By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 18, 2011

TAMPA — The last time the ACC raided the Big East, it was a fortuitous break for USF, allowing a young Bulls football program to vault up into a conference with an automatic BCS berth after just two seasons in Conference USA and just four in Division I-A.

But on Sunday, when the ACC struck again, stealing away longtime Big East members Pittsburgh and Syracuse, it had the opposite effect, putting the future of Big East football — and USF, by association — in considerable jeopardy.

The landscape of conference college football continues to shift wildly with each passing day — Sunday's news from the Austin American-Statesman had four key Big 12 teams, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, in talks to join the Pac-12 for the first 16-team megaconference.

USF's future — and again, the Big East's — could be tied to whether the league can outlast the Big 12, perhaps poaching some of its remaining schools such as Kansas, Kansas State or even Missouri, which has been mentioned as a potential 14th member of the SEC.

Sunday's aftermath from the Pittsburgh and Syracuse defections had Rutgers and Connecticut making public their interests to seek soft places to land. The survival instinct with the future uncertain creates an urgency for the Big East to find worthy additions to stabilize its football lineup before the conference is hit with another departure.

Seven years ago, the Big East had lost Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College, and the league replaced those three with USF, Cincinnati and Louisville from Conference USA. The Big East then pulled off a coup of its own in landing TCU — a consistent top-10 team in recent years — to leave the Mountain West and join the Bulls in the league in 2012, though the next wave of changes could put that move in jeopardy as well.

USF is unique among the BCS schools for its youth, both as a university — founded in 1956 — and as a football program, which launched in 1997, a full century after some of its current peers. Its selling points in the current round of free agency are only stronger: USF is the ninth largest university in the country, in the nation's 13th-largest media market, with a football program now ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and in position to contend for its first conference championship.

The oddity for the Bulls is they could win the Big East and play in a BCS bowl in the next few months, then find themselves on the outside of the BCS hierarchy looking in, sitting on the bubble if college football is reconfigured to a group of four massive 16-team conferences.

If the Pac-12 adds its four teams, then the SEC, ACC and Big Ten may seek to do the same, which would leave the remaining 12 members of the Big 12 and Big East competing for what would be nine openings between those three superconferences as each expand to 16 teams. The ACC, perhaps the most natural geographic match for USF, already has a strong foothold in Florida with Miami and Florida State, so that league may only look toward the Bulls if the SEC poached one of its Florida schools. That's all the less likely after the ACC voted to raise its buyout fee to $20 million; the Big East's by comparison, is $5 million, with 27 months' notice.

The Big East, too, is unique among conferences in having a dual existence, with eight football members this year and 16 in basketball, so the loss of Pittsburgh and Syracuse could lead to a split between the league's remaining football schools and its basketball members, Seton Hall, St. John's, Villanova, Providence, Georgetown, DePaul and Marquette.

USF has kept quiet in these uncertain days of conference change, with fans left only with a two-paragraph statement from athletic director Doug Woolard and USF president Judy Genshaft saying that the Bulls are aware of the changes taking place and that they have been "actively engaged in dialogue" over the last 18 months with an eye toward preserving the solid position to which USF has risen.

As college football's major conferences continue to swell to unprecedented levels, it's uncertain where the next step will be for USF football, and perhaps for the first time in the program's young history, whether that will be another step forward.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — The sting of a program-changing victory that never materialized was still fresh when Florida State began looking ahead to what's next — the ACC season, which begins Saturday with the ESPN-televised matchup at Clemson.

"Our goals are still ahead of us," Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said after Saturday's 23-13 loss to No. 1 Oklahoma at Doak Campbell Stadium.

And the regret of what could have been lies behind them.

FSU players and coaches pointed to tiny mistakes that added up to its first loss.

The 'Noles appeared to score a tying touchdown in the first half, but a holding penalty wiped away Kenny Shaw's diving catch. Shaw looked like he had a touchdown with a second-quarter grab, but two defenders jarred the ball loose. He was carted off on a stretcher and did not return. Shaw tweeted Sunday morning that he was feeling well and would continue playing no matter what.

"I thought that we had some great opportunities …" Fisher said. "They made plays. That's what happens in great games."

FSU had plenty of positives on defense to build upon.

The 'Noles held Oklahoma to 310 yards — its lowest total since 2009 — and held the Sooners' all-time leading passer, Landry Jones, to his second-lowest output (199 yards).

Backup QB Clint Trickett proved valuable in his first meaningful action. He tied the score with a 56-yard touchdown pass after replacing starter EJ Manuel (bruised left shoulder) in the third quarter.

Fisher said Manuel "could be fine by (this) week — it could be a week or two." Fisher said Trickett was playing well and he didn't want to risk further injury to Manuel, who had been cleared by trainers to return.

Trickett said playing the top team in the country revealed FSU's weaknesses. The loss will likely keep the 'Noles out of the national championship hunt, but the lessons learned could propel FSU to its first BCS bowl since the 2006 Orange Bowl.

"Against the No. 1 team in the country, we played a bad game, and it came down to the last second,'' Trickett said. "That shows a statement to where we are."

UF: Floyd back, happy

GAINESVILLE — DE Sharrif Floyd led a strong defensive effort after he regained his eligibility, helping pressure Tennessee QB Tyler Bray in a 33-23 win.

"Amazing," he said of his return. "Words can't even describe it. It's great to be back with my team."

He had three tackles, two QB hurries and a pass breakup.

"That's what the defensive (line) wants," said Floyd, who got an ovation when introduced as a captain. "Sacks. We want to hit the quarterbacks, pretty boys, you-can't-touch-me guys."

Coach Will Muschamp said that despite six pass interference calls and several dropped interceptions, he was happy with the play of the secondary.

"No, I don't want pass interference. I don't want a call, but we're going to play aggressive," he said. "We're not going to play soft, I can tell you that."

Times wires

UM: Defense better

CORAL GABLES — With three starters back from one-game suspensions, Miami's defense was much improved in Saturday's 24-6 victory over Ohio State.

LB Sam Spence and DLs Marcus Forston and Adewale Ojomo helped hold the Buckeyes to 209 yards — including 35 passing, the worst for a BCS conference team this season.

"Clearly, the guys that we had back on defense made a big difference," coach Al Golden said.

Times wires

UCF: QB takes blame

ORLANDO — UCF QB Jeff Godfrey took the blame for a 17-10 loss at FIU on Saturday.

"They just came out there and played faster than we were and they wanted it more," said Godfrey, who was under constant pressure and sacked six times. He entered with no sacks.

Godfrey fumbled when he was sacked and FIU returned it 51 yards for a touchdown, tying the score late in the first half.

"I take full blame for everything," Godfrey said. "And we just have to bounce back."

this and that: The Knights adapted their practice schedule because they play at BYU on Friday, with a rare Sunday night workout. … AD Keith Tribble called the Pittsburgh and Syracuse moves to the ACC "interesting … I think there's going to be a lot of different movement in the next 30 days. Where it ends, I don't know. As far as UCF, we're keeping our nose to the ground, participating in what's happening and doing our best to be part of this movement."

Iliana Limon, Orlando Sentinel

Times wires
Sunday, September 18, 2011

Cardinals 5, Phillies 0

PHILADELPHIA — Allen Craig hit two homers and drove in three runs, Chris Carpenter pitched eight strong innings and St. Louis improved its playoff chances. Albert Pujols also homered for the Cardinals, who pulled within 31/2 games of the Braves in the NL wild-card chase with their ninth win in 11 games. St. Louis remained 61/2 back of the Brewers in the NL Central. Carpenter recorded all but four of his outs by ground balls and induced three double plays.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 18, 2011

Benn's up-and-down afternoon

T hrough three quarters, Bucs WR Arrelious Benn's biggest contributions were those that helped the Vikings. There was the dropped ball in the first half that forced a punt. And in the second half came a mental error, an illegal shift penalty that erased a 17-yard touchdown reception by WR Mike Williams. There was little reason to think Benn would make one of the biggest plays — a 25-yard touchdown catch that edged the Bucs to within 20-17 late in the fourth quarter. "It says a lot about how I bounce back," Benn said. "I really beat myself up. I think the last two weeks, personally, I've been starting off flat. I needed to get it going. But as the game goes on, it gets better. "It shows a lot about the confidence (the coaches) had to go to me at that time. Not just them but Josh (Freeman)." Benn, who was out for much of the offseason and was limited in the preseason because of knee surgery in December, had help from Freeman in shaking his slow start. "He expects to play a perfect game," Freeman said of Benn. "When he makes a mistake, he might be a little too hard on himself. But at the same time, he's a guy who is huge for us. I told him on that touchdown, 'Hey, they're going to be sucking in on LeGarrette (Blount), and there's going to be one-on-one (coverage), and I'm going to give you a chance.' "He just ran by (the defender). There's nothing special about that play except he just ran by the guy. He put it in his mind that he was going to do it, and he did it."

Take your time, Freeman

Did you notice all the time Bucs QB Josh Freeman had to throw in the second half?

After spending much of the first half under duress — and getting sacked twice — Freeman had room to work in the second half because of a refocused effort by the offensive line.

Communication issues in the noisy Metrodome were resolved, and other adjustments made at halftime helped eliminate miscues that left Freeman under pressure.

"Things came together, and we got our communication down," RT Jeremy Trueblood said. "There were some things in there that we had to straighten out. Once that was all settled, we were good. Actually, the sack where (DE Everson Griffen) wasn't blocked, that was a miscommunication. … We were running a different play than the running back.

"The good thing is we can fix those things."

Being able to sit comfortably in the pocket despite the presence of a top-flight pass rusher such as Vikings DE Jared Allen enabled Freeman to throw the ball downfield more, allowing time for longer routes to develop.

"(The Vikings) had a good blitz package coming in and a good (method) of getting pressure up front," Freeman said. "We just made a couple of adjustments. Next week, we have to adjust faster.

"But we got it done in time and got the win. It's great to see guys make a halftime adjustment and come out and execute so well in the second half."

With gimpy Black benched, Foster steps up

If Bucs LB Quincy Black didn't look like himself in the first half, it's because he wasn't. Coach Raheem Morris said he benched Black after discovering he had an ankle injury that presumably played a role in several missed tackles.

Not that Black used it as a defense.

"That's not my thing," he said. "If I'm out there, I'm out there. I don't make excuses. That's why when I don't make plays, guys are surprised."

Black's loss meant rookie Mason Foster, who has been playing only in the base defense, was asked to play in the nickel defense in passing situations. That's a situation he has little experience with, one that requires him to get downfield in coverage. He had a pass-interference penalty against WR Percy Harvin in the fourth quarter, an infraction that moved the ball 23 yards and led to a field goal.

But the day proved to be a learning experience for the kid, who finished with a team-high 10 tackles and continued to stand out despite his inexperience.

"I'm trying to erase all the mistakes, but I know that if I do mess up, I can play as hard and as fast as I can," Foster said. "We have great people around. The veterans and everybody else played great around me, and I play off of them."

Morris sent Foster on a blitz in the first half that resulted in Foster's first sack — against QB Donovan McNabb — making it a day he'll always remember.

"It was a blitz, and I came (through) free," Foster said. "I think it was supposed to be a bootleg, but one of our ends came free and forced (McNabb) back inside. I was just running to the ball. My first sack in the NFL. It felt great. Man, I'm excited."

Getting Peterson under wraps

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson had a memorable day. He rushed for 120 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns. And he made a little history, surpassing 6,000 career yards and setting a franchise mark for rushing touchdowns (54).

In the first half, he was his typically overpowering self. But in the second half, he looked ordinary.

The credit goes to the Bucs defense, which tackled better, with a little help from S Cody Grimm, who played near the line of scrimmage for the balance of the game.

Peterson, after rushing for 83 yards in the first half, was limited to 37 on 10 carries in the second half. It was a chief reason the Bucs were able to rally because the consistent defensive stops put the ball in the hands of QB Josh Freeman.

The secret wasn't complicated.

"Tackle," coach Raheem Morris said. "There was no key. Hit the man like you hit anybody else. Tackle him and get him on the ground, and the guys came out ready to fly around and tackle."

"It was simple as that," DT Gerald McCoy said.

McCoy took Peterson to the ground on the first two plays of the second half, the first a 1-yard gain up the middle, the second a tackle after 6 yards that prevented Peterson from reaching the second level. They weren't plays that will be celebrated in a game of many big plays, but McCoy provided the spark that the defense needed. Later in the half, Peterson had two negative plays, on tackles made by LB Geno Hayes and DT Brian Price.

"I had to do that," McCoy said. "Somebody had to step up and get it going and set the tone."

Stephen F. Holder/Times staff writer
Sunday, September 18, 2011

Benn's up-and-down afternoon

T hrough three quarters, Bucs WR Arrelious Benn's biggest contributions were those that helped the Vikings. There was the dropped ball in the first half that forced a punt. And in the second half came a mental error, an illegal shift penalty that erased a 17-yard touchdown reception by WR Mike Williams.

There was little reason to think Benn would make one of the biggest plays — a 25-yard touchdown catch that edged the Bucs to within 20-17 late in the fourth quarter.

"It says a lot about how I bounce back," Benn said. "I really beat myself up. I think the last two weeks, personally, I've been starting off flat. I needed to get it going. But as the game goes on, it gets better.

"It shows a lot about the confidence (the coaches) had to go to me at that time. Not just them but Josh (Freeman)."

Benn, who was out for much of the offseason and was limited in the preseason because of knee surgery in December, had help from Freeman in shaking his slow start.

"He expects to play a perfect game," Freeman said of Benn. "When he makes a mistake, he might be a little too hard on himself. But at the same time, he's a guy who is huge for us. I told him on that touchdown, 'Hey, they're going to be sucking in on LeGarrette (Blount), and there's going to be one-on-one (coverage), and I'm going to give you a chance.'

"He just ran by (the defender). There's nothing special about that play except he just ran by the guy. He put it in his mind that he was going to do it, and he did it."

Take your time, Freeman

Did you notice all the time Bucs QB Josh Freeman had to throw in the second half?

After spending much of the first half under duress — and getting sacked twice — Freeman had room to work in the second half because of a refocused effort by the offensive line.

Communication issues in the noisy Metrodome were resolved, and other adjustments made at halftime helped eliminate miscues that left Freeman under pressure.

"Things came together, and we got our communication down," RT Jeremy Trueblood said. "There were some things in there that we had to straighten out. Once that was all settled, we were good. Actually, the sack where (DE Everson Griffen) wasn't blocked, that was a miscommunication. … We were running a different play than the running back.

"The good thing is we can fix those things."

Being able to sit comfortably in the pocket despite the presence of a top-flight pass rusher such as Vikings DE Jared Allen enabled Freeman to throw the ball downfield more, allowing time for longer routes to develop.

"(The Vikings) had a good blitz package coming in and a good (method) of getting pressure up front," Freeman said. "We just made a couple of adjustments. Next week, we have to adjust faster.

"But we got it done in time and got the win. It's great to see guys make a halftime adjustment and come out and execute so well in the second half."

With gimpy Black benched, Foster steps up

If Bucs LB Quincy Black didn't look like himself in the first half, it's because he wasn't. Coach Raheem Morris said he benched Black after discovering he had an ankle injury that presumably played a role in several missed tackles.

Not that Black used it as a defense.

"That's not my thing," he said. "If I'm out there, I'm out there. I don't make excuses. That's why when I don't make plays, guys are surprised."

Black's loss meant rookie Mason Foster, who has been playing only in the base defense, was asked to play in the nickel defense in passing situations. That's a situation he has little experience with, one that requires him to get downfield in coverage. He had a pass-interference penalty against WR Percy Harvin in the fourth quarter, an infraction that moved the ball 23 yards and led to a field goal.

But the day proved to be a learning experience for the kid, who finished with a team-high 10 tackles and continued to stand out despite his inexperience.

"I'm trying to erase all the mistakes, but I know that if I do mess up, I can play as hard and as fast as I can," Foster said. "We have great people around. The veterans and everybody else played great around me, and I play off of them."

Morris sent Foster on a blitz in the first half that resulted in Foster's first sack — against QB Donovan McNabb — making it a day he'll always remember.

"It was a blitz, and I came (through) free," Foster said. "I think it was supposed to be a bootleg, but one of our ends came free and forced (McNabb) back inside. I was just running to the ball. My first sack in the NFL. It felt great. Man, I'm excited."

Getting Peterson under wraps

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson had a memorable day. He rushed for 120 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns. And he made a little history, surpassing 6,000 career yards and setting a franchise mark for rushing touchdowns (54).

In the first half, he was his typically overpowering self. But in the second half, he looked ordinary.

The credit goes to the Bucs defense, which tackled better, with a little help from S Cody Grimm, who played near the line of scrimmage for the balance of the game.

Peterson, after rushing for 83 yards in the first half, was limited to 37 on 10 carries in the second half. It was a chief reason the Bucs were able to rally because the consistent defensive stops put the ball in the hands of QB Josh Freeman.

The secret wasn't complicated.

"Tackle," coach Raheem Morris said. "There was no key. Hit the man like you hit anybody else. Tackle him and get him on the ground, and the guys came out ready to fly around and tackle."

"It was simple as that," DT Gerald McCoy said.

McCoy took Peterson to the ground on the first two plays of the second half, the first a 1-yard gain up the middle, the second a tackle after 6 yards that prevented Peterson from reaching the second level. They weren't plays that will be celebrated in a game of many big plays, but McCoy provided the spark that the defense needed. Later in the half, Peterson had two negative plays, on tackles made by LB Geno Hayes and DT Brian Price.

"I had to do that," McCoy said. "Somebody had to step up and get it going and set the tone."

Poised Parker emerges

O f all the Bucs who played important roles in Sunday's win, the least likely might have been WR Preston Parker.

Start with the obvious: Parker got extensive playing time only because Tampa Bay's usual slot receiver, Sammie Stroughter, missed the game after foot surgery. And Parker arrived as a fringe player last season, a rookie free agent who was fortunate to make the team.

But Parker's 195 total yards in receiving and in the kicking game loomed large in the Bucs' 24-20 victory at the Metrodome. Included were six receptions for 98 yards.

"I came a long way," Parker said. "I still had to make the team. (There were) a lot of things I had to change about myself. I did it, and this is the outcome. And there's still more to come. It's just one game. Put it behind you and keep going."

Parker had the game's longest play, a 51-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter. And he recorded what was, arguably, the biggest play. It came on third and 4 from the Vikings 10 with 1:17 left. If the Bucs didn't convert, they would have to settle for a tying field goal rather than having a shot at a winning touchdown.

But QB Josh Freeman had a plan: Go to Sunday's go-to man.

"When we got it in close and got to third and short, I knew we were going to have one-on-one (coverage) underneath with Preston," Freeman said.

He drilled a pass over the middle to Parker, who turned up the field for a 6-yard gain and a first down. With first and goal at the 4, the Bucs converted with RB LeGarrette Blount's touchdown run on the next play.

Parker's performance means he'll get further chances to make more. He is gaining the faith of Freeman and offensive coordinator Greg Olson.

"I'm sure when they see I can make plays, they're going to try to come back to me," he said. "When you show them you can make plays … you just make it easier for the coaches."

Raheem rolls dice

The Bucs — like everyone watching their uninspired first-half effort — needed something to spark a rally in the second half.

Coach Raheem Morris, below, figured he knew what would do the trick: the onside kick after the Bucs' first touchdown in the third quarter.

The kick was executed perfectly by Michael Koenen, with CB Elbert Mack swooping in to cover up the loose ball and, as a result, change the trajectory of the game.

"It gave us some momentum," Mack said. "It gave us some hope. It reminded us that we're always in this situation. We've done this before. Like Raheem said at halftime, 'Don't blink, don't shy away from the game plan. Go back out there and execute.' "

The successful kick didn't produce points, as Freeman threw an interception in the end zone with 7:50 left in the third quarter. It was a letdown after the Bucs had moved to the Minnesota 12, but the sequence put the Vikings on their heels.

"It gave us enough momentum to win the football game," Morris said.

Said Mack: "Before we even had gotten points on the board, (Morris) said, 'If we score here, it's all or nothing.' We didn't get any points, but that's what sparked us."

Quick hits

. With his 25-yard touchdown pass to WR Arrelious Benn in the fourth quarter, Bucs QB Josh Freeman has thrown at least one touchdown in 15 consecutive games, extending his team record. The second-longest streak belongs to Brian Griese, who had 12 straight in 2004-05.

. Bucs WR Preston Parker's six receptions for 98 yards were career highs.

. Bucs LB Mason Foster recorded his first career sack in the second quarter, and it marked the team's first sack of the season. Foster also forced a fumble and had a tackle for loss.

. Bucs TE Kellen Winslow has caught at least one pass in 78 consecutive games. He finished with four receptions for 44 yards.

. Bucs CB Ronde Barber extended his league-leading streak of consecutive starts among active players to 185, and his streak of consecutive games played hit 210, behind Vikings K Ryan Longwell (226).

Sunday, September 18, 2011

By John Fleming, Times Performing Arts Critic
Monday, September 19, 2011

Are you ready for some hockey with the Florida Orchestra?

When the Tampa Bay Lightning plays at the St. Pete Times Forum this season, it will take the ice to Be the Thunder, the team's new theme music played on a recording by the orchestra.

"We do very pronounced introductions in our building," Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke said. "We wanted some music that was emotional and stirring, something that excited the fans. This piece and the video that accompanies it will be about the beauty inherent in the bay area and the energy and power and speed of hockey, and it will lead to the player introductions. We think it's going to be cool."

Be the Thunder is tied into the Lightning's $40 million renovation of the Forum. "The crescendo of this piece of music is going to be these lightning bolts that we're going to shoot in the building, if it all works," Leiweke said. "There will be coils that shoot bolts of electricity 25 feet each way. How can you be named the Lightning and not have some effect?"

Los Angeles-based composer Gregory Smith was commissioned by the Lightning to write the piece, which runs about 21/2 minutes. "I've written music for other professional sports teams before, but never specifically for a symphony orchestra," said Smith, whose credits include the theme music for college football on ESPN/ABC and the theme song of the New York Mets in 1986 when the team won the World Series.

Most music in sports runs to head-banging rock, and Smith's piece has plenty of hard-driving rhythm. "Of course, we're dealing with a hockey team in an arena, so it's not the slow movement of a Haydn symphony," said the composer, who will be at the orchestra's recording session Thursday at the Springs Theatre in Tampa.

Still, Smith was impressed with the Lightning's unorthodox approach. "They're definitely juxtaposing the two ingredients, the hockey team and the symphony orchestra, which I think is amazing," he said. "When you take a hockey team and have them dance with an orchestra, which this project does, I think it takes it to a real accessible place. I hope to God I see a cellist with a goalie mask somewhere."

It could happen. Lightning players and maybe even coach Guy Boucher are going to be part of the recording session, which will be filmed for the video.

In 2004, when Leiweke was CEO of the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL team started using Bitter Sweet Symphony, a string-laden song by the British pop group the Verve, as its theme music. "It ended up being as synonymous with the team as the team's colors," he said.

The improbable alliance between NHL team and symphony orchestra began about six months ago with a chance encounter at an event between Leiweke and Susan Betzer, a St. Petersburg physician and longtime orchestra trustee. "We talked, she brought over Michael (Pastreich, the orchestra's president), and we started dreaming about things we could do," Leiweke said. "Lo and behold, the more we talked about it, the more we saw this as a logical fit. We've made it a point since Jeff Vinik bought the team to associate with important institutions in the community, and we view the orchestra as one of them."

On Oct. 19, the orchestra will perform a free educational youth concert at the Times Forum, underwritten by the Lightning. "Some of our players will be involved with that," Leiweke said. "We're going to talk to those students about teamwork. Teamwork applies certainly to hockey, but it also applies to music and making good things happen. This is just the first step of what we hope will be a long relationship with the orchestra."

John Fleming can be reached at fleming@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8716.

Times wires
Monday, September 19, 2011

ATLANTA — Michael Vick wobbled off with an aching neck late in the third quarter, all done in his return to Atlanta as a starting quarterback.

This is Matt Ryan's city now, and he led the Falcons back with their former quarterback sitting in the locker room.

Ryan threw a career-high four touchdowns, shaking off all the hoopla over Vick coming back to start against his old team, and rallied Atlanta from a 10-point deficit for a 35-31 victory over the Eagles on Sunday.

Two of Ryan's TDs went to ageless tight end Tony Gonzalez, who passed Terrell Owens for fifth on the NFL's career receiving list. Then Ryan hit Ovie Mughelli on a 1-yard score that brought Atlanta to 31-28 with just more than six minutes left.

Atlanta completed the comeback with Michael Turner breaking a 61-yard run then scoring from the 3 with 3:24 left.

Vick left after getting spun by a rusher into Eagles lineman Todd Herremans. No. 7 staggered off and Mike Kafka came in for the first game of his two-year career with normal backup Vince Young (hamstring) out.

On fourth down from Atlanta's 22 late in the fourth, Jeremy Maclin dropped Kafka's pass over the middle.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

Florida Gators senior RB Chris Rainey and junior K Caleb Sturgis have been named SEC Co-Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week respectively for their performances in Florida's 33-23 win over Tennessee, the league office announced today.

Rainey had a season-high 233 all-purpose yards - 108 rushing, 104 receiving, 21 on punt returns. He is only the second player in the nation to tally a 100-yard rushing and receiving performance this season, joining Georgia Tech's Orwin Smith. And he became just the second Florida player to go over 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game. Former Gator Percy Harvin did it in 2007 in a game against Vanderbilt.

Rainey shared the SEC award with South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore who rushed for a career-high 246 yards on 37 carries in the Gamecocks' 24-21 win against Navy.

Sturgis cored a career-high 15 points with four field goals and three PAT's, was a perfect 4-for-4 in field goals with a long of 46, and also hit from 42, 30 and 28 yards. The four field goals were a career-best and he is currently 9-for-9 this season. The percentage and 3.00 field goals per game this season are tops in the nation. He has made 12 consecutive field goals (dating back to last season).

Sturgis also averaged 65.4 yards per kickoff with three touchbacks and has seven touchbacks on the season.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris loved the resiliency and fight his team showed in a 24-20 come-from-behind victory over the Vikings in Minneapolis Sunday.

But as good as Tampa Bay - and, specifically, quarterback Josh Freeman - have been at battling back (like a 17-0 deficit Sunday), Morris said he'd rather have his team start off a little faster in games.

"We don't have to win every game like that," Morris said. "Let's go win some games in a more convincing fashion, just for the head coach's health. But other than that, it's fun. It's Bucs football. That's Buccaneers football."

More specifically, it's Freeman Football. Freeman has orchestrated eight come-from-behind victories in his career, eclipsing Peyton Manning, who had seven in his first 31 starts. And one week after Morris said his team blinked, and lost a little of its swagger, it was Freeman who set the tone Sunday.

"The first game, he kind of got rattled," Morris said. "When we talked about 'blinking,' talked about all those things with the whole team, he's definitely one of those guys that can use him as an example. Yesterday, at 17-0, he was cool, he was as calm as he's been. He was on the sideline, getting everything corrected. Came over to me one time, his mouth bleeding, he looked me right in the face, 'We got this, we're okay.' I'm looking at my quarterback's mouth bleeding and it's kind of a situation you don't want to look at too often. He got things rolling for us, and able to come back in the fourth quarter. It's becoming a signature move for him."

It's so common, it's in everybody's head.

"It happened for me last year, every game we played, it was the fourth quarter, and if we were down, we were up, whatever the case may be, for me personally in my head I'm thinking, 'All right, when is Josh going to do it again? Here he goes.' And the times he didn't do it, I was shocked, the two Atlanta games last year. For our football team, I think it's a great belief when you got that kind of confidence in your quarterback to be able to go out and win those types of games."

Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett put it best.

"He's very poised at any moment - he doesn't really fear any situation. A quarterback like that, a leader like that, you've got to fee that vibe off him where you can't really be scared of any situation, just like him. .. It's what great leadership does. He's such a great leader, when he's in a moment where everybody else is frightful, he's just like, 'This is my time to shine.' That's what makes him so good."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs coach Raheem Morris has talked about how much P/K Michael Koenen has been a "game-changer" in his first season in Tampa Bay. And no team knows Koenen's factor in field position than Sunday's opponent, Atlanta, where he spent his first six NFL seasons.

"It'll be good to see them," Koenen said, smiling.

Koenen has delivered since signing a six-year, $19.5 million free agent deal in the offseason. He ranks third in the NFL with a 45.2 net average on punts, regularly booms touchbacks on kickoffs, and converted an onside kick Sunday.

"Koenen has been spectacular," Morris said. "He's been lights out. He's changed field position, he's changed the game. Great job by the scouting department going out and getting him in free agency. He's certainly been a difference-maker in how we want to win games."

With Koenen, the Falcons were the top team in the league in defensive field position following kickoffs last year (opponents began drives on average, from the 22.2 yard line). Atlanta saw enough value in Koenen to put the franchise tag on him in 2009.

But since the Bucs signed him this summer, the difference has been immediate. Falcons rookie punter Matt Bosher has a 35.1 net average, 26th in the league, including a shanked 18-yarder Sunday.

"The most important thing to me is we are winning games, and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, I'm affecting field position the best I can," Koenen said. "Whatever the numbers look like, they look like. You really can't control them a lot of the times. As long as we're getting the W's that's the only stat I really care about."

ON GUARD: Versatile lineman Jeremy Zuttah started Sunday in place of G Ted Larsen and played so well he could hold onto that position against the Falcons.

"Zuttah really stood out, he was a game-changer," Morris said. "He went out there in the running game, played really physical, played tough, played nasty. You've got to like his effort and everything he gave us in the run game, everything he gave us in pass protection. I don't think he gave up a quarterback hit or quarterback pressure. … Those guys up front, they played like a core, so I liked that."

MEDICAL MATTERS: Morris didn't know the full extent of LB Quincy Black's ankle injury, but said he's comfortable if Dekoda Watson has to go in his place.

Morris benched Black in Sunday's game after finding out he had an injury, which presumably led to some of his missed tackles.

"Watson did a good job (Sunday)," Morris said of the former Florida State standout. "He's gonna play fast. That's who he is and what he's about. … If we've got to go with Dekoda, I feel good about that position."

STEPPING UP: Rookie LB Mason Foster also could get more snaps. Foster racked up a team-high 10 tackles, including a sack, quarterback hit and forced fumble. But Morris said he's also impressed in his understanding of mistakes and showing the ability to correct them.

"I feel like he's a vet already," Watson said. "He's really proving himself, is a very intelligent football player. His future is looking very bright."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs coach Raheem Morris has talked about how much P/K Michael Koenen has been a "game-changer" in his first season in Tampa Bay. And no team knows Koenen's factor in field position than Sunday's opponent, Atlanta, where he spent his first six NFL seasons.

"It'll be good to see them," Koenen said, smiling.

Koenen has delivered since signing a six-year, $19.5 million free agent deal in the offseason. He ranks third in the NFL with a 45.2 net average on punts, regularly booms touchbacks on kickoffs and converted an onside kick Sunday.

"Koenen has been spectacular," Morris said. "He's been lights out. He's changed field position; he's changed the game. Great job by the scouting department going out and getting him in free agency. He's certainly been a differencemaker in how we want to win games."

With Koenen, the Falcons were the top team in the league in defensive field position after kickoffs last year (opponents began drives, on average, from the 22.2-yard line). Atlanta saw enough value in Koenen to put the franchise tag on him in 2009.

But since the Bucs signed him this summer, the difference has been immediate. Falcons rookie P Matt Bosher has a 35.1 net average, 26th in the league, including a shanked 18-yarder Sunday.

"The most important thing to me is we are winning games, and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing; I'm affecting field position the best I can," Koenen said. "Whatever the numbers look like, they look like. You really can't control them a lot of the times. As long as we're getting the W's, that's the only stat I really care about."

ON GUARD: Versatile offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah started Sunday in place of G Ted Larsen and played so well he could hold onto that position against the Falcons.

"Zuttah really stood out; he was a game-changer," Morris said. "He went out there in the running game, played really physical, played tough, played nasty. You've got to like his effort and everything he gave us in the run game, everything he gave us in pass protection. I don't think he gave up a quarterback hit or quarterback pressure. … Those guys up front, they played like a core, so I liked that."

MEDICAL MATTERS: Morris didn't know the full extent of LB Quincy Black's ankle injury but said he's comfortable if Dekoda Watson has to go in his place.

Morris benched Black in Sunday's game after finding out he had an injury, which presumably led to some of his missed tackles.

"Watson did a good job (Sunday)," Morris said of the former Florida State standout. "He's gonna play fast. That's who he is and what he's about. … If we've got to go with Dekoda, I feel good about that position."

STEPPING UP: Rookie LB Mason Foster also could get more snaps. Foster racked up a team-high 10 tackles, including a sack, quarterback hit and forced fumble. But Morris said he's also impressed in his understanding of mistakes and showing the ability to correct them.

"I feel like he's a vet already," Watson said. "He's really proving himself, is a very intelligent football player. His future is looking very bright."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

NEW YORK — The pitching has been tremendous, of course. "The centerpiece of all this," manager Joe Maddon says. The defense, too, in tandem allowing the fewest runs in the league.

And, led by Evan Longoria's resurgence, the offense, on most nights, seems back to just-enough standard.

But there other reasons why, and how, the Rays got here, to the final 10 games of the season, with a legitimate chance — 1½ games behind the wild-card leading Red Sox after their Monday matinee loss — to make the playoffs.

Which brings us to the Rolling Stones music blaring from Maddon's office, the matching blue letterman cardigan sweaters the Rays are sporting on this road trip, the small plastic replica of his dog Astro that David Price affixes to the dugout roof each game, and the white feather boa (which reliever J.P. Howell had curiously handy) that rookie pitcher Matt Moore wore on the walk out to the bullpen Sunday.

The Rays got back in the race — from nine games out Sept. 2 — because they didn't stop believing that they could, even though no team has ever made it from that far out that late in the season.

But also because they never wavered from the belief, the mantra, the philosophy, to never take it too seriously.

"I think we have a better chance of doing these things by playing relaxed, by playing the game of baseball and trying to keep it unencumbered and not complicate it," Maddon said. "I've seen it both ways. It's intense enough without us applying even more by screwing it up even tighter. ... I've seen teams ratchet it up and try to become more intelligent or more intense or more of anything, and it never works."

So Maddon instead works at making sure nothing is ever different, no matter the result the previous day, no matter the challenge ahead of them that night. And the players notice.

"I think it starts with Joe," said outfielder Sam Fuld, who came from the contrasting experience of playing for Lou Piniella with the Cubs. "He talks a lot about just being consistent, and he is. It's very comforting. When you see your leader out there panicking it definitely rubs off on the players. To see him be the same day in and day out, it's just comforting."

Similarly, the relaxed personalities of team leaders such as Johnny Damon and Evan Longoria are also a benefit.

"This year it's been different," starter Wade Davis said. "I think the group of guys we have, and having Johnny be on the team has been a huge factor in our attitude. And Longoria — when your best player is relaxed, I think it affects the whole team."

The casual dress code, the absence of any stringent clubhouse rules, the lack of a structured pre-game workout and batting practice many days are all part of the culture that Maddon has created in his six seasons on the job. And he can't fathom why anyone would suggest changes just because the stakes they are playing for have increased.

"You want to be more normal now than ever," he said.

That's even more important because the Rays have such a young core, in terms of age and experience. Consider just the weekend in frenzied Fenway Park, with rookies Moore and Jake McGee turning in clutch relief outings, Desmond Jennings playing a large role, and Brandon Gomes and Brandon Guyer making key contributions.

"It's been a lot of fun," McGee said. "I love coming to the park every day. Everyone has a good time. Everyone is really loose, not worrying about it or putting too much pressure on each other."

"There's no doubt in my mind the way we play is because of that," Fuld said. "I think it's a huge factor in how we stayed in this."

And as the Rays tonight open a four-games-in-three-days series at Yankee Stadium, knowing they have to beat the AL's best team and hope the Red Sox keep losing, don't expect to see them sweat.

"We just have to go down there and play our normal game," Maddon said. "We're not going to do anything differently, we're not going to over-prepare. We're going to play just like it's April 15th or March 15th or whatever 15th it is. I think our boys are ready for it."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

NEW YORK — The pitching has been tremendous, of course. "The centerpiece of all this," manager Joe Maddon says. The defense, too, in tandem allowing the fewest runs in the league.

And, led by Evan Longoria's resurgence, the offense, on most nights, seems back to just-enough standard.

But there are other reasons why, and how, the Rays got here, to the final 10 games of the season, with a legitimate chance — two games behind the wild-card-leading Red Sox after their doubleheader split — to make the playoffs.

Which brings us to the Rolling Stones music blaring from Maddon's office, the matching blue letterman cardigan sweaters the Rays are sporting on this road trip, the small plastic replica of his dog Astro that David Price affixes to the dugout roof each game and the white feather boa (which reliever J.P. Howell had curiously handy) that rookie pitcher Matt Moore wore on the walk out to the bullpen Sunday.

The Rays got back in the race — from nine games out Sept. 2 — because they didn't stop believing that they could, even though no team has ever made it from that far out that late in the season.

But also because they never wavered from the belief, the mantra, the philosophy, to never take it too seriously.

"I think we have a better chance of doing these things by playing relaxed, by playing the game of baseball and trying to keep it unencumbered and not complicate it," Maddon said. "I've seen it both ways. It's intense enough without us applying even more by screwing it up even tighter. … I've seen teams ratchet it up and try to become more intelligent or more intense or more of anything, and it never works."

So Maddon instead works at making sure nothing is ever different, no matter the result the previous day, no matter the challenge ahead of them that night. And the players notice.

"I think it starts with Joe," said outfielder Sam Fuld, who came from the contrasting experience of playing for Lou Piniella with the Cubs. "He talks a lot about just being consistent, and he is. It's very comforting. When you see your leader out there panicking, it definitely rubs off on the players. To see him be the same day in and day out, it's just comforting."

Similarly, the relaxed personalities of team leaders such as Johnny Damon and Longoria are also a benefit.

"This year it's been different," starter Wade Davis said. "I think the group of guys we have, and having Johnny be on the team, has been a huge factor in our attitude. And Longoria — when your best player is relaxed, I think it affects the whole team."

The casual dress code, the absence of any stringent clubhouse rules, the lack of a structured pregame workout and batting practice many days are all part of the culture that Maddon has created in his six seasons on the job. And he can't fathom why anyone would suggest changes just because the stakes they are playing for have increased.

"You want to be more normal now than ever," he said.

That's even more important because the Rays have such a young core, in terms of age and experience. Consider just the weekend in frenzied Fenway Park, with rookies Moore and Jake McGee turning in clutch relief outings, Desmond Jennings playing a large role and Brandon Gomes and Brandon Guyer making key contributions.

"It's been a lot of fun," McGee said. "I love coming to the park every day. Everyone has a good time. Everyone is really loose, not worrying about it or putting too much pressure on each other."

"There's no doubt in my mind the way we play is because of that," Fuld said. "I think it's a huge factor in how we stayed in this."

And as the Rays tonight open a four-games-in-three-days series at Yankee Stadium, knowing they have to beat the AL's best team and hope the Red Sox keep losing, don't expect to see them sweat.

"We just have to go down there and play our normal game," Maddon said. "We're not going to do anything differently; we're not going to over-prepare. We're going to play just like it's April 15th or March 15th or whatever 15th it is. I think our boys are ready for it."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, September 19, 2011

The standings do not lie. They may tease, torture or infuriate, but they do not lie.

So when the world woke up on the morning of Aug. 3 and saw the Red Sox had the best record in the American League, I think most of us would have agreed Boston was an excellent ballclub. Perhaps even, a team on its way to a World Series celebration.

That same morning, Tampa Bay was barely above .500, and struggling to stay out of fourth place. The trading deadline had just passed, and help was not on the horizon. The Rays may have had a fine starting rotation, but they were no one's idea of world beaters.

So what happened?

How did the strong become weak, and the common become exceptional? How did up become down, good become bad, and Boston become jealous of Tampa Bay?

Obviously, there are two sides to this story. There is the explanation in Boston of injuries to the rotation, and either too much or too little panic depending on the point of view.

And then there is the version from Tampa Bay. The story of a team that puttered to a 56-52 start, and then streaked toward the finish at 29-15. There is no single explanation, and no flip that was switched. It is a combination of factors, and a case of critical mass.

Here are some of the ways the Rays have changed history:

It's safe to say no one has had a greater impact on the turnaround than Desmond Jennings. The rookie was called up in late July, and the Rays began winning about a week later.

Jennings has given the Rays speed, close to a .390 on-base percentage and unexpected power at the leadoff position. He also added a righthanded bat to a lefty heavy lineup.

Tampa Bay had gotten a month's worth of highlights from Sam Fuld early in the season, but leftfield had become a huge hole until Jennings' arrival.

If the Rays do not finish chasing down the Red Sox, we will forever debate whether things would have been different if Jennings had been called up earlier.

In recent weeks, the Rays have also gotten well-timed help from rookies Brandon Guyer, Matt Moore and Brandon Gomes.

FROM GOOD TO GREAT

There was no doubt starting pitching was going to be Tampa Bay's strength in 2011. The Rays would not outscore the Red Sox, and would not outslug the Yankees. If the Rays were to win, it would be on the backs of their five starting pitchers.

It was not a surprise that the rotation had a good first half. What's amazing is they have gotten even better down the stretch. Jeremy Hellickson has a 2.36 ERA in his last eight starts. David Price is a little better with a 2.28 ERA in nine starts. James Shields is even better with a 2.22 ERA in nine starts.

Between pitching and defense, no AL team has given up fewer runs per game than the Rays.

A STAR TURN

A career-low .244 batting average has left some with the impression that Evan Longoria is having a poor season. That is far from the truth.

Despite missing time with injuries in the first half, he is drawing more walks, striking out less and hitting home runs more regularly than any season of his career. Best of all, he's gotten hot when the Rays have need him most.

Since Aug. 3, Longoria is hitting .270 with 14 home runs and 39 RBI in 44 games. His overall numbers remain lower than expected, but he will still finish as one of the 10 most productive position players in the AL in 2011.

Casey Kotchman and Ben Zobrist have cooled in the last six weeks, but the combination of Jennings, Longoria and a resurgent B.J. Upton have helped the Rays offense average 4.61 runs per game since Aug. 3 after averaging 4.21 in the first 108 games.

CLUTCH, OR JUST FORTUNATE

At one point in early August, Longoria talked about the need to play better in close games. The Rays, he said, were letting too many winnable games slip away.

Since that Aug. 3 turnaround, the Rays are 10-4 in one-run games. At one point, the Rays were basically a .500 team in one-run games. Now they trail only Detroit in the AL with a .581 winning percentage in close games.

Will all of this add up to one of the most historic comebacks in baseball history? The odds are certainly better today than they were 12 days ago. And they're better than they were Aug. 2.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

By Jackie Otto, Times Correspondent
Monday, September 19, 2011

What's hot: The opening of gag grouper season has led to great catches in close and out far. Inside Tampa Bay, trolling heavy jigs with plastic bodies produced keeper-sized gags. For larger vessels, numerous catches were easy to come by along with mahi-mahi and a few kingfish.

Techniques: Inside the bay, trolling plugs using a planer or deep diving plugs along the shipping channel works well. Live pinfish dropped down on inshore reefs and rock piles inside the Sunshine Skyway bridge produced small red grouper and a few keeper-sized gags. Further offshore, frozen squid or sardines dropped to the bottom over wrecks, reefs and ledges produced larger gag grouper than inshore fishing.

Jackie Otto can be reached at Betts Fishing Center at (727) 518-7637 or jackieotto@msn.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

Rays at Yankees

When/where: 7:05 tonight; Yankee Stadium, New York

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers:

Rays:

RH Wade Davis (10-9, 4.41)

Yankees:

RH Ivan Nova (15-4, 3.81)

Watch for …

Wading in: Davis has been inconsistent, following his complete-game win over Boston with a loss to Baltimore. He hasn't faced the Yankees this season and is 2-1, 3.84 in four career starts.

Super Nova: Since a rough mid-August start, Nova, a challenger to Jeremy Hellickson for rookie of the year honors, is 3-0, 2.41 over his past five. He is 1-0, 5.17 in three starts vs. the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Nova

Johnny Damon4-for-4

Matt Joyce1-for-7

Evan Longoria1-for-8

Yankees vs. Davis

Robinson Cano5-for-12, HR

Derek Jeter5-for-13

Alex Rodriguez4-for-12, 2 HR

On deck

Wednesday: at Yankees, 1:05 and 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (15-11, 2.78) and Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.91); Yankees — CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.01) and Phil Hughes (5-5, 6.00)

Thursday: at Yankees, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (11-7, 3.95); Yankees — Bartolo Colon (8-9, 3.81)

1970s TV reference of the day

Joe Maddon was talking after the Boston series about how the Rays' playoff possibilities had become more viable: "You can see the light at the end of the tunnel is absolutely there," he said. "And it's not attached to the head of an incoming train. That's from The Rockford Files, I believe."

History in making?

No team has made the postseason when trailing by nine or more games in September. Only four teams, all NL, have made it when at least four games out with 12 or less to play, as the Rays were:

Team Deficit

'51 Giants 6, with 12 left

'62 Giants 4, with 7

'64 Cards 61/2, with 12

'07 Rockies 41/2, with 11

Strange bedfellows

Red Sox fans are in an unusual position for at least three days: pulling for the Yankees. "They're going to have to if they want a chance at the postseason," said ex-Red Sox and Yankee Johnny Damon. "They do have to root for the Yankees; you can't say that too often."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 19, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Where were you in 1986?

Is it so far back you don't want to remember? Even worse, you can't remember?

For the members of the Florida and Kentucky football teams, it's so far back that no player on the Gator roster was born before 1988.

Yet 1986 is among the story lines this week as No. 15 Florida prepares for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Kentucky on Saturday. The Wildcats have lost 24 straight to the Gators, with their last win in 1986 (10-3 in Lexington, when Florida was coached by Galen Hall and quarterbacked by Kerwin Bell). But it seems everyone involved with the game this week is downplaying the streak.

"I think it has zero factor in what is going to happen Saturday night," UF coach Will Muschamp said.

For Gators QB John Brantley, his job is to make sure it doesn't become a topic of conversation.

"You've got to put that in the past," Brantley said. "That's a cool thing, but we've got to worry about this year, this weekend coming up. … We're just going to prepare hard this week like any other game."

Kentucky is also avoiding the subject if possible.

"No, that was the past," Kentucky coach Joker Phillips said when asked if he would talk about the streak with his players. "That's the past. We don't talk about the past. We talk about the present. The present, this team is the team that has to play Florida, not those last teams that played them."

Honors: After his impressive performance in Saturday's 33-23 win over Tennessee, UF senior RB Chris Rainey received national and league honors. He was named Walter Camp national offensive player of the week Sunday and named the SEC co-offensive player of the week Monday. K Caleb Sturgis was named SEC special teams player of the week. Rainey had a season-high 233 all-purpose yards — 108 rushing, 104 receiving, 21 on punt returns — and shared the SEC award with South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore, who rushed for a career-high 246 yards on 37 carries in a 24-21 win against Navy. Sturgis scored a career-high 15 points, going 4-for-4 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points.

Case closed: Sophomore S Matt Elam has settled his legal troubles. He was arrested in July on a charge of possession of alcohol by a minor. According to Alachua County court records, he has been ordered to perform 12 hours of community service, pay $291 in court fees and is under six months of supervised probation.

Injury updates: Freshman Trip Thurman, a 6-foot-6 guard from Dover, Del., had shoulder surgery Monday and is out for the season. "He's a guy that we felt like could help us this year," Muschamp said. "He's a very talented guy. With the situation with his shoulder, we needed to get that cleaned up." … CB Jeremy Brown, who has not played all season, is expected to miss at least two more weeks. Muschamp said the knee "is just not responding," but no surgery is required. … TE Jordan Reed (hamstring) is questionable.

Finley back: LB Dee Finley will return this week after serving a one-game suspension for his arrest last week on charges of driving with a suspended license and resisting violence without arrest.

Up for grabs: Kickoff for the Gators' home game against Alabama is up for grabs. CBS said Monday that it will to use its six-day selection window for games played Oct. 1. The network has a doubleheader scheduled that week with games at 3:30 and 9 p.m. The games being held are Alabama at Florida, Texas A&M at Arkansas and Auburn at South Carolina. Two will be on CBS. The third will be televised on ESPN at noon.

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Monday, September 19, 2011

Oklahoma cleared the way Monday for its possible departure from the Big 12, with university president David Boren demanding the league move toward an equal revenue-sharing model and create stability or else lose the Sooners to the Pac-12.

Rival Texas also moved closer to the door, raising the prospect that one of the nation's biggest conferences could lose its two richest, most powerful programs.

After being granted the power to choose a new conference home for the Sooners, Boren said he is focused on only two options: a fractured Big 12 that isn't suitable now or the expanding Pac-12.

"The status quo is certainly not stable," Boren said. "That's one of the things we're weighing: Can it be made stable?"

Texas counterpart Bill Powers, granted similar decisionmaking power by his regents Monday, said he would consider options "including continued participation in the Big 12" but made no mention of other potential destinations.

The Big 12 has moved to the brink of extinction just one summer after the remaining 10 members pledged to stick together, then hammered out a $1.2 billion television contract. They decided not to create a conference network similar to the ones in place by the Big Ten and Pac-12, not to split revenue equally and not to create any barriers to Texas' creation of the Longhorn Network through a 20-year, $300 million agreement with ESPN that proved to be divisive.

"I would simply say it is not a strong vote of confidence in the conference office that this has happened in such a short period of time," Boren said.

Texas A&M plans to leave the Big 12 for the SEC by July if legal issues can be addressed. If Oklahoma leaves, so will Oklahoma State.

"Whatever we do, we're going to do it together, and I think that's very good news for the state of Oklahoma," Boren said.

Oklahoma State's regents have called a special meeting on the topic Wednesday.

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said in a statement that the conference is "assuring our members that maintaining the Big 12 is in the best interest for their institutions."

Stoops gets extension: Oklahoma regents voted to give coach Bob Stoops, already one of the best-paid coaches in the country, a new contract through 2018. With a bump in salary and added bonuses, it will pay $34.5 million over seven years. OU athletic director Joe Castiglione got a three-year extension.

UNC vacates wins in self-imposed penalties

North Carolina will vacate all 16 football victories from the 2008 and 2009 seasons and reduce scholarships as part of self-imposed penalties after an NCAA investigation.

The school also put the football program on two years of probation as a result of the investigation into athletes accepting improper benefits and academic misconduct.

In Monday's response to the NCAA's notice of allegations outlining nine violations, the school said it will cut three scholarships for each of the next three academic years and pay a $50,000 fine.

The response calls the punishments "difficult but necessary steps."

The school still must appear before the NCAA infractions committee Oct. 28 and could face additional penalties from the NCAA.

South Carolina allegations: The NCAA accused Gamecocks athletes of receiving $55,000 worth of impermissible benefits and recruiting inducements for getting reduced hotel rates and for their involvement with a Delaware mentoring organization. The NCAA requested a response by Dec. 14. President Harris Pastides said the university would review the allegations and cooperate with the NCAA.

lsu fight update: Lawyers for suspended LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson said DNA tests in the case of an Aug. 19 bar fight involving Tigers football players were inconclusive. A grand jury will begin hearing evidence Wednesday. Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns are charged with felony second-degree battery.

Michigan State: Starting right offensive tackle Skyler Burkland (dislocated left ankle) is expected to miss the rest of the season. The redshirt freshman is expected back for the winter conditioning program.

Missouri: The Tigers expect to get cornerback Kip Edwards (knee) and defensive end Jacquies Smith (dislocated left elbow) back to face top-ranked Oklahoma.

Stanford: Linebacker Shayne Skov, the team's leading tackler and perhaps its most important player after quarterback Andrew Luck, is out for the season with a left knee injury.

UCLA: The Bruins are shuffling quarterbacks for the third time in three weeks, with Richard Brehaut supplanting Kevin Prince in the Pac-12 opener at Oregon State.