By Doug Hemmer, Times Correspondent
Thursday, November 3, 2011

What's hot: This month will bring cold fronts that lower the water temperature. When the temperature drops 8 to 10 degrees, trout, redfish and snook will move under docks and into residential canals. The best docks to target will have a deep canal in front and grass flats on the other side. The water temperature of the flats will cool faster than the deep canal. And the fish will move to where the water is warmer. The best residential canals holding fish run north and south. The north end will have the warmest water.

Tips and tackle: You can cover large areas faster using a jig worked close to the bottom. When you find a productive area, switch to a free-lined tail-hooked shrimp. Cast the shrimp in front of and alongside the docks. Take your time and work the jig or shrimp slowly along the bottom. Rods should handle 10- to 20-pound test with a 20- to 30-pound leader.

When to go: Watch the weather reports to see when the front will pass the area you intend to fish. The best time to target these areas is after the front has passed. The fish will need time to feel the cooler water and move to the docks. The back side of the front will have the strongest winds. The canals provide protection from the wind and make fishing more comfortable.

Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 347-1389.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, November 3, 2011

Tribute to an unusual river

There is a little Huck Finn in all of us, but not everybody has the time to take off and float down (or in this case, up) one of Florida's classic rivers. But don't worry, local singer/songwriter/filmmaker Darryl May has just produced a documentary about his recent exploration of the mighty St. Johns, one of only a few rivers in the Northern Hemisphere that flows south-to-north. Whisper of the River is a rare look at Old Florida at its best. Buy it for the holidays for $16.95 at darylmaycomedy.com.

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An eye toward redfish

State officials will also discuss redfish when they meet in Key Largo on Nov. 16-17. A new rule that is likely to pass will divide the state into three redfish management zones similar to those used for spotted seatrout. Anglers in the northern zones will see their daily bag limit increase to two fish, while statewide anglers will have a new eight-fish boat limit. Red drum is considered an example of fishery management at its best. Stocks dwindled until officials banned the commercial harvest and sale of the species in 1989, thanks to the efforts of the Florida Conservation Association, now known as the Coastal Conservation Association. The current regulations — an 18- to 27-inch slot limit and one-fish bag limit — have not changed in more than 30 years.

Grouper rules

It is hard to keep up with the constant changes to the state's grouper fishery. Local anglers target gag, red and occasionally black grouper in area waters. Federal officials have increased the annual quota for reds, which means anglers can keep an additional two red grouper within the personal aggregate four grouper bag limit. The rule, which went into effect Wednesday, applies to gulf federal waters, which begin 9 miles offshore. But state officials are expected to adopt similar measures later this month. Also on the table: a recreational gag grouper season that will last 123 days each year, from July 1 to Oct. 31. If approved, the bag limit of two fish within the aggregate bag limit and a minimum size limit would remain the same. The new rules are expected to take effect next year.

Seatrout update

Fall is a great time to catch spotted seatrout, but if you fish in the southern part of the state, you will have to release these prized sportfish now through the end of the year. The season closed in the "south zone," which on the East Coast is south of the Flagler-Volusia county line, and here on the gulf coast the boundary is south of a line running due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway, which is about 1.17 miles south of the Pinellas-Pasco county line. If you fish in northeast and northwest Florida waters, the season will remain open until February unless the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission adopts new rules Nov. 16 when it meets in Key Largo to get rid of the current rolling recreational closures. To learn more, go to MyFWC.com.

Also this weekend

Kayak Fishing Classics will host its Invitational National Championship at Whiskey Joe's on the Tampa side of the Courtney Campbell Parkway today and Saturday. … Bicycle Bash Festival at Tampa's Flatwoods Wilderness Park will have cycling fun for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, November 3, 2011

Tonight

Lightning vs. Blackhawks

When/where: 7:30; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: The Blackhawks, tied for No. 1 in the Western Conference entering Thursday, have outscored opponents 15-7 in the third period. … Chicago's road penalty kill is 100 percent (13-for-13), and its three short-handed goals were tied for the league lead. … The Lightning has won three straight at home, allowing one goal total.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, November 3, 2011

First baseman Dan Johnson, who has two of the biggest homers in Rays history, is a free agent. Johnson, 32, declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham, the Rays announced Thursday.

Johnson had been with the organization since 2008, when he hit a memorable September home run off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Last season he had two homers in 31 games, one a tying solo shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth of the Rays' wild-card clinching win over the Yankees.

In other news, the Rays were shut out of the Players Choice Awards. Tampa Bay had three finalists: James Shields (AL most outstanding pitcher), pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (outstanding rookie) and first baseman Casey Kotchman (comeback player). The Tigers' Justin Verlander (pitcher), Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo (rookie) and Red Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (comeback) won their categories.

Manager searches: The Cubs reportedly will interview Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin today. The Cubs and the Red Sox also plan to interview Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, 50. Mackanin, 60, interviewed Monday for the Red Sox job, and the Indians gave Boston permission to interview bench coach Sandy Alomar. The Cardinals met with Joe McEwing and Chris Maloney. McEwing, 39, was hired as White Sox third-base coach this week. Maloney, 50, has managed the Cards' Triple-A affiliate for five years.

Free time: The free agent signing season began with Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Aramis Ramirez all available in a market stronger on hitting than pitching.

dodgers: Court documents show owner Frank McCourt must pay his former wife, Jamie, $131 million by the end of April as part of a divorce settlement.

hall: Former Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges and GM Buzzie Bavasi and former A's owner Charlie Finley are among 10 candidates for the Hall of Fame on the Veterans Committee ballot next month. The others: Ken Boyer, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Allie Reynolds, Ron Santo and Luis Tiant.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, November 3, 2011

TAMPA — Ronde Barber has long been a defensive back of all trades, equally skilled in pass coverage and as a dead-in-your-tracks tackler. But lately the 36-year-old veteran has been popping up like a weed all over the football field.

On any given series, Barber may line up outside the numbers on a receiver, move inside at nickel back, morph into a linebacker and patrol close to the line of scrimmage, blitz the A-gap or drop back into a free safety position.

Nearly halfway through his 15th season, Barber is playing as well as he did in the prime of his career, if not better. One example: In the Bucs' 24-18 loss to the Bears in London on Oct. 23, Barber was one dropped "pick six" away from filling nearly every defensive category. As it was, he recorded his first career safety, a sack, five tackles, three tackles for losses and a pass defensed.

"I told him if he makes that interception and returns it for a touchdown, he goes to the Pro Bowl on that game," defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said. "How many cornerbacks have safeties? It's really unbelievable what he's doing."

Barber has posted some Hall of Fame numbers in his career, but his worth to the defense has always been greater than the arithmetic. When he made the decision to return for another season, coach Raheem Morris figured he would have to come up with something more challenging to stimulate the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback.

"He has the ability to flop with safeties and flop with linebackers, and they can do it on their own," Morris said. "We give him some keys on that to keep his old butt stimulated, and he's absolutely taken that and run with it. I think he's getting younger because of it. He seems to be playing faster, he comes to work with a sense of urgency with what we're putting in, finding out what can he do this week, how can he affect the game."

Barber smiled when asked if he likes being a defensive chameleon.

"It's a great way for me to stay involved, stay active, keep me interested," he said. "But because of my ability to move around, we can do a lot of things on defense. We can get six (defensive backs) on the field and feel comfortable running our normal packages. And there's stuff in nickel I've been doing for years. It keeps them off-balance a little bit, and if they're looking at me, that's a good thing, because I show up a lot of different places."

The only player comparable to Barber in terms of his versatility is Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, the 2009 defensive player of the year. Woodson has 27 forced fumbles and 52 career interceptions in his career. Barber (41 picks, 13 forced fumbles) has 27 sacks, the most of any defensive back.

Barber's ability to anticipate where the ball is going to be thrown based on formation and receiver splits will keep the head of this week's opposing quarterback, the Saints' Drew Brees, on a swivel.

Saints coach Sean Payton said play-callers have to account for the whereabouts of a Barber or Woodson.

"Ronde has got great instincts, so you've got to be very careful you don't sit in some easily recognizable looks for him because he will have seen the tape; he does a great job with his keys," Payton said. " … I think that element for him and for Woodson as well gives them some staying power and allows them to play longer in their careers than maybe the average player."

Woodson is 6 feet, 200 pounds while Barber is (generously) listed at 5-10, 184. Playing near the line of scrimmage doesn't intimidate Barber.

"I like that aspect of football, mainly because they don't expect me to be able to do it," he said. "I don't know if that works to my advantage or not. If they're looking for me, it gets me killed sometimes. But that's part of it."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, November 3, 2011

TAMPA — Ronde Barber has long been a defensive back of all trades, equally skilled in pass coverage and as a dead-in-your-tracks tackler. But lately the 36-year-old veteran has been popping up like a weed all over the football field.

On any given series, Barber may line up outside the numbers on a receiver, move inside at nickel back, morph into a linebacker and patrol close to the line of scrimmage, blitz the A-gap or drop back into a free safety position.

Nearly halfway through his 15th season, Barber is playing as well as he did in the prime of his career, if not better. One example: In the Bucs' 24-18 loss to the Bears in London on Oct. 23, Barber was one dropped "pick six" away from filling nearly every defensive category. As it was, he recorded his first career safety, a sack, five tackles, three tackles for losses and a pass defensed.

"I told him if he makes that interception and returns it for a touchdown, he goes to the Pro Bowl on that game," defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said. "How many cornerbacks have safeties? It's really unbelievable what he's doing."

Barber has posted some Hall of Fame numbers in his career, but his worth to the defense has always been greater than the arithmetic. When he made the decision to return for another season, coach Raheem Morris figured he would have to come up with something more challenging to stimulate the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback.

"He has the ability to flop with safeties and flop with linebackers, and they can do it on their own," Morris said. "We give him some keys on that to keep his old butt stimulated, and he's absolutely taken that and run with it. I think he's getting younger because of it. He seems to be playing faster, he comes to work with a sense of urgency with what we're putting in, finding out what can he do this week, how can he affect the game."

Barber smiled when asked if he likes being a defensive chameleon.

"It's a great way for me to stay involved, stay active, keep me interested," he said. "But because of my ability to move around, we can do a lot of things on defense. We can get six (defensive backs) on the field and feel comfortable running our normal packages. And there's stuff in nickel I've been doing for years. It keeps them off-balance a little bit, and if they're looking at me, that's a good thing, because I show up a lot of different places."

The only player comparable to Barber in terms of his versatility is Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, the 2009 defensive player of the year. Woodson has 27 forced fumbles and 52 career interceptions in his career. Barber (41 picks, 13 forced fumbles) has 27 sacks, the most of any defensive back.

Barber's ability to anticipate where the ball is going to be thrown based on formation and receiver splits will keep the head of this week's opposing quarterback, the Saints' Drew Brees, on a swivel.

Saints coach Sean Payton said play-callers have to account for the whereabouts of a Barber or Woodson.

"Ronde has got great instincts, so you've got to be very careful you don't sit in some easily recognizable looks for him because he will have seen the tape; he does a great job with his keys," Payton said. " … I think that element for him and for Woodson as well gives them some staying power and allows them to play longer in their careers than maybe the average player."

Woodson is 6 feet, 200 pounds while Barber is (generously) listed at 5-10, 184. Playing near the line of scrimmage doesn't intimidate Barber.

"I like that aspect of football, mainly because they don't expect me to be able to do it," he said. "I don't know if that works to my advantage or not. If they're looking for me, it gets me killed sometimes. But that's part of it."

Times wires
Thursday, November 3, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Flat Out is taking Scooter Dickey places the 70-year-old trainer has never been. Dickey hopes their next trip is to the winner's circle after the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

Flat Out is the best horse of Dickey's nearly 50-year career and the first to win a Grade I stakes for him. He came to Dickey as a promising 2-year-old in 2008, and the trainer has seen Flat Out through a history of foot problems to reach North America's richest race, which is Saturday, the second of two days of Breeders' Cup races for the world's top thoroughbreds.

The races begin today at Churchill Downs.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Dickey said, standing inside a stall piled with bags of feed. "Come Saturday, I'll get nervous about the time we start putting the saddle on."

Dickey will have family and friends on hand at Churchill Downs, where he is based. Dana, his wife of 48 years who has an incurable liver disease and has waited years to receive a transplant, will attend.

Dickey has never had a horse in the Triple Crown races and is in the season-ending Breeders' Cup for the first time. At 6-1 on the morning line, Flat Out earned a Classic spot by winning the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont last month over Drosselmeyer and Stay Thirsty, two of the 11 horses he faces in the 1¼-mile race.

Flat Out has been one of the most consistent handicap horses in the country this year, finishing first or second in five of his six starts.

TWO SCRATCHES: Two horses were scratched Thursday: Medaglia d'Amour from today's $2 million Ladies' Classic and Gung Ho from Saturday's $1 million Juvenile Turf. Medaglia d'Amour, winless in three 2011 races, had a spiking temperature and a cough, trainer Ben Cecil said. Gung Ho had muscle soreness. His defection opened the door for Tequilla Factor to run in the Juvenile Turf.

LONG-SHOT NICK: A long price never discourages Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, who will send out 2010 Florida Derby winner Ice Box as a 30-1 outsider in the Classic. "For that amount of money, we're in the game," Zito said. "If I thought otherwise, I wouldn't have run Birdstone at 37-1 against Smarty Jones; I wouldn't have run Da' Tara at 39-1 against Big Brown." Those horses won the Belmont for him in 2004 and '08. "Ice Box was 20-1 when he won the Florida Derby," Zito said. "It's the way I do it."

Local tie: Jose Lezcano, the Tampa Bay Downs 2005-06 riding champion, is aboard Royal Delta for today's Ladies Classic. On Saturday he's riding To Honor and Serve in the Classic.

RAINED OUT: Sea Moon was denied a final workout for Saturday's Turf when Downs officials closed the turf course at 9:30 a.m. because of rain. "We came all the way from England and paid a fortune to come," trainer Michael Stoute said. "Here we are just trying to get a nice final work before the race. Ten drops of rain and they close the track."

Thursday, November 3, 2011

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants running back Brandon Jacobs might get those extra carries he has been asking for.

Starter Ahmad Bradshaw has a broken bone in his right foot, and his status for Sunday's game against the Patriots is uncertain. That means disgruntled Jacobs could carry more of the load.

Coach Tom Coughlin disclosed Thursday that Bradshaw has a stress fracture.

"In the past he has played with the crack or whatever you want to call it, a stress crack in his foot," Coughlin said of Bradshaw, who missed his second straight day of practice. "He has played that way in the past. I don't know what the determination is just yet. We'll have to wait and see."

Bradshaw, who has rushed for 440 yards and five touchdowns, broke the bone Sunday against Miami. He is expected to consult with a doctor this week.

Jacobs lobbied for more carries last week after missing two games with a knee injury.

"First off, I want to be able to go out and help the team as much as I can, go out and perform to the best of my ability, and when the opportunity is given to me to take advantage of it," Jacobs said.

Manning still hopes to return this season

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay agree on one thing: The Manning Era isn't over in Indianapolis.

The quarterback said he hopes to return to practice this year and still holds out hope of playing if doctors say he is healed from his Sept. 8 neck surgery. Irsay, the team owner, said he hopes Manning has some good years left in his right arm.

"I think to say that Peyton is done and the era is over is, to me, way, way too premature," Irsay said. I've always sort of known that era would be decided when Peyton is here. But I don't feel like that era is done."

Manning said he misses playing. "If I get cleared to play and I'm good enough, would I play? Absolutely," he said.

Broncos: Running back Willis McGahee was able to carry the ball in both hands and said his broken right hand shouldn't hinder him vs. Oakland on Sunday.

Browns: Running back Peyton Hillis (strained left hamstring) was able to run and cut without difficulty at practice and intends to play at Houston on Sunday.

Cardinals: Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb said his injured right toe feels "a lot better" and neither he nor coach Ken Whisenhunt would rule him out against the Rams on Sunday. Still, Kolb did not practice for the second day in a row, leaving a possibility that John Skelton could start.

Seahawks: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (strained chest muscle) was limited in practice but said he has improved and expects to play Sunday at Dallas.

Texans: Coach Gary Kubiak hasn't ruled out using Andre Johnson (hamstring) against Cleveland on Sunday, though the receiver missed his second straight day of practice.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Sept. 17

Okla. 23, FSU 13

(2-1, 0-0)

Sept. 10

FSU 62,

Charleston South. 10

(2-0, 0-0)

Sept. 3

FSU 34,

Louisiana- Monroe 0

(1-0, 0-0)

Oct. 15

FSU 41, Duke 16

(3-3, 1-2)

Oct. 8

W. Forest 35, FSU 30

(2-3, 0-2)

Sept. 24

Clemson 35, FSU 30

(2-2, 0-1)

Thursday

FSU 38, Boston College 7

(6-3, 4-2)

Oct. 29

FSU 34,

N.C. State 0

(5-3, 3-2)

Oct. 22

FSU 41, Maryland 16

(4-3, 2-2)

Nov. 26

at

Florida

TBA

Nov. 19

vs.

Virginia

TBA

Nov. 12

vs.

Miami

TBA

Times wires
Thursday, November 3, 2011

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho State Board of Education gave Boise State permission to pursue membership in the Big East on Thursday.

But the vote came with a caveat.

School president Bob Kustra told the board — and its members agreed — the formation of a Western division is essential.

"The Big East is working on partners for a Western division with a championship game (against the Eastern division)," Kustra said.

With Pittsburgh and Syracuse headed to the ACC (at an undetermined date) and West Virginia the Big 12 (it hopes by July), the Big East has five football-playing schools.

Earlier this week, school presidents signed off on a plan to add schools. The conference reportedly will invite Boise State, Air Force and Navy for football only and SMU, Houston and Central Florida for all sports, giving it 11 football-playing schools.

The NCAA requires conferences to have 12 to stage a championship game. And with Boise State, Air Force, SMU and Houston, that would require two more schools for a Western division.

CBSSports.com reported Tuesday that lawyers from Boise State, UCF, Houston and SMU were working with the Big East to make a joint announcement. But Kustra told the state's board a move might not occur until next week because the Broncos still must secure a home for its other sports. Kustra said he has had talks with other conferences but declined to disclose which ones.

UCF and Houston previously gave their presidents permission to negotiate with other conferences. Thursday, UCF president John Hitt told the Orlando Sentinel he expects a resolution by next week and the Knights likely would join on July 1, 2013.

Boise State also would join July 1, 2013. Kustra said by providing more than a year's notice to leave the Mountain West, the school would avoid a $5 million exit fee.

Kentucky: Freshman Max Smith will start at quarterback Saturday against Mississippi. Incumbent Morgan Newton, a junior, sprained an ankle against Mississippi State.

Oregon: Quarterback Darron Thomas said he feels like, "I'm going to be ready to go 100 percent," for Saturday's game against Washington. The junior missed a game with an unspecified knee injury then was benched last week after throwing two first-half interceptions.

Basketball: Gators rout Catholic in exhibition

GAINESVILLE — Freshman Bradley Beal scored 20 to lead No. 8 Florida past Division III Catholic 114-57 in the Gators' only exhibition game of the season.

Mike Rosario, a transfer from Rutgers who sat out last season, scored 18 off the bench for the Gators, who made 20 of 40 3-pointers. Kenny Boynton added 21, Erik Murphy 17 and Erving Walker 15.

Billy Donovan, son of the Florida coach of the same name, led the Cardinals with 13 points.

"This is probably the best I've ever seen one of my dad's teams shoot," the younger Donovan said.

"I think we're explosive offensively, and certainly we got it going in the first half," the elder Donovan said.

The younger Donovan's mother, Christine, wore a Catholic T-shirt while sitting behind her husband's bench.

"It was a little weird at first, but as soon as Patric Young boxes you out and Casey Prather dunks on you, it definitely opens up your eyes a little bit," the younger Donovan said.

The Gators open the season Nov. 11 at home against Jackson State.

Michigan: Forward Mitch McGary, the nation's No. 2 overall recruit, according to Scout.com and ESPN, orally committed. The 6-foot-10 native of Chesteron, Ind., who is currently playing at a prep school in New Hampshire, also considered Florida, Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina. He can sign a letter of intent Wednesday.

Miss. State: The NCAA suspended forward Kristers Zeidaks for this season and 11 games of next season for playing with and against pro players in his native Latvia.

Virginia Tech: J.T. Thompson, expected to start at power forward, will miss the season with a torn right ACL sustained during practice Wednesday. He missed last season with a torn left ACL.

Times wires
Thursday, November 3, 2011

ORLANDO — G.J. Kinne threw the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter and Tulsa made a stop on fourth down deep in its territory to beat UCF 24-17 Thursday night.

The Knights (4-5, 2-3 Conference USA) lost at home for the first time in five games this season. And their five losses overall are two more than all of last season, when they finished 11-3 and won their first bowl game.

The Golden Hurricane (6-3, 5-0) entered having outscored its opponents 154-71 during a four-game win streak. And its only losses are to No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 5 Boise State and No. 7 Oklahoma.

Shawn Moffitt's 29-yard field goal put UCF up 17-16 early in the fourth. Tulsa needed just more than three minutes to go 72 yards, taking a 24-17 lead with 8:23 to play on a 16-yard pass from Kinne to Clay Sears and Kinne's two-point conversion pass to Bryan Burnham.

Jeff Godfrey's 41-yard pass to J.J. Worton gave UCF a first and goal. But on fourth down from the 4, Godfrey was hit as his pass intended for Adam Nissley fell to the ground.

Tulsa took over with 4:54 left and ran out the clock.

Times wires
Thursday, November 3, 2011

SOCCER

Houston advances to mls east final

HOUSTON — Brian Ching scored at the end of the first half, and the Houston Dynamo defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 Thursday night to advance to the MLS Eastern Conference final.

Houston won the two-game series 3-1 on aggregate scoring after a 2-1 win Sunday at Philadelphia. The Dynamo plays at Sporting Kansas City on Sunday for the chance to move on to the MLS Cup for the first time since 2007 when it won the second of back-to-back titles.

Ching scored in first half stoppage time, taking a free kick by Brad Davis and heading it in from the penalty spot and into the upper right corner. Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall made big saves in the 59th and 64th minutes.

MORE SOCCER

MLS punishment grows for Marquez

Major League Soccer extended the suspension of New York Red Bulls defender Rafael Marquez to three games. Marquez, the Mexican national team captain, was given a red card Sunday for firing a ball at the Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan after a playoff game. The red card carried an automatic one-game suspension and a $250 fine, and MLS's disciplinary committee added two matches and $2,000.

Tennis

Querrey stops Tsonga to reach quarterfinals

Sam Querrey beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 to reach the Valencia (Spain) Open quarterfinals, hurting the No. 2 seed's hopes of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals. The American left Tsonga relying on his performance at next week's Paris Masters to clinch one of the final three places for the season-ending event in London, Nov. 20-27.

Nadal withdraws: Second-ranked Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Paris Masters to focus on the ATP World Tour Finals and Davis Cup final. He plans to play for Spain against Argentina in the Dec. 2-4 Davis Cup final.

Swiss indoors: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Lukasz Kubot in the second round at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. Djokovic plays Marcos Baghdatis today. Seventh-seeded Andy Roddick beat Radek Stepanek 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and next plays Roger Federer. Mikhail Kukushkin beat Tampa's James Blake 6-3, 6-4.

Tournament of champions: Ana Ivanovic set up a semifinal against Nadia Petrova in Bali, Indonesia.

ET CETERA

NBA: Negotiations to end the lockout are set to resume Saturday amid a new threat to labor peace: a disillusioned faction of players. About 50 players, some All-Stars, are willing to dissolve their union if negotiations falter this weekend, or if the talks produce a deal that they deem unpalatable, the New York Times reported. The movement was said to be entirely player-driven, and borne of a frustration with the pace of talks. The players have been locked out since July 1. Decertifying would require that 30 percent of the union — about 130 players — sign a petition, which would then put the matter before the full membership. Decertification would open the possibility of the players suing the league under antitrust law and attempting to force an end to the lockout.

Running: The tens of thousands participants in the New York City Marathon this weekend will have a clear path through Central Park after workers removed branches and trees downed by a snowstorm.

Swimming: The U.S. team for Duel in the Pool will include Olympic gold medalists Ryan Lochte, Amanda Beard and Natalie Coughlin but not Michael Phelps, who has a scheduling conflict. USA Swimming announced the 36-member team that will face a European squad Dec. 16-17 at Georgia Tech.

Times wires

Associated Press
Friday, November 4, 2011

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — For three decades, there has been nothing so certain in college football as Florida State playing in a bowl game.

The Seminoles qualified for an NCAA-record 30th consecutive season Thursday as EJ Manuel threw for one touchdown and ran for one in a 38-7 victory over Boston College.

"That's one of our goals we knew from the beginning of the year, and now we've knocked that one off," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Thirty years in a row. There's something about that. Everybody says it's no big deal. But don't do it and see what happens."

With representatives of the Chick-fil-A Bowl in attendance, Manuel completed 12 of 16 passes for 180 yards and ran 16 times for 37 yards to help FSU (6-3, 4-2 ACC) open a 28-0 halftime lead and coast to its fourth consecutive victory.

"I think it would be something that we would be ashamed of if we were the team that didn't continue with the great tradition of Florida State," Manuel said. "We should win at least six games every year at Florida State — at least."

Boston College (2-7, 1-5), which had gone to a bowl game for 12 consecutive seasons, was guaranteed its first losing season since 1998 and eliminated from bowl contention.

Devonta Freeman ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns, and fellow freshman Nick O'Leary caught three passes for 87 yards as FSU did most of its damage with touchdowns on three consecutive possessions during the first half.

With 4:51 left in the first half, the Seminoles led 28-0, had outgained the Eagles 214-16 and had held them without a first down.

"We got licked," BC coach Frank Spaziani said. "Couldn't get a first down, couldn't get out of our own way for a little bit there."

Only a third-quarter touchdown — on a 26-yard drive begun after a Manuel fumble — prevented FSU's third shutout of the season and second straight (34-0 over N.C. State last week).

"If you're going to be a great football team, you've got to have a great defense," Seminoles safety Lamarcus Joyner said. "You've got to control the line of scrimmage, and that's what the guys are doing. We've been doing that the past three weeks."

Manuel threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns last week in the victory over N.C. State, the Seminoles' fourth consecutive game with more than 425 yards of total offense. Against BC they had 307.

FSU failed to get a first down on its first possession. But it got the ball back on the BC 2-yard line when Rolandan Finch fumbled. Two plays and a penalty later, Manuel hit Bert Reed for an 8-yard touchdown.

The Seminoles scored early in the second quarter on Freeman's 12-yard run. And after another BC three-and-out, Manuel completed a 58-yard pass to O'Leary before taking it in himself from 1 yard out to make it 21-0. After another BC three-and-out, Freeman marched FSU down the field before scoring from the 3 to give the Seminoles a 28-0 lead.

Chase Rettig completed 11 of 18 passes with one touchdown and one interception for BC, splitting time with freshman Josh Bordner after the first six drives resulted in five punts and a fumble. Bordner was 1-of-2 for 37 yards, and he ran seven times for 45 yards.

Luke Kuechly had 20 tackles — 12 solo — for BC, his 31st consecutive game with 10 or more.

"I don't think with this team, with this BC team, anybody's going to quit," Kuechly said. "I don't care about what's not available. I'm going to come out and win against N.C. State (next week)."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 4, 2011

Both teams come in struggling, with USF (4-3, 0-3 Big East) trying to avoid the first four-game losing streak in its history and Rutgers (5-3, 2-2) having lost its last two games. The Bulls have lost in their past two trips to Rutgers, including 31-0 in 2009, was the program's first regular-season shutout. USF QB B.J. Daniels needs 117 yards to set a career high for passing yards with five games remaining in the regular season. The Bulls need to win two of those five to extend their bowl streak to seven consecutive seasons.USF is expected to start two freshmen at WR in Deonte Welch and Jefferson's Andre Davis. The two combined for 195 yards and a touchdown in their last game, a loss to Cincinnati in Tampa.

Watch out for …

Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu, who has 70 catches this season and threw a touchdown pass on a trick play in last year's USF victory.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 4, 2011

WATCH OUT FOR ... Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu, who has 70 catches this season and threw a touchdown pass on a trick play in last season's USF victory.

USF at Rutgers, 7 p.m., 970-AM

Both teams come in struggling, with USF (4-3, 0-3 Big East) trying to avoid the first four-game losing streak in its history and Rutgers (5-3, 2-2) having lost its past two games. The Bulls have lost in their past two trips to Rutgers, including 31-0 in 2009, which was the program's first regular-season shutout. USF QB B.J. Daniels, on right with coach Skip Holtz, needs 117 yards to set a career high for passing yards with five games remaining in the regular season. The Bulls need to win two of those five to extend their bowl streak to seven consecutive seasons. USF is expected to start two freshmen at receiver in Deonte Welch and Jefferson High's Andre Davis. The two combined for 195 yards and a touchdown in their previous game, a loss to Cincinnati in Tampa.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

By Bob Ferrante, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 4, 2011

Coach: Sue Semrau (254-174 in 15 seasons at FSU; 15th season overall).

Last season: 24-8 (11-3 in the ACC). Lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Notable: When Semrau arrived in 1997, FSU was one of the ACC's worst teams. Now the Seminoles have enjoyed seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances and are a top-15 team. ... The Seminoles have won at least 20 games for three straight seasons. ... Senior Cierra Bravard is an All-ACC forward/center and a potential All-American after averaging 15 points and 7.8 rebounds last season. "She's got great hands," Semrau said. "She can finish. She is strong. She knows it's her job to hold down the paint on both ends of the floor and she relishes it." ... Freshman G Emma Loucks of Clearwater High joins the team as a walk-on. Her brother Luke plays on the FSU men's basketball team, and another older brother, Jacob, played basketball at the University of Mobile and UCF. ... Tallahassee will host an NCAA Regional (first- and second-round games) in March. ... Former FSU standout and nine-year WNBA player Brooke Wyckoff joins the team as an assistant coach.

ROSTER

No. Player Ht. Pos. Yr.

00 Chasity Clayton 6-0 F Jr.

3 Alexa Deluzio 5-11 G Jr.

4 Emma Loucks 5-10 G Fr.

10 Leonor Rodriguez 5-11 G Jr.

14 Tay'ler Mingo 5-7 G So.

20 Kristi Mokube 6-2 F Fr.

22 Olivia Bresnahan 5-11 G So.

31 Eboni Wells 6-2 F Fr.

32 Lauren Coleman 6-0 F So.

33 Natasha Howard 6-3 F So.

34 Chelsea Davis 6-2 F Jr.

54 Cierra Bravard 6-4 C Sr.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 11 vs. USF* 4:30*

Nov. 12 vs. Minnesota* 2

Nov. 13 vs. Arkansas* 2

Nov. 17 at Florida 5:30

Nov. 21 Georgia State 7

Nov. 25 Louisville 7

Nov. 27 Nebraska 2

Nov. 30 at Ohio State 8:30

Dec. 4 Charlotte 2

Dec. 10 at Akron 2

Dec. 19 Alabama A&M 11 a.m.

Dec. 22 at Vanderbilt 8

Dec. 28 Yale 7

Dec. 30 at UCF 4:30

Jan. 2 Maryland 7

Jan. 5 Clemson 7

Jan. 8 at Virginia Tech 2

Jan. 13 at Duke 7

Jan. 15 Miami 3:30

Jan. 19 at Boston College 7

Jan. 22 Georgia Tech 2

Jan. 27 at N.C. State 6:30

Jan. 29 at Virginia 3:30

Feb. 5 Virginia Tech 2

Feb. 9 at Wake Forest 6:30

Feb. 12 Duke 1

Feb. 15 North Carolina 7

Feb. 19 at Miami 3:30

Feb. 23 at Clemson 7

Feb. 26 Virginia 2

March 1-4 ACC Tournament at Greensboro, N.C.

* at WBI Tipoff Classic in Daytona Beach

By Bob Ferrante, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 4, 2011

At a glance

Coach: Leonard Hamilton (154-117, 10th year; 354-327 overall).

Last season: 23-11, 11-5 (third in ACC)

TALLAHASSEE — The Seminoles reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1993 with wins over Texas A&M and Notre Dame — and those victories were the first in the NCAA Tournament for FSU since 1998.

FSU lost its leading scorer and rebounder in Chris Singleton (13.1 ppg., 6.8 rpg.), who left after his junior season and was drafted in the first round by the Washington Wizards. Also gone is starting PG Derwin Kitchen, who is now playing pro ball in Israel. But FSU coach Leonard Hamilton believes this team is deeper (five juniors, four seniors and two grad students) than last season's squad. "The strength of this team is in our numbers," Hamilton said. "... They have basketball experience. They have leadership."

Loaded in the frontcourt

FSU features depth at the forward and center positions that would be the envy of most programs. Bernard James, who is 6 feet 10, leads a frontcourt that includes 7-footers Jon Kreft and Kiel Turpin (a junior-college star the past few seasons), 6-11 Xavier Gibson and two 6-8 players: former Clearwater High standout Okaro White and Terrance Shannon. The Seminoles should wear out many of their opponents late in the game with their frontcourt.

Picking up where

he left off

White was an impressive addition last season, starting the last nine ACC games and staying in the lineup during the Seminoles' postseason run. He averaged 6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds, but White also made 82 percent of his free throws (second-best on the team). He played just 16 minutes per game last season but should see more playing time with Singleton gone.

Newcomer punch

Hamilton and his staff pulled in an impressive recruiting class. Senior transfer Jeff Peterson used an NCAA rule that allows student-athletes with a bachelor's degree to transfer and attend graduate school at FSU. Peterson played at Iowa his first two years, redshirted at Arkansas in 2009-10 and then had 6.3 points and 2.4 assists for the Razorbacks last season. He has 59 career starts but has never played in the NCAA Tournament. Also watch out for Terry Whisnant, a 6-3 guard, who was named Mr. Basketball in North Carolina last season. He averaged 31.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his senior season at Cherryville (N.C.) High.

Defense first

Hamilton takes pride in how his teams play on the defensive end of the floor, and the Seminoles have responded by leading the nation in field-goal percentage defense the past two seasons. The Seminoles held teams to just 36.3 percent shooting in 2010-11, the lowest mark in the ACC in 50 years. FSU has the length, athleticism and depth to frustrate even the nation's top teams, as evidenced by wins over No. 1 Duke and No. 5 Notre Dame last season.

ROSTER

No. Player Ht. Pos. Yr.

1 Xavier Gibson 6-11 F/C Sr.

3 Luke Loucks 6-5 G/PG Sr.

4 Deividas Dulkys 6-5 G Sr.

5 Bernard James 6-10 F Sr.

10 Okaro White 6-7 F So.

11 Kiel Turpin 7-0 C Jr.

12 Jeff Peterson 6-0 Sr.

15 Terrance Shannon 6-8 F So.

21 Michael Snaer 6-5 G So.

24 Antwan Space 6-7 F Fr.

30 Ian Miller 6-3 G/PG So.

31 Terry Whisnant 6-3 F Fr.

33 Joey Moreau 6-2 G Jr.

50 Jon Kreft 7-0 C Sr.

Schedule

Nov. 11 Jacksonville 7

Nov. 14 UCF 7

Nov. 16 Stetson 7

Nov. 20 South Alabama 3

Nov. 24 vs. UMass* 4:30

Nov. 25 vs. Harvard or Utah* TBA

Nov. 26 vs. TBA* TBA

Nov. 30 at Michigan State 7:30

Dec. 5 Charleston Southern 7

Dec. 11 UNC Greensboro 1

Dec. 18 Loyola Marymount 3

Dec. 22 at Florida 7

Dec. 30 Princeton 7

Jan. 4 Auburn 7

Jan. 7 at Clemson 4

Jan. 10 at Virginia Tech 7

Jan. 14 North Carolina 2

Jan. 17 Maryland 9

Jan. 21 at Duke 4

Jan. 25 at Wake Forest 7

Feb. 1 Georgia Tech 7

Feb. 4 Virginia 1

Feb. 8 at Boston College 7

Feb. 11 Miami 1

Feb. 16 Virginia Tech 7

Feb. 18 at N.C. State 1

Feb. 23 Duke 7

Feb. 26 at Miami 6

March 1 at Virginia 7

March 4 Clemson noon

March 8-11 ACC Tournament at Atlanta

* Battle4Atlantic at The Bahamas

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 4, 2011

Florida (4-4, 2-4 SEC) returns home for the first time since Oct. 1, and will be trying to end a four-game losing streak on Homecoming in what is essentially a mush-win game. The Gators haven't lost to Vanderbilt (4-4, 1-4) since 1988, and need a win today to help their efforts to become bowl eligible with six wins with four games remaining in the regular season.

Watch out for …

The Gators trying to answer their many questions: Will Chris Rainey be healthy? Can Florida get its running game going? Can the Gators cut down on the costly penalties? Florida is the most penalized team in the nation, and the mistakes compound the offensive woes. The Gators will have starting QB John Brantley back close to full speed this week, which means his mobility will have improved and the Gators can operate more under center than last week against Georgia. But if Rainey's injured ankle is a problem, Florida's already anemic running game may get worse, which could pose problems since Vanderbilt has the No. 4 rushing defense in the SEC, allowing just 125 yards per game. The Gators have rushed for 175 total yards in the past four games — 43.7 yards per game.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 4, 2011

As part of USF's kickoff coverage team, Sharly Azard's job is to find the quickest, most direct path to the football.

At 27 years old, playing his first snaps of significant football in nine years, the senior walk-on knows how much more there is to his story.

"This is amazing," Azard said this week, preparing for USF's game at Rutgers, which brings him back to New Jersey, where he lived after moving from Haiti when he was 12. "I've been talking to friends all week long. They're excited to see me play."

It has been a long road to college football for Azard, who had last played as a senior at Abraham Clark High in Roselle, N.J., in fall 2002. He found his way to Felician College in New Jersey as a student in 2007, then to USF in 2009, making the football team from an open tryout in 2010. He made it onto the field for a single play last season, on defense for the last play in a blowout win against Florida Atlantic. Now he's playing football when it counts, bringing a dose of blue-collar New Jersey to the Bulls.

"He works incredibly hard," coach Skip Holtz said. "You love to see those success stories. He was a no-name guy that walked on that nobody gave a chance. I'm sure people said, 'You're doing what? C'mon. Give me a break.' Here he is, he's not only on the team, but he's playing and playing a key role for us on special teams."

Azard didn't opt for college initially, working a long string of "dead-end jobs" — as a truck driver, security officer, caddie, at Home Depot, at a moving company in New York City, unloading and loading trucks in the cold on overnight shifts for Fed Ex. He sent money home to his mother and relatives in Haiti, then at his father's urging, started taking classes at Felician. Two years ago, he decided to seek warmer weather and a dream of playing college football, even though he hadn't played for years.

"I basically worked and worked out. I always kept myself in shape," said Azard, who weighs 218 pounds and can now bench-press 450. "Someday, I might come back to it. I love football, and I just wanted to try out, to see what I could do with that."

Azard was fast enough in high school to run the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds and strong enough to play offensive guard despite weighing 185 pounds. When he got to USF in the fall of 2009, he talked with Jim Leavitt about walking on the next spring, only to see Leavitt fired that January. From an open tryout of 50-plus hopefuls, he was one of 14 new walk-ons in Holtz's first spring, and only four of those made it to summer. A year later, Azard kept his spot on the roster, making a name for himself on the "Pit Bull" squad, the scout team that goes against special-teams starters in practice.

"You're going kickoff return, and you can't block him," Holtz said of Azard's work in practice. "You go kickoff and he's knocking the heck out of somebody. You go punt, and he's the guy rushing the punter at 100 miles per hour. It's 'You know what, we ought to look at playing him. He's better than the guys we're playing with.' "

Early in USF's Big East opener at Pittsburgh in late September, linebacker DeDe Lattimore injured his ankle, putting his backup, Azard, on the field for kickoff coverage.

"This was my chance to get on the field," Azard said. "I gave it all I had, and fortunately, I caught the coaches' eyes and they made me a starter."

He has been on the starting kickoff unit ever since, and on the final kickoff against Cincinnati two weeks ago, Azard made his first college tackle. His father, Older, a math teacher, will be in the crowd Saturday in New Jersey, and Azard will leave USF with more than just football memories. He's due to graduate next summer with a degree in communications, and he's excited about the prospects for his next job, building off what he has been able to do on the football field.

"We finally said, 'Let's give him a chance,' and the rest is history," special-teams coach Vernon Hargreaves said. "He can run; he's the first guy down the field. For the last year, the guy's done anything you asked him to do, works extremely hard. You want to give him an opportunity."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 4, 2011

USF women

Coach: Jose Fernandez (170-168, 11th season at USF)

Last season: 12-19, 3-13 (t-13th in Big East).

Notable: Fernandez's team missed the postseason for the first time in seven years, but he's optimistic the Bulls can at least return to the Women's NIT, if not something more. Last year's team nosedived from a 9-4 start to a 12-19 final record, going a dismal 3-13 in Big East play. The Bulls' top scorer, G Andrea Smith, tore her ACL in the final game of the season, but should be fully recovered in the first month of the season.

Fernandez's team will improve in waves — getting Smith healthy is a huge first step, and junior college transfer Inga Orekhova, ineligible for the first half of the season, should become a top supporting scorer. The post play should be improved as well, with another junior college transfer, 6-foot-4 Australian C Caitlin Rowe, likely starting ahead of 6-4 sophomore Akila McDonald.

Keeping chemistry despite the ever-evolving lineup will be a challenge for Fernandez, and with the Sun Dome under renovations all season, his team will play its nonconference home games at the USF Rec Center, with Big East home games coming downtown at the University of Tampa's Bob Martinez Center. That could be a big hurdle for a team that was 2-10 away from home last season. A strong nonconference schedule, with Arkansas, Auburn and likely Miami, will toughen the Bulls for Big East play.

The offseason arrival of the Muma Center practice facility gives the Bulls another advantage — Fernandez has a strong start in recruiting for next season, and hopes a return to the postseason can build momentum for next season when the new campus arena is opened and much of this year's lineup is expected back as well.

ROSTER

No. Player Ht. Pos. Yr.

0 Tahira Johnson 6-1 F So.

1 Jasmine Wynne 5-7 G Sr.

3 Kaneisha Saunders 5-7 G Jr.

4 Tiffany Conner 5-9 F Jr.

5 Sasha Bernard 5-6 G Jr.

11 Caitlin Rowe 6-4 C Jr.

12 Andrell Smith 5-8 G Jr.

13 Inga Orekhova 6-2 G Jr.

21 Andrea Smith 5-8 G Sr.

22 Aleshia Flowers 6-1 F Jr.

23 Shalethia Stringfield 5-6 G Fr.

24 Emily Dutton 5-5 G So.

32 Akila McDonald 6-4 C So.

33 Daleisha Carn 6-0 F Sr.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 11 Jacksonville* 4:30

Nov. 12 Arkansas* 4:30

Nov. 13 Minnesota* 4:30

Nov. 15 North Florida (Rec) 7

Nov. 17 Bethune-Cookman (Rec) 7

Nov. 23 Central Michigan** 6

Nov. 24 Miami/Alaska-Anchorage** 6

Nov. 28 Stetson (Rec) 7

Dec. 2 Idaho State# 7

Dec. 3 Air Force# 9

Dec. 14 at Auburn 7

Dec. 17 Maryland-Eastern Shore (Rec) 2

Dec. 28 Dayton## 5

Dec. 29 St. Peter's/Binghamton## 5

Jan. 3 at Cincinnati 7

Jan. 7 Georgetown 7

Jan. 11 at Louisville 7

Jan. 14 at Seton Hall 4

Jan. 17 DePaul 7

Jan. 21 Rutgers 7

Jan. 25 Seton Hall 7

Jan. 28 at Connecticut 1

Feb. 1 West Virginia 7

Feb. 4 at Syracuse 1

Feb. 8 at St. John's 11:30 a.m.

Feb. 11 Villanova 7

Feb. 14 at Marquette 7

Feb. 18 Pittsburgh 7

Feb. 25 at Notre Dame 2

Feb. 27 Providence 7

March 2-6 Big East tournament in Hartford, Conn.

(home games at Bob Martinez Sports Center unless noted)

* at Daytona Beach

** Great Alaska Shootout, Anchorage

# Air Force Classic, Colorado Springs

## St. Peter's Holiday Classic, Jersey City

(Rec) at USF Rec Center