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Football: Wesley Chapel 40, Ridgewood 0

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Allie Davison, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL —Wesley Chapel walked away with a 40-0 victory over district foe Ridgewood on Friday night.

With Devin Piper out due to a season-ending ankle surgery, the Wildcats (3-3, 1-3) made adjustments to their ground game.

Off an early turnover by the Rams, DeQuane Anderson ran in a 25-yard touchdown to put Wesley Chapel up 6-0.

On their next two drives, the Wildcats scored two running touchdowns off Keegan Tanner's 66-yard and Ty Tanner's 2-yard runs to push the Wildcats lead to 20-0 two minutes into the second quarter.

Heading into halftime, Robert Jota scored a 55-yard rushing touchdown after a turnover by the Rams (1-6, 1-3).

Despite a comfortable 27-0 lead and 236 yards on 17 carries, the Wildcats were penalized 16 times for more than 100 yards in the first half alone.

Ridgewood's closest chance at scoring came in the fourth after the Wildcats were called for two personal fouls and ended up on the 2-yard line after eating up more than seven minutes. A poor handoff resulted in a fumble recovery for Wesley Chapel.

The only TD pass came in the final seconds with Troy Cothran's 14-yard pass to Sasha Mentor.

Wesley Chapel's Keegan Tanner led both teams with more than 110 yards and two touchdowns. Ridgewood's offense was held to 67 yards on the ground.

"It's huge for us because Wesley Chapel High hasn't had a winning season in I think six years," coach Ben Alford said. "We are trying to get on that road and trying to teach the kids how to go out and win. They played hard from the first quarter on."


Football: Jesuit 48, Dunedin 21

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By Lauren Burg, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

DUNEDIN — Dunedin (2-5, 2-3) kept things close for much of the night, but the Falcons eventually fell to ninth-ranked Jesuit (6-1, 6-0) 48-21 in a Class 5A, District 8 matchup Friday night.

The Falcons trailed only 21-14 in the second quarter when Kevin Newman scored on runs of 3 and 1 yard as the Tigers pulled away.

Jesuit quarterback Tommy Eveld hooked up with his favorite target, receiver Travis Johnson. Eveld was 19-of-23 for 310 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown. Johnson had 10 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.

"It was a tough game," Jesuit coach James Harrell said. "We know we have to overcome any mistakes we make and our guys were able to do that."

Dunedin received contributions from senior quarterback/kicker Anthony Diviney and senior receiver Chris Askew. Diviney was 12-of-20 for 211 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also ran for one rushing touchdown. Askew had four receptions, 149 yards and both touchdown catches.

Lauren Burg, Times correspondent

Football: Bishop McLaughlin 56, Vanguard 18

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Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2011

The Hurricanes rushed for more than 300 yards and flew to the ball on defense to earn their first win of the season with a 38-point road victory against host Vanguard.

"I'm very happy to get that first win," first-year coach Derrick Alexander said. "You don't even understand."

Senior running back Jordan Betancourt led the offensive attack with two touchdowns rushing and one receiving. He had another long run called back because of a penalty.

Evan Barhonovich and Austin Meyers added scores for Bishop McLaughlin (1-5) to help the Hurricanes earn a victory in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

Alexander said his coaches changed up the team's defensive schemes, which helped Bishop hold Vanguard under 20 points and boost their confidence heading into key conference games.

"We made some adjustments on defense to try to make this run and try to win our conference…" Alexander said. "We got the first part of it taken care of tonight."

Matt Baker, Times staff writer

Football: Fivay 41, Gulf 14

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Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2011

Fivay remained perfect in Class 5A, District 6 thanks to a balanced offensive attack Friday night.

Quarterback Tyler Degen threw for more than 100 yards and a touchdown, and Fivay (5-1, 4-0) rushed for a handful of scores while containing Gulf's offense in a 41-14 victory.

"We just never really let them get much started," coach Chris Taylor said.

Degen connected with tight end Kevin Faulkner on a 30-yard score. Receiver James Bullock scored on a 75-yard punt return, while Kyrie Rodriguez, Colin Hahn and Bryan Poinsette all rushed for touchdowns.

Taylor said his linemen played well against Gulf's big bodies, including college prospect Jeff Kruse.

"We were able to control the line of scrimmage, so that was good for us," Taylor said.

Fivay remains in a three-way tie with Pasco and Zephyrhills for first place in the district heading into the Falcons' showdown with the Pirates next week.

"It's going to be a great learning experience for our program," Taylor said.

Gulf (1-5, 1-3) hosts Anclote next week.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer

Football: River Ridge 32, Springstead 28

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Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

NEW PORT RICHEY — "That's the new River Ridge."

Those words from coach Ryan Benjamin couldn't have more aptly described his team's 32-28 comeback victory against Springstead on Friday night.

Once a perennial losing program, River Ridge (4-2) has found a way to win under its first-year coach, and that was never more evident after the Royal Knights were down 11 points to Springstead (2-4) at home.

The Eagles came in with a stellar game plan: Slow down the clock and give the ball to their best offensive threat, Kevin Bedford. It worked for more than three quarters as the visiting team held a 28-17 lead.

Bedford finished with 27 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He led a ground attack that picked up 16 first downs. As it happened, that was one away from clinching a victory for Springstead.

On fourth and 1 on their 27, the Eagles decided to go for it with 3:27 remaining. A quarterback sneak from Tyler Mahla came up inches short.

"We needed a foot, and we got 8 inches," Springstead coach Bill Vonada said. "Ultimately, it was my call."

River Ridge featured another running back in what seems like a carousel backfield. This week, Brian Clinkscale (15 carries, 132 yards) received the majority of the touches and delivered, scoring both touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

"We're made up of team players, and we find the best fit for the opponent we're going to play that week," Benjamin said. "We knew he could run between the tackles and to the outside because (Clinkscale) is a tough kid."

NLCS, Game 5: St. Louis Cardinals defeat Milwaukee Brewers 7-1, move within one win of NL pennant

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Times wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

ST. LOUIS — The bumbling Brewers made four errors that led to three unearned runs, and the Cardinals survived a short start by Jaime Garcia for a 7-1 victory Friday night to take a 3-2 lead in the NL Championship Series.

Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday had three hits each for St. Louis, which burst to a 3-0 lead in the second when Molina doubled in a run and third baseman Jerry Hairston allowed Garcia's grounder to go through his legs. Holliday capped the scoring with a two-run single in the eighth.

Milwaukee's infield nearly had a cycle of errors, with second baseman Rickie Weeks and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt committing miscues along with reliever Marco Estrada. Weeks had committed the Brewers' only two errors in the first four games of the series.

St. Louis can wrap up the best-of-seven series and its 18th NL pennant in Game 6 on Sunday in Milwaukee. Edwin Jackson goes for the Cardinals against Shaun Marcum in a rematch of pitchers from Game 2, won by St. Louis 12-3 as neither starter received a decision.

The NL winner hosts the World Series opener against Detroit or Texas on Wednesday.

Milwaukee had not made more than three errors in a game during the regular season, but the Brewers' sloppiness reached a near-record level. Milwaukee was one shy of the LCS record for errors in a game, shared by the 1974 Dodgers and 1976 Yankees, according to STATS LLC.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had a quick hook once again.

Garcia opened with four scoreless innings, then allowed three hits and a sacrifice in a span of four at-bats in the fifth. With two on and two outs, Octavio Dotel relieved and struck out Ryan Braun. Dotel struck out two in 1⅓ hitless innings, combining with three other relievers for 4⅓ innings of scoreless, two-hit relief.

Jason Motte got four outs for his second save of the series, leaving Cardinals relievers 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA in 22⅔ innings.

St. Louis starters are 1-2 with a 6.04 ERA.

Brewers starter Zack Greinke left pitches over the plate in some key spots and allowed five runs — just two earned — and seven hits in 5⅔ innings with no strikeouts and two walks.

Greinke dropped his postseason ERA to 6.48, and he failed to strike out a batter in a start for the first time all season.

Looking ahead, if the Brewers have more than the usual hope, it's because they have the potential for two more games at Miller Park, where they posted baseball's best home record this season.

Football: Plant 59, Brandon 21

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Mike McCollum, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

BRANDON — The Plant offense was on full display Friday night as the Panthers steamrolled Brandon 59-21.

The Plant offense struck early and often, mostly through the air. Senior quarterback James Few threw for three touchdowns, with junior wideout Dereck Mann on the receiving end of two.

Fueled by their no-huddle offense, the Panthers scored 30 points by the end of the first quarter. The Panther special teams also got involved, with Austin Aikens and Austin Roberts returning Brandon kickoffs for touchdowns.

"We've got a big stretch coming up with Alonso next week with the district lead on the line, then Armwood after that," coach Robert Weiner said. "But I'm confident we'll be ready for the challenge. We seem to be hitting our stride at the right time."

The bright spot for Brandon was its ground game. The Eagles ran for 297 yards, led by senior running back Tyrell Garner and bruising fullback Cyrus Dooley.

Mike McCollum, Times correspondent

Football: Durant 50, Chamberlain 29

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Paul Driscoll, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

TAMPA — It was homecoming night for Chamberlain, but Durant made sure it wasn't a happy one. After starting the season 0-2 on the road, the Cougars notched their first victory away from home, 50-29 Friday.

Chamberlain (0-6, 0-2) was forced to punt on its first possession, but backed Durant up inside the 10. The Cougars (4-2, 1-1) fumbled their first snap from scrimmage, eventually leading to a 1-yard keeper by Chamberlain's Joshua Bennett. Then it quickly became the Nick Fabrizio show, as the Durant quarterback ran for four touchdowns and threw for another.

Durant's John Jones, Chris Atkins and Zach Hooper wreaked havoc in the running game and accounted for most of the Cougars' 295 rushing yards. Fabrizio capped off his night with a 70-yard sprint to the end zone in the third quarter, which gave Durant a 43-21 lead and put the game on ice.

Xavier Johnson was Chamberlain's stud of the night, picking up more than 60 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns.

Paul Driscoll, Times staff writer


Football: Gaither 17, East Bay 16

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Mark Chisholm, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 15, 2011

GIBSONTON — Gaither (4-2) handed East Bay (3-3) a tough 17-16 defeat Friday night.

The East Bay homecoming crowd sensed a fourth-quarter comeback win after Tajee Fullwood's second 1-yard TD run and subsequent field goal gave the Indians a 16-10 lead with 2:38 remaining.

The Cowboys' Shug Oyegunle had other ideas. He returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to the East Bay 20. Sophomore Alex McGough then hit Carlo Perello on a short pass for the tying score. Dalton Gilson's PAT provided the winning margin with 2:17 to go.

Gaither wore down East Bay with a consistent defensive effort spearheaded by Josh Scarberry's five sacks, two tackles for loss, and batted pass. The Indians scored 16 straight, buoyed by a 50-yard completion from Fullwood to Quaeshawn Laurent to set up the go-ahead score. Nick Sampson recovered a fumble on the last kickoff to seal the Gaither win.

"Special teams wins ball games, defense wins championships, but special teams can win games," said Gaither senior Tyler McCollum, who had a blocked field goal and 64-yard kickoff return.

Mark Chisholm, Times correspondent

Football: Spoto 45, Blake 28

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Travis Puterbaugh, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 15, 2011

RIVERVIEW — The Spoto Spartans were given all they could handle by the Blake Yellow Jackets but came storming back in the second half to capture a 45-28 victory Friday.

Eric Moate paced the Spartans (3-3-1) with a game-high 153 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns, three of which came in the second half.

His 29-yard run with 3:40 left in the third quarter put Spoto ahead for good 31-28. The Spartans battled back in the game after falling behind early in the first quarter.

Blake quarterback Zain Gilmore threw a pair of touchdown passes of 30 and 55 yards to give his team a surprising lead 14-3 lead after one quarter.

In the early going, Blake (2-5) was able to counter Spoto's aggressive defense by running screen plays, including the 55-yard touchdown to DeAndre James, and it appeared an upset might be in the works.

"We made some early mistakes in our coverages," Spoto coach Dale Caparaso said, "and they made some really nice calls with their screens against our blitz."

The Spartans responded, however, with 21 unanswered points in a 2:45 span in the second quarter to take a 24-14 lead. The Yellow Jackets regained the lead on Gilmore's third and fourth touchdown passes, taking a 28-24 lead into the half.

Spoto's defense kept the pressure on Gilmore in the second half and was able to force four punts and an interception while keeping Blake off the scoreboard. Though Spoto shut him down in the second half, Gilmore had an outstanding night with 287 yards in the air to go with his four touchdown passes.

On the offensive side of the ball, Moate stole the show in the second half with three touchdowns.

"Our offense dominated tonight," Caparaso said. "That's something we hadn't done all year long."

Despite the early 11-point deficit and the possibility of being upset on homecoming night, Caparaso had no doubt his team would respond favorably.

"We've got pretty good character here," he said. "This group of kids fights back hard, and they always believe."

Football: Lakewood 60, Lennard 26

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Nathan Cowan, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — After a first half that saw Lennard stay with Lakewood (6-0, 5-0) step for step, the Spartans outscored the Longhorns 20-0 in the third quarter Friday en route to a 60-26 victory.

"We've got to start fast and not put ourselves in bad situations," Spartans coach Cory Moore said. "We like to be versatile on offense and be consistent running and passing."

Lakewood's offense racked up 511 yards led by Tracy Johnson, Rodney Adams and Marquez Valdes. Johnson threw for 299 yards and four scores while Adams caught four passes for 144 yards. Valdes pitched in with three catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson opened the scoring with a 19-yard pass to Valdes and a 17-yarder to Donterio Fowler.

The Longhorns (1-6, 1-5) came back with a pass from Pete Foret to Shannon Gaines.

Johnson found Tahrell Evans to open the second half and Gary Sherman intercepted a pass and returned it 27 yards for a 34-14 lead.

Nathan Cowan, Times correspondent

Football: Tampa Catholic 35, Winter Park Trinity Prep 0

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Laura Keeley, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Tampa Catholic was able to bounce back from last week's district loss to Clearwater Central Catholic and steam roll Trinity Prep 35-0 in Winter Park on Friday night.

The Crusaders were without leading rusher Jordan Rich-Rogers, who was out with a sore hamstring. Trevor Register filled in nicely, gaining 131 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Chivarsky Corbett added 159 yards passing.

It was the defense, though, that drew the highest praise from coach Bob Henriquez.

"We played exceedingly well defensively," he said.

Laura Keeley, Times staff writer

Football: East Lake 52, Sarasota 38

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By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

The visiting Eagles (4-3, 1-0) jumped out to a commanding 26-point lead in the first half and went on to win 52-38 Friday night for their second straight victory.

Pete DiNovo threw for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns. His top target was Artavis Scott, who had three receptions for scores, all longer than 30 yards. Tyler Lane also scored two rushing touchdowns, and Devin Abraham returned a kick for a touchdown to put the Eagles ahead by four touchdowns early in the third quarter.

Eagles coach Bob Hudson rested most of his starters after that. The Sailors rallied with three late scores before Hudson put his starters back in to run out the clock.

"We looked real sharp early on and were able to hang on in the end," Hudson said.

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Football: Clearwater 28, Osceola 18

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Rob Bibelhauser, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 15, 2011

SEMINOLE — Clearwater's fourth-quarter passing attack proved too much for Osceola on Friday night as the Tornadoes came from behind in a 28-18 victory.

The Warriors led most of the game, employing a team of running backs that included contributions of 76 yards each from seniors Cody Lighthiser and Jordan Ramsey. Ramsey rushed for two touchdowns, one for 57 yards, and blocked a punt in the second quarter.

Trailing 21-18 with six minutes remaining, Clearwater quarterback Rob Yarbrough worked out of the shotgun.

"They tried to stack the middle on us so they had a lot of people up front, and that started opening up lanes downfield," Tornadoes coach Tom Bostic said.

Wideouts Branden Leston, who had five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, and Devijion Smith physically outmatched the Osceola secondary as the Tornadoes connected on all but one pass on the drive. Junior running back Mike Jerrido punched it in from the 1 yard line to give Clearwater its first lead of the half.

Osceola got the ball back less than three minutes left but Tirrence Cason grabbed an interception at the Warriors' 35. Jerrido scored once more for his third touchdown.

Rob Bibelhauser, Times correspondent

Football: St. Petersburg Catholic 39, Cardinal Mooney 33

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Justin Miller, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Ryan Green scored all five of St. Petersburg Catholic's touchdowns and finished with 310 yards rushing and 91 yards receiving in a 39-33 win.

Cardinal Mooney took a 13-0 lead, but the Barons answered on their second possession as Green took a handoff 65 yards to help make the score 13-7.

On another Barons possession, Green took over again. On his second carry of the game, he reversed his field and ran down the opposite sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. Jimmy Briggs had a 39-yard field goal, and the Barons led 16-13 at halftime.

Briggs added a 31-yard field goal in the second half and played linebacker, recording 17 tackles.

Green's performance carried over into the second half. On his first carry, he went 47 yards for another touchdown. Later in the third quarter, freshman quarterback Jack Sheehan found Green down the sideline for a 58-yard score.

Cardinal Mooney didn't back down, making it a one-possession game with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

But Green put the comeback out of reach when he broke loose for his fifth touchdown, running 50 yards.

Justin Miller, Times correspondent


Tampa Bay Lightning Nuts & Bolts

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

5 questions RW Brett Connolly

What was your first NHL road trip like? It's a lot different than juniors. It's nice being on a plane rather than a bus.

The best perk? You're treated like a professional here. It's first class.

Time-killer on the plane? Normally I'll pipe in a TV show and go from there. Right now I'm watching Friday Night Lights.

Any sightseeing in Washington? We went to Georgetown, down by the White House, just found some statues I'd never seen before. It was fun.

Favorite city you've been to? Last year I moved to Toronto and loved it, so that'd probably be my first choice.

Just for sticks

Lightning coach Guy Boucher said there are different ways to make a point, and he chose an interesting one during Wednesday's practice. With his team taking way too many stick penalties, Boucher sent F Blair Jones to the penalty box after hooking during a one-on-one chase drill.

Jones watched while the rest of the team did 20 pushups.

"He was like, 'Coach, I'll do it with the other guys,' " Boucher said, smiling. " 'No, no, no. You sit there and feel shame.' "

Swing batter

It should not have been a surprise Vinny Lecavalier scored his first goal of the season with a baseball bat swing at a puck that had rebounded into the air. The Lightning captain said he played baseball — shortstop and pitcher — until he was 14.

"I don't want to brag, but …," Lecavalier joked while taking a cut with an imaginary bat.

Lecavalier said connecting flush with the puck after the rebound of Steven Stamkos' shot bounced high off Hurricanes G Cam Ward was no big deal.

"It was sitting up there," he said, "like it was on a tee."

Joe Smith and Damian Cristodero, Times staff writers

Quote of the day

"Hedman and Brewer are going to have to sleep on the ice. I'd love to say they won't, but they will."

Coach Guy Boucher, on defensemen Victor Hedman and Eric Brewer getting more ice time in the absence of injured Mattias Ohlund, right

Number of the day

38 Average shots the Lightning had allowed per game entering Saturday, worst in the league.

Tampa Bay Lightning defense has a lot to figure out

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Here's the thing about the Lightning defense: the group either gets better or there will be more games such as last week's sloppy 6-5 shootout loss to the Capitals and the embarrassing 5-1 blowout by the Islanders, who had scored all of two goals in two previous games.

This conversation shouldn't be a surprise. Even before the season it was clear the blue line was the biggest question mark, even more than the goaltending manned by the league's oldest player.

When veteran Mattias Ohlund was sidelined for at least a month after arthroscopic surgery on both knees, the pressure increased, and so far it seems more than the group can handle.

Heading into Saturday's game with the Panthers, Tampa Bay had allowed a league-high average 38 shots. Its 16 goals against (including the one assessed for losing the shootout) were 13th in the 15-team East.

Matt Gilroy, signed during the summer as a free agent, was benched for two games. Turnovers have led to goals, and defensive zone coverages have been poor enough that coach Guy Boucher had players work on them at morning skates.

Plenty of elements are at play. There is a steep learning curve for Gilroy, who has such a strong offensive sensibility he many times put himself out of position. And without Ohlund, the Lightning is down a player whose main focus is defense.

Yes, it has been only five games, and goalie Dwayne Roloson could have made a few more stops, but even the best goalies need help. And consider this: The Lightning during the summer did not re-sign Mike Lundin and Randy Jones, two more players who were defense first. Instead, it signed Gilroy, Marc-Andre Bergeron and Bruno Gervais. Each has speed, critical in a game so much about puck retrieval. But they have been inconsistent in their careers at the nuts and bolts of defensive play.

No doubt, Boucher and the coaching staff will keep working with the players. They will demand the team have a better five-man pack mentality on defense, and Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman, as the top pairing, will play a lot.

Ohlund will return, but even before that, the Lightning defense has a lot to figure out.

Around the NFL

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Upset special

Panthers (1-4) over Falcons (2-3)

Cam Newton will carve up the Falcons defense, which is giving up 26 points per game.

Game of the day

Who would have thought a game between the Lions and 49ers would be a showdown? However, the teams are a combined 9-1 after being 1-9 at this point last season. The Lions seek their first 6-0 start since beating the 49ers to do so in 1956. The 49ers seek their first 5-1 start since 1998 and first four-game win streak since 2001. The big difference? Turnover margin. The 49ers are plus-10, the Lions plus-7.

On the move?

Even before the death of owner Al Davis, there were questions about where the Raiders might end up after their lease expires following the 2013 season. They could remain in Oakland. They could share a stadium with the 49ers in Santa Clara. Or they could move back to Los Angeles. There is going to be a team in Los Angeles someday. If we had to bet now, our money would be on the Raiders sharing a stadium with the 49ers. Whatever happens, it won't be nearly as fun without the legendary Davis calling the shots.

Number of the day

76 Dolphins appearances on Monday Night Football (not including this week), most all time; their 40 wins are tied with the 49ers for second, three behind the Cowboys.



Milestone watch

The Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson, who has 13,476 rushing yards, needs 187 to pass Jerome Bettis for fifth all time. He needs 190 to pass Barry Sanders (18,190) for fifth all time in yards from scrimmage.

Odds and ends

Over his past 14 regular-season home games, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers is 13-1. Think that's impressive? New England's Tom Brady has won his past 30 regular-season home games — an NFL record. … The Colts are trying to avoid falling to 0-6 for the fifth time in franchise history. The last time was 1997 (the year before Peyton Manning arrived), when they lost their first 10. … Aside from choosing Glendale, Ariz., over Tampa to host the February 2015 Super Bowl, the NFL announced the date for next season's Super Bowl in New Jersey: Feb. 2, 2014. That will not conflict with the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, which are set to open Feb. 7. The average temperature in New Jersey then: 31 degrees.

Information from Associated Press was used in this report.

Power rankings

1. Packers 2. Lions

3. Patriots4. Chargers

5. Ravens

Three teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Three teams already in trouble about a third of the way into the season. The Eagles, Jets and Falcons are a combined 5-10. It's only Week 6, perhaps too early to say these teams are facing must-win situations. But just how critical is this week for these three? Here's a look on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most critical.

Eagles (1-4) at Redskins

The good news is since 1990, five teams have won division titles after starting 1-4. But no team since 1990 has started 1-5 and won its division. A loss at Washington (3-1) puts the Eagles four games behind the Redskins in the loss column. In addition, a loss and the so-called "Dream Team'' would be in last place in the NFC East, two games (possibly three) behind the next-closest team. The Eagles aren't playing that poorly, but losses are losses.

Critical rating: 41/2

Jets (2-3) vs. Dolphins

The Jets are two games behind the Bills and Patriots in the AFC East, and you get the feeling the Patriots aren't going to lose more than four games (if that many) this season. A Jets loss on Monday throws a major wrench in their division hopes. But more important, losing to the Dolphins at home would be a really bad loss. Miami is winless, and some folks are trying to find a game on the schedule it might win. Still, it's not do-or-die for the Jets just yet.

Critical rating: 2

Falcons (2-3) vs. Panthers

The Falcons already have lost three games, matching their total from all of last season. They are two games behind the Saints in the NFC South. If they fall too much further behind, the goal of a division crown is over. The Saints are just too good to blow what could be a three-game lead. If Atlanta has to settle for a wild card, that likely means no home postseason games. And the Falcons are not nearly as good on the road as they are at home.

Critical rating: 31/2

Florida State Seminoles 41, Duke Blue Devils 16

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Times staff
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Devonta Freeman rushed for 109 yards and EJ Manuel threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to help the Florida State Seminoles end a three-game losing streak by crushing the Duke Blue Devils 41-16 Saturday in Durham, N.C.

The Seminoles (3-3, 1-2 ACC) finally found a running game with Freeman, who scored on a 10-yard second quarter run to give FSU a 24-3 lead.

Manuel finished 9 of 14 for 239 yards.

Duke dropped to 3-3, 1-1.

Seminoles defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel left the game in the first quarter with a dislocated right ankle.

After three consecutive road games, the Seminoles return home next week to face Maryland.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense lacks speedy options

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15, 2011

TAMPA — Having big-armed quarterback Josh Freeman play in an offense that lacks the speed for a vertical passing game is like taking an oversized driver to the Putt-Putt course.

No wonder Freeman has felt the pressure to force the ball downfield as the lack of explosive plays and play-makers has been crippling this season.

The Bucs' fastest receiver is Arrelious Benn, who is coming off a torn ACL. Mike Williams makes some yards after the catch and found the end zone 11 times last season as a rookie, but he's not a burner.

In the backfield, the Bucs have preferred big backs to scat backs.

"I think that's kind of a truth serum," coach Raheem Morris said. "We don't have (Saints RB) Darren Sproles. We don't have (Saints WR) Devery Henderson. Regis is kind of our explosive guy. He's got to come back and be explosive for us.

"You need an explosive guy. You need to keep adding tools. But by no means have we said we're a finished product. No doubt about that. And you see that when you get clear-cut examples coming to your stadium like the New Orleans Saints and how explosive they are."

The Bucs have only nine pass plays of 20 yards or longer this season, only one by Williams. After five games last season, they had 16.

Most of the big plays in the passing game have been set up by play-action, the result of RB LeGarrette Blount's relentless pounding that forces safeties to creep increasingly closer to the line of scrimmage.

But Blount has a sprained left knee that likely will force him to miss the next two games. And his replacement, Earnest Graham, is similar in speed if not stature.

Of course, the Bucs had a chance to address this problem during the offseason. But general manager Mark Dominik wasn't that interested in making a run at Sproles or Reggie Bush to add some dash to the backfield, and there weren't many free agent receivers who are deep threats.

So the Bucs will have to grind it out again this season.

"We'll continue to get better," Morris said.

"But until then, I won't make excuses for not having that type of guy."

CONCESSION: Morris made a sobering but honest assessment last week about playing Saints QB Drew Brees: He's going to throw for at least 300 yards.

"Got to look at the history," Morris said. "Wins, losses, whatever. At the end of the day, he has 300 yards. You can't stop him. But you might have two picks. You run back a punt. Something happens that changes the game."

LESSONS LEARNED: Former Bucs defensive line coach Rod Marinelli used to say there are two kinds of players and coaches in the NFL: those who are humble and those who are about to be humbled.

That's why the Bucs' 48-3 loss at San Francisco last week might not be the worst thing to happen to them this season.

A young team, even one that had won 13 out of 20 games, has to learn to be prepared each week or they can get their block knocked off.

"You've got to move in silence," Morris said. "You've got to move humble, and you've got to win humble.

"A lot of good things happen when you get humbled."

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