He went exhibits to the understand ground momentarily before getting up and gingerly walked to first base. President- elect Obama also lobbied for a college football playoff in an interview with ESPN that was broadcast the night before the presidential election during halftime of Monday Night Football " First of all I want to congratulate newly elected President Obama and I am glad he has a passion for college football like so many other Americans " Swofford said in a statement " For now, our constituencies- and I know he understands constituencies- have settled on the current BCS system, which the majority believe is the best system yet to determine a national champion while also maintaining the college football regular season as the best and most meaningful in sports " Swofford added " We certainly respect the opinions of president- elect Obama and welcome dialogue on what' s best for college football " Obama said he will use his influence to create such a system " If you' ve got a bunch of teams who play throughout the season, and many of them have one loss or two losses, there' s no clear decisive winner. C- North Carolina coach Roy Williams said Wednesday there is a " huge, huge probability Ty Lawson will not play " in Thursday' s NCAA tournament first- round game against Radford because of the injury to Lawson' s right big toe " Some things would have to change drastically before I' d change my mind on that " said Williams, whose No 1- seeded Tar Heels face Radford at 2: 50 p m ET Thursday in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Updated: August 26, 2005, 6: 55 PM ET Mutombo says two- year deal with Rockets his last Email Print Share Associated Press HOUSTON- Dikembe Mutombo signed a two- year deal with the Houston Rockets on Friday and plans to retire after the 2006- 07 season " I don' t see myself playing after this contract " the 39- year- old center said. Email Print Share By Chris LowSpecial to ESPN It' s that time of year again in the Bluegrass. The action started under caution with three laps to go when Hamlin and Keselowski trailed Busch as they weaved back and forth to keep their tires warm. He said it' s one of the hardest times he' s hit the wall during his 13- year major league career.

Portland' s reserves outscored their Seattle counterparts 43- 15 . He had three catches for 27 yards Saturday and ranks second in school history in receptions( 199, yards receiving( 2, 778) and is tied for fourth in TD receptions( 20 . He has a ways to go in a lot of areas " Toronto coach Kevin O' Neill said . In 13 season in Iowa City, Davis racked up a school- record 270 wins and led the Hawkeyes to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the round of 16 and one to the final eight . PORTLAND, Ore( AP- After a rash of injuries and two significant trades threatened to derail Sacramento' s season, the Kings are somehow back in the NBA playoffs. When ballhandlers like Steve Nash and Jason Kidd are complaining about it, that says a lot " Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. James Two days after he was surprisingly whistled for traveling in the closing seconds of Cleveland' s 80- 77 loss at Washington, James maintains his " crab dribble " was legal and that he has no plans to remove it from his arsenal.

New York has some interest in Curry, whose agent issued a trade demand earlier this week before Curry rescinded it " If he goes anywhere, he definitely wants to come here " Crawford said of his former Chicago teammate " This spot is very attractive to him . Dwight Howard had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 20th double- double of the season " I think we' re playing a little bit better, a little more as a team, as opposed to going one- on- one and really just trying to put the team on your back " Nelson said . But manager Bobby Cox decided to give his slumping outfielder the night off, hoping it will help turn things around . Rays manager Joe Maddon has until the end of the week to decide whom to drop from the 25- man roster to make room for Kazmir, who went 13- 9 in 34 games last year . Now, if you take downforce away, you take grip away, and you do a lot of other things on top of the power, then maybe. We' re looking at all options " Crosby also declined to say whether the team is seeking any change in its lease with Global Spectrum, which took over management of the Rose Garden. The Jazz will face the Spanish club at Madrid' s Palacio de Deportes stadium on Oct 8, the NBA announced Tuesday.

Peterson' s suspension was a result of a new Oklahoma athletic department policy on class attendance implemented this year . 2- 3 hearing in which attorneys are expected to argue over that question . Lakers coach Phil Jackson and Gary Payton also got T' s in the third quarter, and Slava Medvedenko got one in the fourth for lightly shoving Garnett . Okur, a member of Detroit' s 2004 championship team, received a loud ovation during pregame introductions " This was good for the guys we had " Utah coach Jerry Sloan said " It gave them a chance to see what pressure is all about . In 2006 Texas produced some elite players on the defensive side of the ball in LB Sergio Kindle, DE Eddie Jones, LB Michael Morgan and LB Dustin Earnest. Vlade Divac lightly shoved a Minnesota assistant coach during the scuffle but was quickly pushed away " This is not a class act " Garnett said " I think you should have a little more respect for the game " Peeler got a hug from Divac, then waved at his bench before leaving the court. After that 25- point whipping on March 12, New Jersey won 15 of 19 games " We' ve got a big challenge right there " Van Gundy said " They' re a great defensive team with a great defensive coach.

Updated: June 21, 2008, 6: 35 PM ET Jones leaves game again with strained quad, will miss 2 games Comment Email Print Share Associated Press ATLANTA- Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said he expects to miss at least two games after aggravating his strained right quadriceps in Friday night' s game against the Seattle Mariners . Updated: August 8, 2008, 8: 04 PM ET Phils reliever Gordon to see second doctor for injured elbow Comment Email Print Share Associated Press PHILADELPHIA- Phillies reliever Tom Gordon will see Dr . But those maladies were forgotten as Diene scored nine points on 4- for- 4 shooting, grabbed four rebounds and notched a career- best five blocked shots . Sterk said the ideal candidate will have been successful at the top level of college football " The person or his staff has to know the Northwest; that helps as far as the recruiting base " Sterk said, although he also noted that basketball coach Tony Bennett is from the Midwest and has taken the program to a current No . Kwame Brown had six points and four rebounds in his debut with the Lakers. She told police he hit her after finding out she wrote a nearly$ 500 check from his bank account to cover the child support. Davis was given a technical foul only 39 seconds into the game after stealing the ball from Dwyane Wade, then taunting him by stepping over him and stomping his foot.

Brady did acknowledge earlier on Wednesday that his consecutive starts streak is very important to him " I think there is something to be said for showing up and playing every week " he said " I think that is the goal of everybody in this locker room . Infielder Alex Cora was activated from the disabled list to take his place . Still, it' s probably at least a couple more years before the Knicks are title contenders again . The Rays, with a magic number of 2 to clinch the AL East, would open the playoffs with two home games next week against the AL Central winner- either the White Sox or Twins- if Tampa Bay holds on to win the division . Francis is preparing to pitch in the Arizona instructional league this fall, but Contreras and Cook were hoping to convince Tracy that they were ready to return to the mound this week " I told him on Saturday, just give me 20 minutes' notice, I' ll be ready whenever you need me " Cook said " Whether it' s out of the bullpen or starting. Citing philosophical differences with head of basketball operations Danny Ainge, O' Brien stepped down Tuesday after three- plus seasons as coach. There' s nothing wrong with Shaq " Added Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace " It doesn' t matter if he' s 100 percent, 55 percent, he' s still going to demand that double team and special attention.

Kenny Irons, who had just one carry in the Georgia Tech game, had 37 in the 31- 30 win over Georgia last weekend . Ernst, who owns a car lot in Columbus, was among the minority who stood and clapped for the losers " That' s what I do, win or lose " he says " because that' s what I think I should do as a fan " In every good fairy tale, there is a hero and a villain Nebraskans don' t generally hate That would be considered rude . Underneath is a sign that reads " The Detroit Tigers support our automakers " GM' s world headquarters along the Detroit riverfront is visible over the ballpark' s right- field wall and seats . If Uehara can' t pitch Sunday he will almost certainly be replaced by Dave Hernandez, who had a brief stint with the Orioles earlier this season . Coach Steve Spurrier has led South Carolina to its highest ranking since Dec. Putz looked perfect and sounded relieved after pitching a one- two- three inning Sunday in his return from the 15- day disabled list. When asked about " the shots you took today " from Stern and Bennett, Nickels said to consider the source " We' re in litigation, and the other side has got to say what they think they have to say to punch holes in our case " he said " I think it shows they have a pretty weak case.

Updated: July 21, 2008, 4: 11 PM ET Reds to spend' 09 spring training in Florida Comment Email Print Share Associated Press CINCINNATI- The Reds will hold one more spring training in Sarasota, Fla, before moving their camp to Arizona . Now, the Heat are left regrouping while the champs' confidence just got stronger after causing their East rival to lose for the first time in nine contests in the playoffs . California coach Jeff Tedford' s offense ranks 21st in the country, but he doesn' t exactly sound like he' s licking his chops in expectation of a visit from the Trojans on Saturday . Jordan was given two technicals and an automatic ejection by official Luis Grillo with 2: 14 to play in the third quarter after walking far onto the court to argue a series of calls and no- calls . We' ve just got to execute, and we' re very capable of doing that " Bomar said " I think that we' ll do it much better Saturday " Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. Center Mehmet Okur did not make the trip to Minnesota because of a stomach virus and Ronnie Brewer was cleared to play after missing the Clippers game with a similar virus Kirilenko, who averages 11 1 points, 4 8 rebounds and 4. Andre Miller and Marcus Camby each had eight points in the first quarter and the Nuggets led 30- 21 after one Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

Kenseth, who signed a multiyear contract extension last month, failed to win a race for the first time since 2001 and was 11th in the final standings- his lowest finish since that winless season " We are really looking forward to Drew coming on board " Kenseth said in a statement Wednesday " Drew brings a great work ethic and high level of enthusiasm to our team . Gone was that magical " Rocktober " team, which won a record 21 of 22 games en route to the World Series . I' ve just been really, really lucky " But luck had little to do with his long list of clutch shots . Philadelphia didn' t have that luxury this season after going 6- 10 and finishing last in the NFC East Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press . 500 record " he said " There are too many teams out there with good records " A third tournament, sponsored by the Collegiate Commissioners Association, was held in 1974 It was won by Indiana Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. Juan Pablo Montoya takes the lead on the outside of Turn 1 on the restart on Lap 5 Mark Martin got loose down low Montoya builds a 1 3- second lead in two laps Dale Earnhardt Jr is second Elliott Sadler is in the garage with an oil leak Not going to be a good day for the No 19 Dodge 2: 33 p m. A retrial is pending, and he has been free on bail since the shooting.

Snow The 12- year veteran tore cartilage in his knee and will have an operation Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic . Their record has been 5- 5, 6- 6 and 7- 7, and now it' s 8- 8, symptomatic of a team trying to mesh early in the season " In a nutshell, it' s knowing everybody' s game " Hayes said when asked about the uneven start . Or fans from ridiculing him at various ballparks for the past quarter- century " It bothered me " Elia said " Very, very much, especially in the beginning . Anderson, a 6- foot- 10 forward who was the 21st pick overall in last year' s draft, started 30 games and averaged 7 4 points and 4 7 rebounds . All the while, millions of Americans were moving to Southern California, making LA landlords very rich men- few richer than Sterling. Last week against Sacramento State, Lynch had a career- high 147 yards rushing on 24 carries Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. Neither Moore nor his attorney, Robert Nesmith, would comment after the hearing.

The Busch brothers have now won the last three races with Kurt taking Atlanta two weeks ago and Kyle finishing first at Vegas the week before that . Hofstra UniversityDespite her 5- foot- 2 frame, Shellane Ogoshi has become one of the nation' s top players . Updated: August 24, 2008, 4: 27 PM ET Red Sox delay Beckett' s return because of elbow inflammation Comment Email Print Share Associated Press TORONTO- Red Sox right- hander Josh Beckett won' t be facing the New York Yankees on Tuesday after skipping a bullpen session Saturday because of continued numbness and tingling in his pitching arm . That means Texas' schedule likely will be weaker than any of the other potential national contenders . Schnellenberger has capitalized on Florida' s vast recruiting pool to both enhance his roster and attract big- name teams to the Sunshine State. Apparently, no one even offered him the option of a leave of absence. It is not known whether he will replace Patrick Carpentier in the No 10 or the organization will expand to four cars.

The Jazz mounted a 9- 2 run early in the second as McGrady and the Rockets missed eight of their first nine shots . He throws in the mid- 90s but also has a slider along with what pitching coach Darren Balsley calls " a really good changeup, though he doesn' t use it much " Bell doesn' t have to, since he' s primarily a one- inning guy . Earlier, Keith Lockhart, the Boston Pops and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus performed the national anthem " This is my first Opening Day, but it' s not my scariest time in this ballpark " Lockhart said " My scariest was watching the Red Sox almost lose[ the ALCS] to the Yankees in 2004 " Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press . Tampa Bay Rays- Derek Dennis, SS, Forest Hills Central HS, Ada, Mich 320 Chicago Cubs- Joseph Thomas, 3B, Edward Waters 321 . Larry Brown, however, reiterated Thursday night that his first priority is to remain a coach " I want to coach. But his free agency will be the first major test of owner Bob Johnson' s declaration that he' s willing to spend what it takes to be a winner. Critics can point to the system he plays in or the competition he faces, but Brennan continues to put up ridiculous numbers.

He officially is listed as questionable " I' ve got my fingers crossed " that Scirrotto will be cleared to play, coach Joe Paterno said Tuesday . Nice and easy, but powerful# 8220; When my swing' s going well, it is pretty effortless To me, less is more . I know a lot of National League pitchers don' t like to pitch in the American League It' s much tougher in the American League . Hell, I once threw Cale Yarborough clear out into the parking lot . Updated: April 11, 2009, 6: 51 PM ET Lewis to rest knee for playoffs Comment Email Print Share Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N. There is no question about it, you don' t have a guy with a 100- mile- per- hour fastball and keep him as a set- up guy You just don' t do that. The manager plans to have Jeter hit first and Damon second on a regular basis during the remaining spring training games " We could flip it, yes " Girardi said " Johnny is a pull guy.