By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

USF has offered new looks in their uniform combinations this season, but never as much so as today, when the Bulls participate in Under Armour's "Wounded Warrior" campaign, with a patriotic tweak to their uniforms, which will be auctioned off Monday with proceeds going to a charity that helps ease injured veterans back into civilian life.

Holtz showed off a mannequin Tuesday wearing the Bulls' new look, with a green jersey and a gray-and-block stars-and-stripes motif on the helmet, shoulder and sleeves, along with red-white-and-blue gloves that players can wear. Holtz said he hoped rolling out the uniforms early would keep his players from being "giddy schoolgirls" fixated on their new style.

If the uniforms make it on the field, it'll be good for Under Armour, which had to shelve its "Wounded Warrior" package for South Carolina this season just before kickoff when officials determined they couldn't read the jersey numbers on the field.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Times staff and wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

It has been almost a half-century since Nebraska's last visit to Michigan Stadium, the place where one of the most powerful programs of the modern era emerged. • Bob Devaney earned his first signature victory on that sunny September afternoon in 1962, upsetting the Wolverines 25-13 in what was supposed to be, according to the Detroit Free Press, an "opening day breather" for the home team. • The rest is history. • The 17th-ranked Huskers (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) go into today's game at No. 20 Michigan (8-2, 4-2) with 479 wins since 1962, an average of better than nine a year. • The next-highest victory total among major-college teams over that span is 438, by Oklahoma. Michigan is sixth on the wins list since '62, with 419, but its total of 892 is the most of all time. • Games between Nebraska and Michigan have been few and far between. Now that both are members of the Big Ten's Legends Division, they'll play annually. Their most recent meetings: Nebraska's 32-28 win in the 2005 Alamo Bowl and Michigan's 27-23 win in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Cane makes Weis able

If you caught a glimpse of Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis standing on the sideline with a cane during the South Carolina game last week, most likely your first thought was that his knees must be bothering him. After all, Weis is no stranger to knee injuries.

As the head coach at Notre Dame in 2008, Weis suffered torn ligaments in a game against Michigan when 6-foot-5, 264-pound Irish DE John Ryan was blocked into Weis' left knee on a punt return.

Weis was looking the other way.

Then in 2010, Weis had a piece of his kneecap fall off less than a week before NFL training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs began. He briefly used a cane then and later had surgery to repair the knee.

But the latest cane isn't about Weis' knees at all, he said this week. Well, at least not directly.

"What's happened is my knees are great," Weis said. "My left hip is killing me. I can either take a lot of drugs and walk fine, but then that affects (other things). It's one thing if you take it at 9 at night like a painkiller, but then it affects you during the day. You really can't do that. Although some people probably wonder if I took them anyway.

"But no. I chose — I could have taken more of a muscle relaxer and not had to use it, but I chose rather to have a sharper mind than to do that."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Quotable

"Northern schools have been tougher for our guys to get ready for than the southern schools in the Big 12 because they don't have a history with them. I felt some of that last week. There was no talk from our fans about Missouri. There was a lot of talk about Tech. That's a history here that we've got to change."

Mack Brown, Texas coach, on losing 17-5 to Missouri last week, beating Texas Tech 52-20 the week before and being 2-5 against Kansas State, whom he faces today

The money list

USA Today published salaries of most Division I-A coaches this week, though some private schools didn't provide the data. Here are some of the state schools, with salaries:

. Will Muschamp, Florida $3.221 million

Jimbo Fisher, Florida State $2.75 million

Skip Holtz, South Florida$1.7 million

George O'Leary, Central Florida$1.392 million

Mario Cristobal, Florida International$497,000

Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic$400,000

Notable: Miami, a private school, did not disclose Al Golden's salary. … Fisher, who received a $950,000 raise this year, is the ACC's highest paid coach and ranks 15th overall. … Seven SEC coaches rank ahead of Fisher on the salary list. … Texas' Mack Brown is the highest paid coach in the country at $5 million. … Auburn's Gene Chizik received a $1.4 million raise to $3.5 million after leading the Tigers to the national title last year. … The average head coach makes $1.47 million, an increase of 55 percent in the past six seasons.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

TAMPA — Following his Friday news conference, Bucs coach Raheem Morris scoffed at an NFL.com column by Mike Lombardi that said the team lacked leadership and accountability.

After a 3-1 start, the Bucs have lost four of their past five heading into Sunday's game at Green Bay against the defending Super Bowl champion Packers.

Lombardi said Morris has "been making excuses for them all season.'

"Being inconsistent happens," Lombardi wrote. "It happens because there is not a high level of competition at practice, bad practices are tolerated and there is no attention to detail. And all this occurs because no one is accountable."

Morris was not specifically asked about Lombardi's column during his news conference Friday, but responded to it anyway.

"Here's the deal," Morris said. "When we were young kids, right? I went to school, I was 6 years old, 7 years old. And this guy saw my grandmother and said my grandmother ran like a bulldog. And I beat the heck out of him. I beat the heck out of him. I went home and my mom was so disappointed that I beat the heck out of him. She said, 'Don't worry. It doesn't matter what people say about you. It doesn't matter what people say about your family.' So I learned that lesson a long time ago not to get upset with clowns that don't really know what they're talking about that have something to say. So we've moved on. I learned that lesson. I don't have to react to that kind of stuff."

JACKSON GAME TIME DECISION: S Tanard Jackson returned to practice Friday on a limited basis and did some jogging, but that doesn't mean his left hamstring strain will allow him to run with Green Bay Packers receivers.

Jackson said whether he plays Sunday will depend how he feels following warmups at chilly Lambeau Field.

"Yeah, it'll be a game day decision, that's what it's looking like right now," Jackson said. "We've still got a few days to rest and see how it feels.

"It was bothering me when I was in the game (versus the Texans). It's really the first time I've ever had to leave a game because of an injury, so this is something new to me."

Jackson, who missed 56 games while serving a suspension, had an interception in each of his first two games with the Bucs this season. But he suffered the hamstring strain returning a pick against the Chicago Bears in London Oct. 23.

Jackson started Sunday against the Texans but clearly struggled on plays that resulted in two long Texans touchdown passes.

"Tanard went out there and moved a little bit," Morris said. "We've still got to see, though. We'll see on Sunday. We'll get him on the grass and let him run around a little bit. We'll see how he is. (Saturday) is a walk-through, so that won't mean much."

REUNITED: CB E.J. Biggers will likely have a face-to-face meeting with an old friend on Sunday.

It was Packers WR Greg Jennings who hosted Biggers' campus visit to Western Michigan during his senior year in high school. The pair hit it off and remain friends today.

"That was the reason I went there, because of Greg," Biggers said. "He told me that if I wanted to play right away, that was the spot for me. They needed (defensive backs) right then, especially corners. He told me I was their No. 1 recruit. Just from chilling with him and watching his highlights was crazy. I didn't know about him until I got there. When I did get there, we were really close."

Regarding their practice matchups, Biggers said, "Well, I always thought I was winning — until he caught the ball. He's so smooth. You'll think you're getting an interception but he'll break the pass up or make the catch some kind of way. Just watching him my whole freshman year, I can say I'd never seen anything like that.

"I talk to him to this day. He always tells me how proud he is of me. Hearing it from a guy like that, an All Pro, is great, man."

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

TAMPA — After his Friday news conference, Bucs coach Raheem Morris scoffed at an NFL.com column by Mike Lombardi that said the team lacked leadership and accountability.

After a 3-1 start, the Bucs have lost four of their past five heading into Sunday's road game against the defending Super Bowl champion Packers.

Lombardi said Morris has "been making excuses for them all season."

"Being inconsistent happens," Lombardi wrote. "It happens because there is not a high level of competition at practice, bad practices are tolerated and there is no attention to detail. And all this occurs because no one is accountable."

Morris was not specifically asked about Lombardi's column during his news conference, but he responded to it anyway.

"Here's the deal," Morris said. "When we were young kids, right? I went to school, I was 6 years old, 7 years old. And this guy saw my grandmother and said my grandmother ran like a bulldog. And I beat the heck out of him. I beat the heck out of him. I went home and my mom was so disappointed that I beat the heck out of him. She said: 'Don't worry. It doesn't matter what people say about you. It doesn't matter what people say about your family.' So I learned that lesson a long time ago not to get upset with clowns that don't really know what they're talking about that have something to say. So we've moved on. I learned that lesson. I don't have to react to that kind of stuff."

JACKSON on Mend: S Tanard Jackson returned to practice Friday on a limited basis and did some jogging, but that doesn't mean his left hamstring strain will allow him to run with Packers receivers.

Jackson said whether he plays Sunday will depend on how he feels after warmups at chilly Lambeau Field.

"Yeah, it'll be a game-day decision, that's what it's looking like right now," Jackson said. "We've still got a few days to rest and see how it feels.

"It was bothering me when I was in the game (against the Texans). It's really the first time I've ever had to leave a game because of an injury, so this is something new to me."

Jackson, who missed 56 games while serving a suspension, had an interception in each of his first two games this season. But he suffered the hamstring strain returning a pick against the Bears in London Oct. 23.

Jackson started Sunday against the Texans but clearly struggled on plays that resulted in two long touchdown passes.

"Tanard went out there and moved a little bit," Morris said. "We've still got to see, though. We'll see on Sunday. We'll get him on the grass and let him run around a little bit. We'll see how he is. (Saturday) is a walk-through, so that won't mean much."

REUNITED: CB E.J. Biggers will likely have a face-to-face meeting with an old friend Sunday.

Packers WR Greg Jennings hosted Biggers' campus visit to Western Michigan during his senior year in high school. The pair hit it off and remain friends today.

"That was the reason I went there, because of Greg," Biggers said. "He told me that if I wanted to play right away, that was the spot for me. They needed (defensive backs) right then, especially corners. He told me I was their No. 1 recruit. Just from chilling with him and watching his highlights was crazy. I didn't know about him until I got there. When I did get there, we were really close."

Regarding their practice matchups, Biggers said: "Well, I always thought I was winning — until he caught the ball. He's so smooth. You'll think you're getting an interception but he'll break the pass up or make the catch some kind of way. Just watching him my whole freshman year, I can say I'd never seen anything like that.

"I talk to him to this day. He always tells me how proud he is of me. Hearing it from a guy like that, an all-pro, is great, man."

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

BRANDON — Over and over, Steve Downie insisted the goal he scored in Thursday's 4-1 victory over the Penguins was no big deal.

"It's just a goal. That's the way I look at it," the Lightning right wing said Friday at the Ice Sports Forum. "We won the game. I'd rather win the game than score goals."

There is no reason to doubt that sentiment. But the reality is, Downie's tally, on the power play with a crisp wrist shot from the slot, is not so easily dismissed.

It was Downie's first goal since opening night, ending a 16-game drought. And it came after Monday's loss to the Jets in which Downie missed three open nets.

"You could see his face," coach Guy Boucher said. "To relieve that pressure, you could see it in practice. He scored a lot more in practice (Friday), too."

This season has been a challenging one of transition for Downie, who has played a different role than the past two seasons and seen his offensive production dwindle.

Paired the past two seasons on a top line with center Steve Stamkos and Marty St. Louis, Downie had a combined 32 goals, 78 points and was plus-22. This season, in more of a third-line checking role, Downie has two goals and four points in 18 games and is minus-12, one of the worst ratings in the league.

Even so, Downie, 24, is doing the right things, Boucher said. And center Dominic Moore said Downie "is one of those guys who will play the same way regardless of the role he's playing."

Downie is screening more and carrying the puck more to the net, Boucher said. "He's got more opportunities around the net. Funny thing is, he's getting less points. The reality is, stick with the process, results will come."

"You get frustrated, not so much about not scoring goals but the way you play the game," Downie said. "I'll score a goal and still not be happy with my game. It's always nice to score goals, but scoring a goal is not the whole game."

Downie is like his teammates, Boucher said, in that he must improve defensively. Still, he said Downie's minus-12 is not overly worrisome.

"The last two seasons he played with Stamkos and St. Louis," Boucher said. "I'll put anybody with Stamkos and St. Louis and we'll see their plus-minus improve pretty good."

"He's one of the guys," Boucher added, "who has had to adjust the most on our team."

For example, Downie's 1:48 average power-play time is about 30 seconds less than last season.

His power-play time spiked in the four games left wing Ryan Malone was out with an upper-body injury. Malone is expected back tonight against the Devils at the St. Pete Times Forum, but Boucher said Downie will keep getting more power-play time.

Overall, though, Stamkos said, "He's not given as much of an opportunity to produce, and that's tough. He wants to be that guy. He's going to do anything for the team, but I know he wants to produce. That's human nature for a competitive guy like him."

"As long as we're winning," Downie said. "Winning is the bottom line in this business no matter how many goals you score."

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

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones gives his take on the latest from the world of sports.

The four tops A quick look at four current sports media newsmakers

Bob Costas

With virtually no notice or time to prepare, Costas conducted a riveting telephone interview with former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who is accused of sexually abusing young boys. Costas' performance was brilliant during Monday's Rock Center news show on NBC. He respected the legal process and wasn't confrontational yet asked the direct questions that every viewer at home was asking. It was the finest on-air interview, sports or otherwise, we've seen on TV all year. Costas showed once again why he remains the king of sports broadcasters.

Ron Jaworski

The ESPN Monday Night Football announcer was voted best NFL analyst in a USA Today readers' poll. Jaworski nipped out NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth. What makes Jaworski's selection interesting is he shares a booth with Jon Gruden, who has been the darling of media critics since joining the MNF team in 2009. What's also interesting is a Wall Street Journal study last year showed Jaworski said fewer words per minute than any other NFL analyst.

Toronto Maple Leafs

How crazy are folks in Toronto for hockey? Well, Maple Leafs practices are now being televised on Leafs TV. The rink is wired for sound, although specific drills are not shown so other teams can't get a sneak peek of what the Leafs are cooking up. However, immediately after practice, the network shows player interviews and coach Ron Wilson's daily news conference. Then there's analysis. Crazy? Well, Leafs center Matt Lombardi told the Globe & Mail, "If you live in the U.S. and watch football, they go Monday to Sunday. They break down every single day of the week for them. If you're comparing it to that, I don't think it really is (that crazy)."

ESPN

Whatever happens during NASCAR's Chase for the Cup finale on Sunday, expect ESPN to catch it on camera. According to Sports Business Daily, ESPN will use 72 cameras, many of which will be devoted solely to Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart — the two drivers battling it out to be the 2011 champion. Those 72 include cameras in each of the 43 cars. ESPN also announced analyst Dale Jarrett will speak with Edwards and Stewart during the pace laps and caution periods. Also, Stewart's in-car camera will stream live on NASCAR.com's "Race Buddy'' Facebook page.

Media tidbits

• Sunday's Outside the Lines on ESPN2 will look at the latest from the Penn State scandal as well as the story of former Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly, who this week was sentenced to six years in prison for violating the terms of his probation for a drug conviction

• A new Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel makes its debut at 10 p.m. Tuesday on HBO. The episode will include features on Butler men's basketball coach Brad Stevens, Jets defensive lineman Marcus Dixon and the controversial past of tennis Hall of Famer Bob Hewitt, which includes allegations of sexual abuse of young girls.

• Last week's Florida-South Carolina football game on CBS averaged 2.6 million viewers, making it the smallest SEC football audience on CBS over the past five years.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Maybe boxing should take a page from the Ultimate Fighting Championship book by putting a top-tier bout — a Manny Pacquiao title fight, for instance — on live, free, network television. By the way, Pacquiao's majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez last Saturday will be re-aired at 10:30 tonight on HBO.

2. Phrase I'm tired of hearing coming out of One Buc Place: "Not to make excuses … '' which is then followed by an excuse such as a tough schedule and Josh Freeman's injured thumb.

3. ESPN.com reported Thursday that Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was fined $7,500 for hitting Bears running back Matt Forte while he was on the ground. Also, Bears receiver Earl Bennett was fined $10,000 for wearing orange cleats. What's wrong with this picture?

tom jones' two cents

By Doug Hemmer, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

What's hot: At this time of year, we have extreme low tides that push fish out of the shallows and into the deeper parts of the flats until they reach the drop-off at the end of the flats. These areas are called the fish highway.

The best highways are where you see mullet jumping in the shallow water. These are the spots you want to target during the end of the outgoing tide. When the water falls far enough to push the mullet off of the flats, you will find trout, redfish and snook hanging in the nearest pothole. If you learn the topography of the flats, you will have a good area to target during most outgoing tides.

Baits: Lures — topwater plugs, jigs and spoons — will draw the most strikes. A free-lined, tail-hooked shrimp works if the pinfish don't eat it before a game fish locates the shrimp. Topwater plugs work when there's no grass on the surface. If the area has surface grass, the plug will be fouled before a fish can find it. This is why jig fishing will produce more strikes than most offerings.

When using a tail-hooked shrimp, jerk the shrimp every few turns of the reel. This makes the shrimp look like it's trying to escape and draws a strike.

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

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has a treatable form of lung cancer, according to his son.

Scott Paterno said in a statement Friday that Joe Paterno, 84, is undergoing treatment and that "his doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery."

"As everyone can appreciate, this is a deeply personal matter for my parents, and we simply ask that his privacy be respected as he proceeds with treatment," Scott Paterno said in a brief statement.

The announcement came less than an hour after Penn State said the NCAA would examine how school officials handled a child sex-abuse scandal that shocked the campus and cost Paterno a job he held 46 years.

Scott Paterno said the diagnosis was made during a follow-up visit last weekend for a bronchial illness. The Citizens Voice of Wilkes-Barre reported that Paterno had been seen Wednesday visiting the Mount Nittany Medical Center and was treated for an undisclosed ailment.

Paterno was fired last week in the aftermath of accusations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who is charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a period of 15 years. Critics say Paterno should have done more to stop the abuse detailed in a grand jury report.

Paterno initially announced his retirement effective at the end of the season, but university trustees fired him Nov. 9.

NCAA president Mark Emmert said in the letter to Penn State president Rod Erickson that the governing body for college sports will look at "Penn State's exercise of institutional control over its intercollegiate athletics programs."

Emmert said the case is not yet a formal investigation, though the inquiry could lead to that. Emmert has asked the university to respond by Dec. 16 to several questions. If the NCAA decides to move ahead from there, the process could take an additional six to 10 months.

"Everyone that works inside a university, a coach, an administrator, a faculty member is first an educator and mentor," Emmert said. "When you're in that position, you have a responsibility to provide leadership and maintain a high ethical standard."

Athletic director Tim Curley has been placed on administrative leave, and vice president Gary Schultz, who was in charge of the university's police department, has retired. Schultz and Curley each are charged with lying to the grand jury and failure to report to police. They maintain their innocence, as does Sandusky.

Acting athletic director Dave Joyner, who had been formally introduced earlier Friday, promised change, and faculty members called for an independent investigation into how the university handled allegations of child sexual abuse.

The faculty Senate endorsed a resolution asking for an investigation to be led by a committee whose chair has no links to Penn State. The resolution also called for a majority of the group's members to have never been affiliated with the school.

Penn State has faced criticism since announcing an internal investigation would be led by two university trustees, Merck pharmaceutical company CEO Kenneth Frazier and state Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

Tonight

Lightning vs. Devils

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

TV/radio: Ch. 44; 620-AM

Key stats: The Lightning entered Friday with the league's best home power play, 28 percent. The Devils had the league's best penalty kill, 92.1 percent. … Tampa Bay G Dwayne Roloson is 4-0-0 in his past four home starts, with a 1.46 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. … Devils LW Ilya Kovalchuk leads all forwards with an average 25:14 of ice time.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — If kennel­mates Jw Rapid Strike and Se's Chewie were the only greyhounds in a race, Matt Parker said the latter would win every time.

But Parker, the 24-year-old son of Capabal kennel owner Henry Parker and trainer Belinda Parker, changed his tune after Jw Rapid Strike beat Se's Chewie in the $20,000 Fall Juvenile on Nov. 12. It was the first stakes win for Jw Rapid Strike and first 1-2 stakes finish for Henry Parker in 21 years at Derby Lane.

"Not bad when you get caught by your own dog," Henry said.

The win by Jw Rapid Strike was somewhat surprising to the Parkers, who believed Se's Chewie would be their dog to beat in the 550-yard event. Se's Chewie led most of the way until Jw Rapid Strike surged ahead late to win by a neck, giving owner Walter Wasik of Stafford, Texas, a $9,000 paycheck.

"We were counting on Chewie to win more than Rapid Strike," Matt said.

After the trophy presentation, Matt was asked which dog he would have given the edge to if the pair faced off 10 times.

"I would have said Chewie would win 10 out of 10 times. That was before this race."

Jw Rapid Strike was sent to Derby Lane for stakes. He arrived in July and won his first two schooling races by 11½ total lengths. But a shoulder injury slowed his development and he entered the Fall Juvenile without a Grade A win. Around the kennel he is called "All-Star" by Belinda.

"Wally likes him so much," she said. "He is quiet and you wouldn't know he's in the building. He looks like a bear with that little black face. He is just maturing and seems to be coming into his own."

A 25-month-old son of Tk Quick Strike and Dream Fannie, Jw Rapid Strike has shown closing ability, unlike the speedy Se's Chewie, who is tied for fifth in the track win standings with 11. Tk Quick Strike, a winner of more than 50 races, was voted the Flashy Sir award winner in 2008 as the top distance performer in the industry by the National Greyhound Association. The Wheeling Island (W.Va.) standout broke the track's record at 678 yards four times and was a two-time winner of the $10,000 Mountaineer Classic (2008-09). Dream Fannie was a Grade A sprinter at Derby Lane.

Jw Rapid Strike made his first 24 career starts at 550 yards (seven wins). In his 660 debut Wednesday, the 69-pound greyhound finished eighth.

"He's a dog that just keeps getting better," Henry said.

Jw Rapid Strike's victory came four weeks after 2010 track win leader Aerial Battle raced for the final time for Capabal. A winner of 70 races, Aerial Battle was Capabal's last previous stakes champion in the 2010 Matinee Idol.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Derby Lane will not have live racing on Thanksgiving, but it will open at 10:45 a.m. for poker and simulcast wagering. On Friday and Nov. 26, Derby Lane will have matinee-evening doubleheaders.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

TAMPA — When the Bucs travel to Lambeau Field on Sunday to face the Packers, they'll encounter an offense that continues to steamroll opponents, producing historic numbers along the way.

But while the Packers might currently possess the most feared offense in the NFL, their unit is not unique in posting galactic totals.

It is difficult not to notice the evolution under way in this era of pro football, one that has made routine the sort of eye-popping numbers that used to be considered aberrations.

According to NFL data, this could be a historic season in many respects:

• Total yards per game (694) is on pace for a single-season high. This rate would surpass the previous high (672), set just last season.

• Net passing yards per game (463.3) are also on a record pace (443.1, last year). The 67,643 net passing yards entering Week 11 is the most ever at this point in a season.

• Scoring is also up. The 44.08 average points per game is on pace to be the highest mark since 1965, when the per-game average was 46.12. Green Bay leads the league in scoring, averaging 35.6 points, a pace that would produce 569 points for the season, shattering the franchise record of 461 in 2009.

The trend is undeniable. But what factors are behind this shift? That answer is complex, though theories abound.

For some, the answer is philosophical. In the ever-changing NFL, teams change styles and tactics in waves as certain teams begin to achieve success with particular strategies. Maybe the pass-heavy nature of today's NFL is a result of the recent success of teams such as the Saints, Patriots and Packers.

"That's how things are right now," Bucs offensive tackle Donald Penn said. "It might (change) back after a while. A couple of years ago, you saw Miami started running the wildcat, and what happened? Everybody started running the wildcat."

But there are much different and complicated reasons behind this, too.

One of them is, arguably, the level of sophistication in today's game, one that has allowed offenses to excel. It's the reason the Bucs' Tampa 2 defense has been merged and augmented with a variety of styles and coverages.

"Playing basic defense doesn't win for you anymore," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said. "Everybody's figured out how to beat your base defenses. Teams are smarter now. So, defenses take a lot more chances. You gamble on blitzes, you play some man-to-man, you have some vulnerabilities in your zone coverages.

"And the quarterbacks are good enough to take advantage of it. I think it's just a collective consciousness about how to beat certain defenses. I mean, you can't play Cover 2 against Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers. You just cannot do it. They'll dice you. And you can't play three-deep against those guys. They know where all their outlets are. So, you try to mix it up."

Some agree the college game is a factor. The spread offense dominates the college ranks, with players lining up farther from the football than ever. The old-school power game has been mostly thrown to the wayside at the college level, often replaced by the shotgun formation and four-wide receiver sets.

"You have to win now in this league, and you have all these rookies coming in from these wide-open spread (college) offenses," backup quarterback Josh Johnson said. "They're not going to be ready (to adapt). In order to get them up to speed, you have to do what you have to do. For example, look what's happening in Denver with Tim Tebow. Until they get things figured out, you have to adapt or you're going to get fired. The patience isn't there anymore, and I think that's a factor."

Another matter that can't be ignored: The evolution of the game's rules have typically favored offenses. From rules that protect quarterbacks from certain forms of hits, to those protecting defenseless receivers, to the dramatic increase in defensive pass-interference calls, most recent rule changes haven't helped defenses.

Whatever is behind this shift to a more offensive game, the change has been extraordinary. This is not your father's NFL.

"No disrespect to anyone, but people who watch football probably get really excited by more offense," offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood said. "There's more passing, more scoring. But as far as people who really know football, it might be exciting, but it's not football.

"It's not something you ever expected to see."

Up next

Bucs at Packers, 1 p.m. Sunday. TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5-FM

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — Jhonas Enroth got his first shutout of the season by making 34 stops to lead the Sabres to a 1-0 win over the stumbling Hurricanes on Friday.

Jason Pominville scored for Buffalo, which lost top goalie Ryan Miller to a concussion Nov. 12 against Boston. Enroth, Buffalo's second-round draft pick in 2006, got his second career shutout.

Carolina has lost seven of its past eight to sink to the bottom of the Southeast Division and prompt speculation about the job security of coach Paul Maurice.

Backup goalie Brian Boucher made 19 saves for the Hurricanes while starting in place of Cam Ward. Boucher has yet to win this season.

Despite the team's struggles, general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that he had no plans to make major changes.

Around the league: Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson met with Jeff Carter after reports circulated the center requested a trade from the league's worst team and said no trade had been requested. Carter was acquired in a stunning offseason trade from the Flyers and recently returned after missing much of the season with a broken foot. … Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill was released from a hospital after being treated for an infection to a leg cut. … Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov is out indefinitely with a groin injury, the team said. … Flyers wing Jaromir Jagr is out at least through the weekend with what csnphilly.com said is a groin injury. … Blues wing David Perron, who has not played since sustaining a concussion on a hit by the Sharks' Joe Thornton on Nov. 4, 2010, was cleared for contact. … The Board of Governors approved Canadian businessman Tom Gaglardi as the Stars' new owner.

First Period—1, Buffalo, Pominville 8 (Vanek, Boyes), 13:04 (pp). Penalties—Tropp, Buf (high-sticking), 8:23; Jokinen, Car (slashing), 11:23.

Second Period—None. Penalties—D.Roy, Buf (hooking), 4:39.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Ehrhoff, Buf (holding), 15:39; LaRose, Car (hooking), 18:22. Shots on Goal—Buffalo 10-4-6—20. Carolina 8-12-14—34. Power-play opportunities—Buffalo 1 of 2; Carolina 0 of 3. Goalies—Buffalo, Enroth 7-1-0 (34 shots-34 saves). Carolina, Boucher 0-3-1 (20-19).

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

CALGARY — Curtis Glencross had two goals and an assist to pace the Flames to a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Friday.

The season-high five-goal output was a relief for the Flames, who had scored one goal in five of their previous eight games.

Viktor Stahlberg and Marian Hossa scored for Chicago. The league's top team dropped to 1-1 on a six-game road trip that takes it to Edmonton tonight.

Calgary scored twice in 17 seconds at the start of the second period to take a 3-1 lead.

Around the league: Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill was released from a hospital after being treated for an infection to a leg cut. … Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov is out indefinitely with a groin injury, and goalie Al Montoya is day to day with a strained hamstring. … Flyers wing Jaromir Jagr is out at least through the weekend with what csnphilly.com said is a groin injury. … The Board of Governors approved Canadian businessman Tom Gaglardi as the Stars' new owner.

First Period—1, Buffalo, Pominville 8 (Vanek, Boyes), 13:04 (pp). Penalties—Tropp, Buf (high-sticking), 8:23; Jokinen, Car (slashing), 11:23.

Second Period—None. Penalties—D.Roy, Buf (hooking), 4:39.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Ehrhoff, Buf (holding), 15:39; LaRose, Car (hooking), 18:22. Shots on Goal—Buffalo 10-4-6—20. Carolina 8-12-14—34. Power-play opportunities—Buffalo 1 of 2; Carolina 0 of 3. Goalies—Buffalo, Enroth 7-1-0 (34 shots-34 saves). Carolina, Boucher 0-3-1 (20-19).

First Period—1, Calgary, Stempniak 4 (Tanguay, Brodie), 5:41. 2, Chicago, Stalberg 5 (J.Toews, Leddy), 6:45. Penalties—Lepisto, Chi (high-sticking), 8:53; Tanguay, Cal (holding stick), 9:23.

Second Period—3, Calgary, Bourque 6 (Glencross, Hannan), :40. 4, Calgary, Byron 2 (Horak), :57. 5, Chicago, Hossa 9 (Keith, J.Toews), 5:03 (pp). 6, Calgary, Glencross 6 (Bouwmeester, Jokinen), 11:04. Penalties—Stalberg, Chi (roughing), 3:09; Jokinen, Cal (roughing), 3:09; Iginla, Cal (high-sticking), 4:37; Scott, Chi (roughing), 11:52; Kostopoulos, Cal (roughing), 11:52; Kruger, Chi (hooking), 13:50.

Third Period—7, Calgary, Glencross 7 (Jokinen), 6:46. Penalties—Glencross, Cal (delay of game), 16:26; Bourque, Cal (delay of game), 17:45. Shots on Goal—Chicago 10-11-11—32. Calgary 11-8-7—26. Power-play opportunities—Chicago 1 of 4; Calgary 0 of 2. Goalies—Chicago, Crawford 9-5-2 (26 shots-21 saves). Calgary, Kiprusoff 8-7-0 (32-30).

First Period—1, Colorado, Kobasew 3 (Wilson, Galiardi), 6:10. Penalties—Nystrom, Dal (hooking), 14:53.

Second Period—None. Penalties—None.

Third Period—2, Colorado, Stastny 6 (Landeskog, O'Brien), 14:34 (pp). 3, Colorado, Duchene 8 (Jones, Quincey), 19:55 (en-pp). Penalties—Ryder, Dal (goaltender interference), 1:14; Winnik, Col (high-sticking), 4:17; Morrow, Dal (cross-checking), 12:44; Pardy, Dal (high-sticking), 15:04; Robidas, Dal (interference), 18:25. Shots on Goal—Dallas 4-11-9—24. Colorado 16-17-12—45. Power-play opportunities—Dallas 0 of 1; Colorado 2 of 5. Goalies—Dallas, Lehtonen 11-4-0 (44 shots-42 saves). Colorado, Giguere 4-2-0 (24-24).

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

Tonight

USF vs. Old Dominion

When/where: 2 p.m.; Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.

Radio: 1250-AM

Records: USF 3-0, ODU 2-1

Notable: The Bulls hit the road for the first time in the Naismith Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic, facing a Monarchs team that won the Colonial league last season and went 27-7, losing to Butler on a tip-in at the buzzer in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. … ODU has good balance, with no player scoring more than G Dimitri Batten's 10.3 points a game but seven averaging six points or more. Today's winner plays the winner of Kentucky and Penn State, with the losers also meeting on Sunday.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

STILLWATER, Okla. — Kurt Budke turned Oklahoma State's women's basketball team into a winner and hoped he had found the place where he would coach until he retired. Miranda Serna had passed up opportunities to leave his side, staying loyal to the man whom she had helped win a junior college national championship and then rebuild a big-time college program.

Having succeeded together, Budke and Serna died together — perishing in a plane crash on a trip aimed at building their team's future.

Budke, 50, the head coach, and Serna, 36, his assistant, were killed Thursday when the single-engine plane transporting them on a recruiting trip crashed in steep terrain in Arkansas, the university said Friday.

The pilot, 82-year-old former Oklahoma state Sen. Olin Branstetter, and his 79-year-old wife, Paula, also died when the plane sputtered, spiraled out of control and nosedived into the Winona Wildlife Management Area near Perryville, Ark., about 45 miles west of Little Rock.

There were no survivors.

"This is our worst nightmare. The entire OSU family is very close, very close indeed," OSU President Burns Hargis said.

The crash was the second major plane tragedy for OSU sports in about a decade. In January 2001, 10 men affiliated with the men's basketball team died in a crash in Colorado.

Former assistant coach Jim Littell will serve as interim head coach. Games scheduled for today and Sunday were canceled.

"Our players right now are totally devastated," Littell said. "They loved Coach Budke, they loved Coach Serna."

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Jason Aguilera said it would issue a preliminary report in five days, but it could be more than a year before its investigation ends. The weather at the time was clear.

Budke coached Serna and Trinity Valley (Texas) to a junior college national title in 1996. Serna went on to play for Houston and later was an assistant under Budke at Trinity Valley and Louisiana Tech before they went to Oklahoma State.

Budke was 192-99, including 112-83 in six-plus seasons in Stillwater. He took over a program with eight Big 12 wins in the previous three seasons, and in his first season, 2005-06, OSU bottomed out at 6-22, 0-16 in the league. But by his second season the team made the NCAA Tournament and in 2008 it reached the Sweet 16 for only the second time in school history.

Budke is survived by his wife, Shelley, and three children. Serna is survived by her parents and sister. OSU will hold a public service for both on Monday at Gallagher-Iba Arena, where the basketball team plays.

Friday, November 18, 2011

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who has started 57 consecutive games, isn't expected to play Sunday against Cincinnati because of a toe injury that has kept him from practicing all week.

Citing Lewis' toughness, coach John Harbaugh refused to rule out the two-time NFL defensive player of the year.

"Ray is Ray, you can't count Ray out," Harbaugh said Friday. " … We'll find out on Sunday, really. Ray has had shoulders dislocated and he's done 35 push-ups on the sidelines to prove that he can go."

Undrafted free agent Dannell Ellerbe will start if Lewis sits.

Vick not likely for Eagles: Backup quarterback Vince Young got the first-team snaps as Michael Vick missed a third consecutive day of practice because of broken ribs. Still, Eagles coach Andy Reid did not rule Vick out of the Giants game.

"I'm not going to tell you he's feeling great, but he's feeling a little bit better," said Reid, who will decide on a starter today.

Fines for Lions, Bears: Four Lions — quarterback Matthew Stafford ($7,500), defensive tackle Nick Farley ($15,000), defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch ($7,500) and guard Rob Sims ($7,500) — and two Bears — defensive back D.J. Moore ($15,000) and receiver Earl Bennett ($10,000) — were fined by the league for incidents in their game last week.

Tebow shines late again: Tim Tebow's 20-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left capped a 95-yard drive and sent the host Broncos to a 17-13 victory over the Jets late Thursday.

"I always say it's that 'It' factor. You either got it or you don't," receiver Eric Decker said.

Tebow had just 11 yards on two carries before the last drive, but tucked it six times for 58 and hit three passes. Denver is 4-1 under the former Gator, who still hasn't completed 50 percent of his passes in any of his starts but has four second-half comebacks in those eight starts.

"That's why I wanted to be a quarterback since I was 6 years old, watching guys like John Elway and Steve Young have game-winning drives," said Tebow, who was 9-for-20 passing for 104 yards with 68 yards rushing.

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

MELBOURNE, Australia — Two perfect teams and a point for Tiger Woods.

That was all the Americans needed early today in the rain at Royal Melbourne to build an 11-6 lead in the Presidents Cup over the International team.

The Americans went 4-1 in the foursomes session, with five fourballs matches scheduled later for today, Day 3 of the event.

Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk won four out of five holes on the back nine, and Mickelson polished off Aaron Baddeley and Jason Day by holing a 50-foot birdie on No. 17. Mickelson and Furyk won all three matches they played together, as did Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson.

"We turned it around," Mickelson said. "We fought hard, and we ended up having a nice run on the back nine."

U.S. captain Fred Couples sat David Toms and Mickelson in the afternoon session. Couples said Mickelson offered to sit if needed, ending a streak of 32 consecutive matches played in the competition for "Lefty."

Woods played with Dustin Johnson, and while it wasn't pretty, it was finally a point.

They trailed early until winning consecutive holes with pars as Adam Scott and K.J. Choi struggled. Woods and Johnson went 1 up on No. 13 when the International team conceded before reaching the green, and the Americans went 2 up on the next hole after Scott and Choi made another bogey.

Woods closed the match with a 20-foot birdie on No. 16.

"It was a day of patience," Woods said. "The weather was kind of iffy, the greens are another different speed."

The International team picked up its only point behind Ernie Els and Ryo Ishikawa, who beat Bill Haas and Matt Kuchar 1 up.

LPGA: Na Yeon Choi shot 1-under 71 in swirling wind for a one-stroke lead over Sandra Gal after two rounds of the season-ending Titleholders at Grand Cypress in Orlando. Choi was at 7-under 137. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (75) was at 1-over 145.

CHAMPIONS: Jeff Freeman, a club pro at the Country Club of Orlando, won the National Qualifying event, shooting his fourth straight 5-under 66 at TPC Scottsdale (Ariz.) The top five earned fully exempt status on the tour for 2012, but Freeman must wait until he turns 50 in April.

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

Jimmie Johnson knew his unprecedented reign as NASCAR Sprint Cup champion had to end sometime.

But Johnson refused to give up hope until he was mathematically eliminated from the Chase for the Championship on Sunday.

Now, as the focus has shifted to the last two men standing, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart, heading into Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Johnson has taken a moment to reflect on his body of work.

Five straight championships. Only Cale Yarborough (1976-78) had won as many as three in a row. And only Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, with seven each, won more total championships.

"I'm definitely disappointed that we won't be able to go to Homestead and race for our sixth, but that's motorsports," Johnson said this week after being eliminated at Phoenix. "It's a very tough business. What we did over the last five years was absolutely spectacular, and I've just got to thank … Hendrick Motorsports, (crew chief) Chad Knaus and this whole race team for giving me everything they've had."

In a way, Johnson felt a little relief.

"To a certain degree, being on top for as long as we have been takes a lot of effort to maintain that," said Johnson, who is fifth in the standings. "It just takes a lot out of you. So this will be a nice winter to unplug and relax and really look internally and dissect the different areas of the race team and what we do and come back stronger.

"I've always learned more from tougher moments, and by no means is this a tough moment. Yes, the streak is gone. But even though we're not in position to win the championship, we're going to go to Homestead and try to have our best race down there that we can. We've still got a shot at a top-five in points, and that would be a big year still."

Johnson, 36, has two wins this season, his fewest since he began driving in the Cup series full time in 2002. He was third in the Chase after winning at Kansas, but a crash the next week at Charlotte, which led to a 34th-place finish, and a 26th-place run at Talladega ended his shot at winning six straight titles.

"There's a reason why no one had won five in a row before, and it just doesn't happen," Johnson said. "I'm very proud of what we've accomplished this year. … I hate the mistakes that happened in the Chase, and I have to take responsibility for a lot of them.

"I was the guy behind the wheel in the crashes that took place and a bunch of the strategy for Talladega and a lot of different aspects of it. That stuff happens, and you can't win them all. We certainly want to and are going to try. … We'll come back next year and try it again."

Stewart, a two-time champion, can't fathom anyone else winning five in a row.

"I haven't won two straight, so I have no clue what five straight feels like," said Stewart, the series champion in 2002 and 2005. "I would put money on it that it will never happen again. The competition gets tighter and tighter, tougher and tougher. It's amazing.

"You understand why people didn't want him to win a sixth one. But I've said from Day 1, 'How do you knock down a guy who's going out and doing what he's supposed to do?' I know this year hasn't ended the way they wanted, but they have to take a lot of pride in knowing they've done something in the history of the sport that most likely will never be duplicated."

Unlike Stewart, whose 2002 championship predated the Chase, all five of Johnson's championships were in the Chase format, where many of the 10 tracks are 1- to 1.5-mile layouts that his team mastered better than anyone else.

"I'll definitely have more fun and get a lot of sleep going in there," Johnson said of not having the championship on the line this weekend. "I'll bet you the No. 99 (Edwards) and the No. 14 (Stewart) won't.

"I've been racing 31 years, and I've won probably two other big championships along the way. So, seven out of 31 years; this is normal.

"What we did over the last five years is abnormal. And then now we'll get a taste of normalcy."

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

HOMESTEAD — Austin Dillon played it safe and ended up winning big.

Dillon, the 21-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, finished 10th in the truck series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday night — good enough to win the series championship.

Rookie of the year in the series a year ago, Dillon is the youngest champ in series history. He also stands as one of racing's up-and-coming drivers. He is scheduled to drive a full schedule in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide series in 2012.

Johnny Sauter won the rain-shortened race, holding off Denny Hamlin just before the final caution dropped. Sauter finished second in points, just ahead of James Buescher.

Rain fell with 15 laps left, hours after both Sprint Cup practice sessions were called off because of weather. When NASCAR officials called the truck race, Dillon celebrated wildly, hugging crew members and his younger brother while splashing in puddles.

Dillon started 20 points ahead of Sauter and 28 ahead of Buescher. All Dillon needed to do was finish 16th or better to secure the title. He spent much of the race in the top 10. There was one moment of concern, when he fell to 15th following a restart. But it was short-lived. He quickly worked back toward the front, staying out of trouble and passing several other trucks.

Buescher was in the middle of some chaos.

Kevin Harvick almost wrecked Buescher on an early restart and bumped him later in the same green-flag run. Buescher turned low to block Harvick on the restart. Harvick seemingly didn't like the move and rammed Buescher's rear bumper.

Things really got wacky on the next pit stop. As Buescher slowed to turn down pit road, Harvick tried to pass him on the outside. Buescher then turned into Harvick, nearly spinning him.

All of the Harvick-Buescher action happened just a couple of weeks after Harvick expressed anger toward Kyle Busch for purposely wrecking the truck driven by Ron Hornaday and owned by Harvick.

Harvick finished third in his final truck race for Kevin Harvick Inc. He announced in September he was shutting down the race team.

Both of his regular drivers announced that they found jobs for 2012. Hornaday will drive for Joe Denette Motorsports, and Nelson Piquet Jr. will drive for Turner Motorsports.

Piquet was fourth in the race, followed by Joey Coulter. Ty Dillon, Elliott Sadler, Timothy Peters and Jason White rounded out the top 10.

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

HOMESTEAD — Austin Dillon climbed out of his No. 3 truck and dived across the rain-soaked grass.

He took another header a few minutes later — on concrete. Yep, the youngster wanted to celebrate by planking on pavement.

"That's called the Superman," Dillon said.

It was the biggest chance he took all night.

All Dillon needed to do was stay out of trouble in the season finale and run like he has all season — near the front — and he would win the NASCAR truck series championship.

So he played it safe and ended up with the biggest milestone of his life. The 21-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress finished 10th Friday night in the Ford 200, the series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, to clinch the title.

"It's amazing. You get to spray champagne everywhere," he said of a drink he's old enough to legally enjoy by seven months. "It's the best feeling in the world."

Dillon is the youngest champ in series history. He also stands as one of racing's up-and-coming drivers. He is scheduled to drive a full schedule in the second-tier Nationwide series in 2012.

"He handles pressure better than a lot of people his age," said Childress, who called the championship one of his most memorable, up there with the Sprint Cup crowns he enjoyed with the late Dale Earnhardt.

Johnny Sauter won the rain-shortened race, holding off Denny Hamlin just before the final caution dropped. The sky opened up with 15 laps left.

Sauter finished second in points, six behind Dillon. James Buescher was third.

Dillon needed to finish only 16th or better to secure the title. He watched Any Which Way But Loose, the 1978 movie starring Clint Eastwood, to pass time before the race. It was a fitting title because he absolutely had to stay out of trouble.

Buescher ended up in the middle of chaos.

Kevin Harvick almost wrecked Buescher on an early restart and bumped him later in the same green-flag run. Then on the next pit stop, as Buescher slowed to turn down pit road, Harvick tried to pass him on the outside. Buescher then turned into Harvick, nearly spinning him around.

"One of those deals," Harvick said. "He's got a lot to learn, and I was just thinking in my head, 'Don't be Kyle Busch. Don't be Kyle Busch. Just do your thing.'

"Last week was a good lesson for me, too," Harvick added, referring to Busch getting parked for intentionally wrecking Ron Hornaday — who was in a truck owned by Harvick — in a race two weeks earlier.