By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

Are the floodgates about to open for Big East football expansion? After seeing its football membership dwindle to just six schools, the Big East presidents and chancellors held another teleconference Monday morning, issuing a statement afterwards to say that they're considering a model that would have 12 football-playing schools.

That would mean adding six new members in football -- the latest wrinkle, reported Sunday by the Boston Globe, was that Boise State was being courted as a football-only addition. The Broncos join the usual cast of potential additions -- Navy and Air Force, Temple, Central Florida and Houston, as well as Villanova, which plays I-AA football right now.

Moving to 12 would bring a potential conference championship game into play and would better insulate the conference against any additional schools leaving for other conferences. Many of the football additions may be for football only -- with 14 programs already lined up for basketball, it's possible the Big East would add only two all-sports members to bring the basketball count back to a relatively manageable 16.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

It appears Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund's right knee issue could keep him out a significant amount of time.

Coach Guy Boucher said Monday that Ohlund is scheduled to have a procedure, and "it looks like we're going to miss him for the first month and a half, two months" of the year. Boucher noted that he was just expecting the worst, though hoping for the best, having yet to get a complete update from the team's medical staff. GM Steve Yzerman is going to address Ohlund's situation later today.

Ohlund, who hasn't practiced since Sept. 30, had an MRI exam last week that apparently revealed no damage. The alternate captain's absence - for however long - leaves a void in the Lightning's lineup, and on the penalty kill.

"We missed him the first month and a half of the year (last season), and it looks like we're going to miss him for the first month and a half, two months of the year," Boucher said. "So it hurts because what it does, we have to put (Victor) Hedman against the top lines, not that he can't do the job, he's been our best defenseman. It asks a lot of other guys that are not really in some of the spots (they) should be in...

"All I know is we've got a guy that plays against the top lines that we don't have. And you can't replace that. It' really puts a major hole in you're lineup and we've got a major hole in our lineup."

Also from today's morning skate: D Bruno Gervais will make his Lightning debut, stepping in for Matt Gilroy, who played the first two games. Mattias Ritola will get his turn in the forward rotation tonight, with Blair Jones (Friday) and Tom Pyatt (Saturday) each having their turns in the first two games. Boucher said he had planned to give each of the three a game in the first three, but from then on, it's up to them to see who emerges. "The ball is in their camp," Boucher said....It was certainly clear that Boucher was disappointed in the team's compete level in Saturday's loss to the Bruins, with several high-tempo battle drills coming early in Monday's morning skate. "We're a team that competes, we do not have the firepower or the skill, the depth, to think that we're up there with the top teams," Boucher said. "We didn't last year and because we are aware of it, we know what we need to do to compete against those teams. And the minute we forget that, it looks like last game."

One of the few bright spots of Saturday's loss, according to Boucher, is rookie Brett Connolly, who continues to impress.

"He's shown me (guts)," Boucher said. "I've seen him play really well with the rookies, rookie camp he looked like a man amongst boys. So then you wait for training camp, and during training camp he adapted every day and then you get to exhibition games where he looked great. And after exhibition games, when the real games started, I figure his play is going to lower down a little bit, and it hasn't. He played a good game against Carolina and he was one of our top players against Boston, in a place that's extremely hard to play against, a team that plays physical and he was looking like a vet. Obviously he's got to keep it up, but right now, he's showing me that he's not afraid to be the first on puck in this league against the big boys."

Times staff
Monday, October 10, 2011

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and running back LeGarrette Blount for Sunday's game against the NFC South-leading Saints, if not longer.

McCoy injured his left ankle in the first quarter of yesterday's 48-3 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco. Blount injured his left leg early in the second half.

Asked about McCoy's playing status at Monday's weekly news conference, head coach Raheem Morris called him "week-to-week.''

"I'm not real motivated to say he's not going to play this week,'' Morris said, "but I'm not ready to count him out, either.''

While engaged with a defender in the first quarter, another player fell on the back of McCoy's leg. McCoy then fell while his leg was trapped under a mass of bodies.

In McCoy's absence, defensive end Da'Quan Bowers may get some work inside, Morris said. Defensive end George Johnson will be promoted from the practice squad. Tight end Collin Franklin will be released to make room.

Morris said the Bucs will miss the disruption McCoy causes in the middle with how quickly he gets off the ball. Asked if the Bucs are losing their leader on defense, Morris preferred to call McCoy a "catalyst.''

"We lost our engine a little bit,'' Morris said. "We need some guys to pick it up and get going.''

Blount was sidelined for most of the second half after being injured on a hit from 49ers safety Dashon Goldson.

"I don't want to rule him out, but I'm not looking at him to do whatever,'' Morris said. "It'll be what it is. It'll be next man up, or he'll be ready to go practice and play for us.''

Morris said if If Blount practices on Wednesday he'll call him "day to day. If he doesn't, we'll wait and see.''

Morris said Earnest Graham, Kregg Lumpkin and Allen Bradford are options at tailback if Blount is unable to play.

"We've got some guys that are capable of running the football,'' Morris said, "and they'll get an opportunity this weekend if Blount is unable to go.''

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Florida starting QB John Brantley will miss his second consecutive game when the Gators play at Auburn on Saturday, but his replacement won't be determined until later in the week.

Florida coach Will Muschamp said freshman Jacoby Brissett is the starter, but backup Jeff Driskel will also practice this week. Brissett played his first collegiate game last week at LSU because Driskel has an ankle injury. How much Driskel will practice and whether he'll play is contingent on how well he continues to heal.

"I really think that'll depend on Jeff's health," Muschamp said when asked if Driskel and Brissett will evenly split practice time. "Obviously we would generally go into a situation where they would split reps. . How many reps will he be able to rep in practice? I don't know at this point. As we move further in the week I'll know how much he'll be able to go and compete for the job this week and that'll determine the reps and then obviously determine the starter."

INJURY UPDATE: Senior RB Jeff Demps (ankle), S Josh Evans and DT Ronald Powell are all expected to play this week. Evans and Powell left last week's game with undisclosed injuries. CB Jeremy Brown will not play this week. WR Quinton Dunbar missed last week's game due to a "personal matter" and will return.

CORRECTING MISTAKES: The Gators are currently No. 119 out of 120 Division I-A schools in penalties with 55 penalties for 425 yards - 70.83 per game. Muschamp said some are a product of aggressive play, others lack of discipline. "It's something we've been working on, and something we obviously need to keep working on," he said. "We haven't worked on it enough."

IN SEARCH OF DEFENSE: The Gators have given up 464 rushing yards in the past two games, which may result in some personnel changes this week.

"We teach the proper technique on how you tackle a player as far as an angle is concerned, as far as finishing on a [ball] carrier, as far as when you're in close quarters or as far as when you're in the open field," Muschamp said. "We hit all of those situations throughout training camp, and then throughout game-week we all have individual drills that we do with every defensive coach. Obviously tackling for a defensive lineman can be different for a secondary player based on the quarters of where you're going to make the tackle. We do all of those things. . . At the end of the day, after all of that work and after all of that practice if you don't want to stick your face on somebody, you find somebody else. I think in the secondary it's been a big problem. Again, have we worked on it? Yes. Have we worked on it enough? Obviously not. We're going to look at some different guys and see if they'll tackle better."

IN BRISSETT'S CORNER: While they await Brantley's return, the Gator players have thrown their support behind Brissett while he takes the helm.

"Jacoby played a really good game, and we all have his back," sophomore RB Trey Burton said. Burton also has no doubt the Gators can get their offense back on track this week behind the leadership of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. "Coach Weis will think of something to do, he's an unbelievable coach," Burton said. "There's a lot more to come."

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

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Florida starting QB John Brantley will miss his second consecutive game because of a sprained ankle when the Gators play at Auburn on Saturday. His replacement will be determined later in the week.

Coach Will Muschamp said freshman Jacoby Brissett is the starter, but backup Jeff Driskel will also practice this week. Brissett played his first collegiate game last week at LSU because Driskel has an ankle injury. How much Driskel will play is contingent on how well he heals.

"I really think that'll depend on Jeff's health," Muschamp said when asked if Driskel and Brissett will evenly split practice time. "Obviously we would generally go into a situation where they would split reps. How many reps will he be able to rep in practice? I don't know at this point.

"As we move further in the week, I'll know how much he'll be able to go and compete for the job this week, and that'll determine the reps and then obviously determine the starter."

INJURY UPDATE: RB Jeff Demps (ankle), S Josh Evans and DT Ronald Powell are all expected to play. Evans and Powell left last week's game with undisclosed injuries. CB Jeremy Brown is out. WR Quinton Dunbar will play after missing last week's game due to a personal matter.

FIXING MISTAKES: The Gators are No. 119 out of 120 I-A schools in penalties with 55 penalties for 425 yards — 70.83 per game. Muschamp said some are from aggressive play, others lack of discipline. "It's something we've been working on and something we obviously need to keep working on," he said.

IN SEARCH OF DEFENSE: The Gators have given up 464 rushing yards in the past two games, which might result in personnel changes this week.

"We teach the proper technique on how you tackle a player as far as an angle is concerned, as far as finishing on a (ball) carrier, as far as when you're in close quarters or as far as when you're in the open field," Muschamp said. "We hit all of those situations throughout training camp, and then throughout game week we all have individual drills that we do with every defensive coach.

"Obviously tackling for a defensive lineman can be different for a secondary player based on the quarters of where you're going to make the tackle. We do all of those things. …

"At the end of the day, after all of that work and after all of that practice if you don't want to stick your face on somebody, you find somebody else. I think in the secondary it's been a big problem. Again, have we worked on it? Yes. Have we worked on it enough? Obviously not. We're going to look at some different guys and see if they'll tackle better."

IN BRISSETT'S CORNER: While they await Brantley's return, the Gators have thrown their support behind Brissett.

"Jacoby played a really good game, and we all have his back," sophomore RB Trey Burton said. Burton has no doubt the Gators can get their offense back on track this week behind the leadership of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. "Coach Weis will think of something to do; he's an unbelievable coach," Burton said. "There's a lot more to come."

Forward reinstated: F Cody Larson has been reinstated to the basketball team, athletic officials confirmed Monday night. The redshirt freshman had been suspended since his arrest in April on charges he tried to break into a car near a bar in St. Augustine.

Larson's original felony charges were eventually reduced to a misdemeanor, and he agreed to a plea agreement. Last week, Larson also received two years' probation for violation of the terms of a previous agreement in his home state of South Dakota for sharing prescription medication while in high school.

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

By Jackie Otto, Times Correspondent
Monday, October 10, 2011

What's hot: Flounder are abundant around nearshore reefs along the beaches, and they are large. Smaller, keeper-sized flounder are plentiful on the grass flats of lower Tampa Bay, around Fort De Soto. Use small whitebait, about 2-4 inches. Larger bait for offshore reefs and smaller bait for inshore potholes work best.

Techniques: For offshore reefs, medium-sized rod, reel and line in the 10- to 20-pound class will provide enough power. For inshore grass flats, drop to lighter tackle for more precise casting. Flounder are voracious eaters, and the initial hit is hard.

Tips: Offshore reefs mostly consist of concrete rubble and rock. Anchor close to the patch of debris but drop the bait using quarter-ounce weights on the sandy edges, not directly into the rock piles. On the flats, find an area with a lot of sandy white patches. Cast smaller bait in the middle of these patches and let the bait dance around near the bottom.

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

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU punter Brad Wing said he did not mean to taunt the Gators as he went in for a short-lived touchdown on a fake punt Saturday. Wing was the first to be flagged under an NCAA rule that disallows touchdowns if the player celebrates before scoring.

"I do think there's a large amount of disrespect in taunting, and that's not what I'm about," he said Monday. "I've never been anywhere near an end zone before. I was so excited, and the emotion got the better of me … and I made a silly mistake."

Shortly before reaching the goal line, he looked back and spread his arms for a moment.

Arizona fires coach: Having lost five straight, and 1-10 dating to last season, the Wildcats fired coach Mike Stoops. He was 41-50 in 71/2 seasons. Defensive coordinator Tim Kish will be interim coach through the remainder of the season.

Alabama: Starting linebacker CJ Mosley, who missed two games with an elbow injury, returned to practice.

South Carolina: Quarterback Connor Shaw, who replaced former Jefferson standout Stephen Garcia as the starter, was named SEC offensive player of the week.

Basketball: Maurice Creek, who was touted as the cornerstone of coach Tom Crean's first recruiting class that was supposed to lead Indiana's resurgence, sustained his third serious injury. The junior guard had surgery for a torn Achilles' tendon in his left leg. The injury occurred off the court; it's not clear how long he'll be out.

Michigan State gift: Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo and his wife, Lupe, have given the school $1 million.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

TAMPA — To those who watched the Bucs get dismantled by the 49ers, it might have appeared as if the team took most of Sunday afternoon off. But coach Raheem Morris watched game film Monday, and he said effort wasn't the problem.

"They actually played hard," Morris said. "It's hard to say that with the score, but if you look at the tape, you see the hustle. We didn't play smart or consistent. We had some major busts, some major misses.

"Some of it was good players; some of it was the anxiety of being out there. The hard play was there. We just didn't play as well as we had throughout the season."

But Morris will not keep this film in his archives. Once he saw it, he moved on to film of the Saints.

"I'm already done," Morris said. "I'm watching Saints film. It's gone. … Drew Brees is about to come in and play quarterback. Can't worry about the 49ers anymore."

Fine is not fine: The Bucs and Morris were fined $250,000 by the NFL for having illegal contact with players during the lockout. While Morris did not say who will pay the fine, him or the Bucs, he did sound as if he disagreed with the decision.

"I called (TE Kellen Winslow) to congratulate him on his baby," Morris said. "It wasn't an easy thing for them, so I called him. I'd do it again if I had to, whether it was a lockout or not. I made five calls during the lockout. It's been dealt with."

Morris flagged: The Bucs had nine penalties for 96 yards Sunday, one of which was on Morris, who said he was simply discussing the rough play of the 49ers and the official misunderstood him.

"I got one, too, whether it was right or it was wrong," Morris said. "I think it was a misconception. We figured it out at the end of the day. It was an emotional moment for him, and I told him it shouldn't have been emotional for him. It should only have been emotional for me."

Roster changes: DE George Johnson was added, and TE Collin Franklin was released.

Payton praise: Saints coach Sean Payton was asked by New Orleans' Times-Picayune to compare Bucs QB Josh Freeman to Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton.

"I think he has great leadership and intangibles," Payton said of Freeman. "When I say this, I know how this works, all of a sudden (today) I'll read where I didn't think Newton possessed these traits.

"But I would say Freeman's much further along right now in his development. And I'm not saying Cam won't get there. I'm just saying I think they're different a little bit. … He's a big, strong, physical player who I think has very quickly developed into one of the better quarterbacks in our league."

Freeman appears: Freeman joins Florida CFO Jeff Atwater today at Northeast High in St. Petersburg as part of a program to test students' practical money skills. The program is called "Financial Football," an NFL-themed educational video game and classroom curriculum. The event starts at 10 a.m.

By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

TAMPA — FC Tampa Bay owner Andrew Nestor expected to be preparing for a playoff game this past weekend in Puerto Rico, but instead he was in the club's downtown Tampa office beginning realignment of next year's roster.

The team's season ended Oct. 1 with a 1-0 playoff loss to Minnesota at Al Lang Field, but Tampa Bay made significant strides in its second season.

Tampa Bay made the playoffs for the first time, finished third in the regular season and hosted a first-round playoff game. The club has established a core group of players — nine from this year's team are signed for 2012.

Despite an 18 percent decline in tickets distributed from its first season at Steinbrenner Field — Tampa Bay's average attendance was 3,159 this season, but the club said the actual gate numbers were an average of only 100 fewer fans from last year — the front office saw its first year at Al Lang Field as a success.

"Going out in the first round was unfortunate," Nestor said. "In the front office, we really thought we could go a lot further, but that's what happens in an American-style playoff format, and we can't let one game ruin a positive season. We have a lot to build on as we move forward.

"We have a good core of veteran players who know how to win and who like being here. Now we're trying to make moves to refine the roster and get us over the hump."

The roster priorities, Nestor said, are signing a left back to shore up a veteran back row, a big target forward who can complement leading scorer Mike Ambersley and one or two consistent attacking midfielders.

Coach Ricky Hill said his team allowed too many cheap goals, so emphasis will be on defense.

"I was pleased with how they tried to play the game," Hill said. "We conceded a number of goals, and I believe if we're going to do better as a team, we are going to have to eliminate those cheap goals.

"The burden on us is to score at least twice in every home game. That's one thing I'd like to concentrate on (is) producing attractive football but at the same time making sure we have that solidity in the back that will allow us to win games. I'm not a defensive coach, but I will be paying attention to the personnel we have on defense."

Tampa Bay was winless against the league's top two teams, Carolina and Puerto Rico, going a combined 0-7-1.

"What we don't have that they do perhaps is a collective resilience that only comes with being together for a certain period of time and adding one or two pieces to that picture," Hill said. "They definitely have that edge over us, when games are tight, they have things to draw upon to get you over that hurdle collectively."

Nestor said having a soccer specific stadium in a downtown location remains a top priority. The team will play at Al Lang Field for another season.

"It's essential to have that stadium," Nestor said. "From a location standpoint, I think our view is a little different than what it was a year ago, definitely different than two or three years ago because we have had an experience in St. Pete. At the end of the day, what's important to us is to be in a central location near a downtown where you have the amenities around the stadium, not just at the stadium."

Asked if that situation exists in St. Petersburg, Nestor pointed to Al Lang Field and how Portland renovated its minor-league baseball stadium to a soccer-only facility for MLS.

"There are definitely ways to get creative," Nestor said.

As for the Rowdies name, owned by a Texas apparel company, Nestor said the team still is working toward likely buying the right to use the name or the name outright.

"It's something that takes a while," Nestor said. "We're still working toward a resolution, and it's not completely up to us. Those things aren't completely 100 percent in our control, so you do what you can over time."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg clarified in a letter to season-ticket holders that his recent dire comments about the future of the franchise were not intended as a complaint about the support the Rays do have but a realistic depiction of their "precarious" situation.

Sternberg also made a point to write that the team remained committed to do its part to solve what is a Tampa Bay regionwide issue.

"I do not mean to sound ungrateful to our fans for their support, and I certainly will not tell anyone how to spend his or her money. I was simply being forthright about a reality that must be faced. It would be easy to assure you and all Rays fans that everything will be fine, but that would be disingenuous," Sternberg wrote in a letter e-mailed Monday.

"It has been a thrilling past six years for the Rays. We have experienced success on the field that most everyone believed to be impossible. This success has exposed questions from which neither the Rays nor the Tampa Bay region can hide. I assure you that our organization is committed to doing all that we can to find solutions."

CHIRINOS HURT: Robinson Chirinos, one of the young catchers expected to compete for a roster spot with the Rays next season, broke a bone near his right wrist while playing in his native Venezuela and will be out 4-6 weeks.

A report out of Venezuela said Chirinos, playing for Magallanes, fractured his right wrist in a preseason game Saturday and will be sidelined until December. The Rays said it was a fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone.

Chirinos, John Jaso and Jose Lobaton are expected to compete for one of the catching spots in 2012.

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers manager Ron Washington kept looking out his window at home during an unexpected night off during the American League Championship Series.

Where was all the rain?

Not at Rangers Ballpark, or at Washington's house only a few blocks away.

Game 2 of the ALCS was postponed Sunday because of a forecast calling for more rain after Saturday's series opener was delayed twice.

"Oh, I looked outside my window all night. It never came," Washington said Monday before Game 2. "But, you know, there were storms out there, and you didn't know if they were going to make it or not. So they did what they felt they had to do."

While the forecast was more dire than it was for Saturday's start-and-stop game that didn't end until just after midnight, the decision to postpone Sunday night's game was made about four hours before the scheduled first pitch.

YOUNG RETURNS: Tigers LF Delmon Young was added to the roster to replace Magglio Ordonez, who is out for the season after he re-fractured his right ankle. Young batted third and started in leftfield.

The Tigers had left the former Ray off their ALCS roster because of what was then described as a left oblique injury that he reaggravated in the AL Division Series clincher Thursday night. Further tests showed that might not be the real issue.

"As it turns out, it's better for medical people. It's not really the oblique oblique, it's in here more," manager Jim Leyland said, still pointing to the left side of his body.

PLAYING PUNTO: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa decided to put 2B Nick Punto in the lineup instead of Ryan Theriot for Game 2 of the NLCS.

Theriot has had most of the playing time this postseason, starting all but Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Phillies. Theriot went into Monday's play hitting .429 (6-for-14) in the postseason, but Punto was 4-for-11 in his career against Brewers RHP Shaun Marcum.

MISSING MCGEHEE: Casey McGehee hit three homers in one game this year against Cardinals Game 2 starter Edwin Jackson, but his end-of-season slump and Jerry Hairston Jr.'s strong play kept him on the bench. "I wish we could put one more player in that lineup," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. "If we were in the American League (with the DH), he'd be in there."

Times staff, wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

TAMPA — Approaching the halfway point of the season, USF has the Big East's top rushing offense, averaging 223 yards per game. The Bulls will face a stout challenge to that Saturday at Connecticut, which has the nation's No. 6 run defense.

The Huskies (2-4, 0-1) allow 74.7 yards per game and 2.5 yards per carry, a test for USF's running backs Darrell Scott and Demetris Murray.

"When you look at the film, the overriding thing would be they're physical," USF coach Skip Holtz said. " … They have one of the best defensive linemen, (Kendall Reyes). … They're doing some things schemewise to give you problems running the ball."

The run defense in the past two games is a bit misleading, as opponents have had great success throwing the ball with the Huskies missing top CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (knee), who is out Saturday. So Western Michigan was held to minus-11 rushing yards on 22 attempts but passed for 479 yards; West Virginia had 72 yards on 29 carries but passed for 469. In the previous three games, UConn allowed an average of 115 yards per game; USF allows 127.

Reyes leads the Big East with 10 tackles for loss and is tied for second with four sacks.

FSU: Injury concerns

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State RB Chris Thompson and OT Andrew Datko, both starters, appear to have long-term ailments that might keep them out for the rest of the season.

Thompson's injuries could lead to more playing time for freshman James Wilder Jr., a former Plant standout. But Ty Jones of Middleton, Devonta Freeman and Jermaine Thomas were the only players listed on Monday's tentative depth chart for Saturday's game at Duke.

"I doubt he'll play the rest of the year," coach Jimbo Fisher said of Datko, who has had nagging shoulder injuries all season and hasn't properly healed. Fisher acknowledged that Datko hid his injuries to play through the pain. He is out this week.

Thompson broke two vertebrae in his back in Saturday's loss at Wake Forest. He will not have surgery but could wear a brace for as long as three months, Fisher said.

Datko would be replaced by 17-year-old freshman Bobby Hart. With Rashad Greene a starter at receiver and Nick O'Leary at tight end, the Seminoles could start three true freshmen Saturday.

This and that: FSU players shut down their Twitter feeds. "A lot of it is just people having a chance to voice their opinions to us — directly to us — and obviously right now, a lot of it is kind of negative," said QB EJ Manuel, who will start Saturday. … WR Jarred "Scooter" Haggins dressed for the first time after breaking his right hand three weeks ago.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

UCF: Work on offense

ORLANDO — UCF coach George O'Leary said the offense needs to keep improving for Saturday's game at SMU.

"Just really consistency," he said of what the offense needs. "I think we're doing a lot of good things, but we're not doing enough when it counts. Like putting the ball in the end zone."

O'Leary said he is frustrated the Knights struggled in the red zone during last week's win over Marshall, turning the ball over and botching a field-goal snap.

Iliana Limon, Orlando Sentinel

Times staff, wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 on Monday night, seizing an opportunity to be a part of a conference with natural geographic rivals despite the league's recent instability.

The board of trustees unanimously approved the move, and chancellor Victor Boschini Jr. made the expected announcement in a packed room of more than 200 people. Athletic director Chris Del Conte fought back tears as he recalled receiving the call from the Big 12 last week.

"This is living proof that dreams do come true," he said.

The move could provide stability for the Big 12, which lost Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) over the summer and will lose Texas A&M to the SEC next year. Missouri is also exploring a move to the SEC.

The Horned Frogs went 13-0 last season and won the Rose Bowl. They were undefeated in 2009 before losing to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

"It was a challenge winning the Rose Bowl … and there's been a lot of people that told us we couldn't do a lot of different things, and so we're going to take it one step at a time," coach Gary Patterson said. "I do believe that if the Big 12 did not feel like we couldn't be competitive in the league, then they wouldn't have asked us."

Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas said TCU also has a strong academic record.

TCU now competes in the Mountain West Conference and was set to join the Big East in July. Instead, TCU officially joins the Big 12 on July 1.

Del Conte said TCU will not have to give 27 months' notice to leave the Big East but must pay the exit fee. He declined to confirm it was the $5 million required by the Big East policy.

Big East: Are the floodgates about to open for Big East football expansion? After seeing its football membership dwindle to six schools, presidents and chancellors held a teleconference Monday and said they're considering a model with 12 football-playing schools.

That would mean adding six football members, with the reported possibility of Boise State the latest wrinkle. The Broncos join the usual cast of potential additions — Navy, Air Force, Temple, Central Florida, Houston and Villanova, which is now I-AA in football.

Moving to 12 would bring a potential conference championship game into play and would better insulate the conference against additional departures. Many of the football additions might be for football only — with 14 programs already lined up for basketball, it's possible the Big East would add only two all-sports members to bring the basketball count back to 16.

Boise State issued a statement Monday that while it is excited about playing in the Mountain West, "the landscape of college athletics is exceptionally fluid, and we are continuing to monitor the situation."

SEC: Missouri is exploring a move to the SEC in hopes of getting as much as $12 million each year in additional TV and cable revenue, according to a confidential document obtained by the Associated Press. The 45-page document, which was reviewed by Missouri's governing board of curators Oct. 4, outlines the pros and cons of leaving the Big 12. Among other things, the report outlines the possible contours of broad conference realignment.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, October 10, 2011

TAMPA

The offense does not overwhelm anyone with its ability to cover the length of a field in a handful of seconds. Never has.

The defense rarely stops opponents dead in their tracks. Leading the league in three-and-outs is not what this unit does best.

No, when the Buccaneers are good, it is because they are smart. They are opportunistic. They are a team that understands the value of a turnover.

It might be the No. 1 reason the Bucs went 10-6 in 2010.

And failing to remember that could derail them in 2011.

Through five games, Tampa Bay has a winning record and has remained in contention in the NFC South. But there has also been a disturbing trend.

After being one of the top five teams in turnover differential last season, the Bucs are in the middle of the pack. The offense is losing the ball more frequently, and the defense is creating fewer turnovers. In the history of the NFL, that has never qualified as an attractive combo.

There are several explanations on both sides of the ball, but most of them go unnoticed. If there is a finger to be pointed, the obvious target is the quarterback.

Josh Freeman did two things well in 2010. He was poised in the fourth quarter, and he avoided mistakes the rest of the game.

Freeman threw six interceptions in 474 passes, which was a phenomenal ratio for a 22-year-old. Yet Freeman is already up to six interceptions in his first 178 passes of 2011.

"He hasn't made the great decisions up to this point. He's got to make better decisions," coach Raheem Morris said Monday. "That's constantly getting your quarterback better. That's constantly the development of Josh Freeman.

"So he's got to do a better job of going through his progressions and getting to his checkdowns."

For the most part, these are not fluke interceptions. It is not a lot of tipped balls flying in the air or a defensive lineman hitting Freeman as he throws.

The common theme is Freeman trying to make a play by forcing a pass into coverage. That's understandable considering how much the Bucs rely on Freeman, but it is also too risky for a team that does not have a large margin for error.

"Sometimes when you lack the big plays that we've been lacking this year, you start to force some things, and that's not a good decision by the quarterback," Morris said. "Sometimes he relies on his arm a little too much. They touched too many balls down the field that they could have picked off. They did pick off two. We've got to keep those things in perspective, at the same time, because he is able to make some big plays.

"A little bit of it is on him. Some of it is on the receivers; they have to come up with those balls. Some of it is just getting open and making plays as a unit, and we'll do that."

It is not just his offensive teammates who have made life more difficult for Freeman. The defense has forced fewer turnovers, which means the offense is not getting as many opportunities on a short field.

The Bucs came up with 19 interceptions in 2010 yet have picked off only two passes in five games this season. Cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib each has one interception, but the Bucs have gotten none from their safeties or linebackers.

"We definitely have to get more turnovers," Morris said.

How important is turnover differential?

For a coach who routinely disparages statistics, Morris keeps a close eye on the number of turnovers being created and lost.

The Bucs were 19th in total offense and 17th in total defense last season, but they were one of the league's more successful teams because they were fifth in turnover differential. The top 10 teams in turnover differential went 109-51 last season.

Look at it this way:

Which teams would you consider the biggest surprises of 2011? The Bills? The 49ers? The Lions? They just happen to be the top three teams in the NFL in turnover differential. The biggest disappointment? How about the Eagles, who are tied for last.

At this point, the Bucs have turned the ball over eight times and forced seven turnovers. They've still managed a winning record, but it's hard to imagine them winning 10 games again if that trend continues.

And, as unfair as it is to heap any more weight on Freeman's shoulders, his ability to take care of the ball could determine Tampa Bay's fate.

"He knows he's got to protect the football. There's no secret," Morris said. "You all have talked to Josh Freeman enough to know he's smart enough, and well detailed enough, to know that he just can't press it and push it."

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

BEREA, Ohio — Browns defensive end Marcus Benard broke his hand in a motorcycle wreck Monday shortly after the team's first practice after its bye week.

Team spokesman Neal Gulkis said Benard is "alert, stable and resting comfortably" at the Cleveland Clinic. Benard was to spend the night in the hospital and was scheduled to have more tests and evaluation.

Benard, 26, crashed on Interstate 71 about 90 minutes after practice. The backup, who has played all four games this season, likely will miss significant time.

Police were still investigating the crash. It was not known if any other vehicles were involved.

Meanwhile, running back Peyton Hillis said he wonders if he has a future in Cleveland beyond the next 12 games. Stalled negotiations on a contract extension have spawned weeks of analysis, conjecture and rumor.

Hillis, who is on the cover of the popular EA Sports video game Madden 12, sat out Sept. 25 against Miami with strep throat, fueling reports he missed the game to protest not getting a new deal. Hillis, in the final year of his rookie deal, will make a base salary of $600,000 this season.

"Whenever something's not set in stone, then I guess anything is possible, which means your career's not here," he said. "So, yeah, that definitely worries me."

Houston star Williams finished for season

HOUSTON — Texans star Mario Williams, a Pro Bowl starter each of the past two years, is out for the season after tearing a pectoral muscle in Sunday's 25-20 loss to Oakland. Coach Gary Kubiak said Williams will go on injured reserve and have surgery in the next week. Williams moved from defensive end to outside linebacker this season. Rookie Brooks Reed, a second-round draft pick, will move into Williams' spot in the lineup.

BILLS: Receiver Donald Jones will be out four to six weeks with a sprained left ankle.

BRONCOS: Coach John Fox said he'll wait until today to announce his starting quarterback between former Florida Heisman winner Tim Tebow or incumbent Kyle Orton. Fox gave his players the day off Monday and didn't want to let everyone else know before Tebow, Orton and their teammates find out — and besides, he insisted, he hadn't decided yet. … Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson went on injured reserve with a sprained ankle.

CARDINALS: Safety Kerry Rhodes broke his left foot; coach Ken Whisenhunt said the injury is not season ending but might require surgery.

49ERS: Receiver Joshua Morgan has a broken bone in his lower right leg that requires surgery. He was hurt late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 48-3 victory over the Bucs.

LIONS: Rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley was activated for Monday's game against the Bears after missing the first four games because of a left foot injury.

PACKERS: Coach Mike McCarthy said left tackle Chad Clifton has a "significant" hamstring injury and it might be weeks before the severity of the injury is known.

RAIDERS: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor completed his five-game suspension, stemming from illegal benefits he received while at Ohio State, and can practice.

SEAHAWKS: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has a "high-grade" strained right pectoral muscle, coach Pete Carroll said, adding that there is no time frame for how long Jackson might be out.

DIRTY BIRDS?: The Packers accused the Falcons of dirty play in the wake of Green Bay's 25-14 victory Sunday night at the Georgia Dome. The Packers also won at Atlanta in last season's playoffs on their way to winning the Super Bowl. "This was their Super Bowl," Green Bay defensive end Ryan Pickett, a former Zephyrhills High star, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "They really hate us. They were hitting us late after the play. There was some dirty play out there. We just kept our poise."

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

BASKETBALL

NBA CANCELS FIRST TWO WEEKS

NEW YORK — Saying he was sad and sorry, NBA commissioner David Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season Monday after players and owners couldn't reach a labor deal to end the lockout.

"The gap is so significant that we just can't bridge it at this time," said Stern, who added that it's doubtful a full 82-game season can be played.

"This is not where we choose to be," union president Derek Fisher said. "We're not at a place where a fair deal can be reached with the NBA."

Three weeks before the scheduled start of the season, top negotiators for both sides met for more than seven hours Monday.

The sides expect to remain in contact, but no additional formal talks have been scheduled.

Opening night was scheduled for Nov. 1. The last time the league had a shortened schedule was 1998-99 when labor issues cut the season to 50 games.

ARREST IN DEATH: A man was arrested in Romania in the killing of Chauncey Hardy, a former player at Sacred Heart in Connecticut who prosecutors say was punched in the face by the boyfriend of a woman Hardy was with in a bar. Ionut Adrian Tanasoaia is in custody as he awaits trial. He is accused of beating up Hardy in a bar in Giurgiu, Romania, on Saturday night. Hardy died shortly after surgery Sunday in Bucharest. He was 23. He played for CSS Giurgiu and was celebrating a victory over rival Dinamo Bucharest. Hardy was punched on the chin and fell; a preliminary autopsy revealed a massive hemorrhage and broken skull.

GYMNASTICS

U.S. men qualify second for finals

The U.S. men finished second in men's team qualifying at the world championships in Tokyo. The Americans had 361.583 points to finish behind host Japan (364.291) and ahead of four-time defending champion China (359.126). The top eight teams not only advanced to Wednesday's finals but qualified automatically for the 2010 London Olympics. Three Americans were in the top five in individual all-around qualifying including Danell Leyva of Miami.

ARENA FOOTBALL

Storm tryouts next month in Tampa

The Storm will hold a tryout Nov. 5 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and testing starts at 9. Players can preregister at tampabaystorm.com until Nov. 3. The cost is $60 to preregister or $70 the day of the tryout.

AUTOS

Paralyzed Hmiel wins as car owner

Shane Hmiel returned to Victory Lane as a car owner Saturday, the one-year anniversary of the accident that almost killed him. Levi Jones won the Gold Crown Midget Nationals at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. Hmiel was paralyzed in a crash during a USAC Silver Crown in Terre Haute, Ind., and is confined to a wheelchair. He is the son of longtime NASCAR crew chief Steve Hmiel.

ET CETERA

SOCCER: Former English national team goalkeeper Chris Woods was named the U.S. goalkeeping coach as part of new coach Jurgen Klinsmann's staff.

TENNIS: No. 2 seed and 11th-ranked Marion Bartoli of France defeated Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-2, 6-2 in the first round at the Japan Open in Osaka. American Christina McHale, the No. 8 seed, lost to Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand.

Times wires

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Commissioner Bud Selig said discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement have been constructive, and he sees no reason to set a timetable for getting a deal done.

"I hope we'll continue on that path," Selig said of the positive talks Monday night before Game 2 of the NL Championship Series.

MLB's agreement with the players union expires Dec. 11.

Selig said the discussions have been far different from labor battles in previous decades. The most recent labor peace began when the sides came to an agreement after the cancellation of the end of the 1994 season.

"The sport, I've often said, was stuck in neutral for 25 years. And that's one of the reasons. It was brutal. It was really brutal. Every two or three years, we went back to this," Selig said. "The fans got tired of all that, got tired of hearing about it. And I don't blame them. So, 16 years of labor peace has really, really helped us."

Selig said he has told MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred and union head Michael Weiner not to set arbitrary time limits.

"Just keep working, make progress, continue to make progress, and I think things will work out well," the commissioner said.

The NFL and NBA have been in contentious labor disputes this year. NFL owners locked out their players for more than four months before coming to a 10-year deal in July. NBA owners locked out their players July 1 and have canceled the first two weeks of the regular season.

Selig said just because there hasn't been a lot of public discussion doesn't mean that things haven't been progressing.

"Both sides are very constructive and have work to do and understand that trying this in the media is not a good thing," he said.

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Your turn, Albert Pujols.

The Cardinals slugger had one of the biggest postseason nights of his career in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series, going 4-for-5 with a home run, three doubles and five RBIs to lead St. Louis past the Brewers 12-3 on Monday.

Tied at one game, the series now shifts to St. Louis.

Pujols belted a two-run homer in the first, a two-run double in the third and an RBI double in the fifth then added a double in the seventh. The crowd cheered sarcastically when the Brewers finally retired him in the eighth.

His big hits came one night after Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder bashed the Brewers to a 9-6, come-from-behind victory.

This time, the big bats couldn't bring Milwaukee back, even at Miller Park. The best home team in the majors all season, the Brewers had won all four home games in the playoffs until Monday.

Pujols was 1-for-4 in Sunday night's loss, hitting into a double play with runners on first and third in the seventh inning. A run scored on the play, but it seemed to be an indication that Pujols wasn't quite on his game. He went into Monday with one RBI in the Cardinals' first six postseason games.

But Pujols struck a confident tone when asked about his struggles after Sunday night's loss, saying, "Tomorrow I can come and blow it out, and what are you going to say tomorrow?"

Blow it out, he did.

Rickie Weeks hit a two-run homer in the fourth for Milwaukee then was involved in a disputed play in the fifth.

With the bases loaded and one out, Weeks grounded into a double play, though replays showed he was safe. Weeks, hobbled by the lingering effects of a midseason left ankle injury, seemed upset when he was called out.

But that play didn't matter much after the Brewers gave up four runs in a backbreaking seventh inning. Fielder homered in the eighth, well after the outcome had been decided.

Cardinals starter Edwin Jackson, the former Ray, went 41/3 innings, giving up Weeks' home run. Lance Lynn got the win.

It was a short and ugly start by Milwaukee's Shaun Marcum, who gave up five runs on seven hits in four innings.

Times wires
Monday, October 10, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers are on Cruz control in the AL Championship Series.

Nelson Cruz hit the first game-ending grand slam in postseason history, lifting the defending American League champions over the Tigers 7-3 in 11 innings Monday for a 2-0 series lead.

"It's an instant classic, no doubt about it," teammate Ian Kinsler said. "When Nellie gets going like he's going, he's tough to beat."

Cruz doubled early, chased Tigers starter Max Scherzer with a tying home run in the seventh and was hit by a fastball near his right wrist that sent him to the ground in pain in the ninth.

Then, with nobody out in the 11th after a misplay in the Detroit outfield loaded the bases, Cruz hit a high drive to left off Ryan Perry that sent 51,227 fans into a towel-waving frenzy. Cruz's trip around the bases ended in a mob scene at the plate.

"It was amazing," said Cruz, who had just fouled a ball deep into the stands near the pole. "First two pitches, I was too aggressive. I hit the ball — foul ball, foul ball. So after that, I told myself just slow down and try to hit a fly ball to the outfield."

Cruz instead did something much grander, hitting the fourth slam in the playoffs this season.

After struggling in the AL Division Series against the Rays, when he had only a single in 15 at-bats, Cruz is 4-for-7 with three homers, a double and six RBIs in the ALCS.

"What he done (Monday), he's capable of doing," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Michael Young, the Rangers' career hits leader, snapped an 0-for-15 postseason slide when he led off the 11th with a single off Perry, the fifth Detroit pitcher. Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli followed with singles, the latter on a liner to right-center that looked as though it would be caught. Instead, rightfielder Andy Dirks let the ball glance off his glove as centerfielder Austin Jackson ran behind him.

"It was one of those balls that's a little between us, should have been caught," Dirks said, adding there was no miscommunication between him and Jackson.

The ball dropped for a single that loaded the bases. That brought up Cruz, who also homered in Texas' 3-2 win in the series opener.

STATS LLC said Cruz's slam was the first to end a postseason game — with a postscript. Robin Ventura sent a bases-loaded drive over the fence to finish a Mets victory against the Braves in the 1999 NLCS, but he was swarmed by teammates between first and second.

Ventura never made it around the bases and was officially credited with an RBI single. His 15th-inning drive for a 4-3 Mets win in Game 5 came to be known as "the grand slam-single."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 10, 2011

WASHINGTON — D Mattias Ohlund will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees today, keeping one of the Lightning's top defensemen and penalty killers out for potentially another month.

General manager Steve Yzerman said the procedure, to be completed today in Tampa, will clean out loose bodies that have caused irritation in the alternate captain's knees. Yzerman estimated Ohlund could miss 4-6 weeks but said it might be less, depending on his progress. Ohlund hasn't practiced since Sept. 30, having dealt with right knee pain near the end of the preseason, and is on injured reserve.

While structural damage was ruled out in an MRI last week, further examination revealed that an arthroscopic procedure could remove loose cartilage.

"Not that there's ever a good time, but to go in and do one, you might as well do both," Yzerman said.

Coach Guy Boucher said Ohlund's absence creates a "major hole." Though the team is more than comfortable with putting D Victor Hedman against the top lines in a pairing with D Eric Brewer, it asks a lot of other defensemen, who have to step into that second pairing. Yzerman said it'll give an opportunity for more ice time to the likes of D Matt Gilroy, D Bruno Gervais and D Marc-Andre Bergeron.

"All I know is we've got a guy that plays against the top lines that we don't have," Boucher said. "And you can't replace that. It really puts a major hole in you're lineup, and we've got a major hole in our lineup."

HIGH PRAISE: One bright spot over the Lightning's first three games has been rookie Brett Connolly, who picked up his first NHL point Monday, an assist on Dominic Moore's second-period goal.

"He's shown me (guts)," Boucher said before Monday's game. "I've seen him play really well with the rookies; rookie camp he looked like a man amongst boys. So then you wait for training camp, and during training camp he adapted every day, and then you get to exhibition games where he looked great.

"And after exhibition games, when the real games started, I figure his play is going to lower down a little bit, and it hasn't."

LINING UP: RW Mattias Ritola got his turn in the forward rotation Monday night, playing 6 minutes, 36 seconds. Boucher said it was planned for the first three games with C Blair Jones (Friday) and Tom Pyatt (Saturday) to each get one game. As for how the rotation goes from now on, Boucher said, "ask them, the ball is in their camp."

Gervais, making his Lightning debut, assisted on the team's first goal and scored later in the first period, snapping a 56-game goalless streak.

MISCELLANY: About 2,000 tickets remain for Monday's home opener, the team said. … Gilroy, Jones and Pyatt were scratches.