By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Any lingering effects from No. 12 Florida State's first loss of the season quickly disappeared Saturday night against an overmatched Boston College.

The Seminoles defense rebounded from the previous week's second-half collapse with a dominant four quarters, and the offense turned from conservative to aggressive with a career night from quarterback EJ Manuel in a 51-7 rout in front of an announced 81,075 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

"They were locked from the get-go," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "You could sense it. They had a chip on their shoulder."

That chip appeared early as the Seminoles (6-1, 3-1 ACC) fixed the problems that led to a deflating 17-16 defeat at North Carolina State. The Wolfpack converted on three fourth downs in its winning drive, but FSU's defense made sure it didn't happen again against Boston College (1-5, 0-3).

The Eagles drove to the Seminole 1 before the defense began its dominance. Defensive end Bjoern Werner batted down one pass and stuffed a second-down run. The 'Noles stopped the next rush at the goal line, and Werner pressured Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig into an incomplete pass to end the threat.

FSU quickly capitalized with its first 99-yard scoring drive since 2006. Manuel hit receiver Kenny Shaw with a streaking 77-yard touchdown pass — the longest of the quarterback's career and the longest for FSU since 2007.

"I was ready to go," Manuel said.

The score gave the Seminoles the lead for good and marked a turn from the conservative, run-heavy play-calling that fans questioned against the Wolfpack. FSU opened with nine consecutive passes, including six deep balls, and threw on 20 of its 33 first-half plays against the nation's No. 104-ranked defense.

The result: Manuel passed for 295 yards and three touchdowns in the first two quarters, and the Seminoles scored on five of their first seven possessions to run away with the game.

"We had to get over last week's loss," Shaw said.

Manuel finished with four touchdown passes and a career-high 439 passing yards — the first 400-yard performance by an FSU quarterback since Chris Weinke in 2000 — while helping the Seminoles score more than 49 points for the fifth time this season.

Running back James Wilder scored the first two touchdown receptions of his career with highlight-reel plays.

The former Plant High star dived just past the goal line in the second quarter for a 7-yard score, and he hurdled an Eagle defender on his way into the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown two minutes into the fourth quarter.

The FSU defense also rebounded from allowing N.C. State 17 consecutive second-half points last week, shutting out the Eagles in the second half.

"We proved ourselves on that tonight," safety Lamarcus Joyner said.

The Seminoles held the ACC's second-ranked passing offense to 129 passing yards, allowing the Eagles to score a season-low seven points. BC, which has not beaten a Division I-A team this season, converted on only 3-of-16 third- or fourth-down attempts.

FSU's convincing victory followed a familiar script after disappointing upsets. Since 2005, a ranked FSU team has lost nine of its past 11 road games to unranked opponents. The Seminoles have rebounded with wins after seven of those nine defeats.

"It'll be a great challenge to never look back," Fisher said, "and see if we can keep doing it."

Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

Cards comeback by the numbers

1 Team to overcome a six-run deficit to win a winner-take-all postseason game.

2 Teams to overcome a multiple-run deficit in the ninth in a winner-take-all playoff game (Cardinals, 1992 Braves).

3.7 Percent chance the Cardinals had to win the game when they fell behind 6-0, according to fangraphs.com's win probability calculator.

5 Teams to erase a six-run deficit to win a postseason game (the most recent before Friday: 2008 Red Sox, vs. Rays)

6 Straight wins in elimination games for the Cardinals, tying their major-league record.

WASHINGTON — For their first seven years, the Nationals merely existed, barely mattered.

That's why so much that happened in 2012 felt new and significant: The 98 regular-season wins and the NL East title; the postseason highs and lows; the intense attention to the decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg.

When it ended, the soft voices in a quiet clubhouse kept repeating the same word in the wee hours of Saturday: They would "learn" from what happened.

Learn from what for nearly every member of a young roster was a debut trip to the playoffs.

Learn from a 9-7 loss Friday to the Cardinals in Game 5 of their NL Division Series — a game Washington led 6-0 early, then 7-5 with two outs in the ninth inning. No team had ever blown a lead of more than four runs en route to losing a winner-take-all postseason game.

Manager Davey Johnson: "We proved our worth and we just need to let this be a lesson … learn from it, have more resolve, come back and carry it a lot farther."

Closer Drew Storen, who blew the 7-5 lead in the ninth: "It's the best job when you're good at it. It's the worst job when you fail. Just got to learn from it."

General manager Mike Rizzo: "Just knowing the character and the makeup of the core guys in this clubhouse, I think we'll use it as a learning tool, as a learning experience, and have a burning desire for it never to happen again."

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

WNBA

Minnesota goes for 2nd straight title

MINNEAPOLIS — For years, the Minnesota Lynx were a listless franchise that couldn't figure out a way to even make the playoffs, let alone contend for a title.

Now they are going for their second straight league championship. The Lynx host Indiana in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals tonight (8, ESPN2), trying to become the first repeat winners since Los Angeles in 2001-02.

Minnesota made the playoffs twice in its first 12 years. But starting with coach Cheryl Reeve's hiring and the trade for Minnesota native and ex-Gophers star Lindsay Whalen in 2010, the Lynx are now the class of the league.

Indiana lost star scorer Katie Douglas to a left ankle injury in the last game of the best-of-three East final. Her status for tonight was not known.

Cycling

Insurer wants Lance bonus back

An insurer will try to regain the $7.5 million it paid Lance Armstrong to settle a Tour de France performance bonus case in the wake of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that depicted him as a main conspirator in a vast doping scheme, the insurer's lawyer said.

SCA Promotions, of Dallas, covered a $5 million bonus Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service team promised him for winning the 2004 Tour. Because a French book detailed doping allegations against Armstrong in 2004, SCA initially balked at paying. After arbitration, it agreed to settle for $7.5 million in 2006. The additional $2.5 million covered interest and Armstrong's legal costs.

The antidoping agency said it found Armstrong committed perjury in arbitration by lying about his doping. Armstrong lawyer Timothy J. Herman said the 2006 terms prevent SCA from reopening the case.

another exit: Ex-cyclist Matt White quit as director of the pro team Orica-GreenEDGE and his roles with Cycling Australia after admitting his involvement in doping while riding with Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service team.

et cetera

triathlon: Australia's Pete Jacobs won the Ironman world championship, beating Germany's Andreas Raelert by more than four minutes in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Jacobs, second last year, finished the 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in 8 hours, 18 minutes, 37 seconds.

tennis: Andy Murray beat Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 to make the Shanghai Masters final in China against Novak Djokovic, who beat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-4. … Taiwan's Chang Kai-chen beat top seed and Tampa resident Sam Stosur 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 to make the Japan Open final in Osaka against Heather Watson.

soccer: Three Cubans who disappeared before a World Cup qualifier vs. Canada in Toronto on Friday defected, the sport's governing body said. A fourth who missed the game, a 3-0 loss, was ill, coach Alexander Gonzalez said.

swimming: Five-time Olympic champ Ian Thorpe, 30, says in his book This is Me: The Autobiography he has spent much of his life fighting "crippling depression," occasionally has considered suicide and often turned to heavy drinking to manage his moods.

Times wires

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2012

NASHVILLE — Say hello to another Florida sophomore quarterback who just won the hearts of Florida fans and grabbed the attention of the rest of the nation.

Jeff Driskel has tried his best to deflect those Tim Tebow comparisons that are more and more starting to come his way.

And for good reason.

Tebow won the Heisman Trophy (as a sophomore) and helped Florida to two national titles. Two months ago, Driskel was fighting to earn the starting job, and he didn't even start the season opener at QB.

But Saturday night, in his fifth career start, Driskel served notice he's here to make his own mark.

The 19-year-old rushed for 177 yards, a school record for a quarterback, and touchdowns of 37, 13 and 70 yards as No. 4 Florida beat Vanderbilt 31-17 in front of 40,350 at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday night.

"It's an honor," Driskel said of the record. "They were keying in on (Gator leading rusher) Mike Gillislee) all night, which they should. He's had a great season. When two or three guys go for him, it opens up lanes. We had great blocking from receivers and also from fullbacks and tight ends. So it was a full team effort."

Driskel needed 11 carries to break the record of 166 set by — who else? — Tebow on Sept. 22, 2007. That day, Tebow ran it 27 times.

It was the fourth time this season Florida won after trailing, and it remained in the hunt for its first SEC championship since 2008. It also is Florida's first 6-0 start since 2009.

The Gators (5-0 SEC) host South Carolina on Saturday in a pivotal SEC East game. And when the first BCS standings are released tonight, they could be as high as No. 2 based on computer rankings that already have been released.

"It was a good win," Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "I'm proud of our guys to come back. Credit to (Vanderbilt coach) James Franklin and his staff and team. They are a much-improved organization as far as their play."

"Going on the road in this league, it's tough. Jeff had an outstanding game running the football. His legs create a lot of things for our offense."

The win was anything but easy. It took Driskel's performance and several special teams plays, including a blocked field goal by defensive end Earl Okine, 53-yard run by receiver Solomon Patton on a fake punt and 60-yard kickoff return by Andre Debose. All three led to scores.

After trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Florida outscored Vanderbilt 11-0 in the second quarter and took a 21-7 lead into the fourth.

The Gators added three more on a 29-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal with 13:30 left. The drive was set up when linebacker Jon Bostic forced a fumble by quarterback Jordan Rodgers, which was recovered by linebacker Neiron Ball.

Vanderbilt (2-4, 1-3) pulled to within 21-14 on a 1-yard run by Zac Stacy. However, Florida extended the lead to 24-14 on another Sturgis field goal with 5:24 remaining then closed out the game with a 70-yard touchdown run by the 6-foot-4, 237-pound Driskel with 2:20 left.

"He's explosive, athletic and fast," Franklin said. "Jeff is a big, athletic guy who is fast. And if you give him an opportunity to make big plays, he will."

The Gators rushed for 326 yards and had 403 overall, even more impressive because Florida was without three starting offensive lineman due to injuries.

Florida held Vanderbilt to 126 rushing yards and 237 overall but gave up several big plays through the air and struggled to get off the field on third down — all concerns, Muschamp said.

"I'm pleased with the win," he said, "but cautiously optimistic about how we played.

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com. Follow her on Twitter at TBTimes_Gators.

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

SAN MARTIN, Calif. — John Mallinger remained in position for his first PGA Tour victory, shooting 1-under 70 Saturday in the Frys.com Open to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.

Mallinger, 33, finished the round 15-under 198 in the fall series event at CordeValle after opening with 66 and matching the course record Friday with 62.

"I just didn't have it all. I didn't drive it as well as I did" Friday, Mallinger said. "I think I hit every fairway (Friday), and then (Saturday) I just got off to a weird start. But I hung around there and made some birdies on the back nine that got me back into position. Still got the lead, still got a good spot, and look forward to" today.

He has finished second twice in his seven-year career on tour, losing in a playoff to Bo Van Pelt in Milwaukee in 2009.

"I'm going to still stay aggressive and try to make as many birdies as possible," Mallinger said. "It's going to be a birdie day. I mean, it's supposed to be nice (today)."

Sweden's Jonas Blixt was second after shooting 66.

LPGA: Defending champ Na-yeon Choi of South Korea posted 3-under 68 to maintain a two-shot lead after the rain-interrupted third round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Choi had four birdies and a bogey for 13-under 200. Fellow South Korean Park Inbee was two shots back. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (71) was at par 213, and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (73) was at 4-over 217.

CHAMPIONS: Fred Funk took a one-stroke lead over Larry Mize in the Greater Hickory Classic in Conover, N.C., shooting his second straight bogey-free 6-under 66. Funk, at 12-under 132, has gone 42 holes without a bogey since the 13th hole Sunday in the final round of the SAS Championship.

OBITUARY: The LPGA Tour said longtime rules official Doug Brecht died at his Oklahoma home after a three-month battle with the West Nile virus. He was 62.

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Logan Thomas knows how Virginia Tech is supposed to play. He finally got to experience it Saturday — after a 12-minute beatdown by Duke.

Thomas threw two touchdowns and J.C. Coleman ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns as the Hokies rallied from a 20-0 deficit to win 41-20.

The Hokies entered 3-3, their worst start since 2-3-1 in 1992.

"We were able to move the ball any way we wanted to — throwing it and running it — and the defense was pretty much shutting down everything," Thomas said. "If we play like that — special teams on top of it — that's Virginia Tech football."

Duke entered having won four in a row and needing one win to be bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. It gained 150 yards in the first quarter but 84 over the next two. Sean Renfree threw two interceptions before halftime and was sacked five times overall.

"Our bubble feels burst," coach David Cutcliffe said. "It hurts. It hurts a lot."

Renfree's second interception, by Detrick Bonner, came with 25 seconds left. One play later, Thomas found Marcus Davis wide open for a 42-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 20-17.

"Obviously, that was a big shift in momentum," Renfree said.

Thomas hit Davis for 40 yards to set up the Hokies' first touchdown and later hit him for a 47-yard touchdown. Coleman's 45-yard run gave the Hokies their first lead, 24-20, and he scored on an 86-yard run in the fourth.

Davis, who caught five passes for 144 yards, said he believed once the Hokies started clicking, the Blue Devils got timid: "You could tell they didn't want to play with us anymore."

Maryland 27, Virginia 20: Stefon Diggs shined early as the visiting Terps built a 17-0 first-quarter lead. One of the nation's top recruits in February, he returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Then when appearing hemmed in after catching a short pass, he spun away from a defender who had his shirttail, reversed field and went for 60 yards. "It was just one of those instinct plays," he said. The play set up a field goal. "Nothing he does surprises me," Terps coach Randy Edsall said. The Cavaliers have lost five in a row.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 13, 2012

HOLIDAY — The Anclote Tournament from the Deep volleyball event on Saturday was noteworthy for a couple of reasons, with the host Sharks placing in the top three and Wharton suffering its first loss of the season.

Lakeland George Jenkins (21-3) topped the 11-team field by winning the three-team championship round and handing the previously unbeaten Wildcats (22-1) their first blemish.

The field was divided into three pools, with the winners of Friday's pool play advancing to a round-robin championship Saturday.

Wharton had no issues during pool play, beating Carrollwood Day, Bishop McLaughlin and Hudson without dropping a set.

Jenkins (21-3) cruised through it pool, toppling both Ridgewood and Zephyrhills in straight sets.

Anclote (14-9) scored three victories in its pool, over Chamberlain, Gulf and Dixie Hollins.

In the championship round, Anclote was beaten by both Wharton 25-17, 25-22, and Jenkins 25-10, 25-20, so the Jenkins-Wharton match, which was the first one played Saturday, proved to be for the title.

Jenkins used its team speed and communication skills to edge Wharton 27-25 in the first game and that continued in the second as the Wildcats fell 25-21.

Despite the ending, the Anclote coach and players felt good about holding their own against two elite programs.

In the Sharks' four-year history, coach Chris Vergnaud said this was the first time his team has challenged in the finals for a tournament title. "I know we have the potential to be a top team," Vergnaud said. "I was glad to see (the girls) build the confidence they need. We have a lot of mental toughness this year, and they proved it."

Sharks junior hitter Aaliyah Anderson totaled a team-high 25 kills during the event.

Carrollwood Day took fourth place, just ahead of Ridgewood (fifth) and Chamberlain (sixth).

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

Gophers' Kill has seizure

MINNEAPOLIS — Jerry Kill's seizure problems returned Saturday, hospitalizing the Minnesota coach shortly after he gave his postgame press conference following a 21-13 loss to Northwestern. Kill met with the media and answered questions for about 10 minutes after the game, looking healthy and strong. But moments after returning to the locker room, he had another seizure, school officials said. Team medical staff attended to him immediately, and an ambulance arrived at TCF Bank Stadium quickly after the seizure. Kill was taken to a hospital, where he was alert and resting comfortably, according to a news release issued by the school about two hours after the game. University officials said they "do not anticipate further information" but said they hoped to have an update today. It was unknown whether he'd coach this coming week at Wisconsin.

Record of the day

22-34 Auburn coach Gene Chizik's record without 2010 Heisman-winning QB Cam Newton on his team. Chizik was 5-19 at Iowa State (2008-09) and is 17-15 (minus Newton) in his fourth season at Auburn. After Chizik's 14-0 national title season in 2010, Auburn gave him a new deal with a $10 million buyout that declines each year till it reaches zero after the 2015 season, according to the Birmingham News. If Auburn fired him at the end of this season, it would owe him $7.5M, the largest buyout in SEC history. The current largest? Auburn's $5.1M of Tommy Tuberville in 2008.

Number of the day

6 Teams Iowa State has faced, among six, that entered their game unbeaten:

Date Opp. Rec. Result

Sept. 1 Tulsa 0-0 38-23 Win

Sept. 8 at Iowa 1-0 9-6 Win

Sept. 15 Western Illinois 2-0 37-3 Win

Sept. 29 Texas Tech 3-0 42-13 Loss

Oct. 6 at TCU 4-0 37-23 Win

Saturday Kansas State 5-0 27-21 Loss

Up next? At 3-2 Oklahoma State

Players of the day

Dri Archer, Kent State: The junior running back ran for 222 yards and a touchdown and threw a TD in a 31-17 win over Army.

Matt Brown, Illinois State: The quarterback threw for three touchdowns and ran for one for the host Redbirds, who rallied from a 28-7 first-half deficit to beat Youngstown State 35-28.

Ryan Griffin, Tulane: The senior quarterback returned after missing three weeks with a shoulder injury to throw for 302 yards and three TDs to help beat SMU 27-26.

Matt Hogan, Houston: The senior set a Conference USA record with six field goals — 23, 27, 23, 29, 52 and 26 yards — in a 39-17 win over UAB. A seventh try, a 48-yarder, fell short.

Bernard Reedy, Toledo: The junior scored on an 89-yard kickoff return, a 58-yard run and a 65-yard catch during the third quarter of a 52-47 win over Eastern Michigan. Reedy finished with 11 catches for 237 yards.

Tyler Tettleton, Ohio: The junior quarterback passed for two touchdowns and caught one in a 34-28 victory over Akron. His first TD pass gave him a school-record 39 for the Bobcats, who are 7-0 for the first time since 1968.

The Division I-A unbeatens

Big East Independent SEC

CincinnatiNotre Dame *Alabama *

LouisvilleMACFlorida *

RutgersOhio Miss. State #

Big TenPac-12S. Carolina * #

Ohio State * #OregonWAC

Big 12Oregon State *La. Tech * #

Kansas State

* Has not faced a I-AA team # Played late Saturday

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

NEW YORK — 3B Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yankees' starting lineup for their AL Championship Series opener against Detroit on Saturday night but was dropped to sixth in the batting order.

Rodriguez was 2-for-16 with no RBIs in the AL Division Series against Baltimore, going hitless in 12 at-bats against right-handed pitchers with nine strikeouts. Manager Joe Girardi pinch hit for him in Games 3 and 4.

"This is a guy we know can do a lot of damage," Girardi said. "I talk about sometimes going with my gut and evaluating what I see and different things you take into account when you made the lineup up, talk to people, and I think he's raring to go."

Rodriguez, 37, had not hit as low as sixth since Joe Torre batted him eighth in the fourth and final game of the 2006 ALDS against the Tigers, according to STATS LLC. He went 0-for-3. A-Rod last hit sixth in Game 2 that year against Detroit, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Detroit has four right-handers in its rotation. Rodriguez entered the series 1-for-9 in his regular- and postseason career against Game 1 starter Doug Fister, 0-for-3 against Anibal Sanchez, 8-for-30 with three homers against Justin Verlander and 1-for-12 against Max Scherzer.

Rodriguez hasn't homered in 84 at-bats since Sept. 14.

COACH HURT: Giants first-base coach Roberto Kelly sustained a concussion after getting hit in the back of the head when Buster Posey's ball struck him while he was standing near second base during batting practice. Kelly was still expected to be on the field for Game 1 of the NL Championship Series today.

EXPANDED REPLAY: Commissioner Bud Selig said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that instant replay likely will be expanded next year to include reviews of fair or foul balls and trapped balls. "I think we'll have it for sure," he said. "They're working on cameras in all the ballparks."

YANKS ROTATION: The Yankees picked RHP Hiroki Kuroda to start Game 2 tonight on three days' rest. Kuroda, 37, has never pitched on short rest in his five seasons in the majors. RHP Phil Hughes is set to face Tigers RHP Justin Verlander in Game 3 on Tuesday, with LHP CC Sabathia going on normal rest Wednesday.

NLCS ROTATIONS: The Giants announced that LHP Madison Bumgarner will start Game 1 tonight against the Cardinals, with LHP Lance Lynn expected to go for St. Louis.

UMP CREWS: Sam Holbrook, the umpire who made the controversial infield fly call that enraged the Braves and their fans in the NL wild-card game, is part of the crew for the AL Championship Series. Crews are chosen before the postseason begins. Jeff Kellogg is ALCS crew chief, and Gary Darling heads the NLCS crew.

By Joel Anderson and Joey Knight, Times Staff Writers


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Super 7

1. Armwood (6-1): Hawks no longer winning big, but winning nonetheless.

2. Plant (5-1): Have the Panthers uncovered another gem under center (Colby Brown)?

3. Robinson (6-0): Knights defense to visit White House on Monday, bat for A-Rod on Tuesday.

4. Durant (6-0): Newsome might be last team with a realistic shot to keep Durant from an unbeaten regular season.

5. Wharton (4-2): The Wildcats sure had a nice rebound: a five-touchdown romp over New Tampa rival Freedom.

6. Sickles (4-2): Gryphons kept alive their playoff hopes with their first win over Earl Garcia's Terriers.

7. Hillsborough (5-1): The Terriers don't have much time to mourn their first loss with Armwood next.

In the conversation: Berkeley Prep (6-0), Gaither (5-1), Jesuit (5-2), Tampa Bay Tech (4-2), Tampa Catholic (6-1)

Unsung

A few guys we should've appreciated more:

Brandon Hawkins, Alonso. The Ravens senior continued his quietly efficient season, going 7-for-10 for 113 yards and one TD in a 27-10 win against Plant City.

Caylon Holloway, Armwood. The 155-pound sophomore had 133 yards and two TDs on 23 carries in a 35-18 win at Strawberry Crest.

Nate Mills, Sickles. The Gryphons senior came off the bench to complete a 44-yard touchdown pass on his first throw in a win over Hillsborough. He completed 7-of-10 passes for 114 yards and added 37 yards rushing.

Tyler Small, Jefferson. The Dragons captain had his first career sack and a fumble recovery in a win against King.

By the numbers

0 interceptions, in 93 pass attempts, by Alonso QB Brandon Hawkins this season

7 fumbles, two lost, by Sickles in its win over Hillsborough

23 total points surrendered by Alonso during its four-game win streak

111 rushing yards for Jesuit sophomore Kevin Newman against Dunedin

218 receiving yards for Carrollwood Day senior Nate Lewis against Bradenton Christian

306 passing yards for Strawberry Crest sophomore Tristan Hyde against Armwood

Unprecedented

With 2½ minutes left in the third quarter Friday, King led Jefferson 8-6. In the final 14½ minutes, the Dragons scored 35 unanswered points. Thirty-five. One key was three quick Lions turnovers. The other? "Last week, being up 21-0 on (Hillsborough), we thought we were going to come out here and just run over them," Jefferson QB Deiondre Porter said. "But they showed us that, 'Hey, y'all are going to have to work for this win.' But the thing is, that's nothing. We'll work for a win."

Audibles

"Our defense would be the greatest high school fantasy football defense ever." — Shawn Taylor, Robinson OL coach, who has watched the defense score 12 TDs, including Demetrius Page's pick-six against Gibbs

"Karel is the best player in the county with no D-I offers. We're going to change that." — John Kelly, Strawberry Crest coach, on WR Karel Hamilton, who had 13 catches, 233 yards and two TDs against Armwood

"I saw a lot of Cover 2 and one-on-one matchups up the middle with a linebacker trying to cover K.J. deep downfield. I knew we could have some success there." — Chase Litton, Wharton QB, who hit senior K.J. Hopkins five times for 160 yards and two TDs

Three thoughts looking ahead

1. Thursday night lights? All but a handful of games involving Hillsborough County schools will be played Thursday. The county's first grading period ends that day and there is no school Friday.

2. If Hillsborough had been two points better Friday, next week's game against Armwood would have been a huge District 8-6A showdown between unbeaten teams. But after the Terriers' loss at Sickles, they'll merely be fighting to stay in second place in the district. So it's still a big game.

3. After sitting out the past two weeks with a shoulder injury, Plant QB Aaron Banks should be ready to return in time to play Alonso. Colby Brown, a junior, has filled in admirably but Banks will likely need a tuneup before the annual grudge match with Armwood on Oct. 26.

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

BATON ROUGE, La. — Freshman Jeremy Hill rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns as No. 9 LSU handed No. 3 South Carolina its first loss, 23-21 Saturday.

"Tonight I realized why LSU was preseason No. 1. They can run the ball and stop the run," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said. "That was the biggest difference in the game, probably."

The Tigers outgained the Gamecocks 406-211 but struggled to find the end zone. Three times they settled for field goals after reaching the 5. Another drive stalled at the 15 before a missed field goal.

But Hill's 50-yard touchdown with 5:03 left gave LSU a nine-point lead. (He scored on a 7-yard run in the third quarter.)

Connor Shaw drove South Carolina for a late touchdown, a 1-yard pass to Bruce Ellington with 1:41 left. And it got the ball at its 20 with 35 seconds left. But safety Craig Loston's interception on a desperation heave sealed it.

Shaw was 19-of-34 for 177 yards and two touchdowns. But he was intercepted twice, once by safety Eric Reid to set up LSU's go-ahead field goal in the fourth.

Rain can't stop Tide

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Eddie Lacy rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns and T.J. Yeldon 144 and two TDs as No. 1 Alabama beat Missouri 42-10 in a soggy, lightning-delayed game. The Crimson Tide recorded a season-high 533 yards to the Tigers' 129.

"Basically the offensive line … dominated," said Lacy, whose 73-yard run on the second play of the game made it 7-0. "Every time we made a big run, it was because they made a big hole for us."

Said Missouri coach Gary Pinkel: "That is, maybe, the best team I have ever seen."

Alabama was awaiting the extra point for a 28-0 lead with 8:40 to go in the first half when lightning halted the game.

Missouri has been outscored 126-55 in four conference games in their first season in the SEC. Redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser started at quarterback for the injured James Franklin, and it was without three starting offensive linemen. But Pinkel vowed injuries will not be an excuse.

"I told our team we have had a lot of issues; a backup quarterback and all this other stuff," he said. "From this point on, I don't care. We're going to move on and try to finish the season the right way."

Ole Miss 41, Auburn 20: Quarterback Bo Wallace accounted for four touchdowns as the host Rebels ended a 16-game conference skid dating to 42-35 over Kentucky on Oct. 2, 2010. Wallace caught a 25-yard touchdown from running back Randall Mackey, ran for scores of 1 and 2 yards and hit Jeff Scott for a 55-yarder that made it 34-20 with 5:02 left. Auburn has lost six straight SEC games and is 0-4 in the league for the first time since 1980. "We're not changing anything," coach Gene Chizik said. "We're going to go back and work harder to get better."

Arkansas 49, Kentucky 7: Tyler Wilson threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns (tying a school record) for the host Razorbacks in a game called with 5:08 left in the third because of lightning. Lightning delayed the game for 66 minutes during the first half. The Razorbacks outgained the Wildcats 307-48 in the first quarter, after which it led 28-0. Two of Wilson's touchdowns, a 74- and 77-yarder, went to running back Jonathan Williams on wheel routes out of the backfield.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Patty and Kristen Nardozzi sat next to each other on the pool deck, each coaxing their swimmers to faster times. Both were vying for something bigger than a team trophy at the St. Petersburg City Championships on Saturday.

They were trying to outdo each other to see who was the best Nardozzi in swimming.

Facing off in a mother-daughter coaching duo, they each claimed bragging rights. Patty guided Shorecrest's boys to their second straight title with 444 points. Patty's daughter helped St. Petersburg's girls win with 450 points.

"There was a lot of excitement, and we both wanted to win," Kristen said. "But I think the swimmers were more competitive than we were. It's kind of hard to be ultracompetitive when you're going against your mom. That would just be a little weird."

They have coached against each other in this meet before. Kristen coached St. Petersburg Catholic's boys and girls teams the past two seasons before taking over the Green Devils. But this was the first time Kristen had a legitimate chance at beating her mother for a team title. The meet turned out to be a family affair. Patty's husband, Dan, was an official.

"It was great to have all of us here," Patty said. "I have to give my daughter a lot of credit. She has a real strong team."

As usual, the Chargers relied on John Farese, Joshua Chen, Alex Grant and Mark Marshburn to score the majority of their points. Chen was the only one of the quartet to win multiple individual titles, taking first in the 200 individual medley (2:03.67) and 100 breast (1:02.40). Grant won the 50 free (23.73). Farese was a champion in the 100 free (48.87). And Mashburn took the 500 free (4:57.71).

All four were on the winning 200 medley (1:42.37) and 400 free (3:22.51) relays. Shorecrest had one other champion, Jack Stein, who won the diving event with 495.50 points.

Northeast's Georgi Krastev won the 100 fly (52.60) and 100 back (51.30).

On the girls side, St. Petersburg was strong in the relays as Marissa Marckese, McKenna Harris, Alex Kehoe and Camille Fredyl won the 200 medley (1:55.63) and 400 free (3:50.12). Marckese won the 100 back (59.27) and Harris took first in the 100 breast (1:07.75).

Two girls won multiple individual titles: Northside Christian's Lindsey Leadbetter in the 200 IM (2:14.26) and 500 free (5:17.76), and Shorecrest's Meredith Little in the 50 free (25.38) and 100 free (54.24).

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State's 31-point first-half explosion helped senior K Dustin Hopkins become the leading scorer in team and conference history.

Hopkins booted four extra points in the first half and drilled a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter.

Those seven points moved him into first place in Seminole history with 394 points — one ahead of Derek Schmidt, who kicked from 1984-87.

Hopkins also passed former Maryland K Nick Novak for first in ACC history. Novak scored 393 points for the Terrapins from 2001-04.

"Tremendous job," coach Jimbo Fisher said.

With 15 points (six PATs and three field goals) on the night, Hopkins' new total is 402. That's the fifth-highest mark in NCAA history.

GAINING GROUND: FSU saw another sign of its improved rushing offense Saturday.

Senior RB Chris Thompson needed only 61/2 games to pass Devonta Freeman's team-high from last season. Thompson's 32 first-half yards pushed his season total to 604 — 11 more yards than Freeman's mark last fall.

Thompson finished with 68 yards on 10 carries.

DYNAMIC DUO: FSU had two receivers total at least 100 receiving yards for the first time since last year's 35-30 loss to Wake Forest.

Junior Kenny Shaw led the Seminoles with a career-high 125 yards on two catches — both in the first half. Senior Rodney Smith set new career highs with nine catches and 108 yards.

The 'Noles didn't have any 100-yard receivers through the first six games.

RARE INTERCEPTIONS: Two interceptions marred Manuel's record-setting game.

His first pickoff hit Rashad Greene's body before bouncing to Eagles DB Jim Noel in the first half. Boston College DB Manuel Asprilla picked Manuel off again in the third quarter.

Manuel — who entered Saturday as the most accurate passer in conference history — hadn't thrown two interceptions in a game since the Seminoles' 23-13 loss to No. 1 Oklahoma last September.

INJURY UPDATE: The game was delayed in the third quarter when an FSU staff member was hit on the sideline. Medical officials strapped him onto a gurney and carted him off the field. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd, but his status was not immediately known after the game.

HONORARY CAPTAIN: Former FSU QB Drew Weatherford was an honorary captain for the game. The Land O'Lakes High alumnus threw two touchdown passes in 2007 to help the Seminoles upset No. 2 Boston College on the road.

THIS AND THAT: FSU finished with 649 total yards. The Seminoles have racked up at least 600 yards in four games this season. … FB Lonnie Pryor added touchdown rushes of 2 and 3 yards. He has 21 career touchdowns — the most among active Seminoles. … S Lamarcus Joyner recorded his first interception of the season in the second quarter. He appeared to return it 89 yards for a touchdown but was called out of bounds at the 44. … Wilder scored multiple touchdowns in a game for the fourth time this season.

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

LUBBOCK, Texas — Seth Doege passed for six touchdowns and a career-high 499 yards while Texas Tech's defense shut down Geno Smith and No. 5 West Virginia as the Red Raiders upset the Mountaineers 49-14 on Saturday.

Red Raider fans stormed the field after their team's most lopsided victory over a team ranked in the top five.

Texas Tech consistently stymied West Virginia's offense. Heisman Trophy hopeful Smith was 29-of-55 for 275 yards but couldn't get the ball in the end zone.

The Red Raiders offense had no such trouble.

"When you don't have a pass rush, it's a lot easier to make your reads," said Doege, who threw touchdown passes of 39, 19, 16, 2, 29 and 7 yards. He completed 32-of-42 and matched his career high for TDs. Darrin Moore caught three touchdown passes, tying his career high.

Texas Tech had 18 plays of 15 yards or more, including a 61-yard pass to Jace Amaro and a 53-yard touchdown run by SaDale Foster.

"I thought Seth did a tremendous job running our offense," Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said. "He's hard-nosed, and he ran the ball."

Amaro finished with five receptions for 156 yards.

The previous week, the Mountaineers converted all five of their fourth-down tries in a 48-45 win at Texas. Against the Red Raiders they went 1-for-6.

"Those guys did a great job of just attacking us," Smith said. "They attacked us the entire game."

Doege had one interception, an improvement over the five he'd thrown in the previous two games.

"He came out and played loose, and he was on point," Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown said.

Sooners rule Red River

DALLAS — When Bob Stoops starts to rattle off the scores of the big wins he has brought home for Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, they all start to sound alike. And that's so sweet for the Sooners.

Damien Williams broke a 95-yard touchdown run, the longest in the rivalry's history, and Blake Bell powered in for four TDs as No. 13 Oklahoma beat No. 15 Texas 63-21. Stoops is 9-5 against Longhorns coach Mack Brown and responsible for three of Oklahoma's five most lopsided wins over Texas. And that doesn't include last year's 55-17 rout.

"It's in the same ballpark," Stoops said, trying to rank his glut of triumphs against Texas. "If we'd have left our (starting) defense out there, I don't think the end would have been like it was. It would have been right there with those." Oklahoma's backups allowed two late TDs.

Texas lost quarterback David Ash to an apparent left wrist injury with the Longhorns down 49-8 in the fourth quarter.

NO. 6 KANSAS ST. 27, IOWA ST. 21: Quarterback Collin Klein ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns for the visiting Wildcats, who held the ball for over 40 minutes and were 8-of-17 on third-down conversions. Klein also threw for 187 yards. and the Wildcats held the Cyclones to 231 yards of offense.

NO. 8 OHIO ST. 52, INDIANA 49: Braxton Miller had a 67-yard touchdown run and threw TD passes of 60 and 46 yards as the visiting Buckeyes escaped. The Hoosiers have lost 21 straight Big Ten games to teams outside the state and 18 straight to the Buckeyes since 1988 (one OSU win was vacated). Indiana had two TDs in the final 1:40 before the Buckeyes recovered an onside kick to kill the clock.

NO. 10 OREGON ST. 42, BYU 24: Cody Vaz passed for 332 yards and three touchdowns in his first start since high school for the visiting Beavers, who took advantage of late turnovers and penalties for their first 5-0 start since 1939. Vaz is filling in for Sean Mannion, who is out indefinitely with a left knee injury.

NO. 11 USC 24, WASHINGTON 14: Anthony Brown blocked a punt and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown and safety Jawanza Starling forced a key fourth-quarter fumble as the Trojans used big plays on defense and special teams to overcome an inconsistent offense.

NO. 24 BOISE ST. 20, FRESNO ST. 10: D.J. Harper rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown for the host Broncos, who gained 215 yards on the ground in their seventh straight victory over the Bulldogs. "It starts with our defense. Those guys are playing really hard, and to hold Fresno to 10 points is really impressive," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said.

NO. 25 MICHIGAN 45, ILLINOIS 0: Denard Robinson overcame a mysterious first-quarter injury, then brushed aside the visiting Illini almost as easily. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for two after leaving briefly in the first quarter. "It was just a boo-boo," said Robinson, declining to say what sent him out of the game briefly. "It's all good."

Around the nation

IOWA 19, MICHIGAN ST. 16, 2OT: Kirk Ferentz won his 100th game as Iowa's coach, and Mark Weisman ran for 116 yards and scored a tying touchdown in the final minute of regulation for the visiting Hawkeyes. Iowa won when Andrew Maxwell's deflected pass was intercepted by Greg Castillo.

N'WESTERN 21, MINNESOTA 13: Venric Mark rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns for the visiting Wildcats, who overcame 11 penalties to become bowl eligible and spoil Minnesota's homecoming. Northwestern has won three in a row against the Gophers, tying its longest winning streak in series history.

WISCONSIN 38, PURDUE 14: Montee Ball rushed for a career-high 247 yards and scored three touchdowns for the visiting Badgers. The senior passed Texas Tech's Taurean Henderson for third place in NCAA history with 72 total career touchdowns. "Personally, I needed this," Ball said.

UCLA 21, UTAH 14: Brett Hundley passed for 183 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 68 yards and a score for the host Bruins. Johnathan Franklin rushed for 79 yards and a TD for UCLA.

OKLAHOMA ST. 20, KANSAS 14: J.W. Walsh threw for 255 yards and accounted for two TDs for the visiting Cowboys, who survived a fourth-quarter rally. Mike Gundy, 62-32 as Oklahoma State's coach, tied Pat Jones (62-60-3 from 1984-94) for the most wins in school history.

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame knew what was coming. Stanford doesn't get cute inches from the goal line.

And after three years of getting pushed around by the Cardinal, the Fighting Irish pushed back, winning their biggest shoving match all season.

Or did they?

A wall of Notre Dame defenders stopped Stepfan Taylor inches from the end zone on fourth down in overtime and the seventh-ranked Irish remained unbeaten with a 20-13 victory against the No. 17 Cardinal on a soggy Saturday.

Taylor went up the middle and was knocked back, but he kept reaching and turning with bodies under him. His knee never hit the ground before he reached the ball across the goal line. But officials ruled it was too late. The whistle had blown, so the play was stopped.

Taylor finished with 102 yards on 28 carries. He needed 103.

The celebration had to wait for a replay review. Then Irish fans who weren't already on the field spilled out of the stands, and Notre Dame was 6-0 for the first time since 2002.

"Physically, we controlled the line of scrimmage," Irish coach Brian Kelly said of the last play. "Classic. Classic goal-line stand."

Stanford coach David Shaw wasn't so sure.

"I didn't get a view of the last play," Shaw said. "Stepfan swore to me that he got in. That he put the ball over the goal line on the second effort. The officials looked at it and they said he didn't get in, so he didn't get in."

TJ Jones made a reaching 7-yard touchdown catch from Tommy Rees on the first overtime possession to give the Fighting Irish a lead.

Stanford responded by driving to first and goal at the 4.

Behind his strong offensive line, Taylor ran for 1 on first, 2 on second and about a foot on third down. That left one play from inside the 1 and Notre Dame, led by linebacker Carlos Calabrese, moved Taylor backward.

The Cardinal had won three straight meetings, physically dominating the Irish, with Andrew Luck at the helm.

Rees relieved Everett Golson late in the fourth quarter, after Golson took a helmet to the head during a tying field goal drive late in the fourth.

"We knew they were going to run the ball," said Irish linebacker Manti Te'o, who made 11 tackles. "We knew that basically No. 33 (Taylor) was going to have the ball. So everybody had to do their job."

The Cardinal will head back home thinking they did their jobs, too.

"I thought he got in on the play before that, but it was a bunch of tough runs, a bunch of tough plays," Stanford quarterback Josh Nunes said. "It was a close play."

Saturday, October 13, 2012

More online: seminoles.tampabay.com

Who: Boston College

SCOre: FSU 51-7

RECORDS: FSU 6-1, 3-1 ACC Boston College 1-5, 0-3 ACC

Who: Miami

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami

When: 8 p.m.

TV: TBA

Radio: 820-AM

Who: Duke

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 820/1040-AM

Who: Va. Tech

Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.

When: 8 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 820/1040-AM

Who: Maryland

Where: Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 820/1040-AM

Who: Florida

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 820/1040-AM

Who: N.C. St.

SCOre: N.C. State 17-16

records: FSU 5-1, 2-1 ACC N.C. State 4-2, 1-1 ACC

Who: Murray State

Score: FSU 69-3

Records: FSU, 1-0, 0-0 ACC Murray State, 0-1, 0-0 Ohio Valley

Who: Savannah State

Score: FSU 55-0

Records: FSU, 2-0, 0-0 ACC Savannah State, 0-2, 0-0 MEAC

Who: Wake Forest

Score: FSU 52-0

Records: FSU, 3-0, 1-0 ACC Wake Forest 2-1, 1-1 ACC

Who: Clemson

Score: FSU 49-37

Records: FSU 4-0, 2-0 ACC Clemson 3-1, 0-1 ACC

Who: USF

score: FSU 30-17

records: FSU 5-0, 2-0 ACC USF 2-3, 0-1 Big East

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 13, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies, owners of a seven-match unbeaten streak, entered Saturday's second leg of their NASL semifinal against Carolina with one thought.

Don't lose.

Having defeated Carolina 2-1 in the first leg last weekend, the Rowdies needed a win or tie at Al Lang Field to make the league final.

After 20 minutes of play and a 2-0 deficit, however, the Rowdies' title hopes were fading.

But they were undeterred. The Rowdies rallied to take a 3-2 lead and held off a late Carolina charge for a 3-3 tie and advanced to the championship round based on a 5-4 aggregate score.

"It's been a team effort, a real team effort," coach Ricky Hill said. "And I'm delighted the players were able to reward all … with their performance (Saturday)."

In the final, the Rowdies play the winner of today's San Antonio-Minnesota game. The Scorpions and Stars played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of their semifinal. The first game of the two-game final is Oct. 20.

First-year player Luke Mulholland, who knocked the Rowdies out of the playoffs last season with Minnesota, scored Tampa Bay's series winner in front of 4,123 at Al Lang.

He one-timed a long cross from Frankie Sanfilippo toward the goal and hit the crossbar. The rebound came back to Mulholland, who buried his second chance into the far corner in the 82nd minute to put the Rowdies ahead 3-2.

"That just gave us the insurance," Mulholland said. "Obviously very happy to get the rebound because the keeper did very well to save the first shot."

The Rowdies trailed 2-1 at halftime but drew even in the 65th minute. Carl Cort dribbled the ball into the box and slipped a pass to Mulholland, who was able to direct a pass toward Mike Ambersley. Ambersley calmly slipped a shot past Carolina goalkeeper Ray Burse.

"A forward dreams about those goals," Ambersley said.

Carolina put maximum pressure on Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella through the opening 20 minutes. Matt Luzunaris scored on a breakaway in the 14th minute for the game's first score, and Ty Shipalane intercepted a poor back pass from Rowdies defender J.P. Rodrigues to Attinella in the 18th minute for a two-goal Carolina lead.

Ambersley was brought down in the box shortly before halftime, and Shane Hill converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute to put the Rowdies on the scoreboard.

"(That) was vital for us," Mulholland said.

Carolina tied the score at 3 on Nick Zimmerman's penalty-kick conversion in the 87th minute.

By Josh Jurnovoy, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 13, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On a night when Florida got few contributions from its skill position players on offense, its special teams helped pick up the slack.

After quarterback Jeff Driskel's 177-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance, UF's biggest weapon was its various special teams packages in its 31-17 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Following Driskel's 37-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that cut the Commodores' lead to 7-6, Florida lined up with running back Trey Burton, a center and another lineman in the middle of the field and the rest of the unit split out to either side. Rather than shift into a kicking formation, Burton took the snap and ran it in for the 2-point conversion, putting the Gators up for good, 8-7.

"It's something we've been working on for a while," coach Will Muschamp said of the conversion play. "Had it early in the year and the numbers never really presented themselves. We felt good about it and Trey executed it very well."

With Florida leading 11-7, Vanderbilt seemed poised to pull within a point as it lined up for a 44-yard field goal after a 14-play drive to begin the second half. However, defensive end Earl Okine broke through the line and blocked the kick. Cornerback Louchiez Purifoy picked it up and ran it to the Florida 40 before pitching it back to linebacker Jon Bostic, who was taken down at the UF 38. It was the Gators' first blocked punt or kick in 2012.

"As soon as he snapped the ball, I got off the ball and pushed him back and jumped," Okine said.

On the ensuing possession, Florida looked to have squandered the opportunity after gaining 5 yards on three plays. But on the punt, long snapper Christopher Guido hiked the ball to Burton rather than punter Kyle Christy. Burton handed it off to wide receiver Solomon Patton, who took it up the left sideline for 53 yards to the Vanderbilt 3.

"When I got it and I looked upfield, I saw so much grass and I just got really excited," Patton said. "And I just took off."

After Florida was backed up to the 13 on a holding call on the next play, Driskel ran it in for a touchdown to give the Gators an 18-7 lead.

After Vanderbilt cut it to 21-14 with 8:57 left in the game, Andre Debose returned the kickoff 60 yards to the Commodores 37. The Gators tacked a field goal onto their lead.

"Huge," Muschamp said of the return. "Flipped the field. They had the momentum at home and all that kind of good stuff. We blocked it extremely well. … I thought it was executed extremely well by our players."

Times wires
Saturday, October 13, 2012

NEW YORK — Delmon Young doubled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning after New York's Raul Ibanez hit another tying homer during a four-run rally in the ninth, and the Tigers outlasted the Yankees 6-4 late Saturday in an American League Championship Series opener in which Yankees star Derek Jeter suffered a broken left ankle that will end his season.

Jeter rolled over his knee when he dove in an attempt to glove Jhonny Peralta's grounder up the middle in the 12th. Unable to move, he flipped the ball toward the mound and his leg was dangling as he was assisted off by manager Joe Girardi and trainer Steve Donahue. Girardi said afterward that the injury is not considered career-threatening.

Detroit was coasting to a 4-0 win before the Yankees rocked Tigers closer Jose Valverde in the ninth.

Three batters after Ichiro Suzuki hit a two-run shot off Valverde to cut the Yankees' 4-0 deficit in half, Ibanez connected for his second tying homer of this postseason, a two-run drive to right-center.

Ibanez started his powerful week pinch-hitting for Alex Rodriguez against Baltimore Orioles closer Jim Johnson in the ninth on Wednesday to send Game 3 of the division series to extra innings. Then he won it with a homer in the 12th inning.

Ibanez, 40, also homered twice after entering as a pinch hitter on Sept. 22 in a 10-9, 14-inning win over Oakland. With New York fighting for the AL East title, he hit a tying pinch homer against Boston in the ninth on Oct. 2 and then singled in the winning run in the 12th.

The Tigers failed to capitalize on pinch-hitter Alex Avila's one-out single off David Robertson in the top of the 11th, and the Yankees missed a chance in the bottom half after Suzuki led off with a single, his fourth hit of the game, off Drew Smyly.

Russell Martin singled leading off the ninth and advanced on defensive indifference. Suzuki followed with the first postseason homer of his career after Jeter struck out. Robinson Cano struck out and Mark Teixeira walked ahead of Ibanez.

The Tigers opened a 4-0 lead against Yankees starter Andy Pettitte and Derek Lowe.

Prince Fielder singled in a run after Miguel Cabrera was intentionally walked in the sixth, and Young followed with a run-scoring single to make it 2-0.

Young then homered in the eighth, and rookie Avisail Garcia had an RBI single three batters later off Boone Logan to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.

In Game 2 today, Anibal Sanchez starts for Detroit, and Hiroki Kuroda will go for New York on three day's rest.

American League Championship Series

Tigers 1, Yankees 0

Saturday: Tigers 6, Yankees 4

Today: at New York, 4:07

Tuesday: at Detroit, 8:07

Wednesday: at Detroit, 8:07

Thursday: at Detroit, 4:07*

Oct. 20: at New York, 8:07*

Oct. 21: at New York, 8:15*

TV: All games TBS

National League Championship Series

Giants vs. Cardinals

Tonight: at San Francisco, 8:15

Monday: at San Francisco, 8:07

Wednesday: at St. Louis, 4:07

Thursday: at St. Louis, 8:07

Friday: at St. Louis, 8:07*

Oct. 21: at San Francisco, 4:45*

Oct. 22: at San Francisco, 8:07*

TV: All games Ch. 13

* If necessary

Today's matchup 2012 Team 2012 Vs. Opp.

Team Pitcher Time W-L ERA Rec. W-L IP ERA

Detroit Sanchez (R) 4:079-14 3.83 13-19 0-1 3.0 21.00

New York Kuroda (R) p.m. 16-11 3.28 20-14 0-0 13.1 3.37

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2012

NASHVILLE — Florida left town Saturday night with a big road victory, but it also exited with an offensive line that was battered and bruised.

Starting LG James Wilson did not make the trip after injuring his eye in Wednesday's practice. He is expected to miss practice Monday but should be able to play this Saturday at home against South Carolina.

C Jon Harrison injured his arm on the first offensive series and did not return, and LT Xavier Nixon has an upper body injury he sustained late in the second quarter. His status is unknown. Redshirt junior Kyle Koehne and redshirt sophomore Ian Silberman filled in for Wilson. Sam Robey took over for Harrison.

"We lost those guys on the line, but we had other guys really step up," QB Jeff Driskel said. "I had a lot of confidence in the (other) guys. I wasn't shaken up at all."

And there were other injuries. TE Jordan Reed injured his left eye but returned in the second half. RB Latroy Pittman (ankle) and TE Kent Taylor (ankle) also went out. DL Dominique Easley (knee) and LB Jelani Jenkins (hamstring) did not play for precautionary reasons and are expected back this week.

Even with the injuries, Florida rushed for 326 yards.

"We were a little bit of a MASH unit on the offensive line, so I was really proud of those guys," coach Will Muschamp said.

"As many looks as Vanderbilt gave us and being able to rush for 300 yards, I'm really proud of those guys. I'm really pleased we were able to rush for so many yards and have three offensive linemen out."

PREPARING FOR THE GAMECOCKS: Florida hosts South Carolina in a pivotal game this Saturday, and talk of the Gamecocks began shortly after the clock had run out on the Vanderbilt game.

"It's going to be a huge game," Driskel said. "We'll start to look at the film (today) a little bit and really get into on Monday. But we're going to be ready to go.

"It's another big-time SEC East game, and we're going to do what we can to win the game."

CLOSING IN: With his 26-yard field goal with 5:24 remaining the game, Caleb Sturgis connected on his 56th career field goal. Sturgis is now 11 shy of tying the UF record held by Jeff Chandler.

TOUGH LOSS: Vanderbilt had a sold-out stadium for the first time since 2008, also when the Gators were in town, so to come close but fall short was tough, coach James Franklin said.

Although a large chunk of Vanderbilt Stadium was filled with Gator fans, Franklin said he appreciated the support from Commodores fans, particularly in a tough season.

"For the fans that showed up, I appreciate them," he said. "We need them to show up early and stay late. We need their help. We have to create a homefield advantage.

"I need everyone's help. Everyone is a part of getting this in the right direction."