Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina entered the season knowing its outside shooting would have to improve to help its veteran front line. The top-ranked Tar Heels haven't gotten the kind of start they wanted.

Former Sickles High standout John Henson had 18 points and 14 rebounds to help North Carolina beat Mississippi Valley State 101-75 Sunday, though the Tar Heels struggled to make outside shots or hit free throws.

Harrison Barnes also scored 18 in UNC's home opener. North Carolina (3-0) never trailed, led by 14 at halftime, then blew it open in the final 10 minutes.

But the Tar Heels made 5 of 19 3-pointers, with three makes coming in the final three minutes with the outcome long since determined.

In addition, they spent most of the game shooting below 50 percent from the free-throw line before finishing 16-of-31.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams said his team has good shooters, and they knock down more in practice.

"They make a lot of them when they start making them," Williams said, "but I'd like for them to do it on game night."

This season, North Carolina is shooting 29 percent (11-for-38) from 3-point range and 63 percent from the line.

"Coach always tells us to keep shooting," said freshman P.J. Hairston, who hit two 3s. "If it's a good shot, shoot it. If it's not a good shot, give it to the post and they'll kick it back out for a good shot. We just go along with that."

As for the free throws, North Carolina missed 13 of its first 21 before improving in the final 13 minutes. Those struggles were again a surprise to Williams, who at one point last week made his players shoot 100 free throws each. The worst performer, he said, made 78 of 100 attempts.

NO. 2 KENTUCKY 62, ODU 52: Senior Darius Miller came off the bench to score 13 and hand out five assists, and the young Wildcats (4-0) won the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament in Uncasville, Conn.

NO. 4 UCONN 87, COPPIN ST. 70: Shabazz Napier had 22 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, the ninth triple double in school history to lift the host Huskies (4-0).

Times staff
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Times staff, wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Raheem Morris, Bucs coach:

"We came out and we played the way we wanted to play. We played aggressive. We played hard, and we tried to get a win. We tried to steal one from the champs."

Josh Freeman, Bucs QB, on the offense's performance:

"I felt like we moved it around well, but when you're playing a team like the Packers, they were driving and getting touchdowns early on and we were only getting field goals. We got it rolling, but at the same time we didn't do enough."

Albert Haynesworth, Bucs DT, on the loss:

"There are no moral victories. This team is good; they have a lot of talent. We are a physical, gifted team. We just have to put it all together."

Mike McCarthy, Packers coach, on WR Jordy Nelson's clinching touchdown:

"It was a reflection of how they were playing us, and we really just followed the script. … It's just the trust that you have in your quarterback and the belief that you have in your receivers to win the one-on-one. Good protection, we got the man coverage we were anticipating. Jordy ran an excellent route, and we were able to convert it. It was a big play. Probably the biggest play in the game for us."

McCarthy, on NT B.J. Raji's 1-yard TD run:

"He's low to the ground; I wouldn't want to tackle him. … It's something we have been practicing since training camp, so I was actually just glad to get it finally called. I've never seen him so much standing next to me when we get inside the 5-yard line."

Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB:

"They were playing a lot more man than we usually see. There are some throws, some tighter windows than you usually get maybe and some throws I usually hit that I didn't hit today. So, that's frustrating, but it's nice we came up with a big drive there at the end and put them away."

Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com NFC South blogger:

This time, you can't question the Bucs' effort or say they were quiet. A week after all those things were said many times in an embarrassing loss, the Bucs went into one of the NFL's toughest venues and played with plenty of heart. They had the Packers on the ropes most of the game but couldn't pull it off in the end. No shame in that, and coach Raheem Morris won't have to talk about a lack of effort this week. But the Bucs are now 4-6. They have to get extremely hot the rest of the season to have any shot at the playoffs.

Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk.com:

The Buccaneers deserve credit for playing the Packers tough, and running back LeGarrette Blount deserves particular credit for one of the plays of the year, a 54-yard touchdown run on which just about the entire Packers defense had a chance at him. … These Packers are easily the best team in the league, but the Buccaneers at least showed that it's possible to play them close.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio.

The ugly truth: Even though it was a vast improvement over the previous game, it was further confirmation that Tampa Bay is not ready to hang with the big boys. The Bucs went 1-5 against teams with winning records last season and are 2-6 this season.

The (somewhat) optimistic version: The Bucs are not making the playoffs. (Yes, I remember saying that about the Rays once, too.) The Bucs are certainly not winning 10 games, and they probably won't win nine. But the schedule is about to get easier, and 8-8 is not out of the question.

Oh those crazy kids: Too bad the onside kicks didn't work. The Bucs were going to follow up with a fumblerooski.

Hit the hole running: The Bucs may need to look into more one-back sets with LeGarrette Blount. He seems to hit holes with less hesitation when he doesn't have a blocking back in front of him. In various I-formations, he gained 6 yards on six carries Sunday. Out of the deep, one-back set, he had 12 carries for 101 yards.

It could be worse: Ten games in, the Bucs are giving up 26.8 points per game. The last Tampa Bay defense to give up more was the 1986 Bucs — with Jim Stanley in his one, and only, season as an NFL defensive coordinator.

A list of five

Five signs the Bucs are in trouble.

5. Ownership described as "Al Davis without the warmth."

4. Lockout voted the second best memory of 2011.

3. Yup, Ashton Kutcher was in their hot tub, too.

2. Occupy Tampa has gained more yardage.

1. Fans are too apathetic to wear paper bags.

Five issues on defense

Big plays: The Bucs have now surrendered nine pass plays of 40 yards or more. That already matches last season's entire total. The number of 20-yard pass plays is also similar. Safety may be the new offseason priority.

No fear: Why do opponents have so many receivers running free? One reason is they have so many receivers. Teams are not afraid of blitzes from Tampa Bay's linebackers, and rarely use max protection in the passing game.

No fear, Part II: Is there a nasty streak anywhere on this defense? The biggest hit Sunday was by a guy who is 36 and weighs 180 pounds.

Draft disappointment: Myron Lewis is not yet a bust, but he is under suspicion. A third-round pick in 2010, he has had nagging injuries and has sat behind far less expensive players. When we finally saw him Sunday, he had a key penalty and got burned on a 40-yard TD.

Brain freeze: Three linebackers, four DBs, and Tom Crabtree was standing alone in the end zone.

Five super picks

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

1. Packers: Is it time to start talking about the longest winning streak in NFL history?

2. Steelers: Might be the only bowl-eligible team in the AFC.

3. 49ers: The only defense with a shot at stopping Green Bay.

4. Saints: The only offense with a shot at outscoring Green Bay.

19. Bucs: No postseason, but Blount could win an ESPY.

Final five words

Expectations were the biggest problem.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio.

The ugly truth: Even though it was a vast improvement over the previous game, it was further confirmation that Tampa Bay is not ready to hang with the big boys. The Bucs went 1-5 against teams with winning records last season and are 2-6 this season.

The (somewhat) optimistic version: The Bucs are not making the playoffs. (Yes, I remember saying that about the Rays once, too.) The Bucs are certainly not winning 10 games, and they probably won't win nine. But the schedule is about to get easier, and 8-8 is not out of the question.

Oh those crazy kids: Too bad the onside kicks didn't work. The Bucs were going to follow up with a fumblerooski.

Hit the hole running: The Bucs may need to look into more one-back sets with LeGarrette Blount. He seems to hit holes with less hesitation when he doesn't have a blocking back in front of him. In various I-formations, he gained 6 yards on six carries Sunday. Out of the deep, one-back set, he had 12 carries for 101 yards.

It could be worse: Ten games in, the Bucs are giving up 26.8 points per game. The last Tampa Bay defense to give up more was the 1986 Bucs — with Jim Stanley in his one, and only, season as an NFL defensive coordinator.

A list of five

Five signs the Bucs are in trouble.

5. Ownership described as "Al Davis without the warmth."

4. Lockout voted the second best memory of 2011.

3. Yup, Ashton Kutcher was in their hot tub, too.

2. Occupy Tampa has gained more yardage.

1. Fans are too apathetic to wear paper bags.

Five issues on defense

Big plays: The Bucs have surrendered nine pass plays of 40 yards or more. That already matches last season's entire total. The number of 20-yard pass plays is also similar. Safety may be the new offseason priority.

No fear: Why do opponents have so many receivers running free? One reason is they have so many receivers. Teams are not afraid of blitzes from Tampa Bay's linebackers and rarely use max protection in the passing game.

No fear, Part II: Is there a nasty streak anywhere on this defense? The biggest hit Sunday was by a guy who is 36 and weighs 180 pounds.

Draft disappointment: Myron Lewis is not yet a bust, but he is under suspicion. A third-round pick in 2010, he has had nagging injuries and has sat behind far less expensive players. When we finally saw him Sunday, he had a key penalty and got burned on a 40-yard TD.

Brain freeze: Three linebackers, four DBs, and Tom Crabtree was standing alone in the end zone.

Five super picks

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

1. Packers: Is it time to start talking about the longest winning streak in NFL history?

2. Steelers: Might be the only bowl-eligible team in the AFC.

3. 49ers: The only defense with a shot at stopping Green Bay.

4. Saints: The only offense with a shot at outscoring Green Bay.

19. Bucs: No postseason, but Blount could win an ESPY.

Final five words

Expectations were the biggest problem.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Packers were 'jacking' the snaps

. The Bucs were flagged three times in the first half for defensive offside penalties, each a result of a defender jumping across the line of scrimmage before the snap.

DT Albert Haynesworth, left, offered an explanation.

"I know (on) my offside, I jumped," he said. "But the center jacked the ball a little bit. I told the ref, but it's the Packers, so they just call it against us."

Centers and quarterbacks often use subtle tricks to draw defenses offside. Was that the case Sunday? If so, the officials didn't address it.

"Later in the game, they stopped moving it," Haynesworth said. "But at the start of the game, they were jacking it, and it was coordinated with the quarterback's cadence. So, it was kind of making you want to get off (the ball)."

The scoreboard has been Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount's chief nemesis in recent weeks. But on Sunday, with the Bucs facing a 14-0 deficit, they patiently went back to what has been their most consistent offensive weapon: Blount. • That patience was rewarded with a bruising 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, 48 seconds after the Packers had taken a two-touchdown lead. • Blount broke at least six tackles on the play. • "I was still getting the ball even though we were down 14," he said. "So, I just tried to do something with it." • Regarding busting through so many would-be tackles, he said, "That's just determination, trying to put points on the board for my team. I feel like it's going to hurt them more than it hurts me to tackle me in this cold weather, so hey." • Watching from the backfield, QB Josh Freeman had a great view of the highlight-reel run. • "The one guy we don't block has a chance to make the tackle," Freeman said. "(Blount) bumps into a linebacker and then he pops out and hits a safety who tries to tackle him. The corners come up to tackle him and then he runs between them, he bounces off another guy and then he still has the speed and the momentum going to get around the edge. It was great. It fired up the (offensive) line. It fired up everybody." • Blount, who finished with 107 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, recorded his sixth 100-yard game — tied for ninth in franchise history after 21 career games.

There hasn't been much consistent play from the Bucs receivers in recent weeks, when they have repeatedly failed to beat coverage and, in many cases, dropped catchable passes. • But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, the receivers rebounded. Though TE Kellen Winslow had the biggest day, with 132 yards, the receivers made plays against the shaky Green Bay defense. Mike Williams finished with seven catches for 83 yards and his first touchdown since the season opener. Arrelious Benn added five catches for 75 yards — including a 37-yard gain against one-on-one coverage. • These receivers had been challenged by coaches in the past few weeks, and the response was a long time in the making. • "Those guys kind of answered the call, so to speak, as far as going out and making plays," QB Josh Freeman said. "Even late (with 1:19 left), on the play where I got sacked, Mike ran a great route. I really thought we had a touchdown. As I was getting ready to throw it, a guy grabbed my leg. It was a shame. I'm really proud of those guys (for) the way they responded. They competed for the ball. I gave them a bunch of opportunities and they made plays on all of them."

. TE Kellen Winslow had one of his most productive games since joining the Bucs in 2009, but it was a performance that will be mixed with a pair of costly miscues that loomed large in the outcome. Winslow — who finished with a career-high 132 yards on nine catches — had a 4-yard touchdown catch negated with 5:07 left in the third quarter when he was flagged for offensive pass interference. Instead of pulling within 21-17, the Bucs got pushed back to the 14 and wound up settling for a field goal that trimmed the score to 21-13. Later, when the Bucs went for a two-point conversion that would have tied it with 13:11 left in the fourth quarter, Winslow dropped a pass from Freeman despite having two hands on the ball. The pass was slightly behind him, but Winslow made the proper adjustment and seemed in position to bring the ball in. He declined to talk about the play afterward, but said, "I really felt we made enough plays to beat those guys. It's hard when you put the game in the refs' hands. That's all I can say." The Bucs would have tied the score at 21 with the two-point conversion.

Quick hits

. On Sunday, for the first time since Dec. 2, 2007 the Bucs had a 300-yard passer (Josh Freeman, 342), a 100-yard rusher (LeGarrette Blount, 107) and a 100-yard receiver (Kellen Winslow, 132) in the same game.

So, what exactly happened on the team's two failed onside kicks? • On the first, though S Larry Asante was ruled to have recovered the loose ball, K Michael Koenen illegally touched the ball — it didn't travel the required 10 yards — before the Packers' D.J. Smith got a hand on it. • Why was Koenen trying to make contact with the ball when it clearly was illegal? • "It was such a feather of a play," Koenen said. "You're trying to hit it 11 yards and it wasn't going to go 10 (yards), and I (realized) that. So, I was just trying to shield the ball and not let them scoop and score and eat the bad play." • Koenen didn't necessarily agree with the replay result. • "I touched it, but whether (Smith) touched it first is up for debate," he said. • Koenen said that on the second onside kick, which was recovered by the Packers, he was primarily responsible for corralling the football. • "I have to call myself out on that," he said. "I'm supposed to grab that ball, and I missed it. It squirted out. So, from that perspective, it didn't work out as it should've." • Even if Koenen had recovered the ball, it would not have mattered because LB Adam Hayward was offside.

Mixed results for secondary

. Just as coach Raheem Morris took an aggressive approach with a pair of onside kicks, the Bucs played with an equally assertive attitude in the secondary — with mixed results. Morris knew it would not be pretty, but he believed that the standard fare Bucs defense would not suffice against QB Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offensive machine. "I asked those guys to go out there and play man-to-man vs. the Green Bay Packers," Morris said. "(Greg) Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jermichael Finley. Versus some really good wideouts, you're going to have up and down moments." The good moments included Rodgers' first interception since Oct. 16 and just his fourth of the season. He was picked off by CB Elbert Mack in the fourth quarter, setting up WR Dez Briscoe's touchdown minutes later. But the unfortunate moments for the secondary will overshadow the positive ones. Like, for example, the three penalties committed by defensive backs on a single Green Bay possession. Two came against CB E.J. Biggers and another against CB Myron Lewis. "Aaron Rodgers has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the league," Mack said. "You can't sit back and play zone all day. He's smart enough to dice that up and put the ball where it needs to go. (Morris) put the challenge on us to play hard on the back end. We competed, and they just made a couple good throws and catches." One of the biggest came against Lewis — seeing his most extensive action this season — when he gave up the game-clinching 40-yard touchdown to Nelson. Lewis was paired one-on-one with Nelson with no safety help. "He kind of used a little stutter at the top of his route," Lewis said of Nelson. "That made me look back (at Rodgers) because I thought the ball was coming. That was bad technique by me. I should have had my hands on him at the line. I didn't do that." The aggressive approach, the Bucs said, won't change despite the flurry of penalties from members of the secondary. "We're not going to change what we do," Mack said. "We're going to attack it the same way. Hopefully the next couple of weeks we'll get a couple calls to come our way. It's the nature of the beast. When you're out there competing, things happen fast. The refs make the call, and it is what it is."

By Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writers
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Packers were 'jacking' the snaps

. The Bucs were flagged three times in the first half for defensive offside penalties, each a result of a defender jumping across the line of scrimmage before the snap.

DT Albert Haynesworth, left, offered an explanation.

"I know (on) my offside, I jumped," he said. "But the center jacked the ball a little bit. I told the ref, but it's the Packers, so they just call it against us."

Centers and quarterbacks often use subtle tricks to draw defenses offside. Was that the case Sunday? If so, the officials didn't address it.

"Later in the game, they stopped moving it," Haynesworth said. "But at the start of the game, they were jacking it, and it was coordinated with the quarterback's cadence. So, it was kind of making you want to get off (the ball)."

The scoreboard has been Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount's chief nemesis in recent weeks. But on Sunday, with the Bucs facing a 14-0 deficit, they patiently went back to what has been their most consistent offensive weapon: Blount. • That patience was rewarded with a bruising 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, 48 seconds after the Packers had taken a two-touchdown lead. • Blount broke at least six tackles on the play. • "I was still getting the ball even though we were down 14," he said. "So, I just tried to do something with it." • Regarding busting through so many would-be tackles, he said: "That's just determination, trying to put points on the board for my team. I feel like it's going to hurt them more than it hurts me to tackle me in this cold weather, so hey." • Watching from the backfield, QB Josh Freeman had a great view of the highlight-reel run. • "The one guy we don't block has a chance to make the tackle," Freeman said. "(Blount) bumps into a linebacker and then he pops out and hits a safety who tries to tackle him. The corners come up to tackle him and then he runs between them, he bounces off another guy and then he still has the speed and the momentum going to get around the edge. It was great. It fired up the (offensive) line. It fired up everybody." • Blount, who finished with 107 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, recorded his sixth 100-yard game — tied for ninth in franchise history after 21 career games.

There hasn't been much consistent play from the Bucs receivers in recent weeks, when they have repeatedly failed to beat coverage and, in many cases, dropped catchable passes. • But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, the receivers rebounded. Though TE Kellen Winslow had the biggest day, with 132 yards, the receivers made plays against the shaky Green Bay defense. Mike Williams finished with seven catches for 83 yards and his first touchdown since the season opener. Arrelious Benn added five catches for 75 yards, including a 37-yard gain against one-on-one coverage. • These receivers had been challenged by coaches in the past few weeks, and the response was a long time in the making. • "Those guys kind of answered the call, so to speak, as far as going out and making plays," QB Josh Freeman said. "Even late (with 1:19 left), on the play where I got sacked, Mike ran a great route. I really thought we had a touchdown. As I was getting ready to throw it, a guy grabbed my leg. It was a shame. I'm really proud of those guys (for) the way they responded. They competed for the ball. I gave them a bunch of opportunities and they made plays on all of them."

. TE Kellen Winslow had one of his most productive games since joining the Bucs in 2009, but it was a performance that will be mixed with a pair of costly miscues that loomed large in the outcome. Winslow, who finished with a career-high 132 yards on nine catches, had a 4-yard touchdown catch negated with 5:07 left in the third quarter when he was flagged for offensive pass interference. Instead of pulling within 21-17, the Bucs got pushed back to the 14 and wound up settling for a field goal that trimmed the score to 21-13. Later, when the Bucs went for a two-point conversion that would have tied it with 13:11 left in the fourth quarter, Winslow dropped a pass from QB Josh Freeman despite having two hands on the ball. The pass was slightly behind him, but Winslow made the proper adjustment and seemed in position to bring the ball in. He declined to talk about the play afterward, but said: "I really felt we made enough plays to beat those guys. It's hard when you put the game in the refs' hands. That's all I can say." The Bucs would have tied the score at 21 with the two-point conversion.

Quick hits

. On Sunday, for the first time since Dec. 2, 2007, the Bucs had a 300-yard passer (Josh Freeman, 342), a 100-yard rusher (LeGarrette Blount, 107) and a 100-yard receiver (Kellen Winslow, 132) in the same game.

So, what exactly happened on the team's two failed onside kicks? • On the first, though S Larry Asante was ruled to have recovered the loose ball, K Michael Koenen illegally touched the ball — it didn't travel the required 10 yards — before the Packers' D.J. Smith got a hand on it. • Why was Koenen trying to make contact with the ball when it clearly was illegal? • "It was such a feather of a play," Koenen said. "You're trying to hit it 11 yards and it wasn't going to go 10 (yards), and I (realized) that. So, I was just trying to shield the ball and not let them scoop and score and eat the bad play." • Koenen didn't necessarily agree with the replay result. • "I touched it, but whether (Smith) touched it first is up for debate," he said. • Koenen said that on the second onside kick, which was recovered by the Packers, he was primarily responsible for corralling the football. • "I have to call myself out on that," he said. "I'm supposed to grab that ball, and I missed it. It squirted out. So, from that perspective, it didn't work out as it should've." • Even if Koenen had recovered the ball, it would not have mattered because LB Adam Hayward was offside.

Mixed results for secondary

. Just as coach Raheem Morris took an aggressive approach with a pair of onside kicks, the Bucs played with an equally assertive attitude in the secondary — with mixed results. Morris knew it would not be pretty, but he believed that the standard fare Bucs defense would not suffice against QB Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offensive machine. "I asked those guys to go out there and play man-to-man vs. the Green Bay Packers," Morris said. "(Greg) Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jermichael Finley. Versus some really good wideouts, you're going to have up and down moments." The good moments included Rodgers' first interception since Oct. 16 and just his fourth of the season. He was picked off by CB Elbert Mack in the fourth quarter, setting up WR Dez Briscoe's touchdown minutes later. But the unfortunate moments for the secondary will overshadow the positive ones. Like, for example, the three penalties committed by defensive backs on a single Green Bay possession. Two came against CB E.J. Biggers and another against CB Myron Lewis. "Aaron Rodgers has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the league," Mack said. "You can't sit back and play zone all day. He's smart enough to dice that up and put the ball where it needs to go. (Morris) put the challenge on us to play hard on the back end. We competed, and they just made a couple good throws and catches." One of the biggest came against Lewis — seeing his most extensive action this season — when he gave up the clinching 40-yard touchdown to Nelson. Lewis was paired one-on-one with Nelson with no safety help. "He kind of used a little stutter at the top of his route," Lewis said of Nelson. "That made me look back (at Rodgers) because I thought the ball was coming. That was bad technique by me. I should have had my hands on him at the line. I didn't do that." The aggressive approach, the Bucs said, won't change despite the flurry of penalties from members of the secondary. "We're not going to change what we do," Mack said. "We're going to attack it the same way. Hopefully the next couple of weeks we'll get a couple calls to come our way. It's the nature of the beast. When you're out there competing, things happen fast. The refs make the call, and it is what it is."

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Baseball

Valentine to meet BoSox again today

ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine, a former Rangers and Mets manager, is scheduled to meet today with Red Sox officials for a second time to discuss their managerial opening, ESPN.com reported Sunday.

Valentine, 61, moved up on the candidate list after Sox GM Ben Cherington did not offer the job to Dale Sveum, who took the Cubs job Friday. While managing in Japan, Valentine had dealings with the Sox after they established a working agreement with Chiba Lotte in 2007.

MORE MLB: The Phillies acquired utilityman Ty Wigginton and cash from the Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Wigginton, a former Ray, batted .242 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs this past season.

Soccer

Kickback scandal may cost FIFA exec

Sepp Blatter, the head of world soccer's governing body, expects at least one member of FIFA's executive committee to leave his post because of a kickback case.

"It does look like some people won't be able to stay on the executive committee," Blatter told a German newspaper.

Blatter's comment could be referring to Ricardo Teixeira, who heads the Brazilian 2014 World Cup organizing committee and has been linked to the 10-year-old scandal. FIFA has promised to publish Swiss court papers next month identifying senior officials who took payments from ISL. The marketing agency owned World Cup TV rights until its 2001 bankruptcy.

More Soccer: U.S. women's national team coach Pia Sundhage said she would like to coach her native Sweden when her U.S. contract expires in 2012. Sundhage led the U.S. team to gold at the 2008 Olympics and silver at this year's World Cup. Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby's contract also expires after the London Olympics. Meanwhile, Tobin Heath scored in the 81st minute as the U.S. women tied Sweden 1-1 in an exhibition in Arizona late Saturday.

TENNIS

Nadal, Federer survive threats

Rafael Nadal toiled for nearly three hours before beating American Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, while Roger Federer also needed three sets to win his opener.

Federer began his quest for a record sixth title at the season-ending event by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in Group B.

Fish saved two match points at 5-4 down in the third set, but Nadal won the tiebreaker.

Group A begins today with Andy Murray facing David Ferrer, and Novak Djokovic against Tomas Berdych.

Et cetera

Football: Chris Garrett ran for 190 yards and a touchdown and the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers advanced to the Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League's title game, with a 19-3 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division final. Winnipeg faces the British Columbia Lions on Sunday in Vancouver. Former Montana State star Travis Lulay threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns, and scored on a 61-yard run as B.C. beat the Edmonton Eskimos 40-23 in the West final.

Running: Police said two men — a 21-year-old and a 40-year-old — collapsed and died of apparent heart attacks during the Philadelphia Marathon. Their names were not being released pending notification of relatives.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Baseball

Valentine to meet BoSox again today

ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine, a former Rangers and Mets manager, is scheduled to meet today with Red Sox officials for a second time to discuss their managerial opening, ESPN.com reported Sunday.

Valentine, 61, moved up on the candidate list after Sox GM Ben Cherington did not offer the job to Dale Sveum, who took the Cubs job Friday. While managing in Japan, Valentine had dealings with the Sox after they established a working agreement with Chiba Lotte in 2007.

MORE MLB: The Phillies acquired utilityman Ty Wigginton and cash from the Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Wigginton, a former Ray, batted .242 with 15 homers this past season.

Soccer

Kickback scandal may cost FIFA exec

Sepp Blatter, the head of world soccer's governing body, expects at least one member of FIFA's executive committee to leave his post because of a kickback case.

"It does look like some people won't be able to stay on the executive committee," Blatter told a German newspaper.

Blatter's comment could be referring to Ricardo Teixeira, who heads the Brazilian 2014 World Cup organizing committee and has been linked to the 10-year-old scandal. FIFA has promised to publish Swiss court papers next month identifying officials who took payments from ISL. The marketing agency owned World Cup TV rights until its 2001 bankruptcy.

More Soccer: U.S. women's national team coach Pia Sundhage said she would like to coach her native Sweden when her U.S. contract expires in 2012. Sundhage led the U.S. team to gold at the 2008 Olympics and silver at this year's World Cup. Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby's contract also expires after the London Olympics. Meanwhile, Tobin Heath scored in the 81st minute as the U.S. women tied Sweden 1-1 in an exhibition in Arizona.

TENNIS

Nadal, Federer survive threats

Rafael Nadal toiled for nearly three hours before beating American Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, while Roger Federer also needed three sets to win his opener.

Federer began his quest for a record sixth title at the season-ending event by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in Group B.

Fish saved two match points at 5-4 down in the third set, but Nadal won the tiebreaker.

Group A begins today with Andy Murray facing David Ferrer, and Novak Djokovic against Tomas Berdych.

Et cetera

Football: Chris Garrett ran for 190 yards and a touchdown and the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers advanced to the Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League's title game, with a 19-3 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division final. Winnipeg faces the British Columbia Lions on Sunday in Vancouver. Former Montana State star Travis Lulay threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns, and scored on a 61-yard run as B.C. beat the Edmonton Eskimos 40-23 in the West final.

Swimming: Two-time Olympian and former Gator Ryan Lochte and teenager Missy Franklin won male and female athlete of the year as USA Swimming honored its top performers. Lochte also won the men's race of the year award for setting a world record in the 200-meter backstroke at the world championships in Shanghai.

Times wires

Sunday, November 20, 2011

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins, who have been good without superstar Sidney Crosby, believe his return tonight from concussionlike symptoms might eventually make them great.

Crosby, who hasn't played since taking head shots in consecutive games in January, takes to the ice against the Islanders in his season debut.

Coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday that he will pair Crosby with Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz. How many shifts Crosby will take on the ice is unclear, though Bylsma said it's highly unlikely he'd throw Crosby out there for 20-plus minutes.

"We know what he means to this team, this city," defenseman Kris Letang said. "He's a special player."

Crosby hasn't backed down during practice, often being one of the last to leave the ice before heading to the dressing room.

The Penguins have raved about Crosby's intensity during even the more informal skates. While he has looked perfectly fine to the naked eye, Crosby, 24, wouldn't allow himself to come back until he was at full strength.

"Maybe I can get by with 90 percent, maybe I couldn't, but I'm not going to roll the dice with that," Crosby said in September.

When he finally glides onto the ice in his No. 87 jersey, Crosby will put to rest speculation his career was over. His teammates never doubted he would return.

"I figured he was getting enough of it from everywhere else," teammate Jordan Staal said. "All that matters to us really is that he's healthy. All that stuff you thought you heard, I didn't pay any attention to it."

Crosby's comeback pushes a team considered a Stanley Cup contender into a Cup favorite. Pittsburgh is tied with Philadelphia atop the Atlantic Division.

"We know how badly he wants to play," teammate Matt Cooke said. "We want it, too, because it means that he's healthy, and that's all you ever really want for him."

Game highlights: Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist, and Jay Harrison and Jussi Jokinen also scored to lead the host Hurricanes to a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs. The Hurricanes had been shut out in their previous two games but found their offense against Toronto, with captain Eric Staal contributing a pair of assists. Cam Ward stopped 23 shots for Carolina, which won for only the second time in nine games. Phil Kessel scored both goals for the Leafs, giving him an NHL-leading 16 goals and 29 points.

First Period—1, Carolina, Harrison 2 (Skinner, E.Staal), 19:31. Penalties—Phaneuf, Tor (hooking), 8:46.

Second Period—2, Carolina, Jokinen 4 (Faulk, Ponikarovsky), 7:05 (pp). Penalties—Frattin, Tor (hooking), 5:06; Kessel, Tor (hooking), 7:54; Bra.Sutter, Car (roughing), 7:54; Gunnarsson, Tor (slashing), 13:24; Ruutu, Car (slashing), 14:10; Bozak, Tor (high-sticking), 19:21.

Third Period—3, Toronto, Kessel 15 (Lupul, Phaneuf), 4:31 (pp). 4, Carolina, Skinner 8 (E.Staal, Allen), 13:08. 5, Toronto, Kessel 16 (Liles, Connolly), 19:00. Penalties—Colborne, Tor (slashing), 3:08; LaRose, Car (cross-checking), 3:08; Ponikarovsky, Car (elbowing), 4:06; Kessel, Tor (slashing), 16:24. Shots on Goal—Toronto 5-7-13—25. Carolina 10-19-12—41. Power-play opportunities—Toronto 1 of 2; Carolina 1 of 5. Goalies—Toronto, Scrivens 2-4-1 (41 shots-38 saves). Carolina, Ward 7-8-2 (25-23). A—13,187 (18,680). T—2:22.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 20, 2011

TAMPA — The news, so far, is good for USF quarterback B.J. Daniels, who is scheduled to have additional tests today to learn the severity of a sprained right shoulder he suffered Saturday in the third quarter of a 6-3 loss to Miami.

Daniels is still in play for Friday's 11 a.m. home game against Louisville, though the Bulls will get sophomore Bobby Eveld prepared for what would be his second career start. Eveld filled in for Daniels last season in a loss to Connecticut, though he struggled Saturday after replacing Daniels early in the third quarter.

USF reserve linebacker Curtis Weatherspoon, a senior who has played primarily on special teams, was on crutches Sunday and is scheduled to have additional tests today on his injured left knee.

yale crash: A rented U-Haul that struck and killed a Massachusetts tailgater at the Yale-Harvard game malfunctioned as Yale undergraduate Brendan Ross drove into a crowded parking lot, the student's attorney said. William Dow said Saturday's "tragic accident appears to be the result of a vehicle malfunction." He said Ross and his family expressed condolences to the three people hit. Nancy Barry, 30, of Salem, Mass., was killed. Sarah Short, 31, a Yale student, was hospitalized with leg injuries. Elizabeth Dernbach, 23, a Harvard employee from Naples, was treated and released. No charges have been filed.

Alabama: Safety Will Lowery is out for the season with a torn knee ligament.

columbia: Coach Norries Wilson was fired the day after his Lions (1-9) beat Brown to avoid a winless season. He had a record of 17-43, 10-32 in the Ivy League.

Notre Dame: Running back Jonas Gray is out for the season with a right knee injury.

ohio state: Interim coach Luke Fickell, getting peppered with questions about former Florida coach Urban Meyer possibly taking over, said he focuses on what he can control: "I don't turn the TV on a whole lot. I don't open up the Internet other than the recruiting side of things. So, I'm not going to waste a whole lot of my energy on it."

Washington State: Quarterback Connor Halliday is in stable condition at a Pullman Regional Hospital with a lacerated liver.

Late Saturday

USC 38, OREGON 35: Matt Barkley threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns and the visiting Trojans held on when Alejandro Maldonado missed a 37-yard field goal with five seconds left. Trailing 24-7 in the third, Oregon got within 38-35 with 7:05 left in the fourth quarter.

BAYLOR 45, OKLAHOMA 38: Robert Griffin III threw for 479 yards and four touchdowns, including a 34-yarder to Terrance Williams with eight seconds left, as the host Bears beat the Sooners for the first time. OU overcame a two-TD deficit to tie it with 51 seconds left. The Bears then went 80 yards in five plays.

stanford 31, cal 28: Andrew Luck threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and the host Cardinal survived a shaky start in a rain-soaked game. Luck overcame an early interception and rallied Stanford from six down. Luck didn't like hearing about earlier upsets of top teams during the game: "I hate hearing that stuff. I think the younger guys could get trapped into thinking in the incorrect manner.''

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Cowboys scramble to top Redskins

LANDOVER, Md. — Tony Romo scrambled to find Laurent Robinson for the tying touchdown and Jason Witten for the go-ahead score — both in the fourth quarter.

When that wasn't enough, the Dallas quarterback used his feet again in overtime, buying time to spot Dez Bryant on third and 15. The 26-yard completion set up Dan Bailey's field goal as the Cowboys won their third straight.

"That's Romo. He's like a snake, man," Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "When you rush him, he's slippery. He's all over the place."

The Redskins forced OT on Rex Grossman's 4-yard fade pass to Donte' Stallworth with 14 seconds left in regulation and barely missed winning when former FSU kicker Graham Gano's 52-yard field goal was wide right on the opening drive of the extra period.

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — The smile that had been gracing Florida State QB EJ Manuel's face for five straight weeks was absent Saturday night after a 14-13 home loss to Virginia.

Manuel met with reporters 30 minutes after an awkward set of events led FSU's offense into a wild finish. With three seconds remaining, Dustin Hopkins missed what would have been the winning field goal after a six-minute delay to decide whether time remained for him to take it.

Manuel, still in uniform, said it was time for the Seminoles to move on.

"You have no choice. You have to do it," he said.

FSU plays at Florida on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN2) in the regular season finale for both.

"A loss isn't the end of the world," Manuel said, "but you've just got to get ready because it's a big game next weekend, too."

FSU punter no. 1: Shawn Powell took over the nation's punting lead Saturday night. He's averaging 47.6 yards and has surpassed the necessary 3.6 punts per game to qualify.

UF improves turnovers: For Florida LB Jelani Jenkins, a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. Furman on Saturday was quite a relief. It was his first of the year after dropping no fewer than five interceptions throughout the season.

"Felt good. About time, man," he said. "Got a monkey off my back."

The Gators (6-5) might have, at least for a little bit. While coach Will Muschamp has emphasized turnovers, his defense has struggled to produce them. Before Saturday, UF had a minus-10 turnover ratio.

Jenkins' interception helped, as did one by S De'Ante Saunders. The freshman recorded his second in as many games, taking his pick back 25 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Both defensive touchdowns helped Florida pull away from Division II Furman in what was a one-score game before the interceptions.

"Well, it's good. But that's what we kind of expect," Muschamp said. "And that's not happened for us this year. We've gotta do a better job coaching it."

Florida has eight interceptions this season, led by two each from Saunders and S Matt Elam. That total ranks last in the SEC.

South Carolina and Vanderbilt lead the conference with 17.

Information from the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel was used in this report.

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Raiders get past scare, penalties

MINNEAPOLIS — Hue Jackson watched his Raiders overcome a serious injury to receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and, in Jackson's eyes, some unfair treatment from the officials to remain on top of the AFC West.

Just another day at the office.

Carson Palmer threw for 164 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score in a rout of the Vikings.

"We continue to battle and that's what I really love about my football team is they won't quit," Jackson said.

Heyward-Bey was injured when linebacker E.J. Henderson's knee inadvertently hit him in the back of the head. Jackson said Heyward-Bey had total movement in his limbs and that he has been diagnosed with a neck injury.

The Raiders were penalized 12 times for 117 yards and Jackson said he thought some of those calls were "unfair."

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Seahawks clamp down on Rams

ST. LOUIS — No trick plays necessary for the Seahawks. A punishing defense was enough.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice provided early flash, completing a 55-yard pass to open the game, catching a touchdown pass and drawing a pass interference call to set up a field goal. Chris Clemons then took charge with three of Seattle's five sacks and two forced fumbles on Sam Bradford in an easy win over the Rams.

"Sam, he's had a problem holding onto the ball this year, and we knew we'd get opportunities," Clemons said.

The Seahawks shut down Steven Jackson then hounded Bradford, who had little time behind a banged-up line. Seattle allowed 185 yards, a season best.

Bradford has fumbled nine times this season, six of them resulting in turnovers.

"I'm beyond frustrated right now," Bradford said. "I've never been a part of a team that's been in this situation. I don't like it. I'm not going to quit."

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

49ers slog way closer to West title

SAN FRANCISCO — In pelting rain, Alex Smith had his jersey soaked, cleats tattered with mud and the tape around his ankles stuck to his damp skin.

And he never looked better in a 49ers uniform.

Through seven years of boos and banter, losses and letdowns and a series of injury setbacks, Smith walked off a soggy day at Candlestick Park guaranteed of a winning season for the first time.

And it's only Week 11.

Smith threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns and San Francisco forced five turnovers to blow past Arizona, moving closer to clinching the NFC West.

"You chase perfection like that, you're never going to be perfect but it doesn't change your mind-set," said Smith, the No. 1 overall pick out of Utah in 2005.

San Francisco would wrap up the NFC West with one more win plus a Seattle defeat.

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Dolphins, Bills in opposite directions

MIAMI — The fiercest hits by Dolphins defenders sent opposing helmets flying. The ball squirted loose a few times, too, further evidence of the Bills' once-promising season slipping away.

Miami set up two touchdowns with interceptions and mounted a goal-line stand as its midseason surge gained momentum with a rout. Matt Moore threw for three scores for the Dolphins, who have won three straight for the first time since 2008 after starting 0-7.

"You can see how good we can be," said safety Yeremiah Bell, who had an interception. "This is where we expected to be at the beginning of the season. It just took us a while."

Heading the other direction is Buffalo, which has been outscored 106-26 while losing three in a row.

On the goal-line stand midway through the second half, Miami stopped the Bills four times after they had a first down at the 2.

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Browns pull out close one for once

CLEVELAND — Colt McCoy took a knee on Cleveland's sideline, closed his eyes and asked for some help form above.

"There's nothing wrong with praying," the young quarterback said.

He got what he wanted as Jacksonville rookie Blaine Gabbert's pass into the end zone on the last play was incomplete, allowing the Browns to escape with a win. As McCoy watched, Gabbert rifled a 3-yard pass high over the middle that was off the mark and caromed off wide receiver Mike Thomas' outstretched hands.

"Everybody played their hearts out and it's about time it went our way," said Browns linebacker and former Seminole High standout D'Qwell Jackson, who covered Thomas tightly on the final play. "We knew it was up to us. … We had to make the play and we did."

Last week, the Browns lost to the Rams when Cleveland botched a snap and reliable kicker Phil Dawson missed a 22-yard field goal. This one nearly ended under similar circumstances as Jacksonville's final drive was set up by Dawson's missed 38-yarder.

McCoy shook off an apparent shoulder injury and threw a 3-yard TD to Josh Cribbs in the fourth.

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Lions roar back to win once again

DETROIT — Matthew Stafford shook off a couple of early interceptions, then went about leading the Lions to yet another memorable comeback.

The quarterback matched a career best with five touchdown passes, the final one a 7-yarder to Brandon Pettigrew with 2:32 left, as Detroit came back to win.

The Lions are the first team since at least 1950 to win three games in a season after trailing by at least 17 points, according to STATS, LLC.

"We can get as hot as any team in the league," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said.

Carolina tied it with 4:59 left on quarterback Cam Newton's 6-yard run and 2-point conversion pass to Steve Smith, setting up Detroit's decisive drive.

Times wires
Sunday, November 20, 2011

BALTIMORE — An uncharacteristic performance by the Ravens defense was offset by an uncommonly effective outing by Joe Flacco and the team's often-criticized offense.

Flacco threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, rookie Torrey Smith had six catches for 165 yards, and Baltimore moved into first place in the AFC North with a nerve-racking 31-24 victory over the Bengals on Sunday.

Without middle linebacker Ray Lewis for the first time in 58 games, the Ravens nearly squandered a 17-point lead in the final 14 minutes, yielded 483 yards and let rookie quarterback Andy Dalton throw for 373.

But Baltimore got 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Ray Rice, and the defense made big plays when it counted. After Rice was stuffed on third and 1 with just more than two minutes left, he stayed confident.

"I just looked at the clock and I said, 'Our defense will get it done,' " he recalled. "That's the faith I have in our guys."

Lewis, out with a toe injury, saw his unit pick off three passes and turn in a game-saving goal-line stand in the final minute.

Down 31-24, Cincinnati reached the Baltimore 7 before Terrell Suggs collared Dalton, who was called for intentional grounding. On fourth and goal, Pernell McPhee's sack ended it.

The Bengals needed seven points because on the previous series, an apparent 9-yard touchdown from Dalton to Jermaine Gresham was overturned by a replay that determined the receiver didn't hold onto the ball at the end of a juggling catch. The Bengals settled for a field goal with 5:32 left.

"When the receiver went to the ground, he had the ball in his right hand," referee Ron Winter said. "The ball touched the ground and his hand came off the ball."

Baltimore is tied with Pittsburgh for first in the AFC North, but the Ravens own the tiebreaker by virtue of their two wins over the Steelers.

"No. 1 in the division, that's huge," Suggs said. "Now we're the master of our destiny."

Though it wasn't a banner day for the defense, the three interceptions set up two touchdowns.

"It comes down to the fourth quarter. That's how every game's been for us," Dalton said. "We've got to start faster. We can't wait around until the end of the game to pick it up, come out and get back in it. It's definitely going to be a focus for us."