Stevens; Soto (10), off Lehr. RBIs:
SB: Br.Ryan (13). S: Pineiro. Runners left in scoring
position: Atlanta 4 (Church, Jurrjens 2, M.Diaz); St. re-sign his mentor, Henry Votto (69), Gomes 3 (48), Ar.Ramirez 3 (54), Scales (9),
Soto 2 (37). SB: Stubbs 2 (5), Janish (1), Ar.Ramirez (1).
ST. LOUIS—One run was plenty for Jair his career at first base while going 0-for-4 matching his career best for innings and Louis 6 (Y.Molina, Pujols, Br.Ryan, DeRosa 2, Ludwick). Blanco, and Soto tested positive S: Lehr. SF: Soto. Runners left in scoring position:
GIDP: McLouth, Y.Escobar, Church. DP: St. Louis 3
Jurrjens, who tamed the St. Louis Cardi- with two strikeouts and no balls out of the helping end Joel Pineiro’s eight-game (Pujols, Pineiro), (Schumaker, Br.Ryan, Pujols), (DeRosa, for marijuana at the World Cincinnati 5 (Gomes 3, Janish, B.Phillips); Chicago 3
(M.Hoffpauir 2, Soto). GIDP: Bradley. DP: Cincinnati 1
nals’ offense. infield against the 23-year-old right- winning streak dating to July 3. The Car- Schumaker, Pujols). Baseball Classic. (Votto, Janish, Votto).
The 23-year-old righthander worked hander. The N.L. Central leaders lost for dinals were 3-for-10 with runners in scor- Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA He went on the disabled list
Cincinnati IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
eight scoreless innings, overcoming the first time in 17 games on a day when ing position against Jurrjens, yet came up Jurrjens W, 11-10 8 6 0 0 2 7 105 2.81 retroactive to July 7 with a Lehr L, 4-2 4 2⁄3 5 5 5 3 1 81 4.93
R.Soriano S, 23-27 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 2.76
another light offensive showing behind the second-place Cubs also won, shaving empty. St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA strained oblique muscle. After Burton 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 15 5.14
Herrera 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 2.95
him in the Atlanta Braves’ 1-0 victory on their formidable lead to 10½ games. “He keeps us in every ballgame and he’s Pineiro L, 14-10 7 5 1 1 2 7 87 3.21 coming off the D.L. exactly one Masset 1 2 1 1 0 1 19 2.76
T.Miller 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 2 14 1.80
Friday night. He’s allowed two or fewer Manager Tony La Russa preferred to just been dominant all year,” catcher McClellan 2⁄3 1 0 0 1 1 17 3.05 month later, he batted .140 with Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Harden 4 2 1 1 5 6 103 4.04
runs in 10 of his last 12 starts, but is only talk about Pujols’ nice defensive play to Brian McCann said. “Tonight might have one homer and four RBIs in his Stevens W, 1-0 1 3 3 3 0 0 26 9.72
HBP: by Jurrjens (Holliday). Umpires: Home, Andy
5-3 in that stretch. save a run in the seventh. been his best performance of the year.” Fletcher; First, Greg Gibson; Second, Ted Barrett; Third, next 16 games. Manager Lou Heilman H, 10 2 0 0 0 0 3 34 4.22
Caridad H, 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 16 2.89
“Against this team, one mistake can “Isn’t he the guy that made the play on Jurrjens had been 0-2 in his last three Tim McClelland. T: 2:34. A: 43,984 (43,975). Piniella also started platooning Marmol S, 12-16 1 1 0 0 1 2 27 3.24
cost the game,” Jurrjens said. “I was chal- the guy at the plate?” La Russa said. starts despite a 2.49 ERA while working Soto with light-hitting Koyie
Inherited runners-scored: Burton 1-0. HBP: by Lehr
lenging them the whole game, just chal- “Albert did not have a bad defensive day, at least seven innings in all three games Hill; the Cubs are 38-23 in (Ar.Ramirez). WP: Lehr, Harden, Marmol. Umpires:
lenging the hitters and getting ahead.” in any way, shape or form.” because the Braves lost 3-1, 3-2 and 2-1 in games caught by Hill vs. 34-44 Home, Ed Rapuano; First, Paul Schrieber; Second, Paul
Nauert; Third, Joe West. T: 2:57. A: 39,881 (41,210).
Albert Pujols had a forgettable game for Jurrjens (11-10) allowed six hits while 12 innings. in Soto’s starts.
St. Louis with the third two-error game of striking out seven with one walk, — The Associated Press — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 30
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Washington 5, Florida 3 Nationals 5, Marlins 3 Milwaukee 6, Arizona 3 Brewers 6, Diamondbacks 3
Milwaukee AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Washington AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
W.Harris cf-lf 2 1 0 0 3 1 .231 F.Lopez 2b 5 1 2 1 0 0 .307
Braun’s bash
Nats making it tough for Marlins C.Guzman ss
Zimmerman 3b 4 1
A.Dunn 1b
Willingham lf
Maxwell cf
5 0
3 1
2 1
0 0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
2
1
1
1
0
.292
.294
.282
.279
.195 boosts Brewers
M.Cameron cf
Braun lf
Fielder 1b
McGehee 3b
C.Hart rf
4 1 1 0
5 2 2 3
4 0 1 0
4 1 3 1
4 0 1 0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
.255
.309
.298
.297
.259
Dukes rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .259 A.Escobar ss 3 1 1 1 0 0 .266
Orr 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .289 Kendall c 4 0 1 0 0 2 .240
MIAMI—Mike MacDougal’s first pitch Nieves c 3 1 1 0 1 0 .255 PHOENIX—Ryan Braun can Looper p 3 0 1 0 0 1 .208
produced an inning-ending double play. J.Martin p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .158 breathe a little easier now that Weathers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
b-Morse ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 .333
His last pitch did the same. Clippard p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 home run No. 100 is out of the C.Vargas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Bergmann p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 c-Bourgeois ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .172
A sinking fastball helped MacDougal MacDougal p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- way. Hoffman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
escape jams in the eighth and ninth Fri- Totals 31 5 5 5 8 8 Braun became the second-fast- Totals 37 6 13 6 1 5
day, and the Washington Nationals won Florida AB R H BI BB SO Avg. est active player to hit 100 with Arizona AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
in Miami for the first time this year, beat- Coghlan lf 5 0 0 0 0 1 .304 his two-run shot in the first R.Roberts 2b 5 0 0 0 0 1 .278
N.Johnson 1b 2 1 1 0 1 0 .305 S.Drew ss 5 0 1 0 0 1 .258
ing the Florida Marlins 5-3. Ha.Ramirez ss 1 1 1 2 3 0 .360 inning of Milwaukee’s 6-3 vic- J.Upton rf 4 1 2 1 0 1 .305
“We probably don’t want to make them Cantu 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .280 tory over Arizona on Friday. It Reynolds 3b 4 0 2 0 0 0 .275
Jo.Baker c 3 0 0 0 1 0 .270 Montero c 4 1 1 0 0 0 .304
that exciting, but we’ll take it,” MacDou- Uggla 2b 4 1 1 1 0 2 .242 was his 29th of the season, his C.Young cf 3 1 1 0 1 0 .199
C.Ross rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .270 G.Parra lf 4 0 2 1 0 0 .294
gal said. Maybin cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 .214 first since Aug. 28. Allen 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .224
Pinch-hitter Mike Morse broke a tie in d-Gload ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .264 “It’s difficult to hit one home D.Davis p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .135
1-B.Carroll pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263 L.Rosales p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
the sixth inning with a two-out, two-run Jo.Johnson p 1 0 1 0 0 0 .179 run in this league. To get to 100
a-G.Sanchez ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .091 a-Byrnes ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .210
double for the Nationals, who had lost Sanches p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
is pretty special,” said Braun, Y.Petit p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .037
their six previous games at Florida this A.Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .083 who has played in 400 major b-C.Tracy ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .229
c-Hayes ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .250 Schlereth p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
year. Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmer- Cr.Martinez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 league games since joining the E.Vasquez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
man homered for Washington. e-Bonifacio ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .251 Brewers on May 24, 2007. “It’s Schoeneweis p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Totals 30 3 5 3 6 9 d-Oeltjen ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .246
MacDougal got the final five outs, com- definitely pretty cool. You have Totals 36 3 11 3 2 3
pleting a five-hitter for his 15th save in 16 Washington 200 002 100 — 5 5 0 to be pretty consistent. It’s nice to
Florida 200 000 001 — 3 5 0 Milwaukee 202 110 000 — 6 13 0
chances. The Marlins, clinging to slim get it off my back. I’ve spent about Arizona 000 102 000 — 3 11 0
a-struck out for Jo.Johnson in the 5th. b-doubled for
playoff chances, have lost only two of J.Martin in the 6th. c-struck out for A.Miller in the two weeks trying to get it. It
a-popped out for L.Rosales in the 5th. b-walked for
their past nine games—both to last-place 7th. d-walked for Maybin in the 9th. e-struck out for wasn’t weighing on me, but when Y.Petit in the 6th. c-grounded out for C.Vargas in the
Cr.Martinez in the 9th. 1-ran for Gload in the 9th. LOB: 9th. d-flied out for Schoeneweis in the 9th. LOB: Mil-
Washington. Washington 7, Florida 7. 2B: Morse (2), N.Johnson (23). people constantly bring it up, you
waukee 6, Arizona 8. 2B: F.Lopez (31), M.Cameron (28),
“All night we had some people on base HR: A.Dunn (37), off Jo.Johnson; Zimmerman (29), off automatically think about it.” Braun (33), McGehee (16), C.Hart (23), Reynolds (27),
A.Miller; Ha.Ramirez (23), off J.Martin; Uggla (28), off G.Parra (17), Allen 2 (6). HR: Braun (29), off D.Davis;
with the right guys at the plate,” Florida MacDougal. RBIs: Zimmerman (94), A.Dunn 2 (98), Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard
Morse 2 (5), Ha.Ramirez 2 (98), Uggla (76). Runners J.Upton (24), off Looper. RBIs: F.Lopez (49), Braun 3
manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “They left in scoring position: Washington 3 (W.Harris 2,
hit his 100th home run in his (98), McGehee (51), A.Escobar (6), J.Upton (75), G.Parra
made some pitches.” Dukes); Florida 5 (Cantu 2, Maybin, Jo.Baker, Coghlan). 343rd game. (53), Allen (9). SF: A.Escobar. Runners left in scoring
DP: Washington 2 (Orr, C.Guzman, A.Dunn), (C.Guzman, position: Milwaukee 3 (A.Escobar, Fielder 2); Arizona 6
The Marlins went 0-for-8 with run- A.Dunn); Florida 2 (Ha.Ramirez, Uggla, N.Johnson), (Ha. Braun also doubled, driving in (Montero 2, D.Davis, Allen, R.Roberts 2). DP: Milwaukee
ners in scoring position—and 0-for-3 Ramirez, Uggla, N.Johnson). three runs as the Brewers broke 1 (F.Lopez, A.Escobar, Fielder); Arizona 1 (S.Drew, Allen,
Reynolds).
against MacDougal in those situations. Washington IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA out of a week-long hitting slump.
Washington led 5-2 in the eighth when J.Martin W, 4-4 5 2 2 2 4 4 97 4.29 Casey McGehee had three hits, Milwaukee IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Clippard H, 3 2 1 0 0 0 4 27 3.02 Looper W, 12-6 5 2⁄3 8 3 3 1 3 91 4.77
MacDougal came on with runners at the Bergmann H, 7 1⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 11 5.13 singling in the first and third Weathers H, 19 1 1⁄3 3 0 0 1 0 23 3.52
JEFFREY BOAN / AP MacDougal S, 15-16 1 2⁄3 2 1 1 1 1 20 2.72 C.Vargas H, 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 2.30
corners and one out. He needed only one Florida IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA innings and doubling in the fifth Hoffman S, 31-34 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 2.00
pitch to end the inning on John Baker’s Washington’s Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer in the first inning that got his team off to a quick start. Jo.Johnson 5 2 2 2 4 8 89 3.06 as the Brewers took a 5-0 lead for Arizona IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Sanches L, 4-2 1 2 2 2 1 0 25 1.78 D.Davis L, 7-13 3 11 5 5 0 2 66 3.99
grounder to second. A.Miller 1 1 1 1 1 0 14 4.87 right-hander Braden Looper (12- L.Rosales 2 1 1 1 0 1 25 5.11
“I’m sure hoping for a double play if walked, but MacDougal struck out walked three times after hitting a first- Cr.Martinez 2 0 0 0 2 0 18 6.10 6), who tied his career high in Y.Petit 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 5.84
there’s a guy on first,” MacDougal said. Emilio Bonifacio and retired Chris inning two-run homer, his 23rd. Those Clippard pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. Inherited run- victories. Schlereth 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 6.17
ners-scored: Bergmann 1-0, MacDougal 2-0. IBB: off E.Vasquez 1 1 0 0 0 1 12 3.61
“I’m pitching to one. It doesn’t always Coghlan on another double-play were the only runs off J.D. Martin (4-4), J.Martin (Ha.Ramirez). HBP: by J.Martin (N.Johnson). Milwaukee (67-73) broke a Schoeneweis 1 0 0 0 1 0 13 7.84
work, but if there’s a guy at first base, I’m grounder. who went five innings. WP: Bergmann. Umpires: Home, Tim Welke; First, Jim three-game losing streak and D.Davis pitched to 4 batters in the 4th. Inherited run-
Reynolds; Second, Chad Fairchild; Third, Bill Welke. T:
trying to get them to hit a ground ball.” Dunn hit a two-run homer in the first Florida ace Josh Johnson failed in a bid 3:03. A: 15,247 (38,560). won for the only second time in ners-scored: Weathers 2-1, L.Rosales 3-0. Umpires:
Dan Uggla hit his 28th homer for the inning, his 37th. Zimmerman’s 29th for his 15th win, pitching only five seven games after scoring 10 Home, Chuck Meriwether; First, Laz Diaz; Second, Eric
Cooper; Third, Mike Reilly. T: 2:51. A: 19,945 (48,652).
Marlins to start the ninth. Cody Ross fol- homer came in the seventh. innings for the second game in a row. runs in its previous six.
lowed with a single and Ross Gload N.L. batting leader Hanley Ramirez — The Associated Press — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 31

As camps open, Rangers deal with Tort reform, Pens try to repeat
Training camps around the NHL start this weekend, but it’d be
harder to find a coach more eager to start working 8. Tavares makes his debut: The
No. 1 overall pick in the
2009 draft will
with his players than John Tortorella.
The Rangers’ head coach had to implement his be burdened by
system on the fly after he was hired to replace the high expectations
on Long Island
fired Tom Renney in February. And yes, New York
but the bigger
made the playoffs, but it still wasn’t a John Tor- challenge will be
torella team. adjusting to the
Craig Custance It will be soon, and he knows exactly what area of faster and
the team needs work. John Tavares
HOCKEY stronger players
“I’ve made no bones about it, I don’t think we’re a in the NHL. He says he’s prepared
stiff team mentally,” Tortorella said. “I think we for it. “I was playing with older
need to be a little bit tougher in that area in the mental parts and in kids my entire life,” Tavares said.
the preparation. Now we have a little time.” “I wasn’t the strongest, I had to
Should be a fun camp in New York. think the game.”
Here are 10 other issues to watch around the league as camps
open:
9. Picking up the tempo in Minny:
The Wild will be undergo-
ing a transformation that starts in

1. The Hangover: Last year, Detroit

head coach Mike Babcock
said he didn’t believe in the Stanley
distraction it becomes in Ottawa.

3. Edmonton’s new regime: The

Cup hangover. This year, he admit-
ted he was lying. “What am I
supposed to do, tell the guys before
camp they’re going to be tired and
worn out and it’s going to take every
ounce of energy they can possibly
bring to just even come to the rink?
No,” Babcock told SN Today. Now,
it’s the Penguins’ turn to deal with
the hangover and their defense of
the Stanley Cup could hinge on how
well they do it.
Oilers underachieved last
year, costing Craig MacTavish
his job. Not one, but two new
voices in Pat Quinn and Tom
Renney could be exactly what the
young team needs. The roster
wasn’t dramatically changed
over the summer, so any
improvement will have to come
because of the revamped coach-
ing staff.
4. Phil Kessel’s contract: Kes-
sel’s focus has reportedly
training camp. Jacques Lemaire
and his defense-first system is
now in New Jersey and new coach
Todd Richards plans on install-
ing an aggressive offense that
gives the players more freedom.
Early success could go a long way
in Minnesota. “You’re hoping
from success right off the start,”
JOHN DUNN / AP Richards said. “Then it’s an
The Rangers won 12 of 21 games under John Tortorella last season, but blew a 3-1 lead in their playoff series against Washington. easier sell.”
5. Back to normal in Chicago: Sum-
mer couldn’t end fast enough 6. Ilya Kovalchuk negotiations:
Thrashers G.M. Don 7. Sharks on the rebound: Every-
body is waiting for G.M. 10. Higher expectations in Los
Angeles: The Kings have
for the Blackhawks, who had to deal
with one negative story after the next.
Waddell expects to sit down with
Kovalchuk and his agent Jay
Doug Wilson to make that huge
move, like acquiring a Dany
been developing young talent
over the last couple seasons, but

2. The Dany Heatley saga: Heatley

was held out of Friday’s
team golf outing to prevent a
distraction. He’s demanded a
trade and Ottawa G.M. Bryan
Murray would love to honor the
request before camp opens, but
interested general managers know
this too. The longer the Heatley
situation drags out, the bigger
changed from getting a deal done
to signing an offer sheet with
another team. He’s a restricted
free agent who believes he’s
worth more than what the
Bruins, who are up against the
salary cap, can offer. Toronto is
interested in Kessel, and recently
reacquired the draft picks
required to make an offer sheet.
Marian Hossa, the big free agent
signing, underwent shoulder surgery
and is out until December. The
league also investigated the legality of
his contract. G.M. Dale Tallon was
fired and star forward Patrick Kane
was arrested for allegedly striking a
cab driver. If they can put the off-ice
issues behind them, this young team
will have a big season.
Grossman after camp opens in
hopes of finalizing a contract
extension. The talented Russian is
in the final year of his contract and
will be paid $7.5 million this
season. The sooner a new deal with
Kovalchuk is done, the better for
the Thrashers. The franchise
cannot afford to let another
high-end talent leave Atlanta.
Heatley, to revamp his roster before
the season starts. But there are
plenty of people around the league
who think the subtle changes on
San Jose’s third and fourth line that
Wilson made are all that is needed
to boost the Sharks. Either way, it
won’t be a comfortable training
camp for the players in San Jose,
which isn’t a bad thing.
G.M. Dean Lombardi added
veteran pieces in Ryan Smyth
and Rob Scuderi this summer,
making the message clear:
Rebuilding is over, now it’s time
to win. “My goal is to be a part of
another winning team,” said
Scuderi, who won the Cup with
Pittsburgh last season.
ccustance@sportingnews.com
SPORTING NEWS TODAY
Danton paroled, says father was target
Despite frenzied rumors about a three-way deal, Patrick Marleau wasn’t sweating about a reported trade to Los Angeles.
www.sportingnews.com NHL
INSIDE DISH
Former NHL player Mike Dan-
ton was granted full parole on
Friday, when he also revealed
that his father, not his agent,
was the intended target of a
failed murder plot.
In 2004, Danton pleaded
guilty for plotting to murder a
person prosecutors identified
as David Frost, Danton’s former
junior coach and agent. But
during Friday’s hearing, Dan-
ton revealed that it was his
father who was the target, not
Frost.
Danton said his relation-
ship with his parents, Steve
and Sue Jefferson, had grown
strained.
An exasperated Steve Jef-
ferson told TSN that he doesn’t
believe what his son said
Friday.
Danton was sentenced to
7½ years in jail, but was
determined to be low risk by
the National Parole Board.
The former Blues and Dev-
ils forward said he hopes to
return to hockey and has ben-
efited from his time in jail and
the therapy he received while
he was there.
As part of the conditions of
his release, Danton can have
no direct or indirect contact
with his father or Frost,
unless his parole officer
approves.
While the rest of the
CHRIS CARLSON / AP
hockey world was scrambling
to find out if reports that
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009
Patrick Marleau was shipped to
the Kings as part of a three-
team Dany Heatley trade were
true, Marleau wasn’t sweat-
ing it.
He knew the deal couldn’t
be done because he has a no-
trade clause and nobody
asked him to waive it.
“I got a lot of phone calls but
I was just going about my
business,” Marleau told the
San Jose Mercury News after an
informal skate on Friday
morning. “I can’t worry about
that other stuff … I know I’m
going to know before it’s in
the media.”
He said he plans on being
with the Sharks when they hit
the ice for the start of training
camp on Sunday.
The same can’t be said for
San Jose teammate Torrey
Mitchell.
Mitchell missed last season
because of leg injuries and
will be held out of he start of
camp because of lingering
tendonitis, the Mercury News
reported.
“Structurally everything’s
great and wonderful,” G.M.
Doug Wilson told the paper. “We
just don’t want any interrup-
tions as we go forward.”
With the retirement of Joe
Sakic over the summer, the
Colorado Avalanche were
searching for only their sec-
ond captain in Avs history.
On Friday, the team
32
announced that veteran
defenseman Adam Foote got the
job.
“I’m honored to be named
Avalanche captain,” Foote
said in a news release. “I’ve
been with this franchise for
the majority of my career and
I know what the standards
are here. I look forward to the
challenge of leading this
team.”
The 38-year-old is entering
his 18th season in the NHL
and has played 16 seasons
with the Nordiques/Ava-
lanche franchise. He has
played in more games than
any defenseman in franchise
history.
Tomas Vokoun is the early
favorite to start in goal for the
Czech Republic in the 2010
Winter Olympics, but he’ll
have competition from a
veteran.
Dominik Hasek, who has put
his retirement on hold to play
in the Czech Republic, is on
the list of 60 players the Czech
team is considering for its
Olympic roster, according to
CTVOlympics.ca.
The 44-year-old retired
from the Red Wings in 2008
but is one of eight goalies
expected to compete for a spot
on the Czech roser.
Other notables on the
60-player list include Jaromir
Jagr, Patrick Elias, Martin Havlat, Ales
Hemsky and Jiri Hudler.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Balsillie, NHL sweeten bids
PHOENIX—The fate of the flounder-
ing Phoenix Coyotes finally is in
the hands of a U.S. bankruptcy
judge after Canadian billionaire
Jim Balsillie and the NHL sweet-
ened their offers to buy the team at
the last minute.
Four months of often-bitter, com-
plex courtroom wrangling came to
an end on Friday with the auction.
Judge Redfield T. Baum is expected
to rule in the next week or two.
Even though the largest secured
creditor and the creditors commit-
tee both endorsed the league offer,
Balsillie expressed satisfaction at
this stage of his dogged attempt to
force his way into ownership of an
NHL team operating in Hamilton,
Ontario.
“All I was looking for was a level
playing field, a chance to really
have a fair shot at buying a team,”
Balsillie said in the triple-digit heat
outside the downtown courthouse.
“I think we got it here today and I
couldn’t be more appreciative of
this opportunity that I’ve been
looking for for a long, long time.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bett-
man said the league is “very com-
fortable with what we’ve presented
in the evidence that’s before the
court.”
“I know the judge is taking these
matters very seriously,” Bettman
said. “We’re obviously hopeful and
optimistic that he comes to the
result that we’ve been urging since
day one, which would be a vindica-
tion of the league’s rules and
procedures.”
Baum again raised the possibil-
ity of rejecting both bids. If that
happens, attorneys for the NHL
said, the league would seek court-
NHL
2009-10
TOP 60 FANTASY PLAYERS 124 PAGES OF TEAM PREVIEWS
NCAA PREVIEW 30 ENFORCERS TO FEAR
30 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES SN INSIDER LOWDOWN
ON SALE SEPTEMBER 1
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Cover: Sidney Crosby &
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Inset: Jeff Carter, PHI
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MATT YORK / AP
Jim Balsillie’s $242.5 million offer for the Coyotes dwarfs the league’s $140 million bid.
ordered control of the franchise best for the long-term viability of
and would look to sell the team. the franchise,” he said.
Balsillie, who withdrew the Sept. But the bid hinges on whether
ONLY
21 deadline he had set, offered the
city of Glendale $50 million free of
conditions to drop its objections to
the judge would take the unprece-
dented step of overruling the 26-0
vote by the NHL board of gover-
$ 7EACH
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the transfer of the franchise. nors rejecting the Canadian as an
The earlier offer, rejected by the owner. Baum also would have to
city, could have reduced that $50 approve relocation over the NHL’s REGION 1 REGION 2 REGION 4 REGION 5 REGION 6
Cover: Tim Thomas, BOS Cover: Chris Drury, NYR & Cover: Alex Ovechkin, WSH Cover: Cam Ward, CAR Cover: Ilya Kovalchuk, ATL
million through various factors. objection and set a relocation fee. Zach Parise, NJD Inset: J.P. Dumont, NSH Inset: Martin St. Louis, TBL
Inset: Derek Roy, BUF & David Booth, FLA
Glendale attorney William Bal- The NHL’s offer, which would
diga said Balsillie’s new offer keep the team in Glendale at least
would be considered by the city for now, remained at $140 million.
council at its meeting Tuesday. But But, for the first time, it provided
for now, he said, Glendale remains money to Coyotes owner Jerry
“enthusiastically” behind the NHL Moyes.
bid. Moyes and hockey great Wayne
Balsillie’s bid of $242.5 million, Gretzky, who coaches the team and
on the surface, dwarfs the $140 owns a small share of it, would
million offer by the NHL. have access to about $14 million
REGION 7 REGION 8 REGION 9 REGION 10 REGION 11 REGION 12
“I think it’s unambiguous that remaining in the estate, under the Cover: Patrick Kane, CHI & Cover: Mike Ribeiro, DAL Cover: Ryan Getzlaf, ANA Cover: Alex Burrows, VAN Cover: Andrei Markov, MTL Cover: Jason Blake, TOR
our offer is by far the best for credi- NHL’s estimate. Pavel Datsyuk, DET Inset: Brad Boyes, STL & Inset: Shane Doan, PHX & Inset: Sheldon Souray, EDM Inset: Jason Spezza, OTT
Inset: Niklas Backstrom, MIN Milan Hejduk, COL Joe Thornton, SJS & Jarome Iginla, CGY
tors, it’s the best for fans and is the — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
NHL countdown
19
BY CHUCK GORMLEY
Sporting News Yearbooks
The way the Sabres see it, a healthy Ryan
Miller in goal would have been the differ-
ence between getting into last season’s play-
offs and falling two points short.
They also surmise that if Thomas Vanek
and Tim Connolly stay off the injured list
this season, they will end their two-year
streak of finishing 10th in the Eastern
Conference.
Perhaps that’s why they were so quiet in
the offseason, only replacing reliable defen-
seman Jaroslav Spacek with the less expen-
sive and less talented Steve Montador,
coaxing free-agent defenseman Joe DiPenta
to flee Sweden and bringing rugged for-
ward Mike Grier back to Buffalo.
If Sabres fans were not impressed with
general manager Darcy Regier’s summer
game plan, they can take solace knowing
the club didn’t lose any star players like in
past years, when Danny Briere, Chris
Drury and Brian Campbell all left for fatter
paychecks.
It can be argued that while division rivals
Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal became bet-
ter in the offseason, the Sabres stayed the
same. And indeed the only significant
changes were a minor ones.
When Spacek rejected a one-year offer in
the $3 million range, the Sabres signed
Montador. At 29, Montador is six years
younger than Spacek and should provide
more grit.
“We think there’s still an upside to his
game,” Regier said. “And knowing that we
were going to lose Jaro, we felt we needed to
bring someone in with grittiness and tough-
ness. It’s an added dimension for us.”
Offensively, the loss of Spacek leaves the
NHL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 34
Numbers
Every day in September leading
BUFFALO SABRES CATEGORY TEAM STATS RANKS
into the October 1 season openers,
Goals per game 2.95 12t
Sporting News Today will preview 2008-09 record: 41-32-9, 91 points Penalty kill percentage 81.85 14
each of the NHL teams, counting Last Playoff: 2007 (lost in conference championship) Power play goals 75 4
backward from its July 24 Power Poll. Coach: Lindy Ruff Power play percentage 20.95 7
Saves 2346 8
Save percentage .911 7
Sabres without a power-play quarterback. Shorthanded goals for 7 16t
Montador netted four goals and 17 assists in Shots against per game 31.40 22
78 games with Anaheim and Boston last Shots per game 30.55 10
season. Shutouts 5 15
The addition of DiPenta hardly qualifies Total points 658 14
as earth-shattering. The veteran has 174 Faceoff percentage .474 28
career NHL games to his credit with Goals against per game 2.79 14
Atlanta and Anaheim and was part of the
Power play opportuni-
Ducks’ Stanley Cup run in 2007. 358 7t
ties
On the back end, the Sabres have some Shorthanded goals
steady veteran defensemen in Craig Rivet, 5 22t
against
Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder. And Times shut out 4 18t
with Montador now joining that group, the
door may be open for top prospect Tyler Offseason moves
Myers’ NHL debut.
At 6-7 and 210 pounds, Myers is a star- Additions
in-the-making. Joe DiPenta, D, (Sweden); Mike Grier, RW (Sharks);
Taken with the 12th pick in 2008, he Steve Montador, D (Bruins).
dominated the WHL last season and was
voted MVP of the WHL playoffs. The Subtractions
Sabres will be cautious not to give Myers Mathieu Darche, LW (Canadiens); Michael Funk, D
too much too soon, but a strong training (Canucks); Ales Kotalik, RW (Rangers); Colin Murphy,
camp could land him on their opening- LW (Europe); Jaroslav Spacek, D (Canadiens).
night roster.
If Myers isn’t ready, the Sabres have two
other young defensemen ready to take the
fifth and sixth spots.
Andrej Sekera, 23, has impressive offen- MacArthur (31), Paul Gaustad (29), Jochen
sive skills, but struggled last season with a Hecht (27) and Daniel Paille (27), but they
team-worst minus-11 rating. are hoping all five can boost their scoring
Chris Butler was a little more consistent DAVID DUPREY / AP totals from a year ago.
in his rookie year with a plus-11, but is Provided that Ryan Miller doesn’t miss significant time with injuries, the Sabres believe they will be playoff-bound. Buffalo also showed faith in forward
expected to feel some heat from 21-year-old Matt Ellis, signing him to a one-year deal
blue liner Mike Weber, who sat out the sec- The key to reaching the playoffs could be jaw but still managed 40 goals and has 119 after he netted seven goals and five assists
ond half of with a shoulder injury that the fragile Connolly. over the past three years. in 45 games.
required surgery. Weber is a stay-at-home The star-crossed center has missed 68 Center Derek Roy (70 points) and right The Sabres stood pat on their goaltending
defender who played 59 games in the AHL games over the past two seasons with groin, winger Jason Pominville (66) benefited and are banking on Miller to rebound from
with Rochester last season. hip and back injuries, and sat out 80 games from additional ice time last year, while the ankle injury that sidelined him for five
Up front, the Sabres look much as they with concussion issues three years ago. right wing Drew Stafford emerged as a weeks.
did at the end of last season—with the When healthy, Connolly is capable of scoring threat with 20 goals. — For much more on the Sabres, purchase a copy of Sporting News
exception of the added toughness and lead- scoring 30 goals and 80 points. The Sabres have solid secondary scoring Hockey ’09-10 yearbook by calling 1-800-380-7404. Or order it online
ership Grier will bring. Vanek missed nine games with a broken with Dominic Moore (45 points), Clarke at sportingnews.com or streetandsmiths.com
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Bucks won’t match T-wolves’ offer for Sessions
The Bucks will not match the
Timberwolves’ four-year, $16.4 mil-
lion offer for restricted free agent G
Ramon Sessions, the Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel reported.
Minnesota moved to sign Ses-
sions after PG Ricky Rubio opted to
stay in Spain last week. Had the
Bucks matched the offer, it would
have put the team over the NBA’s
luxury tax level.
“I think Milwaukee wanted to
move on with their salary struc-
ture,” Sessions’ agent, James “Chubby”
Wells, told the Journal Sentinel. “It
wouldn’t have been a problem to go
back to Milwaukee.”
Sessions, who averaged 12.4
points and 5.7 assists in Milwaukee
last season, could start in the Tim-
berwolves’ backcourt with rookie
PG Jonny Flynn.
For the Bucks, rookie PG Brandon
Jennings will have the opportunity to
get plenty of playing time.
William “Skipper” Beck, a North
Carolina businessman who was a
co-owner of the Bobcats, died in a
single-engine plane crash Friday
morning.
The crash occurred at an airport
in South Carolina just across the
state line from Charlotte. The York
County coroner and the Federal
Aviation Administration say Beck
was the only person aboard the Cir-
rus SR22.
Witnesses say the plane returned
shortly after take off but crashed as
it tried to land and caught fire.
Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson
issued a statement saying that Beck
was instrumental in bringing the
NBA / College Basketball
NBA
INSIDE DISH
DARREN HAUCK / AP
Ramon Sessions (7) could start in Minnesota’s backcourt with Jonny Flynn.
NBA team to the area. invitation, according to The Boston
Globe. Dickau could be a third point
PF Kevin Garnett, still recovering guard behind Rajon Rondo and Mar-
from knee surgery in May, began quis Daniels.
working out at the Celtics’ practice
facility Monday, but for now he is The Clippers re-signed
limited to court drills that include restricted free agent F Steve Novak,
shooting and running, Yahoo! the team announced Friday. Novak
Sports reported. The team is hop- averaged 6.9 points and 16.4 min-
ing he’ll be cleared for full-court utes in 71 games last season, his
scrimmaging about a week before third in the NBA. He shot 41.6 per-
the start of training camp at the end cent from 3-point range.
of the month.
“We’re looking for him to be there Spurs SG Tony Parker had 13
at the end of the season, not just the points and three assists as France
start of the season,” Celtics general beat Macedonia 83-57 in the Euro-
manager Danny Ainge said of the pean championship tournament.
team’s cautious approach. “We’re Blazers SF Nicolas Batum also scored
getting him ready for training camp 13 points for France. In other games
and looking forward to him being Friday, Greece beat Germany 84-76
healthy in the playoffs. He looks and Russia beat Croatia 62-59. With
good. Really good.” their wins, France and Greece are
In other Celtics news, the team guaranteed spots in the
offered G Dan Dickau a training camp quarterfinals.
Oklahoma State extends Ford’s contract
Oklahoma State regents on Fri-
day gave coach Travis Ford a four-
year contract extension designed
to keep him at the Cowboys’ helm
through the 2018-19 season.
Regents approved the new
10-year contract during a meeting
in Stillwater. The deal calls for
Ford to receive $1.8 million for the
upcoming season and then receive
incremental raises that would
push his compensation to $2.8
million over the final four years of
the contract.
The seven-year deal Ford signed
upon being hired last year called
for him to make about $900,000
in his first year. The Cowboys
went 23-12 in his first season,
returning to the NCAA Tourna-
ment for the first time since 2005.
They beat Tennessee before los-
ing to top-seeded Pittsburgh.
Kentucky reported a second-
ary rules violation to the NCAA
involving a former program assis-
tant, a source close to the Wildcats
told Sporting News Today.
In early July, Bilal Batley visited
the UK practice gym to speak
with a player regarding an aca-
demic matter, the source said.
While there, he was seen gather-
ing rebounds for one of the play-
ers. The university determined it
should be turned into the NCAA
as a secondary violation.
An Oklahoma graduate, Batley
worked several years at John Lucas’
training center in Houston and
joined John Calipari’s staff at Mem-
phis last fall. He resigned his Ken-
tucky position last week to return
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
INSIDE DISH
SUE OGROCKI / AP
Travis Ford will receive a hefty raise.
home to Houston because of a
family illness, the source said.
— Mike DeCourcy
The chancellor of the Univer-
sity of Arkansas gave unqualified
support Friday to coach John Pel-
phrey, calling him the man who is
“going to turn it around” after
police investigated three players
over an alleged rape.
Chancellor David Gearhart told
The Associated Press he will
remain in daily contact with ath-
letic director Jeff Long and Pel-
phrey as they weigh potential
disciplinary action over the Aug.
27 incident at the Phi Gamma
Delta fraternity house.
An 18-year-old freshman
named three basketball players in
the rape complaint, saying one
forced her to commit a sex act and
another began a sex act with her a
short time later in a locked bed-
room at the fraternity house.
Prosecutor John Threet said
Wednesday that he wouldn’t file
charges in the case, saying the
investigation didn’t show that the
woman was unaware a sex act
35
occurred or that she was unable
to say no. The woman acknowl-
edged drinking five shots of
vodka at a party, though several
witnesses told investigators she
appeared to be lucid and able to
walk without stumbling.
Mississippi State’s Renardo
Sidney has been declared “non-
certified” by the NCAA, but that
doesn’t mean the saga is over for
the highly touted 6-10 freshman.
The NCAA will revisit his eligi-
bility case if Sidney’s family
makes available documents the
NCAA has requested while
reviewing his amateur status. The
player’s family and his attorney
have refused to send bank records
and certain tax return documents
they say are private.
Because the NCAA has not
received the documents, Sidney
has been declared “non-certified
due to non-response,” according
to the AP.
While the switch of the status
from “under review” to “non-cer-
tified” doesn’t represent a dramatic
change in the general tenets of the
case, it’s a technical step that moves
Jackson one step closer to seeking
a court injunction to attempt to put
the Jackson native on the floor this
season for the Bulldogs.
Memphis sophomore Angel
Garcia tore his right anterior cruci-
ate and will miss the upcoming
season, leaving the Tigers with
just eight scholarship players.
Tigers coach Josh Pastner
announced the injury Friday.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Where: Richmond (Va.) International Raceway
When: Tonight, 7:30 ET
TV: ABC, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN/Sirius Satellite Ch. 128
Track layout: .75-mile oval
Race distance: 400 laps/300 miles
Estimated pit window: 85-95 laps
2008 winner: Jimmie Johnson
2008 polesitter: Kyle Busch
Tonight’s starting lineup
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 126.808 mph
2. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 126.731
3. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 126.630
4. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 126.541
5. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 126.452
6. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 126.251
7. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 125.992
8. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 125.962
9. (09) Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, 125.921
10. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 125.786
11. (43) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 125.769
12. (12) David Stremme, Dodge, 125.763
13. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 125.581
14. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 125.570
15. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 125.564
16. (47) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, 125.552
17. (44) A J Allmendinger, Dodge, 125.506
18. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 125.482
19. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 125.476
20. (82) Scott Speed, Toyota, 125.418
21. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 125.331
22. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 125.290
23. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 125.174
24. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 125.156
25. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 125.139
26. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 124.954
27. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 124.780
28. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 124.694
29. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 124.625
30. (7) David Gilliland, Toyota, 124.522
31. (71) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 124.458
32. (66) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 124.372
33. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 124.218
34. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 123.967
35. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 123.944
36. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 123.893
37. (96) Bobby Labonte, Ford, 123.694
38. (07) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 123.683
39. (34) John Andretti, Chevrolet, 123.581
40. (55) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 123.446
41. (36) Michael McDowell, Toyota, 123.125
42. (98) Paul Menard, Ford, 123.080
43. (13) Max Papis, Toyota, 122.772.
Failed to qualify
44. (37) Tony Raines, Dodge, 122.039
Martin helps Chase cause with pole run
BY REID SPENCER
rspencer@sportingnews.com
RICHMOND, VA.—If Mark Mar-
tin is to lock himself into the
Chase for the NASCAR Sprint
Cup, he’s in the best position to
do so—with the rest of the field
in his rearview mirror.
With a lap at 126.808 mph
(21.292 seconds), Martin
claimed his sixth—and proba-
bly most important—pole of the
season Friday at Richmond
International Raceway. Cur-
rently 10th in the Cup stand-
ings, with a 69-point lead over
13th-place Brian Vickers, Mar-
tin will lead the field to the
green flag in tonight’s Chevy
Rock & Roll 400.
Martin edged Martin Truex
Jr. (126.731 mph) for the top
spot. Virginian Denny Hamlin
(126.630 mph) qualified third,
followed by Jimmie Johnson
(126.541 mph) and Kasey
Kahne (126.452 mph). Vickers,
Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch (14th
in points and 37 behind 12th-
place Matt Kenseth), Brad Kes-
elowski and Carl Edwards will
start from the sixth through
10th spots, respectively.
“This is awesome,” said Mar-
tin, who earned a head start on
securing one of the 12 Chase
positions. “The car’s great in
race trim, too. We had a pretty
good car in Atlanta (last week),
and I went out and qualified,
and I felt a lot of pressure to not
mess up. So when qualifying
was over, I felt I had been a tad
conservative.
“(Friday), when I went out to
qualify, I had the confidence in
the car from practice, and I
NASCAR
Mark Martin’s run at Richmond gave him his sixth pole position of 2009.
knew what was riding on it,
and I felt like it was worth the
risk to go out there and try to
get it all. … I’ll rest easy until
(tonight). It was a little better
than I expected.”
While “bubble” drivers Mar-
tin, Kahne, Vickers, Busch and
Juan Pablo Montoya (14th)
positioned themselves advan-
tageously with respect to the
Chase, Greg Biffle (11th in
points, 68 ahead of Vickers)
and Kenseth (12th and 20
points to the good) have work
to do. The Roush Fenway team-
mates qualified 24th and 28th,
STEVE HELBER / AP
respectively.
“We’re going to be in the
back, so it’s going to take us a
while,” Biffle said after his
qualifying run. “We were just
way too tight, and I don’t know
why, because it was a little bit
loose in practice qualifying.
Normally, it’s loose here, or it
tends to loosen up, but it was
just too tight.”
Notes: Tony Raines was the
only driver failing to qualify
for the race. … Series leader
Tony Stewart will start 29th.
— Reid Spencer writes for the Sporting News
NASCAR Wire Service
Kurt Busch confirms Tryson’s departure
Kurt Busch, left, will have a new crew chief for his No. 2 next season with Pat Tryson leaving.
BY REID SPENCER
rspencer@sportingnews.com
RICHMOND, VA.—Kurt Busch con-
firmed Friday at Richmond Inter-
national Raceway that crew chief
Pat Tryson, who has been with the
No. 2 Penske Racing Dodge team
since July 2007, would leave the
organization at the end of the
season.
“Yeah, it’s a change that’s going to
happen,” Busch acknowledged.
“It’s unfortunate that Pat made that
type of decision. It seems like our
focus should be on the Chase (for
the NASCAR Sprint Cup), so it’s a
tough week for that type of news.
“That’s really where my focus is.
No matter who I’m working with or
communicating with, we have to
get the Miller Lite Dodge in the
Chase and get off to a great start
once we do that.”
Michael Waltrip Racing is
expected to announce next week
that Tryson will join that organiza-
tion as crew chief for the No. 56
Toyota driven by Martin Truex Jr.
next year.
Tryson declined to comment on
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 36
DAVID BOE / AP
the reports. Truex also refused to
confirm that Tryson will be his
crew chief next year.
“The timing isn’t all that good,
but it never is any good when you
want to change directions in life,”
Busch said, when asked whether he
was angry at Tryson for the timing
of his crew chief’s decision. “I did
that in 2005 at Roush Racing.
There’s never really a good time to
bring things up, but I can’t be dis-
appointed in Pat or upset with Pat.
“The way that we’ve had a great
run together, and the way that he
turned our program around in
2007, it helped put him back on the
map, too, so to speak.”
The addition of Tryson to the
team kick-started Busch’s program
in 2007. In the nine races after Try-
son’s installation as crew chief,
Busch finished no worse than 11th
and won twice, at Pocono and
Michigan.
Busch went on to qualify for the
Chase that season, and after a fin-
ishing 18th last year, he can lock up
a Chase spot this year with a finish
of 20th or better in tonight’s Chevy
Rock & Roll 400.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com
Fast pit stop keys Edwards’ Nationwide win
BY REID SPENCER
rspencer@sportingnews.com
RICHMOND, VA.—Carl Edwards
won the race off pit road on Lap
227. Then he won the race.
After his crew got his No. 60
Ford off pit road in the top spot
under caution, Edwards ran
away from Kevin Harvick over
the final 20-lap green-flag run
and won the Virginia 529 Col-
lege Savings 250 Friday night at
Richmond International
Raceway.
Because of an ignition prob-
lem in qualifying, Edwards
started from the rear of the field
under a penalty for adjustments
outside of impound. For the
third time this season, Edwards
won a race after starting from
the back. The win was Edwards’
fourth in the Nationwide Series
this season and the 24th of his
career, tying him with Tommy
NASCAR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 37
Team orders a hot topic at Richmond
Houston for sixth all-time. Martin Truex Jr., Trevor Bayne, him to 17th at the finish. With a background in
Because he broke two bones Justin Allgaier, Steve Wallace Two slow pit stops—due to Formula One racing, where
in his right foot playing Frisbee and Scott Speed completed the lug-nut problems with the front team orders aren’t unusual,
before last week’s Atlanta race, top 10. tires—hampered Hamlin’s Juan Pablo Montoya said he
he couldn’t do his characteristic Polesitter Denny Hamlin led efforts. wouldn’t be surprised if
victory back flip, but he savored a race-high 101 laps, but a suc- — Reid Spencer writes for the Sporting News teammates helped each
the win nonetheless. Second in cession of problems dropped NASCAR Wire Service other in tonight’s Chevy
the Nationwide standings, Rock & Roll 400 at Rich-
Edwards trimmed the lead of Virginia 529 College Savings 250 results mond International Race-
third-place finisher Kyle Busch FIN ST CAR DRIVER MAKE PTS LAPS way, if giving up a position
to 201 points. 1 39 60 Carl Edwards Ford 190 250 might help a driver make
“My guys were the one tonight 2 18 33 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 175 250 the Chase for the NASCAR
that made this one happen,” 3 2 18 Kyle Busch Toyota 170 250 Sprint Cup. STEVE HELBER / AP
Edwards said. “That was a 4 5 88 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet 165 250 “I’ll give an example,” Juan Montoya, center, is sure to make the Chase if he finishes 18th or better.
great pit stop. “We’re trying to 5 15 32 David Reutimann Toyota 160 250 Montoya said. “If Kyle Busch
catch Kyle, and we needed a run 6 6 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet 150 250 (who is 14th in the stand- the situation, it’s not been With RPM’s move from
like this to do it. (Crew chief) 7 9 11 Trevor Bayne Toyota 146 250 ings) needs to go by (Denny) discussed or even consid- Dodge to Ford, Dodge is
Dan Stillman and all these guys
8 19 12 Justin Allgaier Dodge 142 250
Hamlin (who is locked into ered,” Johnson said. down to one team, Penske
did it for me tonight. the Chase), and Hamlin is Racing, which fields three
9 29 66 Steve Wallace Chevrolet 138 250
“We were probably going to winning the race and if Kyle The last time Kasey Kahne cars in the Cup series and
10 8 99 Scott Speed Toyota 134 250
run second, but that pit stop needs to win the race and changed manufacturers, has enjoyed the lion’s share
was what got me to victory get into the Chase, you the fallout was contentious. of support from the car
lane.”
MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com would think they are going Ford sued the Richard Petty maker.
Results: sportingnews.com/nascar/article/2009-09-11/virginia-529-college-savings-250-results
Brad Keselowski ran fourth, to tell Denny to get out of the Motorsports driver for “Dodge has enjoyed a suc-
followed by David Reutimann. Standings: sportingnews.com/nascar/nncs_standings gas to help his teammate, breach of contract in 2004, cessful partnership with
wouldn’t you? I guarantee after Kahne agreed to drive Richard Petty and Richard
you that’s been talked in the Dodges for Evernham Petty Motorsports,” Dodge

Sauter likes direction of his team Copart 200

BY TIM TUTTLE
For SN Today
Johnny Sauter, a veteran of the Nation-
wide and Sprint Cup series, recognized
there would be an adjustment period in his
first full season in the Camping World
Truck Series. What he didn’t completely
grasp was its degree of difficulty.
“You don’t realize how competitive it is
until you get here,” Sauter said. “It’s opened
my eyes.”
Back-to-back fifth-place finishes going
into today’s Copart 200 at Gateway Interna-
tional Raceway, show the significant prog-
ress Sauter and his No. 13 ThorSport Racing
team have made in understanding what it
takes to run at the front.
“We’re starting to round the corner week
team. It would be crazy if
they haven’t.”
Motorsports, the first incar-
nation of what is now RPM.
president and CEO Mike Acca-
vitti said in a statement
in and week out, and I’m pretty excited at Gateway International Hamlin said he’s be happy A federal judge dismissed released Friday. “Richard
about that,” Sauter said. “We’re making a Raceway; Madison, Ill. to help Busch, but not if it the suit. has made a business deci-
push to finish the season pretty damn When: Today, 2:30 p.m. ET meant giving up a win. With the announcement sion to merge with Yates
TV: Speed, 2 p.m. ET “Not a win,” said Hamlin, that RPM will merge with Racing. We wish Richard
strong.” Radio: MRN/Sirius Satellite Ch.
Joe Shear Jr. has been Sauter’s crew chief a Virginian who would Yates Racing and run Fords and RPM luck the rest of the
128
for the past two races and he has made a Track layout: 1.25-mile oval cherish a victory at Rich- next year, Kahne is ready to season and in the future.
contribution, but Sauter says there are “a Race distance: 160 laps/200 mond more than any other. bury the hatchet. “Dodge’s plan—to be a
million reasons” he’s running stronger on a miles “I’d give him second if I was “Obviously I left Ford— championship contender in
Qualifying: Today, 11:05 a.m. ET second, but not a win.” we went through that whole 2010 with Penske Racing
more consistent basis. Sauter has seven top 2008 winner: Ron Hornaday Jr.
10s this season, and three have been in the Jimmie Johnson says the sub- lawsuit—I wasn’t a big fan, and a solid lineup of driv-
2008 polesitter: Dennis Setzer
past four races. Points leaders: 1. Ron Hornaday ject of team orders hasn’t and they weren’t a big fan of ers—has not changed. We
“We finally got the trucks where we want Jr., 2,753; 2. Matt Crafton, 2,528; 3. come up at Hendrick Motor- me,” Kahne said. “Time remain firmly focused on
them for a lot of places,” Sauter said. “We’ve Mike Skinner, 2,472; 4. Brian Scott, sports, where Mark Martin heals, and I think some of our objectives to be the lead-
2,292; 5. Todd Bodine, 2,275; 6. (10th in points) is fighting those (Ford) people are gone ing manufacturer in the
jelled as a team, the guys, myself, our pit Colin Braun, 2,261; 7. David Starr,
stops. The whole package came together. for one of the 12 Chase that caused all that. They NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,
2,195; 8. Rick Crawford, 2,163; 9.
The crew chief change has helped a little, Timothy Peters, 2,156; 10. Terry positions. have new people there. win races and compete for
too.” Cook, 2,145. “I just know in the experi- “Ford is really excited, the Sprint Cup at the right
Sauter has moved up to a season-high 12th ence I’ve had at Hendrick and I can work through level.”
in points. Motorsports, regardless of things.” — Compiled by Reid Spencer
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Tennis SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 38
U.S. OPEN
Glance
A look at Friday’s play at the $21.6 million U.S. Open tennis

Open play pushed back by weather championships:

TODAY ON TV (All Times EDT): CBS, Noon-6 p.m.,

NEW YORK—Rafael Nadal stepped out of
the players’ cafeteria at the U.S. Open a
little before 3 p.m. Friday and pressed his
face against a window, cupping his hands
around his eyes as he scanned the soaked
tournament grounds.
Yep, it was still pouring.
And he, like everyone else, was still
waiting.
Rain threw the U.S. Open into disarray
for the second consecutive year, meaning
both singles finals will be pushed back
again, and the tournament will end Mon-
day at the earliest.
“There are some unknowns here,” U.S.
Tennis Association spokesman Chris
Widmaier said.
A mix of showers and mist forced post-
ponement of all of Friday’s three sched-
uled singles matches. That included
six-time major champion Nadal’s quar-
terfinal against No. 11-seeded Fernando
Gonzalez, a match already suspended
Thursday night because of showers after
Nadal won the first set in a tiebreaker and
led 3-2 in the second-set tiebreaker.
Also delayed: The two women’s semifi-
nals, one between defending champion
Serena Williams and 2005 champion
Kim Clijsters, the other between a pair of
19-year-olds never before this far at a
Grand Slam tournament, Caroline
Wozniacki and Yanina Wickmayer.
“They canceled my match for today! U
all have to wait until tomorrow!! (I have to
wait too) I love u all for sticking around to
watch!! Xxx S,” Williams wrote on her
Twitter feed.
Those three matches were all rescheduled
for today, when the forecast again calls for
rain. Today’s new schedule was set to have
Nadal-Gonzalez begin at noon, followed by
Wozniacki-Wickmayer, with Williams-Cli-
jsters slated to start after 8 p.m.
Workers spent a lot of Friday using squeegees to try to dry the court in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Assuming the women’s semifinals can
be completed today, that final will be
moved to Sunday. Organizers were still
trying to iron out all the details, including
determining where matches will be aired
on TV.
If Nadal-Gonzalez finishes today, the
men’s semifinals will be Sunday. The
Nadal-Gonzalez winner meets No.
6-seeded Juan Martin del Potro, and five-
time defending champion Roger Federer
faces No. 4 Novak Djokovic.
The men’s final then would be moved
from Sunday to Monday. Last year, the
U.S. Open men’s final was played on a
Monday for the first time since 1987.
There is no roof on any court at Flush-
ing Meadows, although studies have been
done to check on the feasibility of adding
DARRON CUMMINGS / AP
one to Arthur Ashe Stadium. There is a
new $60 million indoor facility on the
grounds, but that is used only for practice
during the tournament.
Wimbledon put a retractable roof over
Centre Court for this year’s tournament—
when the weather was so nice, only parts
of two matches were played indoors—
while the Australian Open has retract-
able roofs over its two main courts and
plans to cover a third.
The French Open intends to have a roof
over its center court within the next sev-
eral years.
The players dealt with Friday’s delays
in various ways. Wozniacki spent some
time practicing indoors, then stopped by
the cafeteria, then wandered the hallways
of Ashe.
Clijsters plunked herself down on the
arm of a couch in the players’ lounge,
chatting with pals.
“That’s tennis. That’s life,” said Cli-
jsters, who returned to the tour last month
after a 2½-year retirement. “It’s nothing
new. I’d rather be waiting here than sit-
ting at home.”
Williams knows a thing or two about
this sort of situation: Her victory over Jel-
ena Jankovic in the 2008 U.S. Open final
came on Sunday.
What was her father, who also serves
as her coach, saying to Williams on
Friday?
“Telling her to just make sure she stays
relaxed. Stay calm. Don’t get anxious. Just
remember the things we worked on. Take
a nap. Try to eat something. Do a little
stretching where you don’t get too stiff,”
Richard Williams said. “And keep your
mind on when the time comes for you to
go out and play, so you’re ready to go.”
All of Friday’s three matches were
originally to be played in Arthur Ashe
Stadium, one after the other, starting at
12:30 p.m.
One indication of the general state of
disorder, though: At 12:30 p.m., with a
drizzle falling, a message on the main
video screen outside the main arena
alerted ticket-holders, “First match in
Arthur Ashe Stadium scheduled for 1:00
p.m. Thank you for your patience.” Yet a
smaller board to the side said: “First
match in Arthur Ashe Stadium sched-
uled for 2:00 p.m.”
Organizers decided to try to spread out
the matches, leaving Williams-Clijsters
on Ashe, while moving Nadal-Gonzalez
and Wozniacki-Wickmayer to other
courts. All were to start simultaneously,
weather permitting.
— The Associated Press
8-10 p.m.
WEATHER: Light but persistent rain throughout the
day postponed all matches. Cool and windy. High of 67.
ATTENDANCE: NA.
WINNERS & LOSERS: No matches were played.
TOP PLAYERS ON COURT TODAY: Men’s
Quarterfinal: No. 3 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 11 Fernando
Gonzalez in the completion of a match that began on
Thursday. Women’s Semifinals: No. 3 Serena Williams
vs. Kim Clijsters, No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki vs. Yanina
Wickmayer.
STAT OF THE DAY: All 27 matches scheduled for
Friday were postponed by rain.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There are some unknowns
here.” — U.S. Open spokesman Chris Widmaier, on
scheduling for the remainder of the tournament where
rain washed out play on Friday and is in the forecast for
Saturday.
ON THIS DATE: Sept. 12, 2004: Roger Federer wins his
first U.S. Open men’s singles title, routing Lleyton Hewitt
6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-0.
U.S. Open show court schedules
Today
At The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
New York
All Times EDT
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Play begins at Noon
Men’s Quarterfinal: Rafael Nadal (3), Spain, vs. Fernando
Gonzalez (11), Chile, comp. of susp. match
Men’s Doubles Championship: Lukas Dlouhy, Czech Republic,
and Leander Paes (4), India, vs. Mahesh Bhupathi, India, and Mark
Knowles (3), Bahamas
Women’s Semifinal: Yanina Wickmayer, Belgium, vs. Caroline
Wozniacki (9),
Denmark
Not before 8 p.m.
Women’s Semifinal: Kim Clijsters, Belgium, vs. Serena Williams
(2), United States
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Golf SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 39
Leaderboard
Old foes Woods, Wilson make climb to the top Friday
At Cog Hill Golf and Country Club
Dubsdread Course, Lemont, Ill.
Purse: $7.5 million
Yardage: 7,616; Par: 71
LEMONT, ILL.—Tiger Woods and Second Round
Mark Wilson were in a tie for the
lead Friday at the BMW Champion-
BMW Championship Mark Wilson
Tiger Woods
69-66
68-67
—
—
135
135
-7
-7
Padraig Harrington 68-68 — 136 -6
ship, two players who have every Site: Lemont, Ill. Rory Sabbatini 66-70 — 136 -6
reason to feel right at home at Cog Schedule: Through Sunday Bo Van Pelt 67-69 — 136 -6
Course: Cog Hill Golf and Country Marc Leishman 67-69 — 136 -6
Hill. Bubba Watson 69-68 — 137 -5
One practices here all the time. club, Dubsdread Course (7,616 yards, Brandt Snedeker 69-69 — 138 -4
par 71). Sean O’Hair 70-68 — 138 -4
The other seems to win here all the Purse: $7.5 million. Winner’s share: Zach Johnson 73-65 — 138 -4
time. John Rollins 73-65 — 138 -4
$1.35 million. Anthony Kim 69-69 — 138 -4
Woods made two solid par saves TV: NBC (Today, 3-6 p.m.; Sunday, 2-6 Matt Kuchar 71-68 — 139 -3
from deep bunkers early in his p.m.). Bill Haas 71-68 — 139 -3
Luke Donald 70-69 — 139 -3
round, ran off three straight birdies Sergio Garcia 71-68 — 139 -3
at the turn and cashed in on enough David Toms 68-71 — 139 -3
Heath Slocum 70-69 — 139 -3
good shots for a 4-under 67 to put carry it back to the hole. I knew I Jim Furyk 70-70 — 140 -2
him atop the leaderboard for the first could never hit the ball past the flag Phil Mickelson 71-69 — 140 -2
Chad Campbell 70-70 — 140 -2
time since the PGA Championship. in the air with that club, so I went John Senden 70-70 — 140 -2
Woods is a four-time winner at ahead and took the chance of throw- Ian Poulter 69-71 — 140 -2
Jeff Overton 72-68 — 140 -2
Cog Hill, including his most recent ing the ball up in the air.” Mike Weir 72-69 — 141 -1
Nick Watney 70-71 — 141 -1
appearance two years ago in the He added another bunker save on Charles Howell III 69-72 — 141 -1
BMW Championship the 13th, and final birdie on the 17th Geoff Ogilvy 68-73 — 141 -1
Brian Davis 71-70 — 141 -1
Wilson, who birdied his final hole with an approach to 4 feet. Dustin Johnson 69-73 — 142 E
for a 5-under 66, moved to Chicago Wilson was one of only three play- Justin Leonard 73-69 — 142 E
Kevin Sutherland 75-67 — 142 E
about five years ago and was looking ers in the 68-man field to make birdie Ernie Els 75-67 — 142 E
for a place to practice when Frank on the par-3 second hole, where the Camilo Villegas 68-74 — 142 E
Ryan Moore 71-72 — 143 +1
Jemsek gave him carte blanche at green was so firm that some balls Steve Marino 66-77 — 143 +1
Cog Hill. Wilson now spends most even landing in the front would roll Fredrik Jacobson 72-71 — 143 +1
Bryce Molder 70-73 — 143 +1
of his time on this public golf course off the green and into a bunker. Pat Perez 72-71 — 143 +1
in the Chicago suburbs. “It must have carried just over in Stephen Ames 76-67 — 143 +1
Kevin Na 72-72 — 144 +2
“This summer when I’ve been NAM Y. HUH / AP the rough and got a nice hop up there Retief Goosen 72-72 — 144 +2
home, I’ve been primarily coming Tiger Woods has won four times at Cog Hill, including his last appearance in 2007 in the BMW Championship. about 6 feet, which I think is proba- Charlie Wi 71-73 — 144 +2
Webb Simpson 70-74 — 144 +2
out here because I thought it made bly the only way you can keep it John Mallinger 68-76 — 144 +2
sense to get ready to see the new golf tournament in which two dozen Australia, who overcame a rugged No. 7, and a risky decision that paid short on that hole,” Wilson said. “So Jason Day 71-73 — 144 +2
Charley Hoffman 73-71 — 144 +2
course,” said Wilson, alluding to the players were separated by five start with four straight birdies and off on the next hole. With only 133 that was a nice break.” Jason Dufner 74-70 — 144 +2
Rees Jones renovation. shots. ended up with a 69. yards to an uphill green with the Woods and Harrington are among Brian Gay 73-71 — 144 +2
Ben Crane 75-69 — 144 +2
They were at 7-under 135, and will Padraig Harrington, a familiar Woods got off to a bad start when hole location to the back right, the top six players assured a trip to Scott Verplank 70-75 — 145 +3
play as a twosome for the first time name atop the leaderboard over the he hooked his 3-wood into the face of Woods decided to take one extra East Lake in two weeks for the Jason Bohn 71-74 — 145 +3
Steve Stricker 72-73 — 145 +3
since their championship match in last two months, was poised to join a deep bunker, forcing him to blast club to fly it long and hope to have it FedEx Cup finale at the Tour Cham- Stewart Cink 72-74 — 146 +4
the 1992 U.S. Junior Amateur in them until his tee shot on the 18th out to the fairway and setting up a spin back. The gallery groaned pionship and a chance to win the $10 Kenny Perry 77-69 — 146 +4
Paul Goydos 74-72 — 146 +4
Massachusetts, where a 16-year-old hole sailed wide ride and into a tree, bogey when his 9-iron went 40 feet when it hopped onto the fringe, then million bonus. Hunter Mahan 73-73 — 146 +4
Woods rallied from 2 down to win sending the Irishman back to the too long. With firm greens and a few cheered when it spun back to 4 feet Not so for Wilson, who is at No. 41 Tim Clark 78-69 — 147 +5
Nathan Green 73-74 — 147 +5
on the 18th hole. tee. He did well to escape with bogey difficult hole locations, he never had for birdie. in the standings. Only the top 30 Angel Cabrera 73-75 — 148 +6
“We go back a long way,” Woods after making a 20-foot putt that gave a reasonable birdie putt over this “I was in between clubs and I said, advance after this week, and Wilson Jonathan Byrd 69-79 — 148 +6
Woody Austin 76-72 — 148 +6
said. him a 68. first six holes, and twice had to hit ‘You know what? I’m not going to doesn’t even know how high he Robert Allenby 75-74 — 149 +7
Jerry Kelly 76-73 — 149 +7
This won’t be anywhere near that Harrington was one shot behind, good bunker shots to avoid bogey. take the little one here’ because I just needs to finish, only that a victory Lucas Glover 74-75 — 149 +7
situation, not in stroke play, and cer- along with Rory Sabbatini (70), Bo The turnaround began with a didn’t feel it was going to skip up would take care of everything. Y.E. Yang 71-78 — 149 +7
Davis Love III 74-77 — 151 +9
tainly not halfway through a Van Pelt (69) and Marc Leishman of 12-foot birdie putt from the fringe on there,” he said. “I thought I had to — The Associated Press J.B. Holmes 78-73 — 151 +9
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Back Page SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 40
Major League Soccer IN BRIEF
All Times ET
EASTERN CONFERENCE
TRANSACTIONS

Ohno wins twice at short track nationals

W L T Pts GF GA
Columbus 10 4 9 39 34 25 BASEBALL
Chicago 10 6 8 38 33 28 American League
D.C. 8 5 12 36 38 36 OAKLAND ATHLETICS:
New England 9 7 6 33 28 30
Toronto FC 8 9 7 31 30 34 Purchased the contract of C
Kansas City 6 11 6 24 24 32 Eric Munson from Sacramento
New York 4 16 4 16 20 41 MARQUETTE, MICH.—Apolo Anton cheering crowd, however, certainly
(PCL). Transferred LHP Dallas
WESTERN CONFERENCE Ohno left trouble in his tracks and won’t diminish Bolt’s status as the Braden to the 60-day DL.
W L T Pts GF GA
Houston 11 7 7 40 31 22 returned to a place he knows best: top sprinter in the world or dampen Can-Am League
Los Angeles 9 4 11 38 28 23 the winner’s spot on the podium. expectations for another victory at NEW JERSEY JACKALS: Re-
Colorado 10 7 6 36 36 27 leased LHP Sean Thompson.
Seattle 8 6 10 34 29 23 The five-time Olympic medalist this weekend’s World Athletics
Chivas USA 10 9 3 33 23 24 BASKETBALL
Real Salt Lake 9 9 6 33 35 27 swept the 1,000 and 1,500 meters Final. National Basketball Association
FC Dallas 6 11 6 24 33 37 at the U.S. short track speedskat- Bolt is one of about 300 athletes LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Re-
San Jose 5 12 5 20 27 40
ing national championships, earn- who will compete in the two-day signed F Steve Novak.
NOTE: Three points for victory, one Chicago at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m. ing his first victories in six events. meet at Kaftanzoglio stadium. The HOCKEY
point for tie. FC Dallas at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. “I felt more comfortable,” he said. Jamaican, who set world records American Hockey League
BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS:
Sept. 9 Sunday’s games “I feel more settled. It’s been 10 in the 100 and 200 meters at last Named Matt Broyles equip-
D.C. United 1, Kansas City 0 New England at Chivas USA, 3 p.m. years since I raced in September. month’s world championships in
Houston at Columbus, 5 p.m. ment manager.
Today’s games My body is not acclimated to it.” Berlin, will only run in the 200 ECHL
Colorado at Toronto FC, 3:30 p.m.
Seattle FC at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. His two titles moved Ohno into this weekend. Rivals Asafa Powell GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS:
Kansas City at New York, 7:30 p.m. the overall points lead with one and Tyson Gay will run against Signed LW John Vigilante,
D Brett Peterson, D Justin
night remaining at the meet that each other in the 100. DaCosta and RW Mike Walsh.
awards Olympic berths to the top JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS: Named
WNBA five skaters. Gymnastics Jason Spence assistant coach.
All Times ET International Hockey League
EASTERN CONFERENCE He overtook J.R. Celski, who had MIE, JAPAN—Olympic champion
W L Pct GB PORT HURON ICEHAWKS: An-
y-Indiana 22 11 .667 — led through the first two nights CARLOS OSORIO / AP Evgeniya Kanaeva of Russia won a nounced a working agreement
x-Atlanta 18 15 .545 4 and is 160 points behind Ohno’s Apolo Anton Ohno, front, won the 1,000- and 1,500-meter events. fifth gold medal at the rhythmic with Detroit (AAHL).
Detroit 17 16 .515 5
Chicago 16 17 .485 6 total of 4,912 gymnastics world championships, SOCCER
Washington 15 17 .469 6½ On the women’s side, Katherine edging Daria Kondakova in the Major League Soccer
Connecticut 15 18 .455 7
New York 12 21 .364 10 Reutter made an outside pass with Trevor Plouffe, Justin Smoak and one-shot lead after the first round individual all-around event. DC UNITED: Acquired D Lawson
WESTERN CONFERENCE Vaughn. Placed D Greg Janicki
W L Pct GB two laps remaining and zipped Ilke Davis to bounce back from a of the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Kanaeva finished first in three of on the disabled list.
y-Phoenix 23 10 .697 — from third to first in the 1,000. She 13-9 loss to Venezuela in the open- Championship. the four disciplines for a total of FC DALLAS: Signed D Heath
x-Seattle 19 14 .576 4
x-Los Angeles 17 16 .515 6 was timed in 1:31.606. ing group game Thursday. Gal shot a 7-under 64 in the 113.850 points. Pearce. Waived D Steve Purdy.
San Antonio 15 18 .455 8 Reutter made an outside pass LPGA Tour event, and her uphill NEW YORK RED BULL: An-
Minnesota 14 19 .424 9 nounced that it has acquired
Sacramento 11 22 .333 12 with two laps remaining and Golf putt from about 15 feet on the final Cycling Chivas USA
y-clinched conference
x-clinched playoff spot zipped from third to first in the COLOGNE, GERMANY—Scott Strange hole moved her past Song-Hee Kim ALTO DE VELEFIQUE, SPAIN—Ryder TORONTO FC: Signed MF Julian
1,000. She was timed in 1:31.606. shot a 4-under 68 and Chris Wood and into the lead. Kim is alone in Hesjedal of Canada won the moun- de Guzman.
Sept. 10 Seattle at San Antonio, 8 p.m. “The outside pass is definitely had a 69 to share a one-stroke lead second place. tainous 12th stage of the Spanish COLLEGE
Detroit 94, New York 87, OT the safest, which is why I mostly after the second round of the Mer- Vuelta, and Alejandro Valverde of FLORIDA ATLANTIC: Named
Chicago 86, Indiana 79 Sunday’s games Jordan Swick volunteer as-
Phoenix 92, Seattle 84, OT Indiana at Connecticut, 3 p.m. do it,” she said. “The biggest thing cedes-Benz Championship. FAR HILLS, N.J.—The Los Angeles Spain retained the overall lead. sistant coach.
San Antonio 80, Sacramento 71 Los Angeles at Phoenix, 3 p.m.
Washington at New York, 4 p.m. I wait for is an opening. You have Ross Fisher and James Kingston Country Club has been selected by Hesjedal finished the 112-mile leg NJIT: Named Nelson Albino
Friday’s games Minnesota at Sacramento, 9 p.m. to watch everyone in front of you. each shot 69 to also trail the lead- the USGA to host the 2017 Walker in 5 hours, 34 minutes, 31 seconds, director of men’s basketball
Atlanta 88, Connecticut 64 End of regular season operations.
Los Angeles 90, Minnesota 61 It’s really a timing thing.” ers by one stroke. Cup. giving the Garmin-Slipstream rider
OKLAHOMA STATE: Signed
Today’s games
Europe’s Ryder Cup captain The competition will be held on the a one-second victory over David men’s basketball coach Travis
Atlanta at Washington, 7 p.m. Baseball Colin Montgomerie, without a top- North Course, which opened in 1921. Garcia of Spain. Ford to a four-year contract
Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m. extension through the 2018-19
REGENSBURG, GERMANY—The United 10 finish since June of last year, Caisse D’Epargne rider Valverde
States beat Germany 9-1 at the had a 69 to finish six shots behind Track finished 16 seconds behind in sixth season.
TOWSON: Named Kate
baseball World Cup for its first the leaders. THESSALONIKI, GREECE—Usain Bolt to maintain a seven-second overall Stepanek women’s assistant
victory. lined up for a race against a 5-year- lead on Cadel Evans of Australia, golf coach.
The defending champions got ROGERS, ARK.—Sandra Gal’s old boy—and lost. who was seventh.
home runs from Buck Coats, eagle on the 18th hole gave her a The short run through a — The Associated Press