Times wires
Sunday, January 1, 2012

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Victor Cruz and Eli Manning have the Giants in the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Manning threw three touchdowns, including a 74-yarder to Cruz early, and the Giants won an all-or-nothing game Sunday night for the NFC East title and claim the final spot in the playoffs, beating the Cowboys, who missed the postseason for the second straight year.

New York won three of its final four for 65-year-old coach Tom Coughlin and earned a wild-card home game against the Falcons.

The Cowboys, down 21-0 at halftime, were their own worst enemies. They missed tackles on all three first-half Giants touchdowns, failed to recover two fumbles within their grasp in the half and failed to convert on a Tony Romo sneak on fourth and 1 at the Giants 10 while trailing 21-7 early in the fourth quarter.

Romo, who played with a bruised right hand, moved the Cowboys in the second half but all he could generate were touchdown passes of 34 and 6 yards to Laurent Robinson, the last one getting Dallas within 21-14 with 10:15 to play.

Cruz, however, had a 44-yard third-down catch and another for 20 yards to set up a 28-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal. Then Manning iced the game with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks with 3:41 to play.

"It's a great feeling," Manning told NBC. "Our guys have stuck together this whole season. … We finished the season strong; we needed two wins to make the playoffs, that's what we knew we had to do, and we got it done."

Manning finished 24-of-33 for 346 yards and no interceptions as the Giants beat Dallas for the second time in four games.

Cruz had six catches for 178 yards, and the Giants sacked Romo six times.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

TAMPA — A 10-game losing streak, the worst defense in team history and an offense that watched the ball drop more times than Dick Clark on New Year's Eve ultimately cost Bucs coach Raheem Morris and his entire staff their jobs Monday.

But it was the unexpected success with the youngest team in the NFL last season, and the expectations that resulted, that may have been Morris' undoing.

Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer and general manager Mark Dominik each admitted in a joint news conference Monday they should have added a few more veterans through free agency after the team went 10-6 in 2010.

"If you look back, you can say, 'Gee, maybe we should've added some more veterans,' " Glazer said. "… But then you can also look back and say well, we were 10-6, a young team that was going in the right direction. Do you want to go too far in that direction?

"In these situations it is not just one person. Everyone has to take some responsibility for the results of the season, whether it is the owners, general manager, players — the entire organization. You cannot hide from your part in the situation."

While vowing to spend "whatever it takes to win," Glazer said Dominik will spearhead a coaching search, starting immediately.

Believed to be atop of the Bucs wish list — and that of the Rams and Dolphins and perhaps other teams looking for a head coach — is former Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

But Glazer said the process would be thorough and indicated the team would consider candidates with no NFL head coaching experience. The hot names in that category include Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.

"We're not going to pigeonhole exactly what we're looking for here," Glazer said. "We're going to interview a lot of different candidates, talk to a lot of different people."

Morris, 35, was fired one day after a 45-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in which the Bucs trailed 42-0 in the first half. The lopsided losses became commonplace for the Bucs, who dropped their final five games by an average of 23 points. Meanwhile, the offense committed 40 turnovers.

Morris was informed of his dismissal at 11:59 a.m. in a meeting with Bucs co-chairmen Bryan, Joel and Ed Glazer. He said he knew when he walked into their office he would not be leaving as head coach.

"It was the way we finished the season," Morris said, "the 10-game losing streak. You don't have that and survive in this league and we all know that. It is what it is, you have to be ready to deal.

"They blew it up. I have nothing bad to say about the Glazers, Mark (Dominik). The Glazers gave me a great opportunity and we almost pulled it off."

Morris went 17-31 in his three seasons as head coach. The Bucs went from 3-13 his rookie year to 10-6 last season, narrowly missing the playoffs.

But after a 4-2 start this season, including wins over NFC South rivals Atlanta and New Orleans, the Bucs fell into a tailspin that Morris and his staff could not stop.

Dominik avoided the pink slips handed to the entire coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Greg Olson and defensive line coach Keith Millard. It's not clear how much it will cost to pay off all those contracts.

"I do take responsibility for what happened on this football team as well," Dominik said. "Obviously as the general manager, my job is to help acquire talent and provide talent, draft players and get us to a competitive level. Obviously after 10-6, we all felt like the team was going in the right direction."

Complicating free agency, according to Dominik, was the inability to interview players because of the NFL lockout.

"It wasn't as good a time as you could have with free agency in terms of bringing guys into this building because of the limited amount of time," Dominik said. "But a lot of it was that we were 10-6 and we were coming off a good football season. We had a lot of young guys who were ascending and we banked on that. I banked on that too."

Before they parted ways last January, Fisher, 53, was the NFL's longest tenured coach, spending nearly 17 seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans organization. Fisher went 142-120 (.542), winning four division titles and appearing in the playoffs six times over that span. He's 5-6 in the playoffs, with a Super Bowl trip in the 1999 season, which the Titans lost to the Rams, 23-16.

Tampa Bay will have plenty of competition for Fisher, who will visit the Rams and Dolphins. Fisher has always worked with a general manager. But Dominik said he would not have any problem relinquishing some power on personnel decisions if it allowed the Bucs to hire the best coach.

"I think the most important thing we're going to do here is hire the best football coach for this football team regardless of what the responsibilities are or to become," Dominik said.

"At the end of the day, you have to have a working relationship with your head coach as a general manager. Regardless of who has what powers where, our goal is to find the best head coach for this football team. It doesn't matter what the delegation of authority is for that head coach or for me."

Times staff
Monday, January 2, 2012

So, who will replace Raheem Morris as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Here's a list of potential candidates:

Former NFL head coaches (out of football)

Bill Cowher: Five years out of coaching, the Super Bowl XL winner with Steelers reportedly won't return to sideline in 2012.

Brian Billick: Super Bowl XXXV winner with Ravens is looking for a shot.

Jeff Fisher: Former Titans coach a hot commodity.

Mike Sherman: Former Packers, Texas A&M head coach.

Herm Edwards: Has coached Jets, Chiefs; former Bucs assistant.

Marty Schottenheimer: Experienced, but past his prime at age 68?

Steve Mariucci: Former 49ers, Lions head coach.

Coordinators/position coaches

Mike Pettine, DC, N.Y. Jets: An aggressive defensive coach.

Rob Chudzinski, OC, Carolina: Considered an innovative up-and-comer.

Dennis Allen, DC, Denver: Revived downtrodden defense in his first year.

Chuck Pagano, DC, Baltimore: Leads a perennial defensive power.

Jay Gruden, OC, Cincinnati: Big reason behind the success of rookie QB Andy Dalton.

Bill O'Brien, OC, New England: Versatile playcaller who has adapted to changes; Penn State reportedly very interested in him for head coaching job.

Russ Grimm, assistant head coach, Arizona: Has been passed over for several openings.

Joe Philbin, OC, Green Bay: In fifth season as Packers' coordinator.

Winston Moss, assistant head coach, Green Bay: Former Buc has climbed coaching ranks.

Brian Schottenheimer, OC, N.Y. Jets: Jaguars got permission from Jets for an interview.

Recently (or may about to be) fired head coaches

Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville: Couldn't get over the hump with Jags.

Norv Turner, San Diego: Notorious for falling shy of expectations.

Former NFL head coaches (now offensive coordinators)

Mike Martz, Chicago: Not ideal candidate but aggressive coordinator. Has said he hopes to return to Bears but coach Lovie Smith was noncommittal on Monday.

Scott Linehan, Detroit: Has had varying degrees of success.

Mike Mularkey, Atlanta: Former Bills coach, who got start as a Bucs assistant in 1994-95, attracting interest from Jaguars.

Marty Mornhinweg, Philadelphia: Eagles' assistant head coach for eight seasons.

Josh McDaniels, St. Louis: Flamed out quickly as Broncos coach.

Former NFL head coaches (now defensive coordinators)

Dom Capers, Green Bay: A former Panthers and Texans head coach.

Mike Nolan, Miami: Helped lay groundwork for 49ers current defense.

Jim Haslett, Washington: Has had two failed stints as head coach.

Rod Marinelli, Chicago: Longtime Bucs assistant went 0-16 in Detroit in 2008.

Gregg Williams, New Orleans: Former Bills coach won Super Bowl XLIV as Saints coordinator.

College coaches

Jim Tressel, former Ohio State coach: Has been considered for NFL openings in the past.

Chip Kelly, Oregon: Among the hotter college coaches.

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

Lightning center Steven Stamkos' hat trick stole the show in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Hurricanes. His special scoring ability is a reason he is one of the game's brightest young stars.

Stamkos is sizzling, having scored 10 goals in his past eight games to give him a league-leading 26. That puts him on pace for a second 50-goal season.

But it was Stamkos' relentless backchecking Saturday that coach Guy Boucher highlighted the most, saying it was a sign of how the center is growing into a complete player.

"He's just a jet out there," Boucher said. "You can see, 'You're not scoring on me.' It's inspiring."

As good as Stamkos was in his first three seasons, he said after signing a five-year, $37.5 million contract extension last summer he was determined to further develop his game in his fourth. And as the Lightning hits the midseason mark on a three-game road trip, which starts tonight in Stamkos' hometown, Toronto against the Maple Leafs, the 21-year-old is playing some of his best hockey.

"I find that he's made a difference just as much when he didn't have the puck as when he's had the puck," Boucher said. "And that's a mark of somebody who is becoming more of a winner than a star."

Stamkos has worked to improve his faceoffs; he has won 45.9 percent. He is becoming more aware in the defensive zone and welcoming opportunities on the penalty kill. Stamkos said the frustrating stretch to end last season — he scored seven goals in his final 32 regular-season games — taught him a lot.

"I want to be one of the top players in the game, and you have to look at those guys and how consistent they are," said Stamkos, named the NHL's star of the week for taking the goal-scoring lead with six goals in the Lightning's three straight wins.

"It's just focusing on the details. When things aren't going well, you tend to want to cheat to create offensive chances when it should be the other way around. When things aren't going well, you get back to playing solid defensive hockey, which leads to your chances."

Stamkos has found different ways to score as teams have adjusted to him. He hasn't had as many one-timers from the circle on the power play, and he has just five power-play goals, as opposed to his 51-goal season in 2009-10, when he had 24. Stamkos is driving to the net, scoring on deflections and rebounds.

When asked if it was too soon to call Stamkos a complete player, Boucher smiled, then lowered his voice as if his All-Star could hear him.

"We don't want to make a guy feel like he's there," Boucher said. "Oh, he's getting there, he's getting there."

MISCELLANY: Defenseman Victor Hedman (concussion) is not on the road trip.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — They won't be listed anywhere among the best, but at least the 2011 Florida football team won't be forever linked with the worst.

The beleaguered Gators, desperate to keep from becoming the first Florida team with a losing season in 33 years, mustered enough pride, defense and key special teams plays to earn a 24-17 Gator Bowl win over Ohio State in front of an announced crowd of 61,312 Monday afternoon at EverBank Field.

The postgame celebration that overtook the players and coaches on the field following the game gave an authentic glimpse of just how important the win was for Florida (7-6).

"We had an up-and-down season, and our biggest goal was to let the seniors go out with a big win and that's what we did," senior running back Chris Rainey said.

Monday's loss made the Buckeyes 0-2 against the Gators, and gave Ohio State its first losing season (6-7) since 1988 and first seven-loss season since 1897. Florida set a school record with four consecutive bowl wins, and ensured a 24th consecutive year with a winning record — the longest active streak in the nation.

"I think it was important for our players who put in an awful lot of work and effort to get some gratification of winning a football game against a good football team," first-year coach Will Muschamp said.

The Gators turned two Ohio State turnovers into 10 points, and Rainey blocked a punt that was recovered and returned 14 yards by freshman linebacker Graham Stewart for a touchdown to give Florida a 21-10 lead.

But a key special teams play turned the game for the Gators. With the score tied at 7 in the second quarter and neither team showing much offensive prowess, Florida sophomore receiver Andre Debose returned a kickoff 99 yards down the left sideline to give the Gators a 14-7 lead they never relinquished.

"Obviously we didn't get the job done," Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell said. "First-half wise, I thought we were establishing things up front both offensively and defensively. But the big play is what kills us. Special teams is obviously the glaring thing."

The Gators had just 263 yards of total offense, and senior quarterback John Brantley was 12-of-16 for 132 yards and one touchdown — a 17-yard pass to Deonte Thompson in the first quarter for the Gators' first score.

The Gator defense was stellar, registering 12 tackles for loss (43 yards).

Muschamp said he was happy with the win, but reiterated this isn't the standard Florida expects, nor is the program going to stay down for long.

"I think the realization of this whole thing — if you really want to see the big picture — is in the last two years at the University of Florida, we are 15-11," Muschamp said. "That's unacceptable, but that's what we are. And it's been a staff that had a guy that won two national championships (Urban Meyer) and is a heck of a coach, but we are one game's difference from last year. We're 7-6, they were 8-5 last year.

"So sometimes I think you have to put your realistic glasses on with where you are and what you are as a program right at this point. And it's not where we're going to be very long. I can assure you of that. We're moving in the right direction. I'm very pleased with the attitude, effort and drive of our young men. They kept fighting in the game, and they did it the entire season. It wasn't always what we wanted.

"I've said it before and I mean it sincerely, we're not building a team, we're building a program. And that takes a foundation to start and you stay the course of what you're trying to do."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com. Follow her blog at tampabay.com/blogs/gators.

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

TAMPA — The really frigid stuff that hit the area Monday evening was preceded by a furious, frenetic system originating in East Lansing, Mich.

To be sure, it took time to develop, lacking an initial offensive wallop. But upon reaching full intensity at mid afternoon inside Raymond James Stadium, it rendered the hyped homecoming of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray to an excruciating Dawg day of winter.

Devoid of timeouts, No. 12 Michigan State forced overtime with a near-flawless touchdown drive in the final two minutes, then outlasted Georgia (10-4) in three extra sessions for a 33-30 Outback Bowl triumph before an audience of 49,429.

Nose tackle Anthony Rashad White's block of a 47-yard Blair Walsh field goal on the final play sealed things and sent the Spartans (11-3) — who hadn't won a bowl game in 10 years — spilling onto the RayJay turf.

"Greatest feeling I have ever felt in college football," MSU defensive end and former Plant City High star Denzel Drone said. "I'm back home, all my people got to watch me play and we had a blast. Three overtimes — best thing that ever happened."

Drone's delirium stood in glaring contrast to Murray's disappointment.

Though initially sharp in his return home, Plant's former state title-winning quarterback threw a pair of costly third-quarter interceptions, the second of which Darqueze Dennard returned 38 yards for a TD to cut the Spartans' deficit to 16-14.

Dennard hails from Dry Branch, Ga.

"It stings," said Murray, who finished with respectable numbers (20-for-32, 288 yards) that included an 80-yard TD pass to Tavarres King that gave Georgia a 9-0 second-quarter lead.

"It is going to hurt to know that we had our opportunities to win this game, but we didn't. Obviously they played a great game and did a great job of not giving in and fighting the whole way, so you've got to give them some credit."

The Spartans, still smoldering from a three-point loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, had three times as many punts (six) as first downs by halftime against a sleek, aggressive Bulldogs defense.

On their first play from scrimmage at their 2-yard line, Spartans receiver Keshawn Martin took a swing pass from Kirk Cousins but was leveled in his own end zone by cornerback Brandon Boykin.

With less than two minutes to play before halftime, Boykin — the game MVP — returned a punt 92 yards for a TD to give Georgia a 16-0 lead at intermission.

"We just talked about if you want it, you've got to take it back and keep believing, just believe," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. "And that's what our guys did."

No drive epitomized that belief more than the last one of regulation. Trailing 27-20 with 1:55 to play and no timeouts, Cousins completed 6 of 8 passes for 64 yards and scrambled for a 20-yard gain before Le'Veon Bell's 1-yard TD with 14 seconds to go.

"That's why Kirk Cousins is who he is," Dantonio said.

Cousins, the winningest quarterback in MSU history, was picked on a pass over the middle by Bacarri Rambo on the first overtime, but Georgia failed to capitalize when Walsh missed a 42-yard field goal.

Minutes later, in one fell swat by White, the Spartans were celebrating.

"I don't even have words for it," MSU safety and former Wharton High star Jairus Jones said. "Oh my goodness, we've been in too many of these, but I love it — every time."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

USF women at Cincinnati

When/where: 7; Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati

Radio: 1010-AM

Records: USF 8-6, 0-0 Big East; Cincinnati 9-5, 0-1

Notable: It's a road game the Bulls can win, against a Bearcats team picked to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the preseason poll of league coaches. … USF has been among the Big East's worst shooting teams — 15th in field-goal percentage, 14th on 3-pointers — and has the worst rebounding margin in the conference. G Jasmine Wynne has been a bright spot, averaging a team-best 15.9 points and 6.4 rebounds along with a Big East best 3.5 steals per game. … Cincinnati is led by a pair of 5-6 guards, Dayeesha Hollins (14.4 ppg) and Bjonee Reaves (14.0).

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, January 2, 2012

TAMPA — So a man who didn't spend enough money walked into a room beside a man who didn't find enough players, and together they tried to explain the firing of the man who didn't win enough games.

Once again the blame was rolling downhill at One Buc Place. This is the way it works in the NFL. At the end, the culprits with the most power are always standing and solemnly explaining why they have just fired a culprit with slightly less.

On the other hand, Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer didn't fire co-chairman Bryan Glazer, and Bryan didn't fire co-chairman Ed Glazer, and no one fired general manager Mark Dominik.

Go figure.

The Bucs did fire coach Raheem Morris on Monday, and yeah, most people seem to agree Morris had it coming. This underachieving mess of a 4-12 season wasn't all Morris' fault, but he deserved blame a lot more than he deserved another year as coach. After a 10-game season-ending losing streak that was worse than the final 10 games of the winless 1976 Bucs, the franchise really had no choice but to break out an ax for every coach on staff.

Keep this in mind, however. The simple task of firing Morris won't cure the Bucs. It won't transform bad players into good ones, or half-hearted efforts into intense ones, or give new direction to a franchise that seems as lost as it has ever been. Morris' departure simply means there will be new suspects to blame for the seasons to come.

Such as Joel and the rest of the Glazers, who haven't done their job, either.

Such as Dominik, who didn't do his.

Such as the players, who didn't do theirs.

That's the thing about the Backwards Gang. Some of the ringleaders got away. Some of them stared into the cameras Monday and tried to explain why tomorrow is going to be different from today.

Sure it is. Tight-fisted owners are going to spend freely, and a short-sighted general manager is going to get smarter, and an immature bunch of players is going to grow up overnight.

Either that, or the Bucs will meet here in another three years to fire another coach.

Oh, during their news conference, Joel Glazer and Dominik suggested they shared the blame, too. Who is to disagree? The Bucs' roster is filled with players who will have successful careers with whatever Arena Football League team they end up with. The Bucs lacked enough cash and enough commitment to free agency to give Morris a roster that would have made a better argument in his behalf.

Say this for Glazer. There were some write-it-down-and-tape-it-to-the-fridge moments during the news conference.

"We are going to spend whatever it takes to win, to put the best team on the field," he said at one point.

"We will be happy to spend in free agency," he said a bit later.

Show of hands: Who out there requires a bit of seeing before believing? After all, the Glazers have had a lot of opportunities to spend in recent seasons, and somehow they managed not to do so. A cynic might think there was some sort of plan to spend as little as possible.

If so, that has to change. More than coaches, more than commitments, winning in the NFL is a product of organizations. It's why Pittsburgh keeps winning, and New England, and Green Bay. From top to bottom, an NFL team has to be hungrier, smarter and more willing to pay for production than the other teams in its division. Around here, that sort of commitment has been missing for a very long time.

Then there is Dominik, who suggested that one reason the Bucs seemed so disinterested in all the free agents of a year ago was because the lockout prevented potential additions from visiting during the offseason.

The word that jumps to mind is this: Hooey. Isn't that why NFL teams have pro personnel boards that rank the players of other teams in the league? Don't you have tape of players? Scouting reports? Come on. The Bucs this year brought in defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who had problems with Washington and New England. They're afraid of someone else's character?

Go back a year. The Bucs were 10-6, and the feeling was they had figured things out. They were winning, and they weren't spending, and life was good. That euphoria was what eventually cost Morris his job. Well, that and the 41-14 loss to Jacksonville. And the 10-game losing streak.

Next? Jeff Fisher, maybe. Brian Billick, maybe. Herm Edwards, maybe.

Show me a coach with standards. Show me a coach with experience. Show me a teacher, a leader, a drill sergeant. Show me a coach who isn't particularly patient and who isn't remotely tolerant. Show me a coach who can mop up a bigger mess than the Bucs have had in two decades.

Most of all, show me a coach who can get inside Dominik's ear and Glazer's wallet.

Otherwise, the next coach won't have a chance, either.

By Tyler Jett, Times Correspondent
Monday, January 2, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — Will Muschamp has been Florida's coach for more than a year. And, for more than a year, he has been envisioning a dominant pass rush.

On Monday, finally, Muschamp and his players and every Gators fan saw a unit fulfill its potential, if only for one afternoon in a game between a couple of .500 teams.

Florida registered a season-high six sacks on Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller in a 24-17 win in the Gator Bowl. Miller, a dual-threat freshman who rushed for 695 yards in the regular season, was also bottled up by the Gators' seven- and sometimes eight-man fronts, gaining 20 yards on 15 carries.

Monday's effort was in stark contrast with what has been for the most part a disappointing effort this season. Entering the bowl, Florida ranked 71st in the nation with just 22 sacks in 12 games.

"He's a little bit jumpy," sophomore Sharrif Floyd said of Miller. "He sees a little flash of defense in his face; he wants to run out of there. … We did a good job of keeping him contained. You stop the run, you win the game."

Floyd, who rotated between end and tackle for the first time this season, was credited with 1 1/2 sacks. Matt Elam, Josh Evans, Jaye Howard and Ronald Powell also sacked Miller.

Howard said the linemen were able to jump snaps after identifying an idiosyncrasy from Buckeyes center Mike Brewster. Watching film of Ohio State's game against Penn State, Howard saw that Brewster bobbed his head right before snapping the ball.

The interior defensive linemen watched for that movement all afternoon Monday.

"You saw what we were able to do today," Howard said.

Muschamp compared Miller to former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor, whom Muschamp game-planned for as Texas' defensive coordinator before the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.

He said the key was to keep Miller in the pocket, where he rarely looked comfortable Monday, bouncing around as he waited for a running lane to develop even on pass plays.

To prepare last month, Florida used reserve quarterback Tyler Murphy on its scout team. Murphy, considered the team's fastest passer, was asked to try to get outside the pocket against the Gators' first-team defense.

"Everybody had to stay in their lane," junior linebacker Jon Bostic said. "We wanted to get to the quarterback. We knew that we had to get to him before he could get going. I felt that we did a good job today."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — Andre Debose said before Florida's game against Ohio State that he'd personally be extremely embarrassed if the Gators didn't get the win, and he planned to do everything he could to make sure the Gators didn't finish with a losing record.

He did his part.

The sophomore had a 99-yard kick return that gave Florida the go-ahead score in Monday's 24-17 win over Ohio State in the Gator Bowl. It was the longest play in Gator Bowl history as well as Florida's longest kickoff return for a touchdown in its 39 bowl appearances. Debose was named the game's MVP.

"Coach Durkin (D.J., special teams) just called the play and I just followed (Jeff) Demps and he just kind of led me down the promised land for the touchdown," Debose said. "It meant a lot to me. I just tried to do anything that I can do to help the team. There is no feeling like it."

Debose's three career kickoff returns for a touchdown are a UF career record, surpassing Bo Carroll (1997-2000) and Stacey Simmons (1986-88), who each had two.

OUT ON TOP: Florida QB John Brantley's tumultuous career ended with a win, and coaches and teammates said that was exactly what he deserved. Brantley, the son of former QB John Brantley and nephew of ex-Florida star LB Scot Brantley, said despite some struggles he'll miss playing on Saturdays with the Gators.

"We had our ups and downs. The last couple of years haven't been the best," Brantley said. "But I just stuck with my teammates and coaches, and we made the best of it. Just to get a good win against a good team like Ohio State, it almost makes the season kind of worth it. Just to go out with a high note, for those young guys to go into the offseason."

INJURY UPDATE: OL Xavier Nixon (knee) did not return to the game after he was injured with 1:43 remaining in the first quarter, but walked off the field after the game and said, "I'm okay. I'll be fine." OL Chaz Green, a Tampa Catholic alumnus (ankle) is not serious, Florida coach Will Muschamp said, and freshman LB Chris Johnson sustained injured ribs.

ONE LAST BLOCK: When senior RB Chris Rainey blocked the punt of Ohio State's Ben Buchanan, it was his second of the season and sixth of his career. Rainey holds both the UF and SEC records for blocked punts, and is the active leader nationally. Rainey didn't seem all that impressed by the record.

"I'm just doing my job," he said. "I love special teams. That's the No. 1 thing I always talk about in practice, I want to do everything it is possible to win games, and that's what wins games."

RARE FEAT: Freshman S De'Ante "Pop" Saunders' fumble recovery in the first quarter was his third in the past four games. It is just the third time since 1996 that a true freshman has had three takeaways in a season, joining Janoris Jenkins (2008) and Daryl Dixon (1999).

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

Times staff
Monday, January 2, 2012

. fast facts

Bucs assistants also swept out

In addition to head coach Raheem Morris, here are the other Bucs coaches who were dismissed Monday:

Greg Olson, offensive coordinator

Alex Van Pelt, quarterbacks

Eric Yarber, wide receivers

Steve Logan, running backs

Alfredo Roberts, tight ends

Pat Morris, offensive line

Grady Stretz, defensive line

Keith Millard, defensive line

Joe Baker, linebackers

Jimmy Lake, defensive backs

Dwayne Stukes, special teams

Kurtis Shultz, strength and conditioning

Tim Holt, asst. offensive line

Tim Berbenich, asst. wide receivers

Jay Kaiser, assistant to the head coach

Chris Keenan, asst. strength and conditioning

Tyrone Pettaway, asst. linebackers

Byron Storer, asst. special teams

By Jay Mastry, Times Correspondent
Monday, January 2, 2012

What's hot: Picking the right days to safely and comfortably get offshore this time of year can be a challenge. When opportunity arises between cold fronts, the results can be rewarding. Saturday was one of those days. Light wind and calm seas were ideal for the 10-mile trip to 45 feet over natural hard bottom west of Pass-A-Grille. For three hours we had nonstop action while bottom fishing for a variety of species. We caught as many grunts as we cared to. On live bait, we lost track of how many grouper we caught and released. Finally we raised mangrove snapper to the surface while enhancing our chum slick. We caught our largest snapper on 20-pound test using a 2-ounce egg sinker on the bottom with live whitebait.

Bait update: On New Year's Eve water temperature was in the mid 60s and we caught a well full of whitebait and greenbacks just before daylight. Colder conditions will at least temporarily scatter baits that had been in shallow water and readily accessible.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

TAMPA — Though it came in a losing effort, Georgia got a bit of everything Monday from senior Brandon Boykin, who earned Outback Bowl MVP honors after managing to score on offense, defense and special teams in the Bulldogs' 33-30 triple-overtime loss to Michigan State.

Boykin set the tone for the game on Michigan State's first play, leveling WR Keshawn Martin in the end zone for a safety and 2-0 Georgia lead. He had the longest play of the game, a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter, then made a cameo on offense, scoring on a 13-yard pass from QB Aaron Murray to give Georgia the lead again with 6:44 left in the game.

"He's a very dynamic football player and a great person, a guy who loves his team and Georgia and football," coach Mark Richt said. "I know he's going to have a really good (pro) career. I'm sure he'll be a pretty high draft pick and have a great future."

He finished with 183 all-purpose yards, second behind WR Tavarres King, who caught six passes for 205 yards, including an 80-yard TD. Had media balloting taken place after the game, the MVP nod might have gone to Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard, who had two interceptions, one returned 38 yards for a touchdown.

SMALL CROWD: Attendance was announced as 49,429, just barely missing the smallest crowd in the 17 years under the Outback name. The attendance was 46 more than two years ago for Auburn and Northwestern, and those two crowds are the bowl's smallest since its inaugural game as the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1986, which drew 25,368 fans to old Tampa Stadium. According to the Tampa Sports Authority, Monday's actual attendance was 40,022.

QUIET HOMECOMING: Plant graduate Orson Charles had a quiet game in his return to Tampa, with Georgia's leading receiver limited to a single 2-yard catch on a shovel pass in the first half. Charles is considering skipping his senior year to enter the NFL draft but was not available for interviews after the game.

TOUGH DECISION: Richt was questioned after the game for his decision to kick a field goal in the first overtime on third down from the 25, rather than try to shorten the kick. Richt's logic was that if the snap was botched, Georgia could fall on the ball and kick again on fourth, and he had confidence in K Blair Walsh, who missed the game-winner then had a tying kick blocked in the third overtime.

Richt also gambled on Georgia's second possession, facing fourth and 1 at the Michigan State 5. He called his kicker off the field with a timeout and opted to go for it, and RB Ken Malcome was dropped for a 1-yard loss.

THIS AND THAT: Michigan State DE Denzel Drone, a Plant City grad, had three tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss. … S Jairus Jones (Wharton) had two tackles for the Spartans. … Georgia freshman WR Malcolm Mitchell, who lived in Tampa from ages 3 to 11 and goes by the nickname "Tampa," caught seven passes for 51 yards and a 2-point conversion. … Murray had the odd distinction of completing a pass to himself in the first half, when a throw was deflected by a Michigan State defensive lineman. He caught the loose ball for a 3-yard loss. … Michigan State DE William Gholston had a monster game, finishing with five tackles for loss, including two sacks. He also had a fumble recovery and a team-high seven total tackles. The Spartans as a team were credited with 17 tackles for loss and held Georgia to 51 rushing yards on 39 attempts.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

No. 13 UF vs. UAB

When/where: 7; Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville

TV/radio: FSN; 620-AM

Records: UAB 5-7; Florida 11-3

Notable: This is the Gators' final game before opening the conference season this weekend, and Florida will be in search of its 14th consecutive home win. … All five Florida starters are averaging double figures, led by junior G Kenny Boynton (19.4). … In Florida's last game, Boynton joined Brett Nelson and Lee Humphrey as the only players in team history to put together a 30-game streak with at least one 3-pointer. … UAB enters on a three-game winning streak. … The Blazers' leading scorer is 6-foot-10 senior forward Cameron Moore, who is the Conference USA preseason player of the year. He's averaging 14.6 points and 11.5 rebounds.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Times wires
Monday, January 2, 2012

The Rams fired Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney on Monday, meaning the Bucs are competing with four other teams in the search for a head coach.

In three seasons Spagnuolo, in his first head coaching job, was 10-38.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he hasn't decided whether to retain Jim Caldwell after a 2-14 season. Vice chairman Bill Polian and general manager Chris Polian were fired. Bill Polian was with the Colts for 14 years and built the team during the Peyton Manning era.

The Jaguars started the coaching carousel by firing Jack Del Rio on Nov. 29; two weeks later the Dolphins fired Tony Sparano and the Chiefs dismissed Todd Haley.

Jacksonville will apparently interview at least five offensive coordinators. It received permission for Atlanta's Mike Mularkey, the Jets' Brian Schottenheimer and Carolina's Rob Chudzinski, and reportedly will talk to Denver's Mike McCoy and New England's Bill O'Brien. The Dolphins began their search Monday by interviewing Todd Bowles, the interim coach for the final three games.

The Chiefs went 2-1 under interim Romeo Crennel, including a win over the Packers, and many Chiefs players want Crennel to be hired full time.

The Rams could be interested in former Titans coach Jeff Fisher and former Bucs coach Jon Gruden. Both have relationships with Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff and agent Marvin Demoff.

Chargers coach Norv Turner said decision on his future will be announced in a matter of days.

Eagles coach Andy Reid seems likely to return, but first-year defensive coordinator Juan Castillo might not be back. That could open a spot for Spagnuolo.

Jets teammates: Holmes has big fences to mend

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — When Santonio Holmes returns to the Jets' locker room next season, the receiver will have to show that he's decided to put the team ahead of himself.

That was the message resonating from several players Monday as they cleaned out their lockers. A day after Holmes was pulled from the field in the final minutes of a loss in Miami for arguing in the huddle, several players openly questioned why he was concerned with his own interests at such a crucial juncture for the team.

Wide receiver Patrick Turner, who was sent in to replace Holmes, said Holmes "lost focus" of the team's goals in recent days. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie said he "congratulated" teammates who spoke up and "showed leadership" after the on-field incident. And guard Matt Slauson questioned whether Holmes would be able to undo the damage.

In a final team meeting, coach Rex Ryan started to cry while he discussed his disappointment in the lack of team unity this season, Slauson said.

Ryan said of getting emotional: "I'm Irish. What do you want?"

Slauson thought the fracture began in October when Holmes criticized the offensive line on consecutive weeks. That brought a public rebuke from guard Brandon Moore, long a soft-spoken leader.

On Monday, Moore said everything Ryan said in the meeting about the need for team unity was "spot on."

Holmes was at the meeting and made a brief appearance in the locker room, but declined to speak to reporters. He quickly left, escorted by a team media relations official.

Linebacker Bart Scott bristled as he was asked about a report that he likely wouldn't be back. "All I know is I've got a guaranteed contract for $4 million," he said, then cursed at a photographer and stuck out his middle finger, adding: "Take a picture of this."

mendenhall out: Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall reportedly has a torn ACL in his right knee and is out for the postseason. Third-year back Isaac Redman and rookie John Clay will fill in Sunday in a wild-card game at the Broncos. Mewelde Moore has a sprained left knee and Jonathan Dwyer is out for the season with a left foot injury. Meanwhile, Denver coach John Fox was asked if he would consider replacing struggling quarterback Tim Tebow with backup Brady Quinn if the Broncos fall behind. "I don't do well with hypotheticals," Fox replied. "I anticipate we will play very well."

bears: An MRI showed Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher suffered no major structural damage to his left knee in Sunday's season-ending win over the Vikings.

bills: Defensive coordinator George Edwards was fired and replaced by assistant head coach Dave Wannstedt. The Bills allowed a franchise-worst 5,938 yards and yielded 434 points, second-worst in team history.

colts: Center Jeff Saturday, a free agent-to-be, said he might retire. Receiver Reggie Wayne's locker was packed up, with his name plate stripped off.

49ers: Coach Jim Harbaugh told quarterback Alex Smith the team plans to re-sign him beyond this season. Smith received a $4.9 million, one-year contract as a free agent in July, when many thought he would be gone after six up-and-down seasons. He has thrived in Harbaugh's first season.

packers: Left offensive tackle Chad Clifton, who returned from a hamstring injury sustained Oct. 9 to play Sunday's regular-season finale, will start in the playoffs. Clifton also hurt his back during rehabilitation.

rams: Ron Bartell, the team's top cover cornerback who sustained a season-ending neck injury in the opener, plans to play next season.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

TAMPA — Raheem Morris was fond of imploring his players to be strong-minded, to avoid mental weakness and to be flexible when unexpected situations arose.

Whether they took those lessons to heart on the football field is debatable, considering Morris was fired on Monday after going 17-31 in three seasons as the Bucs' coach.

After being jolted by Morris' dismissal, players immediately put his principles to use.

"We know it's going to change," defensive tackle Brian Price said. "Like Coach Raheem always said, 'You just have to deal.' There are a lot of lessons we can take from Coach Raheem. That's one of the phrases I'll always take with me. Also, 'Don't blink.' This is our job. This is what we signed up for. You have to adapt."

"I wasn't surprised," said veteran running back Earnest Graham of Morris' dismissal. "We know how this works with the way we finished the season. Under the circumstances, I don't think anybody can expect to have a job after this."

Players will have to adapt to a multitude of changes during this transition period. There will be a new coaching staff, including position coaches and coordinators. And the roster is going to change, perhaps markedly.

That realization was dawning on players Monday. Price described many players as "shell shocked" as the news no one considered a surprise became reality. For many players on the youngest roster in the NFL, Morris has been their only pro coach. He means a lot to them personally and professionally.

"No matter whether you expect it or not, it's always a shock," Price said. "He's the only coach I've known in the NFL. I mean, he drafted me. And he didn't get the job for no reason. But during that (10-game) slide things didn't go our way. I wish I could take all the blame instead of him."

Graham, who has been with the Bucs since 2003, also experienced Jon Gruden's firing after the 2008 season.

Graham, who was placed on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles' tendon in Week 7, said players bear much of the blame for the 10 consecutive losses.

"We're all in this together and the blame has to fall on everybody,'' he said. "It wasn't totally our fault and it wasn't totally Raheem's fault."

Center Jeff Faine, a team captains, hoped Morris got another shot at being a head coach.

"I think Coach Morris is an improving head coach," he said. "One positive thing is he's always improving. The hand he was dealt was a difficult one. I think he did the most he could with it."

Reached by phone, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy declined to talk, but later shared his thoughts on Twitter.

"Prayers and love go out to Raheem Morris, the coach who believed enough in me to draft me. Wish him all the best," McCoy wrote.

Receiver Mike Williams, a 2010 fourth-round pick, said on Twitter: "A part of my family is gone. But just know this, you will always be my family."

Rays manager Joe Maddon, who has become close with Morris in recent years, was upset at the news of his dismissal.

"Rah is a good friend, along with several staff members. I know how hard Raheem and the staff worked, and how much they care. I am sure it will all work out for the best, it's just tough to absorb when it is so fresh."

After a 4-12 season, players wonder if more moves await.

"There are going to be some guys who might not be here," Graham said. "That's the league, man."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @HolderStephen.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 2, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs' London trips, for now, are over.

Co-chairman Joel Glazer said Monday the team has told the league it does not wish to play in overseas games after doing so twice in three seasons.

The Bucs began their season-ending 10-game losing streak this season in London against the Bears. But Glazer said the decision was not made for football reasons. Tampa Bay wants to solidify its core audience here.

"We were helping the NFL build internationally. We believe greatly in that," said Glazer, whose family also owns the massively popular English Premier League soccer team Manchester United. "But for the foreseeable future, we told them we want to focus on building our base here."

The Bucs didn't benefit on the field from the trips abroad. Tampa Bay also lost in London to the Patriots in 2009. The physical and mental toll from the travel wasn't conducive to winning, either.

STOCKER'S SEASON: Rookie TE Luke Stocker didn't have a memorable foray into the NFL in a personal or team sense. But he said he is looking ahead to a critical offseason in which he thinks he'll grow as a player and the nagging injuries that limited him all season will heal.

"I expect a lot from myself next season, especially with a full offseason," said Stocker, a fourth-round draft pick from Tennessee. "Missing all that time in (training) camp was a big issue." He hurt his right hip on the first day.

"That slowed me down a lot," he said. "Any time you have a lower-body injury, you lose strength and you lose speed. … By about the time I started getting it back, I got hurt, and I missed a couple of weeks." That second injury, a knee sprain, cost Stocker two games in the middle of the season.

"I personally just worked every day and tried not to get caught up in the ups and the downs," he said. "I felt that as an individual, as this season went on, I did become a better player, especially a better blocker."

BENNETT'S OUTLOOK: DE Michael Bennett said he expects to need surgery to repair a toe injury that slowed him during the latter part of the season. He played through the injury, dealing with significant pain. Bennett is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, one the Bucs could have significant interest in retaining. Bennett maintains he'd like to return.

FINAL STATS: The Bucs finished the season with the league's 21st-ranked offense (16th passing, 30th rushing) and 30th-ranked defense (21st passing, 32nd rushing) among the 32 teams.

Times wires
Monday, January 2, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — A couple decades ago, few in college football would have dreamed of placing Virginia Tech in the same elite class as Michigan.

As the teams collide in tonight's Sugar Bowl, however, the team more associated with sustained success in recent years won't be wearing maize and blue.

Virginia Tech (11-2) has won no fewer than 10 games in eight straight seasons. The Hokies are the ones whose 19th straight bowl appearance represents one of the longest streaks in the country.

If Virginia Tech has been short on anything since the program's landmark victory over Texas in the Sugar Bowl that capped the 1995 season, it has been victories in BCS bowls.

The Hokies have lost four of five BCS bowl appearances, including twice in the Sugar Bowl — once against national champion Florida State in the 1999 season and once against unbeaten Auburn in 2004-05.

"We've had some great wins and we've done a great job getting here," longtime Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said Monday. "Now we need to take that next step and get our share of the BCS wins. … The challenge to Virginia Tech and to the ACC right now is not only get here, but get a win."

This might be the right year for Virginia Tech to catch Michigan (10-2) in a BCS bowl,.

Current Wolverines are in only their second bowl in four years, and none of them has a bowl victory.

"We broke every record you didn't want to break as a team," Michigan senior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen said. "We were the team that snapped the (33-year) bowl streak. We were seven (straight) losses against Ohio (State). We had done pretty much everything incorrectly."

However, Brady Hoke, in only his first season as head coach, has been able to re-establish a foundation of toughness and confidence at Michigan.

Hoke never seemed to believe he was taking over a team that had diminished in stature, even if it had been a little thin on wins lately.

He made that clear when asked whether, with a Sugar Bowl triumph, Michigan would "be back," as a national power.

"I don't think Michigan ever left," Hoke said. "There was some — maybe a lean year or two. But Michigan was always Michigan — and will be."

Times wires
Monday, January 2, 2012

WACO, Texas — With its highest ranking ever and the best start in its history, fourth-ranked Baylor opened Big 12 play accomplishing another first.

Perry Jones III had 14 points with 12 rebounds, and the Bears remained undefeated with a 61-52 victory over Texas A&M on Monday night for their first 14-game winning streak.

The Bears went ahead 8-0 and led throughout on the day they moved up two spots in the AP poll.

"I make sure, being the captain of the team, that we don't pay attention to that," senior Quincy Acy said. "It's good to have it, but we want more."

Part of the opening spurt was Pierre Jackson's halfcourt alley-oop pass to Jones for a dunk.

"Actually, that was the first time he's ever thrown me an alley-oop that far," Jones said. "But you've got to be ready for anything when he's on the floor."

NO. 21 VIRGINIA 57, LSU 52: Sammy Zeglinski had 17 points, including a big 3-pointer late, to help the visiting Cavaliers (13-1) to their 11th straight win.

MIAMI 99, UNC GREENSBORO 89: Kenny Kadji scored 30, and the host Hurricanes (9-4) withstood an upset bit.

NO. 11 LOUISVILLE: Coach Rick Pitino said he doesn't expect forward Stephan Van Treese, out with a left knee injury, to contribute this season and added that freshman Wayne Blackshear is behind in his recovery from a right shoulder injury.

OKLAHOMA ST.: Swingman Jean-Paul Olukemi is out for the season with a knee injury.

AP POLL: Syracuse remained No. 1 for a fourth straight week, and Pittsburgh and Creighton dropped out. No. 23 Kansas State and No. 25 Gonzaga entered.

Women

NO. 5 MARYLAND 91, FSU 70: Laurin Mincy had 23 points as the visiting Terps (14-0) routed the Seminoles (8-7) in both teams' ACC opener.

NO. 25 UNC 65, NO. 12 MIAMI 63: Chay Shegog hit the go-ahead free throws with 1:11 left, helping the host Tar Heels (11-2) rally past the Hurricanes (11-3) in the ACC opener for both.

NO. 7 DUKE 77, VIRGINIA 66: Tricia Liston had 18 points to lead four players in double figures for the host Blue Devils (10-2), who won their 19th straight in the series in their ACC opener.

NO. 8 OHIO ST. 84, IOWA 71: Samantha Prahalis scored 30 and Tayler Hill 28 to rally the host Buckeyes (15-0, 2-0 Big Ten) from a 15-point first-half deficit.

NO. 18 PURDUE 64, ILLINOIS 63: Courtney Moses hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key as time expired to lift the visiting Boilermakers (12-3, 2-0 Big Ten).

NO. 22 PENN ST. 82, WISCONSIN 49: Maggie Lucas scored 18 for the visiting Nittany Lions (11-3, 1-1 Big Ten), who pulled away with a 14-0 first-half run.

AP POLL: Baylor remained the unanimous No. 1.

Times wires
Monday, January 2, 2012

ORLANDO — South Carolina's season was marred by the dismissal of its starting quarterback, the loss of its star running back to injury and an NCAA investigation for improper benefits.

Despite it all, the No. 10 Gamecocks won more games than any team in school history.

"This is for all fans of South Carolina — always," coach Steve Spurrier belted out during the postgame celebration.

Alshon Jeffery caught four passes for 148 yards and a touchdown before getting ejected for fighting, and the Gamecocks won 11 games for the first time, defeating Nebraska 30-13 at Monday's Capital One Bowl.

Spurrier said the players will have rings "with a big 'ole 11 on them" made for the Gamecocks (11-2) to mark the milestone.

Connor Shaw, who took over at quarterback when senior and former Jefferson High star Stephen Garcia was kicked off the team, came up big. The junior passed for two scores and rushed for another against the Cornhuskers (9-4). He threw for 230 yards and ran for 42 more.

Jeffery had a surprisingly productive day, weeks after surgery for a hand injury sustained in the regular-season finale. Then he was penalized and ejected in the third quarter along with Cornhuskers cornerback Alfonso Dennard when both exchanged punches.

TICKET CITY BOWL: Case Keenum ended his record-setting career with another performance for the history books.

The sixth-year senior threw for 532 yards and three scores, leading No. 20 Houston past No. 24 Penn State 30-14 in Dallas.

The Cougars (13-1) set a school record for victories and made Tony Levine a winner in his debut as coach. He took over when Kevin Sumlin left to take the Texas A&M job after the regular season.

Keenum came in as the NCAA career leader in yards passing and touchdown passes, then set a bowl record with 227 yards passing in the first quarter.

"I'm biased, obviously. I'd put him right at the top," Levine said when asked where Keenum ranks among the best college quarterbacks of all time. "You don't win 12 games by accident and I don't think you don't break the records he broke by accident, either."

The loss ended a tumultuous season for the Nittany Lions (9-4), who endured a child sex-abuse scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky. The scandal resulted in Joe Paterno being fired in the middle of his 46th season as coach. AP reported that San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman is a finalist to replace Paterno.

Around the nation

NORTH CAROLINA: Junior defensive end Donte Paige-Moss told Tar Heels coaches he plans to enter the NFL draft.

WASHINGTON: Justin Wilcox was named defensive coordinator after leaving the same post at Tennessee. Linebackers coach Peter Sirmon left the Volunteers for the same job with the Huskies as well. Also, running back Chris Polk will skip his senior season and declare for the NFL draft.