Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Jets perfect their art of comebacks

LANDOVER, Md. — With the Jets trying to close out another fourth-quarter comeback, coach Rex Ryan walked up to the player known as "Mayhem."

"Fourth-quarter sacks win games," Ryan said.

Linebacker Aaron Maybin then did one better. He not only sacked Rex Grossman, but he also dislodged the ball from the Redskins quarterback. The Jets recovered, setting up the first of two insurance touchdown runs by Shonn Greene to close out their win.

"Fourth-quarter fumbles," Ryan said, "are even better."

For the second straight game the Jets were so-so for three quarters. But quarterback Mark Sanchez led his 10th career fourth-quarter or overtime comeback win — second in two weeks — highlighted by his 30-yard pass to Santonio Holmes for the go-ahead TD with 4:49 to play, as New York scraped by in similar fashion to last week's victory against the Bills.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Dolphins remain in stunning form

MIAMI — The Dolphins' Vontae Davis blitzed for his first career sack, then dashed upfield in jubilation. Dazed Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer rose slowly, looked back at Davis and did a double take, as if startled to discover his tackler was a 5-foot-11 cornerback.

Miami is full of surprises lately.

The once-woeful Dolphins won for the fourth time in the past five games as Reggie Bush rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, quarterback Matt Moore had a hand in two TDs and Kevin Burnett returned an interception 34 yards for a score. It was only Bush's third career 100-yard rushing day but his second in six games.

After an 0-7 start Miami has outscored its opponents 139-54 in the past five games.

"We've had our ups and downs," Bush added, "but I couldn't be more proud."

Oakland fell into a tie with Denver atop the AFC West and is 6-25 in regular-season games in the East time zone since December 2002.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Familiar formula in Steelers' rout

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers needed just 15 minutes to provide the Bengals a refresher course on what it takes to win in December.

Run the ball. Create turnovers. Ride a veteran quarterback. Rarely has the formula looked as effective as it did in this blowout.

Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdowns to Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall ran for two more for the Steelers, who erupted in the second quarter.

"We're in it now," Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior said. "Right now is our time. … We already started our playoffs."

With the game scoreless in the first quarter, the Bengals had a touchdown wiped out on receiver A.J. Green's false-start penalty, then had a field goal erased by a delay of game. The next Mike Nugent field goal try was blocked by rookie defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.

Rookie Andy Dalton passed for just 135 yards and was sacked three times by Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Titans, Johnson make playoff move

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Chris Johnson has found his stride just in time to provide the Titans' playoff hopes some real legs.

In another sign he's emerging from a two-month slumber, Johnson rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Titans past the slumping Bills. Held to under 100 yards seven times in his first eight games, Johnson has topped the century mark in three of his past four.

The Titans have won two straight and moved into a tie with four other teams in contention for the AFC's final wild-card berth.

It's a group of contenders that no longer includes the Bills, who have lost five straight.

"In the beginning of the season, the passing game carried us, and now it's time for the running game to step it up," Johnson said. "The offensive line and everything is hitting on all cylinders right now."

He put the Titans ahead for good with an electrifying 48-yard run off right tackle in the first quarter.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio.

A new low: There are a lot of funky ways to lose. Turnovers. Special teams blunders. A last-minute breakdown. The Bucs had no such excuses Sunday. They got their rears handed to them by a 3-8 team. And that suggests they are even worse than we suspected.

Tebowing, Tampa Bay style: If you go back to the Tennessee game, Bucs opponents had a stretch of 11 possessions with six touchdowns and three field goals. Other teams have touchdown dances. The Bucs should boogie when they force a punt.

I'll have a double standard to go: So Brian Price is sent home after losing his temper. Makes you wonder how Aqib Talib ever gets out of his bedroom.

Your YIPPEE! note: Connor Barth is having the greatest season of any Bucs kicker. Not only is he on pace to set a team record for percentage (24-of-26, 92.3 percent), he has 13 field goals of 40 yards or more, already a Bucs record.

Exploding for, um, one TD: The Bucs have faced the three weakest defenses the NFL has to offer. Tampa Bay scored 24 (Indianapolis), 24 (Minnesota) and 19 (Carolina) in those games.

A list of five

Five ways the Bucs can win back fans.

5. Complimentary tickets if you've slept with Herman Cain.

4. Borrow three wins from the Packers.

3. Explain that cool salary cap philosophy again.

2. Jell-O shots every time Raheem curses at a news conference.

1. Spend more time with Urban Meyer's family.

Five scary thoughts

1. The Bucs are 25th in points scored and 30th in points allowed. The only other team ranked that low in both are the 0-12 Colts.

2. The Bucs haven't won a playoff game since 2002. The only NFC teams with longer droughts are San Francisco and Detroit.

3. You can't bank on a high draft pick. If the season ended today, the Bucs would draft 11th or 12th based on strength of schedule.

4. I realize it's all part of a master plan and has nothing to do with being cheap, but all three tailbacks on this roster came in as undrafted free agents.

5. New Orleans and Atlanta appear to be heading to the playoffs. Carolina is on the rise. So where does that leave Tampa Bay in the NFC South?

Five super picks

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

1. Packers: Bart Starr. Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers. Mount Passmore.

2. Ravens: Do you realize Ray Lewis is older than your coach?

3. 49ers: Something tells me Jim Harbaugh won't be chasing Josh Johnson.

4. Steelers: Easy schedule could mean homefield advantage.

24. Bucs: How many people were jealous Brian Price got to go home?

Final five words

Anyone know a defensive coordinator?

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

HOUSTON — Coach Gary Kubiak would've told anyone who asked that the Texans were going to be fine with rookie T.J. Yates playing quarterback.

He was right.

Yates threw for a touchdown in his first NFL start, Arian Foster rushed for 111 yards and Houston overcame another injury to Andre Johnson to beat Atlanta.

Houston has won a franchise-record six straight despite being down to a third-string quarterback and again losing its star receiver. The Texans' top-ranked defense knocked down two passes by Matt Ryan in the end zone in the closing seconds.

"It's a great win," Kubiak said, "because of everything this team has been through."

Yates went 12-for-25 for 188 yards without an interception, impressive after a dizzying week.

"I test my guys the night before every game," Kubiak said, "and when I tested him, I was so impressed. I went in there and told the whole team, 'I wish you could have been in there. He is ready to play.' "

The fifth-round pick from North Carolina made his pro debut last week in Jacksonville when Matt Leinart broke his collarbone. Leinart was replacing the injured Matt Schaub.

Yates, 24, was sacked three times by the Falcons, but he never looked overwhelmed.

"I was extremely comfortable out there," Yates said. "Coach Kubiak, throughout the week, we had a lot of talks and he instilled a lot of confidence in me."

But Johnson left in the third after hurting his left hamstring. He injured his right hamstring in Week 4, had minor surgery and sat out six games. Kubiak said he was told this injury was not severe.

Foster carried 10 times on Houston's decisive drive and scored on a 1-yard run with 6:05 left. Houston's defense finished.

Cornerback Kareem Jackson swatted away a pass to rookie receiver Julio Jones as time expired.

"I had the opportunity to make that play and I just had to come up with the catch," Jones said.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, December 4, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones offers up the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Most credibility

Here's what there is to like about Bucs radio analyst Dave Moore:

The Panthers' second scoring drive Sunday was kept alive because of a holding call against Bucs linebacker Quincy Black. Those listening to the game on the radio had no idea whether it was a good call or not, and it's always easy for the home-team announcer to complain about an official's call. In fact, most listeners expect and some even like a little homerism.

Moore watched the replay and then told listeners that, yep, Black most definitely held the Panthers player and the official, absolutely, made the right call. From that point on, listeners had every reason to trust that Moore was not watching the game through pewter-colored glasses and could believe everything he said.

Strongest opinion

Are we seeing the greatest season for a quarterback in NFL history? The NFL Network's Kurt Warner thinks so when he watches Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.

"If he stays anywhere close to where he is right now, I will say it is the best quarterback season ever,'' Warner said during Sunday's GameDay Morning. "I've never seen anybody play the quarterback position this consistently."

I have: New England's Tom Brady in 2007.

Harshest words

Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer doesn't get much air time on Fox NFL Sunday, but he makes the most of it. His every second is jam-packed with information and insight. His best moment Sunday was talking about veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, who was released by the Vikings last week.

"He never showed a sense of urgency out there,'' Glazer said. "The Vikings said every game, when he was in there, it was almost like it was a preseason game. When they finally benched him, that week, he lit it up. That's exactly why he was benched. That's not what we saw when he was starting. Also, in talking with the Chicago Bears (Sunday) morning, they said they have no interest in Donovan McNabb."

Why should they? Why should anyone? He's 6-13 as a starter over the past two seasons with the Redskins and Vikings and his work ethic was questioned with both teams.

Most overrated

Once again, Gus Johnson took a big event and made it about himself. I'm sorry, I know I'm in the minority on this. Most folks out there seem to love Johnson, who made a name for himself the past few years yelling — er, I mean calling — NCAA basketball games for CBS. Now he's over at Fox and called Saturday night's Big Ten football championship. He spent the night, as always, blasting out screams and grunts and groans. He had one call late in the game when I nearly called 911 because I swore he had just been stabbed.

Maybe his style is sincere, but I'm not so sure. I think it's schtick. Usually, when you hear an announcer go crazy, you look up because you know something incredible just happened. When Johnson is calling a game, I find myself looking up dozens of times, many for seemingly routine plays. Just once I would like to hear Johnson call the game in a normal voice and save the theatrics for the handful of plays that truly define a game and deserve a little bit extra. Note the words "little bit.''

Worst complaint

If you read this column regularly, you know I think the world of ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit. He is the best college football analyst on TV and on the short list of the best analysts in all of sports. However, I cringed during Saturday's College GameDay when he said, "Enough of the 6-6 bowl teams. …The 6-6 teams should not go to a bowl game. As a company, we (ESPN) are as guilty as anybody in being involved with creating some of these bowls, but 6-6 teams cannot be going to bowls. It's supposed to be a reward. How do you get rewarded for a 6-6 year? It's terrible.''

First off, Herbstreit was right about one thing: ESPN is as much to blame as anyone and no entity benefits more from all these bowl games. Of the 35 bowl games, 33 are shown by ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or its Disney partner, ABC. Beyond that, why is Herbstreit bent out of shape about a 6-6 team making some bowl game that no one is forcing him to watch?

As his partner, Lee Corso, said, "Bowls are for the players.''

Worst credibility

First, ESPN blowhard Merril Hoge said the Broncos couldn't win with Tim Tebow as quarterback. Now that Tebow is 6-1 as a starter, Hoge is amending his opinion and, essentially, saying the Broncos can't win a Super Bowl with Tebow. Seeing as how only one quarterback a season wins a Super Bowl, it's not as if Hoge is going out on a limb to make himself look smart.

During Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN, Hoge called Tebow's style "gimmick football,'' continued to harp on Tebow's mechanics and said he has seen no improvement.

ESPN analyst Bill Parcells said he has seen improvement and, quite frankly, I'm more inclined to trust Parcells' football knowledge over Hoge. Even when Parcells gave Hoge a chance to give Tebow some credit, Hoge said the Broncos are winning because of their "approach.''

Here's the thing. Maybe Hoge, ultimately, will be proven right. Maybe Tebow can't really play. Maybe it is all gimmick and luck. But Hoge's constant attacks as Tebow has success make Hoge appear as if he has it in for Tebow, like he wants him to fail. And nothing undercuts an analyst more than when viewers think he has something personal against a particular player or team.

Right now, Hoge is either ignorant, stubborn or vindictive. None are good.

Three things I liked on television over the weekend

1. Smart move by CBS to switch away from the Steelers-Bengals game to the Jets-Redskins on Sunday. At the time, the Steelers had just taken a 35-7 lead, while the Jets and Redskins were tied at 13 with seven minutes left in the third quarter.

2. On Sunday, we got to hear the top NFL announcing teams from Fox (Joe Buck-Troy Aikman) and CBS (Jim Nantz-Phil Simms). Given a choice, I'd rather listen to Buck and Aikman, top and bottom right. By far.

3. Nice coup by CBS to get injured Colts QB Peyton Manning for an in-depth interview, which included Manning's thoughts about his rehab, the Colts' awful season, the organization possibly drafting QB Andrew Luck and what he might do after football.

Three things that popped into my head

1. On Saturday, the Lightning lost its 12th game in regulation in its 25th game of the season. Last season, the Lightning didn't lose its 12th game in regulation until Jan. 5 — its 41st game of the season.

2. I'm still not sure who the Heisman Trophy winner should be, but I can tell you that there is not a more exciting player in the country than LSU cornerback/kick returner Tyrann "Honey Badger'' Mathieu.

3. If LSU goes on to beat Alabama in the BCS title game, it will have beaten four teams that were ranked in the top three at the time LSU beat them, and nine teams that were ranked overall when LSU beat them. How could the Tigers not be considered among the greatest college teams ever?

tom jones' two cents

Times staff, wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Last week, the USF men's soccer program reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time.

On Sunday, they were denied a spot in the Final Four for the fourth time.

The Bulls, the No. 7 seed, lost to host and No. 2 seed Creighton 1-0 in overtime in the quarterfinals.

Ethan Finley scored in the 96th minute after USF (13-4-4) had two goals canceled by offside calls.

The game was delayed a day because heavy snow in Omaha, Neb., made the field unplayable.

USF coach George Kiefer told gousfbulls.com that the weather did not have a negative affect on his team. "Right before kickoff you can be drained on that, but I felt the leadership of the group was very good and the approach was good," he said.

Chris Blais had three saves for the Bulls, one of three Big East teams to lose in the Elite Eight.

Creighton (21-2), which outshot USF 20-6, faces Charlotte in the College Cup semifinals, Friday in Hoover, Ala. Top seed North Carolina and UCLA meet in the other semifinal.

Stanford takes title

KENNESAW, Ga. — Teresa Noyola scored from point-blank range and top-ranked Stanford beat No. 3 Duke 1-0 for its first women's title.

Seniors Noyola, Camille Levin, Kristy Zurmuhlen and Lindsay Taylor finished their Stanford careers 95-4-4. Their last three losses came in the College Cup, including the previous two finals.

Noyola scored in the 53rd minute after Levin won a ball about 8 yards right of the goal. She crossed it to the far post, where Noyola headed it into the net.

"It's already incredible that we're here after those heartbreaks," Noyola said.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, December 4, 2011

USF coach Skip Holtz said Sunday that junior running back Darrell Scott, the team's leading rusher this season, is considering putting his name in as an early-entry candidate for the NFL draft.

"I don't know exactly where it is right now. We've had a couple of conversations, not any final conversations, but the one would be Darrell Scott," Holtz said. "That's the only one that I even see entertaining (early entry). I'd like to think his decision isn't made at this point. But he's got some decisions he's going to have to make."

Scott, 6 feet 1 and 239 pounds, rushed for a team-best 814 yards in his first season at USF despite missing one full game with injury and parts of others. He had only one 100-yard game against a I-A opponent, gaining 100 yards on 19 carries in a loss to Rutgers. All six of his touchdowns came in USF's 4-0 start, with none in the final eight games.

If he opted not to return, much of the load at running back would be on rising senior Demetris Murray, who rushed for 503 yards and eight touchdowns. Scott was ranked as the No. 1 running back in the nation out of high school, but only this year came to realize that potential at the college level.

• As expected, Holtz said that backup guard Tony Kibler, who was arrested in October on felony charges and spent 17 days in jail, will not return to the team. Kibler had his arraignment Thursday and has a court date set for late January.

• Holtz said spring drills are tentatively scheduled to start March 3, with practice wrapping up with a spring game on April 14, though the team may do as they did this spring with one exhibition on campus and one at Raymond James Stadium.

• With his name continuing to be floated for other openings in college football, Holtz again made it clear his focus is on his current job, all but closing the door on other opportunities. "I feel very comfortable that I'll be the football coach (at USF in 2012)," said Holtz, pausing to clarify that he should check with his bosses before completing such a statement. "I'm not scheduled to meet with anybody. Those are not my intentions. I told this team: Right now, we've got something we're trying to finish here. It was a frustrating year. We've got some things we still have to get done here. … Right now, (any speculation elsewhere) it's hearsay. There's nothing substantiated or me having a conversation with anybody else."

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, December 4, 2011

TAMPA — Even with a lingering recession, the Outback Bowl marketing types likely won't have a tough sell for their Jan. 2 contest.

The 26th edition of their annual SEC-Big Ten matchup — Georgia vs. Michigan State — arrives with a built-in South Tampa story line.

Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray and tight end Orson Charles, who guided Plant High to the Class 4A state title in 2008, return home for a command performance of sorts before an ABC audience.

So, too, does Dawgs backup linebacker Ramik Wilson, a former two-way star at Jefferson who led the Dragons to a state crown last December. In all, the teams feature seven players from Hillsborough or Pinellas high schools.

"Heading home for the Outback Bowl!!!" Murray exclaimed Sunday evening via Twitter.

For all the game's on-paper appeal — two 10-win programs, dynamic offenses, both ranked among the top five in the FBS in total defense — the Murray-Charles homecoming is a promotional coup.

Murray exited Plant with the state record for touchdown passes in a season (51) and the county career TD pass mark (84). Both later were eclipsed by Jefferson's Quentin Williams.

As a senior, he sustained a broken leg in midseason but returned to lead Plant to victories in their last two playoff games. This year, he has thrown for 2,861 yards, propelling Georgia from an 0-2 start to the SEC title game, where it lost 42-10 Saturday to LSU.

Charles (44 receptions, 572 yards, five TDs) has been his top target.

"It's wonderful to have someone with connections to the bay area that people have loved, admired and cheered for. … This is neat stuff," longtime Outback Bowl CEO Jim McVay said. "You will see (Murray's) face on lots of billboards and newspapers."

Michigan State, meantime, makes its Outback debut in the wake of a 42-39 loss to Wisconsin in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game. Fifth-year senior Kirk Cousins, the winningest quarterback in program history, leads a senior class that has totaled a school-record 36 wins.

"We don't have to over-promote or hype these guys," McVay said. "Everybody saw those games (Saturday) and watched those teams this year. … Everybody knows Michigan State is a play from being in the Rose Bowl.

"This will be a show."

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Cowboys come up dry in desert again

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals did it again to Dallas.

For the third time in their three meetings since 2008 — all in Arizona — the Cardinals beat the Cowboys in excruciating fashion.

Kevin Kolb, playing for the first time in five weeks, threw short to LaRod Stephens-Howling, who zipped 52 yards for a score in overtime to win it for Arizona.

Dallas probably should have won, but the Cowboys called a timeout a heartbeat before Dan Bailey hit a 49-yard field goal that would have won it at the end of regulation.

"The play clock was running down. We just wanted to make sure that he had a real clean opportunity at it," Dallas coach Jason Garrett explained.

Bailey's next try was short and to the left, sending the game to overtime.

"I was glad they iced their kicker so I didn't have to," said Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, whose team won at home in overtime for the second time this season.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, December 4, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — For the first time in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl's four-year history, this year's winner on Dec. 20 will not be from the Big East.

The bowl announced Sunday that Marshall (6-6 and 5-3 in Conference USA) accepted an invitation to face Florida International at Tropicana Field.

"Our players are excited. I'm excited," said Marshall coach Doc Holliday, who was part of Urban Meyer's national champion coaching staff in 2006. "There's no doubt we have a lot of guys with family in the state of Florida, and this gives them an opportunity to play close to them."

Marshall has 29 players from Florida on its roster, though none from Hillsborough or Pinellas counties. The Thundering Herd had big wins early, knocking off eventual C-USA champ Southern Miss and Big East co-champ Louisville, though Marshall needed to win three of its final four games to become bowl eligible. The last was a 34-27 win in overtime against East Carolina for the conference's last bowl slot.

The bowl had a shot at getting Pittsburgh from the Big East, but instead the Panthers are returning to Birmingham for the second year in a row and will face SMU.

It's Marshall's second bowl appearance in the past seven seasons, following a win over Ohio in the 2009 Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit.

Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry is a potential All-American and a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, ranking second nationally with 21.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles, and ranking fifth with 11 sacks.

Florida International (a program-best 8-4), from the Sun Belt, had nonconference wins against Louisville and UCF. The Golden Panthers, in their seventh season in Division I-A, are in their second bowl.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Patriots almost waste sure thing

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski scored three more touchdowns. Chances are the Patriots are thinking more about the three touchdowns they allowed in the fourth quarter.

Against the winless Colts, no less.

New England needed Deion Branch to recover an onside kick in the final minute to beat Indianapolis after leading 31-3. The Colts rallied with a touchdown run by Donald Brown and two TDs from Dan Orlovsky to Pierre Garcon, the last with 36 seconds left.

"We played good for 45 minutes and then didn't do anything offensively," Pats quarterback Brady said. "So we'll hear about that."

Indianapolis fell to 0-12.

"People can say what they want to say about not playing hard, but I think that (comeback) pretty much shut that up right there," Colts tight end Jacob Tamme said.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

At least 12 people were injured, including one who was airlifted to a hospital, when fans stormed the field after Oklahoma State's win over Oklahoma in Stillwater on Saturday night.

The crowd pulled down the goal posts, and in the 45 minutes or more it took police to restore order, some fans were trampled in a struggle to reach the exits.

The public address announcer had warned fans not to storm the field, but "we just laughed," said freshman Alex Lillibridge.

University spokesman Gary Shutt said eight people were taken to Stillwater Medical Center, two who were having surgery Sunday on broken ankles. Three others were treated at the field.

Shutt said university's policy is to keep fans off the field.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said he left the field quickly when he saw fans jumping from the wall.

"When they started piling over, I got out of there as fast as I could. … It was scary," he said.

University president Burns Hargis praised medical personnel Sunday night and said stadium security "did everything they possibly could."

"They've been tearing down the goal posts for 80 years," Hargis said. "I wish we could have kept people in the stands, but once that many thousands of people start pouring onto the field, there's not a lot you can do."

fresno fires hill: Fresno State fired coach Pat Hill after 15 seasons. Hill built one of the top programs outside the major conferences early in his career, with the mantra of playing anybody, anywhere, any time, but was 40-41 over his last 81 games, 4-9 this season. Overall he was 112-80, with 11 bowl games.

Colorado State: Coach Steve Fairchild was fired. He was 16-33 in four seasons. No one on the staff will be considered in the search for a replacement.

mississippi: The Rebels are expected to offer their coaching job to Arkansas State coach Hugh Freeze. Freeze is a former Rebels assistant and Memphis high school coach who was depicted in the book and movie The Blind Side.

notre dame: Quarterback Dayne Crist received permission to talk with other schools about transferring for his final year. Crist started the opener this season but was benched at halftime in a loss to USF. Tommy Rees started the rest of the season.

pitt: Co-offensive coordinator Calvin Magee, a former Bucs tight end who was an assistant on USF's original staff; secondary coach Tony Gibson, and tight end coach Tony Dews have left, likely to join new Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez. They previously coached under Rodriguez.

texas: Athletic director DeLoss Dodds said coach Mack Brown will not retire or be forced out after a 7-5 season.

UAB: Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee was named coach, replacing Neil Callaway.

butkus award: Luke Kuechly of Boston College won the linebacker honor.

obituary: Joe Daniels, an Ohio State assistant from 2001-09, died Sunday at 69 of cancer. He also worked at Boston College, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, and with the NFL's Browns, Bills and Jets.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Rice's runs give Ravens a push

CLEVELAND — The game had no business being close, and suddenly grew tight. Baltimore's lead had slipped on a slick field. That was when Ray Rice ran wild.

Rice broke loose for a 67-yard run in the third quarter on the way to a career-high 204 yards as the Ravens kept pace with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North by running roughshod over the Browns.

"It was critical," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Rice's career-best scamper. "That was the key to the game, to come back and answer like that."

Baltimore's Lardarius Webb returned a punt 68 yards for a TD in the fourth on a drizzly day.

"They just flat out whupped us up front," said Cleveland linebacker and former Seminole High star D'Qwell Jackson. "They embarrassed us. It was a slap in the face."

With Joe Flacco's passes affected by gusty winds, the Ravens turned to Rice, who had the No. 3 rushing total in franchise history.

"I give (the credit) to the offensive line," Rice said. "I get the glory because I get the yards."

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Tebow, Broncos pull one out again

MINNEAPOLIS — Tim Tebow and the Broncos came through again.

The former Heisman winner at Florida passed for a season-best 202 yards and two third-quarter scores to help Denver win its fifth straight over Minnesota and its rookie quarterback, former Florida State star Christian Ponder.

"Offensive line did a great job, and receivers stepped up and made me look a lot better than I really am," said Tebow, who was 10-of-15 with a career-high rating of 149.3.

Broncos cornerback Andre Goodman picked off Ponder and returned it to the 15-yard line, setting up Matt Prater's 23-yard field goal as time expired.

Ponder set a Vikings rookie record with 381 yards passing and two TDs to former UF star Percy Harvin, against a defense missing star rookie linebacker Von Miller (thumb).

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

49er shutout ends playoff drought

SAN FRANCISCO — Vernon Davis pulled on a black "NFC West champions" hat to dress up his suit and tie for a snazzy night on the town and a celebratory dinner at one of the city's hot spots.

This meal — for Davis, Frank Gore, Alex Smith and others — has been years in the making. Seven, to be exact, for Gore and Smith, six for Davis. Star linebacker Patrick Willis waited five.

The 49ers trounced the Rams to become the NFL's second team to secure a playoff berth behind unbeaten defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay. Coach Jim Harbaugh's focused bunch clinched the NFC West.

"We want to make it to the championship. It's something we've been wanting for a long time," Davis said. "This is the reason why I'm here. It means a lot to me."

Harbaugh delivered exactly what the 49ers hired him for in January: immediate success.

"This step, this game today is for all those strong and mighty men who have been carrying the flag for this many years," he said.

Times wires
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Golf

Tiger wins first tournament since downfall

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Two years after his life and career came crashing down, Tiger Woods is a winner again.

One shot behind with two holes to play, Woods birdied his last two holes Sunday to win the Chevron World Challenge by one shot over Zach Johnson.

It had been 749 days and 26 official tournaments since he last won on Nov. 15, 2009, at the Australian Masters. In between, he crashed his car outside his home — leading to revelations of extramarital affairs — changed swing coaches, endured injuries that cost him two majors this year and missed the cut in another major.

Relief? Satisfaction? Vindication? Woods wasn't sure.

"It just feels awesome whatever it is," he said.

It was the fifth time he won the event, which he hosts for his foundation. Woods shot 3-under 69 to finish at 10-under 278 and move from No. 52 to No. 21 in the world ranking. The PGA Tour does not recognize the 18-player field tournament as an official money event.

If this win felt differently than others, he didn't say.

"They all feel good," said Woods, who is next expected to play in Abu Dhabi in January. "They're not easy. People don't realize how hard it is to win golf tournaments. I've gone on streaks where I've won (several) in a row, but still … I don't think I've taken it for granted."

Woods will not play again until starting his year in Abu Dhabi in January.

Hong Kong Open: Rory McIlroy holed out from a bunker at No. 18 to cap a two-stroke victory. McIlroy trailed Alvaro Quiros by three entering the round. But he had five birdies and no bogeys to shoot 5-under 65 and finish at 12-under 268, two better than Gregory Havret (65).

Tennis

Nadal gives Spain another Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal beat Juan Martin del Potro 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-0) to clinch host Spain's win over Argentina and fifth Davis Cup title. He failed to hold on his first four serves but recovered to give Spain a 3-1 lead and third title in four years. "It's one of the most emotional days of my career," said Nadal, who has won 20 consecutive Cup matches. "I've never had the chance to secure the winning point of a Davis Cup."

Skiing

Victory in super-G keeps Vonn perfect

Lindsey Vonn won a super-G for her third World Cup victory in three days in Lake Louise, Alberta. She finished two runs in 1 minute, 20.21 seconds to beat Austria's Anna Fenninger by .19 seconds and fellow American Julia Mancuso by .71. Vonn won downhills Friday and Saturday.

Men: Austria's Marcel Hirscher edged American Ted Ligety in a giant slalom in Beaver Creek, Colo.

Et cetera

Boxing: Miguel Cotto battered Antonio Margarito for nine lopsided rounds to retain the WBA light middleweight title by TKO late Saturday in New York. Cotto (37-2) lost to Margarito (38-8) in 2008. But this time he was never threatened and shuttered Maragarito's right eye.

Olympics: Joao Havelange resigned from the International Olympic Committee a few days before he was expected to be suspended. Havelange, 95, was its longest-serving member at 48 years. The ethics case stems from a BBC report that he received $1 million from ISL, which once owned World Cup TV rights.

Soccer: Socrates, captain of Brazil's 1982 World Cup team, died of septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection. He was 57. Socrates, also part of the 1986 team, scored 25 goals in 63 international games.

Times wires

Times staff
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Bucs DT Roy Miller, on the six-game losing streak:

"There's no reason why this team shouldn't have a better record than what we have. It's just the simple fact that we've got to go out there and execute; can't blame it on anybody else but yourself. We've got to do some soul-searching."

Bucs T Donald Penn, on what the Bucs have to play for:

"You've got to play for your jobs. If you (aren't) getting the job done, they're going to find people to replace you. It'll be a gut check for a lot of these guys, especially myself."

Bucs S Sean Jones, on what team has to do now:

"We've got to play for our pride, the name on the back of our jerseys, the emblem on the side of our helmet. We're all pros, and we are expected to make plays and go out and win. I know if you don't do that, changes may come."

Bucs DE Da'Quan Bowers, on the defense:

"We had (Carolina) in some tough situations, but we just shot ourselves in the foot. We had a lot of key penalties that kept their drives alive, and that is all the momentum that type of team needs."

Bucs QB Josh Johnson, on the red zone struggles:

"We weren't winning the earlier downs. We weren't putting ourselves in easy third down situations. We weren't doing our best job in helping ourselves on first down."

Panthers QB Cam Newton, on the team progressing:

"To some degree, I'm seeing a lot of maturity from this team, myself included. The defense and holding those guys, having that security in the back of your mind, whether you're an offensive lineman, a running back, a wide receiver or quarterback; knowing the defense is going to come out and shut those guys out like they did … it just works wonders for our offensive mentality."

Panthers DE Charles Johnson, on holding LeGarrette Blount to 19 yards on 11 carries:

"That was our main thing coming into this. We wanted to stop him. He's a good back running behind that good offensive line."

Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com's NFC South blogger, on Raheem Morris sending home Brian Price:

A lot of people have accused Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris of being too soft on his players through the years. The frequent knock is that Morris is too much of a players' coach. I think there's some truth to that. … Good for Morris. He needed to take a strong stand on this one. But I'm wondering if it might be too little too late.

Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer:

The Buccaneers are a far different team with Josh Freeman at quarterback compared to Josh Johnson. With Freeman out due to a shoulder injury, the Panthers dared Johnson to beat them. He couldn't.

FoxSports.com:

Back when he played for a non-scholarship program at the University of San Diego, Josh Johnson was a terror with his arm and his legs. He set a Division I record for pass efficiency and ran for more than 1,800 yards. His coach was Jim Harbaugh, who since has guided Andrew Luck at Stanford and turned around Alex Smith's NFL career in San Francisco. Johnson is a continent away from Harbaugh now, and his NFL cameos have not gone well. Johnson threw for 229 yards, but he was outplayed by Cam Newton, who knows a thing or two about mixing the run and pass.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, December 4, 2011

OTTAWA — The Lightning is in a very, very bad place, coach Guy Boucher said.

He wasn't talking about the team's play, he said — though at 11-12-2 with three straight losses, he might have had a point — but about the circumstances it faces.

Starting tonight against the Senators at Scotiabank Place, Tampa Bay plays seven of nine games on the road. For a team 4-8-2 away from home, that is kind of bad.

"It's very difficult for us to get a breather," Boucher said. "We don't have a breather. We're right in the mix of things."

It is more as if the Lightning is mixed up. The team is so erratic, it is difficult to determine if it is underachieving or if this is its unsatisfying long-term level.

Goaltending is up and down. The defense looks solid but then makes a bad mistake at the worst time. Secondary scoring generally is lacking, and perhaps most confounding, urgent play is on-again, off-again.

Feeding all that, Boucher said, has been an inordinate amount of time on the road — five of six preseason games, the first five regular-season games, 11 of its first 17 and now seven of nine, including four in the next six days.

Don't teams need to win regardless of where they play?

"You do," Boucher said. "But what's hard when you start the year on the road all the time, it's very difficult to get confidence."

Case in point, Boucher said, is what happened after a home-and-home sweep of the Panthers: road losses Nov. 28 and 30 to the Wild and Red Wings, respectively, both top teams in the Western Conference.

"Instead of going on the road, there's a big chance we win those two games at home," Boucher said. "And because you get more confidence, it gives you more ammunition when you get back on the road. We haven't had that, and it's been tough."

It is no excuse, players said.

"At the end of the day you're going to have to play so many road games anyway," defenseman Eric Brewer said. "It seems like we have a lot at the beginning of the year, but that's because our record isn't so good. If we were smoking guns, we'd be like, 'Let's get out there.' "

Here are some things that would help:

• Urgency out of the gate. Tampa Bay has been outscored 21-8 in road first periods.

• A better power play. The Lightning entered Sunday 24th in the 30-team league with a 12.2 percent road efficiency.

• Fewer defensive mistakes. Boucher was so upset after blunders helped the Rangers score three third-period goals Saturday in their 4-2 victory at the St. Pete Times Forum, he threatened to bench players.

"We look at the standings, and we believe we're a better team than that," forward Tom Pyatt said. "There's no excuses. We have to go out and deliver every game. It's going to be tough with all these games on the road, but you've got to do it."

"Just like last year," Boucher said, "we've got to give everything we've got to give ourselves a chance to win."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8622. View his blog at lightning.tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @LightningTimes.

Tonight

Lightning at Senators

When/where: 7:30; Scotiabank Place, Ottawa

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: Ottawa is 5-1-1 against the Southeast Division. … Lightning C Steven Stamkos has five goals, three assists in a six-game points streak that entered Sunday the league's current longest. … Ottawa's Erik Karlsson leads all defensemen with 23 points and 21 assists. … LW Milan Michalek is tied with Stamkos and Toronto's Phil Kessel for the lead with 16 goals. … Senators and ex-Lightning C Zenon Konopka is tied for the league lead with 82 penalty minutes.