By Ian Lanphier, Times Correspondent
Sunday, September 11, 2011

TAMPA — For USF, "scoop and score" is becoming a habit.

For the second consecutive week, the Bulls jumped out to a 7-0 lead by stripping the ball to create fumble, recovering it and scoring. Saturday they did it on the opening kickoff to give USF the lead eight seconds into its 37-7 drubbing of Ball State.

Safety Mark Joyce sprinted into the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown after linebackers Armando Sanchez and Mike Jeune rattled kick returner Phil Dudley with a hard hit and Jeune dislodged the ball.

Joyce matched the record for the fastest touchdown in program history. Safety Nate Allen accomplished scored on a 3-yard fumble return in the opening eight seconds against Louisville in 2007.

Coach Skip Holtz said the key special teams play set the tone early for the Bulls.

"The kickoff team came down and made a big hit, a physical hit, (creates a turnover). Joyce scoops it up and scores, and the game's eight seconds old and you're up 7-0. That's a nice feeling to have that in your hip pocket as a coach," he said.

Joyce said the special teams unit was looking to make a big play on the opening kick.

"We just ran down there as hard as we could. … I wasn't the first one down there, but my teammates made the play, and I saw the ball on the ground and just scooped it up and ran into the end zone," he said.

Joyce said it was a boost to the team's energy to score on another early fumble return.

"It just gets everybody excited. It sets the tone for the whole game, and we just go out there and play real hard," he said.

Jeune said Holtz often emphasizes the importance of playmaking on special teams.

"Coach always talks about it. Special teams has got to set the tone early, and that's all I (saw) in my head, so I just wanted to make a big play," he said.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Angels 6, Yankees 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Dan Haren pitched a four-hitter for his fifth career shutout and retired 18 straight batters as Los Angeles climbed within 1½ games of the AL West lead. Haren held the AL East leaders to two eighth-inning singles after giving up a ground-rule double to Derek Jeter on his second pitch of the game and a single to rookie Jesus Montero leading off the second. The Angels have won six of seven and are as close to first as they've been since Aug. 10.

Times staff
Sunday, September 11, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — It took former Plant High star RB James Wilder a while to hit the field for Florida State in Saturday's victory over Charleston Southern, but once he did he made an impression.

Wilder led the Seminoles in rushing with 10 carries, all in the second half, for 76 yards. He capped his night with a 41-yard run on the final play.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher had said last week on his radio show that they had to decide whether to redshirt Wilder, a freshman, in the next few days.

"We decided with the nicks and nacks at running back, and where we're at with guys banged up, we need that big body later in the year as we progress and go where we hope to go to," Fisher said after Saturday's game. "We're going to need that big frame, and as you can see, he's ready.

"All of a sudden those 3-yard runs were 6-yard runs, or 5-yard runs," Fisher said of Wilder, who is listed at 220 pounds. "That's what that big body can do. We're going to get him ready to play."

Times staff writer John Romano contributed to this report.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Bucs General Manager Mark Dominik acknowledged Sunday the team has had multiple meetings with the NFL about possible illegal contact between coach Raheem Morris and Tampa Bay players during the NFL lockout. But Dominik said he has not been notified of any impending fine.

In question are seven phone conversations Morris had with players — three of them under a minute, one with tight end Kellen Winslow over the birth of his child and one between Morris and former linebacker Niko Koutouvides, who was a free agent and no longer with the team.

Times staff
Sunday, September 11, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman scrambled for a couple of yards and felt a cramp in his right side, the result of dehydration and a heat index that reached 102 degrees Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

It was late in the third quarter when Freeman headed to the locker room, missing part of one series and all of another before returning.

"I probably should've gone to the IV at halftime, but I was pumping fluids the whole game knowing I'm a heavy sweater," Freeman said. "My ankle kind of twisted. So I overreacted, and the next thing you know, I'm cramping all up my right side and I've got to get off the field."

The Bucs' 27-20 loss to the Lions was that kind of day for Freeman and the offense.

Tampa Bay had trouble getting Freeman on the field — and an even tougher time keeping him there.

Detroit's Matthew Stafford passed for 305 yards and three touchdowns, two to 6-foot-5 Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson.

By halftime, Detroit had a huge advantage in total yards (324-108) and time of possession (21:45-8:15). Before the day was over, the Lions had mounted five scoring drives of 70 yards or longer.

Freeman, who was selected 16 spots behind the No. 1 overall pick Stafford in 2009, led the Bucs to their only offensive touchdown with 1:35 left in the game. And he had the Bucs at the Detroit 42 needing a touchdown to send the game into overtime. But a short completion to Earnest Graham, four laterals and a fumble later, it ended like some long game of keepaway.

"You hate to start the season out 0-1," Freeman said. "But … it's the first game of the year, and it's not going to make or break anybody. We fought to the end, but you hate to see that one get away from you."

Make no mistake, the Lions dominated from start to finish.

Detroit hasn't finished with a winning record since 2000 and lost four straight to begin 2010. But that was after Stafford got hurt in the opener, missing 13 of the remaining 15 games.

Spreading the ball to nine receivers, Stafford and the Lions built a 26-6 advantage in offensive plays in the first quarter. The Bucs actually led 10-6 because of two plays: Sammie Stroughter returned a kickoff 78 yards to set up a field goal, and cornerback Aqib Talib intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of tight end Will Heller and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown.

Talib didn't fare as well against Johnson, who finished with six catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. On fourth and 3 in the second quarter, he beat Talib and safety Sean Jones, who was supposed to double-team Johnson over the top, for a 36-yard touchdown that gave the Lions a 13-10 lead.

"Any time you're throwing the ball from No. 9 to No. 81, you're in a pretty good spot," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.

Johnson also outleaped Talib for a 1-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter to leave the Bucs trailing 27-13.

"Calvin is tough to deal with. We all know that," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said of Johnson, who had 10 catches for 152 yards in a 23-20 overtime win in Tampa on Dec. 19. "(Stafford) made some opportune throws, and he went up and got them. We were in defenses to limit that. He beat us. That's on us. It's on us.

Freeman finished 28-of-43 for 257 yards, a touchdown and an interception. But of the Bucs' 313 total yards, 185 yards came in the fourth quarter. In fact, the Bucs decided to go to their no-huddle offense to start the second half but rarely seemed in rhythm. That effectively took running back LeGarrette Blount off the field for Graham. Blount finished with 15 yards on five carries.

What about the young Bucs defense? It allowed 431 yards, 6.3 yards per play, and failed to sack Stafford.

"It's really frustrating because we felt like for sure that was a winnable game," Freeman said.

"We just have to find a way to score points earlier."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 11, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman scrambled for 2 yards and felt a cramp in his right side, the result of dehydration and a heat index that reached 102 degrees Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

It was late in the third quarter when Freeman headed to the locker room, missing part of one series and all of another before returning.

"I probably should've gone to the IV at halftime, but I was pumping fluids the whole game knowing I'm a heavy sweater," Freeman said. "My ankle kind of twisted. So I overreacted, and the next thing you know, I'm cramping all up my right side, and I've got to get off the field."

The Bucs' 27-20 loss to the Lions was that kind of day for Freeman and the offense.

Tampa Bay had trouble getting Freeman on the field — and an even tougher time keeping him there.

Detroit's Matthew Stafford passed for 305 yards and three touchdowns, two to 6-foot-5 Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson.

By halftime, Detroit had a huge advantage in total yards (324-108) and time of possession (21:45-8:15). Before the day was over, the Lions had mounted five scoring drives of 70 yards or longer.

Freeman, who was selected 16 spots behind the No. 1 overall pick Stafford in 2009, led the Bucs to their only offensive touchdown with 1:35 left in the game. And he had the Bucs at the Detroit 42 needing a touchdown to send the game into overtime.

But a short completion to Earnest Graham, four laterals and a fumble later, it ended like some long game of keep-away.

"You hate to start the season out 0-1," Freeman said. "But … it's the first game of the year, and it's not going to make or break anybody. We fought to the end, but you hate to see that one get away from you."

Make no mistake, the Lions dominated from start to finish.

Detroit hasn't finished with a winning record since 2000 and lost four straight to begin 2010. But that was after Stafford got hurt in the opener, missing 13 of the remaining 15 games. And it won its final four games of last season, including 23-20 in overtime over the Bucs on Dec. 19.

Spreading the ball to five receivers, Stafford and the Lions ran 26 plays during the first quarter to the Bucs' six. The Bucs actually led 10-6 because of two plays: Sammie Stroughter returned a kickoff 78 yards to set up a field goal, and cornerback Aqib Talib intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of tight end Will Heller and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown.

Talib didn't fare as well against Johnson, who finished with six catches for 88 yards. On fourth and 2 in the second quarter, he beat Talib and safety Sean Jones, who was supposed to cover Johnson over the top, for a 36-yard touchdown that gave the Lions a 13-10 lead.

"Any time you're throwing the ball from No. 9 to No. 81, you're in a pretty good spot," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.

Johnson also outleaped Talib for a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter to leave the Bucs trailing 27-13.

"Calvin is tough to deal with. We all know that," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said of Johnson, who had 10 catches for 152 yards in last season's win. "(Stafford) made some opportune throws, and he went up and got them. We were in defenses to limit that. He beat us. That's on us. It's on us."

Freeman finished 28-of-43 for 257 yards, a touchdown and an interception. But of the Bucs' 313 yards of offense, 185 came in the fourth quarter.

The Bucs went to a no-huddle offense to start the second half, even then rarely seeming in rhythm. That effectively took running back LeGarrette Blount off the field for Graham. Blount finished with 15 yards on five carries.

What about the young Bucs defense? It allowed 431 yards, 6.3 per play, and failed to sack Stafford.

"It's really frustrating because we felt like for sure that was a winnable game," Freeman said.

"We just have to find a way to score points earlier."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

By Larry Blue, Times Correspondent
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Grouper coming: Less than a week to go, and many anglers are planning their strategy for this weekend. The anticipation of the Friday opening is almost like kids at Christmas. Dogfish Tackle reports a lot of customers are stocking up on gear and changing lines. If you haven't started your preparations, now is the time.

Where are they? Where you begin your hunt will be limited only by how much fuel you plan to burn. We have found gags in as shallow as 38 feet. Deeper water generally produces bigger fish. But with a two-fish limit per angler, a long run offshore might not be worth it — or necessary. Any patch of hard bottom with some relief that holds baitfish should be good. If you find a small ledge or rock pile, drop a bait and hang on. There has been little pressure on gags because of the closure. They should be receptive to baits.

Spanish mackerel still close: Even though the water flowing out of John's Pass had a dark tint from the rain, there are a lot of schooling Spanish mackerel just off the beach. The sardines are still small near the bridge and hard to catch without making a mess of your cast net. Trolling small silver spoons near the surface at 5 knots should do the trick. Often, we use gold spoons when the water is very dark.

Larry Blue charters the Niki Joe from Madeira Beach Marina. Call (727) 871-1058 or visit CaptainLarryBlue.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 11, 2011

.UP NEXT

at Orioles

Tonight-Wednesday

What's new: The once-proud Orioles have already clinched their 14th straight losing season and are on a pace to threaten 100 losses. They've traded away a chunk of their bullpen and seen several young players, such as LHP Brian Matusz, take steps back. CF Adam Jones and SS J.J. Hardy have been struggling; DH Vlad Guerrero has been hot. 1B Mark Reynolds has 32 homers to go with his AL-most 178 strikeouts.

Key stat: Since June 1, the O's are third in the majors in home runs, and overall rank fifth.

Connections: None.

Series history: The Rays lead the season series 8-7 and 119-118 overall; the O's lead 61-55 at Camden Yards.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Rangers 8, Athletics 1

ARLINGTON, Texas — C.J. Wilson scattered five hits over eight shutout innings, Adrian Beltre homered twice to reach 301 for his career and AL West-leading Texas eliminated Oakland from playoff contention. Wilson (16-6), following up his first career shutout — an 8-0 win at the Rays on Tuesday — set a career high for victories.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Tigers 2, Twins 1

DETROIT — Jose Valverde set a team record with his 43rd save, helping Detroit to its ninth straight victory. The last time the Tigers won this many games in a row was 1984, when they went on to win the World Series. "I'm happy," Valverde said. "My team is in first place, and that's what I want." Todd Jones had 42 saves in 2000. The Tigers' magic number is seven to clinch the AL Central. Doug Fister pitched seven scoreless innings and is 5-1 since being acquired from the Mariners on July 30.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Brewers 3, Phillies 2

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning after Nyjer Morgan's tying double, and Milwaukee rallied to snap its skid at five. "We realize we can play with them," the Brewers' Corey Hart said. "It'll prepare us for later on." Trailing 2-1, Milwaukee got three straight two-out hits to keep its NL Central lead at six.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Indians 7, White Sox 3

CHICAGO — Ubaldo Jimenez pitched six effective innings and Luis Valbuena homered for Cleveland. Valbuena also singled twice and scored twice to back Jimenez. The right-hander, acquired from the Rockies before the July 31 trade deadline, is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in his past four starts. Chicago starter Zach Stewart pitched a rocky five innings in his first outing since his one-hitter at Minnesota on Sept. 5.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Nationals 8, Astros 2

WASHINGTON — Making his second start since elbow surgery, Stephen Strasburg allowed one run over three innings for Washington. He was pulled by manager Davey Johnson after a perfect third.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Cardinals 6, Braves 3

ST. LOUIS — Yadier Molina had three hits, including a three-run double, and St. Louis completed a three-game sweep to pull within 4½ games of NL wild card-leading Atlanta. The Cardinals have 16 games left. "I feel like we are (in the race) if we keep winning," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "It's exciting baseball. Guys have come through all over the roster. We got a shot."

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Yankees 6, Angels 5

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson homered, two runs scored when Peter Bourjos dropped a fly ball in the seventh inning and New York snapped a four-game skid. The Yankees had two runners on in the seventh when Bourjos, normally an outstanding fielder, allowed Mark Teixeira's fly to deep center to pop out of his glove.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Bears hit quickly to rout Falcons

CHICAGO — As opening arguments go, the Bears sure made a strong one. All doubters that they're NFC contenders should consider Sunday's rout of Atlanta.

Brian Urlacher had an interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown and Jay Cutler threw for two scores as Chicago pounded Matt Ryan and the Falcons. The meeting of reigning division champions was no contest.

"Disappointed, not discouraged," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. "It's a long season, it's Week 1."

A lunging Urlacher picked off Ryan to set up an early 56-yard touchdown catch and run by Matt Forte. In the third quarter, the linebacker picked up a fumble by Ryan and scored from 12 yards to make it 30-6.

The fumble came on one of two sacks by Julius Peppers. Henry Melton also had two sacks.

"We made some mistakes, me included," Urlacher said. "Our offense played great today."

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Jaguars get just enough of a spark

JACKSONVILLE — Maurice Jones-Drew scored in his return from knee surgery and Jacksonville used a flawless start and some clutch plays late to edge Tennessee.

The Jaguars sacked Matt Hasselbeck on the opening play, forced a three-and-out, then drove for a 7-0 lead.

Jacksonville dominated most of the first three quarters, shutting down star running back Chris Johnson and forcing seven punts.

"I'm not satisfied and I don't think anyone on this team is satisfied," Jaguars receiver Mike Thomas said. "We left a lot of points out there."

Luke McCown, chosen as Jacksonville's starter after David Garrard was released last week, was asked to do less for the run-centric Jaguars, who led 13-0 before letting the Titans back in it.

With the score 16-14, Thomas made a leaping grab on McCown's third-down pass over the middle to sustain a drive. The Titans had a shot until Dwight Lowery intercepted Hasselbeck.

Times staff
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

MONZA, Italy — Sebastian Vettel won the Italian Grand Prix from the pole Sunday, fighting off a challenge from defending champion Fernando Alonso.

Vettel's eighth victory of the year gives the Red Bull driver an opportunity to clinch his second Formula One title in the next race in Singapore later this month.

"It has been an incredible year so far, having progressed so much as a team," Vettel said. "We've got ourselves in a very good position."

Vettel clocked 1 hour, 20 minutes, 46.172 seconds for the 53-lap race, with McLaren's Jenson Button 9.590 seconds behind and Alonso 16.909 back. It was the 18th win of Vettel's career, his second at Monza.

Button eventually passed Alonso to finish second and Alonso was third with Lewis Hamilton fourth.

Vettel leads the drivers' standings by 112 points over Alonso with six races left.

Kurt Busch loses it: Another on-track incident with Jimmie Johnson had Kurt Busch sure he's rattling the five-time Sprint Cup champ. But Busch's actions said otherwise, particularly when he unraveled after Saturday night's race in Richmond, Va.

Their latest dustup began before the halfway point of the race when contact sent Johnson into the wall. It didn't appear to be deliberate, but because of the tension between the two, Johnson retaliated 56 laps later.

After the race Busch referred to Johnson as a "five-time chump" and boasted he was "in (Johnson's) head." But when Johnson entered the post­race media room and was asked about Busch's claim of being in his head, Busch denied making the remark — even though he said it during a live national telecast.

When shown the transcript provided by his team manufacturer, Dodge, Busch tore the paper in half.

EAST BAY RACEWAY: Bryan Bern-hardt won the Late Model main event Saturday in Gibsonton.

Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

PITTSBURGH — Pirates GM Neal Huntington was given a three-year contract extension through the 2014 season on Sunday following a season of improvement for the chronically losing franchise.

The deal, announced Sunday, includes a team option for 2015.

Pittsburgh has finished with a losing record for 18 consecutive seasons, a record for major leagues in North America. But a year after going a big league-worst 57-105, the Pirates were 51-44 and led the NL Central by a half-game before play on July 20. A 10-game skid dashed their postseason hopes, and at 66-80 they are two losses short of ensuring another sub-.500 season.

Huntington, 42, replaced Dave Littlefield on Sept. 25, 2007. Since then, the team has improved its success in the June amateur draft and become more active on the international market.

"Neal was hired to take on the difficult task of building an organization that can compete on a consistent basis," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. "While there is still much work to be done, Neal and his staff have done an exceptional job of overhauling the scouting and development systems while building a strong foundation by aggressively acquiring talent through all possible avenues."

A'S: OF Jai Miller was called up from Triple-A Sacramento after batting .276 with 32 homers and 88 RBIs in 110 games.

BREWERS: 2B Rickie Weeks was in the starting lineup for the first time since being activated from the disabled list Thursday. The team wanted to work him back slowly in his return from a sprained left ankle.

GIANTS: LHP Barry Zito was activated from the 15-day DL. Zito, out since Aug. 1 with a recurring foot and ankle injury, took fielding practice and was cleared to play after manager Bruce Bochy met with vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans. There are no immediate plans to return Zito to the rotation.

INDIANS: DH Travis Hafner, out since Aug. 21 with a strained right foot, was activated from the DL.

ORIOLES: CF Adam Jones was scratched for a second straight game with swelling in his left ankle.

RANGERS: RF Nelson Cruz, on the DL since Aug. 29 with a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring, ran sprints on the outfield grass for the second straight day and hopes to be activated when eligible on Tuesday. … LHP Michael Kirkman was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.

ROCKIES: All-Star SS Troy Tulowitzki got the day off to rest a sore left hip. Also held out were 1B Todd Helton (stiff back) and 2B Mark Ellis (neck). And RF Carlos Gonzalez was scratched just before the game with lower back stiffness.

YANKEES: Two players made their first major-league appearances at catcher. Jesus Montero, 21, who made his major-league debut on Sept. 1, started behind the plate, then was replaced in the seventh inning by Austin Romine, 22, who made his big-league debut.