LATEST NEWS FROM THE AP, REUTERS
3 Dolphins teammates fined for celebrating
Ronnie Brown and two Miami Dolphins teammates have been fined $10,000 each by the NFL for excessive celebrating. (AP, 11:13 a.m.)
Browns' Winslow in hospital
Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness. Coach Romeo Crennel said Friday that Winslow was kept overnight at the Cleveland Clinic. Winslow had been feeling ill for several days and the team sent him to the doctor Thursday for further tests and evaluation. Crennel didn't know when the 25-year-old player will be discharged. (AP, 10:57 a.m.)
Former Olympic track star gets 5 years for heroin
Former track star Tim Montgomery has been sentenced to five years in prison on heroin charges in Virginia. (AP, 10:24 a.m.)
Tiger Stadium's 2nd life may be in new cars, roads
Going to a baseball game in Detroit used to mean heading to Michigan and Trumbull, the intersection that became shorthand for Tiger Stadium. Go there today, and all that remains is a small slice of the arena that once drew throngs of fans to see legends like Ty Cobb and Hank Greenberg play. (AP, 7:19 a.m.)
Federer confirms return at Madrid Masters
World number two Roger Federer has confirmed he will take part in the Madrid Masters event next week, after a three week layoff. (Reuters, 6:21 a.m.)
Croatia moves to rid sport of violence
Croatian schoolchildren could soon be taught how to behave like good sports fans in an attempt to stamp out the hooliganism and racism that have marred the country's image in recent years. (Reuters, 5:05 a.m.)
Game ready for lift-off in Britain
Basketball in Britain, which has long struggled for headlines because of soccer's dominance and the lack of a unified national team, is finally primed for exposure at Europe's highest level. (Reuters, 5:04 a.m.)
Maple Leafs spoil Red Wings' banner-raising party
Mike Babcock was proud of the way the Detroit Red Wings combined their talent with a relentless style of play that led to winning the Stanley Cup. (AP, 6:47 a.m.)
Rays ready for ALCS ... and rivalry with Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays insist they plan to take each other on with bats, not fists. (AP, 3:22 a.m.)
Isles think positively despite poor predictions
The New York Islanders have heard the negative talk and seen the gloomy predictions for their season. (AP, 3:06 a.m.)
Phillies beats Dodgers in NLCS opener
The Philadelphia Phillies scored three runs in the sixth inning to rally past the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in the opening game of the National League Championship Series in Philadelphia on Thursday. (Reuters, 5:04 a.m.)
Toronto spoils party with 3-2 win over Detroit
The Toronto Maple Leafs upset Stanley Cup champions Detroit 3-2 on Thursday as North America welcomed the new NHL season back from Europe. (Reuters, 5:04 a.m.)
Canucks' Burrows has 2 goals, Luongo blanks Flames
Alex Burrows scored twice and Roberto Luongo made 25 saves, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a season-opening 6-0 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. (AP, 1:45 a.m.)
Cheechoo scores 2 in Sharks' 4-1 win over Ducks
Jonathan Cheechoo scored two goals, Evgeni Nabokov took a shutout into the final minutes and Todd McLellan won his NHL head coaching debut in the San Jose Sharks' 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. (AP, 1:26 a.m.)
Krejci's late goal lifts Bruins to win
David Krejci scored the tiebreaking goal with 2:36 remaining and Marc Savard added a goal and an assist, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche in the season opener for both teams Thursday night. (AP, 1:26 a.m.)
Bruins-Avalanche Summary
Boston 2 1 2--5 Colorado 2 1 1--4 First Period--1, Boston, Kessel 1 (Bergeron, Ference), 6:21. 2, Colorado, Hejduk 1 (Stastny, Liles), 10:02 (pp). 3, Boston, Wheeler 1 (Krejci, Kobasew), 10:51. 4, Colorado, Wolski 1 (Svatos, Tucker), 14:52. Penalties--Chara, Bos (boarding), 9:17 Ference, Bos (hooking), 12:41 Ward, Bos (delay of game), 12:45. Second Period--5, Colorado, McLeod 1 (Sakic, Liles), 6:34. ... (AP, 1:08 a.m.)
Krejci's late goal lifts Bruins to 5-4 win
The Boston Bruins made Patrice Bergeron's return memorable. Not so for Tony Granato. (AP, 2:08 a.m.)
Bruins-Avalanche Summary
Boston 2 1 2--5 Colorado 2 1 1--4 First Period--1, Boston, Kessel 1 (Bergeron, Ference), 6:21. 2, Colorado, Hejduk 1 (Stastny, Liles), 10:02 (pp). 3, Boston, Wheeler 1 (Krejci, Kobasew), 10:51. 4, Colorado, Wolski 1 (Svatos, Tucker), 14:52. Penalties--Chara, Bos (boarding), 9:17 Ference, Bos (hooking), 12:41 Ward, Bos (delay of game), 12:45. Second Period--5, Colorado, McLeod 1 (Sakic, Liles), 6:34. ... (AP, 1:08 a.m.)
Krejci's late goal lifts Bruins to 5-4 win
The Boston Bruins made Patrice Bergeron's return memorable. Not so for Tony Granato. (AP, 2:08 a.m.)
Phillies beat Dodgers 3-2 in NLCS opener
Pat Burrell, Chase Utley and the Philadelphia Phillies had more than enough power to offset Manny Ramirez in the NL championship series opener. (AP, 6:42 a.m.)
Green scores 18 as Mavs beat Bulls in preseason
Gerald Green scored 18 points to lead six Dallas players in double figures, helping the Mavericks beat the Chicago Bulls 110-102 in a preseason game on Thursday night. (AP, 12:13 a.m.)
Thursday's Top 25 Stats
Clemson 0 0 7 0-- 7 Wake Forest 3 0 0 9--12 First Quarter Wake--FG Popham 22, 1:23. Third Quarter Clem--J.Ford 10 pass from C.Harper (Buchholz kick), :07. Fourth Quarter Wake--FG Popham 32, 12:57. Wake--Boldin 7 pass from Skinner (pass failed), 5:28. A--33,988. ------ Clem Wake First downs 10 21 Rushes-yards 23-21 46-156 Passing 177 186 Comp-Att-Int 15-35-1 22-36-0 Return ... (AP, 10/9/08)
Toronto spoils party with 3-2 win over Detroit
The Toronto Maple Leafs stunned the defending Stanley Cup champions Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Thursday as North America welcomed the new NHL season back from Europe. (Reuters, 2:28 a.m.)
Battle's passing leads Florida A&M to win
Eddie Battle passed for 163 yards and ran for a touchdown Thursday to lead Florida A&M to a 23-0 win over Winston-Salem State. (AP, 10/9/08)
Leetch, Richter, Hull and Cammi Granato honored
Brian Leetch glided out to the ice in loafers, not skates. The former defenseman was wearing a blue suit and matching tie, instead of his familiar Rangers sweater. He's grown quite fond of retirement. (AP, 10/9/08)
Leetch, Richter, Hull and Cammi Granato honored
Brian Leetch glided out to the ice in loafers, not skates. The former defenseman was wearing a blue suit and matching tie, instead of his familiar Rangers sweater. He's grown quite fond of retirement. (AP, 10/9/08)
Jacksonville 51, Webber International 7
Freshman quarterback Josh McGregor threw three touchdown passes and backup Erik Stepelton threw another as Jacksonville University rolled past Webber International University 51-7 for a homecoming win Thursday. (AP, 10/9/08)
Skinner leads No. 21 Wake past Clemson, 12-7
Riley Skinner threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Boldin with 5:28 left to help No. 21 Wake Forest beat Clemson 12-7 on Thursday night. (AP, 10/9/08)
Padres downplay sale report
The San Diego Padres dismissed as "highly speculative" a report that owner John Moores will sell 49 percent of the team as part of a divorce settlement with wife Becky. (AP, 10/9/08)
Philadelphia beats LA Dodgers in NLCS Game 1
The Philadelphia Phillies scored three runs in the sixth inning to rally past the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in the opening game of the National League Championship Series on Thursday in Philadelphia. (Reuters, 2:28 a.m.)
Young's 213 rushing yards power Tenn Martin win
Brandyn Young rushed for 213 yards and all four Tennessee-Martin touchdowns to lead the Skyhawks to a 29-26 win over Eastern Illinois on Thursday night. (AP, 10/9/08)
Phils lead Dodgers 3-2 in opener after 6 innings
Chase Utley hit a tying two-run homer and Pat Burrell added a solo shot off Derek Lowe in a three-run sixth inning, giving the Philadelphia Phillies a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night in Game 1 of the NL championship series. (AP, 10/9/08)
Maple Leafs spoil Red Wings' banner-raising party
The Toronto Maple Leafs watched the Detroit Red Wings hoist the Stanley Cup banner to the rafters, then they put a damper on the celebration. (AP, 12:10 a.m.)
USC QB Mark Sanchez appears on track to face ASU
Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez went through a full session of practice on Thursday and appears on track to start against Arizona State. (AP, 10/9/08)
Phillies beat Dodgers 3-2 in NLCS opener
Pat Burrell, Chase Utley and the Philadelphia Phillies had more than enough power to offset Manny Ramirez in the NL championship series opener. (AP, 12:10 a.m.)
Hjorth, Redman lead Longs Drugs Challenge
Nearly five months pregnant, Sweden's Maria Hjorth shot a 6-under 66s on Thursday for a share of the first-round lead with Michele Redman in the LPGA Tour's Longs Drugs Challenge. (AP, 10/9/08)
Report: Countries fail to share athletes' location
Nearly half the countries that participated in the Beijing Olympics failed to tell organizers where their athletes were so they could be drug tested outside of competition. (AP, 10/9/08)
Dolphins assistant Jim Reid home following surgery
Miami Dolphins assistant coach Jim Reid is home recovering from surgery and an undisclosed illness. (AP, 10/9/08)
Smith still smarting over Talladega defeat
When Regan Smith passed Tony Stewart on the last lap at Talladega Superspeedway, he was certain he'd just earned his first Sprint Cup Series victory. (AP, 10/9/08)
Red Wings put 11th Stanley Cup banner in rafters
The Detroit Red Wings hoisted an 11th Stanley Cup banner to the rafters Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena before their opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (AP, 10/9/08)
Hasselbeck out again, but not for Sunday's game
Status quo for Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Still no practice. Still on for Sunday's game against Green Bay. (AP, 10/9/08)
Pats' D regains confidence before facing Chargers
Rodney Harrison didn't get terribly worried when the New England defense was humiliated by the lowly Miami Dolphins last month. (AP, 10/9/08)
Pats' D regains confidence before facing Chargers
Rodney Harrison didn't get terribly worried when the New England defense was humiliated by the lowly Miami Dolphins last month. (AP, 10/9/08)
Pats' D regains confidence before facing Chargers
Rodney Harrison didn't get terribly worried when the New England defense was humiliated by the lowly Miami Dolphins last month. (AP, 10/9/08)
Green shoots 62 to lead Texas Open
Nathan Green got off to a rocky start Thursday in the Texas Open. It ended up jump-starting the best round of the Australian's PGA Tour career. (AP, 10/9/08)
Lions sign FB Moran Norris, cut RB Marcus Thomas
The Detroit Lions signed fullback Moran Norris and cut running back Marcus Thomas on Thursday. (AP, 10/9/08)
Travis Henry released from jail on drug charges
Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry was released from jail after posting a $400,000 bond on federal drug charges. (AP, 10/9/08)
Rain gives Johnson pole at Charlotte
Jimmie Johnson could only look at his car Thursday, spending most of the afternoon eating junk food in his team's hauler and watching it rain. (AP, 10/9/08)
Lions' Kitna misses another practice with bad back
Jon Kitna's 36-game starting streak with the Detroit Lions is in jeopardy. Kitna missed a second straight practice Thursday because of an injured back, leaving Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton to split snaps. (AP, 10/9/08)