By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2011

BAGSHOT, England — As dangerous jobs go, it's not like he's a snow crab fisherman on the outer banks of Alaska, an ice road trucker or even a logger. But on the football field, Preston Parker makes the deadliest catches as a kick return man and third down specialist.

Last week on third-and-7 from the Tampa Bay 30, Parker ran a sideline route toward the New Orleans bench and caught a facemask full of Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.

But when you've been thrown out of Florida State, tried to resurrect your career at North Alabama, been bypassed in the NFL draft, won a job at a rookie tryout and now volunteer to do the dirty work, what's going to intimidate you?

Fearless is the word that's been used to describe Parker, who mostly works the middle of the football field. In fact, 12 of his 19 catches this season have come on third down, including both touchdowns, and 201 of his 268 receiving yards.

"It started with special teams a year ago when you really started to see his toughness, especially returning," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said. "That's why (coach) Raheem (Morris) put him over on defense and he got a snap on defense last year because of how physical the kid is. And I still hear him joke around, 'Don't forget me on defense.' But you love that mentality of him and then he's got a certain fearless mentality that you have to have if you're going to play inside and go across the middle. Guys like Keyshawn (Johnson) had that, you could throw him anywhere and just take the hit. Preston's got that. He does not peek to see who is coming."

At 5 feet 11, 200 pounds and tough as a truck stop steak, Parker has never understood all the fuss about his physical nature on the football field.

"That's just how I've always played and how we always played where I'm from in Delray Beach," Parker said. "When I went to college and people asked, 'Do you run between the tackles?' I was like, 'What do you mean?' I didn't know what they were talking about. I was like, 'If that's what you call it, I'll do it.' It's just regular to me, just second nature. I just try to make someone miss. If that's fearless, I guess I am."

Parker is also not afraid to ask questions. At One Buc Place, his locker is next to Earnest Graham, who has become a friend and mentor. Like Parker, Graham took the hard road to a career that has lasted eight seasons. He wasn't drafted, endured being cut four times by the Bucs, played special teams, fullback — anything necessary.

"He asks a ton of questions," Graham said. "He brings up these scenarios. What if this and that. So I enjoy being able to give him my experiences, mostly off the field, and help him along.

"A guy like Preston Parker, he has no trouble on the football field. He is very natural. He's a small guy, but he is strong, man, as far as breaking tackles. He has a different mentality than a lot of guys, very, very fearless and physical. You see some of the balls he catches on punts and you wonder what is he doing? But he's fearless. But sometimes as a football player, you can have the same mentality in football as you have off the field. So for him, I've talked to him about being able to balance yourself off-the-field. Most guys I've seen who haven't played a long time and haven't gotten what they should've from the game has been because of off-the-field stuff."

Parker's story is well-documented: three arrests ranging from weapons charges, drugs and driving under the influence ended his promising career with the Seminoles. He salvaged what he could of his career at North Alabama but was bypassed in the draft. Talk about job reduction. Parker took roles from injured receiver Sammie Stroughter and kick returner Micheal Spurlock.

"I love the journey I came from. I wouldn't take it back," Parker said. "Say I'm tired or say I have to go from special teams right to zebra, which is three wide. Or from three wide, straight to punt returns. The journey will kick in and I'll think, 'You went a long way, man, so just take it. Look how far you've come, so don't complain.' That keeps me driven."

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Dan Wheldon's funeral arrangements have been set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Drive N.E., IndyCar announced Thursday.

Wheldon's widow, Susie, said in a statement that members of the community who knew her husband are invited to honor the IndyCar driver and St. Petersburg resident.

"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days," Susie Wheldon said in her first public remarks since her husband was killed in a 15-car wreck in Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300. "The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers. …

"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

Wheldon, the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, is also survived by two sons. He was 33.

Wheldon's family is requesting instead of flowers, friends or fans send donations to the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund or the Alzheimer's Association.

Fans wishing to send condolences to the family can mail them to:

The Wheldons

9600 Koger Blvd N, Ste. 105

St Petersburg, FL 33702

Also Thursday, NASCAR announced that it would honor the Englishman with Lionheart Knight stickers on the its cars for this weekend's race at Talladega. Wheldon wore that logo on his racing helmets.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor


Thursday, October 20, 2011

People often say, "I'd love to go on an adventure, but I don't know where to start."

They think to be a consummate outdoorsman you need some kind of special training. I wish I could say that I spent a year roasting scorpions over an open fire with the French Foreign Legion, but that was not the case.

Truth be told, I am not much different from you, just a middle-class kid from the suburbs who spent too much time watching old Tarzan movies on a black-and-white TV.

But long before Indiana Jones made adventure cool, I dreamed of traveling to far off, exotic places, in search of a wild life that I knew existed from reading the pages of National Geographic.

It would take a couple of decades and several thousand miles of globe-trotting before I finally figured out that the excitement I sought could be found right here in my own back yard. I often referred to these little jaunts into the swamps and scrub as my "everyday adventures."

In college at the University of South Florida, I often wondered how I could make a living messing around in the woods and on the water.

I took a variety of courses, including Canoeing, Viking History and a class called Beginning Reporting, where I learned how to write stories about traffic accidents and city council meetings, instead of doing something that I really wanted, like chasing alligators down the Hillsborough River.

The only really fun thing that I remember about my years as a journalism student was reading a piece about a monster hammerhead shark by a fellow named Jeff Klinkenberg, outdoors writer for the St. Petersburg Times.

"I want that job like that," I told my teacher.

"There are only a dozen of those in the country, Tomalin," he said. "And you're not getting one."

But somehow, less than a decade later, I found myself at the St. Petersburg Times, writing about the Great Outdoors.

Like any good Boy Scout, I knew how to camp and fish, but all that other stuff — from scuba diving to sea kayaking — I had to learn on the job. If there had only been a book to help get me started, it would have saved me much pain and suffering.

Well, it has taken me 20 years. And after countless scrapes, bruises and a few minor surgeries, I have compiled much of what I have learned into a book called Everyday Adventures.

I chose the title for a reason.

The activities and trips — some last just a day and others could take as long as a week — are designed for everyday people with a spirit of adventure. If a middle-aged father of two can do it, why can't you?

Everybody has to start somewhere, but don't let your prior experiences limit your future.

So what if you have never surfed a hurricane swell or gone lobstering in the Florida Keys? This book will tell you how and where to get started.

Want to paddle a sea kayak around the state? Or maybe just canoe across the Everglades. No problem. Everyday Adventures will give you the inside scoop.

It doesn't matter if you want to fish for tarpon or hunt alligators, you can do it. Trust me. I know.

After a lifetime of adventure, the one thing I can say for sure is that the more I learn I realize the less I know. This world is a big place. Every time I step outside, I pretend it is for the first time.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Dare to try new things. If I can do it, so can you.

Great adventurers are not born, they are made, one small accomplishment at a time.

I used to think, "Attitude is everything." But today, with more than 20 years of adventures under my belt, I am older and wiser. I know now that "Attitude is the only thing."

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor


Thursday, October 20, 2011

People often say, "I'd love to go on an adventure, but I don't know where to start."

They think to be a consummate outdoorsman you need some kind of special training. I wish I could say that I spent a year roasting scorpions over an open fire with the French Foreign Legion, but that was not the case.

Truth be told, I am not much different from many of you, just a middle-class kid from the suburbs who spent too much time watching Tarzan movies on a black-and-white TV.

But long before Indiana Jones made adventure cool, I dreamed of traveling to far-off, exotic places in search of a wild life that I knew existed from reading the pages of National Geographic.

It took a couple of decades and several thousand miles of globe-trotting before I figured out that the excitement I sought could be found right here in my own back yard. I often referred to these jaunts into the swamps and scrub as my "everyday adventures."

In college at the University of South Florida, I often wondered how I could make a living messing around in the woods and on the water.

I took a variety of courses, including Canoeing, Viking History and one called Beginning Reporting, where I learned how to write stories about traffic accidents and city council meetings, instead of doing something that I really wanted, like chasing alligators down the Hillsborough River.

The only really fun thing that I remember about my years as a journalism student was reading a piece about a monster hammerhead shark by a fellow named Jeff Klinkenberg, outdoors writer for the St. Petersburg Times.

"I want that job like that," I told my instructor.

"There are only a dozen of those in the country, Tomalin," he said. "And you're not getting one."

But somehow, less than a decade later, I found myself at the St. Petersburg Times, writing about the Great Outdoors.

Like any good Boy Scout, I knew how to camp and fish, but all that other stuff — from scuba diving to sea kayaking — I had to learn on the job. If there had only been a book to help get me started, it would have saved me much pain and suffering.

Well, it has taken me 20 years, but after countless scrapes, bruises and a few minor surgeries, I have compiled much of what I have learned into a book called Everyday Adventures.

I chose the title for a reason.

The activities and trips — some last just a day and others could take as long as a week — are designed for everyday people with a spirit of adventure. If a middle-aged father of two can do it, why can't you?

Everybody has to start somewhere, so don't let your prior experiences limit your future. So what if you have never surfed a hurricane swell or gone lobstering in the Florida Keys? This book will tell you how and where to get started.

Want to paddle a sea kayak around the state? Or maybe just canoe across the Everglades. No problem, Everyday Adventures has the inside scoop.

It doesn't matter if you want to fish for tarpon or hunt alligators, you can do it. Trust me. I know.

After a lifetime of adventure, the one thing I can say for sure is that the more I learn I realize the less I know. This world is a big place. Every time I step outside, I pretend it is for the first time.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Try new things. If I can do it, so can you.

Great adventurers are not born, they are made, one small accomplishment at a time.

I used to think, "Attitude is everything." But today, with more than 20 years of adventures under my belt, I am older and wiser. I know now that "Attitude is the only thing."

By Seth Leto, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 20, 2011

What's hot: Large schools of jack crevalle are attacking baitfish on many shallow grass flats. The schools of jacks can be distinguished easily from the mullet schools, as they move faster and push a bigger wake.

Tactics: Set up on a flat with good moving water and an abundance of life. Look for big pushes of water, baitfish showering or birds diving. Cast ahead of the lead fish.

Tackle: Hard-pulling jacks take most live and artificial baits, with topwater plugs being effective. Use at least a medium rod, a reel with a good drag and a spool that's capable of holding 200 yards or more of line.

Seth Leto charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at capt.seth@yahoo.com or (727) 385-0382.

Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Dan Wheldon's funeral arrangements have been set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Drive NE, IndyCar announced Thursday.

Wheldon's widow, Susie, said in a statement that members of the community who knew her husband are invited to honor the IndyCar driver and St. Petersburg resident.

"Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days," Susie Wheldon said in her first public remarks since her husband was killed in a 15-car wreck in Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300. "The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers. …

"Though we won't be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing. Thank you again. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

Wheldon, the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, is also survived by two sons. He was 33.

Wheldon's family is requesting that instead of flowers, donations be sent to the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund or the Alzheimer's Association.

Fans wishing to send condolences to the family can mail them to:

The Wheldons

9600 Koger Blvd N, Ste. 105

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Also Thursday, NASCAR announced it would honor the Englishman with Lionheart Knight stickers on its cars for this weekend's race at Talladega. Wheldon wore that logo on his racing helmets.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Making news

Time travel at Pioneer Day in Brooksville

Step back in time and learn what it was like to live like a Florida Cracker at the annual Pioneer Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Chinsegut Conservation Center in Brooksville.

Pioneering families worked the land for their livelihoods. This one-day event celebrates that lifestyle with family-oriented activities that explore Florida's culture and past. Learn how to catch water in a wooden rain barrel, shoot a bow and arrow, and gather native plants for food and medicine. Other demonstrations include cow milking, quilting, spinning, ropemaking, tanning and how to call a wild turkey with a homemade box call.

The Chinsegut Conservation Center is located on land once homesteaded by the Bishops, a Florida pioneer family, and remnants of their 19th-century house can still be seen on the property.

Free parking and a shuttle service will be available at the Withlacoochee Training Center, approximately 1 mile north of the intersection of U.S. 41 and County Road 476. On-site parking at the conservation center is available for people with disabilities. Visit www.myfwc.com/chinsegut or the center at (352) 754-6722.

Upcoming

• Oct. 27: Free kayak fishing seminar with guide Neil Taylor, 6:30 p.m. at the Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure in Pinellas Park. Focus is winter fishing. Information: (727) 692-6345.

Terry Tomalin, Outdoors editor

Solunar table

AM PM major minor major minor

10/21 :15 7:20 1:30 7:45

10/22 2:00 8:05 2:15 8:30

10/23 2:50 8:50 3:00 9:15

10/24 3:30 9:40 3:50 10:05

10/25 4:20 10:30 4:40 10:55

10/26 5:10 11:20 5:30 11:50

10/27 6:05 0 6:30 12:20

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning D Mattias Ohlund might be out six weeks or more, GM Steve Yzerman said Thursday.

That's bad news for a struggling defense, and it makes the uncertainty about D Eric Brewer's mystery injury more acute.

Ohlund, off skates since Sept. 30 after arthroscopic surgery on both knees to clean out "loose bodies," originally was to be sidelined four to six weeks.

"But in light of having been 'scoped and talking with the doctors, we're thinking more likely six weeks and potentially a little longer," Yzerman said.

Brewer, whose MRI exam Wednesday and absence from practice sparked all kinds of intrigue, played against the Islanders and was named first star with four blocked shots and four hits.

Before the game, coach Guy Boucher said the defenseman "had to take care of some swelling" and "he's going to be okay."

Brewer said his condition "may or may not" be associated with surgeries he had in December 2008 and April 2009 for a herniated disc. He said last season that he still felt the effects.

"I could have practiced (Wednesday)," said Brewer, who declined to say if he had treatment. "I just wanted to throw a few questions by some people."

Asked for specifics, Boucher said, "It's a low body (injury), high body or whatever. It's just part of his body."

"I don't really feel any worse than I have," said Brewer, 32. "I just think I can feel a little better. I'm not scared of anything or worried about anything. … You just have to stay on top of things."

SITTING: LW Ryan Shannon played "really well" Monday against the Panthers, Boucher said. Even so, Shannon, with RW Mattias Ritola, was scratched Thursday as part of a continuing rotation of 14 forwards.

"He doesn't deserve to be taken out," Boucher said of Shannon. "I only (can use) 12 forwards. That's the experiment. We need to know about some players, and we're only going to know if we put them in, so he's kind of paying for it."

Rookie RW Brett Connolly played his seventh game. He can play two more before it must be decided whether to send him back to juniors or allow the clock to start on his three-year, $2.7 million contract.

Forwards Tom Pyatt and Blair Jones also played after sitting out Monday.

"Whether it brings wins or losses, we have to go through the experiment," Boucher said.

SWITCH: Boucher put wings Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone with Steven Stamkos instead of Vinny Lecavalier, and Marty St. Louis and Connolly with Lecavalier instead of Stamkos.

The lines combined for three goals and seven points.

"If you want things to happen, you have to make it happen," Boucher said. "We waited long enough with the lines and the chemistry we were trying to get."

ODDS AND ENDS: Ch. 44 will broadcast three games — Oct. 29 and April 7 against the Jets and Nov. 19 against the Devils — meaning all 82 regular-season games will be televised. … D Scott Jackson (knee) is on waivers so he can be sent to AHL Norfolk. … Thursday was the 15th anniversary of the first game at the St. Pete Times Forum, a 5-2 win over the Rangers. … The Times Forum's Tesla coils, which are to shoot "lightning" about 20 feet to celebrate goals, still are not working. … D Bruno Gervais was also scratched.

Times wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Sprint Cup

What: Good Sam Club 500

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 2:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, noon.); Sunday, race (ESPN, 2 p.m.); Talladega, Ala.

Fast facts: Five races are left in the Chase for the Championship. … In April at the track, Jimmie Johnson edged Clint Bowyer by about a foot with a big push from Hendrick teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. Johnson's victory margin was 0.002 seconds, matching the closest finish in Sprint Cup history. … Earnhardt has five Talladega victories, winning a record four straight from 2001-2003. He is winless in 124 races since June 2008. … In restrictor-plate races this year at Daytona, Trevor Bayne won the season-opening Daytona 500, and David Ragan won the July event.

Standings: 1. Carl Edwards, 2,203; 2. Kevin Harvick, 2,198; 3. Matt Kenseth, 2,196; 4. Kyle Busch, 2,185; 5. Tony Stewart, 2,179; 6. Brad Keselowski, 2,178; 7. Kurt Busch, 2,176; 8. Johnson, 2,168; 9. Earnhardt, 2,143; 10. Ryan Newman, 2,142; 11. Jeff Gordon, 2,137; 12. Denny Hamlin, 2,117

Trucks

What: Coca-Cola 250

When/where: Today, practice, qualifying (Speed, 5 p.m.); Saturday, race (Speed, 4 p.m.); Talladega, Ala.

Fast facts: Four races are left in the season. … Kyle Busch has a series-high six victories this year.

Standings: 1. Austin Dillon, 731; 2. Johnny Sauter, 726; 3. James Buescher, 724; 4. Ron Hornaday, 710; 5. Timothy Peters, 706

Formula One

Next: Grand Prix of India, Oct. 30, Buddh International Circuit, New Delhi

Standings: 1. Sebastian Vettel-x, 349; 2. Jenson Button, 222; 3. Fernando Alonso, 212; 4. Mark Webber, 209; 5. Lewis Hamilton, 196. x-clinched title

NHRA

Next: Big O Tires Nationals, Thursday-Oct. 30, the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Antron Brown, 2,425; 2. Larry Dixon, 2,405. Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, 2,362; 2. Matt Hagan, 2,357. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 2,505; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,317. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 2,466; 2. Hector Arana, 2,456

Nationwide

Next: O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge, Nov. 5, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth

Standings: 1. Ricky Stenhouse, 1,100; 2. Elliott Sadler, 1,085; 3. Aric Almirola, 1,013; 4. Justin Allgaier, 1,009; 5. Reed Sorenson, 1,006

Times wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

East W L T Pct PF PA

New England 5 1 0 .833 185 135

Buffalo 4 2 0 .667 188 147

N.Y. Jets 3 3 0 .500 145 131

Miami 0 5 0 .000 75 128

South W L T Pct PF PA

Tennessee 3 2 0 .600 105 94

Houston 3 3 0 .500 141 124

Jacksonville 1 5 0 .167 72 132

Indianapolis 0 6 0 .000 104 163

North W L T Pct PF PA

Baltimore 4 1 0 .800 148 71

Cincinnati 4 2 0 .667 137 111

Pittsburgh 4 2 0 .667 119 102

Cleveland 2 3 0 .400 91 117

West W L T Pct PF PA

San Diego 4 1 0 .800 120 109

Oakland 4 2 0 .667 160 150

Kansas City 2 3 0 .400 77 150

Denver 1 4 0 .200 105 140

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

East W L T Pct PF PA

N.Y. Giants 4 2 0 .667 154 147

Washington 3 2 0 .600 96 83

Dallas 2 3 0 .400 115 121

Philadelphia 2 4 0 .333 145 145

South W L T Pct PF PA

Tampa Bay 4 2 0 .667 113 145

New Orleans 4 2 0 .667 177 151

Atlanta 3 3 0 .500 135 147

Carolina 1 5 0 .167 133 163

North W L T Pct PF PA

Green Bay 6 0 0 1.000 197 114

Detroit 5 1 0 .833 178 114

Chicago 3 3 0 .500 146 132

Minnesota 1 5 0 .167 121 145

West W L T Pct PF PA

San Francisco 5 1 0 .833 167 97

Seattle 2 3 0 .400 94 122

Arizona 1 4 0 .200 96 121

St. Louis 0 5 0 .000 49 137

Sunday

Houston at Tennessee, 1

Washington at Carolina, 1

San Diego at N.Y. Jets, 1

Seattle at Cleveland, 1

Denver at Miami, 1

Atlanta at Detroit, 1

Chicago vs. Tampa Bay at London, 1

Kansas City at Oakland, 4:05

Pittsburgh at Arizona, 4:05

St. Louis at Dallas, 4:15

Green Bay at Minnesota, 4:15

Indianapolis at New Orleans, 8:20

Open: Buffalo, Cincinnati, N.Y. Giants, New England, Philadelphia, San Francisco

Monday

Baltimore at Jacksonville, 8:30

DETROIT — The trade that wasn't might have saved Jerome Harrison's life.

Doctors discovered Harrison has a brain tumor during his physical Wednesday, voiding the Lions' deadline deal with the Eagles for running back Ronnie Brown, ESPN reported Thursday.

Harrison's agent did not return phone calls and text messages from the Detroit Free Press seeking comment, and the Lions refused to confirm the report, which said the tumor is being treated.

"It's a privacy issue, and I'm not going to comment on it," coach Jim Schwartz said. "(Harrison is) back on our 53-man roster."

Several teammates expressed sympathy for Harrison after practice.

"It's unfortunate," said cornerback Eric Wright, who played four seasons with Harrison in Cleveland. "Just pray for him and hope for the best. I know everything is going to turn out well for him. That's all we can do."

CONCUSSION SUIT: More than 125 former players are suing the NFL — and, in most cases, helmet-maker Riddell — via at least five complaints about concussions brought in state or federal courts over the past few months. They say the NFL should have done more to warn about the dangers of head injuries and should do more to help retired players.

RYAN SORRY: Jets coach Rex Ryan said he knew he messed up Wednesday when he said he "would have had a couple of rings" if San Diego had hired him as coach in 2007. The comments were taken as a shot at Chargers coach Norv Turner, who immediately received an apologetic call from Ryan. Also, Ryan said LaDainian Tomlinson will start against the Chargers in the running back's first game against his original team.

COMMITTEE CHANGE: Giants owner John Mara was appointed chairman of the NFL's Management Council, replacing Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. The council is the main NFL labor committee.

Bears: Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs said recent rifts involving players aren't having "any effect" on the team, which plays the Bucs in London on Sunday. Earlier, Briggs had told a Chicago TV station issues were taking "away from wanting to go out on the field and just play."

SAINTS: Tight end Jimmy Graham, who leads the team in receiving, missed practice with a sore right ankle.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State's ACC road journey has finally ended. After three games away from Doak Campbell Stadium (with an off week thrown in), it is ready to return home.

The Seminoles host Maryland on Saturday in the stadium's first action since their loss to Oklahoma on Sept. 17.

"I can't wait to play in our stadium again," DE Bjoern Werner said. "Hopefully, a lot of fans will be there and support us and do a great job like they did against Oklahoma. With them being loud, it's going to get into the quarterback's head."

FSU went 1-2 on the road trip, losing to Clemson and Wake Forest before beating Duke.

"It'll be awesome to get out there again with our fans out there," QB EJ Manuel said, "and hopefully have a great turnout."

Injury update: WR Rashad Greene remains questionable for Saturday with a rolled ankle. He didn't play against Duke.

Quotable: "Did they tell y'all what he said when he was on the ground and (the trainers) walked up to him? They were like, 'Chris, are you okay?' And he was like, 'Aw, I just wanted to get one more yard.' Like, what? That's really giving up for a team. That's the kind of teammate you want to play with." — LB Vince Williams, on RB Chris Thompson's season-ending back injury

UM: Receiver takes advantage of chances

CORAL GABLES — Now that WR Tommy Streeter is getting a chance to play, the 6-foot-5 junior is thriving.

Streeter, a standout at Miami Northwestern High (where he was a teammate of QB Jacory Harris and LB Sean Spence), redshirted his first season because of torn ligaments in his right wrist. Over the next two seasons combined, he caught six passes.

"A lot of times people would ask you, 'What's going on?', or say this and that," Streeter said. "And you really don't have a reply because you've never been given an opportunity and all people can base things off of is how they see things."

With new coach Al Golden, Streeter has 18 catches for 332 yards and five touchdowns.

"I saw him do this in high school," Spence said. "Now, it's probably shocking to y'all (reporters). "

Helping Streeter is his speed. He has run a 4.3-second 40-yard dash.

"It definitely feels good because you never stop believing within yourself," he said. "You know you can make plays. Once you finally do it, you're almost at ease. It's like confirmation for you: 'Okay, I can do this.' "

South Florida Sun Sentinel

UF: Furman game to be on pay-per-view

GAINESVILLE — Florida announced its Nov. 19 game against Furman will be broadcast on pay-per-view. The game, which starts at 1 p.m., then will air on Sun Sports at 8:30 a.m. Sunday and 11 p.m. Tuesday. The SEC allows teams to offer games on pay-per-view when they are not picked up by CBS, ESPN or its regional network.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Times wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA — Luke Donald figured he might have to win this weekend to have his best shot at capturing the PGA Tour money title. He took a good step Thursday in the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic with 6-under 66 for a seven-way share of the lead.

Donald is playing the opening two rounds with Webb Simpson, whose runnerup finish Sunday gave him a $363,029 lead on the money list. Simpson also played bogey-free on Walt Disney World's easier Palm course for 68.

Of the leaders, Derek Lamely was the only one to shoot 66 on the more difficult Magnolia course.

"Would have loved to have made a couple more at the end," Donald said of his six birdies. "I didn't hit the ball great the last few holes. I think you want to capitalize on the slightly easier course, and six birdies and no bogeys was a great start. It wasn't that easy out there. The wind was strong enough to make club selection a little tricky."

The wind began blowing in the morning as a front went through, creating surprisingly cool conditions.

Simpson made a late surge and also was satisfied with his start. "It's a good start," Simpson said. "That's all you can ask for on Day 1. Looking forward to trying to improve (today), just keep trying to climb the leaderboard."

It's a crowded leaderboard, typical of this season-ending tournament.

With so much attention at the top, it's more critical at the bottom as players try to finish in the top 125 on the money list to keep full status on the tour. James Driscoll is at No. 125, and he was among those who opened with 66 to tie for the lead.

LPGA: Yani Tseng began her home event with 4-under 68 to join Ai Miyazato with a one-shot lead after the first round of the Taiwan Championship in Yang Mei. Tseng overcame early nerves to finish strong and match Miyazato, who had four birdies over the front nine. Tampa resident Kristy McPherson shot 1-under 71 and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse 6-over 78. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome, the world's eighth-ranked player and the only American to win twice on the tour this year, is not competing in this event.

HEADING SOUTH: The PGA Tour is launching a developmental tour to try to expand its presence in South America as golf prepares to become an Olympic sport again in 2016 in Brazil. The PGA Tour Latinoamerica will start next year, with 11 tournaments in seven countries, most in South America but including Mexico and Puerto Rico.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday had one word — "bad" — to describe the Tampa Bay Rays attendance issues and said he doesn't see "any reason to be too optimistic" about their stadium situation being resolved.

Speaking to Chris Russo on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio channel at the World Series, Selig was asked about principal owner Stuart Sternberg's dire comments after the ALDS loss and the Rays overall situation.

Said Selig: "I like Stu Sternberg a lot, as you probably know. I have a great deal of respect for him. He's a very thoughtful, very interesting guy, done a great job there, done a brilliant job there. I, too, am concerned about their attendance. I track attendance every day. He knows it. I've talked to him a lot. They are a wonderful organization, produced a terrific team this year and finished last in the American League in attendance. I'll let you draw your own conclusion. That's bad."

Russo then asked, Is the stadium situation in Tampa (Bay) a lost cause?

Selig's response: "I can't answer that yet but I'm usually an optimist and I don't have any reason to be too optimistic."

Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 20, 2011

BROOKSVILLE — The opponent for River Ridge on Thursday night looked much like the teams in the recent history of its own program. The result of the game showed just how far the Royal Knights have come since those days.

The Royal Knights won their fifth game convincingly, beating Central on the road 45-0, cementing a non-losing season and the team's best record since 1999.

"We never get too high or too low on this team," River Ridge coach Ryan Benjamin said. "We're never complacent, and we're always looking for what we can improve on from week to week."

While Austin Schwarz (nine carries, 63 yards, one touchdown), Brian Clinkscale (eight carries, 41 yards, one touchdown) and Tyler Green (nine carries, 54 yards) led a ground game that gained 196 yards and softened up the Central defensive front, it was River Ridge quarterback Josh Maisel that began to take shots downfield.

"We wanted to come out strong and set the tempo early," Benjamin said. "I always harp on my players that we need to start strong and finish strong."

Maisel hit receiver George Cordova (two receptions, 77 yards) twice for pay dirt in the second quarter to make the Royal Knights' lead 35-0 at halftime.

It was only four seasons ago that River Ridge (5-2) was in the midst of a 28-game losing streak as one of the worst programs in the area. Now the Royal Knights are on the upswing under new coach Benjamin, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and Central (0-8) is suffering through a winless campaign.

The Bears could not move the ball Thursday, playing 18 offensive snaps in the first half for minus-13 yards.

Central finished with 7 yards of total offense. The positives actually came on defense as the home team pressured Maisel at times, sacking him twice (Thomas Maynard, James Reynolds) and picking him off once (Quadavis Battle).

Times wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Rangers OF Josh Hamilton would love to get a couple of weeks off to let his sore groin heal. Trouble is, there's no time to rest during the World Series.

Hamilton, the former Rays prospect and reigning AL MVP, has been nursing a strained left groin for about two months and admits the injury is getting worse. He hasn't hit a home run since Sept. 23.

If this were the regular season, he said, "I'd probably be on the disabled list."

"It's okay," he said. "We got six games left."

Hamilton went 0-for-4 Wednesday night and was hitting .267 with seven RBIs in the postseason going into Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night.

Said Rangers president Nolan Ryan: "We've been aware of it. So far, it has been manageable. I'm optimistic that it will stay that way."

Hamilton estimated he was at about 75 to 80 percent strength. He grimaced during a check swing in Game 1 and said those half-swings were particularly painful. Asked if the injury affected him in other ways, he said "running and throwing and whatever else."

"If I need to run a ball out, I run it out," he said. "Otherwise, I save my bullets for the outfield."

CARPENTER'S GRIT: There was so much discussion about the degree of difficulty on RHP Chris Carpenter's daring, go-for-it dive in Game 1 that the condition of his much-discussed elbow didn't come up.

A day later, the Cardinals could joke about it, even if their ace narrowly escaped getting his pitching hand stomped on by the Rangers' Elvis Andrus.

On the second at-bat of the game, 1B Albert Pujols ranged right to glove Andrus' grounder, and Carpenter needed a headfirst dive to catch an off-balance throw. During his slide he touched the bag with his glove then his right hand, pulling it away just in time.

"The only thing I kidded him about was if he should have put his face in front of that spike and then he could have been bleeding the rest of the game and could have been another Curt Schilling," manager Tony La Russa said.

RHODES STILL HAS HUNGER: Cardinals LH reliever Arthur Rhodes said he hopes to pitch one more season before retiring. Rhodes, 41, hadn't given up a run in five postseason appearances heading into Thursday.

PITCHING CHANGE: The Rangers officially named LHP Matt Harrison the starter for Game 3, the first in Arlington. Struggling LHP Derek Holland was moved to Game 4.

AROUND THE MAJORS: Most of the hurdles have been cleared to allow Theo Epstein to leave the Red Sox and become president of the Cubs, ESPN reported. Jed Hoyer would leave the Padres to become GM under Epstein, and Padres VP Josh Byrnes would replace Hoyer as San Diego GM. … DH David Ortiz, who can become a free agent after the World Series, said he hopes to remain with Boston. … Jim Crane, who reached an agreement in May to buy the Astros for $680 million, is looking for a $50 million discount in exchange for agreeing to switch leagues, the New York Post reported. … The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw won the Warren Spahn Award, given annually to baseball's top left-handed pitcher. The Rays' David Price was last year's winner.

Times wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols and the Cardinals let one get away.

In a messy ninth inning, Pujols failed to handle a cutoff throw after RH reliever Jason Motte faltered for the first time this October, aiding the Rangers' two-run rally for a 2-1 victory Thursday night that evened the World Series at one game apiece.

Motte had been virtually untouchable, allowing one hit in nine innings in the postseason, before the ninth. Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff single, stole second and went to third on Elvis Andrus' hit to right-center.

Pujols, a two-time Gold Glove winner at first base, ran toward second to take the relay throw from CF Jon Jay, but the ball nicked off his glove and rolled toward the mound. Andrus, who made an aggressive turn at first, easily advanced to second to put runners on second and third.

Manager Tony La Russa has steadfastly refused to name Motte the Cardinals' closer — he has five saves this postseason after earning nine in the regular season — and he pulled him after the two singles in favor of LHP Arthur Rhodes.

Josh Hamilton hit a sacrifice fly to tie it, and Andrus advanced to third. RHP Lance Lynn relieved and gave up another sacrifice fly to Michael Young.

It was a rare failure in the postseason by the St. Louis bullpen, which had given up just four runs in 31⅔ innings since the start of the NLCS.

STAT OF THE DAY: The Rangers became the third team to erase a 1-0 deficit in the ninth inning or later and win a World Series game. The others: The 1985 Royals in Game 6 against the Cardinals, and the 1911 Philadelphia Athletics in Game 3 against the New York Giants.

NO TIME TO REST: Hamilton would love to get a couple of weeks off to let his sore groin heal. Trouble is, there's no time to rest during the World Series.

Hamilton, the former Rays prospect and reigning AL MVP, has been nursing a strained left groin for about two months and admits the injury is getting worse. He hasn't hit a home run since Sept. 23.

If this were the regular season, he said, "I'd probably be on the disabled list."

Hamilton went 0-for-3 Thursday night, though he drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

STILL Hungry: Rhodes said he hopes to pitch one more season before retiring. Rhodes, 41, has a 0.00 ERA in six postseason appearances.

PITCHING CHANGE: The Rangers officially named LHP Matt Harrison the starter for Game 3 in Arlington. Struggling LHP Derek Holland was moved to Game 4.

AROUND THE MAJORS: Most of the hurdles have been cleared to allow Theo Epstein to leave the Red Sox and become president of the Cubs, ESPN reported. Jed Hoyer would leave the Padres to become GM under Epstein, and Padres VP Josh Byrnes would replace Hoyer as San Diego GM. … Jim Crane, who reached an agreement in May to buy the Astros for $680 million, is looking for a $50 million discount in exchange for agreeing to switch leagues, the New York Post reported. … The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw won the Warren Spahn Award, given annually to baseball's top left-handed pitcher. The Rays' David Price was last year's winner.

Chad Wise, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 20, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — Wesley Chapel won its last home game of the regular season 34-7 over Hudson on a special Breast Cancer Awareness night Thursday.

But Wildcats coach Ben Alford was not impressed.

"I'm not happy with our effort," he said. "We just gotta continue to get better. Tonight I don't think we took a step forward like we wanted to."

Wesley Chapel (4-3) went into the half with a 14-7 lead, but it should have been more. A few defensive lapses and penalties kept the Wildcats from being on offense for extended periods.

Quarterback Ty Tanner opened scoring with a 6-yard score, before completing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Sasha Mentor before the end of the half.

Hudson (0-7) kept possession most of the second half, but had nothing to show for it.

Wesley Chapel's first and only drive of the third quarter saw seven rushes split between Tanner and DeQuane Anderson before Tanner finished it off with a an 11-yard run, putting the Wildcats up 20-7.

The Wildcats did not get the ball back again until late in the fourth, however, as the defense failed to win back the ball. Encroachment penalties and missed coverages allowed Hudson easy first downs.

Chris Matter made sure the Cobras would not get into the red zone, intercepting Joey Caruso for 90-yard touchdown.

Wesley Chapel's only drive of the fourth also resulted in a touchdown, a 21-yard pass from Tanner to Mentor. Tanner finished 8-of-18 for 108 yards and an interception, with 17 rushes for 62 yards.

Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 20, 2011

TAMPA — The defense was dominant and decisive. The offense wasn't bad, either.

Gaither remained atop the 7A-7 standings Thursday with a 37-0 pasting of Freedom. Quarterback Alex McGough accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one running). But the Cowboy defense was even better. Led by linebacker Josh Scarberry's four sacks, Gaither (5-2, 3-0) limited Freedom to minus-2 yards on 36 plays and two first downs. It was the Cowboys' second shutout and fourth consecutive victory.

"I love our defense," Scarberry said. "I've been with them for a while. We have a lot of seniors and we're just doing our thing out there."

Gaither had nine sacks and never allowed Freedom (1-7, 1-2) inside its 34. Mikhail Reece set the tone in the opening minute with a fumble recovery at the Patriots' 4, leading to a Dalton Gilson 23-yard field goal. Demarcus Sexil caught touchdowns from 9 and 7 yards out. Vu Le also scored twice on a 14-yard pass and a 20-yard run.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent

Times wires
Thursday, October 20, 2011

NEW YORK — Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma believes the Big East's realignment issues could have been solved years ago with one simple move — Notre Dame's football team joining the league.

"They've been in our league 17 years," Auriemma said during the Big East women's basketball media day Thursday. "So how long are we going to date before we just decide this ain't working?"

The Irish have played in the Big East in all sports except football, for which it remains an independent, since 1995.

Last month, Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced they were leaving the Big East for the ACC. The conference reportedly plans to add Navy, Air Force and Boise State as football-only members and Central Florida, Houston and SMU for all sports.

"If Notre Dame had come in as a football and basketball school when they came in, we wouldn't have a problem," Auriemma said. "Miami wouldn't have left. Virginia Tech wouldn't have left. Boston College wouldn't have left. We probably wouldn't have any of these issues, would we?"

Notre Dame declined to comment.

"We've got one school that holds the future of our league in the palm of their hand, and they're not really that concerned about it," Auriemma said.

"But if you know that you have the ability to put a whole bunch of schools at ease and have the Catholic mentality of, 'We're here to serve and help. … ' "

More realignment: Michigan's John Conyers, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, urged the panel to hold hearings on antitrust, realignment and other issues. The committee said it is reviewing Con­yers' request. Meanwhile, the board of curators at Missouri, reportedly on its way to the SEC, began its monthly meeting in Kansas City, Mo. But the school said it wouldn't comment until today.

Playoff proposal

The Mountain West proposed a 16-team playoff it said would generate $650 million, CBSsports.com reported. The current BCS contract expires after the 2014 season, so a playoff would not start until afterward.

Under it, a committee similar to the one that determines the field for the basketball tournament would seed 16 teams. Each champ from the current BCS conferences would get a berth with no conference getting more than three. The first round and semifinals would be played on campus, the quarterfinals at the Rose, Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls and the final at a site to be determined.

The conference commissioners were set to discuss the proposal during a meeting Sept. 20. But realignment issues forced it to be canceled, and a new one hasn't been scheduled.

Bowls: An NCAA task force recommended stronger academic standards for teams to be eligible. It proposed a ban on teams that don't reach 930 — out of 1,000 — on the Academic Progress Rate. The task force also recommended all bowls be played during a three-week window to fall in line with the academic calendar. The Division I Board of Directors will start considering the measures Oct. 27.

Mass suspensions: The Southwestern Athletic Conference suspended 41 players for Saturday's postgame fight between Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Most were for one game, but eight will miss two.

LSU: The suspensions of corners Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon and tailback Spencer Ware were the result of a positive test for synthetic marijuana, ESPN.com reported. Coach Les Miles declined to say why the three were suspended Wednesday.

Michigan St.: The Big Ten suspended defensive end William Gholston for Saturday's game against Wisconsin for twisting the helmet of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson during a pileup and later taking a swing at a Michigan player.

Ohio St.: Interim coach Luke Fickell is making $775,000 this season, according to the contract the school released. It expires Jan. 31 with no guarantee of renewal.

UAB 26, UCF 24: Ty Long's 40-yard field goal with 21 seconds left lifted the host Blazers. The Knights (3-4, 1-2 C-USA) have lost four of five. Blake Bortles replaced an ineffective Jeff Godfrey at quarterback in the fourth for UCF and led two scoring drives to give it a 24-23 lead. But UAB (1-6, 1-3) took over at its 16 with 4:57 left and converted two third and longs.

Basketball: Knight, son possibly in trouble

BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar is looking into if new coach Pat Knight violated an NCAA rule by allowing two recruits to speak with his father, former Indiana coach Bob Knight.

The Indianapolis Star reported Pat Knight called his father then handed the phone to the recruits, both from Indiana. NCAA rules say calls to prospects can be made only by the coaching staff or designated exceptions, which generally include the school's president or chancellor, academic advisers and compliance officers.

Heels 1, Gators 10: North Carolina is No. 1 in the preseason coaches' poll while Florida is No. 10. The Tar Heels, who have four players among the 50 on the Wooden Award preseason list, received 30 of 31 first-place votes. Kentucky received the other. Florida's ranking is its highest in the preseason since No. 1 entering 2006-07. Florida State was among those receiving votes (poll, 2C).

Women: Notre Dame was picked to win the Big East in a vote by conference coaches. It's the first time Connecticut wasn't picked since 2002, though it was picked second and has the preseason player of the year in freshman forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis. USF was picked 10th in the 16-team league.

Steve Lee, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 20, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — Something had to give in a Class 7A, District 7 battle of winless teams Thursday night.

Turns out it was host Wiregrass Ranch's defense and sputtering offense, which led to Chamberlain's 32-0 win.

"It feels really good because we never quit," Chamberlain coach Joe Severino said. "The good news is that this is a district game."

The Chiefs (1-6, 1-2) relied heavily on Xavier Johnson, who scored four of his team's five touchdowns. The junior running back had a pair of 9-yard scoring runs in the first half, his first capping a 16-play, 89-yard drive on Chamberlain's first possession and the other finishing an eight-play, 75-yard drive.

Johnson, who had 147 rushing yards and 44 additional yards on three receptions, wasted little time finding the end zone after the break, returning the opening kickoff of the second half 87 yards for another touchdown. He added an 11-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

"He's a great player," Severino said. "He can run, catch, block, throw; he's a Division I prospect."

Chamberlain quarterback Josh Bennett completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Carlin Scott to account for the final margin.

Wiregrass Ranch (0-7, 0-3) struggled on both sides of the ball and made matters worse with three turnovers. One bright spot for the Bulls was the running of Eli Galvan, a freshman who gained a team-high 56 yards on nine carries — all in the second half.