Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Four scores for Manning, Giants

PHILADELPHIA — Eli Manning delivered the knockout blow after Michael Vick got knocked out of another game.

Manning threw four touchdowns, two to Victor Cruz, as the Giants knocked off the Eagles.

Vick left with a broken right hand in the fourth quarter (see 2X). Without their Pro Bowl quarterback, the Eagles hardly look like the "Dream Team" that entered the season with Super Bowl or bust expectations. The Eagles have squandered fourth-quarter leads in consecutive games.

Cruz, filling in because Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon are out, had three catches for 110 yards and his first two scores.

"It means the world to me because a lot of people were saying our receivers were down and who would step up and I was happy to be that guy that stepped up to help my team," Cruz said.

The Eagles dominated time of possession by a nearly 3-1 margin through the first three quarters.

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Offense arrives for 49ers in fourth

CINCINNATI — One game into a weeklong trip, the 49ers already have a nice gift to take home.

Kendall Hunter ran 7 yards for the game's only touchdown with 3:59 left, rallying San Francisco to a victory that began an extended stay in the Buckeye State.

The 49ers didn't cross midfield until midway through the third quarter. But trailing 6-3, they put together a drive for the winning score, stunning the smallest crowd for a Bengals home opener in 30 years — 43,363 fans at the 65,500-seat Paul Brown Stadium.

"To become that type of team that wins on the road and take that next step, you have to win like this," said 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who was 4 of 5 for 48 yards on the winning drive.

The 49ers will practice on the other side of Ohio at Youngstown State for a few days, then head to Philadelphia for their next game.

Bengals rookie Andy Dalton threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.

"We started fast,'' he said. "We were flat after that.''

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 25, 2011

TAMPA — As critical as coach Skip Holtz was initially about USF's defensive and special teams mistakes in Saturday's 52-24 win over UTEP, he said after watching game film Sunday that he might've been too hard on his players.

"It's never as bad. I think I allowed my emotions with (injured WR Terrence Mitchell) and some of the things on special teams to affect me," Holtz said. "When you win 52-24 and you walk out with a knot in your stomach, it tells you a little bit about the expectations you're building within your own program. I thought there were some great things on defense, a lot of guys flying around. I thought our front seven really played physical, played well. Made a couple of mistakes in the first half, but I thought they came back focused."

USF played without starting CB Quenton Washington, who had a lingering knee injury. Holtz said the senior captain had a virus that caused him to drop 18 pounds from Saturday to Tuesday last week. His top backup, sophomore JaQuez Jenkins, was limited to a few plays because of an injured hamstring. The hope is that both can return for Thursday's game at Pittsburgh.

Holtz's biggest frustration Saturday came from the defensive backs, but their position coach, Rick Smith, said he liked what he saw in reviewing the game, considering they played without their most experienced player.

"You take the one play George Baker gave up (a 25-yard touchdown on fourth and inches), but other than that, for his (second) start, he played really good," Smith said. "I was worried about George all week, thinking he's going to hyperventilate on me. … We get Q (Washington) back, we're going to be all right."

FEELING BETTER: Sunday brought encouraging updates on Mitchell, who was carted off and hospitalized after a helmet-to-helmet collision left him motionless in front of the USF bench. The former Hillsborough High standout was released from the hospital late Saturday night, Holtz said, and suffered a concussion but no neck injury.

"We have no idea how long that will last — he has a pretty good headache," Holtz said. "It was nice to see his smiling face. We'll proceed with extreme caution."

STARTING EARLY: Knowing this would be a short week, the staff spent an hour each day last week starting a game plan for Pittsburgh, and instead of recruiting Friday, coaches worked on the Panthers. Sunday's practice was rained out, and the Bulls will practice for the next three days.

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

LOUDON, N.H. — Tony Stewart's season has gone from winless to winning streak at crunch time. Don't ask him to explain it.

While drivers around him run out of gas, Stewart has the fuel to go the distance and inject Sprint Cup's Chase for the Championship with a dose of dominance that has him a formidable front-runner for a third title.

Stewart made it 2-for-2 in the Chase, pulling ahead when Clint Bowyer ran out of gas with two laps left to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

"You don't see it coming," Stewart said.

Only a few weeks ago, Stewart considered his car in the Chase a waste of a spot. Bad runs, bad luck, bad everything.

Seems like a different a season.

Stewart is on a roll with eight races left, building on last week's Chase-opening victory at Chicago­land Speedway with another strong late-race surge at New Hampshire. Both of his victories this season have come in the Chase and have propelled him to the top of the points standings, where he is seven ahead of Kevin Harvick.

The outcome was a complete reversal of the race at New Hampshire last fall, when Stewart's tank ran dry a lap from the checkered flag and Bowyer pounced for the victory.

"If that's not a flip-flop from last year, I don't know what is," Stewart said over the radio as he crossed the finish line in Loudon, where he now has three wins and 16 top-10s in 26 career starts.

Stewart had called this season a "miserable year" before getting hot in the final two races before the Chase. He was third at Atlanta and seventh at Richmond.

Even Stewart had counted himself out him before the Chase, declaring he would call himself, "a total bumbling idiot," if he won the championship. He might win his third title, but don't expect him to call himself a favorite.

"Got eight long weeks still, man," Stewart said. "It's way too early to start counting chickens."

How about counting wins?

Stewart, who won Cup titles in 2002 and 2005, is the second driver to open the Chase with consecutive victories (Greg Biffle, 2008).

"The potential's been there all year," he said. "You wonder when the bad luck string is going to stop. You hope (good luck) happens another eight weeks now. We hope we're through with it, and we can keep clicking off top-fives, top-10s. If we could get a couple of more wins, that would be awesome."

Stewart led a pack that included four other Chase drivers in the top 10.

Brad Keselowski was second, Jeff Gordon was fourth, Matt Kenseth was sixth and Carl Edwards finished eighth. Gordon went from 11th to sixth in the standings and is still a legitimate contender for his fifth title.

Gordon ran out of gas last week and was forced to conserve fuel over the waning laps at New Hampshire. "It's something that we need to be better at," he said.

For at least one Chase driver, it's time to start planning for next season.

Denny Hamlin, who entered in 12th and 41 points out, finished 29th and was the worst Chase finisher. A year after he went into the finale with the points lead, Hamlin's shot at his first championship is over. While the nine drivers behind Stewart range from seven to 29 points behind him, Hamlin is 66 points back and 32 out of 11th.

Jimmie Johnson, the five-time defending champion, finished 18th and is 10th in the standings.

Other Chase driver results saw Kyle Busch finish 11th, Harvick 12th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 17th, Kurt Busch 22nd and pole-winner Ryan Newman 25th.

Greg Biffle was third. Brian Vickers was fifth.

Fuel mileage was a deciding factor with several contenders falling away when they ran out of fuel. Bowyer, still looking for at least one victory this season before he leaves Richard Childress Racing, thought he could stretch his gas until the end. He wound up 26th.

Stewart couldn't believe his good fortune a year after the same problem derailed his shot at a victory.

"I know exactly what that feels like," Stewart said. "I know exactly how he feels right now. I saw him slowing down in the back and I thought, 'Oh, no, you're kidding me.' That's not the way you want to win it."

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Down 20-0, Lions end Minny skid

MINNEAPOLIS — Staring at a 20-0 halftime deficit, the old Lions would have made plans to leave Minnesota with another loss.

It is becoming clear that these are not the same old Lions.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdowns in the second half to help Detroit get to overtime, and Jason Hanson kicked a 32-yard field goal to finish off the Vikings.

Detroit is 3-0 for the first time since 1980 and broke a 13-game skid at Mall of America Field.

"This is my best win ever," said center Dominic Raiola, a Lion since 2002. "We're talking about a place we've never won, since 1997."

Adrian Peterson rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings, but only 5 of those yards came in the second half as Minnesota gave away a double-digit halftime lead for the third week in a row. The Bucs beat the Vikings last week after trailing 17-0.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 25, 2011

BRANDON — Right after Eric Neilson dropped his gloves to fight Anthony Peluso in the Lightning's first preseason game, Neilson clapped his hands in anticipation.

This was not just a player looking to impress the coaches with his willingness to, as he said, "chuck the knuckles," though that certainly was part of it.

Neilson, 27, a tough guy who has spent his entire career in the minors, actually likes to fight.

"I don't know what it is," he said recently at the Ice Sports Forum. "I love it. I'm not an aggressive person off the ice, but when I'm on the ice and fight, there's this different mode or whatever, and it kind of gets away from me. The adrenaline rush, the fans, I love a good fight."

Neilson did not play again before being assigned Sunday to AHL Norfolk, one of 27 cuts that reduced Tampa Bay's training camp roster to 26. But he wasn't just one of those depth players on whom teams take a chance and generally leave as anonymously as they came.

Neilson is colorful, speaks without a filter, with a smile and a throwback vibe.

"That's the entertainment," he said of fighting in a game.

The 6-foot-1, 201-pounder from Fredericton, New Brunswick, has been an enforcer since his days with Rimouski of the junior Quebec league, where he protected Sidney Crosby.

Neilson in 2002-03 had 341 penalty minutes in 53 games for Rimouski. In 33 games last season for AHL San Antonio, he had 103 minutes. According to hockeyfights.com, Neilson, in 11 seasons, has 164 fights.

Neilson said he scans opposing rosters to size up potential adversaries and fans like what he does "as much as when someone scores a big goal."

And whereas the talk over the summer after the deaths of enforcers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak was about the role fighting might play in causing depression, Neilson said he sees no reason to stop doing what he does best.

"I took two steps back, and I evaluated," he said. "I'm in a good state of mind, and I love the game. I love my job, and I guess that's all I have to say about that."

Neilson is not blind to the changes in the enforcer role. Given the salary cap and the speed of the game, NHL teams cannot afford one-dimensional players who get a minute of ice time then sit for five in the penalty box.

"You have to know how to play the game, too," said Neilson, who had 13 goals in 2003-04 for Rimouski but not more than four in a season since.

"I strive every day to get better and be effective on that fourth line and maybe do some penalty killing to help the team out, not just go out there and chuck the knuckles. That's huge motivation for me to get better and try to get a spot somewhere."

Still, sometimes it comes down to a fight, as it did Tuesday against the Blues' Peluso.

It was a heavyweight bout with both players throwing and getting hit with big punches.

"Whenever a guy does that for his team, you respect a guy for that," Lightning center Nate Thompson said.

"It was good to get the first one out of the way," Neilson said. "Shake the cobwebs off a little bit. I felt pretty good in there."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

WASHINGTON — Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg will be on an innings limit next season as he continues his comeback from reconstructive elbow surgery.

"I've already calculated it, semi-calculated it, in my mind with our medical staff and our pitching people," general manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday. "We've already discussed it."

Rizzo didn't say what the limit will be.

"We're still at the beginning of that process. We want to find out how he feels at the end of the season and where he's at. We'll calculate it and see what's a comfortable amount for him," Rizzo said.

Strasburg had his ligament-replacement operation in September 2010 then returned to the majors this month. He is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA, zero walks and 14 strikeouts in 18 innings heading into the fifth start of his comeback Wednesday at the Marlins on the last day of the regular season.

Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who had the same surgery as Strasburg in August 2009, was shut down this season after reaching his innings limit. He had 1611/3 innings, making his last start Aug. 28.

With Strasburg and Zimmermann set for next year's rotation, and the lineup taking shape, Rizzo looked ahead to the offseason by declaring: "I think we're an outfield bat away and a starting pitcher away from really being a contender in the division."

D'BACKS: RF Justin Upton was hit on the front of the helmet by Giants RHP Tim Lincecum in the first inning and left in the second. Neurological tests were negative, and he is listed day to day.

DODGERS: LHP Clayton Kershaw virtually clinched the NL's pitching Triple Crown. He is tied with Diamondbacks RHP Ian Kennedy for the lead with 21 wins and leads the NL with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts.

INDIANS: If Jim Thome is retiring, he made his last appearance in Cleveland as a third baseman. The 41-year-old took the position for one pitch in the ninth inning in his team's home finale. He started his career at third in 1991.

MARINERS: RHP Felix Hernandez sported a dark bruise a few inches above his right wrist a day after being hit by a line drive but said he's okay.

RED SOX: RHP Clay Buchholz, out since June 16 because of a stress fracture in his lower back, is scheduled to pitch an inning today in fall instructional league and could be cleared to return to the big leagues as a long reliever on Wednesday. … RF J.D. Drew was activated off the 15-day disabled list and was in the lineup for the doubleheader nightcap against the Yankees.

ROCKIES: RF Carlos Gonzalez, who has soreness in his right wrist and had a wisdom tooth extracted last week, is unlikely to play again this season. … The team had a franchise-record 25 hits in a 19-3 win over the Astros.

ROYALS: RH closer Joakim Soria is likely to be shut down for the season because of a hamstring strain.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

SINGAPORE — Sebastian Vettel won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, but the Red Bull driver will have to wait a little longer to clinch his second Formula One world championship.

The German led start to finish, beating McLaren driver Jenson Button by 1.7 seconds, with Red Bull's Mark Webber third.

Vettel leads by 124 points over Button with five races left and is virtually certain to take back-to-back titles. With a maximum of 25 points per race, Button would need to win every race and Vettel would have to gain no points.

"It means a lot to me because I really like this track, and it's one of the hardest challenges we face each year," Vettel said.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fourth and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton fifth after serving a pit drive-through penalty for crashing into Felipe Massa on Lap 12.

A furious Massa, who finished ninth, said the McLaren driver "doesn't learn anything."

"I tried to talk to him, but he doesn't listen," Massa said.

Michael Schumacher crashed out in spectacular style, running into the rear of Sergio Perez's Sauber and launching his car through the air into a barrier. Schumacher was okay and was reprimanded by stewards.

NHRA: Bob Vandergriff, in a Top Fuel final for the 14th time, finally earned his first career win at the Texas Fall Nationals in Dallas, the second event in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won.

EAST BAY RACEWAY: Buzzie Reutimann won the Open Wheel Modified division Saturday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Rays vs. Yankees

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Starting pitchers:

Rays:

RH James Shields (15-12, 2.84)

Yankees:

RH Hector Noesi, above (2-1, 4.14) or RH Phil Hughes (5-5, 6.00)

Watch for …

Shields up: Completing a run of six starts against the heavyweight Rangers, Red Sox and Yankees, Shields is 3-2, 2.27, though coming off a Wednesday loss at New York. He is 1-3, 2.40 vs. Yanks this season, 4-11, 4.29 overall.

Yankees doodles: The Yankees were deciding Sunday night whom to start. Hughes was scratched from Wednesday's game vs. the Rays with a sore back, Noesi filled in and did well.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Noesi

Casey Kotchman 0-for-4

Evan Longoria 2-for-5

B.J. Upton 0-for-4

Yankees vs. Shields

R. Cano 20-for-53 3 HRs

Derek Jeter 21-for-64 HR

A. Rodriguez 10-for-35 3 HRs

On deck

Tuesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.90); Yankees — TBA

Wednesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (12-13, 3.35); Yankees — TBA

End regular season.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"I definitely will tune in, but Boardwalk Empire definitely has priority as well as replays of The Rockford Files."

­Manager Joe Maddon, on watching Sunday night's Red Sox-Yankees game as opposed to a night with James Garner, right

Numbers of the day

61-7

Rays record when scoring 5 or more

62-21

Rays record when scoring first

14-10

Rays record in September

Midair collisions of the day

Sunday was the third game in Tropicana Field history featuring multiple homers off the catwalks, by Evan Longoria and Kelly Shoppach. There were three in a June 12, 2001, game vs. Philadelphia (Greg Vaughn, Ben Grieve, Travis Lee) and two on April 7, 2000, vs. Cleveland (Jose Canseco, Jim Thome).

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

ATLANTA — Bill Haas had a sinking feeling when he heard the gallery groan, the first indication that his shot had tumbled down the slope and into the lake. When he saw the ball only half-submerged, he figured he still had the slightest chance.

To somehow save par.

Against all odds, to stay alive in his sudden-death playoff with Hunter Mahan at the Tour Championship, the richest playoff in golf history with FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus riding on the outcome.

"It was an all-or-nothing shot," Haas said. "So if I don't pull it off, I'm shaking Hunter's hand."

As he did through the final, frenzied hour at East Lake on Sunday, it worked to near perfection. Haas splashed the ball out onto the green to 3 feet for par, then won the Tour Championship — and the FedEx Cup — on the third extra playoff hole.

In the five-year history of this FedEx Cup, no finish was more compelling.

A handful of players had a shot at the bonus with an hour left in the tournament until it came down to two: Haas and Mahan, in a sudden-death playoff with such high stakes that the difference between winning and losing was nearly $10 million.

Haas wound up winning a combined $11.44 million, including the FedEx Cup bonus. Mahan, who failed to save par from a bunker on the third extra hole, had to settle for $864,000 as the runnerup and $700,000 for finishing seventh in the FedEx Cup.

Haas won for the first time this year, and the payoff could be more than just a massive bank deposit. Fred Couples makes his final captain's pick on Tuesday for the Presidents Cup, and Haas put on quite a show.

"I did what I could do," Haas said.

Even if Couples wasn't watching, his assistant captain had a great view: Jay Haas, Bill's dad, was in the gallery at East Lake and raised his arms as his 29-year-old son delivered the riveting conclusion.

"I'm proud of him the way he came back," Jay Haas said.

Europe takes Solheim

DUNSANY, Ireland — Europe won the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2003, finishing powerfully to beat the United States 15-13 at Killeen Castle.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen turned the momentum Europe's way when she recovered from 1-down with birdies at the last three holes to beat Michelle Wie by one hole.

Her win left Europe needing just one point from the last two singles to win the trophy. But the side captained by Alison Nicholas did even better.

Caroline Hedwall of the Netherlands, 2-down with two holes to play, earned a crucial halved match to give Europe a 14-13 lead when rookie Ryann O'Toole bogeyed 17 and 18.

Spain's Azahara Munoz birdied 17 in the final singles to go 1-up on Angela Stanford and guarantee Europe's victory.

"I've been in agony all day," Nicholas said. "The players have had such heart and passion and purpose. I hand it all to them. They've been unbelievable."

Nicholas said Europe's win was the greatest achievement of her career.

"They were so up for it, and they believed in themselves," she said. "They just fought to the end. The rookies have done fantastic. The experienced players have done really well as well. It's just been a real team effort."

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome lost her Sunday match 2-up to Christel Boeljon.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, September 25, 2011

There was a time when all Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman wanted to see from Brett Connolly was how he would play in juniors.

But in a preseason in which Connolly impressed with his skill and increased speed, the right wing not only survived Sunday's 27-player cut, but he is the key to how Tampa Bay gets down to its 23-player limit.

Connolly, 19, the No. 6 overall draft pick of 2010, is one of 26 players left on the training camp roster. Whether the Lightning keeps Connolly will determine whether Tampa Bay keeps 14 forwards and seven defensemen or 13 forwards and eight defensemen.

"We have to consider all the options," Yzerman said, "and a lot of that is predicated on the decisions we make with Brett Connolly."

It is a complicated formula.

The Lightning has eight defensemen on one-way contracts, which pay as much if the player is in the NHL or the minors. Keeping all would not be a problem if the team kept 13 forwards and two goalies to reach the 23-player limit.

But if Yzerman decides to keep Connolly for the nine regular-season NHL games he is allowed before he must make a decision about sending him to juniors, the team likely will carry 14 forwards. And that means a defenseman will have to be sent to AHL Norfolk (and perhaps lost on waivers) or traded.

Suffice to say, Connolly, who has a goal and two assists in his past three games, will be watched closely in the final two preseason games.

"In order for him to stay, he's going to have to play very well," Yzerman said. " … We're going to give him every opportunity until we decide or he shows he can't handle it. But he continues to get better and looks real good out there."

Connolly is one of 15 forwards left, along with bubble players Dana Tyrell, Mattias Ritola and Blair Jones. Ritola and Jones would need waivers to be sent to AHL Norfolk.

Not needing waivers were Cory Conacher and Carter Ashton, who were reassigned to Norfolk.

"We want our young guys playing," Yzerman said. " … They're better off playing a lot of minutes in a lot of situations and developing."

Times staff
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Ravens rookie builds stats fast

ST. LOUIS — This NFL thing, it's no big deal for Torrey Smith. In their dreams, the Rams' secondary will be chasing the rookie wide receiver who registered barely a blip on the scouting report.

Smith caught long touchdown passes from Joe Flacco totaling 133 yards on his first three career receptions, a huge first half that sparked a franchise record day on offense by the Ravens.

"I've been playing football forever and I've been making plays forever," Smith said. "Having a game like this, it proves to other people that haven't seen me play, it lets them know I can play."

The Ravens gained 406 yards in the first half and 553 total, both bests for the franchise that moved from Cleveland in 1996.

"I'm proud of the way we attacked, really in all three phases," coach John Harbaugh said. "…Torrey Smith, what can you say? You talk about a breakout performance in the first quarter, that's pretty historic right there."

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Time to Bill-ieve?

Ryan Fitzpatrick and the new-look, resilient, win-in-the-clutch Bills are showing they're for real after producing their second consecutive stunning comeback victory — this time against their AFC East nemesis, New England.

Rian Lindell hit a 28-yard field goal as time expired to cap a 34-31 win in which the Bills overcame a 21-0 second-quarter deficit and snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Patriots.

The win was particularly cherished by senior team members such as linebacker Chris Kelsay, one of four Buffalo players still on hand since the team's last victory over New England, in the 2003 season opener.

"It's the biggest win of my career. I can't think of any bigger," Kelsay said. "To beat these guys at home, in front of our fans, with the way they're behind us despite being down early, it's huge. I'll never forget it."

The Bills won courtesy of another Fitzpatrick-led rally, reminiscent of the 38-35 win over Oakland a week earlier when Buffalo scored touchdowns on its final five possessions to overcome a 21-3 deficit.

According to STATS LLC, Buffalo is the only team to overcome deficits of at least 18 to win in consecutive weeks.

Running back Fred Jackson had 72 yards rushing and a touchdown and 87 yards receiving for the Bills, including a 38-yard catch that set up Lindell's decisive kick.

The Patriots had a 10-game regular-season winning streak snapped. Their 15-game win streak against the Bills was third longest in NFL history for one franchise against another.

Tom Brady had four touchdown passes — but also tied a career worst with four interceptions, as many as he had all of last season.

"We played a good football team and made too many mistakes," Brady said.

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees couldn't stay angry with Jimmy Graham for long.

A miscommunication on what initially looked like a critical interception set the stage for the veteran quarterback and young tight end to hook up on two big plays in Sunday's dramatic 40-33 comeback win over the Texans.

"I love the fact that we can have something happen on the field that's a negative … and instead of him getting down like some young players might and having that affect what happens later on, he comes out and make a couple huge catches," Brees said of the 6-foot-6 Graham, a former college basketball player at Miami.

Brees was intercepted twice, but had 370 yards passing and three second-half TDs including a 27-yarder to Graham as the Saints began to claw back from a 26-17 fourth-quarter deficit.

Then on third and 10 with the Saints trailing 33-32 late, Brees found Graham for a 23-yard gain on which the tight end absorbed two heavy hits as he went down. Mark Ingram capped the 93-yard drive with his first career TD.

"It meant a lot to me, being such a young player, that Drew has so much faith in me," said Graham, who led New Orleans with 100 yards receiving.

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Running

Young Kenyan sets Marathon record

BERLIN — Kenya's Patrick Makau left the legendary Haile Gebrselassie behind gasping and then broke his countryman's marathon world record Sunday in the Berlin Marathon.

Makau, 26, pulled away after 16 miles and finished in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 38 seconds, breaking Gebrselassie's record of 2:03.59 set in 2008. Gebrselassie, who is 38 and suffers from asthma, struggled for air after 17 miles and quit shortly after Mile 21. "This is not the end of Haile, but this is the end of an era," said Jos Hermans, Gebrselassie's agent, who added that the runner had not been taking his medication recently.

"I was hoping to gain a lot of experience but not to win," said Makau, who halted Gebrselassie's run of four Berlin Marathon victories last year in the rain. "Today maybe a new generation is starting in marathon. My body was not good in the morning, but I had no problems in the race. I did everything well."

By the 21st mile, Makau was alone in front. "I knew then that I could win the race and break the record," he said.

basketball

Wife of dead player withheld info, city says

The city of Collierville, Tenn., said in response to a lawsuit that the ex-wife of the late former NBA player Lorenzen Wright withheld information from detectives about his criminal activity and men who sought him.

Sherra Robinson Wright filed a lawsuit this summer contending police failed to inquire into cellphone records or check to see if neighboring jurisdictions had information regarding his whereabouts.

The former Grizzlies center had been missing for 10 days before he was found shot to death July, 28, 2010, in nearby Memphis at age 34.

The city said that for the first time, on July 27, Sherra Wright told detectives that Lorenzen Wright had been involved in some "major criminal activity" in the past and probably had gotten back into it. A day later she finally told detectives about two men she said had come to her house looking for her ex-husband.

WNBA: Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 21 as Minnesota beat host Phoenix 103-86 to sweep the best-of-three West final and advance to the WNBA finals for the first time. The finals begin Oct. 2 in Minneapolis. … Iziane Castro Marques scored a season-high 30 as host Atlanta beat Indiana 94-77 to even their East final series. The deciding game is Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Gymnastics

'84 Olympic coach accused of abuse

Two women told the Orange County Register in California that they were sexually abused in the 1980s by the man who coached the 1984 Olympic gymnastics team to eight medals.

USA Gymnastics is aware of the allegations against Don Peters and is looking into them, president Steve Penny said. Should the federation find merit to the allegations, Peters, 62, could be banned for life.

Doe Yamashiro, a former U.S. national team member who trained at Peters' SCATS gym in Huntington Beach in the 1980s, told the Register that Peters fondled her, beginning in 1986 when she was 16, and had sex with her when she was 17. A second woman, who asked that her name not be used told the Register that Peters had sex with her in 1985 when she was 18. Linda McNamara, a former assistant director at SCATS, said Peters told her in the 1990s that he'd had sex with both, as well as a third gymnast.

Et cetera

Soccer: Richard Dunne scored an English Premier League-record ninth own goal in stoppage-time as Queens Park Rangers tied Aston Villa 1-1. The defender deflected in an attempted clearance by a teammate.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

PITTSBURGH — Penguins star Sidney Crosby participated in a controlled scrimmage Sunday as he continues his comeback from concussionlike symptoms that have kept him off the ice since January.

Crosby took faceoffs and worked on set plays alongside his teammates in his first five-on-five action since training camp opened last weekend.

The former MVP says he has been symptom-free throughout camp but continues to wear a white helmet during practice to indicate he still hasn't been cleared for contact.

"Everything's been really good," Crosby said. "I haven't run into any issues so far, so it's been pretty smooth."

There still is no timetable for Crosby's return.

Rangers: Defenseman Marc Staal did not go with the team to Europe because he is suffering from postconcussion headaches.

Preseason Game highlights: Todd Bertuzzi and Henrik Zetterberg scored shootout goals to give the host Red Wings a 4-3 win over the Blackhawks, but Detroit forward Jan Mursak left with a fractured left ankle. … Dane Byers had a goal and two assists to lead the host Blue Jackets to a 4-1 win over the Sabres. … Cam Ward made 36 saves and the host Hurricanes beat the Jets 4-0. … The Bruins scored five unanswered goals to beat the Canadiens 7-3 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Around the league

VICK HAS BROKEN HAND, TAKES AIM AT OFFICIALS

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick wants equal treatment.

The Eagles' Pro Bowl quarterback, above left, blasted officials Sunday after a hard hit from Giants DE Chris Canty left him with a broken right (non-throwing) hand in Philadelphia's 29-16 loss.

Vick's status for next week's game against San Francisco was uncertain. He started despite suffering a concussion last week at Atlanta.

"I felt I got hit late. No flag," Vick said his injury, which happened on a 23-yard completion to Jeremy Maclin. "At some point something catastrophic is gonna happen. Not to blame the refs, but more precautions should be taken. … "I get hit in the head. I don't know why I don't get the 15-yard flag like everybody else does."

Symbol of recovery stricken with ALS

Five years to the day after his memorable play helped the Saints to an improbable victory, giving respite to a region devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Steve Gleason revealed that he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Gleason, 34, who was diagnosed in January, played seven seasons with the Saints and settled in New Orleans after he retired. His blocked punt helped New Orleans beat Atlanta 23-3 on Sept. 25, 2006, the team's first game in the Louisiana Superdome in more than a year. The facility was damaged by Katrina and used as an emergency shelter. Gleason was an honorary captain for the coin toss of Sunday's game against Houston. He walked with a limp and was joined on the sideline by his wife, who is nearly eight months pregnant.

BILLS: Rookie CB Aaron Williams, a second-round pick out of Texas, left on a stretcher with a chest injury in the third quarter. He is scheduled for tests today.

BROWNS: RB Peyton Hillis sat out with strep throat. He came to the stadium but left a few hours before kickoff. … K Phil Dawson (1,082 points) passed Don Cockroft for No. 2 on the franchise's career scoring list behind Hall of Famer Lou Groza (1,608).

CARDINALS: RBs Beanie Wells (hamstring) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (hand) sat out.

LIONS: The team is 3-0 for the first time since 1980.

PANTHERS: CB Chris Gamble left in the second quarter with an unspecified injury.

PATRIOTS: Tom Brady set the NFL record for passing yards over a three-game stretch with 1,326. Saints QB Drew Brees had 1,257 in 2006. … Wes Welker set a franchise mark with 217 receiving yards.

SAINTS: Starting RT Zach Strief (right knee) and starting C Olin Kreutz (left leg) left injured.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Chargers pick off Chiefs' last chance

SAN DIEGO — Matt Cassel didn't even see Eric Weddle, the Chargers' $40 million free safety.

That was the difference between the Chiefs having a chance at an upset — or at least forcing overtime — and a third straight loss.

Weddle picked off Cassel at midfield with 55 seconds left as San Diedo kept Kansas City winless.

The Chiefs, who last year ended the Chargers' four-year run as AFC West champions, got the ball at their 33 with 1:26 left after Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was stuffed on fourth and 1 at the Chiefs 34. Cassel threw for 23 yards to Leonard Pope to get into Chargers territory. On the next play, Cassel threw right to the blitzing Weddle, who said he read the play intended for running back Dexter McCluster.

"I knew something was up," said Weddle, who signed as a free agent on the offseason. "That's why I stopped. I knew the ball was coming my way. I read the play, read the quarterback and he threw it right there."