Musburger's shared secret irks USC

Southern California formally complained that ABC's Brent Musburger revealed privileged information in play-by-play commentary during Saturday's game against Nebraska. The university sent a letter to ESPN, which oversees sports programming on ABC, saying Musburger, with less than 10 minutes to play and the Trojans leading, 21-10, began describing how USC quarterback John David Booty lets receivers know he has spotted a certain kind of coverage. ``John David told us that his signal when he finds one-on-one and they're coming, it's that `hang loose,' that familiar sign you've seen surfers use," said Musburger, referring to the sign where the thumb and little finger are raised. USC sports information director Tim Tessalone sent a formal complaint to ESPN/ABC game producer Bill Bonnell Monday and sent a copy to the Pacific-10 conference office.

Oklahoma would consider canceling its game at Washington in 2008 if the Pacific-10 Conference doesn't change its rule requiring league officials to be used at its home stadiums, Sooners coach Bob Stoops said yesterday. The Sooners lost, 34-33, at Oregon Saturday, and Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen since has said that two incorrect calls by the league's officials on Oregon's behalf changed the outcome of the game . . . Connecticut starting safety Marvin Taylor was arrested on larceny charges relating to illegal use of a credit card, campus police said. Police accused Taylor of obtaining a credit card number and using it for several purchases without the owner's consent . . . Wake Forest junior tailback Micah Andrews suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Demon Deacons' win at UConn Saturday. Andrews -- the team's leader in receptions, rushing, and all-purpose yards -- will need surgery . . . Marquette extended the contract of men's basketball coach Tom Crean through the 2016-17 season. The 40-year-old Crean has a record of 141-76 (.650) in seven seasons at Marquette.

Syd Thrift, a former general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates who spent nearly a half century in baseball, died at 77. He underwent knee replacement surgery Monday in Milford, Del., and died that night, said the Baltimore Orioles, one of seven teams for whom he worked. An autopsy will determine the cause of death. Thrift became GM of the Pirates in 1985 and gave Jim Leyland his start as a major league manager. Thrift's career began in 1949 in the Yankees' organization . . . The Yankees activated Gary Sheffield from the 15-day disabled list, and closer Mariano Rivera said he hopes to return this weekend. Sheffield, who had wrist surgery June 13, will start playing first base after the Yankees clinch the AL East title. Rivera has been sidelined since Aug. 31 by a muscle strain near his right elbow . . . Former Negro leagues star Buck O'Neil, 94, has been hospitalized in Kansas City, Mo., since the weekend because of exhaustion . . . St. Louis Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen will have season-ending surgery on his left hip tomorrow. Isringhausen had a 3.55 ERA and 33 saves this season . . . Micah Owings won his 13th straight decision as the Tucson Sidewinders beat the Toledo Mud Hens, 5-2, in the Triple A championship game in Oklahama City.

Three seeded players -- No. 2 Karolina Sprem, No. 3 Yuliana Fedak, and No. 8 Anastasia Rodionova -- lost in the first round of the Sunfeast Open in Calcutta, India. Casey Dellacqua upset Sprem, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. Fedak lost to Alberta Brianti , 6-4, 6-2, and Rodionova was beaten by Alla Kudryavtseva, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 . . . Li Na defeated Vera Dushevina, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the second round of the China Open in Beijing . . . Justine Henin-Hardenne might be sidelined until the WTA Tour's season-ending championships in November because of a knee injury that forced her to quit during Sunday's decisive match of the Fed Cup final.

Los Angeles was awarded the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, beating out bids from Helsinki and Budapest. The championships in 2009 will be held March 23-29 at the Staples Center . . . A federal agency found probable cause to believe a hostile work environment existed at Madison Square Garden, where former Knicks executive Anucha Browne Sanders claims she was sexually harassed by New York coach Isiah Thomas. The process is a prerequisite to pursuing such a case in federal court . . . Enforcer Tie Domi retired after 11 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs . . . Six-time and defending champion Frank Vana Jr. (Marlborough CC) shot 1-under-par 71 and leads by three strokes at 4-under 140 after two rounds in the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship at Weston Golf Club . . . Bob Mielcarz of Concord, N.H., defeated Greg Reynolds, 3 and 2, to become the lone New England player to advance out of the second round of match play in the USGA Senior Amateur at Newburgh, Ind.