Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Ravens rally turns boos into cheers

BALTIMORE — Before launching the biggest comeback victory in the history of the Ravens, Joe Flacco had to withstand the indignity of being booed by his usually supportive hometown fans.

"You can take a few boos every now and then," Flacco said, "especially when you come back and win the game."

Billy Cundiff kicked a 25-yard field goal as time expired, Ray Rice scored a career-high three touchdowns, and Flacco fueled the comeback with a gritty display of leadership and precise passing.

Many in the sellout crowd of 71,022 voiced displeasure as the Cardinals went into halftime with a 24-3 lead. The Ravens' previous biggest comeback was from 19 down against Tennessee in 2006.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Manning sparks sluggish Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Giants' running game was non-existent. Their defense showed up for a half. So it seemed the Dolphins were sensing victory — until Eli Manning stole it from them.

Manning threw a 25-yard touchdown to Victor Cruz with 5:58 to play and the Giants dropped the Dolphins to 0-7.

"No one was concerned about 'Oh, we're going to lose to a winless team, or we were going to lose,' " Giants guard Chris Snee said. "We thought we were still going to win the game and that's just the confidence we have, and that stems from Eli."

Manning threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns in rallying the Giants from an 11-point deficit.

"We went toe to toe with them, swung hard. We didn't win. It's not acceptable," embattled Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Titans offense iffy but still sufficient

NASHVILLE — The Titans were happy to win, but a running back controversy might be inevitable.

Matt Hasselbeck threw for 224 yards and a TD, Nate Washington scored twice and Jason McCourty recovered a blocked punt in the end zone as the Titans dropped the Colts to 0-8.

The Titans came in with the NFL's worst running game and Chris Johnson struggled again, running 14 times for 34 yards. Javon Ringer ran 14 times for 60 yards and caught a team-high five passes for 42 yards.

"The running game hasn't been where we wanted it to be all year, so I guess they just trying new things," Johnson said.

The Colts outgained Tennessee 399-311, but had 10 penalties for 66 yards.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Best Texans ever at halfway point

HOUSTON — The Texans are learning how to win, even when their high-powered offense has an off day. Arian Foster rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown, and Houston shut down rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and the league's worst offense.

Matt Schaub threw for one touchdown and ran for another for Houston, which has five wins at the halfway point for the first time.

The Texans have outscored their division opponents by a total score of 99-28. This was the closest of the three games.

Unlike past seasons, Houston can rely on defense. The Texans held the NFL's worst offense to 61 yards and five first downs in the second half, and 174 yards total.

"We had a defense that stood up and said, 'We're gonna win the game,' " Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. "They were excellent all day, exceptional."

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Minnesota's Christian Ponder took only two starts to get his first career win on Sunday, outdueling more heralded fellow rookie Cam Newton in the process.

Ponder, the No. 12 overall pick in this year's draft out of Florida State, showed tremendous poise in the pocket, particularly on third downs, and got a huge assist from Adrian Peterson as the Vikings held on to beat the Panthers 24-21.

Peterson had 162 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, and Ryan Longwell kicked a 31-yard field goal with 2:43 left as Minnesota snapped a two-game losing streak. Carolina had a chance to tie it with 26 seconds left, but Olindo Mare missed wide left from 31 yards.

Ponder was 18-of-28 for 236 yards to beat Newton, the first overall choice in the draft, and the Panthers. Ponder had key completions on third downs in the second half to keep scoring drives alive.

"It's satisfying to get a win no matter what," Ponder said. "Cam played extremely well. He had three touchdown passes, and a big drive there at the end. Fortunately, the ball bounced our way with the missed field goal."

Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher, bounced back from a slow start and scored on a 9-yard run to tie the score at 21 late in the third quarter. He ran for 86 yards and had five catches for 76 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

"They kept dropping deep and leaving him open," Ponder said. "I kept taking it. … I'll take that all day."

Newton, last year's Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn, threw for 290 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, but again the Panthers failed to finish. It was their fifth loss by seven or fewer points this season.

The Panthers had chances. Carolina went three-and-out on three straight possessions in the second half and watched a lead slip away.

But after Longwell's field goal gave the Vikings the 24-21 lead, Newton seemed poised to lead a memorable comeback. He completed a 44-yard pass to Brandon LaFell on fourth and 15 to reach Vikings territory. The Panthers appeared to reach the 7 on a first-down run by Newton, but the play was called back because of a holding penalty on Steve Smith.

"I got a few texts saying already … it didn't look too bad," Smith said of the call. "For a 70-year-old man gimping down the field, I guess that's what he saw."

Newton went back to Smith on the next play, but he was stopped short of the first down. Then Mare's kick sailed wide left.

"Whoever thinks that this game came down to the last possession is a fool," Newton said. "Offensively and defensively, we had opportunities, man."

Minnesota jarred the ball loose from Newton on a pair of blindside hits; both fumbles led to first-half touchdowns.

Former Florida star Percy Harvin had four catches for 58 yards and scored on a touchdown run for the Vikings.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 30, 2011

You just can't allow an opponent to hit your star players; it's as simple as that, Lightning left wing Ryan Malone said.

That is why during Tampa Bay's victory over the Sabres on Tuesday, Malone squared off with Robyn Regehr, who had crushed captain Vinny Lecavalier with a bruising, but clean, check.

You can't let an opponent threaten a teammate, Steve Downie said. That is why in the same game, the right wing traded blows with Patrick Kaleta.

To call either player an enforcer is a stretch — "I don't think either of us is taking that title," Downie said — but on a team without a true heavyweight, Downie and Malone are as close as it gets.

"They're not scared of anyone," center Steven Stamkos said. "They're going to protect their teammates. That's the kind of guys they are."

Malone, 31, is 6 feet 4, 219 pounds. Downie, 24, is 5-11, 191.

Malone fought Florida's Erik Gudbranson on Oct. 17 in retaliation for Gudbranson, one game earlier, instigating a fight with Downie. Downie hung in with the 6-4, 195-pounder, but Malone believed Gudbranson crossed a line.

Malone also went after Montreal's P.K. Subban in the preseason for slashing Lecavalier in March of last season and acting as if he was hurt when Lecavalier retaliated.

Downie's bout with Kaleta, in defense of rookie Brett Connolly, was said by teammates to have changed the momentum of what turned into a 4-3 Lightning win.

"We're both willing," Downie said of himself and Malone. "But we need to play the game first, win the game first. But there's always those times in games where something needs to be taken care of."

"I don't mind doing that," Malone said. "I did it (when he was with the Penguins from 2003-08), sticking up for my teammates. You want to play the game honestly, but if guys are going after your star players, you have to make sure they're held accountable."

It seems a precarious undertaking. You get punched and then are lost to the team for however many penalty minutes.

The benefits? Festering scores are settled, and in the Sabres game, emotions were expended and the contest went on in relative harmony.

You also get much respect from teammates, and it's great for team chemistry.

"It does a lot for everybody," Lecavalier said. "It just brings guys together."

"But it has to serve a purpose of the team at that particular moment," coach Guy Boucher said. "When Vinny got hit kind of blind side (by Regehr), everybody on the bench stood up, and I knew something was going to happen. You hear guys, and they care, and they make it happen."

Malone's dustup with Regehr really wasn't much of a fight. Malone wrestled him to the ice, and both got roughing penalties. But the point was made.

"He's like an old-school team guy," Lecavalier said. "He's a great leader when he does things like that."

"You're just not allowed to hit your star players," Malone said. "Even if it's a clean hit, you want to make sure they're held accountable. That's the way I've always played. When you see one of your star players get hurt, a person has to deal with some consequences."

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Southeast W L OT Pts GF GA

xWashington 7 1 0 14 31 16

Florida 6 4 0 12 26 25

Tampa Bay 5 4 2 12 33 35

Carolina 4 4 3 11 28 35

Winnipeg 3 6 1 7 26 36

Atlantic W L OT Pts GF GA

Pittsburgh 8 3 2 18 39 28

Philadelphia 6 4 1 13 41 36

New Jersey 4 4 1 9 20 24

N.Y. Rangers 3 3 3 9 20 23

N.Y. Islanders 3 4 2 8 18 23

Northeast W L OT Pts GF GA

Toronto 7 2 1 15 34 32

Buffalo 6 4 0 12 29 22

Ottawa 6 5 0 12 36 43

Montreal 4 5 2 10 29 30

Boston 3 7 0 6 22 25

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central W L OT Pts GF GA

Chicago 6 2 2 14 32 25

Nashville 5 4 1 11 24 26

Detroit 5 4 0 10 22 23

St. Louis 5 5 0 10 26 27

Columbus 1 9 1 3 25 39

Northwest W L OT Pts GF GA

Edmonton 6 2 2 14 21 16

Colorado 6 4 0 12 29 27

Minnesota 4 3 3 11 21 23

Calgary 4 4 1 9 22 23

xVancouver 4 5 1 9 24 29

Pacific W L OT Pts GF GA

Dallas 8 3 0 16 28 23

Los Angeles 6 2 2 14 24 19

San Jose 6 3 0 12 28 21

Phoenix 5 3 2 12 30 30

Anaheim 5 4 1 11 21 25

 x-late game not included; two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Late Friday

Edmonton 3, Colorado 1

Calgary 3, St. Louis 1

Saturday

Ottawa 5, N.Y. Rangers 4 (SO)

Florida 3, Buffalo 2

Toronto 4, Pittsburgh 3

Montreal 4, Boston 2

San Jose 3, N.Y. Islanders 2 (OT)

Philadelphia 5, Carolina 1

Tampa Bay 1, Winnipeg 0

Nashville 3, Anaheim 0

Minnesota 1, Detroit 0

Dallas 3, New Jersey 1

Chicago 5, Columbus 2

Phoenix 3, Los Angeles 2 (OT)

Washington at Vancouver, late

Today

Anaheim at Columbus, 6:30

Toronto at Ottawa, 7:30

Los Angeles at Colorado, 8

St. Louis at Edmonton, 8

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Bills defense gets northern exposure

TORONTO — Turns out Canadians can warm to a winner.

Ryan Fitzpatrick quickly made his expensive new contract pay off, and the Bills finally gave their sometimes indifferent fans north of the border something to cheer.

Fitzpatrick hit tight end Scott Chandler for two touchdowns, and Buffalo had nine sacks and two interceptions to batter the already injury-riddled Redskins in front of an announced 51,579. It marked Buffalo's first win in four "home" games in Toronto.

Rookie first-round pick Marcell Dareus' 2½ sacks led the way.

"I think this is the first complete game our team has played, and it's only the beginning," Dareus said. "The sky's the limit."

The Bills, coming out of their bye week, held the Redskins to 178 yards and 10 first downs.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Maybe the crosstown Cardinals' pregame appearance with the World Series trophy inspired the winless Rams to pull off a shocker of their own, a 31-21 upset of the Saints on Sunday. A few choice words from their star helped, too.

And they also wound up helping the Bucs, who coming off a bye week will play at New Orleans with first place in the NFC South at stake.

Steven Jackson told teammates that there was no way the Rams, 0-6 coming in, were this awful. Then he scored two touchdowns in his first 100-yard game in three seasons, helping St. Louis earn its first win.

At 5-3 the Saints are half a game ahead of the Bucs and Falcons (both 4-3) for first place in the division.

"I think the Cardinals being here was great for the city," Jackson said. "…We came out with a mind-set we were going to fight."

Drew Brees barely kept alive his touchdown pass streak on a meaningless score in the final seconds a week after throwing five in a 62-7 rout of the winless Colts.

This time Brees was intercepted twice, with Darian Stewart's pick and 27-yard return putting the game away with 2:51 to go.

"As you look at the cardinal sins of football, we committed quite a few of those," Brees said. "Obviously, we gave them a lot of momentum."

The Saints average a league-best 35 points, but never got on track against a defense ranked near the bottom of the league. The Rams had a season-high six sacks after entering with 11, three by Chris Long.

"We always thought we had that in us," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "It was a wonderful weekend for St. Louis fans."

Saints pass catchers were bottled up by a secondary minus its top three players, and New Orleans rushed for 56 yards on 20 carries. Saints radio reported that guard Carl Nicks and line coach Aaron Kromer were separated after squabbling near the end of the game.

The Rams trailed by double digits in each of their first six games, and before Sunday had led for only 6:28 all season.

The Saints were scoreless in the first half for the first time since 2007, mustering 94 yards total offense. Watching from the booth while recovering from a knee injury, coach Sean Payton detected a lack of effort.

"They certainly played with more energy than we did," Payton said. "I just thought we looked flat."

The Rams wore throwback jerseys in a nod to their 1999 Super Bowl championship team.

All three Saints losses have come on the road. But they were favored by nearly two touchdowns against a franchise that has been awful on both sides of the ball. Like the Colts a week earlier, the Rams were starting their backup quarterback.

A.J. Feeley made his second straight start for St. Louis in place of Sam Bradford (high left ankle sprain), and threw his first touchdown of the season in a mistake-free outing.

Jackson had 159 yards on 25 carries, including a 32-yard jaunt on fourth and 2 to set up his second touchdown that made the score 24-0 in the third quarter.

Brees threw a touchdown to Lance Moore with six seconds left in the game.

That marked the 35th straight game for Brees with a TD pass — the only longer strings are 47 games by Johnny Unitas and 36 by Brett Favre.

"I could (not) care less, to be honest," Brees said. "That stuff comes when you win, and it means more when you win."

Scoreboard

Ravens 30, Cardinals 27

Vikings 24, Panthers 21

Texans 24, Jaguars 14

Giants 20, Dolphins 17

Titans 27, Colts 10

Bills 23, Redskins 0

Lions 45, Broncos 10

Steelers 25, Patriots 17

49ers 20, Browns 10

Bengals 34, Seahawks 12

Eagles 34, Cowboys 7

> More coverage, 4-5C

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Lions belt Tebow, shake up Broncos

DENVER — Tim Tebow wasn't on one knee in prayer this time. He was on the ground in misery.

The Lions sacked the former Florida star seven times and turned his two turnovers into touchdowns in routing the Broncos.

Matthew Stafford showed few ill effects from a sprained right ankle, throwing for three scores.

Tebow followed his Miami miracle with a dud in Denver as Detroit cornerback Chris Houston had the fourth 100-yard interception return in team history and defensive end Cliff Avril got a sack, strip, scoop and score from 24 yards.

Denver coach John Fox seemed to leave open the possibility of another quarterback change: "It's too early to say … But we'll look at it and make changes where we see (they) are needed."

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Bengals give Lewis record distinction

SEATTLE — Marvin Lewis politely acknowledged becoming Cincinnati's all-time wins leader only to crack a joke when it was pointed out the Bengals had passed their win total from a year ago.

"We didn't have to go far to surpass last year, unfortunately," Lewis said.

Quarterback Andy Dalton threw two first-half touchdowns, Brandon Tate returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown and the Bengals won their fourth straight. Lewis passed Sam Wyche (61-66 from 1984-91 before becoming Bucs coach) for the Bengals record.

With former UF star Reggie Nelson's 75-yard interception return for a TD in the final minute, every phase had a hand in Cincinnati's first win on the West Coast since beating San Diego in 2003.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

ST. LOUIS — A red sea of fans jammed downtown St. Louis on Sunday to honor the World Series champion Cardinals and send a clear message to Albert Pujols: Please stay.

An official crowd estimate was not immediately available for the parade down the streets of St. Louis and the celebration at Busch Stadium, but city officials expected several hundred thousand, and it was clearly that.

Pujols drew loud cheers along the parade route and a long standing ovation at the stadium. When asked on the podium if he'd like to be back for another celebration next year, he smiled and said, "Hey, why not?"

Whether that happens remains to be seen. After 11 Hall of Fame seasons as a Cardinal, Pujols is a free agent for the first time and it isn't clear if the Cardinals will be able or willing to give a long-term contract to a player who turns 32 before next season, despite his career .328 average and 455 homers.

The biggest cheers appeared to be for Pujols, Lance Berkman, Yadier Molina, Chris Carpenter and David Freese, who was Most Valuable Player in both the NLCS and the World Series.

The celebration was the culmination of a four-day party that began with the stunning win in Game 6, when the Cardinals rallied five times and in two straight innings were within a strike from elimination before Freese won the game 10-9 with a homer in the 11th. Friday's 6-2 win in Game 7 set off a frenzied celebration.

Fans were still jubilant about the amazing turnaround. "It just seemed improbable," said Chris Ambrose, 24, of Chesterfield. "It's one of the greatest World Series runs of all time."

Tame town: After the last out Friday, thousands flooded downtown to celebrate, but fans were well-behaved, city officials said. There were three arrests for disturbing the peace, and police are seeking a suspect in one assault.

High ratings: Game 7 of the World Series averaged 25.4 million viewers to make it the most-watched baseball game since 2004. Before that series, in which the Red Sox won their first title in 86 years, the high mark was another Game 7 — the 2002 World Series between the Giants and Angels. Game 7 on Friday earned a 14.7 fast national rating.

Report: Yankees send offer to ace Sabathia

NEW YORK — The Yankees made a contract offer over the weekend to ace CC Sabathia, who has through today to decide whether to opt out of the four years and $92 million remaining on his current deal and become a free agent. Sabathia, 31, has gone 59-23 with a 3.18 ERA during the regular season for New York.

More Yankees: General manager Brian Cashman, whose three-year contract expires today, is expected to sign a new three-year deal today, New York's Newsday reported. The team picked up the club options on Robinson Cano ($14 million) and Nick Swisher ($10.25 million) Saturday.

Free agency: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez were among the 148 players who became free agents Sunday.

Rollins, who turns 33 in November, said he is seeking a five-year deal, and K-Rod hit the market after his $17.5 million mutual option expired. In addition, the Brewers declined a $6 million club option on shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who gets a $2 million buyout. Other notables whose options were declined included Braves outfielder Nate McLouth, Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook and Padres right-handers Aaron Harang and Chad Qualls.

Decisions on club and player options must be made by the end of the day today. Free agents can start signing Thursday.

Red Sox: Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum are among those scheduled to interview for Boston's managerial opening this week, general manager Ben Cherington told ESPNBoston.com. … The team exercised its $6 million option on shortstop Marco Scutaro, 36, for 2012.

Giants: Javier Lopez, 34 and one of the majors' most reliable lefty relievers, agreed to a two-year $8.5 million deal to stay.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Stanford's first win of the season against a ranked team helped Andrew Luck and the Cardinal move up in the BCS college football standings.

While LSU (8-0), Alabama (8-0) and Oklahoma State (8-0) remain locked into the top three spots in the standings released Sunday, Stanford moved up two places to fourth after beating Southern California 56-48 in triple overtime.

Boise State (7-0) slipped a spot to fifth, while Clemson (7-1) fell from fifth to 11th after its first loss.

LSU and Alabama will play Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for first place and the inside track to the BCS national title game.

Oklahoma State seems to be in position to win out and reach the title game in New Orleans on Jan. 9. The computer ratings have the Cowboys No. 1.

The BCS standings use the Harris poll, the coaches' poll and computer ratings to determine which teams play for the national championship.

LSU is No. 1 and Alabama No. 2 in both polls. The Tigers and Crimson Tide are tied for the second-best computer rating.

In the Associated Press media poll, which does not factor into the BCS, the top five teams held their ground. Clemson slipped five spots to No. 11 after losing 31-17 at Georgia Tech and Kansas State fell seven spots to 17 after losing 58-17 to Oklahoma.

LSU received 47 first-place votes from the media panel, Alabama had 10 and No. 5 Boise State had one.

Once again, no Florida schools were ranked but FSU received four votes in the AP poll and 11 in the coaches' poll.

"That's not a goal. To win every game is the goal," FSU receiver Bert Reed said. "We went from No. 5 to not being ranked at all, so it's about winning games."

Texas Tech, which beat Oklahoma a week ago but lost to Iowa State this week, accomplished a rare feat, becoming the second team since the AP expanded to a Top 25 in 1989, to receive no votes in the rankings one week, be ranked the next week, then receive no votes the following week. The 2009 Huskies beat Southern Cal then lost to Stanford the following week.

Former Voice of Sooners dies: Bob Barry Sr., who was the radio play-by-play "Voice of the Sooners" football and basketball from 1961-1972 and from 1991-2010, died at age 80 at his home in Norman. He also called games from 1973-1990 at Oklahoma State. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Late Saturday

Stanford survives scare: Luck engineered four late scoring drives as No. 4 Stanford, trailing for the first time all season, rallied for a 56-48 victory over No. 20 Southern California.

Stepfan Taylor ran for the tying touchdown with 38 seconds left in regulation and the go-ahead score in the third overtime, and Stanford's defense preserved its 16-game winning streak by forcing Curtis McNeal's fumble into the end zone.

Luck passed for 325 yards but threw an interception to Nickell Robey, who returned it 33 yards for a score to make it 34-27 with 3:08 left in regulation.

"For a couple of seconds, I wanted to go dig a hole and bury myself in it, but guys believed in me," said Luck, who then led a 76-yard TD drive. "I was so happy to still see time on the game clock. It was another chance to get out there."

Men's soccer: Snow in New Jersey postponed Sunday's USF-Rutgers match until 11 a.m. today. USF can clinch the Big East Red Division with win.

Women's Soccer: Jessica Price's goal in double overtime lifted FSU over North Carolina 1-0 and handed the host Tar Heels their first-ever defeat in the ACC Tournament. UNC had been 58-0-4. The sixth-seeded Seminoles will play second-seeded Virginia in a semifinal Friday.



BCS standings

Harris USA Today Computer BCS

Rk Pts Pct Rk Pts Pct Rk Pct Avg Pv

 1. LSU 1 2853 0.9923 1 1457 0.9878 t2 .940 0.9734 1

 2. Alabama 2 2775 0.9652 2 1434 0.9722 t2 .940 0.9591 2

 3. Oklahoma St. 3 2594 0.9023 4 1314 0.8908 1 1.000 0.9310 3

 4. Stanford 4 2552 0.8877 3 1323 0.8969 6 .800 0.8615 6

 5. Boise St. 5 2438 0.8480 5 1237 0.8386 4 .870 0.8522 4

 6. Oklahoma 7 2158 0.7506 7 1117 0.7573 5 .820 0.7760 9

 7. Arkansas 8 2015 0.7009 8 1046 0.7092 7 .700 0.7033 10

 8. Oregon 6 2266 0.7882 6 1175 0.7966 13 .490 0.6916 7

 9. South Carolina 11 1696 0.5899 10 919 0.6231 10 .640 0.6177 13

10. Nebraska 9 1918 0.6671 9 973 0.6597 12 .520 0.6156 14

11. Clemson 10 1697 0.5903 12 779 0.5281 9 .670 0.5961 5

12. Virginia Tech 12 1594 0.5544 11 871 0.5905 11 .560 0.5683 12

13. Houston 14 1320 0.4591 14 679 0.4603 13 .490 0.4698 17

14. Kansas St. 15 1126 0.3917 19 440 0.2983 8 .690 0.4600 8

15. Michigan 13 1426 0.4960 13 734 0.4976 17 .360 0.4512 18

16. Penn St. 16 1117 0.3885 15 646 0.4380 16 .380 0.4022 19

17. Michigan St. 17 1049 0.3649 16 528 0.3580 20 .200 0.3076 11

18. Georgia 20 724 0.2518 20 410 0.2780 19 .340 0.2899 22

19. Arizona St. 19 825 0.2870 18 445 0.3017 22 .120 0.2362 21

20. Wisconsin 18 960 0.3339 17 463 0.3139 29 .000 0.2159 15

21. Texas 24 323 0.1123 25 122 0.0827 15 .440 0.2117 24

22. Auburn 25 199 0.0692 27 41 0.0278 18 .350 0.1490 23

23. Georgia Tech 21 466 0.1621 23 193 0.1308 24 .090 0.1276 NR

24. West Virginia 22 456 0.1586 21 270 0.1831 29 .000 0.1139 25

25. Southern Miss 26 186 0.0647 24 160 0.1085 23 .110 0.0944 NR

 The BCS Average is calculated by averaging the percent totals of the Harris Interactive, USA Today Coaches and Computer polls. Team percentages are derived by dividing a team's actual voting points by a maximum 2875 possible points in the Harris Interactive Poll and 1475 possible points in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tennis

Kvitova rises to Women's No. 2 with WTA Crown

ISTANBUL — Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first WTA Championships title Sunday, beating Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 for a victory that will put her at No. 2 in the women's world rankings.

Kvitova started the year outside the top 30 and was playing in the season-ending event for the first time. "I didn't expect that I would be sitting here as a champion. It's really a big step for me," said Kvitova, who won six titles this year, the same number as No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and twice as many as Azarenka.

More tennis: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Juan Martin Del Potro 6-7 (7-5), 6-3, 6-4 in the Erste Bank Open final in Vienna, moving Tsonga past Mardy Fish to No. 7 on the 2011 men's points list that comes out today. The top eight will qualify for the season-ending ATP finals in London next month.

Soccer

MLS: Los Angeles wins, then fights

Mike Magee scored off a long cross from David Beckham in the 15th minute, giving the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 win against the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of Major League Soccer's Western Conference semifinals series in Harrison, N.J. The Red Bulls missed two late chances to tie it.

The Galaxy heads home needing only a tie or a win Thursday to advance to the conference finals. The two-game playoff series is based on aggregate goals between the teams.

A postgame incident involved four players, two from each team. Los Angeles' Landon Donovan apparently said something to Rafa Marquez, who then took the ball and fired it at Donovan. In the scrum that ensued, Los Angeles' Juninho threw a punch at New York's Stephen Keel. Postgame red cards to Marquez and Juninho mean they are suspended for Thursday's game.

Other MLS: Houston beat host Philadelphia 2-1 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The teams meet again Thursday in Houston. In the other East semifinal, Kansas City topped host and reigning MLS Cup champion Colorado 2-0. The teams play again Wednesday at Kansas City.

Pan American Games

Americans dominate podium

The Americans didn't win a gold on the final day of the Pan Am Games, but they did earn two bronzes to finish with the most medals overall in Guadalajara, Mexico. Lance Thomas scored 14 to lead the U.S. men's basketball team to third place with a 94-92 win over the Dominican Republic. The rugby sevens also took third. In the overall medals table, the United States finished way out ahead with 92 gold and 236 overall. Cuba was second with 58 golds and 136 overall, and Brazil was third with 48 golds and 141 overall.

Et cetera

Running: Kenya's Wilson Kipsang, 29, ran the second-fastest marathon ever in winning the Frankfurt, Germany, race. His time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, 42 seconds was four seconds off the world record set a month ago by Kenya's Patrick Makau in Berlin.

Sailing: Anna Tunnicliffe of Plantation won the U.S. Olympic Team Qualifying Regatta for women's match racing by beating Genny Tulloch of Sausalito, Calif., in two races at Key Biscayne. Tunnicliffe and the next three top finishers advance to the final selection event in May in Weymouth, England. The winner there earns a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Gore, 49ers hitting long-term heights

SAN FRANCISCO — Frank Gore received regular calls and encouragement from Roger Craig all offseason as he recovered from a fractured hip. Craig shared training tips, too.

Sunday, Gore ran for both 125-plus yards and a touchdown in a fourth straight game, and passed Craig for second on the 49ers career rushing list, as San Francisco won its fifth straight.

"It's a blessing to have my name mentioned next to his," Gore said. "This last year, we got to be close."

Now, San Francisco's star running back is determined to chase another of Craig's accomplishments: those three Super Bowl rings. And the 49ers are 6-1 for the first time since those glory days.

Alex Smith completed 15 of 24 for 177 yards for the first-place 49ers.

"Not perfect, but beautiful," coach Jim Harbaugh said.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 30, 2011

TAMPA — USF redshirt freshman Tony Kibler, a backup guard who has played in two games this season, was suspended indefinitely by football coach Skip Holtz after he was arrested in his dormitory room on campus early Sunday morning and charged with two felony counts.

Kibler, 19, was held without bond in county jail Sunday night, charged by USF police with felony counts of armed burglary and improper exhibition of a weapon on school grounds along with a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. USF police said he was arrested at 3:35 a.m. Sunday in his room, accused of "exhibiting a knife in an angry manner."

USF police spokesman Lt. Chris Daniel said the incident stems from a "dissolved relationship," and that Kibler was witnessed using a knife to get into the dormitory room of a female student who lived across the hall from him around 10 p.m. Saturday. She told USF police Kibler had been threatening her. The arrest report does not say if she was in the room when he entered or if anything was taken.

Kibler, from Belle Glade, is a second-string offensive lineman. Holtz said Sunday night that Kibler has been suspended from all team activities for "unacceptable behavior," though he did not specifically mention the arrest.

THIS AND THAT: Receiver Chris Dunkley, sitting out this season after transferring from Florida, had surgery to repair a wrist injury suffered Wednesday, Holtz said. … Linebacker Reshard Cliett, a top backup, is questionable for Saturday's game at Rutgers with an ankle injury.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers no longer have a Tom Brady problem. And that might be a problem for the rest of the NFL.

Old, slow and over? Not yet.

Ben Roethlisberger picked apart the NFL's worst defense and the Steelers rattled the nearly unflappable Brady in a 25-17 victory on Sunday, putting an end to the two-time MVP's decade of dominance over the defending AFC champions.

Brady came in 6-1 all-time against the Steelers, with eye-popping numbers. This time he had no chance on a chilly day at Heinz Field as Pittsburgh controlled the ball for more than 39 minutes.

"It's been all Tom Brady versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and looking back on the past, how he's owned the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I think everybody forgot about our offense a little bit and the things they've been doing out there," said Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who missed part of the fourth quarter with a hamstring problem. "I think they took that a little personal."

Playing efficiently even without receiver Hines Ward and working almost exclusively on short, underneath routes, Roethlisberger was 36-of-50 for 365 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh won its fourth straight following a 2-2 start.

"We can be as good as we want to be," Roethlisberger said. "When we don't kill ourselves and stop ourselves, we can be pretty dangerous."

Brady passed for two touchdowns but for a season-low 198 yards. His comeback bid ended when Brett Keisel sacked him, forcing a fumble that Troy Polamalu slapped through the end zone with eight seconds left to provide the final margin.

"We all have to individually look in the mirror and figure out what we need to get better at," Brady said.

There was no sense of panic among the Patriots, who fell into a tie with Buffalo atop the AFC East. Yet the Steelers did something no team could this year: keep Brady under wraps.

Pittsburgh sacked him three times, held wide receiver Wes Welker — on pace for an NFL record for yards receiving in a season — to 39 yards on six catches and limited the Patriots to their fewest points since last year's 34-14 loss to Cleveland.

The Patriots punted four times, missed a field goal in the third quarter that would have drawn them within a touchdown and failed to recover an onside kick late in the fourth.

Not the kind of brisk execution that has been the hallmark of Brady and coach Bill Belichick's highly successful tenure.

"It just wasn't a really good day for us in any phase of the game, in any area," Belichick said. "We just didn't do a good enough job."

As for the Steelers, there was a definite sense of vindication after some analysts said their defense was getting too old.

"It's a huge step," linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. "The New England Patriots have Belichick and Brady. This is a team that contends in the AFC every year and goes to the championship or the Super Bowl. So having this win, in our house, is huge and something to build on."

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Around the league

CARDINALS BRING SERIES MAGIC TO NFL BRETHREN

ST. LOUIS — Manager Tony La Russa, above right greeting Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, and the World Series champion Cardinals drew huge cheers at Sunday's Rams-Saints game. They might've fired up their city's NFL counterparts, too.

About a dozen Cardinals showed up at the Edward Jones Dome, including Series Game 7 winner Chris Carpenter.

They got a prolonged standing ovation when they were introduced early in the first quarter, and they waved to the crowd.

"To be on the sideline is definitely an adrenaline rush and we're not even playing today," pitcher and former Ray Edwin Jackson said.

"Maybe we were inspired by the Cardinals. Who knows?" Rams tackle Adam Goldberg said after his team's first win of the season.

La Russa, of Tampa, sported the jersey of injured QB Sam Bradford. The Cards' victory parade was held later.

BENGALS: CB Adam Jones' return after nearly a year away due to injury didn't last a quarter; he left after injuring his right hamstring.

BROWNS: Montario Hardesty (strained right calf) left in the first half, leaving Cleveland without its top two running backs. He is scheduled to have an MRI exam today but said the injury does not appear serious. Starter Peyton Hillis (left hamstring) missed his second straight game.

COWBOYS: CB and former USF star Mike Jenkins (right hamstring) left injured, as did LB Sean Lee (left wrist) and P Mat McBriar (left foot).

DOLPHINS: C Mike Pouncey, a first-round draft pick and former Florida standout, missed much of the second half after a shot to the head left him numb. "I couldn't feel my legs," he said. "I'm all right now."

EAGLES: RB Dion Lewis was at the game but was inactive after being slightly shaken up in a minor car accident earlier in the day.

LIONS: NT Ndamukong Suh is scheduled to meet with the league Tuesday to discuss all the penalties he has been called for this season. … The Lions' 45 points were their most on the road since a 45-3 win Oct. 29, 1967, at San Francisco.

PANTHERS: CB Darius Butler missed the game to be with his daughter, who had open-heart surgery last week. She had a setback Friday but is doing better, according to team officials.

REDSKINS: Their 23-0 defeat marked coach Mike Shanahan's first shutout loss in 24 seasons as an NFL coach or offensive coordinator, according to STATS LLC.

SEAHAWKS: WR Mike Williams, a former Plant High star, was inactive after not being listed on any injury reports all week.

TEXANS: LB Darryl Sharpton (torn tendon, right leg) is out for the season.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

NEW DELHI — Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the inaugural Formula One Indian Grand Prix on Sunday, staying on track to equal the record for the number of wins in a season.

Vettel led from start to finish, building a comfortable lead and finishing 8.4 seconds ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso a distant third at the Buddh International Circuit.

"All in all it was a smooth race. The car was very well balanced," said Vettel, whose 11th win leaves him two victories shy of Michael Schumacher's record set in 2004. Two races are left in the season.

The race had yet another collision between McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa to intensify their rivalry. Massa, who insisted he did nothing wrong, was given a pit drive-through penalty before later breaking his front suspension and retiring from the race.

The two have crashed into each other in three of the past four races. They exchanged angry words after crashing in Singapore and had not talked until just before Sunday's race, when Hamilton stood beside Massa during a minute's silence, then wished him good luck.

Massa, who blames Hamilton for all their crashes, said that counted for little and there would be "nothing from me" to mend fences. Hamilton had hoped their brief exchange could do that. "I made the effort," he said.

This collision happened on Lap 24 of the 60-lap race. Hamilton tried to pass on the inside of a left-hand corner, but Massa moved in sharply, and Hamilton crashed into the Ferrari's side pod.

Massa was able to continue. Hamilton had to pit with a damaged front wing.

"(Massa) didn't give me any space," Hamilton said. "It's a disappointing day, and my team deserves better."

Stewards told Massa he should have left more room for Hamilton. He disagreed.

NHRA: Jason Line won his second Pro Stock championship when he advanced to the semifinals of the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Line, 42, will start the season finale in two weeks at Pomona, Calif., with an insurmountable 199-point lead over KB Racing teammate and reigning champion Greg Anderson. Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the pro categories at the Big O Tires Nationals.

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Tony Stewart passed Jimmie Johnson on a restart with three laps to go Sunday and surged into contention for his third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with three races remaining.

Then, Stewart playfully called out points leader Carl Edwards.

"He better be worried. That's all I've got to say," Stewart said of Edwards in Victory Lane, a smile spreading across his face. "He's not going to sleep for the next three weeks."

The victory was the third for Stewart in the first seven races of the 10-race playoff, and he was easily the leading benefactor as the points race became significantly jumbled.

Stewart moved from 19 points behind leader Edwards and in fourth place to eight points behind in second as several contenders got caught up in a season-high 18 caution flags.

Even Stewart had trouble, at one point having to apologize to race leader Denny Hamlin for racing him hard to stay on the lead lap. And that was with less than 20 laps to go.

"I was pretty mad all day, but I was the only guy who didn't get in a wreck with somebody, so I was kind of proud of that," Stewart said, adding that his team told him not to be nice.

The winning pass, he said, surprised even him.

"I don't think anybody has ever passed Jimmie Johnson on the outside," he said, crediting crew chief Darian Grubb for making the right calls and adjustments all race long. "I don't think we had the best race car (Sunday), by any means, but we had the most determined pit crew."

For much of the day, Johnson looked like he might be the one making a huge gain in the points race, especially as Edwards floundered in the mid 20s.

The cautions, which slowed things for 108 laps, also a season high, allowed Johnson to weather a call by crew chief Chad Knaus to stay out when all the leaders behind him pitted for fresh tires with just more than 40 laps to go. But he couldn't hold on with Stewart pressing him at the end.

"I just could not get away from him on the restart," Johnson said, adding that he tried to be cognizant of Stewart's better position in the championship battle. "I thought about going in there and leaning on him, move him up, but that is just not the right thing to do."

Johnson, who started the day seventh in points, moved into sixth but is 43 points off the lead in search of his sixth consecutive championship. Stewart last won the title in 2005.

Edwards laughed when told of Stewart's challenge. "I told you guys I thought he was one of the guys that could win this race and be a guy that you'd have to beat for the championship," Edwards said, "and I think he's proving that right now. But yeah, we'll have fun."

Edwards struggled all day, twice needing the get a free pass as the first car a lap down. He made it pay off the second time, adjusting his car and rallying to finish an unlikely ninth. "That's just a gift," he said. "We did not deserve to finish ninth."

Others deserved much better than what they got, namely Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski. They started the day second and third in points, respectively, and were running near the front all day until getting caught up in late accidents. Kenseth finished 31st and Keselowski 17th.

"He better be worried. That's all I've got to say. He's not going to sleep for the next three weeks."

Tony Stewart, joking about points leader Carl Edwards after Stewart jumped to No. 2 in the standings with his win

Times wires
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Times wires

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets are slowly starting to realize they might win more games playing a combative, in-your-face style.

They hope the realization hasn't come too late.

Rick Nash, rookie Ryan Johansen and Fedor Tyutin scored in a 3-1 victory over the Ducks on Sunday for Columbus' second win of the season.

Columbus (2-9-1) was aggressive against Anaheim's stars, which led to four fights. The effort resembled its first win, Tuesday against Detroit, which was also at home.

"When we play with a little bit of any edge, when we play like we're (angry), when we play in the hard areas and go there first … that's usually when better things happen for us," coach Scott Arniel said.

Nash, the captain, said the Blue Jackets have to come up with an identity, "and I don't think our identity is a skilled team that's going to win with finesse and talent."

The Blue Jackets' start is the worst in franchise history, and the team has the league's fifth-highest payroll, according to the salary-tracking website capgeek.com.

The win came on the day the Columbus Dispatch reported that team president Mike Priest had contacted Ken Hitchcock about returning as coach and former Flames general manager and current TV analyst Craig Button had been contacted about taking on the same job with Columbus.

Arniel and-or GM Scott Howson could be replaced by today, the newspaper said.

Hitchcock was fired as Columbus' coach in February 2010 after 31/2 seasons and what remains the team's only playoff appearance. He is still on the payroll, earning $1.3 million this season. He denied being contacted, as did Button.

Button was the Stars' player personnel director and Hitchcock the coach when Dallas won the Stanley Cup in 1999.

Two weeks ago, Priest gave Howson and Arniel a vote of confidence, saying they shouldn't be judged until the Blue Jackets, then dealing with injuries and a suspension to key defenseman James Wisniewski, had those players back. Wisniewski now has four points in four games. He had two assists Sunday.

game highlights: The host Senators extended their winning streak to six with a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs. They had lost five of their first six. … Ryan Smyth had two goals as the host Oilers won their fifth in a row, 4-2 over the Blues.

First Period—1, Columbus, Nash 4 (Wisniewski, Umberger), 2:23 (pp). 2, Anaheim, Ryan 4 (Selanne, Lydman), 8:24. Penalties—Selanne, Ana (high-sticking), 1:36; Koivu, Ana (boarding), 1:36; Brookbank, Ana, major (fighting), 12:38; Dorsett, Clm, major (fighting), 12:38; Cogliano, Ana, major (fighting), 17:01; K.Russell, Clm, major (fighting), 17:01; Getzlaf, Ana, major (fighting), 17:45; Bass, Clm, major (fighting), 17:45; Selanne, Ana (high-sticking), 17:49.

Second Period—3, Columbus, Johansen 2 (Vermette, Calvert), 1:57. 4, Columbus, Tyutin 2 (Wisniewski, Pahlsson), 12:52. Penalties—Clitsome, Clm (tripping), 3:56; Wisniewski, Clm (cross-checking), 5:57; Perry, Ana (roughing), 14:24; Tyutin, Clm (roughing), 14:24; Brookbank, Ana, major (fighting), 18:17; Dorsett, Clm, major (fighting), 18:17.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Pahlsson, Clm (hooking), 11:32. Shots on Goal—Anaheim 3-11-6—20. Columbus 10-7-4—21. Power-play opportunities—Anaheim 0 of 3; Columbus 1 of 3. Goalies—Anaheim, Ellis 1-1-0 (21 shots-18 saves). Columbus, Mason 2-8-1 (20-19).

First Period—1, Edmonton, Horcoff 2 (Nugent-Hopkins, Potter), 5:38 (pp). Penalties—D'Agostini, StL (slashing), 5:14; Jones, Edm (interference), 6:50; Polak, StL (holding), 9:41; Nugent-Hopkins, Edm (high-sticking), 10:43; Oshie, StL (boarding), 15:04.

Second Period—2, St. Louis, Backes 3 (Sobotka, Polak), 3:58. 3, Edmonton, Smyth 4 (Plante, Jones), 7:31. 4, Edmonton, Eberle 3 (Hall, Nugent-Hopkins), 13:16. 5, Edmonton, Smyth 5 (Gilbert, Petry), 17:15 (pp). Penalties—Backes, StL (boarding), 16:18.

Third Period—6, St. Louis, Stewart 3 (Pietrangelo), 3:17 (pp). Penalties—Belanger, Edm (boarding), 1:56. Shots on Goal—St. Louis 8-8-14—30. Edmonton 5-16-9—30. Power-play opportunities—St. Louis 1 of 3; Edmonton 2 of 4. Goalies—St. Louis, Halak 1-5-0 (30 shots-26 saves). Edmonton, Khabibulin 5-0-2 (30-28).

First Period—1, Toronto, MacArthur 3 (Grabovski, Kulemin), 11:20 (pp). 2, Ottawa, Greening 4 (Rundblad, Kuba), 16:16 (pp). Penalties—Greening, Ott (illegal check to head minor), 3:08; Karlsson, Ott (slashing), 9:51; Gunnarsson, Tor (cross-checking), 14:20.

Second Period—3, Ottawa, Neil 3 (Karlsson, Gonchar), 7:59 (pp). Penalties—Connolly, Tor (hooking), 4:33; Kulemin, Tor (interference), 6:56; Connolly, Tor (roughing), 12:29; Spezza, Ott (tripping), 16:37; Karlsson, Ott (tripping), 19:42.

Third Period—4, Ottawa, Daugavins 1 (Smith), 7:08. 5, Toronto, MacArthur 4 (Grabovski, Kulemin), 9:07. Penalties—Daugavins, Ott (hooking), 11:59; Gonchar, Ott (tripping), 19:55. Shots on Goal—Toronto 9-7-9—25. Ottawa 13-12-5—30. Power-play opportunities—Toronto 1 of 6; Ottawa 2 of 4. Goalies—Toronto, Gustavsson 3-3-0 (30 shots-27 saves). Ottawa, Lehner 1-0-0 (25-23).

First Period—1, Colorado, Kobasew 2 (Landeskog, Quincey), 6:55 (sh). 2, LA, Parse 2 (Stoll), 7:22 (pp). Penalties—Parse, LA (tripping), :36; Penner, LA (interference), 3:18; Hejda, Col (hooking), 6:11.

Second Period—3, Colorado, Hejduk 4 (D.Jones, Quincey), 9:04 (pp). 4, LA, Kopitar 6 (Brown, Doughty), 18:44 (pp). Penalties—Parse, LA (interference), 8:07; O'Brien, Col (slashing), 16:59; Hejda, Col (holding), 17:35.

Third Period—5, Colorado, Duchene 2 (D.Jones), 1:52. Penalties—Brown, LA (tripping), 16:19; Winnik, Col (tripping), 19:14. Shots on Goal—LA 11-15-6—32. Colorado 5-4-7—16. Power-play opportunities—LA 2 of 4; Colorado 1 of 4. Goalies—LA, Quick 6-1-2 (16 shots-13 saves). Colorado, Varlamov 5-3-0 (32-30).