By Rodney Page and Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writers
Saturday, October 22, 2011

This week had some memorable milestones. Palm Harbor University added another chapter to its storybook season by clinching it first ever playoff berth with a victory against North Port. And Pinellas Park continued its resurgence by securing its first winning season since 2003 with a victory against Northeast. There also was major upset as Osceola knocked off Tarpon Springs, putting an end to the Spongers' playoff aspirations. Here is the recap for Week 8.

Super seven

1. Countryside (8-0): Defense has allowed just 12 points in three games after recording second shutout of the season against Northeast.

2. Lakewood (6-1): No shame in losing to Jesuit, a Hillsborough County power, in a game that will most likely decide the champion in Class 5A, District 8.

3. Largo (5-2): Do just enough on offense and special teams to get past Boca Ciega and remain the frontrunner in Class 6A, District 7.

4. Pinellas Park (6-1): After beating Northeast 35-14, Patriots set up showdown with Countryside for first place in Class 7A, District 9.

5. CC Catholic (5-2): Defense hangs tough, but offense cannot generate much in 21-0 loss to rival Berkeley Prep.

6. East Lake (5-3): Wrapped up playoff berth by beating Sarasota Riverview for third straight win.

7. Palm Harbor University (5-3): Opportunistic defense helps Hurricanes secure first postseason berth with win against North Port.

Notable performances

WR Rodney Adams, Lakewood: Had seven catches for 205 yards, including an 81-yard catch and run that kept the Spartans in the game against Jesuit.

CB Hunter Beam, Palm Harbor U.: Beam returned an interception 64 yards in the first half against North Port to help seal one of the biggest wins in school history.

RB Kristian Craig, Keswick Chr.: In a close 28-25 win over Calvary Christian, Craig gained 102 yards and scored twice.

QB Gray Crow, Countryside: Threw for three touchdowns to lead Cougars to a victory over Clearwater.

QB Pete DiNovo, East Lake: He completed 15 of 20 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown in a win at Sarasota Riverview.

RB Derrick Doss, Largo: He did a little bit of everything, returning a kickoff 92 yards, running for a touchdown and throwing for one in a 35-20 win over Boca Ciega.

WR Rayshawn Jenkins, Admiral Farragut: Sure, he caught only three passes in a win over Bradenton Christian, but two of those were for touchdowns of 65 and 33 yards. He had 145 yards in receiving overall.

RB Ryan Myers, Palm Harbor U.: Gained 125 yards on 23 carries and scored a touchdown to lead the Hurricanes to their first ever playoff berth.

WR Artavis Scott, East Lake: Had a breakout performance with six receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown against Sarasota Riverview.

QB Gary Simon, Gibbs: The receiver took over at quarterback and ignited a second-half rally with three touchdown passes and a run for a 2-point conversion in a 20-17 win against Middleton.

QB Josh Townsend, Osceola: Let's give it up for the Warriors, who upset Tarpon Springs. Townsend threw three passes all night, and completed all of them. He had two 27-yard touchdown passes to Kurt Suominen.

Offensive player of the week | RB Maurice Hemingway, St. Petersburg

He didn't surpass 100 yards rushing in the game, but Hemingway had a knack for finding the end zone in Friday's 33-21 win against Seminole. With the Green Devils trailing 14-0, Hemingway helped spark a rally by scoring four second-half touchdowns. Hemingway's final score on a 16-yard run sealed the game for St. Petersburg.

Defensive player of the week DB Pierre Johnson, Pinellas Park

The Patriots defense has a knack for coming up with big plays at the right time. Johnson came up with two big ones in Friday's 35-14 win over Northeast. With his team trailing 14-13 in the third quarter, Johnson picked off a pass that led to a score and turned the game around. He also returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown to help seal the game and put Pinellas Park in position to take its district with a win over Countryside next week.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, October 22, 2011

MIAMI — Before it is over, there will be more bad headlines. The storm is out there. Trouble is coming, and turbulence is here already.

On the other hand, there is the man with the orange tie.

The administration, it seems, was looking the other way. The athletic director was keeping secrets. The scumbag in prison wouldn't shut up.

For the University of Miami, however, there is the coach bouncing around the sideline.

The program has backslid. The talent has been lessened. There are empty patches throughout the stands.

And despite it all, there is man with the unyielding vision.

He has just arrived, and still, there seems to be something about Al Golden that Miami fans can trust. In all the chaos, he is the anchor. For all of the scandal, he is the man who stands above it. If the Hurricanes are going to get past the controversy, Golden is the man who will lead them there.

Who else?

It was late Saturday evening, and Golden was sprinting across the field at Sun Life Stadium. He seemed energized by the day's success, and he seemed alive with possibilities that seemed a bit brighter than they did a day earlier. Through it all, his team seems to be getting it, and for the moment, it was enough.

This was a keeper moment. The Hurricanes had just battered No. 20 Georgia Tech 24-7, and in doing it, they had looked disciplined, talented, fast, all of the things they had not looked through the first half of this season. Along the way, it should be said, they looked well-coached, too, and it has been a while since anyone said that of Miami.

For goodness sakes, this looked like a coming disaster. Georgia Tech entered second in the nation at 347.9 rushing yards per game. Miami, meanwhile, ranked only 94th in the country against the run. It seemed like a bad mix, to tell you the truth.

Instead, the Hurricanes filled every hole. Tech ended the game with 134 yards on 48 carries, a benign 2.8 per carry. Suddenly, the Tech option attack looked like Barry Switzer's old leftovers, and any coach running it should be in a leisure suit beneath a disco ball.

That comes back to Golden, too. When a team looks better coached than it did against, say, Virginia Tech, it usually is.

And let's face it, Golden has faced tougher obstacles this year than Georgia Tech.

Other coaches would have run. Let's face it. Bobby Petrino would have left skid marks. Nick Saban's agent would have to buy extra telephones. For crying out loud, Golden wasn't even warned about the possibility of an NCAA posse setting up camp nearby, which seems like something that someone in charge might have mentioned along the way. (Nevin Shapiro, the former booster turned squawker, had been threatening to blow up the program for a year.)

Still, Golden has stayed, and he hasn't grumbled about his inheritance. Along the way, he has restored a dash of hope to the program.

"I learned that from the guy in the other room," Golden said, referencing Georgia Tech assistant coach Al Groh, his former boss at Virginia. "You have to have a no-excuse mentality. If you start making excuses, you'll have a team of excuses, and you can't have that."

Even after all of the struggles of recent seasons, it is still jarring to see Miami with three losses in half a season. A tackle against Virginia Tech, another one or two against Maryland, a conversion against Kansas State, and this season could be a lot better.

"You know what's hard is we had a glimpse of what we could be on Aug. 14," Golden said of the scrimmage. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It was Sunday, and we had about 125 plays. We were crisp. We were sharp. We were healthy. The next day, the news broke, and from that point on, it's been upheaval. The story broke, and we had about 4-5 injuries, and it just crushed us."

For the first time all year, however, Golden had all of his suspended players back. The defense looked better. Quarterback Jacory Harris didn't play well, but he was better at game management than he has been. In other words, it looked a little like hope.

Let's be honest. A record barely above .500 won't keep Hurricanes happy for long. Ask Randy Shannon. Ask Larry Coker. But in the middle of a new start, Golden has been impressive.

Who knows what the future holds? The scandal is still in its who-do-you-believe stage, and there will be more controversies ahead. Still, Golden says he still sees excellence in the future.

"No question," Golden, 42, said. "The fun thing is that you're starting to see it take traction. They're starting to get it."

Just a thought, but maybe someone should get a message to Nevin Shapiro.

With any luck, it will ruin his day.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

MIAMI — Before every game, Miami safety JoJo Nicholas reaches into his gym bag and pulls out a blanket then rubs it on his hands while saying a prayer for his son, who recently died after being prematurely born. It's these moments that make him savor days such as Saturday so much more.

Nicholas recovered a fumbled punt for a touchdown and intercepted a pass to help Miami shut down No. 20 Georgia Tech 24-7.

"The first thought that came to my mind was my son," Nicholas said. "I've always appreciated football, and then you learn to appreciate it even more because life is never guaranteed."

Miami (4-3, 2-2 ACC) has won consecutive games for the first time this season and beaten Tech three straight times by a combined score of 92-34.

The Yellow Jackets (6-2, 3-2) entered averaging 517 yards of offense. Their 211 were their fewest since a loss to Iowa in the January 2010 Orange Bowl.

In its past 35 games, Tech has run for fewer than 200 yards three times, all at Sun Life Stadium: 95 at Miami in 2009, 143 in the Orange Bowl and 134 Saturday.

"All week long, we had a good game plan to come out and get a victory," said quarterback Tevin Washington, who threw for 63 yards and ran for a team-high 36. "It's frustrating for me because I feel I let the team down."

Washington threw right to Nicholas on the Yellow Jackets' first offensive snap of the game, which set Miami up at the Tech 46. The Hurricanes needed 12 plays to score, Jacory Harris extending the drive with a 13-yard pass to Phillip Dorsett on fourth and 3 and Mike James capping it with a 2-yard run.

With 10:17 left in the first half, Nicholas again found himself in the right place at the right time

Zach Laskey dropped back to receive a punt for Georgia Tech, the bouncing ball coming straight at him as he stood at the 9. He tried to grab it as a horde of Hurricanes sprinted toward him, misplayed it and could only watch as the football headed toward the end zone. Nicholas dived on it for a touchdown and 14-0 lead.

"On that punt, my job is to get to the ball," Nicholas said. "It just so happened the ball came to me."

Saturday, October 22, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Graham Rahal has sparked an outpouring of support — and memorabilia — for an auction to benefit the family of late IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon.

Rahal offered to help the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund by donating the helmet, gloves and shoes he used in Las Vegas, where Wheldon died last Sunday. Rahal announced his plans on Twitter and it sparked interest from celebrities and athletes around the world.

Donations have included race-worn items from IndyCar drivers Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan, and NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch; an Indiana Pacers jersey signed by Larry Bird; memorabilia from seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong; and an NFL jersey signed by Roger Staubach, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Warren Moon and Harry Carson.

The auction will be run on eBay, which waived all fees, and Auction Cause, a Los Angeles auction management agency. It is expected to begin Monday, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Wheldon trust fund.

Times wires
Saturday, October 22, 2011

CLEMSON, S.C. — Tajh Boyd tied a school record with five touchdown passes as No. 8 Clemson improved to 8-0 for the first time in 11 years with a 59-38 victory over North Carolina on Saturday.

Boyd matched Cullen Harper's 2007 mark on a day the Tigers celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1981 national championship.

Clemson led only 17-10 in the second quarter and had struggled to move the ball when defensive end Kourtnei Brown intercepted Bryn Renner's swing pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

Later, Brown scooped up Renner's fumble and took it 26 yards for a touchdown to cap Clemson's 35-point third quarter. That matched a record set by the 1981 team's second-quarter output in an 82-24 beatdown of Wake Forest in that 12-0 season.

"They were talking to us about how our team is a lot like the '81 team," Clemson right tackle Landon Walker said. "And that's special … any time you can resemble a national championship team. There's a lot of excitement in the air about that."

Just as there was in 2000, the last time Clemson reached 8-0. But a week later, the Tigers were beaten by Georgia Tech and began a 1-3 slide to the finish. Clemson's next opponent? Georgia Tech.

Said coach Dabo Swinney: "We have to empty the tank this week in practice and then leave it all on the field at Georgia Tech."

No. 16 Va. Tech 30, BC 14: Logan Thomas threw for a touchdown and ran for one to help the host Hokies pull away in the second half. Up 7-6, David Wilson scored on a 42-yard run on Virginia Tech's first second-half possession. On its next two possessions, Thomas hit Marcus Davis for a 20-yard score and ran for a 1-yard score. Said Wilson of the first half: "I felt like we were getting away from what we do."

Wake 24, Duke 23: Receiver Chris Givens turned a short pass from Tanner Price into a 66-yard touchdown with 6:52 left to lift the visiting Demon Deacons to their 12th consecutive win in the series. It came one play after Will Snyderwine's third field goal of the game put Duke up 23-17. "I got upfield and saw I had some opportunities to make the play," Given said. "And I just wanted to get in the end zone."

N.C. State 28, Virginia 14: Mike Glennon threw three touchdowns for the visiting Wolfpack. Starting their fourth defensive line combination in six games because of injuries, the Wolfpack held Virginia to 124 yards rushing a week after it had 274 in an upset of Georgia Tech. "I think the difference was we stayed in our gaps," N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien said. "A lot of their stuff last week came at the perimeter, and that was one thing we weren't going to let them do."

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Players of the day

David Amerson, CB, N.C. State

The sophomore had two interceptions, returning one 12 yards for a touchdown, in a 28-14 win over Virginia. His eight interceptions are the most in Division I-A.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

The senior went 23-of-29 for 281 yards and three TDs in a 37-26 win over Air Force. The win was No. 45 for Moore, tying the Division I-A record of Texas' Colt McCoy.

Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt

The junior ran for 198 yards and three TDs in a 44-21 win over Army.

Coach of the day

Joe Paterno, Penn State

The 84-year-old earned his 408th victory as the visiting Nittany Lions beat Northwestern 34-24. That ties Eddie Robinson's Division I record. Overall, only John Gagliardi of Division III St. John's (Minn.) has more, 481 and counting.

Agonizing loss of the day

Buffalo

The host Bulls trailed Northern Illinois 31-10 entering the fourth quarter. Two Chazz Anderson touchdown passes made it 31-24. Then after forcing a three-and-out, Buffalo drove 88 yards, capped by Anderson's 3-yard touchdown pass to Ed Young with 14 seconds left. But Peter Fardon sent the extra point wide left, and the Huskies recovered an onside kick to win 31-30.

Injury of the day

Jon Feliciano, G, Miami

The freshman made a key block on Lamar Miller's touchdown run against Georgia Tech. Then he got hurt jumping around afterward. Later, he wore a walking boot on his left ankle. An X-ray was negative, but his status is unknown.

Under-the-radar game of the day

Stephen F. Austin 57, Nicholls State 21

Brady Attaway threw seven touchdown passes for the host I-AA Lumberjacks. He went 30-of-49 for 364 yards.



QB of the day | Dominique Davis

T he East Carolina senior from Lakeland completed all 26 of his first-half passes during a 38-35 win at Navy. The 26 consecutive completions (His first pass in the second half was incomplete) broke the NCAA record of 23 set by Tennessee's Tee Martin in 1998 and Cal's Aaron Rodgers in 2004. And combined with his final 10 completions a week ago, the 36 in a row broke the record of 26 set by Rodgers, now a star with the Packers. "I hope he calls me and tells me congratulations," said Davis, who has completed at least 30 passes in six of his past nine games. "Aaron Rodgers is one of my favorite quarterbacks." Davis finished 40-of-45 for 372 yards and two TDs. "I had no idea until after the game," Davis said of the records. "When they told me, I was like, 'Wow, really?' It's amazing, but when you do your job and put the ball in your receivers' hands, that's what happens."

Path to perfection

The remaining games for the undefeated teams:

Alabama: LSU, at Miss. St., Ga. Southern, at Auburn, SEC title game (Atlanta)

Boise St.: at UNLV, TCU, at San Diego St., Wyoming, New Mexico

Clemson: at Ga. Tech, Wake, at N.C. State, at South Carolina, ACC title game (Charlotte, N.C.)

Houston: Rice, at UAB, at Tulane, SMU, at Tulsa, C-USA title game #

Kansas St.: Oklahoma, at Oklahoma St., Texas A&M, at Texas, Iowa St.

LSU: at Alabama, Western Ky., at Ole Miss, Arkansas, SEC title game (Atlanta)

* Oklahoma: at Kansas St., Texas A&M, at Baylor, Iowa St., at Oklahoma St.

Oklahoma St.: Baylor, Kansas St., at Texas Tech, at Iowa St., Oklahoma

* Stanford: at USC, at Oregon St., Oregon, Cal, Notre Dame, Pac-12 title game #

* Wisconsin: at Ohio St., Purdue, at Minnesota, at Illinois, Penn St., Big Ten title game (Indianapolis)

* Played late Saturday

# Would host as team with better conference record

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Team of the day

Mississippi

The Rebels' 29-24 loss to visiting Arkansas, during which they blew a 17-0 lead, marked their 10th in a row in SEC play. Mississippi, whose last SEC win was 42-35 over Kentucky on Oct. 2, 2010, has been part of the conference since its inception in 1933.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, October 22, 2011

TAMPA

If it was a one-question test, the Lightning would probably ace it.

Has 19-year-old Brett Connolly shown he is capable of playing in the NHL?

Yes is the simple answer. Heck yes and are-you-kidding-me would also be acceptable.

The problem is the questions do not end there. They get progressively more difficult and exponentially more important.

For instance, will his body hold up to an 82-game NHL season after playing 16 and 59 games in juniors the past two years?

Are you willing to subject one of your current players to waivers in order to keep him on the roster, which might be an issue when Mattias Ohlund is ready to return?

Is this season worth starting his entry-level NHL contract, which means he could be eligible for free agency at 26?

Do you risk messing with his confidence and overall development by expecting too much too soon?

Can you pass that test?

"He's making it real difficult on us," coach Guy Boucher said. "It's not going to be an easy decision either way."

Just to make it more difficult, the clock is ticking. Connolly's nine-game grace period in the NHL expires after Tuesday night's road game against Buffalo.

The Lightning will then have to decide whether to keep him on the roster or send him back to his junior team at Prince George. Keeping him means his three-year, $2.7 million contract kicks in and his free agency clock begins. Sending him back means he can't return until late March, unless the Lightning has multiple forwards on injured reserve.

Even if you strip away money questions and roster concerns, the question is still not an easy one. Because, basically, the Lightning must decide what is best for Connolly's future, and a nine-game trial is not enough time to make that call.

"What's the best thing for him in the long run? That's No. 1 in our minds," said general manager Steve Yzerman. "No. 2 is, are we a better team with him in the lineup? My opinion right now is we are a better team with him in the lineup.

"But I can make a valid argument both ways. I don't think there's any harm in sending him back, but if he's an NHL player, and he's ready, and he makes us better, then I want to put the best team on the ice. We're trying to win games and make the playoffs."

If that were the only consideration, then Connolly should stay.

He has not lit up the NHL — he has two assists and no goals while playing on some of the top lines — but Connolly's speed, skills and confidence are becoming more apparent.

Through the first two periods of Saturday night's 3-0 victory against the Sabres, he created numerous scoring opportunities for himself and his linemates, and finished with seven shots on goal. He has taken and given hits, and has even shown some prowess on the defensive end.

"The one thing is, he's getting better each game. He's looking more comfortable, being more assertive, just getting better," Yzerman said. "At the end of nine games, is he going to keep going this way or is there a bump in the road? It's a bit of an educated guess."

The ultimate question is not whether Connolly will be an asset in the 10th game of the season but whether he will still be getting the same ice time in the 40th game.

If he runs into a tough stretch, and his playing time is reduced to eight or nine minutes a game, then the Lightning will have made a big mistake keeping him in Tampa Bay.

Not only will he miss valuable playing time he could have gained in juniors, but you never know what that might do to a young player's psyche.

"Are you putting his confidence and self-esteem at stake," Boucher said. "And are we putting the team's well-being at stake, at the same time?"

Just to add some intrigue, Prince George is off to a 3-7-1 start and is averaging fewer goals than any team in the Western Hockey League. You have to wonder how much there is to be gained by playing against young opponents on a struggling team.

"I don't think it would hurt for him to go back," Yzerman said. "But if he's an NHL player and can keep up and is playing regularly and is able to be effective, it's better for him to be here."

Meanwhile, in the hallway in the Lightning locker room, someone has tacked an ad from ESPN Magazine on a bulletin board. It's a picture of the Geico caveman playing horseshoes, with Connolly's name written above it in an apparent nod to his furry chest.

Alongside the picture is a message of congratulations for making the magazine so quickly.

"They've been giving it to me pretty good," Connolly said. "It's been fun."

His teammates seem to think he's ready for the camaraderie of the NHL.

And I would tend to agree.

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

Times wires
Sunday, October 23, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Albert Pujols joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit three home runs in a World Series game, tying records with five hits and six RBIs that led the Cardinals to a 16-7 rout of the Rangers on Saturday night that gave St. Louis a 2-1 Series lead.

Pujols also set a World Series record with 14 total bases, surpassing the mark of 12 shared by Ruth and Jackson.

Asked if this was his greatest game, Pujols replied: "I'm glad we just won a game.''

In Game 4 tonight, Derek Holland pitches for the Rangers against former Ray Edwin Jackson. Thirty-six of 54 teams that won Game 3 to take a 2-1 Series lead have gone on to the title, including 10 of the past 11.

A blown call by first-base umpire Ron Kulpa and a throwing error by Rangers first baseman by Mike Napoli led to a four-run fourth that changed the game.

Pujols hit a three-run homer that helped the Cardinals open a 12-6 lead after six innings. He added a two-run shot in the seventh and a solo shot in the ninth.

The fourth and fifth innings dragged on for 1 hour, 22 minutes, and the game lasted 4:04.

Given a 5-0 lead, St. Louis allowed Texas to close to 5-3 in the fourth. St. Louis opened an 8-3 lead in the fifth, but the Rangers closed to 8-6 in the bottom of the inning and had the bases loaded when Ian Kinsler hit an inning-ending popup.

Pujols followed in the sixth with a 423-foot drive off Alexi Ogando that clanked off the facing above the restaurant windows in leftfield, and Yadier Molina added a sacrifice fly.

Texas made three errors that led to three unearned runs.

Allen Craig, who had run-scoring pinch-hit singles in the first two games, homered on Matt Harrison's seventh pitch.

Pujols singled leading off the fourth and Matt Holliday hit a hard grounder to Elvis Andrus for what should have been a bases-clearing double play. The shortstop tossed to second, but Kinsler's throw was off line, pulling Napoli off first base.

Playing first base for the first time in the Series, Napoli caught the throw and his glove came down hard on Holliday's left shoulder, with the runner a step short of the bag, But Kulpa called him safe, despite an argument from Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Kulpa is a St. Louis native and lifelong Cardinals fan.

Lance Berkman singled, and David Freese's double down the rightfield line gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. Molina was intentionally walked and Jon Jay hit a bouncer to Napoli, who had plenty of time to throw home for a forceout. But his throw went past lunging catcher Yorvit Torrealba as two runs scored. Ryan Theriot singled for a 5-0 lead.

Neither starter got out of the fourth. Lohse, 0-4 with a 5.54 ERA in nine postseason appearances, allowed hits to his first four batters in the fourth and was removed. Harrison gave up five runs — three earned — and six hits in 3⅔ innings.

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton went 1-for-4 and dropped to 1-for-11 in the Series, although he stopped an 0-for-18 Series skid dating to last year with a fifth-inning single.

Times staff
Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Bucs might want to rethink this idea of playing annual games in London.

For the second time in three years, the Bucs moved a home game to Wembley Stadium, and for the second time got beat, losing to the Chicago Bears 24-18 Sunday afternoon. They lost to New England, 35-7, in their previous London game in 2009.

The loss dropped the Bucs to 4-3 and dropped them a half game behind the Saints, pending the outcome of New Orleans' Sunday night game against the Colts. Tampa Bay is off next weekend, returning on Nov. 6 to play the Saints in New Orleans (1 p.m., Ch. 13).

Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Tampa Bay attempted another late-game comeback. But the Bucs' final drive ended with Freeman's fourth interception of the day, coming at the Bears 35 with 27 seconds left in the game.

The Bears scored first behind the running of all-purpose back Matt Forte, who jump-started the drive with a 22 yard run to the Bears 45. Ronde Barber was called for pass interference one play later, costing the Bucs 14 more yards. And Jay Cutler hit Devin Hester for a gain of 9 before Forte broke through the Bucs defense for a 32-yard touchdown run, giving Chicago a 7-0 lead with 8:42 left in the first quarter.

The Bucs, already without injured running back LeGarrette Blount, suffered a serious setback on their next possession when Earnest Graham was injured on a pass play and was helped to the lockerroom with a right ankle injury. He did not return and was replaced by third-year back Kregg Lumpkin.

The Bucs defense accounted for Tampa Bay's first points, tackling Forte in the Bears end zone for a safety. The play followed back-to-back interceptions, first by Tampa Bay's Tanard Jackson (returned 43 yards to the Bears 12) and then by Chicago's Chris Conte at the Bears 2. Forte was shoved backward by Ronde Barber one play later for the safety.

The Bears increased their lead to 14-2 midway through the second quarter on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Cutler to ex-Cowboy Roy Williams. The drive's big play was a 29-yard run by another ex-Cowboy, running back Marion Barber, to the Bucs 28. Cutler found Williams behind the Bucs defensive back E.J. Biggers along the left sideline and hit him for the score three plays later.

Tampa Bay's offensive finally showed up late in the half, as Freeman connected on 7 of 8 passes for 64 yards, setting up Connor Barth's 33-yard field goal to cut Chicago's lead to 14-5. The 77-yard driving included completions of 18 yards to Mike Williams and 20 yards to Dezmon Bryant, with Barth's kick coming on the final play of the half.

Chicago extended the lead to 21-5 on its first possession of the second half, driving 55 yards after another three-and-out by the Bucs offense. Cutler hit Johnny Knox for 23 yards on the first play, and later converted on third and 11 with a 12-yard pass to Williams to the Bucs 21. Barber broke through the middle of the Bucs defense for the 12-yard touchdown run three plays later.

Credit the Bucs defense for setting up Tampa Bay's first touchdown of the game. Two plays after another Freeman interception, Bucs safety Corey Lynch — playing for the injured Tanard Jackson — intercepted a Cutler pass at the Chicago 35 and returned it to the Bears 21. A 12-yard pass to Mike Williams on third and 3 set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow. The two point conversion attempt failed.

The Bucs pulled within a field goal on Freeman's second touchdown pass of the quarter, this one a 24-yard strike to Desmno Briscoe. Briscoe had kept the drive alive one play earlier, stretching for a first down on third and seven. The score pulled Tampa Bay within 21-18 with 7:17 left in the game.

But another Bears field goal, this one fueled by a 36-yard reception by Forte, left the Bucs trailing by six with 1:55 remaining and needing a touchdown on their final drive.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 23, 2011

LONDON — The Bucs believed they did everything right on this trip to the U.K.

They traveled on a Monday, adjusting to the five-hour time change, took Tuesday off to tour the city, moved to a posh resort to get used to the English turf and did some team bonding.

In fact, the Bucs felt so much at home at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, they got off to their typically slow start, rallied late to set the stage for another Josh Freeman fourth-quarter comeback.

Only this time, he had a rough go of it, he did.

Freeman was intercepted four times, including at the Chicago 35 by cornerback D.J. Moore with 26 seconds left, in a 24-18 loss. It leaves the Bucs (4-3) tied with the Falcons for second in the NFC South, a game behind the Saints.

It was their second defeat in three years in London, where their season seems to drive down the wrong side of the road.

Two years ago, the Bucs waited until Friday to make the trans-Atlantic trip then were blasted 35-7 by the Patriots. This time, the Bears arrived less than 60 hours before kickoff but made the Bucs look sluggish.

Matt Forte rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown and Jay Cutler passed for 226 yards and a touchdown before a crowd of 76,981, the first nonsellout among the five NFL games in London.

"No, London has nothing to blame," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "I love coming to London. We had a great time over here; great preparation.

"There's no excuses, no explanations, no travel excuses, no time zone excuses. (Londoners) did a great job of making us (feel) at home. We did a great job of coming out and not playing well enough to win the football game."

While the four interceptions were the second most of his career (five against Carolina as a rookie in 2009), Freeman was hardly the only one to blame for Sunday's loss heading into the bye week.

The Bucs played without starting tailback LeGarrette Blount (sprained knee). Then on their seventh offensive play, his replacement, Earnest Graham, took a pass in the left flat and slipped. The veteran did not return and wore a walking boot on his right foot after the game.

His status hasn't been determined. But Profootballtalk.com reported it's a torn Achilles' tendon, which, if true, likely means the end of his season.

To make matters worse, fullback Erik Lorig injured his shoulder covering the ensuing punt and spent time on the bench before struggling to return. That left only one active running back: Kregg Lumpkin, who rushed for 15 yards on eight carries.

"If you want to attribute the slow start to anything in this game … really we had a whole game plan going in, a personnel group where we have two running backs," Freeman said.

"Our primary back gets injured. Our fullback, blocking back, gets injured, so we have to change up the game plan completely. That just puts more pressure on our passing game, our drop-back game. We weren't able to get it done."

Graham wasn't the only injury. Safety Tanard Jackson strained his left hamstring returning an interception 43 yards in the first quarter and did not return. Middle linebacker Mason Foster aggravated an ankle injury in the first quarter. Center Jeremy Zuttah, replacing injured starter Jeff Faine, went out in the second half after taking a shot on a knee.

And so it went.

The Bucs trailed 21-5 entering the fourth quarter. But Freeman, who went 29-of-51 for 264 yards, brought the Bucs back with touchdown passes to Kellen Winslow and Dezmon Briscoe.

He could have had more time to stage his ninth come-from-behind win if not for a personal foul on cornerback Aqib Talib that peeled nearly two precious minutes off the clock.

On third and goal from the Bucs 4, Cutler was sacked by Ronde Barber (who earlier recorded the first safety of his career) with 3:44 left. But after the play, Talib got in the face of Bears receiver Roy Williams and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving Chicago a first down.

The Bucs eventually forced the Bears to settle for a field goal, but it cost them 1:44 off the clock.

"I will hold myself accountable for any of Aqib's actions," Morris said. "We had to stand up and go out there and play three more downs. And he certainly helped us go out there and stop them. But it certainly ate up clock."

Needing a touchdown to win, Freeman drove the Bucs to the Bears 39. But on second and 10, a pass intended for Preston Parker was intercepted by Moore.

Game over.

"I always, in those situations, expect to win," said Freeman, who has thrown seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.

"At that point, I'm trying to make something happen downfield. At the same time, we have two timeouts. But I'm an aggressive quarterback. I'm going to go for it."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

Glazers finish 0-for-2 in U.K.

It wasn't a good day for the Glazers when it came to any kind of football on Sunday.

Not only did the Bucs owners endure a 24-18 loss to the Bears in London, but earlier in the day, about four hours away in Manchester, the Glazers' soccer team, Manchester United, suffered one of its worst losses ever, 6-1 to archrival Manchester City.

"I'm shattered. I can't believe it," Alex Ferguson said of his worst loss in 25 years as coach, which ended Man U's home unbeaten streak at 37. "There's a lot of embarrassment in that dressing room and quite rightly so."

And the Glazers were on hand to watch, according to Associated Press columnist John Leicester, who is not a fan of how the Glazers are operating Man U.

This sound familiar?

"(Manchester City owner) Sheik Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan generally doesn't attend City's matches, but his deep pockets are working wonders. The Glazer family … was at Sunday's game but has loaded the club with debt.

"Is that one of the big differences now separating these sides? Certainly, there was a feeling that not only was United outplayed and outclassed on Sunday, it has been outspent, too."

Times staff

Times staff
Sunday, October 23, 2011

By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Sunday, October 23, 2011

What's hot: Large kingfish and grouper have been the talked-about catches recently. Anglers are reporting gag grouper in 40 feet of water. It took a few days for things to recover from the cold front, but once the water cleared the fishing improved.

Large mackerel: Big kingfish normally arrive in packs ravaging mullet, ladyfish and mackerel along our coastline. You cannot count on their presence every day, but if you are lucky enough to locate them, it's quite a thrill. Forty-plus-pounders can often be taken during these fall months.

Grouper: The gags have been consistent in depths of 40 to 60 feet of water. Anglers have been getting their limit of two per person with ease, during normal weather conditions. Drastic weather changes (extreme cold fronts) can often shut down the bite for a day or two. Once things calm, they will get hungry again. My advice: Take advantage of the great weather days and get out on the water. Big fish are there to be taken.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or see www.jawstoo.com.

Times wires
Sunday, October 23, 2011

In snoozer, Browns awake a bit more

CLEVELAND — In 13 seasons with the Browns, kicker Phil Dawson has learned all wins — the good, bad and ugly — are to be savored.

Even this one.

Dawson hit two field goals of more than 50 yards and had two others blocked, but booted Cleveland to a dull win over the sloppy Seahawks, who came in missing starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and lost running back Marshawn Lynch to a back injury during pregame warmups.

"We're probably not going to brag about it in 15 years, but we'll take the win," Dawson said.

Cleveland is .500 after six games for the fourth time since its 1999 expansion rebirth. Seattle gained 137 yards behind backup QB Charlie Whitehurst.

Times wires
Sunday, October 23, 2011

Texans top division after road blowout

NASHVILLE — The Texans gave themselves a big confidence boost and the AFC South lead too.

Arian Foster ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns and added 119 receiving with a 78-yard TD as the Texans routed the Titans. Foster became the first Texan with 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.

Houston earned the largest margin of victory in franchise history even with Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson missing his third straight game and fullback James Casey his second because of injuries.

"It's big going forward for us to know that's what we're capable of as a team," said Matt Schaub, who threw for two TDs.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, October 23, 2011

MIAMI GARDENS — The thing you have to understand about miracles is this.

Before they can happen, you need a little pestilence to occur. A few boils, maybe. Some locusts. Maybe a leper or two.

Then, and only then, can heaven get involved.

And so it was that Tim Tebow struggled through a sorrowful Sunday on his way to a divine comeback. For 55 minutes, he was awful, as bad as those jeering him in the stands had suspected. Then, for the final five minutes, he was a revelation, leading his team from 15 points behind to an improbable victory.

Meanwhile, the NFL's loudest debate rages on.

Is Tebow as out of place as he looked for most of the game?

Is he the clutch, competitive soul who rises to the occasion in time to save the day?

Or, perhaps, is he a bit of both?

No matter what you feel about Tebow, you could find plenty of evidence on Sunday. He was terrible, and he was terrific. He was wretched, and he was wonderful. He was the reason the Dolphins looked as if they were finally going to win a game, and he was the reason Broncos snatched it away.

In the end, however, you had to admit this about Tebow. There is something to the kid that goes beyond pretty spirals and staggering statistics. There is an energy to him, a spark, a rare collection of intangibles.

Will it be enough for him to maintain success? Today, that's the point where the argument resumes.

"I don't think the criticism will ever stop," Tebow said. "I kind of hope it doesn't, because it fuels me, and it fuels us."

The truth of it is that it is hard to blame the fans for struggling to figure out just who Tebow is. The Broncos coaching staff itself doesn't seem to know. On one hand, the Broncos finally started Tebow, but for most of the day, they tried to play around him. Tebow threw only three passes in the first quarter, only two in the second, only three in the third. For whatever reason, Tebow seemed to make the Broncos a lot more nervous than he did the Dolphins.

It wasn't as if Tebow was making a strong argument to throw it more. He looked awkward. He held the ball too long. He threw too short, and he threw too long, and he took too many sacks. There was a point in the fourth quarter where he had completed only 4 of 14 passes for only 13 yards, less than a yard per attempt.

"I have to play a lot better," Tebow said. "There were several drives early where I thought we had momentum, and then I would overthrow somebody or take a sack and we wouldn't be able to convert on third down."

This was the Tebow who had made so many headlines the past week, the Tebow who had personally lifted the blackout from this game. From the time it was announced that Tebow would start, the Dolphins sold 10,000 tickets.

The final five minutes are why.

As quick as an epiphany, Tebow took over the game. His best running back, Willis McGahee, was out of the game with a fractured hand. His best receiver, Brandon Lloyd, was traded to the Rams last week. The Dolphins led by 15, and Denver hadn't gotten close enough to the end zone to make out the lettering.

Just like that, Tebow was a player. He hit 4 of 5 passes for 71 yards in an 80-yard touchdown drive. After Denver recovered an onside kick, he hit 4 of 8 to lead a 56-yard drive. In all, Tebow hit 8 of 13 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a tying two-point conversion.

"When it gets to crunch time, he trusts what he sees," said teammate Brian Dawkins, a safety. "Early in the game, he was maybe second-guessing things. At the end of the day, he's a guy who is going to continue to fight, continue to scrap and use his arm, his legs, whatever to get the job done."

Another phrase? "Competitive greatness," is the one John Fox mentioned to describe athletes to succeed at the biggest moments. Sunday, that seemed to fit Tebow.

Does that mean that Tebow has won his coaches over? Of course not. That would be too easy.

For instance, the Broncos had two possessions in overtime. Tebow didn't throw a pass. On their last play, Fox decided he would rather take his chances on a 52-yard field goal than let Tebow pass the ball to get it closer. If Matt Prater had not made it, you can guess what today's conversations would be like in Denver.

Still, Tebow won. And by proxy, his supporters won. Tebow showed that he was good enough to lead his team back against a winless Dolphins team. Can he do it enough times? Can he do it against better teams? Can he become a successful quarterback?

We'll see.

From the sound of it, we'll argue about it, too.

Times wires
Sunday, October 23, 2011

Falcons hold on to top cooling Lions

DETROIT — The Falcons might've found their groove in Motown.

Matt Ryan ran and threw for touchdowns to give Atlanta a double-digit lead in the first half, and the defending NFC South champs held on to earn consecutive wins for the first time this season.

On Detroit's final drive, a pass-interference penalty on Atlanta was overturned because replay showed defensive tackle Corey Peters grazed the ball.

Matthew Stafford had an incompletion on the next play and hurt his right ankle, knee — or both.

"To tell the truth I can't really tell right now," said Stafford, whose team has consecutive home losses after a 5-0 start.

Times wires
Sunday, October 23, 2011

Joyous Newton sings different tune

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton jogged to the end zone and gave a line of high-fives to the front row of cheering fans on his way to the locker room.

"It feels great," he said, flashing the smile that had been absent for the better part of a month, when Carolina lost three straight.

The No. 1 overall draft pick ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the second half.

"Like I told (receiver Steve Smith), man, it felt like at times during the game we all were clicking," Newton said.

Newton's rushing TD was his seventh this year, tying Vince Young's record for rookie quarterbacks.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 23, 2011

TAMPA — Marc-Andre Bergeron's five-game points streak ended Saturday in the Lightning's 3-0 victory over the Sabres. He didn't even get a shot on goal.

But the Tampa Bay defenseman didn't seem to mind.

"Absolutely not," Bergeron said at the St. Pete Times Forum. "This is a team game."

But there still is room to acknowledge personal accomplishment, and no Lightning player has done more this season, relative to last season, than Bergeron.

He has a team-best nine points on two goals and seven assists, and after eight games he already is one point ahead of his total for the 23 games he played in 2010-11 after signing in January as a free agent.

He is tied among defensemen for the league lead in points, tied for 10th in the league overall and is averaging 18:47 of ice time, his most since the 19:07 he averaged in 2006-07 with the Oilers and Islanders.

"It's obviously a surprise," Bergeron said of his offensive outburst. "It's not something you expect or are focusing on."

"He's just playing with confidence," fellow defenseman Victor Hedman said. "He makes plays out there. He's poised with the puck, and he has one of the best shots in the league."

Bergeron, 31, always has been an exceptional offensive player.

In 2000-01, he had 42 goals and 101 points in 69 games for Shawinigan of the junior Quebec league. He has 79 goals (43 on the power play) and 211 points in 430 NHL games, and in 2009-10 he had 13 goals and 34 points in 60 games for the Canadiens before a crushing injury to his right knee ended his season and required reconstructive surgery.

Bergeron spent the summer of 2010 rehabbing and wasn't cleared to practice until December, so it wasn't surprising he struggled after signing.

Spending last summer in the gym gave him a foundation for this season's success, he said, and signing a new two-year deal in June gave him peace of mind.

Bergeron also received a commitment from coach Guy Boucher the team would work with him to improve his defense, which still is a work in progress (he is minus-1) but miles ahead of where he was last season.

Always a battler, Bergeron, 5 feet 9, 198 pounds, is more diligent about closing gaps on puck-carriers and is better picking his spots to engage offensively. That not only keeps him in better defensive position, it puts him in situations in the attacking zone with a higher chance of success.

"Consistency in doing simple plays" is what Boucher said he wants from Bergeron, "to wait for opportunities rather than trying to force them."

"I've talked with Guy quite a bit," Bergeron said. "He made me understand that there are things I need to do, and by doing those things, it's going to give the coaches confidence in me. I'm just trying to keep it simple and not force the play too much."

Ultimately, though, Bergeron is a points producer with a shot that can make you say "Wow."

"Points are something, but it doesn't always tell if you're playing good or bad," Bergeron said. "Some games you don't get anything and you're actually playing really well."

Still, he added, "It's better than being minus-15 with zero points."

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

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, October 23, 2011

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio.

Perspective be darned: The Bucs were down to their third-string center and third-string tailback. They were missing a middle linebacker, a defensive tackle, a safety and a fullback. So it's kind of impressive that they got themselves in a position to win. And kind of ridiculous that they kissed it all away.

No more excuses: He is still young and is not surrounded by superior talent, but this many poor throws and decisions can not be tolerated from Josh Freeman. He had as many INTs on Sunday as he did last October. And November. And December. Combined.

Coming home to roost: Um, yeah, how is that Aqib-is-just-Aqib strategy working out?

Next generation: Julius Peppers was one of the most attractive free agents in the NFL in 2010. And given his age and contract, I'd rather have Adrian Clayborn.

Pride matters: Ronde Barber is going to get beat once or twice a game. It's probably inevitable for a 36-year-old corner. What is also inevitable is that Barber is going to bust his rump all day. That's more than I can say for some players on that defense who seem to disappear for entire drives.

A list of five

Five alternate Beatles titles (U.K. edition).

5. Can't Buy Me Free Agents

4. The Long and Winding Gameplan

3. Hey Ruud

2. While My Tailback Gently Weeps

1. Help!

Five head scratchers

1. Getting down to one healthy RB does cramp your running game. On the other hand, your backup QB excels in the wildcat formation. Yet we never saw Josh Johnson. And Freeman was second among NFL QBs in rushing yards in 2010. Yet this was the first start of his career that he did not have a rushing attempt. Strange.

2. Preston Parker inexplicably did not get out of bounds with the clock running at the end of the first half, and it may have been the difference between a field goal and a touchdown.

3. If the preseason is so entertaining that the NFL can charge full prices for exhibition games, why not move one of those thrillers to London and leave the regular season alone?

4. Where was Arrelious Benn? Freeman attempted 51 passes, and only one was in Benn's direction.

5. What's going on in the weight room? Because Chicago's receivers come in around 195 pounds, and they looked like offensive tackles blocking Tampa Bay's LBs and DBs.

Five super picks

Checking out the best bets for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

1. Packers: Have won 13 in a row going back to last season.

2. Patriots: Could be No. 1 if they stop drinking beer with the BoSox.

3. Ravens: Who thought a Monday night game at Jacksonville was a good idea?

4. 49ers: Might win 12 with that schedule.

13. Bucs: Maybe it's time to bring back the Race to 10 concept.

Final five words

Currently accepting applicants for optimism.

Times wires
Sunday, October 23, 2011