Times wires


Saturday, October 13, 2012

CONCORD, N.C. — Clint Bowyer picked up his first win in the Chase for the Championship on Saturday, winning a fuel mileage race that ended in disaster for points leader Brad Keselowski.

Keselowski dominated the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway but ran out of gas with 58 laps remaining. He fell a lap down and finished 11th, and he had his lead in the standings sliced in half over five-time champion Jimmie Johnson.

Keselowski, who has a seven-point lead at the halfway point of the 10-race Chase, immediately gave his Penske Racing team a pep talk over the radio.

"Win some, lose some, guys; it's all good," he told them.

Keselowski, who also ran out of gas Friday in the Nationwide Series race because of a fueling error, then asked his crew if he led the most laps Saturday. Indeed, he led 139 of the 334 but had little to show for his effort.

"It's blackjack, you're not going to win every hand," he said. "When you got a bad deal you have to try not to have too many chips on the table."

But Keselowski was able to see a silver lining in finishing 11th.

"It was the worst-case scenario," he said. "We minimized the damage as best we could."

Denny Hamlin finished second and is third in the Chase, 15 points back, and Johnson finished third. Neither felt all that bad for Keselowski.

"Live by the sword, die by the sword," Hamlin said.

"I don't know how much it hurt him at the end of the day," Johnson said. "I've been doing this long enough, too, when you see something happen, in your mind you're like there's an opportunity and before you know it, it happens to you."

Both had to play their own fuel-saving game, especially in the closing laps. Hamlin couldn't make a run at winner Bowyer, and Johnson said he couldn't try to chase down Hamlin.

"We were just being really cautious and didn't want to go out there and chase (Hamlin) and get ourselves in trouble," Johnson said.

Everyone had to keep one eye on the gas gauge starting early, and it worked out in Bowyer's favor for his career-best third victory of the season. It also put him back in the title hunt as he moved to fourth, and he's 28 points out as he heads next week to his home track in Kansas.

It all comes in Bowyer's first season with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota.

"Who thought in a million years I'd walk into the situation I've walked into?" he asked in Victory Lane.

The race was the first since 1979 without an Earnhardt as Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat out with a concussion.

Regan Smith got the start for Earnhardt, but it was short-lived. The engine in the No. 88 Chevrolet failed during the first third of the race, sending Smith to the garage for the night.

Smith is scheduled to be back in the car next week at Kansas.

Formula One: Mark Webber won the pole for the Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam, South Korea, upstaging Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. The race was held overnight. Webber's final lap was 0.074 seconds ahead of Vettel. Hamilton was third followed by championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari. Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen qualified fifth, meaning the top five in the standings filled the top five grid slots. Vettel won the previous two races and is looking to overtake Alonso in points.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

ORLANDO — Latavius Murray ran for touchdowns of 10 and 4 yards in overtime, then safety Kemal Ishmael's interception gave Central Florida a 38-31 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday.

It was the first overtime victory in school history.

UCF quarterback Blake Bortles ran for two touchdowns and threw for 259 yards, and Storm Johnson ran for 85 yards and a touchdown in regulation.

Southern Miss' Corey Acosta made a 27-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Freshman quarterback Anthony Alford ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the first overtime before throwing the game-ending interception.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 14, 2012

TAMPA — Josh Freeman has never lashed out when criticized. And past failures don't seem to eat at him.

But after looking tighter than the curls in his hair during the first quarter of the season, the Bucs needed the bye week to evaluate what their 6-foot-6 quarterback did best.

Along with under-fire offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, they came up with some answers in Sunday's 38-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs before 46,500 at Raymond James Stadium.

Freeman threw the ball down the field to his stealth bomber wide receivers, Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Then he threw it to them again. And again.

Jackson caught two touchdown passes, and Williams had 113 yards receiving, his acrobatic 62-yard catch resulting in a first-quarter score. Tiquan Underwood turned a deflected pass into another 62-yard gain in the second half.

"When it comes down to it, I feel like my guys are better than their guys," Freeman said after passing for 328 yards — a career high in a victory — with three touchdowns and one interception.

"You hate to say it blunt like that, but we've got guys that can make plays when we give them opportunities."

The Bucs (2-3) won for the first time since opening day and snapped a three-game losing streak — by a combined 15 points to the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins.

The victory might have provided a template Freeman and Sullivan can follow the remainder of the season.

"I think on offense, they really wanted to challenge down the field some more," said safety Ronde Barber, who blocked a punt and added a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Bucs breathing room in the third quarter. "We hadn't done as much of it the first four weeks of the season as we probably could have. We made an effort to do it today — let our two talented receivers go make plays over their (defensive backs). There is no reason that can't be the norm for us.

"I think we all know what Freeman's strength is and he got to display some of that today and get the ball down the field. It's encouraging. I know he likes it and as a team, we can build off those big plays."

Sullivan clearly made some other tweaks during the 13 days between games. The Bucs made a better effort to get running back Doug Martin on the perimeter. He responded with 76 yards rushing — including a run of 23 yards, his longest run of the season— and had two receptions for 55 yards.

Martin ignited the Bucs on the opening possession of the second half when they led only 7-3. He took a short pass from Freeman in the left flat, made linebacker Justin Houston miss, and turned it into a 42-yard gain.

On the next play, Jackson (four catches, 66 yards) ran a skinny post and Freeman put some mustard on a pass for a 19-yard touchdown.

LeGarrette Blount got to fill his closer role, rushing seven times for 58 yards and capping the day with a 12-yard touchdown run.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano was asked if Sunday's win was bigger for Freeman.

"Yeah, I think it's a big day, a big day for our offense, for our team, right? To get back on track," Schiano said. "But for Josh especially. … Not only throwing the ball, it's that hidden stuff where I think he's really grown and is becoming a complete quarterback."

Of course, none of it would've been possible had the Bucs defense not had its most complete game. Tampa Bay held the NFL's leading rusher, Jamaal Charles, to 40 yards on 12 carries (3.3 average). And 22 of those yards came on a breakout run in the second half. All told, the Chiefs, who entered Sunday second in the league in rushing offense, averaged 2.7 yards per rushing attempt.

The Chiefs fell to 1-5 and are the only team in the NFL that has never led this season. Kansas City's lone victory came on a field goal as time expired.

Playing without suspended cornerback Aqib Talib, the Bucs secondary contested every pass thrown by Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn, who made his first start in nearly three years. Quinn was intercepted by rookie safety Mark Barron and by Barber, who picked a pass — deflected by corner­back E.J. Biggers — off his shoe tops and ran 78 yards for a touchdown.

Sunday was about trust: Sullivan trusting Freeman, Freeman trusting his receivers and a team that tunes out chatter like elevator music.

"Nothing anybody says outside our building has any effect on us," Freeman said.

"We've got the talent, we've got to the pieces, we just have to go out and play."

By Pat Damico, Times Correspondent
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Fun times: The ultimate thrill for a fly fisherman is carefully presenting a fly to a large, unsuspecting fish in shallow water and enjoying an aggressive take. The combination of early morning skinny water — which gives fish a chance to relax overnight from daytime disturbances — and lack of summer floating grass means fishing will continue to improve.

Large trout, redfish: Watch for disturbances. Herons and pelicans will fly over shallow flats, disturb fish and give you a target. Small baitfish scattering often reveal positions of large trout, redfish and snook. A tail slowly waving will belong to a redfish digging for a crab or shrimp. Being stealth is key. Wading will get you closer than most boats. Move like a feeding heron to prevent ripples on calm water that alert fish to an intruder's presence.

Equipment, technique: Equip your 7- or 8-weight fly rod with a 12-foot tapered leader. A 15- to 20-pound tippet might be needed. A loop knot tied to a size 2-4 crab pattern with bead chain eyes and weed guard complete the setup. Remember, crustaceans move very slowly. If you have follows and refusals, go slower. Always strip set the hook when the fish is felt. Avoid setting the hook by raising the tip of the rod.

Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpat.com and (727) 504-8649.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

BALTIMORE — Jacoby Jones, 8 yards deep in the end zone when he caught the kickoff, had an instant to decide: take a knee or run. He ran — all the way into the record book.

"You know when you get that itch? I wanted to scratch it," Jones said. "So I took it."

Jones tied a league record with a 108-yard kickoff return, and the Ravens held off the Cowboys 31-29 Sunday for their 14th straight regular-season home win.

The Cowboys amassed 481 yards against a crippled Baltimore defense and held the ball for more than 40 minutes. Dallas had 227 yards rushing, the most against the Ravens since the franchise arrived in Baltimore in 1996.

It wasn't enough. Jones' return put the Ravens ahead 24-13 in the third quarter, and Dallas never got even against a defense that lost cornerbacks Lardarius Webb (right knee) and Jimmy Smith (lower leg strain), and middle linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps; see notebook, 4C, for details).

Webb could have an ACL tear, coach John Harbaugh said.

"They threw a lot of hay­makers at us," Harbaugh said. "Our guys stepped up at the end and found a way to win the game."

Dez Bryant scored on a 4-yard pass from Tony Romo with 32 seconds left to make it 31-29, but the 2-point conversion pass zipped through Bryant's arms in the end zone. Dallas recovered the onside kick, but Dan Bailey missed a 51-yard field goal.

Ray Rice had two touchdowns and Joe Flacco threw for a score to help the Ravens secure their fourth consecutive victory. Baltimore's home winning streak is the longest currently in the NFL.

Jones' return tied the mark set by Ellis Hobbs of New England in 2007 and tied in 2011 by Randall Cobb of Green Bay.

DeMarco Murray ran for 93 yards before leaving in the second half with a foot injury; Felix Jones added 92 yards on the ground for the Cowboys.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Fins do a lot wrong, turn out all right

MIAMI — The Dolphins' dysfunction took many forms, including Ryan Tannehill's backward pass that flew out of bounds for a 17-yard loss. His offensive linemen committed four penalties in a three-play span, and defensive breakdowns and replay overrules were recurring problems.

Even so, the Dolphins did enough right to hold off the Rams.

Tannehill threw two touchdowns and the Dolphins turned back several St. Louis scoring threats, including a 66-yard field goal try by rookie Greg Zuerlein that looked long enough but was wide left on the final play. Miami won despite being outgained 462-192.

"We know how football is played," receiver Davone Bess said. "It's not about statistics; it's about winning. Pretty, ugly, it doesn't matter. It's just about winning."

The Rams moved 49 yards to face fourth and 7 at the Miami 48-yard line with 30 seconds left. Rather than go for a first down, coach Jeff Fisher sent Zuerlein out for what would have been an NFL record field goal by 3 yards.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 14, 2012

tom jones' two cents

Tampa Bay Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Best answer

The Tigers' Delmon Young isn't exactly the warmest, fuzziest guy around. Those in Tampa Bay are familiar with how prickly the former Ray can be sometimes. But he gave a tremendous answer to TBS's Craig Sager after Saturday night's 6-4 victory against the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

Sager asked Young how the Tigers were able to maintain their composure after the Yankees stormed back from a 4-0 deficit in the ninth inning to tie the score.

"We're big-leaguers," Young said. "We're supposed to."

Most ill-advised comment, Part I

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., top left, sought medical help for a concussion last week, and that led to him being shut down for two races. Then driver Jeff Gordon, bottom left, said he hated to admit it but he probably would keep quiet if he had concussion symptoms so he could keep driving.

I suppose Gordon should be given credit for his honesty, and he's probably not the only driver who feels that way. However, Gordon needed to keep his mouth shut on this topic. Though he likely didn't intend to question Earnhardt or suggest drivers should keep injuries quiet, that's the way he came off. Earnhardt should be praised, especially because his concussion issues affect his fellow drivers as well. If I was a driver, I'd be a little nervous driving 180 mph next to Gordon, knowing he would go out there even when he didn't feel well.

Most ill-advised comment, Part II

Shame on Rangers president Nolan Ryan for questioning whether star slugger Josh Hamilton picked the wrong time to quit smokeless tobacco. Hamilton quit the habit during the season, and Ryan said Hamilton should have waited until after the season so his play would not have suffered.

Could Hamilton have waited until the offseason? Perhaps. But take it from someone who knows how difficult it is to break a smokeless tobacco habit: No time is the wrong time to quit. Any time you can muster up the right frame of mind and the will to stop is the right time. And Hamilton's health is more important than Ryan's baseball team.

Best called shot

At halftime of Saturday's Notre Dame-Stanford game on NBC, studio analyst Hines Ward said the Irish should be targeting their 6-foot-6 tight end.

"You need to be looking at Tyler Eifert," Ward said. "The guy only has three catches in the last three games. When he's down in the red zone, throw it up and give him a chance to catch the ball."

In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame, which won in OT, tied the score when Everett Golson threw a jump-ball pass in the end zone to, yep, Tyler Eifert.

Best line

NBC's Mike Mayock, the analyst on Notre Dame games, nailed this one perfectly Saturday when he said, "I don't care whether you're a Notre Dame fan or a Notre Dame hater. When Notre Dame is relevant, it's good for college football."

Amen.

Funniest line

Well, it's funny to all but Nationals fans. New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica, top left, on Sunday's ESPN Sports Reporters said, "I've got a question: Is Stephen Strasburg pitching Game 1 or Game 2 of the National League Championship Series?"

The Nats are out of the playoffs, and Strasburg, bottom left, one of baseball's best pitchers, was shut down for the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs because he had elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2010.

Second-funniest line

During the NFL on Fox pregame show Sunday, analyst Howie Long said Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez needs a fresh start in a new place. To which analyst Jimmy Johnson cracked, "You're exactly right. How about the Saskatchewan Roughriders?"

Twitter feed of the day

The Notre Dame-Stanford game ended in controversy Saturday when, on fourth and goal in overtime, officials ruled that Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor was stopped short of the goal line, giving Notre Dame the win. Replays showed Taylor stretched the ball over the goal line before he was down. But had the whistle blown?

Doesn't matter, Fox football rules expert Mike Pereira, the NFL's former vice president of officiating, said on Twitter (@MikePereira): "The fact that the whistle may or may not have been blown is irrelevant. The play is reviewed and when the whistle blew has no bearing."

Worst remembrance

After legendary ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook died last week, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett said, "If I say Beano Cook and you say, 'Oh yeah, the guy on the ESPN blooper reel,' well then, you're really cheating yourself and the man's legacy."

No, do you know what is really cheating the man's legacy? Assuming your viewers think of ESPN's blooper reel first when they think of Cook. Was that anyone's first thought?

Most, if not all, people who remember Cook likely do for his analysis, humor and regular-guy approach to television.

Not only was Everett's line a disrespectful way to introduce an obituary story about Cook's life, it was also arrogant to assume the ESPN gag reel is such a big deal that viewers knew exactly what Everett was talking about.

So, ESPN, when viewers and certain critics complain about your self-promotion, this is the kind of thing that only adds to that reputation.

Best analysts

I wasn't in favor of TBS's Cal Ripken Jr. calling the Yankees-Orioles AL Division Series because I thought he was too closely associated with the O's. But it worked out well. He and analyst John Smoltz were superb together. I like Smoltz with normal partner Ron Darling, and they are working the AL Championship Series. But I miss Ripken in the booth.

Three things that popped into my head

1. After the Cardinals were one pitch away from being knocked out of this year's playoffs and one pitch away (twice) from losing last year's World Series, their fans can never gripe, whine or complain about anything that happens in baseball. Ever.

2. Have you heard that sort of mocking whistle thing that plays in Yankee Stadium after an opposing hitter strikes out? It's annoying, and it seems below the tradition-rich Yankees to resort to such bush-league sound effects. Come on, Yanks, you're better than that.

3. Whether you like the Yankees or not, you hate to see shortstop Derek Jeter miss the rest of the postseason with a fractured ankle. Baseball is better and more exciting with Jeter playing, especially in October.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

NEW YORK — The Tigers got a big boost from Anibal Sanchez's arm. They got a helping hand from an umpire, too.

The reward: a commanding 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series and a trip home with their ace ready to start.

Sanchez shut down a Yankees lineup minus injured Derek Jeter, Detroit scored twice after an admitted missed call by an ump, and the Tigers won without any extra-inning drama, 3-0 Sunday.

"He was terrific," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said of Sanchez. "This is a tough place to pitch with a tough lineup and a short porch and a whole bunch of left-handed hitters. It is not easy. That was quite a feat."

Game 3 is Tuesday night in Detroit, with reigning AL MVP Justin Verlander starting for the Tigers against Phil Hughes.

New York starter Hiroki Kuroda pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning to keep pace with Sanchez. But Robinson Cano and the slumping Yankees hitters were no match for the 28-year-old right-hander.

"I try to think backward," Sanchez said. "If the count calls for a fastball, I throw a different pitch. If the count calls for a different pitch, I throw a fastball. I try to mix my speeds."

Former Ray Delmon Young gave Sanchez his first run of support with a fielder's choice in the seventh. The Tigers then scored twice in the eighth after second-base umpire Jeff Nelson missed a call on a two-out tag at second base. Yankees manager Joe Girardi argued and was ejected on his 48th birthday.

The Tigers led 1-0 and had Omar Infante on first with two outs. Austin Jackson singled, and when Infante took a wide turn at second, rightfielder Nick Swisher threw behind him.

Cano made a swipe tag as Infante dived back. Cano missed Infante's arm but brushed his body, replays clearly showed. Nelson called Infante safe.

After seeing a replay, Nelson said, "The hand did not get in before the tag. The call was incorrect."

Said Infante, "I think the umpire got confused because he saw my hand, something with my hand made him think I was safe."

Was he out?

"Of course," Infante said.

Cano and Girardi pleaded to no avail. Boone Logan replaced Kuroda and gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter Avisail Garcia to make it 2-0.

"It's frustrating," Girardi said. "I don't have a problem with Jeff's effort, I don't, because he hustled to get to the play. But in this day and age when we have instant replay available to us, it's got to change.

"These guys are under tremendous amounts of pressure. It is a tough call for him because the tag is underneath and it's hard for him to see. And it takes more time to argue and get upset than you get the call right. Too much is at stake."

Girardi returned to lift Logan for Joba Chamberlain, then remained on the field to resume the argument. Red-faced with neck muscles bulging, Girardi could be seen shouting at Nelson, "You were right there. How could you miss it?" He earned his first postseason ejection.

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

St. Louis Carpenter (R) 8:05 1-2 2.78 1-3 - -

San Francisco Vogelsong (R) p.m. 14-9 3.33 20-12 1-0 7.0 0.00

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Best news

The Bucs were facing the one-win Chiefs, not the undefeated Falcons. They were facing quarterback Brady Quinn, not Tom Brady. They were at home and well-rested because of the bye week.

So what.

When the schedule-maker hands you a gift, what do you do? Punch it in the gut, pull its shirt over its head and take its lunch money. This is the NFL, so the Bucs need not apologize for or defend the merits of Sunday's victory against the hapless Chiefs.

In fact, they can go ahead and brag that they didn't give up an offensive touchdown to the Chiefs, while holding Jamaal Charles, who came in as the NFL's leading rusher, to 40 meaningless yards on 12 carries. The last time the Bucs didn't give up an offensive touchdown was Nov. 21, 2010, when they shut out the 49ers — 29 games ago.

Play of the day

When you look at the 38-10 final score, you probably think this game was never close to teetering the other way. And it probably wasn't. But there was one moment early in the fourth quarter when things got a little dicey for the Bucs.

The Chiefs had just blocked a punt to cut Tampa Bay's lead to 21-10, and the Bucs were one play away from going three-and-out for the second straight drive. That's when Bucs QB Josh Freeman threw up a jump ball and receiver Tiquan Underwood turned it into a 62-yard reception. Four plays later, Connor Barth chipped in a 27-yard field goal. Crisis avoided. Game secured.

Random thought of the day

Someday, Bucs safety Ronde Barber will look old, slow and ready for retirement. Today is not that day.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Only a few thousand of the 46,500 in attendance stayed until the very end. You would think more folks would stick around to celebrate what was just the second victory in the past 15 games. Guess they all had to get home to see the season premiere of The Walking Dead.

2. Speaking of zombies — you know, lost souls who wander around aimlessly in life and always find themselves in trouble — Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib was not missed at all. True, the Bucs were facing a guy (Quinn) making his first start in nearly three seasons, but the Bucs held the Chiefs to only 180 passing yards.

3. And speaking of Talib, coach Greg Schiano kind of hinted that Talib might return after his four-game suspension. Maybe Schiano had to say that, but let's hope he didn't mean it.

Final thought

Man, if the Bucs could have just found a way to pull out either the Giants, Cowboys or Redskins games, they would be 3-2 right now and that's not half-bad through five games. Instead they're 2-3 with a rough next month on the schedule.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, October 14, 2012

TAMPA

One side smoke, the other side sizzle.

One side lightning, the other side fireworks.

One side hope, the other side faith.

Together they are Jackson & Williams, Hands Inc., and they are the most explosive receiving partnership to wear the Bucs colors in years. Single cover them at your own risk.

From the time the Bucs threw large wads of free agent cash at Vincent Jackson in the offseason — he caught those, too, by the way — this is the way everyone imagined it would work. Jackson was going to draw most of the attention, and on the back side, Mike Williams was going to make them pay. Together they were going to help salvage the career of quarterback Josh Freeman, and they were going to dance in the end zone, and they were going to help their team enjoy Sunday again.

In other words, it was supposed to look a lot like it did in Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Williams caught four balls, including a couple of circus catches, for 113 yards (his second consecutive 100-yard game) and a 62-yard touchdown (the longest TD catch of his career). Jackson caught four passes for 66 and two touchdowns.

By the end of the day, you might have wondered if the Bucs have ever had a receivers tandem like this one. Keyshawn Johnson and Keenan McCardell? Bruce Hill and Mark Carrier? Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway?

True, Jackson and Williams have played only five games together. During that time, they have combined for 35 catches, 702 yards and seven touchdowns, and the partnership is still at its start.

On the other hand, Batman and Robin weren't together very long before everyone knew they were pretty good, too.

"Vincent is Batman," Williams said, grinning. "I'm someone more like … Catwoman."

Catwoman?

"Maybe I'm the butler (Alfred)," Williams said. "The butler was cool."

Yeah, but could he adjust to the deep ball?

Williams, 25, on Jackson: "They couldn't have brought in anybody better. Big. Tall. Fast. Hands. Smart. You can put him inside, outside. To me, he's the ultimate receiver."

Jackson, 28, on Williams: "He's an athletic kid. He can make a play on any ball that's thrown his way. He has great hands. He runs good routes. He's continuing to improve every week."

Jackson should know. From the day the eight-year veteran arrived in Tampa, Jackson has served as a mentor to Williams, working on details such as release, blocking and route-running. In the NFL, where receivers want every ball, it isn't always harmonious. But Jackson and Williams have taken to each other.

Also, this helps: Jackson draws most of the attention, which means Williams finds himself in a lot more single coverage than last year, when every route was like trying to jog across the interstate.

The result looks something like Williams' climb-the-ladder catch for 62 yards and a touchdown Sunday. To the outside eye, it looked a lot like a highlight catch. To the third-year receiver, it was "routine."

"I'd give it a 2½ out of 10," Williams said. "It wasn't that good."

If you want to be impressed, Williams said, you should have seen the catch he made for Buffalo's Riverside High against Bergen in a playoff game, when a half-dozen defenders surrounded him and one held his arm as he went up to catch the ball with the other. "Game over," he said.

As for Jackson, he caught touchdown passes of 17 and 19 yards against the Chiefs. He now has four touchdowns in the past two games.

Together the two have been as dynamic as any duo the Bucs have had. If you judge across the league, there is a case these two could end up being among the top half-dozen combinations in the game.

Too soon? Maybe. There are a lot of routes left to run and passes to catch. But their combined talent is impressive. Especially if you are a quarterback in a critical season.

"Mike makes those catches," Freeman said. "I can't say I've ever seen or played with a guy with the ball skills of Mike Williams. It doesn't matter where you put it, he's going to find a way to make a play on it.

"Vincent is very similar. He's like a technician. He's extremely fast, and he runs precise routes, and he's got great hands. He's so big and so physical, yet he's extremely physical. He's a great all-around receiver."

One side razzle, the other side dazzle. And isn't it about time the Bucs had a portion of either?

Keep up if you can.

Listen to Gary Shelton weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on 98.7-FM the Fan. He can be reached at shelton@tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Gary_Shelton.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Lions comeback capped by old vet

PHILADELPHIA — Desperate to save a season, Matthew Stafford rallied the Lions in the fourth quarter. And to cap a comeback, Jason Hanson ended it in OT.

Stafford scrambled and completed big passes to help erase a 10-point deficit. Hanson hit a 45-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Lions past the Eagles.

"Playing 20-plus years in the league, you go out there and know it's more than just a kick for that game," said Hanson, at 42 the oldest player in the league and in his 21st pro season. "We needed it. We needed it bad."

Stafford ran and threw for TDs in the fourth quarter and finished with 311 yards passing.

Detroit was down 23-13 after Michael Vick's 70-yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin with 5:18 left. In OT, the Lions sacked Vick on the first two plays and forced a punt out of the end zone.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Browns last team to claim victory

CLEVELAND — Phil Dawson wasn't convinced the Browns' agonizing losing streak had ended. But once the longtime kicker stepped inside Cleveland's jubilant locker room after the game against the Bengals, there was no doubt. As players hugged, incoming owner Jimmy Haslam beamed and shook hands.

"It was fun to see guys jumping around and happy," said Dawson, with Cleveland since 1999, its first year back in the league. "The (rookies) never had that feeling before, and it was great to see."

Rookie Brandon Weeden threw two touchdown passes on his 29th birthday and ex-Florida cornerback Joe Haden had a pickoff in his return from a suspension for the Browns, who snapped an 11-game skid that matched a franchise high set in 1974-75.

Randy Lerner's sale to Haslam for $1 billion is expected to be approved by owners Tuesday.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Jets find way with strong run game

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Shonn Greene hit the ground running and kept going.

Coach Rex Ryan's "Ground-and-Pound" offense returned in a big way for the Jets. Greene ran for a career-high 161 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries to power a rout of the Colts.

"When you're running the ball that well," New York quarterback Mark Sanchez said, "you never want to stop."

The Jets rolled up 252 yards on the ground after struggling in the running game for weeks. Sanchez was solid, and Tim Tebow made a few big plays. And a maligned defense shut down QB Andrew Luck and the Colts as New York snapped a two-game home skid.

After four straight games with a completion percentage under 50, Sanchez finished 11-of-18 for 82 yards, but he had two touchdown throws. And Tebow threw a 23-yard jump pass to linebacker Nick Bellore on a fake punt on fourth and 11 from the Colts' 40-yard line.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

SAN MARTIN, Calif. — Jonas Blixt won the Frys.com Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, holing a 4-foot par putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory.

Blixt became the third tour rookie to win this season, closing with 3-under 68 to finish at 16-under 268. The Swede earned $900,000.

"It's unbelievable," he said of his win in the fall series event. "I have no words right now. This is the biggest dream I've ever had."

His short game made that dream come true.

Blixt, one of the best putters on tour, played an impressive flop shot on the 17th hole that came to rest within 7 feet after his drive went over the green on the reachable par 4. The putt had just enough on it to drop in the bottom side of the hole for birdie, giving him the outright lead.

Tim Petrovic (64) and Jason Kokrak (68) tied for second. Third-round leader John Mallinger had 72 to tie for fourth at 14 under with Vijay Singh (68) and two others.

Tampa resident Ryuji Imada (68) finished at 1 over.

Blixt, the seventh first-time winner this season, earned a two-year tour exemption.

LPGA: Inbee Park rallied to win the LPGA Malaysia for her second victory of the year, closing with 4-under 67 to finish at 15-under 269, beating Na Yeon Choi (71) by two strokes at Kuala Lumpur. Two strokes behind Choi entering the round and three behind with 10 holes left, Park picked up a stroke when the defending champion bogeyed the par-4 ninth, then pulled even with birdies on the par-4 10th and 11th. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (71) finished the limited-field event at par 284, and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (71) was 4 over.

Champions: Fred Funk won the Greater Hickory Classic for his second title of the year, holing a 2-foot birdie putt on the final hole to beat Duffy Waldorf by a stroke at Conover, N.C. Funk closed with 3-under 69 to finish at 15-under 201. Waldorf shot 66.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

YEONGAM, South Korea — With a third straight victory, Sebastian Vettel is closing in on a third straight Formula One title.

The Red Bull driver won the Korean Grand Prix on Sunday to move ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the championship standings by six points with four races left.

Vettel started second on the grid behind Mark Webber but overtook his teammate on the first turn and never relinquished the lead, finishing 8.2 seconds ahead of Webber. Alonso was third.

"The foundation was there with a good start," Vettel said. "I wasn't sure because I was starting on the dirty side of the grid, but I was able to get some good grip and get inside at the first turn."

Vettel, who also won the previous races in Singapore and Japan, now appears to be the favorite for a third straight championship, something only achieved by Juan-Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher.

Meanwhile, NBC Sports Group signed a four-year deal with Formula One for the exclusive U.S. media rights to the series starting next season.

Bowyer rekindles thoughts of Cup title

CONCORD, N.C. — Clint Bowyer and crew chief Brian Pattie stretched a final tank of fuel to a victory late Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway that pushed the Michael Waltrip Racing team back into NASCAR's Chase for the Championship picture.

It was the team's third win of the year, and Bowyer has run out of gas after all three.

"It's fun to walk to Victory Lane; that's the best walk you could ever have," he said. "I think that's my new trademark. I'll walk home if it means Victory Lane."

Saturday's race marked the halfway point of the 10-race Chase, and the victory pushed Bowyer up one spot in the standings to fourth, 28 points behind leader Brad Keselowski as things shift to Kansas, Bowyer's home track.

It won't be easy for Bowyer to overcome the deficit. In front of him is Keselowski, five-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin.

Pattie has a strategy for catching up. "We're going for trophies," he said. "That's the only way you're going to beat (them)."

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Tennis

Djokovic stuns Murray at Masters

SHANGHAI — Novak Djokovic saved five match points in the second set before outlasting two-time defending champion Andy Murray 5-7, 7-6 (13-11), 6-3 Sunday in the Shanghai Masters final.

In another duel between the U.S. Open finalists, Djokovic seemed headed for defeat when Murray was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set. But the second-ranked Serb saved one match point in that game before breaking back for 5-5. He then saved four more in a tense tiebreaker and carried his momentum into the deciding set, breaking the Briton twice to earn his fifth title of the year.

"I won the match. But, you know, as spectators could see, we were very close," Djokovic said. "It was a very even match throughout the whole three sets. He was so close to the victory that I cannot say I was the better player."

It was Murray's first loss in Shanghai in 13 matches.

Murray, who beat Djokovic in five sets at the Open last month for his first Grand Slam title, saved two match points Sunday in the final game but sent a backhand long on the third.

"It was a disappointing one to lose," Murray said. "I've lost tougher matches than that before in the biggest events, so I'm sure I'll recover from it pretty well.

"It's not like I threw the match away. I didn't make, I don't think, any real glaring errors or anything."

More tennis

Azarenka extends sets string for sixth title

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka won her sixth WTA title of the year, beating Julia Goerges 6-3, 6-4 at the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria. Azarenka has won 13 straight matches without dropping a set since losing the U.S. Open final last month. She pulled out of a match two weeks ago due to dizziness, then won in Beijing last week to begin her streak.

Japan Open: Heather Watson became the first British woman in 24 years to win a WTA title, defeating Chang Kai-chen 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) in Osaka.

Soccer

Rowdies to go for NASL title against Minnesota

Defending NASL champion Minnesota defeated host San Antonio 2-1 in the second leg of their semifinal series to advance to the final against the Rowdies.

Minnesota and San Antonio, which finished first in the regular season in the eight-team league, tied 0-0 in the first leg.

The Rowdies finished second in the regular season. Minnesota got the sixth and final playoff spot.

The first leg of the final is 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Blaine, Minn. The second is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Al Lang Field. Tickets start at $12. Call (813) 287-1539 or go to rowdiessoccer.com.

Et cetera

WNBA: Erlana Larkins scored 16 and visiting Indiana stunned defending champion Minnesota 76-70 in Game 1 of the best-of-five WNBA Finals. Seimone Augustus scored 23 for Minnesota, which hosts Game 2 Wednesday.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

ATLANTA — Matt Ryan and the Falcons have plenty of mistakes to work on during their bye this week.

Of course, it's easier to fix problems when you're still unbeaten.

Cornerback Asante Samuel returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes and Matt Bryant hit a 55-yard field goal with 1 second remaining as the Falcons escaped with a sloppy 23-20 victory over the Raiders on Sunday.

Overcoming three interceptions by Matt Ryan, the Falcons extended the best start in franchise history to 6-0 and are the last unbeaten team left after Houston's loss Sunday night.

It wasn't easy. The Raiders bounced back from Samuel's pick to tie the score with less than a minute to go but left a little too much time on the clock.

Ryan completed four short passes, the last a 13-yarder to Tony Gonzalez that got ex-Buc Bryant in range for his longest field goal since joining the Falcons in 2009 — and his second winner in three weeks. He beat the Panthers 30-28 on a 40-yard field goal with 5 seconds left.

"He knows how to get himself prepared, how to calm himself down, how to get it through those pipes," Ryan said. "He's made a lot of clutch kicks for us through the years."

Bryant missed one early, pulling a 43-yarder wide left to break a streak of 23 consecutive field goals going back to last season. He bounced back to connect from 41 and 20 yards before making the one that mattered most.

"Missing that one early kind of woke me up a little bit to focus even harder," Bryant said.

With the score tied at 13, the Raiders were in position for a go-ahead field goal when Samuel, a former UCF standout, stepped in front of Carson Palmer's pass at the Atlanta 21 and returned it for the touchdown, racing by in front of the Falcons' bench.

"Put the blame on me," Palmer said. "It's completely my fault."

Palmer shook it off, leading Oakland downfield for the tying score. He hit Derek Hagan on a 38-yard pass to the Atlanta 5, and Darren McFadden scored on a 2-yard run with 40 seconds left.

Just enough time for the Falcons, it turned out.

"You don't want to tell your back to take a knee," Raiders rookie coach Dennis Allen said. "We wanted to use up as much time as we possibly could, and unfortunately we gave them a little bit too much."

Ryan threw for 249 yards but equaled his career high for picks with three.

Times wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Giants tops again in NFC rematch

SAN FRANCISCO — Safety Antrel Rolle and the Giants studied Alex Smith so much they practically knew what was coming.

On one play in the third quarter, even running back Ahmad Bradshaw screamed from the sideline: "Trail. He's watching you." Rolle responded, pretended he was playing the ball and sliced in front of Kyle Williams on a short hook.

"He threw the ball right to me," Rolle said.

Rolle intercepted two passes, corner Prince Amukamara picked off another and the Giants shut down San Francisco in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game.

"I think this is our most complete game all year long," Rolle said.

After outscoring the Bills and Jets by a combined 79-3 the previous two weeks, the 49ers met their match. New York rode dominant defense — including two sacks by former USF defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul — and four field goals by Lawrence Tynes to the win.

Times staff
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Defending NASL champion Minnesota defeated host San Antonio 2-1 in the second leg of their semifinal series to advance to the final against the Rowdies.

Minnesota and San Antonio, which finished first in the regular season in the eight-team league, tied 0-0 in the first leg.

The Rowdies finished second in the regular season. Minnesota got the sixth and final playoff spot.

The first leg of the final is 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Blaine, Minn. The second is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Al Lang Field. Tickets start at $12. Call (813) 287-1539 or go to rowdiessoccer.com.

Times staff, wires
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Greg Schiano, Bucs coach, on enjoying the victory:

"Very rarely are you 38-10 in any league, so that was a nice way to have a little fun with players. We work so hard, and I'm always, 'On to the next thing.' I want to make sure when we do something like this, we do enjoy it a little bit."

Schiano, on the defense:

"I think (defensive coordinator) Bill Sheridan and the defensive staff have done a really good job of getting the guys to understand each play is its own entity and you have to do your job on that play."

Schiano, on QB Josh Freeman:

"He identified, changed the play, and we hit some nice runs. So not only throwing the ball, (but) it's that hidden stuff that I think he's really growing in and becoming a complete quarterback."

Freeman, on putting the game away:

"I thought it was great to come out and see how we ran the football. I mean, Doug (Martin), LeGarrette (Blount) and the whole offensive line were at their best when we really needed it at the end of the game."

Ronde Barber, Bucs S, on preparation and results:

"I think everybody had a little bitter feeling going into the bye week after three straight losses. It wasn't that we weren't playing hard. It (was) just that none of our hard work was reaping any rewards for us. We all went in (to this game) with a purpose, came out with a purpose, had a good plan and executed very well, got some turnovers and won a good football game."

Mike Williams, Bucs WR, on using his 6-foot-2 height:

"Every time somebody asks me, man, just put it in the air. I'm not going to fail you, because it's either going to be incomplete or it's mine."

Tiquan Underwood, Bucs WR, on the offense:

"We know as an offense that when we're balanced, we're pretty tough to stop, and we did that today. We just executed pretty well, and the defense helped out giving us the ball."

Doug Martin, Bucs RB, on his long runs:

"The line did a good job on staying on blocks and finishing guys, and the holes opened up, and sometimes I did my job and made the guy miss."

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs RB, on being held to 40 yards:

"I was real confident. I don't know what happened. Something just didn't … I don't know. Every time we do something good, it turns into something bad. I don't know if we've got some spell on us or what."

Dexter McCluster, Chiefs RB and former Largo High star, on the play that resulted in Barber's interception:

"I was trying to compete for the ball. The defensive back (E.J. Biggers) made it hard for me. It was a tight window. … The quarterback got it in there, but he was able to get a hand in there. Luck of the draw, it didn't hit the ground, and it bounced their way. I didn't even know where the ball was at all. … I thought the ball was on the ground, and when I looked up, I saw (Barber) running."

Romeo Crennel, Chiefs coach, on his team:

"I don't understand why we played the way we played."

Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com NFC South blogger:

I wouldn't quite call this one the turning point for a young team with a new coaching staff, because turning points need to come against good teams, and the Chiefs don't fit that bill. But this one was significant and a potential step toward that turning point. The Bucs … probably played their most complete game of the season.