By Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writers


Thursday, December 15, 2011

TAMPA — CB Aqib Talib, who missed Sunday's game at Jacksonville with a hamstring strain, is scheduled to return Saturday against the Cowboys and take on the Bucs' biggest defensive assignment.

Coach Raheem Morris said the plan is to have Talib cover WR Dez Bryant, the Cowboys' 2010 first-round pick who is tied for fourth in the NFC with eight receiving touchdowns.

Talib didn't practice Thursday, but that decision was made out of an abundance of caution.

"He had two hard days of work (Tuesday and Wednesday)," Morris said. "We got him going and got him running. We really didn't want to push the envelope too much. … He'll be able to go against a premier receiver in this league, or one (who is) about to become one, if he's not already known as one."

The matchup has Talib excited: "I'm ready. I'm feeling good. I'm always looking forward to covering the other team's best receiver."

Though Morris didn't specify, his statements suggest Talib will follow Bryant all game, rather than having the cornerbacks switch based on where the Cowboys' receivers line up.

In other injury news, Morris said WR Arrelious Benn is cleared after his concussion, but Benn did not practice and the team would not commit to him playing Saturday. DT Brian Price (sore ankles) returned to practice and could play.

Job rumors? Morris remained undeterred by continued speculation about his future.

ESPN NFL insider John Clayton indicated during a televised discussion Wednesday that Morris might have been fired Monday if the Bucs had a candidate for interim head coach. The Bucs blew a 14-point lead Sunday and lost 41-14 to the Jaguars.

"I said there was a lot of rumbling that he was going to get fired," Clayton said Thursday. "But there is probably no way he can, because as a defensive play-caller, who is going to call the plays?"

"I know there's a cloud outside the organization," Morris said. "But when you come into this building, there's a bunch of rays of sunshine. You see these guys and how they react to each other and how they play. You guys make it gloomy and doomy for us, but we do our best to keep rain away."

The Bucs have lost seven straight, falling to 4-9. Before the losing streak, Morris and the Bucs had won 14 of 22, including a 10-6 season in 2010.

The third-year coach also defended his staff, which also has come under fire.

"It's pretty much the same staff," he said. "We went out there and won 10 games. Everybody loved us. This year, we came out and we're not having the same success, we're not as good. So obviously it starts with the coaches, it goes to players and then it goes to management. That's how it works in this business. … For those who are given a lot, a lot is expected. It's just the nature of the beast we live in."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, December 15, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman defended rookie Brett Connolly, who has been heavily criticized for his hit during a scrimmage at Canada's world junior selection camp that injured teammate Quinton Howden.

"I didn't think there was anything wrong with the hit," Yzerman said Thursday. "There was nothing dirty about it. They wanted him to play hard, and he finished his check. Unfortunately, a player was injured."

The hit came after Connolly was admonished by coaches for a lack of intensity. Coach Don Hay said the hit into the chest of Howden, whose head hit the glass, might have been "a little late." Howden is out with what the Calgary Herald reported are "concussion-like symptoms."

Connolly made the team but has stayed in the news. He raised eyebrows, according to the Herald, when he said going to the tournament was "bittersweet" compared to staying in the NHL. Then came the reminder from coaches about effort.

"He's a 19-year-old coming from an NHL team. He's got to conduct himself properly," Yzerman said. "They're going to be watching him. There are going to be very high expectations on him. He's got to be careful about everything he does. He's got to set an example."

Generally, Yzerman said, the world juniors will be "another great experience for Brett. He'll learn from it every single day and come back a better player."

As for the hit, Yzerman reiterated the criticism was misplaced: "It was not a dirty hit."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer




Thursday, December 15, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning coach Guy Boucher gave the grimmest assessment yet about D Mattias Ohlund, who has not played a regular-season game because of two bum knees Boucher said "are worn down."

Boucher on Thursday even hinted Ohlund might not play this season.

Asked if he was operating as if Ohlund will not be back, he said, "I've been doing that for a while; not because I didn't think he'd come back, but because that's how I have to be as a coach.

"As a team, guys are not really waiting for him. We've just accepted we've lost one of our top two (defensemen) and other guys have to play against the top lines and log the minutes."

Ohlund, 34, had Oct. 11 surgeries on both knees to clean out what the team called "loose bodies." He has not skated since mid November.

"It just hurts him a lot more than what he would have expected or the doctors would have expected," Boucher said.

"It's not about damage. It's just something that's difficult to manage because you can't do much more than what's been done. It's pain tolerance now. It's a question of mobility. It's a question of can he skate at the level in the NHL he needs to follow."

FLEMING UPDATE: Assistant coach Wayne Fleming, battling brain cancer, has been moved from his Calgary home to a hospital, said GM Steve Yzerman, who added Fleming has stopped texting and emailing his observations during games.

FEASTER RETURNS: Former Lightning GM Jay Feaster was at the St. Pete Times Forum for the first time since becoming GM of the Flames in May.

"Big-time weird," said Feaster, who led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup but resigned in July 2008 after Oren Koules and Len Barrie bought the team.

Of their two-year ownership, Feaster said: "What the people inside the organization went through, I don't wish that on my worst enemy. That's what for me was the toughest part, seeing what it did to the people. To have good people running this thing … I'm thrilled for the fans, for the players and, most importantly, for the staff."

ODDS AND ENDS: Single-game tickets for the second half go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the arena box office, ticketmaster.com and toll-free 1-800-745-3000. … D Bruno Gervais and RW Marty St. Louis (facial fractures) were scratched.

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

BOSTON — The Red Sox want Jason Varitek back. It might not be as a player, though.

Two days after signing former Ray Kelly Shoppach, giving Boston three catchers expected to be on the major-league roster, general manager Ben Cherington said the team is still talking to the veteran about remaining with the club "in some way."

"We have incredible respect for 'Tek," he said Thursday. "Our hope is that 'Tek will always be a part of the Red Sox in some way."

It has been assumed that when Varitek retires, he would become a coach.

"I've had discussions with them about 'Tek, but it's been about playing," Scott Boras, Varitek's agent, said.

Varitek, who turns 40 on April 11, has been with the Red Sox since 1997 and became their captain in 2005. Since they won their second World Series with him in 2007, he has hit .218 (.220 in 68 games last year).

Jarrod Saltalamacchia is expected to start with Ryan Lavarnway also expected to stay in the majors.

Bonds case: Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run leader who was convicted of giving evasive testimony to a federal grand jury probing steroids in sports, will be sentenced today. Guidelines recommend 15-21 months in prison. But Judge Susan Illston, who presided over Bonds' trial, has sentenced other athletes convicted of lying during the probe to probation and home confinement.

Red sox interview Rays coach: The Red Sox have interviewed Rays Triple-A pitching coach Neil Allen for their vacancy on new manager Bobby Valentine's staff, the Boston Herald reported.

Cardinals: Reliever J.C. Romero agreed to a one-year deal. The lefty, 35, went 1-0 with a 4.01 ERA in 36 games with the Phillies and Rockies in 2011.

Twins: Leftfielder Josh Willingham, 32, agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal. He hit .246 with a career-high 29 homers and 98 RBIs for Oakland in 2011.

Labor deal: Owners voted unanimously to ratify the five-year agreement that runs through 2016. The players union announced Dec. 1 that its executive board ratified the deal.

Draft: Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, retired players Tony Clark and Stan Javier, Kim Ng of the commissioner's office and Rick Shapiro of the players association were appointed to a committee to study the concept of an international draft. The committee was established in the new labor deal.

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Golf

American teen leads Dubai tourney

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — American Lexi Thompson, 16, led by two shots after the second round of the Dubai Ladies Masters on Thursday. Thompson, who in September became the youngest LPGA Tour winner, had six birdies and no bogeys for 6-under 66, four better than Wednesday, and 8-under 136.

"I just made a few more putts," said, Thompson who would be the European Tour's second-youngest winner. "I hit it a little bit closer. I was just thinking 'stay steady' and playing consistently."

Sophie Gustafson (67) and Margherita Rigon (68) were tied for second. Michelle Wie (67) and first-round leader Lotta Wahlin (74) were among four tied for sixth, four shots back.

More golf

Westwood shoots 60 at Thailand tourney

Lee Westwood had 10 birdies and an eagle for 12-under 60 in Round 1 of the Thailand Championship. He said he thought of 59: "Left one short … on 11 and one short on 14. Had a good chance on 16 as well. I don't think you can be disappointed with a 60."

Hall of Fame: Sandy Lyle, whose 29 wins include the 1985 British Open and 1988 Masters, was selected via the international ballot. He, Phil Mickelson and Hollis Stacy will be inducted in May.

Soccer

Spanish star out with broken left leg

Spanish star David Villa broke his left leg during Barcelona's 4-0 win over Al Sadd in the Club World Cup semis in Japan. His status for the European Champion­ship, which starts in June, has not been determined. He got tangled up with two defenders then landed awkwardly.

England: American Landon Donovan will play for Everton on a two-month loan. Donovan, who helped Los Angeles to the MLS title last month, also spent time with Everton last winter.

Et cetera

Figure Skating: Michelle Kwan, the most decorated American, was elected to the U.S. Hall of Fame. She will be inducted in January. Kwan, 31, won nine U.S. titles (including eight in a row), five world titles, silver at the 1998 Olympics and bronze at the 2002 Games.

AAU: Steve Farese, a lawyer for Bobby Dodd, said the organization's ex-president is innocent of allegations he molested two children during the 1980s. Memphis police are looking into accusations but have not received a formal complaint from the accusers.

Boxing: Amir Khan appealed a split-decision loss to Lamont Peterson in Saturday's light-welterweight bout. Khan who lost his WBA and IBF titles, twice lost a point for pushing.

Olympics: Britain will have about 13,500 troops deployed on land, at sea and in the skies for this summer's Olympics. It previously said it would have about 6,000. Typhoon fighter jets, helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts will be on duty. In all, Britain has budgeted about $1.6 billion for security.

Times wires

Associated Press
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Dan Wheldon, the IndyCar driver who adopted St. Petersburg as his home, was killed when his head hit a post in the fencing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway — contact that created a "nonsurvivable injury," an investigation of the crash has found.

The cause of death of the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was revealed Thursday when IndyCar presented its findings of the Oct. 16 accident in the season finale. The crash collected 15 cars, including Wheldon, who came from behind the initial contact, launched over spinning cars and sailed about 325 feet into the catchfence.

Although the contact with the post killed Wheldon, 33, the investigation determined several factors contributed to what became a "perfect storm."

"The accident was significant due to the number of race cars damaged, but more importantly due to the nonsurvivable injuries to Dan Wheldon," the report said. "While several factors coincided to produce a 'perfect storm,' none of them can be singled out as the sole cause of the accident.

"For this reason, it is impossible to determine with certainty that the result would have been any different if one or more of the factors did not exist."

The race had a season-high 34 cars, but IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said Thursday the field could have had as many as 37 drivers based on the size of both the track and the pit lane. The season finale was held on Vegas' high-banked 1.5-mile oval with multiple racing grooves, which IndyCar president Brian Barnhart said created "nearly unlimited movement on the track surface under race conditions."

That, not the construction of the fencing, played a larger role in Wheldon's death.

Las Vegas is owned by Speedway Motor Sports Inc., and the organization has spent considerable money on research into fencing. SMI owner Bruton Smith is adamant his fences are the strongest and safest in the business, and he makes no apologies for constructing them with the posts inside the wiring.

Barnhart said there is no indication Wheldon would have survived had the post been on the outside of the mesh wiring.

"It does not look like the position of the mesh fabric would have changed the outcome," Barnhart said.

Wheldon was born in England but came to live in St. Petersburg with his wife, Susie, in 2005, shortly before winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Both of their sons, 2-year-old Sebastian and 7-month-old Oliver, were born at Bayfront Baby Place.

"I was born and raised in England, but the people in this city have adopted me," Wheldon said in May as he prepared for this year's Indy 500, which he won. "I have so much support."

Wheldon was making just his third start of the season and chasing a $5 million incentive offered by Bernard to any non-IndyCar regular who could drive from the back of the field to win the race. Wheldon would have split the money with a fan selected in a random drawing.

Allowing Wheldon to take the challenge was a stretch — he won 14 races on ovals, including the Indy 500 earlier last season — but because he sat out the season, he technically qualified for the bonus.

But Wheldon felt he was up for the challenge.

He was the in-race reporter for ABC during the event, and spoke with the announcers during the warmup laps. In a brief interview, Wheldon defended his participation and the entire IndyCar Series.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think that I could win," he said from his car. "Certainly I am not underestimating the talent of the other drivers in the field. I think IndyCar has got a phenomenal field right now."

Wheldon was killed minutes later when the crash began ahead of him at the start of the 12th lap. He had picked his way through the field and gained at least 10 spots when he came upon the accident and had nowhere to go to avoid the spinning cars and flying debris.

Questions remain about Las Vegas' future on the IndyCar schedule.

Bernard had a three-year lease agreement with the track to stage the season finale at Las Vegas through 2013 but came to an agreement with SMI last week to buy out next year's portion of the contract.

"I think Las Vegas is a great city, a resort destination and the fans and the sponsors — everyone loves the city," Bernard said. "But I don't want to go back there if the conditions aren't right for our race cars."

IndyCar plans on judging all high-banked ovals individually going forward and said the Wheldon accident could not be blamed on the banking. That leaves room for a deal to be worked out with Texas Motor Speedway, one of the most popular venues on the IndyCar schedule.

No sanctioning agreement between Texas and IndyCar has been reached, but Bernard indicated he would like to have the 2012 schedule announced today.

Information from Times files was used in this report.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — With today's deadline looming, the NCAA signaled it would give Penn State more time to respond to its inquiry over the university's handling of child sex abuse accusations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Penn State general counsel Cynthia Baldwin said in a letter to NCAA president Mark Emmert released Thursday that answers to the NCAA's questions about the Sandusky case might come from other, separate probes already in progress. Among them is a university trustees investigation spearheaded by former FBI director Louis Freeh.

Baldwin spoke to Emmert and other NCAA staff on Nov. 23 about the concurrent inquiries, according to the letter dated Dec. 12.

"The university understands that the NCAA will continue to monitor these investigations and will have access to the report" from Freeh and the trustees, Baldwin said.

"At that time, the NCAA will determine if further response from the university is necessary," she wrote before requesting more time.

The NCAA and Penn State indicated in recent weeks that the school may not make today's deadline to provide complete answers to several questions posed last month by Emmert.

Freeh's investigation is already sharing information that the NCAA said would help determine how the college sports' governing body would proceed.

Bulls in showcase games: Seven USF senior players have selected postseason showcase games to play in next month. Safety Jerrell Young, a Gibbs High graduate, will play in the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on Jan. 21. Guard Jeremiah Warren, center Chaz Hine, receiver A.J. Love, defensive end Patrick Hampton, defensive tackle Keith McCaskill and cornerback Quenton Washington will play in the inaugural "Battle of Florida" on Jan. 21 in Boca Raton. Bobby Bowden and Howard Schnellenberger are coaches.

Gator to ohio state: Mickey Marotti, a member of new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer's staff at Florida, will be hired as Ohio Stat's assistant athletic director for football sports performance and will be in charge of strength and conditioning.

Liberty hires Gill: Turner Gill, fired Nov. 27 after two seasons at Kansas, was named coach at Liberty, located in Lynchburg, Va., and founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. Liberty had six consecutive winning seasons under Danny Rocco, who left to take the top job at Richmond.

Gundy honored: Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy was named coach of the year by the Football Writers Association of America. The other finalists: Michigan's Brady Hoke, LSU's Les Miles, Kansas State's Bill Snyder and Clemson's Dabo Swinney.

Fordham: UConn quarterbacks coach Joe Moorhead was named head coach at the school where he played quarterback and wide receiver and graduated in 1996.

Utah State: Coach Gary Andersen received a one-year extension through 2017 that with incentives can be worth $565,000 annually.

Stipend on hold: An NCAA plan to give athletes a $2,000 stipend has been shelved. The NCAA said 125 schools called for an override of the plan approved in October to suspend it until the board of directors convenes in January. Concerns include implementation; the perceived impact on competitive equity; and implications for Title IX. Some conferences already agreed to start giving out the additional money, and the NCAA said athletes who signed national letters-of-intent with the expectation of receiving the money will get it.

New espn deal: The NCAA agreed to a $500 million deal with ESPN to broadcast the championships in many of its sports through 2023-24, and adding women's gymnastics, men's and women's fencing, Division I women's lacrosse, D-I men's and women's outdoor track, and women's bowling.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Junior outside hitter Rachael Kidder had 21 kills and UCLA advanced to its first national championship match since 1991 with a sweep over Florida State in the NCAA semifinals Thursday night.

Tabi Love added 12 kills for the Bruins in the 25-16, 25-17, 25-21 victory.

The Seminoles (28-7) never led in the first two sets during their first semifinals appearance in school history. Jekaterina Stepanova had 11 kills for FSU.

The Bruins (29-6), who last won the title in 1991, will play in Saturday's championship match against the winner of Illinois and USC.

There will be a new NCAA champion for the first time since 2006 regardless of the matchup. Four-time defending champion Penn State was eliminated by the Bruins last week.

Kidder picked up where she left off against the Nittany Lions. The 6-foot-3 star of UCLA's front line, who helped finished off Penn State with 15 kills in the regional semis, put together her eighth match this season with at least 20 kills. She hit .462, her best performance of the tournament.

"Everything we did is starting to pay off, so it feels great," Kidder said.

Visnja Djurdjevic had eight kills for the Seminoles. FSU looked nervous at times in a historic debut for the Seminoles, hitting just .173.

FSU was the first ACC team to advance this deep in the tournament. Throw in the Illini, whose last run this far was 1988, and it's made for one of the freshest-looking semifinals in recent years.

But the biggest factor is the absence of Penn State. The Bruins swept the Nittany Lions to end Penn State's record 26-game postseason winning streak and the most dominant run in NCAA women's volleyball history.

The Nittany Lions don't seem missed in the Alamodome. UCLA coach Michael Sealy said it was probably good for the NCAA that a new champion will finally emerge, and Florida State senior Rachael Morgan spoke both in awe of the Penn State era and with relief to see other teams get a shot.

That leaves USC and UCLA as the remaining familiar powerhouses. The schools have won a combined six national championships since 1981 — three apiece — but none since the Trojans' back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003.

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Florida State's school- and ACC-record run in the NCAA volleyball tournament ended Thursday with a three-set loss to UCLA in the semifinals.

Junior outside hitter Rachael Kidder had 21 kills in the 25-16, 25-17, 25-21 victory as the Bruins advanced to their first national championship match since 1994.

The Seminoles (28-7) never led in the first two sets during their first semifinals appearance. An ACC team had never advanced that far. Jekaterina Stepanova had 11 kills for FSU, and Visnja Djurdjevic added eight kills.

"It's always a disappointment to lose, no matter where you lose," FSU defensive specialist Katie Mosher said. "But I think the fact that no one expected us to get to the final four at all, it just shows so much for our team as a whole."

"Obviously the match itself wasn't as we had hoped and was a disappointing loss," FSU coach Chris Poole said. "At the same time, we had a lot of wins this year and had a great season overall."

Kidder, a 6-foot-3 star of UCLA's front line, put together her eighth match this season with at least 20 kills.

She hit .462, her best performance of the tournament.

The Bruins (29-6) have three championships, tied for third all-time, and four runnerup finishes.

UCLA plays Illinois for the championship on Saturday (8:30 p.m., ESPN2). Senior outside hitter Colleen Ward had 27 kills as the Illini (32-4) advanced to its first champion­ship match by upsetting USC 25-27, 25-18, 25-22, 18-25, 15-10.

Alex Jupiter had 32 kills for the Trojans (29-5), who also lost in the semis last season.

Times wires


Thursday, December 15, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Four-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul reported to the Clippers' training complex Thursday, meeting his new teammates and even getting on the court during practice in his new No. 3 jersey.

"This is not my day, by the way. This is the Clippers' day," Paul, 26, told an overflowing media crowd. " … I'm so grateful and thankful to be here."

A day earlier, the Clippers acquired Paul in a four-player trade with New Orleans, out­maneuvering the Lakers and several other suitors.

Blake Griffin said he's sad to lose teammates Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and Al-Farouq Aminu in the deal, but the rookie of the year is looking forward to lining up with Paul and fellow newcomers Caron Butler and Chauncey Billups. Griffin said that when basketball fans hear about the Clippers, "it's not going to be a joke anymore."

Paul is eager to play with Griffin after they teamed up last season at the All-Star Game. He knows fans are salivating at the prospect of Paul's passes finding Griffin for all varieties of dunks.

"That's something that's not going to happen overnight either," Paul said. "I've got to find the right height. It's like Blake plays on a goal that's lower than 10 foot or something. I'm excited for the opportunity to not only help him grow, but for him to help me to get to the next level."

Blazers land Crawford: Free agent guard Jamal Crawford, who was reportedly considering the Kings and Blazers, agreed to a two-year deal with Portland. Financial terms were not released. In order to make a deal, the team used the new amnesty clause to waive guard Brandon Roy, who announced his retirement last week because of knee problems. Crawford, who played for the Hawks the past two seasons, has averaged 15.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists for his career.

Bobcats get shooter: Charlotte, which finished 29th in 3-point percentage last season, signed shooting guard Reggie Williams to a two-year deal. Terms were not released. Williams was eighth in the league in 3-point shooting last season for the Warriors at 42.3 percent.

Forward chooses Nets: The Nets signed free agent forward Shawne Williams away from the rival Knicks. Williams played in 64 games for New York last season and posted career-best averages of 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game. The Nets also waived forward Travis Outlaw and signed free agent forward Ime Udoka.

Knicks: Having lost out on Crawford and Williams, the team signed 7-foot center Jerome Jordan. The team had only the new $2.5 million, two-year exception left and were outbid for both players.

Hornets: Free agent power forward Carl Landry agreed to a one-year contract. Landry's agent said the deal is worth $8.8 million.

Jazz: Free agent forward Josh Howard is set to join the team, pending a successful physical.

Timberwolves: Guard Bonzi Wells, who hasn't played in the league since 2008, signed a camp contract, allowing him to attempt a comeback.

Security official sues league: Warren Glover, a former NBA security director, said in a lawsuit against the league and three former security executives that he was forced out of his job because he stuck up for colleagues who complained of sexual harassment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. "Mr. Glover's allegations are without merit," league spokesman Mike Bass said.

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ricardo Ratliffe and Michael Dixon had 18 points each and No. 10 Missouri shot 60 percent in a 104-67 rout of Kennesaw State on Thursday night.

Marcus Denmon added 17 points and Phil Pressey had nine points and 10 assists for the Tigers, unbeaten after the first 10 games for the first time since an 11-0 start in 1991-92. Missouri ran its homecourt nonconference winning streak to 65. It's Pressey's third time in double-figure assists this season.

Freshman Delbert Love had a career-best 27 points with five 3-pointers for Kennesaw State, which faced a Top 10 team for the second time in school history.

No. 14 Wis. 66, Savannah St. 33: Jared Berggren scored 13 to lead four players in double figures for the host Badgers (10-2). Wisconsin has held opponents to a national-best 45.7 points and 34 percent shooting.

No. 24 Murray St. 89, Lipscomb 65: Ed Daniel and Ivan Aska scored 16 each and the host Racers (10-0) won their first game as a ranked team in 13 years. Steve Prohm is off to the best start for a rookie coach in Murray State history.

LSU 66, UC Irvine 59: Justin Hamilton registered his first double double for the host Tigers (7-3). Hamilton, a transfer from Iowa State, had 14 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.

winthrop 59, Jacksonville 45: The host Dolphins (2-7) had their worst shooting of the season: 32.7 percent (17 of 52) from the field, 7.7 percent on 3-pointers (1 of 13), and 50 percent on free throws (10 of 20).

ACC: Men's and women's teams will move from a 16-game league schedule to 18 games starting next season.

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ricardo Ratliffe and Michael Dixon had 18 points each and No. 10 Missouri shot 60 percent in a 104-67 rout of Kennesaw State on Thursday night.

Marcus Denmon added 17 points and Phil Pressey had nine points and 10 assists for the Tigers, unbeaten after the first 10 games for the first time since an 11-0 start in 1991-92.

Frank Haith became the first Missouri coach to win his first 10 games since 1920-21.

Missouri ran its homecourt nonconference winning streak to 65. It's Pressey's third time in double-figure assists this season.

"Honestly, we didn't do anything yet," Ratliffe said.

No. 14 Wis. 66, Savannah St. 33: Jared Berggren scored 13 to lead four players in double figures for the host Badgers (10-2). Wisconsin has held opponents to a national-best 45.7 points and 34 percent shooting.

No. 24 Murray St. 89, Lipscomb 65: Ed Daniel and Ivan Aska scored 16 each and the host Racers (10-0) won their first game as a ranked team in 13 years. Steve Prohm is off to the best start for a rookie coach in Murray State history.

LSU 66, UC Irvine 59: Justin Hamilton registered his first double double for the host Tigers (7-3). Hamilton, a transfer from Iowa State, had 14 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.

winthrop 59, Jacksonville 45: The host Dolphins (2-7) had their worst shooting of the season: 32.7 percent (17 of 52) from the field, 7.7 percent on 3-pointers (1 of 13), and 50 percent on free throws (10 of 20).

ACC: Men's and women's teams will move from a 16-game league schedule to 18 games starting next season.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, December 15, 2011

TAMPA — As wide open as he was and despite a direct lane to the net, Lightning defenseman Eric Brewer said his inclination was not to shoot — not with teammate Steven Stamkos open in front.

"When you have a guy like that going to the back door," Brewer said, "I don't think anyone is going to shoot unless the goalie is all the way down, which he wasn't."

So Brewer fed Stamkos for the goal 30 seconds into overtime that gave the Lightning a 5-4 victory over the Flames on Thursday night at the St. Pete Times Forum.

It was Stamkos' 19th goal, which tied him for the league lead, and let Tampa Bay avoid what would have been a crushing defeat.

The Lightning (13-16-2), losers of seven of nine, lost a two-goal lead in a third period in which it was outshot 13-5. That after a dominant second period in which it outshot Calgary 18-5 and scored three times to take a 4-2 lead.

"When you're struggling to get wins," Stamkos said, "you take them any way you can."

Teddy Purcell scored his first goal in 17 games. Tom Pyatt, Ryan Malone and Nate Thompson scored in the second period.

Victor Hedman and Steve Downie each had two assists as did Calgary defenseman Chris Butler, who deflected shots by Purcell and Thompson past his own goalie, Miikka Kiprusoff.

But Hedman's slashing penalty led to Olli Jokinen's power-play goal that tied the score with 3:12 left in the third. Rene Bourque's breakaway, after a miscommunication between Brett Clark and Malone, made it 4-3 58 seconds into the period.

"We sat back," Stamkos said. "We got out of focus and the structure we had the first two periods when we got pucks in deep and didn't turn the puck over. When you're confident as a team and you're in those positions, you keep going. Right now, we're a little fragile, and that showed. We have to correct that."

A crisp winning goal should help.

Pavel Kubina, from behind his net, passed to Stamkos breaking down ice.

"He gave it to me right up the middle, which I think caught them off guard," Stamkos said.

Downie, in the offensive zone, passed cross-ice to Brewer, who gave it to Stamkos in front.

"I just wanted to make sure I got a stick or a skate on it or something," Stamkos said. "It was a great play by everyone involved."

And a sign of good things to come, Lightning coach Guy Boucher said:

"I've been one of those fools that believes our team has done really well the last 10 games and if you keep on doing it and stick with it, it's going to pay off in the end.

"Tonight, it paid off, so it's very positive."

First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Purcell 6 (Downie, Moore), 5:11 (pp). 2, Calgary, Stajan 1 (Jackman, Kostopoulos), 19:27. Penalties—Jokinen, Cal (hooking), 3:30; Bouwmeester, Cal (hooking), 13:17; Purcell, TB (goaltender interference), 13:17; Gilroy, TB (cross-checking), 16:46; Moore, TB (hooking), 19:55.

Second Period—3, Calgary, Iginla 12 (Jokinen, Bouwmeester), 1:57. 4, Tampa Bay, Pyatt 3 (Shannon, Jones), 10:10. 5, Tampa Bay, Malone 7 (Stamkos, Hedman), 12:05. 6, Tampa Bay, Thompson 3 (Tyrell, Hedman), 19:26. Penalties—None.

Third Period—7, Calgary, Bourque 10 (D.Smith), :58. 8, Calgary, Jokinen 9 (Tanguay, D.Smith), 16:48 (pp). Penalties—Hedman, TB (slashing), 15:06.

Overtime—9, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 19 (Brewer, Downie), :30. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—Calgary 9-5-13-0—27. Tampa Bay 10-18-5-1—34. Power-play opportunities—Calgary 1 of 3; Tampa Bay 1 of 1. Goalies—Calgary, Kiprusoff 14-10-2 (34 shots-29 saves). Tampa Bay, Garon 7-8-1 (27-23). A—17,241 (19,204).

Times wires
Thursday, December 15, 2011

CHICAGO — Bears receiver Sam Hurd was locked up in federal custody Thursday as teammates learned he had been charged with trying to set up a drug-dealing network after his arrest with more than a pound of cocaine.

U.S. Magistrate Young Kim ordered Hurd held while prosecutors and defense attorneys work out bond before he is sent to Texas to face charges. Hurd declined to comment.

"Sam intends to fight these charges, and we intend to defend him fully," said defense attorney David Kenner, who successfully defended rapper Snoop Dogg against murder charges.

Hurd, 26, was arrested Wednesday after meeting with an undercover agent at a Chicago restaurant, according to a criminal complaint that says the former Northern Illinois star was first identified as a potential drug dealer over the summer.

Hurd told the agent he was interested in buying 5-10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area, the complaint said. He allegedly said he and a co-conspirator already distribute about 4 kilos of cocaine every week, but their supplier couldn't keep up with his demands. A kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.

Hurd agreed to pay $25,000 for each kilogram of cocaine and $450 a pound for the marijuana, meaning he was willing to fork over as much as $750,000 for narcotics each week, according to the charges. He then said he could pay for a kilo of cocaine after "he gets out of practice." He walked out of the restaurant and was arrested.

The criminal complaint was filed in Texas, where the U.S. attorney said Hurd faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine if convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, or half a kilogram.

Falcons rout Jaguars

ATLANTA — Matt Ryan threw three touchdowns, defensive end John Abraham had 3½ sacks and the Falcons clinched a fourth straight winning season with a 41-14 rout of the Jaguars.

"Hopefully we can play like we did (Thursday) for the next couple weeks," said Ryan, who was 19 of 26 for 224 yards with a season-high passer rating of 137.3.

The Falcons led 27-0 by halftime and strengthened their hold on an NFC wild-card spot. Meanwhile, Blaine Gabbert and the Jaguars were saddled with a net passing total of minus-1 yard.

Gabbert fumbled twice on hits by Abraham. Both fumbles led to Atlanta scores, with defensive tackle Corey Peters scooping the second one for a score in the third. "It wasn't just me," Abraham said. "The whole team was able to get to the quarterback."

Roddy White caught two TDs as he became the first Falcons wideout to go over 1,000 yards for five straight seasons.

Cowboys fixing defense: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said the meltdowns at the end of the past two games are his fault, and heading into Saturday's game against the Bucs he declared, "I will get it fixed."

Big Ben still ailing: The swelling on Ben Roethlisberger's sprained left ankle is down but the Steelers quarterback sat out his third practice in a row. The team could wait until after warmups against the 49ers to make a decision on whether to turn to backup Charlie Batch.

Browns turn to Wallace: Because Colt McCoy is still experiencing headaches and has not practiced after suffering a concussion last week, backup Seneca Wallace could start against Arizona.

Dolphins: Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said he might have interest in the Miami job if approached, the Miami Herald reported.

Texans: Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, 64, is in stable condition after surgery on his kidney and gall bladder, the team said. He is expected to miss a week to 10 days to recover.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2011

The joke between Florida coach Billy Donovan and his sophomore forward Will Yeguete during the preseason was that Yeguete may have done "a little too much pastry-eating" during his summer break in his native France because he didn't return in the best of shape.

Yeguete took the ribbing in stride. Maybe because he knew he was a little more prepared for this season than many may have expected.

A reserve who saw limited time last season and averaged 2.6 rebounds per game, Yeguete is beginning to emerge as a key defensive player and strong inside help for the No. 13 Gators, who play No. 22 Texas A&M at 2:30 Saturday in Sunrise.

"He's really one of our better defenders," Donovan said. "And he's clearly one of our better rebounders."

Yeguete has taken that old adage of one man's injury is another's opportunity to heart. When junior Erik Murphy was sidelined with a knee injury, Yeguete took over — and in impressive fashion.

He made his first career start against Jacksonville, and contributed eight points and nine rebounds. He had his first career double-double in a win over Stetson. In his five starts, he's had at least seven rebounds in four games.

"I'm just trying to play hard and help my team out," said Yeguete, a native of Bordeaux, France. "My rebounding is what I focus on and try to bring to the team. That and just playing good defense. My defense is my game."

On a squad filled with guards who can provide steady offense, the improving play of Yeguete is proving to be a bonus for the Gators. At 6 feet 7, he adds help and size inside with sophomore center Patric Young, which was an area of concern when the season began.

"Will always plays pretty tough," Young said. "He always has an assassin's mindset on the offensive and defensive glass that he's going to get every rebound."

Yeguete has gone from 2.6 rebounds last season to 6.8. And he remains in the starting lineup for now.

"He's definitely helped out with the rebounding," junior guard Kenny Boynton said. "He provides energy and forces turnovers with his long arms. We definitely need him to be in the game."

Yeguete's biggest concern right now is his offense and free-throw shooting. He is averaging 6.8 points and has hit just six of 17 at the free throw line. Donovan said the offense will come, but he likes that Yeguete focuses on what he does best.

"The one thing about Will is I think he has a pretty good identity of who he is," Donovan said. "A lot of times players want to be something they are not. I don't think you see him taking a lot of crazy shots. He is what he is: he's a really good defender, he can guard four different positions, he's a terrific rebounder, he can get to the offensive glass. Still, there's things he needs to get better offensively as we run the offense."

Eventually, Yeguete most likely will return to his role of coming off the bench. Murphy returned to the lineup against Arizona, but has played sparingly so far. As his knee continues to get better, he is expected to regain his starting role. That, Yeguete said, is just fine. He'll contribute in any way necessary.

"I'm just going to try to stay consistent and bring the same energy that I brought when I was in the first five," he said.

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

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2011

The joke between Florida coach Billy Dono­van and forward Will Yeguete during the preseason was that the sophomore may have done "a little too much pastry eating" during his summer break in his native France because he didn't return in the best of shape.

Yeguete took the ribbing in stride. Maybe because he knew he was a little more prepared for this season than many might have expected.

A reserve who received limited playing time last season and averaged 2.6 rebounds per game, Yeguete is beginning to emerge as a key defensive player and strong inside help for the No. 13 Gators, who play No. 22 Texas A&M at 2:30 today in Sunrise.

"He's really one of our better defenders," Donovan said, "and he's clearly one of our better rebounders."

Yeguete (pronounced ye-GET) has taken to heart that old adage of one man's injury is another's opportunity. When junior Erik Murphy was sidelined with a knee injury, Yeguete took over, in impressive fashion.

He made his first career start against Jacksonville, contributing eight points and nine rebounds. He had his first career double double in a win over Stetson. In his five starts, he has had at least seven rebounds in four games.

"I'm just trying to play hard and help my team out," said Yeguete, a native of Bordeaux, France, who starred at Florida Air Academy after his family moved to Melbourne in his junior year from the Ivory Coast. "My rebounding is what I focus on and try to bring to the team. That and just playing good defense. My defense is my game."

On a squad filled with guards who can provide steady offense, the improving play of Yeguete is proving to be a bonus for the Gators. At 6 feet 7, he adds size inside with 6-9 sophomore center Patric Young. The paint was an area of concern for UF when the season began.

"Will always plays pretty tough," Young said. "He always has an assassin's mind-set on the offensive and defensive glass that he's going to get every rebound."

Yeguete has gone from 2.6 rebounds last season to 6.8 and remains a starter for now.

"He's definitely helped out with the rebounding," junior guard Kenny Boynton said. "He provides energy and forces turnovers with his long arms. We definitely need him to be in the game."

Yeguete's biggest concern now is his offense and free-throw shooting. He is averaging 6.5 points and is just 6-of-17 at the free-throw line. Donovan said the offense will come, but he likes that Yeguete focuses on what he does best.

"The one thing about Will is I think he has a pretty good identity of who he is," Donovan said. "A lot of times players want to be something they are not. I don't think you see him taking a lot of crazy shots. He is what he is. He's a really good defender, he can guard four different positions, he's a terrific rebounder, he can get to the offensive glass. Still, there's things he needs to get better offensively as we run the offense."

Eventually, Yeguete most likely will return to his role of coming off the bench. Murphy returned to the lineup against Arizona, but he has played sparingly. As his knee continues to get better, he is expected to regain his starting role. That, Yeguete said, is fine with him. He will contribute in any way necessary.

"I'm just going to try to stay consistent and bring the same energy that I brought when I was in the first five," he said.

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

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2011

TAMPA — It's a common malady that strikes young running backs without warning, a potentially career-threatening condition that can result in an embarrassing loss of prized possessions, and ultimately, employment.

Fumble-itis.

LeGarrette Blount, the Bucs 6-foot, 248-pound tailback, cleared his throat in the locker room at Everbank Stadium Sunday and tried to explain how he coughed up two footballs to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tampa Bay turned the ball over seven times in a 41-14 loss.

Blount leads the Bucs with 737 yards and five touchdowns on 167 carries. A majority of his yards — 383 entering last week's game, according to STATS Inc. — came after initial contact by a defensive player.

How powerful is Blount? A lot of players say they'll run through a brick wall to win. Blount could actually do it.

But since coming to the NFL last season, no running back has fumbled more than Blount, who has put the football on the ground nine times (losing six), including four fumbles in the past three games that resulted in three turnovers.

"I notice it every time we play, defenses are going to go for the ball more on guys who fumble it a lot," Blount said. "I don't want to get that label."

Complicating matters for Blount is the fact that, not unlike former Bucs fullback Mike Alstott, has the power and athleticism to run through a pile of defenders and emerge on the other side. In that crush of flesh, it's as easy to lose the football as your wallet to a pickpocket working New Year's Eve on Bourbon Street.

"You've got to have a mental focus for the understanding that, as a bigger back, the defensive backs and safeties don't come up and pop you," Blount said. "They let the other guys stand you up and the DBs come to strip the ball."

If there is a singular reason why the Bucs have gone from 10-6 in 2010 to 4-9 this season, including seven straight losses, it is turnovers. Tampa Bay is tied with Philadelphia for the most giveaways in the league with 31. Quarterback Josh Freeman has 18 interceptions. Receivers and kick returners also have contributed to that number.

But nothing is more deflating for a team or a player than to carry the hopes of a franchise in your arms and have it ripped away.

"There was a situation early in my career when I was fumbling," said Alstott, a six-time Pro Bowl player. "It's the worst feeling in world to be a running back and have to come to the sideline and face the head coach knowing you've put your team in a bad situation.

"There was a game against Kansas City we won (17-10 in 1999) and I put the ball on the ground three times that game. But the coaching staff did come back to me. The best thing is for a coach to give you the ball on the next play, if possible, after you fumble. It says (they) still believe in you."

The Bucs still believe in Blount. During last week's game, cornerback Ronde Barber said he approached the former Oregon star on the sideline to tell him how his twin brother, former Giants running back Tiki Barber, struggled with ball security until he did something about it and salvaged his career.

Tiki Barber fumbled 35 times between 2000 and 2003, prompting Giants coach Tim Coughlin to warn him that if he didn't find a way to stop it, he wouldn't play. So during the 2004 offseason, Barber changed his running style to carry the ball high and tight, even running on a treadmill with a football tucked safely under his arm, in order to become a trusted ball carrier.

"I mentioned that to LeGarrette," Ronde Barber said. "I told him Tiki had a problem with that early in his career with the Giants and he changed his whole running style. It has to become something that matters the most to you."

Blount didn't make it to the NFL by fumbling footballs. But there is an adjustment once you get to the league.

"One of the things you find out with running backs when they come into the National Football League is they've never been hit like this before," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "The guys that play in the NFL are big and strong and explosive guys.

"You can preach ball security, you can make sure the runners and receivers are holding it the right way, but it's a big transition a player has to make in the NFL, how they're going to get struck with the ball and handle that. They learn early on how secure they have to hold that thing and give it the proper attention it deserves."

That's why this week, the Bucs devoted two extra periods to ball security. Blount grabbed a football that was attached to a black elastic band and was tethered to the goal post, and strained to reach a set of cones while being struck by blocking pads. "Same drills we always do, just more of it," Blount said.

The good news for Blount is that there is a cure for Fumble-itis. Unless it spreads to your head.

"It's already loaded into a lot of people's heads," Blount said. "So I'm going to have to try to erase that memory for a lot of people, including myself."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2011

TAMPA — It's a common malady that strikes young running backs without warning, a condition that can result in an embarrassing loss of prized possessions and, ultimately, employment.

Fumble-itis.

LeGarrette Blount, the Bucs' 6-foot, 248-pound tailback, cleared his throat in the locker room at EverBank Stadium on Sunday in Jacksonville and tried to explain how he coughed up two balls (losing one) during a 41-14 loss to the Jaguars.

Blount leads the team with 737 yards and five touchdowns on 167 carries. A majority of his yards — 383 entering last week's game, according to STATS Inc. — have come after initial contact by a defensive player.

How powerful is Blount? A lot of players say they'll run through a brick wall to win. Blount could actually do it.

But since coming to the NFL last season, no running back has fumbled more. He has put the football on the ground nine times (losing six), including four fumbles over the past three games that resulted in three turnovers.

"I notice it every time we play," said Blount, who has fumbled five times and lost three this season.

"Defenses are going to go for the ball more on guys who fumble it a lot. I don't want to get that label."

Complicating matters is Blount, like former Bucs fullback Mike Alstott, has the power and athleticism to run through a pile of defenders and emerge on the other side. In that crush of flesh, it's as easy to lose the football as your wallet to a pickpocket working New Year's Eve on Bourbon Street.

"You've got to have a mental focus for the understanding that as a bigger back, the defensive backs and safeties don't come up and pop you," Blount said. "They let the other guys stand you up and the DBs come to strip the ball."

If there is a singular reason why the Bucs have gone from 10-6 in 2010 to 4-9 this season, including seven straight losses, it is turnovers. Tampa Bay is tied with Philadelphia for the most giveaways in the league with 31. Josh Freeman has 18 interceptions. Receivers and kick returners also have contributed.

But nothing is more deflating for a player than to carry the hopes of a franchise in your arms and have it ripped away.

"There was a situation early in my career when I was fumbling," said Alstott, a six-time Pro Bowl selection in his playing days who fumbled 32 times (losing 25) over his 11 seasons. "It's the worst feeling in the world to be a running back and have to come to the sideline and face the head coach knowing you've put your team in a bad situation.

"There was a game against Kansas City we won (17-10 in 1999), and I put the ball on the ground three times that game. But the coaching staff did come back to me. The best thing is for a coach to give you the ball on the next play, if possible, after you fumble. It says they still believe in you."

The Bucs still believe in Blount. Cornerback Ronde Barber said he approached the former Oregon star on the sideline Sunday to tell him how his twin brother, former Giants running back Tiki Barber, struggled with ball security until he did something about it and salvaged his career.

Tiki Barber fumbled 35 times (losing 17) between 2000 and 2003, prompting Giants coach Tom Coughlin to threaten him with a loss of playing time. So during the offseason after the 2003 season, Barber changed his running style. He became a running back who carried the ball high and tight, even running on a treadmill with a football tucked safely under his arm.

"It has to become something that matters the most to you," Ronde Barber said.

Blount didn't make it to the NFL by fumbling footballs. But there is an adjustment once players get to the league.

"One of the things you find out with running backs when they come into the National Football League is they've never been hit like this before," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "The guys that play in the NFL are big and strong and explosive guys.

"You can preach ball security. You can make sure the runners and receivers are holding it the right way. But it's a big transition a player has to make in the NFL, how they're going to get struck with the ball and handle that. They learn early on how secure they have to hold that thing and give it the proper attention it deserves."

That's why this week, the Bucs devoted two extra periods to ball security.

Blount grabbed a football that was attached to a black elastic band tethered to the goal post and strained to reach a set of cones while being struck by blocking pads.

"Same drills we always do," Blount said, "just more of it."

The good news for Blount is there is a cure for fumble-itis. Unless it spreads to your head.

"It's already loaded into a lot of people's heads," Blount said, "so I'm going to have to try to erase that memory for a lot of people, including myself."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2011

Billy Donovan signed a three-year contract extension with the Florida Gators through the 2015-16 season.

The contract, obtained from the University Athletic Association, will pay Donovan $2.67 million annually. Donovan's base salary is $220,000.

Donovan's contract includes a $40,000 allowance for personal travel. His apparel contract with Nike was increased from $225,000 annually to $340,000.

He will continue to receive income from annuities, sports camps and endorsements.

Donovan, 46, is in his 16th season with the Gators and led them to the 2006 and '07 national titles.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2011

Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan signed a three-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season Friday.

Donovan, 46 and in his 16th season with the Gators, will earn approximately $3.3 million annually, with a base salary of $220,000.

Donovan's contract includes a $40,000 allowance for personal travel. His apparel contract with Nike was increased from $225,000 annually to $340,000. He will continue to receive income from annuities, sports camps and endorsements.

Other incentives include a $25,000 bonus for winning the SEC regular-season championship and $37,500 for advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

"Billy Donovan has built one of the elite programs in the country at the University of Florida," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "He and his family have given 16 incredible years to this institution and community. His accomplishments speak for themselves, but he's also achieved success with integrity, character and loyalty. We're thrilled that he will continue to lead our program for years to come."

Under Donovan, Florida has been in 11 NCAA Tournaments and won two national championships. Florida advanced to the Elite Eight last season and is currently ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press poll.