Sunday, November 6, 2011

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Ravens grab hold of rival, North lead

PITTSBURGH — Torrey Smith wasn't going to let the winning touchdown slip through his hands twice.

Five plays after a sure scoring strike tipped off his fingers, the rookie receiver out of Maryland held onto a 26-yard touchdown from Joe Flacco with eight seconds remaining to lift the Ravens.

Smith capped a 92-yard drive by beating cornerback William Gay down the right sideline.

"My teammates never lost faith in me, and that meant the world to me," Smith told NBC. "They were just saying (after the dropped TD pass), 'Next play, next play.' "

The Steelers rallied from a 10-point deficit to take a 20-16 lead with 4:59 left when Ben Roethlisberger hit Mike Wallace for a 25-yard score. Pittsburgh's defense held and the Steelers moved in range to try a 47-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. But a delay-of-game penalty pushed Pittsburgh back 5 yards and the Steelers punted, setting up Baltimore's last drive.

Baltimore moved into a tie with Cincinnati atop the AFC North, with Pittsburgh a half-game back.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 7, 2011

Florida Gators senior RB Jeff Demps has been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week following his record-setting performance against Vanderbilt this past weekend.

Demps rushed for a career-high 158 yards on 23 carries (6.9 avg.) and had two touchdowns. The 158 rushing yards represented Demps' third 100-plus yard effort of the season - seventh of his career. He also had 213 all-purpose yards.

This is the fourth SEC weekly honor for Demps in his career.

Here are all of the SEC players honored this week:

DEFENSE: Eric Reid, LSU

SPECIAL TEAMS: Dennis Johnson, Arkansas

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: Ben Jones, Georgia

Co-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Jake Bequette, Arkansas; Sam Montgomery, LSU

FRESHMAN: Maxwell Smith, Kentucky

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 7, 2011

For the second straight year, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Gerald McCoy's season ended with a torn bicep, this time in his right arm.

McCoy was injured with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter of Sunday's 27-16 loss to New Orleans. McCoy reached to make a tackle of Saints running back Chris Ivory, who rushed for 3-yards on the play. McCoy immediately grabbed his right arm, then raised his left hand to signal he needed to come out of the game.

The No. 3 overall pick from Oklahoma in 2010 missed the final three games of his rookie year after tearing his left bicep in at Washington. McCoy was returning to the lineup Sunday in New Orleans after being sidelined for two games with an ankle injury.

"It's football,'' Bucs coach Raheem Morris said of McCoy, who has four sacks in 19 career games. "(Quarterback) Matt Stafford missed two seasons with the Detroit Lions and he's probably putting up his best season right now. He's got to come back, he's got to go rehab, he's got to get his mind right, come back ready to play and get ready to play a 16 game season.''

Morris said he isn't sure why McCoy sustained a torn bicep two years in a row, but said Sunday's injury might have been the result of poor technique.

"I can talk about the one yesterday,'' Morris said. "It was an opportunity. He got off the ball, he had a chance to make a play on the back and he kind of reached out rather than putting his face involved in there. You've got to move into the ball, sky your eyes and hit on contact. He reached at the guy, which is a common mistake when you're coming off a block. That's the one I can talk about yesterday. I don't remember the one last year how he did it.

"That's football. That's the unfortunate part of our game. You can't worry about that stuff. You know me, I'm all gray matter. I'm next man up, find a way to get the next victory and ready to deal.''

McCoy's absence had an impact on the Bucs ability to stop the Saints, who utilized running backs Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles effectively to combine for 175 yards rushing.

With McCoy out, the Bucs were unable to get much rest for defensive tackles Roy Miller and Brian Price. Frank Okam was inactive with a calf injury he suffered in practice last week.

"On defense, losing Gerald yesterday hurt...you can see the difference in our play up front when he's out of the game, and how it affects our get off and some of the things we're able to do positively on defense. But they still held up good enough to win the football game.

"You lose the get off, the explosiveness. You're talking about a top three pick. You're talking about a guy who gets off the ball and causes disruption. When he's played, he's been playing pretty well for us. He's done a great job versus the run, he's done a great job as far as explosion and get off. He makes game plans change.''

Okam said he's hopeful he will be well enough to play Sunday against the Houston Texans. But Morris indicated the Bucs will add another defensive tackle to the active roster. The Bucs don't have a defensive tackle on their practice squad.

"We have to add somebody to the roster,'' Morris said. "How fast we can implement him and put him into our Rosetta Stone of coaching and get him going. It's obviously going to be my challenge. We'll handle that. I've got some good defensive line coaches who will help out there. We had d-tackle by committee yesterday, which is rough, especially when you ask some guys to go down there are that aren't fulltime guys, like a George Johnson, Michael Bennett. We did Da'Quan Bowers the first time we played them.''

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 7, 2011

SUNRISE — The worry lines on Lightning coach Guy Boucher's face were clear. His voice had a tone of concern.

Defenseman Matt Gilroy on Sunday against the Panthers made a slick offensive move that included a spin-o-rama with the puck and a pinpoint backhand pass from below the goal line to set up a goal by Steven Stamkos.

It was creative and pretty.

"But a spin-o-rama at the blue line?" Boucher said, shaking his head at the thought of all that could have gone wrong.

Boucher was exaggerating for effect after Tampa Bay's 4-3 shootout victory at the BankAtlantic Center. But after working so hard with Gilroy to better manage his offensive instincts, he doesn't want the player thinking he's Bobby Orr.

That is particularly important now given the uncertainty over Victor Hedman's upper-body injury and that Gilroy, if Hedman is out, seems to be Boucher's first choice to play with Eric Brewer as the No. 1 pair.

Not to worry, Gilroy seemed to say.

"I'm getting more comfortable, and I think it comes from defense first and keeping it simple," he said. "They said if I keep it simple more and more things will open up, and it has."

In that context, much more notable than Gilroy's four assists is that in 12 games (while averaging 16:33 of ice time) he is tied for the team lead at plus-6 and has zero giveaways.

"He's never out of position," Boucher said. "He doesn't get beat one-on-one. I see him as reliable. We want him on the ice."

That's quite a difference from the start of the season, when Gilroy, 27, a free-agent signee, seemed to spend more time trying to create offense below the hash marks than playing a responsible blue line. Even Gilroy admitted he was a defensive liability, "running around like a chicken with his head cut off."

"I just think I understand the system now," Gilroy said. "In the beginning it's kind of a challenging system to understand and where to be and where not to be and your responsibilities. But understanding it now, your confidence goes from there."

Not that getting there was easy. Gilroy can be impulsive when it comes to joining a rush. He skates well and has good vision on the ice, and he had seven goals and 26 points in 127 games in two seasons with the Rangers.

Reining him in took lots of film study with assistant coach Dan Lacroix and constant reminders during games by Lacroix and Boucher to "keep it simple."

"Don't take risks," Lacroix said is the message. "By playing the game the right way, you're going to have your looks.. But you have to let the play dictate when you jump and when not to jump."

Gilroy, 6 feet 1, 201 pounds, jumped against Florida, spinning with the puck at the blue line to avoid Kris Versteeg and skating down left wing and toward the net from where he sent Stamkos a perfect pass.

"He's very talented and has lots of skill," teammate Marc-Andre Bergeron said. "It was just a matter of finding his own game within the system."

"It's going to be a process with me, still, " said Gilroy. "I'm more under control."

Blue line spin-o-ramas notwithstanding,

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 7, 2011

TAMPA — As huge a hole DT Gerald McCoy's season-ending biceps injury creates, the Bucs already had problems for most of this season being able to stop the run.

Tampa Bay allowed 195 rushing yards in Sunday's loss, when coach Raheem Morris said his defensive front was "flat-out out-physicalled" by the Saints. The Bucs, which rank 26th in rush defense (132.4 yards), won't have it any easier Sunday, when the Texans' second-ranked rushing attack comes to town.

Houston boasts a tough combination in RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate, who each ran for over 100 yards last week and are among the NFL's top 10 rushers. The AFC South-leading Texans, which average 155.1 yards rushing, have won three straight.

"I think they're coming in hot," DT Frank Okam said. "Arian and Ben Tate have been a dynamic duo back there. They're playing (with) one of the top offensive lines in the league as a unit right now. It's definitely going to be a challenge."

S Tanard Jackson said the Bucs struggles against the run Sunday were due to tackling. "We missed a lot of tackles," Jackson said. "I wish I knew the stat, what the yards after contact was, but I'm sure it was a lot."

The run defense could be aided with a potential return of Okam, who missed last week with a calf injury but hopes to be back.

"When you give up yards like that, you have to start back at the fundamentals," Okam said. "Linemen assignments, angles to tackling, gang tackling to stop leaky yardage. It all goes back to fundamentals you hone in on in training camp. It's about guys playing to our capabilities."

FREE AT LAST: Morris acknowledged that QB Josh Freeman "obviously is not playing his best football."

Freeman is coming off a solid statistical games — his highest QB rating (103.5) of the season with no interceptions. But there were two big missed opportunities, on wheel routes to running backs, that could have led to touchdowns. The Bucs haven't been very good in the red zone all season, and Freeman has just eight touchdown passes in eight games (compared with 25 for the season a year ago), and has 10 interceptions.

"(We) miss two big, huge throws, whether you want to call them drops, or whether you want to call them misses. Those are the difference in the game," Morris said. "When you get into the red zone on the Saints, you have to score touchdowns. They're too good on offense not to capitalize when you do those things."

But Morris isn't concerned with his third-year quarterback.

"At the halfway point, you're (playing) .500 ball, he's got a chance to have his team go win eight more games," Morris said. "All those guys believe in him, I know this whole organization does, we just want him to be great, and we're going to help him get there."

RED-FLAGGED: Penalties continue to be an issue for Tampa Bay, and it is not using youth as an excuse.

Okam said it's a matter of players using more "emotional intelligence," not letting the heat of the moment take over. The Bucs had nine penalties for 80 yards Sunday, including a costly 15-yard personal foul penalty on RB LeGarrette Blount for shoving the face mask of Saints DE Will Smith.

The Bucs have focused on the penalty problem in the film room, and reinforced it on the practice field. But Morris said solving it has to come "from inside."

"It has to come from deeper than just running in practice," Morris said. "That has to be not wanting to hurt your team, that's got to be unselfishness. It has got to be doing all those things that you care just about winning the football game more than you care about anything else. The internal sacrifice, that's where it's got to come from."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 7, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Senior QB John Brantley's arm injury was expected to keep him out of practice on Monday, but he is scheduled to play when Florida plays at South Carolina on Saturday.

Florida coach Will Muschamp said the medical and training staff recommended that Brantley be held out on Monday, but he anticipates him practicing today and being able to play in the game. Brantley missed the latter part of the third quarter and all of the fourth quarter of this past Saturday's win over Vanderbilt.

"It feels better," Brantley said Monday afternoon. "I took a good shot on it, but right now it's just bruised up, nothing more than that. It just didn't feel right and the trainers just thought it was best to hold me (out). It's just unfortunate I couldn't finish the game, but it's nothing major."

Brantley was hit between his right shoulder and elbow, and his experienced some numbness in his arm on Saturday. He has not thrown since. He has already missed 10 quarters this season with a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Oct. 1 game against Georgia. Brantley said he feels like he's almost 100 percent healthy.

"It's feeling better and better each day and each week," he said.

NO MORE ENTITLEMENT: The five-point win over Vanderbilt not only ended a four-game losing streak for the Gators, but made life a little more bearable for Gator players. Senior DT Jaye Howard said he finally was "not ashamed to walk around on campus." And while the win was a relief, Howard said it may turn out to be good for the Florida program. "It was a learning experience that we needed," he said. "It humbled a lot of people. It made us a very strong team. If you can stick together through that, you can stick together through anything."

Howard, a fifth-year senior who has enjoyed some of the success of championship teams, said there was a sense among players, including himself, that the Gators were invincible.

"Since I've been here I always thought that we could go out any given day and beat anyone," Howard said. "It just made us realize that no one is going to lay off for us just because our name is Florida. There was a sense that we were overconfident."

INJURY UPDATE: Senior RB Chris Rainey (ankle) is expected to return to practice today after missing most of last week's practice and the Vanderbilt game. OL Chaz Green (ankle), LB Jelani Jenkins and DE Lerentee McCray (shoulder) were all expected to practice on Monday. Freshman G Tommy Jordan had shoulder surgery on Monday morning and will redshirt this season. Freshman G Trip Thurman also has had shoulder surgery. "Really, on the injury front, we should be healthy going into this ballgame," Muschamp said.

DEMPS HONORED: Senior RB Jeff Demps was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday following his career performance against Vanderbilt. Demps rushed for a career-high 158 yards on 23 carries. It was his third 100-plus yard rushing effort this season.

AREA RUNNERS HONORED: Freshman Grace VanDeGrift (Durant) and sophomore Mark Parrish (Chamberlain) were honored by the SEC after competing in the SEC Championship last week. VanDeGrift was named to the All-SEC freshman team, while Parrish was a first-team All SEC selection. Parrish ran a career-best 8K in 24:23.69 to finish third in his first SEC meet. VanDeGrift was one of the top seven finishers, running a personal-best 21:51.28 (6K).

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

By Dave Walker, Times Correspondent
Monday, November 7, 2011

November is typically a beautiful weather month in Tampa Bay, though several weird storm systems and seasonal cold fronts have caused the wind to howl for days on end.

Tip: If you must fish on windy days, a few things can minimize frustration. First, leave the boat at home. Canal fishing or fishing from solid structures offers opportunity as well as safety. Second, dress warm. An hour or two outside when it is chilly can ruin the day if not adequately prepared. Last, a good pair of insulated waders can allow for a stealth approach as well as negating hassles associated with vessels.

What's hot: Redfish are still cruising around the flats. The only problem has been getting to them in the wind. When things settle down around here, they should still be cooperative. Trout do not mind the cold at all and are biting. Check local regulations before keeping any fish.

What's not: Fishing in general has been a bit tough. Salt or fresh water, and inshore or offshore, it has not been easy.

Seasonal: Look for fish to move into residential canals as we progress towards the depths of winter. These areas provide some comfort from the cold and also make it easier for anglers to have a good trip on a windy day.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call (813) 310-6531, or visit snookfish.com.

John Romano, Times Columnist
Monday, November 7, 2011

The story begins with an alleged sexual predator and all the heartbreaking images that portrait suggests.

Jerry Sandusky was once an enormously popular assistant football coach at Penn State University, and he founded an organization devoted to helping needy children. Prosecutors now say he used this foundation to earn the trust and devotion of wayward boys before turning these 10-year-olds into his private play things.

If the story ended there, it would be horrible enough. We might shake our heads at the atrocities and then try to rationalize their existence as the perversions of a twisted man.

But there is more to it.

There were decisions and omissions made by other Penn State officials that allegedly permitted this abuse to go on for years. There are eyewitnesses who wrestled with their consciences and professional fears. There is legendary coach Joe Paterno and the issue of whether he abdicated moral responsibility once he fulfilled a legal obligation.

And there is one simple question left unanswered:

Wasn't anyone worried about the children?

"If you remember Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King wrote that our ethical responsibilities go way beyond our legal responsibilities," said Jennifer Teoli, a rape crisis advocate at the Suncoast Center. "How could these people allow this to go on once they were notified about it? Where is your compassion for these 10- and 12-year-old children being molested? How do you sleep at night?

"Joe Paterno is a legend, but nothing he's accomplished will ever matter if he turned a blind eye to this. He could win 50 national championships and they would mean nothing if he didn't look out for the welfare of these poor kids."

For many, Sandusky's role in this will be a simple case of black and white. If you believe the allegations included in a 23-page grand jury report, then your only concern is the depth of Sandusky's future hell. The same is true for the athletic director and university administrator who are accused of looking the other way and have been charged with perjury.

To me, Paterno's involvement is the real essence of the story. He is the college football icon. He is the one who forged the motto of "Success with Honor" at Penn State. He is the one, rightly or wrongly, who has been promoted as the ideal college football coach.

Now, from a legal standpoint, Paterno is protected. He went up the ladder and informed his athletic director when an allegation was brought to his attention in 2002.

But was that enough?

There had already been issues with Sandusky's behavior around children. He was investigated by the university police department in 1998 after it was discovered he was showering with children on campus, and he unexpectedly retired within the year, though he kept an office at the football complex.

And now Paterno was told in 2002 by an eyewitness that Sandusky was again showering with a young boy late at night in the team locker room and something of a sexual nature was involved. At this point, there is some debate whether Paterno was told of the explicit nature, but does that really matter?

A trustworthy witness came to Paterno's home and told him he saw Jerry Sandusky fondling a 10-year-old in a shower, and now Paterno is shocked by his friend's arrest?

How could he allow his athletic director to brush this aside? How could he not notify the police or other authorities as Sandusky continued to bring children around?

"I am appalled," said Jennifer Dritt, executive director of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. "I am beyond appalled. It is absolutely disgusting that this one person, this eyewitness, did the right thing and brought this to the attention of Paterno, and nothing happened after that. How many more kids did Sandusky abuse after that? How many other lives were ruined? These people should be ashamed of themselves for the rest of their lives, and if they're not, there's something seriously wrong with them.

"The truth is we're all responsible in these matters. Nobody gets to look the other way. Paterno is responsible. He's culpable. He's responsible for what he did not do.

"Let me put it this way: Would these people be okay with it if this was their grandson who was in that shower? Would they be okay with somebody doing exactly what they did, which was absolutely nothing?"

Thus far, Paterno's only public stance has been to release a statement over the weekend saying he was shocked and quickly pointing out that he did what he was required to do by reporting the allegation to his boss.

But I wonder if he really believes that. I wonder if he thinks about a child being raped in the shower and wonders why a university never tried to find that little boy. I wonder if he thinks about the hundreds of other children who were at risk while Sandusky continued running overnight camps at Penn State.

I do not easily dismiss how uncomfortable this must have been for Paterno. How a man he had known for more than 30 years was involved. How the reputation of the program he had built was at stake.

"There was a time when I tried to understand how people might convince themselves to look the other way, but not anymore," said David Braughton, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. "After you spend some time with sexual assault victims and see the aftermath and how it destroys lives, you would never think that again.

"It's a matter of conscience. He had a greater duty to protect those children."

Already, there are those calling for the 84-year-old Paterno to resign. At this point, I couldn't care less whether he coaches again.

What I care about is Paterno's scheduled news conference today. I want to hear his explanations. I want to hear him express regret at not doing more when he had a chance.

"I hope this is a big story for a long time, and as a nation we have a chance to look at our priorities," said Teoli, the rape crisis advocate. "This case could help get the message across that we don't care who you are or how great your record is or what you've won.

"Because when it comes to children, nothing else matters. We are all responsible for protecting our children."

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

John Romano, Times Columnist
Monday, November 7, 2011

The story begins with an alleged sexual predator and all the heartbreaking images that portrait suggests.

Jerry Sandusky was once an enormously popular assistant football coach at Penn State University, and he founded an organization devoted to helping needy children. Prosecutors now say he used this foundation to earn the trust and devotion of wayward boys before turning these 10-year-olds into his private playthings.

If the story ended there, it would be horrible enough. We might shake our heads at the atrocities and then try to rationalize their existence as the perversions of a twisted man.

But there is more to it.

There were decisions and omissions made by other Penn State officials who allegedly permitted this abuse to go on for years. There are eyewitnesses who wrestled with their consciences and professional fears. There is legendary coach Joe Paterno and the issue of whether he abdicated moral responsibility once he fulfilled a legal obligation.

And there is one simple question left unanswered:

Wasn't anyone worried about the children?

"If you remember Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King wrote that our ethical responsibilities go way beyond our legal responsibilities," said Jennifer Teoli, a rape crisis advocate at the Suncoast Center. "How could these people allow this to go on once they were notified about it? Where is your compassion for these 10- and 12-year-old children being molested? How do you sleep at night?

"Joe Paterno is a legend, but nothing he's accomplished will ever matter if he turned a blind eye to this. He could win 50 national championships and they would mean nothing if he didn't look out for the welfare of these poor kids."

For many, Sandusky's role in this will be a simple case of black and white. If you believe the allegations included in a 23-page grand jury report, then your only concern is the depth of Sandusky's future hell. The same is true for the athletic director and university administrator who are accused of looking the other way and have been charged with perjury.

To me, Paterno's involvement is the real essence of the story. He is the college football icon. He is the one who forged the motto of "Success with Honor" at Penn State. He is the one, rightly or wrongly, who has been promoted as the ideal college football coach.

Now, from a legal standpoint, Paterno is protected. He went up the ladder and informed his athletic director when an allegation was brought to his attention in 2002.

But was that enough?

There had already been issues with Sandusky's behavior around children. He was investigated by the university police department in 1998 after it was discovered he was showering with children on campus, and he unexpectedly retired within the year, though he kept an office at the football complex.

And now Paterno was told in 2002 by an eyewitness that Sandusky was again showering with a young boy late at night in the team locker room and something of a sexual nature was involved. At this point, there is some debate whether Paterno was told of the explicit nature, but does that really matter?

A trustworthy witness came to Paterno's home and told him he saw Jerry Sandusky fondling a 10-year-old in a shower, and now Paterno is shocked by his friend's arrest?

How could he allow his athletic director to brush this aside? How could he not notify the police or other authorities as Sandusky continued to bring children around?

"I am appalled," said Jennifer Dritt, executive director of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. "I am beyond appalled. It is absolutely disgusting that this one person, this eyewitness, did the right thing and brought this to the attention of Paterno, and nothing happened after that. How many more kids did Sandusky abuse after that? How many other lives were ruined? These people should be ashamed of themselves for the rest of their lives, and if they're not, there's something seriously wrong with them.

"The truth is we're all responsible in these matters. Nobody gets to look the other way. Paterno is responsible. He's culpable. He's responsible for what he did not do.

"Let me put it this way: Would these people be okay with it if this was their grandson who was in that shower? Would they be okay with somebody doing exactly what they did, which was absolutely nothing?"

Thus far, Paterno's only public stance has been to release a statement over the weekend saying he was shocked and quickly pointing out that he did what he was required to do by reporting the allegation to his boss.

But I wonder if he really believes that. I wonder if he thinks about a child being raped in the shower and wonders why a university never tried to find that little boy. I wonder if he thinks about the hundreds of other children who were at risk while Sandusky continued running overnight camps at Penn State.

I do not easily dismiss how uncomfortable this must have been for Paterno. How a man he had known for more than 30 years was involved. How the reputation of the program he had built was at stake.

"There was a time when I tried to understand how people might convince themselves to look the other way, but not anymore," said David Braughton, president and chief executive of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. "After you spend some time with sexual assault victims and see the aftermath and how it destroys lives, you would never think that again.

"It's a matter of conscience. He had a greater duty to protect those children."

Already, there are those calling for the 84-year-old Paterno to resign. At this point, I couldn't care less whether he coaches again.

What I care about is Paterno's scheduled news conference today. I want to hear his explanations. I want to hear him express regret at not doing more when he had a chance.

"I hope this is a big story for a long time, and as a nation we have a chance to look at our priorities," said Teoli, the rape crisis advocate. "This case could help get the message across that we don't care who you are or how great your record is or what you've won.

"Because when it comes to children, nothing else matters. We are all responsible for protecting our children."

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

Times wires
Monday, November 7, 2011

HOUSTON — Texans nose tackle Shaun Cody is known around the locker room for his sense of humor. He's the star of comical video skits on the team's website, and he grabbed a microphone and serenaded Arian Foster as he was being interviewed last week.

Cody was joking again after Sunday's 30-12 win over the Browns when he said, "Super Bowl, here we come." The way Houston is playing, that may not be too much of a stretch.

The first-place Texans have won three in a row to move three games over .500 for the first time heading into Sunday's game at the Bucs. And with each victory, there seems to be more reasons to believe Houston will continue to roll.

Houston has held its past three foes under 200 yards and leads the league in total defense (274 per game). More remarkably, it ranks second against the pass (182.6 yards per game) after finishing last in 2010.

The players and coach Gary Kubiak credit Wade Phillips for the defensive resurgence. The new coordinator re-energized the unit during a transition to a 3-4 alignment.

"We've come a long way," Kubiak said. "Hopefully, there's a lot more good things to come."

EX-RB ARRESTED: Running back Derek Watson, who spent most of the 2005 season on the Bucs practice squad, was arrested in Greenville County, S.C., Sunday morning on a marijuana distribution charge.

BILLS: Coach Chan Gailey described the injury to kicker Rian Lindell's right shoulder as "not good," saying he either broke something or nearly had his shoulder pop out Sunday against the Jets. Gailey also said defensive tackle Kyle Williams will visit a specialist this week to examine a nagging left foot injury that has forced him to miss three games.

BROWNS: Coach Pat Shurmur said running back Peyton Hillis will not play against the Rams, the fourth straight game he will have missed since straining his left hamstring on Oct. 16. Also, receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who sustained a concussion Oct. 23, was sent home to rest one day after feeling "woozy."

COLTS: Tight ends Dallas Clark and Brody Eldridge are expected to miss more than a week with significant injuries. Clark injured his lower left leg in the second quarter Sunday, and Eldridge left early in the first to have X-rays on his hand.

COWBOYS: Starting wide receiver Miles Austin could miss two to four weeks with an injured right hamstring sustained Sunday.

LIONS: The team signed guard Leonard Davis and running back Kevin Smith to one-year deals and released running back Eldra Buckley and cornerback Anthony Madison.

PATRIOTS: Linebacker Brandon Spikes has a medial collateral ligament strain in his right knee, an MRI exam revealed, and the ex-Gator is week to week.

RAMS: Rookie receiver Greg Salas, who leads the team with 27 receptions, will miss the rest of the season with a broken right leg that will require surgery.

TITANS: The Nashville Sports Authority approved a proposal to make $26.8 million in improvements to LP Field stadium in Nashville.

VIKINGS: Cornerback Chris Cook was reinstated to the active roster, but he won't be with the team while he deals with a felony charge of domestic assault.

Times wires
Monday, November 7, 2011

HOUSTON — Texans nose tackle Shaun Cody is known around the locker room for his sense of humor. He's the star of comical video skits on the team's website, and he grabbed a microphone and serenaded Arian Foster as he was being interviewed last week.

Cody was joking again after Sunday's 30-12 win over the Browns when he said, "Super Bowl, here we come." The way Houston is playing, that may not be too much of a stretch.

The first-place Texans have won three in a row to move three games over .500 for the first time heading into Sunday's game at the Bucs. And with each victory, there seems to be more reasons to believe Houston will continue to roll.

Houston has held its past three foes under 200 yards and leads the league in total defense (274 per game). More remarkably, it ranks second against the pass (182.6 yards per game) after finishing last in 2010.

The players and coach Gary Kubiak credit Wade Phillips for the defensive resurgence. The new coordinator re-energized the unit during a transition to a 3-4 alignment.

"We've come a long way," Kubiak said. "Hopefully, there's a lot more good things to come."

EX-RB ARRESTED: Running back Derek Watson, who spent most of the 2005 season on the Bucs practice squad, was arrested in Greenville County, S.C., Sunday morning on a marijuana distribution charge.

BILLS: Coach Chan Gailey described the injury to kicker Rian Lindell's right shoulder as "not good," saying he either broke something or nearly had his shoulder pop out Sunday making a diving tackle on a kickoff return against the Jets. Lindell is out for at least one game. Gailey also said defensive tackle Kyle Williams will visit a specialist to examine a left foot injury that has forced him to miss three games.

BROWNS: Coach Pat Shurmur said running back Peyton Hillis will not play against the Rams, the fourth straight game he will have missed since straining his left hamstring on Oct. 16. Also, receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who sustained a concussion Oct. 23, was sent home to rest one day after feeling "woozy."

COLTS: Tight ends Dallas Clark and Brody Eldridge are expected to miss more than a week with significant injuries. Clark injured his lower left leg in the second quarter Sunday, and Eldridge left early in the first to have X-rays on his hand.

COWBOYS: Starting wide receiver Miles Austin could miss two to four weeks with an injured right hamstring sustained Sunday.

LIONS: The team signed guard Leonard Davis and running back Kevin Smith to one-year deals and released running back Eldra Buckley and cornerback Anthony Madison.

PATRIOTS: Linebacker Brandon Spikes has a medial collateral ligament strain in his right knee, an MRI exam revealed, and the former Gator is week to week.

RAMS: Rookie receiver Greg Salas, who leads the team with 27 receptions, will miss the rest of the season with a broken right leg that will require surgery.

TITANS: The Nashville Sports Authority approved a proposal to make $26.8 million in improvements to LP Field stadium in Nashville.

VIKINGS: Cornerback Chris Cook was reinstated to the active roster, but he won't be with the team while he deals with a felony charge of domestic assault.

Times wires
Monday, November 7, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — The fallout from a 99-loss season for the Twins has started with the firing of general manager Bill Smith.

Smith was dismissed Monday, when Minnesota returned Terry Ryan to the role on an interim basis. Smith was Ryan's top assistant when Ryan stepped down in 2007, citing burnout, after holding the job for 13 years.

Widely recognized for their stability, positive atmosphere and ability to make the most out of a medium-range payroll, the Twins made what was a startling move despite the embarrassment and disappointment of the 2011 season following two straight AL Central titles.

The Twins fired a general manager for the first time since the franchise moved from Washington to Minnesota in 1961. Calvin Griffith was the owner and general manager until selling the team in 1984. Andy MacPhail became the full-time successor, leaving for a prime job with the Cubs, and Ryan followed him.

Ryan's moves helped turn the Twins from one of the worst teams in baseball in the mid '90s to one of the best the next decade. They won four division titles over Ryan's last five full seasons, without spending much money in free agency and instead drafting and developing their core players, augmented by shrewd trades.

Smith's decisions haven't turned out as well.

"No one in the Twins' organization wants to win any more than Bill," Twins owner Jim Pohlad said in a statement. "He is unquestionably loyal, committed and talented. The Twins' goal is to get better in 2012 and beyond. Bill was equally motivated to achieve that goal, but we differed in the scope and approach that was required."

Pohlad added that the Twins will speak with Smith about "an ongoing role within the organization." Smith has been with the club since 1986.

DUQUETTE ON BOARD: The Orioles formally announced the hiring of Dan Duquette as executive vice president of baseball operations. Duquette, 53, signed a three-year contract Sunday. He will be introduced to the media in a news conference this morning.

ROYALS-GIANTS TRADE: The Royals traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Giants for left-hander Jonathan Sanchez as they aimed to upgrade their rotation and clear the way for hotshot prospect Lorenzo Cain to get a chance in centerfield. The Royals also received Double-A pitcher Ryan Verdugo.

SPEECH LEAKED: The Rangers are investigating who leaked an audio recording of the clubhouse speech manager Ron Washington gave to his players before Game 7 of the World Series. Joesportsfan.com posted the six-minute recording and said it was made by a member of the clubhouse staff it did not identify. The profanity-filled speech includes Washington encouraging and laughing with his players.

CARTER HONORED: Hall of Famer Gary Carter, diagnosed in May with a malignant brain tumor, will be honored by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America at its annual dinner Jan. 21. Carter, who helped the Mets win the World Series in 1986, was voted the Milton and Arthur Richman You Gotta Have Heart award at the chapter's annual meeting.

MADDUX REBUFFS BOSOX: Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux withdrew from consideration for the Red Sox's manager's job. The job opened when Terry Francona left after Boston's titanic September collapse, which allowed the Rays to win the AL wild card.

BLUE JAYS: Pete Walker replaced former AL Cy Young Award winner Pat Hentgen as bullpen coach.

CUBS: Joe Bohringer was hired as director of pro scouting. Bohringer, 41, spent the past five seasons as a pro scout for the Diamondbacks.

Times wires
Monday, November 7, 2011

OXFORD, Miss. — Houston Nutt came to Mississippi with the goal of becoming the first coach to lead the Rebels to the SEC Championship Game.

He didn't come close. Over the past year, the Rebels couldn't win a single SEC game.

"The thing about the SEC that I know," said Nutt, 54. "They pay you to win."

By that standard, he didn't earn his salary over the past two seasons. Nutt said Monday he wasn't surprised he was asked to resign at the end of the season.

The Rebels have lost 12 consecutive conference games, including Saturday's 30-13 loss to Kentucky. Mississippi is 2-7 this year, 0-6 in the SEC. Nutt is 24-23 in his four years in Oxford.

Athletic director Pete Boone announced the move with members of a somber coaching staff present. The next coach will be the Rebels' fifth since 1998 and third since 2007.

Boone also said he will step down as AD by the end of 2012.

Former Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning and FedEx executive vice president Mike Glenn will lead the search for a new coach and an athletic director.

"I wanted to be the first coach to take them to Atlanta. One of the best venues out there," Nutt said. "We fell short of that goal. But I think we've made significant progress. I believe our program is in better shape than it was when I arrived."

Nutt is making approximately $2.7 million this season. Boone said the coach has a $6 million buyout clause. If no one on Nutt's staff is retained by the next coach, the total buyout will be about $8 million.

Nutt came to Oxford after a 10-year tenure at Arkansas and led Ole Miss to an 18-8 record over his first two seasons, including Cotton Bowl victories over Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

It was the Rebels' best back-to-back seasons in nearly 40 years.

But those victories came with recruits brought by former coach Ed Orgeron, who was seen as a terrific recruiter but poor game-day coach. Once the roster started filling with Nutt's recruits, the talent level dropped noticeably.

BIG EAST COURTS BYU: The Big East has had discussions with BYU about giving up its football independence and joining the conference. "There is a push and there are conversations that are in place for the Big East to convince or to have BYU join that conference," Cougars football coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "I trust our athletic director and president (Cecil) Samuelson to deal with all of that."

BIG 12 SET?: Oklahoma president David Boren said the Big 12 is settled with 10 teams through the 2012 season, but he didn't rule out adding two teams in 2013.

EAST CAROLINA: Coach Ruffin McNeill said starting tailback Reggie Bullock is expected to miss his third straight game with a thigh injury, and top receiver Lance Lewis will miss his second straight with a foot injury.

RUTGERS: Coach Greg Schiano said sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd will start against Army ahead of freshman Gary Nova. Dodd came off the bench in the second half Saturday and rallied the team to a 20-17 overtime victory over USF.

TEXAS A&M: Running back Christine Michael, who has 899 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee.

Other sports

BASKETBALL: George Mason senior guard Andre Cornelius was suspended for the first 10 games of the season after pleading guilty to misdemeanor credit card fraud. … Former Seton Hall player Kelly Whitney was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in an armed robbery at a house near the school's northern New Jersey campus.

SOCCER: The Tampa women will meet North Alabama at 2 p.m. Friday in Winter Park in the opener of the NCAA Division II tournament. … The FSU women will host Samford at 8 p.m. Friday in the NCAA Tournament first round, and the Florida women will host Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Times staff
Monday, November 7, 2011

"If the Pennsylvania attorney general's office is to be taken at its word — if the sad, sickening details of alleged sexual abuse of young boys by Jerry Sandusky are true — a once-immaculate program thought of as beyond reproach is now close to beyond redemption.''

Mike Wise, Washington Post

"Today, Penn State looks precisely like the Catholic Church looked for so many years. There were accusations of pedophilia. The allegations were so horrific that they threatened to undermine the reputation of the institution. The people in charge should have brought the allegations to light. But they were more worried about how the institution would look than the values it is supposed to uphold.''

Michael Rosenberg, Sports Illustrated

"No one involved in the tragic handling of the allegations against Sandusky is worthy of sympathy and benefit of doubt without first answering some very direct and serious questions.

"Not Paterno. Not Mike McQueary, the graduate assistant-turned-recruiting coordinator who reportedly witnessed Sandusky rape a young boy in the Penn State locker room in 2002. Not Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the former Penn State administrators accused of covering up the 2002 rape. Not Penn State president Graham Spanier.

"Until questions are answered thoroughly and forthrightly, all of these people, including the people rationalizing Paterno's weak actions upon hearing about the 2002 incident, are guilty of valuing the JoePa myth more than the reality of the vulnerability and preciousness of human life.''

Jason Whitlock, Fox Sports

"Paterno's life work has earned him the temporary benefit of a doubt, and there is little doubt he regrets not seeing Sandusky for what he was and doing more. But there is no amount of football success that should shield him from a full and limitless investigation into the case.

"There is no suggestion here that Paterno face prosecution. There is no suggestion here that Paterno was purposefully harboring a monster.

"There is the expectation that he answers the toughest of questions publicly before he assumes the right to coach the Nittany Lions on Saturday against Nebraska.

"Paterno owed that boy more back in 2002. That much is clear now.”

Dan Wetzel, Yahoo Sports

"Paterno always has grudgingly described any violation of his code of ethics as a 'distraction,' and those usually come to light only when a police report is filed and information becomes available outside of buttoned-down university channels. But the mere suggestion of a coverup considerably raises the stakes, and it would be foolish to discount the possibility that, by the time the legal drama fully plays out, Paterno, Curley, Schultz and even Penn State president Graham Spanier all will be gone, by their choice or not.''

Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News

"I think there's so much that makes me sick about the Jerry Sandusky story, but the timing of the case troubles me greatly. It took 13 years from the time it first became known to authorities that there was credible evidence that Sandusky was a sexual predator for the man to be indicted. Thirteen years! When I read the grand jury report Saturday, I just kept thinking, How many boys had their lives changed forever because this case somehow didn't get on the front burner of law enforcement?

"The benign neglect of it should haunt authority figures at Penn State and in law enforcement in the area forever. And if his position as a football coach in a powerful program is found to have had anything to do with the power over young boys that he allegedly exercised, then shame on the football culture that holds too much influence over our lives."

Peter King, Sports Illustrated

"In 46 seasons as the football coach at Penn State University, Joe Paterno appeared to create a culture of winning and decency he called 'Success with Honor.'

"Now that the culture has been exposed as a haven for an alleged child molester, Paterno needs to do the honorable thing and resign before he coaches another game.

"It's sad that the winningest coach in major college football history will end his career with a giant 'L' in the human-being department, but not nearly so sad as the idea that boys may have been abused because football's most controlling boss did nothing.''

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times

"This story, for me at least, needs time. This thing is so vile, so grotesque, that it is human nature to want everyone to pay. Innocent children were hurt, scarred, and as a parent this is something so horrible that I cannot even think of a penalty harsh enough. There is no way to see this thing clearly now, not for me, anyway.''

Joe Posnanski, Sports Illustrated

Times wires
Monday, November 7, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kyle Busch received the rest of his punishment from NASCAR on Monday.

He still awaits any further actions taken by his sponsor or Joe Gibbs Racing team.

NASCAR has fined Busch $50,000 and placed him on probation until Dec. 31 for intentionally wrecking Ron Hornaday during Friday's truck series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Busch was immediately parked during the race and he was suspended for Saturday's Nationwide series and Sunday's Sprint Cup race.

He had a slim chance at his first Sprint Cup title anyway, but after sitting out Sunday he was mathematically eliminated.

Unless his sponsor or team decides otherwise, Busch can return this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

Team representatives for Busch had no new information on that issue on Monday.

There was a caveat in NASCAR's penalty.

"If during the remaining NASCAR events in 2011 there is another action by the competitor that is deemed by NASCAR officials as detrimental to stock car racing or to NASCAR, or is disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event, the competitor will be suspended indefinitely from NASCAR," the statement read.

The warning about future behavior is similar to warnings NASCAR issued following the actions of Robby Gordon in 2007 and Kevin Harvick in 2002, which involved both drivers getting parked and missing Cup races.

Busch issued a letter of apology on Saturday night and sat watching Sunday's race from the Joe Gibbs Racing pit box.

HENDRICK HOME: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick was released from a hospital in the Charlotte, N.C. area, and returned home.

Hendrick was recovering from injuries sustained in a crash landing of a plane he and his wife, Linda, were riding last week in Key West.

Rick Hendrick was diagnosed with four broken ribs and a broken shoulder. His wife sustained minor cuts and bruises.

MAYFIELD ARREST: A grand jury in North Carolina indicted former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield on charges of possessing methamphetamine.

Monday's indictment comes about a week after Mayfield was arrested following a raid at his rural mansion that turned up 69 guns and what authorities allege were $100,000 in stolen goods from at least two businesses.

During the search, deputies also said they found goods stolen from at least two businesses and about 1.5 grams of meth.

Mayfield was later released on a $30,000 bond. The troubled driver was booted from NASCAR in 2009 after failing a drug test.

INDYCAR: Officials threatened to terminate Baltimore's five-year contract with organizers of the city's Grand Prix street race if the group doesn't restructure and pay its debts to the city and vendors. A recent economic analysis showed that the event has potential for growth after its first year, said Kaliope Parthemos, deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development, in a statement obtained by AP. But Parthemos said Baltimore Racing Development must restructure itself immediately "to make that a reality." BRD organized the three-day Labor Day weekend event and owes the city more than $1.5 million for services it provided, parking, admissions and amusement tax revenues, and a race event fee, she said.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Hoping to spark the team as the Bulls try to end a four-game losing streak, senior center and co-captain Chaz Hine led a players-only meeting Monday as the team prepares for Friday's game at Syracuse.

"Chaz does a great job leading. He's one guy in particular that when he speaks, everybody listens," junior LB Sam Barrington said. "For him to get up and lead that team meeting (Monday) was powerful."

USF has lost four in a row for the first time in its 15-year history, and Saturday's overtime loss at Rutgers saw the Bulls lose a 14-point lead in the final eight minutes. Sophomore DE Ryne Giddins said Monday's show of senior leadership should go a long way toward motivating the younger players.

"Chaz came up, pointed some people out, spoke up for the team and told everybody to get their stuff together," Giddins said. "It helps a lot because you see they're trying. When you don't see any seniors stepping up or saying anything, it's like, 'What's going on?' When he's stepping up and other seniors are stepping up, they're showing us they still want to fight, and we're going to fight for them."

SIDELINED: Junior RB Darrell Scott, who went for 100 yards Saturday and leads the team with 611 yards, was held out of Monday's practice, putting his status for Friday's game in question. Scott missed the final 10 minutes Saturday, limited by a wrist injury and headaches.

FSU: Still a big game

TALLAHASSEE — For now, gone are the days when Florida State and Miami met as perennial top-five teams. But the rivalry itself is far from dead. Ranked or not, winning records or not, life is still being pumped into this hallowed yearly event.

"Oh, this is a huge deal. Even if both of us were 0-and-whatever," FSU QB EJ Manuel said. "This is always a huge rivalry because there are so many kids from South Florida that go to school here. I'm really excited about it."

But the Seminoles have to be patient with how much energy they put into the Hurricanes right now, coach Jimbo Fisher said.

"You have to keep their emotions down and (to warn them) not to play the game too early in the week," Fisher said. "Make sure we can prepare for the game and not play the game Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday. Make sure we play it on Saturday."

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

UM: Versatile QB

CORAL GABLES — Hurricanes coach Al Golden said he plans on keeping the special packages for QB Stephen Morris used during Saturday's game against Duke in the offensive game plan.

"He's going to have to run the ball better if we're going to do that, but certainly he's a big, strong athlete, he's 212 pounds, he runs really well, and he has a good arm," Golden said. "By virtue of what I just described he poses several threats."

Steve Gorten, Sun Sentinel

Times wires
Monday, November 7, 2011

golf

woods: ex-caddie apologizeS for slur

SYDNEY — Tiger Woods said he received an apology from former caddie Steve Williams over a racial slur when the two met and shook hands early today.

"We met face to face and talked about it, talked it through," said Woods, who will play this week in the Australian Open.

Williams' comment came during a caddies' awards party Friday in Shanghai.

"It was hurtful, certainly, but life goes forward," Woods said. "… Stevie's certainly not a racist. We'll see what time does. As we all know, time does heal all wounds.""

SORENSTAM BACK IN SWING: Annika Sorenstam won the short iron competition in the ADT Skills Challenge in Palm Beach, her first professional competition in three years. Sorenstam and teammate Morgan Pressel earned $161,000 for finishing fourth in the four-team event won by Zach Johnson and Jerry Kelly. Sorenstam and Pressel are the first female team to participate in the Challenge.

NBA

Time ticking by on owners' newest offer

NBA players face a Wednesday afternoon deadline to accept the league's current proposal or face a harsher one that calls for rolling back salaries. Commissioner David Stern said in an interview on ESPN that "the only rational thing to do is for us to make that deal." The proposal calls for players to get between 49 and 51 percent of basketball-related income, though players argue it would be near-impossible for them to get above 50.2. Stern said the next one will call for a 53-47 split in the owners' favor, plus essentially a hard salary cap.

MORE LABOR: Israel's women's league canceled its season after local players went on strike to protest a new rule giving more playing opportunities to foreigners — including some WNBA players.

HORSES

Uncle Mo sidelined, this time for good

Uncle Mo's racing career is over. Two days after finishing 10th in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, the 3-year-old colt was retired and arrived at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky. Mike Repole, who owns Uncle Mo, said blood tests Sunday revealed an elevated enzyme level. The same enzyme was elevated in the spring, knocking the horse out of the Triple Crown races and leading to the diagnosis of a life-threatening liver disease. Repole said his 2-year-old champion does not have a recurrence of the disease, but the enzyme level is the highest it has been since July.

ET CETERA

SOCCER: Colorado fired Gary Smith, who led the team to its first MLS Cup in 2010. Last week the Rapids were eliminated from the playoffs by Sporting Kansas City. … Landon Donovan withdrew from the U.S. roster for Friday's exhibition at France, preferring to train with Los Angeles for its MLS Cup final game Nov. 20 against Houston … Brazil's largest newspaper says the country will spend an additional $410 million to expedite construction work for the 2014 World Cup. Folha de Sao Paulo says more workers will have to be hired to complete stadiums and infrastructure.

TENNIS: Fernando Verdasco rallied past Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Paris Masters, the last chance to earn one of three remaining spots for this month's ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Times wires

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Monday, November 7, 2011

SPRING HILL — Before the sneakers squeaked at the net and football players headed into the locker room, the halls at Bishop McLaughlin were buzzing before one of the biggest sporting weeks in the Catholic school's eight-year history.

"For a Monday morning, it certainly wasn't a sleepy day around here," Hurricanes athletic director Tom LoSauro said.

Bishop's volleyball team faces Tampa Prep today in the region semifinals. On Wednesday, senior hitter Jessica Johnson will become the school's first Division I volleyball recruit when she signs with Norfolk State.

A football team that started 0-5 will play Seven Rivers Christian on Friday in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs, and the boys basketball and baseball teams are at work under new coaches with impressive resumes.

The net result has been more enthusiasm and recognition for a school that started with 46 freshmen in 2003 and has grown to a 17-team athletic department.

"It's given it notoriety," senior middle hitter Andrea Niggebrugge said.

Coaches said the quick ascent starts at the top with principal Sarah Regan, a former high school coach and athletic director.

"When she got in there, her big thing is, we're going to build an athletic program," said volleyball coach Doug Chinchar, who worked under Regan at Academy of the Holy Names.

That starts with coaches.

Regan plucked Chinchar, a former Ohio State volleyball player, out of retirement to turn around a program that won only two games three years ago. Bishop also hired Chinchar's wife, Sarah, a former all-conference setter at South Florida, to be an assistant.

They've taken the team to a 16-8 record and the deepest playoff run in school history.

"I really think the introduction of the new coaches has made all the difference," Niggebrugge said.

The boys basketball team starts its season this month under new coach — and former D-I assistant — Reilly Campbell. In the spring, baseball will vie for its sixth consecutive regional appearance under LoSauro, who led Bishop Verot to a Class 3A state title and top-15 national ranking last year.

But football hired the biggest name of all: Derrick Alexander, a former Florida State star and NFL first-round pick.

"Holy smokies on that one," Chinchar said of hiring Alexander.

Bishop elevated Alexander to head coach in the summer, though he had no coaching experience. The initial results were ugly and injuries mounted.

But Alexander's coaching staff and players continued to fight, resulting in four consecutive wins and back-to-back playoff appearances for a team that won only three games in 2009.

"That's the biggest thing to me, is the commitment of everybody that's involved," Alexander said.

That commitment is reflected throughout the department.

Bishop started a booster club this year to help pay for equipment. Its volleyball court hosted a summer camp, a varsity and JV tournament and the district tournament to show off the school's facilities. Administrators give coaches stability.

The return on the investment comes in the form of attention for a private school looking to keep attracting new students.

Niggebrugge said few people knew about Bishop when she began attending as a freshman. Now, thanks in part to improved sports teams, some outsiders recognize the name.

"I think it's paying off faster than anyone thought it would," LoSauro said.

And Hurricanes coaches say the results are just beginning.

"I'll tell you what," Chincar said. "Give us another few years."

Times wires


Monday, November 7, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Time and again, questions about an alleged cover-up of a sex abuse scandal at Penn State circled back to one name: Joe Paterno.

Major college football's oldest, winningest and perhaps most revered coach was engulfed Monday in a growing furor involving former defensive coordinator and one-time heir apparent Jerry Sandusky, who was indicted on charges of sexually abusing eight boys over 15 years.

State police Commissioner Frank Noonan said Paterno fulfilled his legal requirement when he relayed to university administrators that a graduate assistant had said he saw Sandusky attacking a young boy in the team's locker room shower in 2002. But the commissioner also questioned whether Paterno had a moral responsibility to do more.

On the Happy Valley campus and in the surrounding town of State College, some were asking whether the 84-year-old coach should step down after 46 seasons on the sideline.

Penn State senior vice president Gary Schultz and athletic director Tim Curley surrendered on charges that they failed to alert police to the complaint about Sandusky.

Schultz and Curley are also charged with lying to the state grand jury that indicted Sandusky. Both stepped down Sunday, Curley taking a temporary leave and Schultz retiring. They appeared Monday in a Harrisburg courtroom, where a judge set bail at $75,000. They weren't required to enter pleas.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly said Paterno is not a target of the investigation into how the school handled the accusations. But she refused to say the same for university president Graham Spanier.

Noonan said that though Paterno may have met his legal requirement to report suspected abuse by Sandusky, "somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child."

He added: "I think you have the moral responsibility, anyone. Not whether you're a football coach or a university president or the guy sweeping the building. I think you have a moral responsibility to call us."

At a news conference, Noonan and Kelly were asked if Paterno was given details about what graduate assistant Mike McQueary — now the team's wide receivers coach — saw on the night of March 1, 2002.

The grand jury report said McQueary was in the locker room to put away some new sneakers when he heard "rhythmic, slapping sounds" and looked into the showers.

He reportedly saw a naked boy, about 10, with his hands against the wall as Sandusky subjected him to anal sex. McQueary left immediately and contacted his father before calling Paterno the next morning then meeting at Paterno's home.

Exactly what was said during that meeting is unclear from the grand jury record, which states that Paterno called Curley the next day to tell him McQueary had seen Sandusky "in the Lasch Building showers fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy."

Paterno has not spoken publicly about the matter. His weekly news conference is today, but the school said he will not answer questions about the scandal.

The indictment also cited a 1998 incident in which an 11-year-old boy's mother called university police to complain after learning that her son had showered with Sandusky. A state Department of Public Welfare investigator told the grand jury that Sandusky said he showered naked with the youth and hugged him, "admitted that it was wrong," and promised not to shower with any child again.

Kelly declined to say if other victims have come forward since the scandal was publicized. She said she believes there could be more victims.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for a Penn State satellite campus said Sandusky ran camps there for six years after being banned from taking children onto the main campus. Bill Gonda said there weren't any allegations or complaints at the Penn State Behrend campus outside Erie.