NCAA: Money not a factor in Ohio State, Auburn rulings

With criticism mounting, the NCAA defended its most recent decision to suspend five Ohio State players for the first five games next season as well as its ruling on the eligibility of Auburn's Cameron Newton.

On Wednesday, the NCAA published a statement on its website responding to critics who believe the organization went lightly in its disciplinary rulings of both Ohio State and Auburn.

"The notion that the NCAA is selective with its eligibility decisions and rules enforcement is another myth with no basis in fact," the statement read.

In response to claims that the decisions surrounding both schools were based on money, the NCAA noted that "money is not a motivator or factor as to why one school would get a particular decision versus another."

Newton, who was involved in a pay-for-play scandal, was reinstated by the NCAA last month and ruled eligible to play for the Tigers in the SEC Championship game against South Carolina.

Earlier this month, USC Athletic Director Pat Haden questioned the NCAA's choice to reinstate Newton, which came only months after the NCAA came down hard on USC for a similar situation regarding former Heisman-winner Reggie Bush.

"I was always told the parent is the child," Haden told the Los Angeles Times. "That's what we've been telling our kids. If the parent does something inappropriate the child suffers the consequences."

Despite the similarity in both the USC and the Auburn cases, only one program was punished - USC - and had its wins from the 2005 season erased and Bush's Heisman vacated.

Meanwhile, Auburn No. 1 Auburn (13-0) will take on the No. 2-ranked Oregon Ducks (13-0) with Newton in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship game on Jan. 10 in Glendale, Ariz.

As for the Buckeyes, the NCAA ruled last week that five players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, would be forced to sit out the first five games next season for a scandal that involved players exchanging goods for discounted services, something that is prohibited by the NCAA.

However, all of the players punished were ruled eligible by the NCAA to play in this year's Sugar Bowl game against Arkansas. 

The Sugar Bowl will take place on January 4 in New Orleans.

The NCAA concluded its statement saying, "Any insinuation that revenue from bowl games in particular would influence NCAA decisions is absurd, because schools and conferences receive that revenue, not the NCAA."

Read more: Sport

The Ashes 2010: Patience and planning the key to Australia regaining their mantle as the world's No 1 side

But where do Australia go from here? First of all, don’t panic. Now is not the time to make the serious changes and I would like to see the same side play in Sydney, apart from a spinner coming into the team for Ryan Harris.

After Sydney there is half a Sheffield Shield season left to identify the players who are ready for Test cricket. The selectors should work out the right combination of experience and young players to take Australia forward.

The next Test series is not until August, when we play Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. That is the time to make rational judgment calls.

This way it gives Ricky Ponting six months to think about what he wants to do next, and he and the selectors have to work out what is the best thing for Australian cricket and not individuals.

Australia have performed poorly over the past couple of years and the authorities have to look at the top all the way down and work out what they need to do better.

Everyone is saying England are brilliantly prepared but that is what Australia were like for 15 or 20 years - so much better than everyone else.

All the other countries have now caught up. When you are the best you have to train as if you are No 2 to keep everyone at bay.

Australia are now No 5 in the world and they have to go back to the drawing board. They have to work out how they can be No 1 again because at the moment we are going backwards.

Other teams have spent the last 15 to 20 years copying Australia in the way they have played their cricket, their tactics, the way they have warmed-up and their structure. Australia set the example.

Now everyone does what we did but are doing it better.

It has taken this Ashes series for it to come to a head. We can’t continue beating ordinary opposition but lose as soon as we come up against the stronger teams.

This is the first time we have not won an Ashes series at home for 24 years and it is time for us to say, ‘‘right, we are not one of the best sides in the world any more’’. We need to be honest, we need to address it and move forward.

Australia can’t hide away and just say England were too good. It is not just one series. This has been happening for a period of time.

Now South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and England have put a gap between them and the rest - Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Australian cricket needs a long period of reflection and must produce a model of how they can get back to No 1 in the world. They need to ask if there is anyone who can replace the players in the team and can play for the next five years.

Decide who are the candidates to take over from Ricky if he decides to retire. If he decides to play on, does he remain as captain or only as a batsman?

If they identify new players they have to show faith, give them a bit of time and say we are not expecting miracles. But the problem is expectations are so high.

The Australian public still think they have the world’s No 1 team. They have got to realise we are now No 5.

There are fundamental questions to settle in the team. We have no leader of the attack, we need an opener and a spinner. If you look back over the past 30 years we have always had someone to lead the bowling unit, whether it was Merv Hughes, Craig McDermott, Bruce Reid, Glenn McGrath, or Brett Lee.

We have always had good quality quicks coming through and the experienced guys have been able to integrate the younger ones.

That is easy to do in a winning team. You can’t carry guys when you are losing, which is why we have had a ridiculous amount of new players appearing for Australia.

They have been unable to find the right team because no one has grabbed the opportunity and said, ‘‘I will be your No 6, opener or fast bowler’’.

If they identify new players, they have to be given 12 months, unless they perform very poorly.

Australia have to think back to the mid-Eighties when they picked guys such as Geoff Marsh, Steve Waugh and David Boon. Along with Allan Border as the experienced leader, they were given a chance to establish themselves.

It has been hard because we were so strong for 20 years and then a whole swathe of players retired four years ago. Only Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting survive.

If they have discovered one or two younger players then they should be involved with the one-day series against England to give them some experience of being around the group even if they are only used as squad players.

One thing that really needs to happen is that the international players must play more domestic cricket so all the best players are playing against each other.

If they don’t play domestic cricket the younger players cannot learn how the best players prepare. They also don’t get to bowl and bat against them. It is a great learning opportunity.

Australia can still level the series at 2-2 but, even if that happens in Sydney, questions still need to be asked and long-term answers provided.

Follow Shane Warne on twitter at www.twitter.com/warne888 and www.shanewarne.com

Read more: Sport

Geoffrey Boycott : arrogant Australia deserved their wretched Ashes result against England in Melbourne

The England players have had to suffer in silence while current and former Australian players have trashed them in the media for the way they batted in Perth.

But on Sunday the Aussie players themselves should be embarrassed because they have been hoisted by their own petard. They were put in to bat on a slow English-type seaming pitch that demanded batsmen grit their teeth, stay in, have patience and wait for the bad ball.

There was always going to be a little movement for the seamers. The ball was not going to come on to the bat quickly. It was low bounce and everything was different from Perth. Great players adapt to all conditions and the Aussie batsmen failed the test miserably.

It was not easy to score runs but it was not difficult to stay in but when you bat in these conditions you have to get your mind right. Forget about the last Test match. Do your homework on how you should play on a different surface. The Australian players have been guilty of slating England’s batsmen, criticising them in every way possible about the way they batted in Perth and probably believed their own publicity that they are so much better than England. The fact is they are not.

You don’t win Test matches by talking down the opposition and talking yourself up. It is how you bat and how you bowl that matters. England have done it right. They kept their mouths shut and got on with their practice and preparation. This Aussie lot came out playing like millionaires and believing they could not possibly lose to this English team. Their batsmen paid for it.

Shane Watson was playing forward to Chris Tremlett before he had delivered the ball. He pre-determined what he was going to do and that is always stupid. When the ball bounced a bit on him all he could do was fend it off to gully.

Phillip Hughes slashed at a wide ball and was caught at gully. Before that every time the ball was into his ribs, he looked like a crab jumping up and down. You just wonder how the hell he got those centuries against South Africa’s pace attack.

Michael Clarke played an indeterminate poke at a wide one, Michael Hussey was driving on the up and Steve Smith is never a No 6 in a good side in a thousand years. He is about a No 8.

Brad Haddin, who can bat, played the most extravagant cover drive when his team was in trouble. He had seen how the pitch has been playing and it was just a ridiculous shot for a very experienced cricketer. I wouldn’t have played it if I had 200 on the board, let alone still in single figures.

Ricky Ponting got a really good ball from Tremlett. It pitched around the corridor, bounced a little and he nicked it. If he gets the same ball next week in Sydney he may nick it again.

The rest of them should be embarrassed for ‘bagging’ England for the last few days and now it has come back to haunt them.

Australia even got sucked in to playing four seamers on a pitch with no bounce whether it moves off the seam or not. They have convinced themselves they can bounce England out and that some of our batsmen might be frightened of the Australian bowlers.

The Melbourne pitch for years has not been quick which makes their selection ridiculous when you remember they also have a pretty decent seamer in Watson.

England’s seamers kept it simple. Bowl straight and full. We put a cluster of balls in the same areas repetitively and Australia were kind enough to keep playing loose shots.

Once England had a second roller on the pitch and a bit of sunshine it flattened out to the point that hardly a ball moved. Mitchell Johnson was totally ineffective, spraying the ball all over the place with no inswing. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle tried bouncing the two left-handers with no impact whatsoever because there is no pace in the pitch. Leg-spinner Smith is a club bowler dispensing long-hops that have been smacked.

This series has swayed back and forth. When one side has had the upper hand the other team has come back next day with a big performance. To keep Australia in the game it would need an exceptional performance by their bowlers to dismiss England or we would have to bat as badly as they did and throw our wickets away. There is no pace, bounce or movement left in the pitch to give the bowlers encouragement. If we bat well in the first innings it will scare the hell out of Australia that the Ashes are disappearing over the horizon.

Read more: Sport

The Ashes 2010: England have also been known to stretch boundaries of fair play

England v Australia, the Oval, 2009
A dry, turning pitch, which Australia misread – and it cost them the Ashes. They omitted Nathan Hauritz, and watched Graeme Swann take eight wickets as England won 2-1.

England v Australia, the Oval, 2005
England wanted a surface that lacked menace. They led Australia 2-1 but were reeling at 199 for seven in the second innings. Kevin Pietersen and Ashley Giles exploited the benign conditions to see England to safety.

England v Australia, Trent Bridge, 2005
The Australians were livid that England were using some of the best fielders in the county game as 12th men, while their pacemen popped off for comfort breaks. It came to an ugly head when Gary Pratt ran out Ricky Ponting. He was furious.

England v West Indies, Leeds, 1991
Low, slow Headingley was a good ‘home banker’ when England needed a result, and it suited a seam-only attack of Phil DeFreitas, Steve Watkin and Derek Pringle in a 115-run win.

Meanwhile the Aussies have been told to up the sledging volume...

Ever since Allan Border told Robin Smith: “What do you think this is, a ------- tea party?” when the batsman asked if he could have a glass of water, sledging (or merntal disintegration, as Steve Waugh called it) has been a key part of Australia’s armoury.

But the head of their players’ union, Paul Marsh, swears blind that the national side lost their potency once they were told to tone it down after a particularly fractious Test against India at Sydney two years ago. Teams have exploited this “weakness”, Marsh says.

Judging by Mitchell Johnson’s behaviour at Perth, though, it seems the Aussies are finding their voice again. Thank XXXX for that.

Read more: Sport

Pecora waking 'sleeping giant' in the Bronx

The voice was still hoarse almost 48 hours after Fordham's biggest victory in years, and Tom Pecora was still sorting through the congratulatory messages that deluged the Rams' new coach since Saturday night's heart-stopping victory over St. John's.

"There are a ton of emails and messages from alums, the administration and friends I have in the business," said Pecora, whose Fordham team already has as many victories (five) as it had in the previous two seasons combined. "It was a great week for us. First with the big crowd and the win we had against Manhattan and then the sellout Saturday night. A great week for Fordham."

Pecora's mission when he took over at Fordham last spring was to awaken a program he dubbed "a sleeping giant." But to do that he first had to eradicate the losing culture that hung over the Rams program, and Pecora thinks the best way to do that is to not look back.

"That's old," Pecora said. "We've tried to put all of that behind us and that's part of building a new culture. You need to let (the players) know that you feel confident that they're prepared to win the game if they play at the level that they are capable of playing.

"I'm becoming a better coach every day because I'm going through this process with them. I'm learning on so many different levels and not just how we're teaching the game but dealing with young guys and seeing how they were affected by the last couple of years and watching them rise. They've been great about it."

Pecora, who came to Fordham after winning 121 games in his last six seasons at Hofstra (including a 5-1 record against St. John's), said he knew Fordham was hungry for a winner, but didn't realize just how hungry until after his Rams knocked off St. John's. It was in that ensuing celebration when he learned firsthand how much the basketball program means to Fordham students and alumni alike.

"It was great to see the kids hit the court after the game," Pecora said. "But what hit me was when I saw 70-year-old guys holding back tears because they were so excited. In the Rebounders Club after the game, the people in there were just glowing. Some of these people have been supporting Fordham for decades and they've had a rough time of it lately with all the losing. I'm the new guy here, so this win was for them."

Riding a three-game winning streak, Pecora said he has no intention of letting his team relax.

"Now we have to build on what we've already achieved," said Pecora.

So while most of Planet Fordham was still reveling in the victories over Manhattan and St.John's, Pecora was out recruiting, even as he rapidly approaches rock-star status at Rose Hill.

"I don't know about that," Pecora said laughing. "One day you're a peacock, the next day you're a feather duster."

HEADING NORTH
The area's other hot program, the Iona Gaels, will put their seven-game winning streak on the line Saturday night when they travel to the Carrier Dome for a meeting with No. 5 Syracuse.

The Orange (10-0), led by Rick Jackson's double-double averages of 14points and 12.5 rebounds, will present the stiffest test yet for the Gaels (7-3, 2-0 MAAC). Iona's Mike Glover heads into the game coming off five straight double-double outings and was named MAAC Co-Player of the Week, while junior guard Scott Machado ranks second nationally, averaging eight assists a game.

Read more: Sport

Woody's injury cuts like knife

Right tackle Damien Woody is expected to miss at least 2-3 weeks with a partial tear of his MCL. The veteran offensive lineman confirmed that he'll undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday morning. Woody initially suffered an MCL sprain against the Texans on Nov. 21. He played the next two games without incident before aggravating the injury during the first couple plays of Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Dolphins.

Woody played only two series before leaving for good. Although Woody said "it's too early to tell" how long he'll be out, sources told the Daily News he'll almost certainly miss the rest of the regular season. A return for a possible wild-card game isn't out of the question.

Wayne Hunter will take Woody's place.

"It's a huge blow," right guard Brandon Moore said. "He's one of the top tackles in this league. Of course, there's a little bit of a drop-off there. But Wayne's very capable."

Moore admitted it'll be a point of emphasis to "exaggerate communication" with Hunter this week in practice along the right side of the offensive line. Moore, of course, has started 45 consecutive games next to Woody.

FROM TRAINER'S ROOM
Shonn Greene's pinched nerve in his neck doesn't appear to be serious. The second-year running back didn't return Sunday after getting injured on a reception with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. He said he'll be fine to practice and play this week.

Starting safety Eric Smith is doubtful after likely suffering a concussion on Sunday, Ryan said. The medical staff will take a cautious approach with Smith, who has suffered head injuries/concussions in the past.

Ryan is "hopeful" that safety James Ihedigbo (high ankle sprain/knee) will be ready for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh. Ihedigbo did some change-of-direction work during pregame warmups and could return later this week. The Jets don't plan to sign another safety to the practice squad or active roster for now.

Read more: Sport

Cliff Lee, Derek Jeter, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire - What Is Real Story?

Find the real story:

A. Cliff Lee was behind the Yankees' tough negotiations with Derek Jeter, as Lee had noted the decline in The Captain's play in the field and was hoping he would leave via free agency. If Jeter stayed, Lee would re-sign with Texas.

B. Derek Jeter is holding up the Cliff Lee deal because Lee gives up too many groundballs to his right and that may make The Capatain look bad in 2011 and beyond, hurting his ability to earn bonuses in his contract for Gold Gloves and MVP points.

C. Due to the recent embarrassing issues with baseball ownership in Los Angeles (Frank McCourt) and New York (Fred Wilpon and the Madoff mess), Major League Baseball has decided to not approve any real estate tycoons as team owners. A lawsuit by Vincent Ludwig is being prepared in Los Angeles.

D. Jose Canseco claims that despitre being out of baseball for ten years and turning 47 next July, he could DH and lead the league in home runs next season if given a chance.

E. Canseco's former Oakland A's teammate Mark McGwire was recentrly asked during a St. Louis Cardinals promotional tour in Missouri to autograph a bottle of andro by a Cards fan.

F. Baltimore Oriole Luke Scott recenly found out that he was adopted and that his birth certificate was a government forgery.

G. Incoming House Government Reform Committee chairman Darrell Issa has decided to end the baseball investigations into the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs. However, he will aggressively probe drug use in the NFL and NBA with the same passion that former committee chair Henry Waxman pursued MLB.

H. Cliff Lee's wife, who is not exactly excited that her husband may play for the Yankees, is a cousin of former Yankee pitcher Ed Whitson.

Answer - D

Read more: Sport

Wayne Rooney almost back to his best, says Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Rooney has not scored for Manchester United in open play since netting against Bayern Munich in March, but Ferguson was delighted with the England forward's overall contribution in Sunday's 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford.

"Wayne had a couple of tries. He was very unlucky with the chip and there were a couple of shots saved by the goalkeeper," Ferguson said. "He is getting there. The important thing is he is playing well. That is refreshing."

Meanwhile, Ferguson hopes to welcome back Darren Fletcher and Nani at Birmingham on Tuesday after his team maintained pole position in the Premier League with Sunday's three points.

Ferguson was without the pair for the win at Old Trafford that was cemented by two goals from Bulgaria forward Dimitar Berbatov, who now has 13 for the season, and a man of the match performance from Brazilian playmaker Anderson.

The Scot, who turns 69 on Friday, was able to take off Anderson and evergreen winger Ryan Giggs early in the second half and, while Ferguson declared himself happy with an unbeaten league run that now extends to 22 games, the return of Fletcher and Nani can only help United consolidate first place when they travel to St Andrew's.

"You have to make changes," said Ferguson, noting that Birmingham will have benefited from the postponement of their Boxing Day visit to Everton. "I took Anderson off, took Ryan off. We've got a game in two days' time. Birmingham have not played, they will be nice and fresh.

"Darren Fletcher had a bit of a cold, he came down with it this morning, we couldn't take any chances. Nani has been feeling his hip the last few days so we left him out. He should be ready for the Birmingham game.

"Birmingham will be fresh. Going down there is always a difficult place, they've always had a strong home record, they're difficult to beat on their own ground."

Ever the perfectionist, Ferguson did confess that his team's failure to convert a host of chances they created against Sunderland was a disappointment.

"Absolutely," said Ferguson. "We hit the bar, the post, the goalkeeper made a couple of saves, we had some really good football, some exciting stuff.

"Once the game went into that part – Dimitar had a couple saved – we just seemed to go into third gear. The first half was the game, we were fantastic, it could have been any score.

"The second half we put the tools away and bit, maybe they were saving their legs. They knew Birmingham's game was off and maybe that gets to their minds. We were very economical second half, put it that way.

"But we're coming to good form. The last few weeks we have played some very good stuff and had that consistency, particularly defending. We were solid at the back, these are good signs for us."

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce sounded like one rival manager who is ready to concede the title to United.

"They've been involved in first or second for the last six years and I can't see any change in that," he said. "They will be there or thereabouts. And usually they get better from here on in.

"That first half is arguably the best they have played. I hear they haven't played that well and they're unbeaten in – what? – six months; that's not a bad stat.

"They're top of the league with a game in hand. History tells you that they get better in the second half of the season. They've got some big games coming up but I wouldn't bet against them."

Read more: Sport

Cavanagh's Analysis

1. Rock God failed down from special weights after more than four months off; drops $9,000 Monday; the class of a lackluster group. Hugo Light is up $3,000 after gaining fourth passing tiring rivals at 6 f. Walkamileinmyshoes bows on Lasix off good trials.

2. Lost At Dawn was five wide at the quarter; bumped at the eighth; no chance at Aqueduct; down $9,000; showed in one prior at this level. Kate's Holiday placed racing wide as the chalk in last pair. Rhythm of the Nite got hit; rallied showing a head behind the second choice Dec. 10.

3. In Speight of It was short 9 clipping heels at the quarter-pole placing 1 1/2 before Tactical Light at 5 1/2 f.; advances at 5 f. Presently got hit hard early when sixth but couldn't handle the second choice showing in one prior; shows with a better trip.

4. Fabulous Frontier got up by a nose in 1:47 3/5. Spotlight Scam hung late missing by three-quarters in 1:48 1/5; places again moving to Jose Tabraue's barn. Givemethirtydays lasted to wire foes by a head at 1 m.; shows adding 70 yards.

5. Albany Indian flashed brief speed when sixth in the slop after almost three months off Oct. 28; down $9,000 to new low back on turf off good works at Gulf. Hot Cat saved grownd taking fifth in comeback; also down $9,000. Ms Drewcilla was rank; sixth after showing in the allowance ranks; cover.

6. Lucky Deuce regained the lead late only to be headed at 6 f. as the $1.30-1 choice after two months off; 2-1 at 5 f.; 11-1-3-5 this year. Rosalba Yankee drew out winning by 3 1/2 after scoring by 3; 11-2-2-2 in '10. Skiptoit was fourth minus a response turning for home; shows shortening from 6 1/2 f to 6 f.

7. Grande Shores led by a half; short the same margin in the slop caught in the 6 1/2 f., $75,000 Dr. Fager Aug. 7 here; he drilled in 1:01 4/5 Dec. 16 to go 5 1/2 f. Concorde's Flight bows with Velazquez up off a :48 2/5 gate work. Mr. Valentino retreated to sixth at 7 f.

8. Took It From Him swung out; missed by a half placing a head in front of Citizen's Arrest full of run; gets it done. Walt's Whiz led; short three-quarters dueling all the way in turf bow Oct. 8; breezed in :36 1/5 Friday; trifecta factor.

BEST BET - Lucky Deuce (6th)

Read more: Sport

Nottinghamshire begin defence of County Championship title with array of home fixtures

Nottinghamshire played five of their first six matches last season at Trent Bridge when conditions suited their seam attack which helped them build important early momentum in winning the title for the first time in five years.

Next year they will play four of their first six matches at Trent Bridge which means that half of their home programme will be completed by May 21.

“The list is partly dictated by the international programme,” said Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell. “We have a one-day international and Test Match at Trent Bridge in July which restricts the amount of cricket we can play here in the build up to those games.

“Other sides have similar restrictions and Warwickshire, for instance, didn’t want to play at home in the opening weeks of the season because of the building work at Edgbaston.

“We are happy to play at home in April and May because with the quality of the outfield that we have here which drains well, if it isn’t raining we should be playing.”

Nottinghamshire will play the MCC in Abu Dhabi starting on March 27 and will begin their title defence against Hampshire at Trent Bridge on April 14 having sat out the opening round of matches on April 8, the earliest start to a Championship season.

The publication of the fixture list was delayed by uncertainty over next season’s structure. Having opted to stick with last season’s format the England and Wales Cricket Board has produced a mirror image of this year’s fixtures with two rounds of championship matches interrupting the Friends Provident t20 in June.

“Ideally you would want to play all your Twenty20 games in one block but it’s not the ECB’s fault that they have to fit two rounds of championship matches in the middle of the season,” Newell said.

Lancashire will play only one championship match at Old Trafford because of the reorientation of the square there to avoid the problem of batsmen staring into the setting sun. Liverpool will stage five of Lancashire’s home championship matches with Southport, which last hosted a county match in 1999, and Blackpool one each.

Lancashire will play all their home one-day cricket at Old Trafford which will have permanent floodlights next year as will Edgbaston as part of Warwickshire’s £30 million ground development.

Warwickshire will not play at Edgbaston until May 1 when they entertain Leicestershire in their second match in the defence of the CB40 title.

Hampshire will launch their defence of the Friends Provident t20 against Sussex at the Rose Bowl on June 1.

Almost 70 per cent of T20 matches will be played on Friday evenings or at weekends including a first visit to Scarborough in the competition for Yorkshire against Durham on July 10.

Read more: Sport

Newcastle United v Manchester City: match preview

Sunday, December 26

Newcastle United v Manchester City
St James' Park
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day

Tale of the game

City squandered the chance to go into Christmas at the top of the tree after losing 2-1 at home to Everton on Monday night.

That was City's first defeat in eight Premier League games, but they remain in third place and can put pressure on neighbours and leaders United with a sixth away win of the season.

City won 2-1 against Newcastle in October with Adam Johnson stealing a 75th minute winner.

Alan Pardew leads Newcastle for only the second time after their game at Birmingham was postponed just three hours before kick-off last Saturday.

He can recall Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini to central defence but Sol Campbell is doubtful and Ryan Taylor, Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling are all sidelined.

City will be without Kolo Toure at St James' Park after the defender was sent-off at Eastlands on Monday. His place could go to Micah Richards or Joleon Lescott.

Newcastle are at home on Boxing Day for the first time since 2001; in the subsequent eight years they have played away and have failed to win, losing five and drawing three.

City, meanwhile, are away on Boxing Day for the first time since 2006 and are unbeaten on the day since 2005.

This season: City 2 Newcastle 1. Last season: N/A.

Stat of the game: City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games, home and away, against Newcastle, winning six and drawing two.

Betting tip: City can win; a 2-1 away victory is 8-1.

Newcastle United (probable, 4-4-1-1): Krul; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique; Barton, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez; Nolan; Carroll.
Manchester City (probable, 4-4-1-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Kolarov; Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Silva; Balotelli; Tevez.
Referee: Chris Foy. Matches: 13. R0 Y28.

Read more: Sport

Marlborough: horse racing tips

Group Three Flat-race winner Smokey Oakey is not the force he once was but for Megastar (12.40 Kempton) to storm 16 lengths clear of him at Ascot suggests Gary Moore’s novice is blessed with above-average ability.

Conor Dore may have a bargain in Grand Vizier (3.20 Wolverhampton), acquired for only 3,000gns at Newmarket October sales. The gelding is unbeaten in two starts on this track and is favoured by race terms. The stable is in good form with three winners and six placings in last14 days.Kempton so lack of a recent outing should not prove too much of a drawback.

Bet of The Day on Boxing Day: Golden Duck (1.45 Fontwell) can add to his impressive start for new connections over course and distance last month.

Kempton

12.40 Megastar

1.15 Warne’s Way

1.50 Golan Way

2.25 Escort’men

3.00 Kauto Star

3.35 Shakalakaboomboom

Fontwell

12.35 Peveril

1.10 Semi Colon

1.45 Golden Duck (nap)

2.20 Tocatchaprince

2.55 Portrait Royale

3.30 Massini Moon

Wolverhampton

1.35 Crystallus

2.10 Captain Dimitrios

2.45 Towering Storm

3.20 Grand Vizier (nb)

3.50 Camps Bay

4.20 Encircled

Read more: Sport

Jordan fires Bobcats coach Brown: sources

Larry Brown has been around basketball long enough to accomplish a rare feat: he has now been fired by both Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan.

Brown, the Hall of Fame coach who spent one tumultuous season with the Knicks, was replaced as Charlotte Bobcats coach by Paul Silas, a former Knicks assistant, for the rest of the season. The Bobcats announced that Brown had resigned, but according to multiple league sources, Jordan fired Brown after Charlotte lost Tuesday night for the 19th time in its first 28 games. Former Knick Patrick Ewing, who has a close relationship with Jordan, is being mentioned as a possible candidate if Silas doesn't keep the job beyond this year.

Brown, 70, was 88-104 in two-plus seasons with Charlotte and led the Bobcats to their first playoff appearance last spring. But over the summer, Charlotte allowed point guard Raymond Felton to sign with the Knicks and traded starting center Tyson Chandler to Dallas for Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera and Matt Carroll, who is the only one of the three still on the roster.

"I talked to him before the preseason and I could tell he was worried because he lost Chandler and Raymond," said Knicks president Donnie Walsh, Brown's longtime friend and former boss with the Pacers. "But that was it. I watched him and he was making up for it. I think he was doing a great job coaching and then about the last week or so they had been getting beat pretty bad, so I don't know what happened."

Walsh added that Brown's removal "surprised me big-time."

Brown resurfaced in Charlotte in 2008, two years after he was fired by James Dolan and Thomas for cause. The Knicks went 23-59 in the 2005-06 season under Brown, whose criticism of the players  acquired by Thomas infuriated Dolan. Brown also traded barbs in the media with Stephon Marbury, who at the time was a favorite of both Dolan and Thomas.

Two years after leading Detroit to an NBA title, Brown signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Knicks. When Brown was fired, Dolan tried to get the contract voided, and an arbitrator ruled that the Knicks were required to pay Brown only $18 million.

Landing in Charlotte was a natural fit for Brown since he and Jordan played at North Carolina under legendary coach Dean Smith.

"The team has clearly not lived up to either of our expectations," Jordan said Wednesday, "and we both agreed that a change was necessary."

Read more: Sport

Rebecca Adlington and Mo Farah lead British Olympic Association's Olympic Athlete of the Year award winners

The gongs, which were introduced in 2005, are given to the top-performing athlete of the year in each of the 33 summer and winter Olympic sports.

Olympic swimming heroine Adlington repeated her Beijing success by taking double Commonwealth gold in Delhi in October, while she also won the 400 metres freestyle at the European Championships.

Adlington pipped diver Tom Daley, who also won two golds at the Commonwealth Games, and other leading names in swimming such as Fran Halsall and Hannah Miley to win the aquatics award.

She said: ''I'm proud and honoured to have won this award in 2010, given the achievements of so many British swimmers at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.''

In athletics, Farah was picked ahead of heptathlon number one Jessica Ennis after his emotional double over 5,000m and 10,000m at the European Championships in Barcelona.

The cycling award went to a road athlete, with Emma Pooley rewarded for a stunning year capped by victory in the women's time trial at the World Championship.

Beth Tweddle proved her class in gymnastics once again by reclaiming her world title on the uneven bars and collecting two golds at European level, on the bars and floor.

The 25-year-old said: ''I'm really happy to win this award, in what has been a outstanding year for British Gymnastics. Becoming world champion for the third time in my career in 2010 has given me great confidence towards my aim of reaching the podium at the London 2012 Olympic Games.''

Other notable winners included equestrian star Laura Bechtolsheimer, hockey player Helen Richardson, Youth Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones and world under-23 triathlon champion Jonny Brownlee.

Leading the winter sports list was Winter Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams, whose performance in the skeleton in Whistler saw her become the first individual British champion for 30 years.

The 28-year-old said: ''I'm delighted to receive the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year award. This caps a really special year for me.''

Olympic Athlete of the Year award winners:

Aquatics - Rebecca Adlington

Archery - Alison Williamson

Athletics - Mo Farah

Badminton - Rajiv Ouseph

Basketball - Pops Mensah-Bonsu

Boxing - Tom Stalker

Canoeing - Ed McKeever

Cycling - Emma Pooley

Equestrian - Laura Bechtolsheimer

Fencing - Chrystall Nicoll

Gymnastics - Beth Tweddle

Handball - Holly Lam-Moores

Hockey - Helen Richardson

Judo - Euan Burton

Modern Pentathlon - Sam Weale

Sailing - Ed Wright

Shooting - Elena Allen

Table Tennis - Liam Pitchford

Taekwondo - Jade Jones

Tennis - Andy Murray

Triathlon - Jonathan Brownlee

Volleyball - Nathan French

Weightlifting - Peter Kirkbride

Wrestling - Myroslav Dykun

Biathlon - Lee-Steve Jackson

Bobsleigh/Skeleton - Amy Williams

Curling - Eve Muirhead

Luge - AJ Rosen

Skating - Sinead and John Kerr

Skiing - Andrew Musgrave

*Ice hockey, football and rowing are yet to announce their Olympic Athlete of the Year for 2010.

Read more: Sport

Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers shut down Arizona Cardinals

They didn't make every mistake in the book, just the ones in the first six chapters, on the way to a 19-12 loss to the woeful Panthers.

Inaccurate passes. Dropped balls. Costly penalties. Poor run defense. Failed onside kicks. All contributed to the team's eighth loss in its past nine games.

"Seemed like every time we had a chance to do something, we made mistakes," Whisenhunt said. "I think our guys were fighting; they just made too many bad plays to overcome."

If there is to be an epitaph for the 2010 season, it will be the previous paragraph. That's been the theme all season, a familiar lament for every losing team.

"We're just not executing, and that's the most frustrating part," receiver Larry Fitzgerald said, "because there are plays to be made."

But the Cardinals (4-10) couldn't even make them against the Panthers (2-12), who entered the game with the NFL's worst offense. The Cardinals, who gained only 218 yards and didn't score a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter, might now take on that dubious title.

Rookie quarterback John Skelton struggled throughout the afternoon, completing 17 of 33 for 196 yards. He was the victim of three dropped passes and occasional poor protection, but like his team, Skelton was usually his worst enemy.

His lone interception was a result of a horrible decision, and he missed a handful of open receivers, including Early Doucet for a potential touchdown.

"I probably should have never gone to that spot," Skelton said of his interception. "Those are plays at a lower level you can get away with, but you come here (the NFL) and they're going to make plays on defense.

"There were a couple plays where I missed wide-open receivers with no pressure, and then there were others where we had blocking breakdowns. It's one or two guys not doing their jobs, which ends up in a loss."

The Panthers offense is about as complicated as a glass of water, but it was effective enough Sunday. The Cardinals, normally a 3-4 defense, used four down linemen for much of the game, and the Panthers gashed them in the first half for 96 rushing yards.

The Cardinals were effective near the end zone, and kicker John Kasay made four field goals. The Panthers' only touchdown of the day came after Skelton's interception in the second quarter.

The defense stiffened in the second half, but the offense moved only a tad more than the Panthers statues outside Bank of America Stadium.

Whisenhunt was so desperate to create a spark, he opened the second half with an onside kick. But Jay Feely's "bunt" went only 7 yards, one little square in a quilt of mistakes.

"I felt like it was there, and it was there," Whisenhunt said of the onside kick. "The ball sat on the ground forever. If it had gone a yard and half or 2 yards more and we get the ball, maybe that changes it. We didn't execute."

The Cardinals trailed 19-3 entering the fourth quarter and put up a fight late. The defense recovered a fumble, and Skelton found his rhythm for a while, leading the Cardinals to a touchdown with 5:41 remaining.

The two-point conversion failed, and the Cardinals added a field goal to pull within 7 with less than a minute to go. But another onside kick failed when the Cardinals were called for offsides, and the Panthers had officially doubled their win total.

"Losses are always tough," safety Kerry Rhodes said, "but we're putting ourselves in position for them. It's no big secret. We're just not playing consistent enough to win games in this league.

Report

Key player

Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart rushed for 137 yards on 27 carries, a 5.1-yard average.

Key moment

The Cardinals trailed 6-0 early in the second quarter when John Skelton forced a pass intended for Stephen Spach. He overthrew it and safety Sherrod Smith returned it 34 yards to the Cardinals 16. The Panthers scored on the next play to take a 13-0 lead.

Injury report

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring) didn't play in the second half. WR Early Doucet (hip flexor) left in the fourth quarter and didn't return.

Did you notice?

The Cardinals only touchdown came when running back Tim Hightower fumbled into the end zone and Steve Breaston recovered. The Cardinals have 10 return touchdowns this season, extending a franchise record.

Quote of the day

"Last week we were fortunate the defense got a lot of turnovers and gave us a lot of opportunities. This week, the way Carolina runs the ball, you've got to make the most out of every possession. When you're going three and out every other possession, it's hard to get into a rhythm." - Cardinals quarterback John Skelton

Next up

Cardinals (4-10) vs. Dallas (5-9), Saturday, at University of Phoenix Stadium, 5:30 p.m.

View from the press box

Finishing with a 4-12 record this season now seems likely. It takes a powerful imagination to believe the Cardinals will beat the Cowboys on Christmas night. And they will be underdogs in the season finale in San Francisco, too. Some fans want them to make an effort to lose so they can have a higher draft pick, but this is a team that doesn't have to try to lose. It can't help it.

Read more: Sport

The Ashes 2010: Australia v England, third Test, day one tea report

England have encountered resistance from Brad Haddin and Michael Hussey but are still on top against Australia, thanks largely to Chris Tremlett, by tea on day one of the third Test at Perth.

Follow the third Test live with our over-by-over commentary

Haddin (52no) and Hussey (61) made contrasting half-centuries, the latter reaching the milestone for the fourth successive time in as many attempts in this Ashes series, as Australia tried to recover from another nightmare start.

Their sixth-wicket pair very nearly doubled the total, from 69 for five - and after two sessions at the Waca, Australia battled on to 179 for six, despite Tremlett's three for 41.

The 6ft 8in fast bowler marked his return to Test cricket with two of England's four wickets before lunch as, for the second match running, the tourists made immediate inroads with the ball against opponents who must avoid defeat here to stay in with a chance of winning back the Ashes.

Tremlett, back in place of the injured Stuart Broad for his first Test since 2007, struck twice with the new ball on a helpful surface.

Recalled opener Phil Hughes, Australia captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and finally Shane Watson were the men to go on a bright morning - as England's pace bowlers found the assistance in a green pitch that Andrew Strauss was hoping for after winning the toss.

Just as at Adelaide two weeks ago - where England went on to win by an innings to go 1-0 up with three matches to play - Australia were very soon in trouble.

James Anderson thought he had Watson in the first over, but umpire Billy Doctrove's caught-behind verdict after a brilliant take down the leg-side by Matt Prior was overturned on review when video replays showed the ball hitting only the batsman's thigh pad.

At the other end, Hughes could manage only two runs before Tremlett - who had worked him over with short balls - pushed one further up and clean-bowled the left-hander, as he aimed to leg.

Watson escaped barely a half-chance on two, Strauss unable to cling on one-handed high above his head at slip, off Anderson.

Then when the same bowler found more extra bounce, Ponting also edged high - and Paul Collingwood leapt athletically to take a wonderful one-handed catch at third slip.

Clarke poked an edge behind, pushing away from his body in back-foot defence off Tremlett and, after Steven Finn replaced Anderson at the Lillee Marsh Stand end, he produced a memorable piece of bowling to have the determined Watson lbw with an inswinging yorker.

The opener went to DRS, but it was no surprise when simulation indicated Doctrove had got his decision right this time.

Hussey duly dug in alongside Steven Smith for the remainder of the morning and was rewarded shortly before lunch with a mistimed hook off Finn which flew straight over the wicketkeeper's head for six.

But Tremlett had his third wicket in his first over of the afternoon, again profiting from bowling an ideal length at this venue.

Like Hughes before him, Smith was pinned back for several deliveries before Tremlett went fuller and got the edge to slip.

Hussey and Haddin responded in a counter-attacking stand until the left-hander - having reached his 50 with a cut off Finn for his seventh four from 98 balls on his home ground - went caught behind to Graeme Swann.

The off-spinner conceded a six over long-on to Haddin among 10 runs in his first over, but hit back in his second with a perfect delivery from round the wicket which took the edge of Hussey's back-foot defence for a neat catch by Prior.

Doctrove did not detect the deflection. But after Prior had insisted on DRS, Hotspot did.

Haddin, joined by Mitchell Johnson, continued to play some adventurous strokes - and although he slowed with his 50 in sight, he still reached the mark 31 balls quicker than Hussey had.

It was England's turn to struggle a little, and the sight of Finn hobbling with a calf injury - in only a three-man pace attack - was worrying.

Read more: Sport

WWE wants Batista to take WWE championship from the Miz at Royal Rumble

WWE reportedly reached out to former WWE Champion Batista on Thursday.

The pitch? Come back to WWE in time for the WWE Royal Rumble next month and the WWE title is yours once again.

Internal polling at WWE allegedly shows enormous interest among WWE fans to have the Miz drop the WWE Championship in a brutal, bloody fashion - a perfect scenario for a match with the "Animal" known as Batista, who parted ways with WWE earlier this year for a stint in MMA.

* WWE FANS WANT THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP OFF THE MIZ

WWE has witnessed a dip in ratings and overall viewer interest since the Miz won the WWE Championship three weeks ago from Randy Orton.

Sources inside WWE say that there is "no chance" Brock Lesnar will return to WWE any time soon and rumors of a Brock Lesnar WWE comeback are being intentionally leaked by WWE to throw the WWE Universe off the trail - the trail of Batista's inevitable return to WWE programming.

WWE YANKS JOHN CENA FOR REAL THIS TIME

Do you want to see Batista beat the Miz to a pulp and reclaim the WWE championship?

Please weigh in with a thought or comment below.

Read more: Sport

Kangaroos can't hop to top of poll

The city's high school basketball stars are off and running on the hardwood, and one of the biggest pieces of news so far has to be Lincoln's 62-60 road victory over defending PSAL champion Boys & Girls last week.

Although the Railsplitters pulled out a gutsy win in Bedford-Stuyvesant, they did so against a shorthanded Kangaroos team, who were missing two key players. For that reason, Boys & Girls clings to the No. 2 spot in our Top 10 poll, right behind top-ranked Christ the King, which has stayed afloat against some stiff national competition while playing without its best player.

Here's a look at the complete list:

1. Christ the King (3-2)

The Royals have struggled at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, but expect them to improve greatly when starting point guard Corey Edwards returns in January.

2. Boys & Girls (5-1)

Senior starting point guard Antione Slaughter missed Thursday's game against Lincoln after failing a class and is listed as "day-to-day." Still, the Kangaroos should have adequate firepower with Rutgers-bound guard Mike Taylor.

3. Lincoln (6-0)

Senior Shaquille Stokes and freshman Isaiah Whitehead have dazzled so far in the backcourt.

4. Rice (2-0)

Cincinnati-bound sharpshooter Jermaine Sanders is shouldering the load of leading the Raiders this season.

5. Jefferson (5-1)

The Orange Wave picked up two Brooklyn 'AA' wins last week but the true test will come at home against Boys & Girls on Jan. 4.

6. St. Raymond (4-2)

The Ravens are an upstart squad ready to take off with swingman Daniel Dingle leading the charge.

7. Wings (6-0)

Coach Billy Turnage's group has a tough Bronx 'AA' battle against rival Kennedy on Tuesday.

8. Cardozo (4-0)

After a close call against Campus Magnet last Tuesday, the Judges smacked Van Buren on Thursday.

9. Xaverian (2-0)

The Clippers are relying on team efforts in order to pull upsets in the difficult CHSAA.

10. Holy Cross (4-2)

This scrappy bunch is fresh off a respectable fourth-place showing at the Gonzaga DC Classic.

Read more: Sport

Nets win, may be a step closer to 'Melo

MEMPHIS - The speculation that has cast a cloud over the Nets' season is moving closer to a resolution, with the team remaining the most aggressive pursuer and the most likely destination for Carmelo Anthony.

Still, a source stressed "nothing was imminent," even as the Nets and Nuggets negotiate a potential megatrade that would overhaul both teams. Another source familiar with Denver's thinking claims the Nuggets still believe they can get a better deal and aren't entirely sold on Derrick Favors, the centerpiece of  the Nets' package, who scored just six points in 13 minutes during last night's 101-94 victory over the Grizzlies.

Reports out of Denver indicate the Nuggets have finally backed off their predictably futile quest to convince. Anthony to sign the $65 million extension that has been on the table since the summer.

In addition to entertaining new offers, the Nuggets are reportedly discussing a three-team deal that would send Anthony, Al Harrington and possibly more players, including Chauncey Billups, to the Nets.

"(Anthony's) a pretty good player from what I've heard," Nets coach Avery Johnson joked yesterday before his team earned its second straight win behind 26 points from Brook Lopez and another double-double from Kris Humphries (12 points, 15 rebounds). The Nets (9-20) are on their first winning streak since the first two games of the season.

The hope is that the new collection of talent would persuade Anthony to sign an extension to join the Nets, who remain confident they can ease the reservations associated with joining a team in the Atlantic Division basement. According to a source, Nets owners Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z would meet with Anthony to sell the direction of the team, if it ever reached that point.

In order to take on the salaries of the new proposal, the Nets would have to expand their offer of Favors, Troy Murphy and draft picks. Devin Harris, who was a piece in a four-team proposal that fizzled before the season, is a likely addition to that package.

And since Harris - a veteran with two years remaining on his contract - doesn't fit into the Nuggets' rebuilding plan, the unnamed third team is probably in need of a point guard. The Bucks fit that description, but haven't been negotiating with the Nets, according to a source. Charlotte attempted to trade for Harris in September, and an Eastern Conference GM speculated that coach Larry Brown would renew talks.

"Been there, done that," Harris said before last night's game. He shrugged off the latest rumors, but hinted at his disappointment when he was almost traded earlier.

"You go through a little bit of emotions, thinking how you want to be a part of something and obviously with a new regime and a new coaching staff, you're moving out right away," he said. "But you get over it."

While awaiting a savior before the trade deadline, Johnson said he talked to "certain" players last week about the ceaseless trade rumors.

Johnson also said he's established an open dialogue with Murphy, who hasn't been happy with his intermittent playing time. Unlike Harris, Murphy would welcome a change.

"Right now this is the only future," Johnson said, deflecting a question about Murphy's future in New Jersey. "This is the team that we have. Right now, based on last game, Troy is in our rotation. It is what it is."

Read more: Sport

Jonathan Liew: more analysts than there were games to cover on Sky's snow-bound Soccer Saturday

For the past few weeks I have been live-blogging the Ashes for the Telegraph Sport website, and by a combination of accident and design have conclusively proved that humans can safely dispense with sleep with no ill effects, save a mild irritability and an occasional ignorance of what day it is.

You see, it is genuinely impossible to sleep all through the day. There are simply far too many obstacles in the way: daylight, social engagements, the need to perform essential day-to-day tasks such as shopping and watching Iron Chef. So I simply grab my forty winks wherever I can – three on the bus home, six in the queue at Morrisons, two at Pizza Express during the interval between starter and main course.

On Saturday, I was looking forward to a rare treat: a bumper football programme, enjoyed from the comfort of my front room. Imagine my disappointment, then, when the heavens chose that weekend to deposit the two inches of snow required to bring everything in Britain to a crunching halt.

Just a handful of games survived this two-inch Armageddon. Liverpool announced the postponement of their game with Fulham on Twitter, explaining that although the ground itself was unaffected, “surrounding areas are unsafe” – something anybody who has visited Liverpool will readily confirm.

Disappointing for the fans, certainly, but graver still for television. Sky Sports’s Soccer Saturday was one of the most surreal pieces of work I had seen in a while.

If you’re not familiar with the format of Soccer Saturday, it is a live football show presented by Countdown host Jeff Stelling. Of course, they’re banned from showing any real football, an impediment they seamlessly circumvent by having ex-players in front of screens to describe the action for us. On Saturday, therefore, there were almost more analysts than there were games to analyse. Stelling filled the gaps with a recital of statistics that not even John Motson would have the nerve to attempt. It was like listening to a football-obsessed Rain Man.

“Exeter 1, Sheffield Wednesday 1,” he screeched. “Exeter, one defeat in 15 home games. It’s the 12th consecutive home game in which Exeter have scored.

Tommy Miller has four in his last five and half a dozen for the season.

Sheffield Wednesday have won four out of the last five. That was the 17th goal they’ve scored in just six matches. The human head weighs 10lb.

Birmingham has more canals than Venice. Let’s go to Luke Shanley at Tynecastle.”

Match of the Day was forced to squeeze an hour out of its two games - games it would normally have shunted to the end of the programme. The last time Blackburn were given such loving attention, Alan Shearer was banging in goals for them. Shame their game against West Ham was so poor. “This is Dyer,” the commentator said. He had a point.

It was the closest thing television has to a filibuster. At several points you thought that this had to be it. Surely they had shown as many replays of Craig Gordon’s save against Bolton, as many Matthew Upson clearances, as it was physically possible to show. But on they went, joshing about the snow, wittering on about how Scott Parker was ‘a real lad’ (credit Shearer if you want to use that little gem again).

Shearer, a man whose one managerial contribution was getting one of the biggest clubs in England relegated, was asked to rule himself out of the vacant position at Ewood Park. “Do you want me to stay on the sofa?” he asked host Gabby Logan with a wink that was probably supposed to be suave and cheeky, but ended up making him sound like an aroused serial killer.

“For the rest of the evening,” she replied. That, for me, was the tipping point at which the nation’s flagship football highlights show became so tragically emaciated by the weather that its pundit and host were reduced to flirting with each other. It was the perfect moment, in fact, at which to let my head droop and collapse gratefully into the arms of Morpheus.

Read more: Sport

Weiss: SEC title hopes ride with Cam, Tigers

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Alabama-Auburn has always been one of the most storied rivalries in college football, in a class with Ohio State-Michigan, Texas-Oklahoma and Florida-Georgia as the best in the country.

Alabama has usually been the headliner in the Iron Bowl. Just last year the unbeaten Tide was playing to keep its national championship hopes alive, but in Friday's version in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the undercard to an upstart Auburn team that is 11-0 and ranked second in the BCS standings.

However, on what should be one of their brightest days of the year, the Tigers have a dark cloud hovering over them. They are being painted with a broad brush after allegations surfaced that the father of recycled star quarterback Cam Newton asked for money during his son's recruitment out of junior college.

Let's hope for the sake of college football this is just sour grapes on the part of other coaches who failed to successfully woo Newton and the majority of the SEC can get behind Auburn in its march to a potential national championship.

The conference needs the Tigers to beat 10th-ranked Alabama (9-2) and then win the SEC title game in Atlanta if it hopes to maintain its official dominance. Florida, LSU and Alabama have combined to win the last four BCS national title games. A loss to Alabama would not only keep the SEC out of the BCS title clash, it would only strengthen Boise State's argument that an undefeated Broncos team belongs in there.

The outcome of this bitter instate rivalry will hinge in large part on how Newton performs against the Tide's solid defense. The 6-6, 250-pound Newton, who is the first player in SEC history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000, has been the most dynamic player in college football this year and, barring an NCAA intervention, is a deserving candidate to win the Heisman Trophy.

Newton has also been the most scrutinized player ever since allegations arose that his father, Cecil, asked for $180,000 for his son to attend Mississippi State. Cam Newton has not spoken with the media since Nov. 9, and coach Gene Chizik has refused to discuss his player's off-the-field issues, preferring to play him and gamble the NCAA will not discover a money trail that could send the Tigers' season off a cliff.

As long as Newton remains in uniform, anything seems possible. Influential former Auburn coach Pat Dye, who coached the immortal Bo Jackson, has called Newton "the best player I've ever seen."

Newton has been seemingly unflappable in the eye of the storm, last week rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries while passing for 148 and two more scores in a 49-31 victory over Georgia. He has rushed for more 150 yards five times this season.

Previous Page 12 Next Page

COLLEGE  FOOTBALL  PICKS

(Home Team in CAPS)

DICK WEISS

MIGHTY QUINN

THE ECK MAN

BOISE STATE

14

Nevada

Boise St.

Boise St.

Nevada

Texas A&M

3

TEXAS

Tx. A&M

Tx. A&M

Tx. A&M

PITTSBURGH

3

W. Virginia

Pittsburgh

West Va.

Pittsburgh

Louisville

3

RUTGERS

Louisville

Louisville

Louisville

ALABAMA

4½

Auburn

Auburn

Alabama

Auburn

NEBRASKA

17½

Colorado

Colorado

Nebraska

Colorado

OHIO STATE

17

Michigan

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

FLORIDA ST.

2½

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

TENNESSEE

3

Kentucky

Tennessee

Kentucky

Tennessee

SYRACUSE

3

Boston College

Bos. Coll.

Bos. Coll.

Bos. Coll.

Missouri

25

Kansas

Missouri

Missouri

Kansas

ARKANSAS

3½

Lsu

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Last Week

5-4-1

7-2-1

3-6-1

Best Bet

63-60-6

68-55-6

64-59-6

Overall

5-6-1

10-2

7-5

BOLD - BEST BET

Read more: Sport

Jermain Defoe: I knew Tottenham would beat Arsenal

Saturday saw Spurs end their 17-year wait for a win at the home of their arch-rivals when they came from 2-0 down at half-time to triumph 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

The introduction of Defoe during the break was the catalyst for the comeback, with the England striker's flick-on helping set up Bale to make it 2-1.

Rafael van der Vaart's penalty and Younes Kaboul's late header then sealed one of the most improbable and memorable derby victories ever recorded by Tottenham as Arsenal blew the chance to go top of the Premier League.

Defoe said: "Second half, I think they eased off a little bit.

"Sometimes, it's difficult when you go 2-0 up. People think you just go on and you win the game quite comfortably.

"But sometimes you take your foot off the gas.

"I think they did that and when we got the goal back - the first goal - after that I knew we'd win the game."

The victory, which closed Harry Redknapp's men to within four points of Arsenal and six of leaders Chelsea, was Spurs' first in 69 games at the home of one of the so-called 'big four'.

Defoe said: "As players, you don't dwell on the past and what's happened before.

"It's a new day and you always look forward to the games.

"We had a fantastic season last year; we want to try to do the same, just keep getting points and try to get in that top four again."

Defoe's 45-minute run-out was his first since recovering from the ankle surgery that had sidelined him for two months.

"It's amazing really," said the 28-year-old, who replaced Aaron Lennon as Tottenham went for broke.

"Aaron said after the game, 'Were you tired?', and I said, 'Not at all'.

"I put all the work in on the rehab stuff, so I knew I'd be ready.

"The ankle feels good, which is always nice, and it was a great result."

He added: "I've been out such a long time.

"I couldn't wait just to get on and to get that buzz playing football again.

"Hopefully, I made an impact, helped the boys win the game.

"But second half was a great performance from all the lads."

Describing the pain of missing out on a historic few weeks for Spurs, which also included a Champions League win over Inter Milan, Defoe told BBC Sport: "I was out for nine, 10 weeks.

"It was hard; towards the end, I was getting really frustrated.

"But it's important to keep your head, make sure you come back, and make sure you come back strong so you can make an impact."

Read more: Sport

Nic Coward did his best to revamp a very traditional sport in horse racing

They believed it was only a matter of time before the highly-paid official made his way back home to football, particularly when he found his power gradually diminishing.

Coward’s nickname in racing is ‘The Ghost’ because he is never seen, according to his critics. Cruel, perhaps, particularly as he is a likeable individual socially, yet it gets to the heart of a problem he endured in trying to establish the importance of his role as the leading official in British racing.

Racing is a 24/7 operation, with most of its constituents fully occupied in meeting their professional obligations. Saturdays are important days in the working week, as they usually showcase the sport, with most of the big names, equine and human, seen in action. Coward was never what might be termed a regular at these meetings, and his absence ultimately counted against him in the eyes of racing people.

I believe Coward will look back on his time in racing as being useful in gathering entries on his cv, particularly in the areas of integrity and attempting to revamp a very traditional sport. No expense was spared in setting up an incredibly sophisticated telephone monitoring system for policing, and Racing For Change has sparked controversy on all levels – and Coward leaves before its overall impact can be accurately judged.

While few in racing have had the opportunity to assess Nic Coward closely, those in football have already welcomed him warmly back into their fold. He was referred to as the “excellent Nic Coward” when news of his new job became public. Clearly he kept his contacts in football and is astute in his dealings with the media.

What will be of great interest will be Coward’s spin on his experiences in the racing game, which are bound to surface in time. I will be shocked if his frustration and disappointment in the job do not come through.

Before he leaves racing, Coward must carry out a review of the various executive positions that BHA officials hold, and the focus of his report will be to determine whether those jobs are duplicating positions held elsewhere in racing.

Already, chairman Paul Roy has hinted that his chief executive Coward may not be replaced, which could well leave BHA barely more than a body with responsibility for regulation and integrity. It would effectively be an act of abdication of power.

When Lord Hartington handed over racing’s governing power from the Jockey Club to the British Horseracing Board nearly two decades ago, it was an historic step to ensure that racing’s constituents, including punters, who fund the game through betting, were represented. Sadly, in this era of rapid change, that all appears to have been forgotten.

Read more: Sport

Scott Johnson keeps a lid on Ospreys delight following tight Heineken Cup win over Munster at Liberty Stadium

Scott Johnson is one of world rugby’s more flamboyant characters, seldom afraid to speak from the heart. “Say it as you see it,” said the former national coach when he arrived in Wales nine years ago, to kick-start his love affair with Welsh rugby.

On Saturday evening and with his players understandably buoyant after beating Munster at the Liberty Stadium, the Ospreys’ director of coaching was more a shrinking violet than a blooming rose. No sign of the ebullience or hilarity that accompanied his days on the touchline with Wales.

Rightly so. After all, despite winning an often tetchy Heineken Cup contest, the Welsh region know that their interest in this season’s competition was almost curtailed by Munster.In the end, a try from Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips and 14 points from the rejuvenated 21-year-old outside-half Dan Biggar was enough to guide the Ospreys home.

For Biggar, who suffered unnecessary criticism during the autumn series of internationals, there was special praise from Johnson. “I thought he showed great nerve, it was an outstanding display,” Johnson said.

Still, when the back-patting gave way to a more measured reflection on a game that Munster might have won, Johnson provided a sobering post-mortem.

“I’m happy and relieved that we won, but I’m certainly not delighted,” he said. “You get delighted when you know that you’ve done everything right and today that was certainly not the case.

"We were rusty in some areas of the game, especially the line-out and will need to be far better than that if we are to have any chance of getting out of the pool. However, I thought our scrum was first-class and our effort too. It was brave and I’ll sleep a bit better tonight.”

Beaten in Limerick six days before, but having returned with a losing bonus point, the Ospreys played with a collective desire that has, in previous encounters of this magnitude, been conspicuous by its absence. Take the 2009 quarter-final at Thomond Park for example. Munster 43 Ospreys 9. Humiliating. Good on paper, not so impressive on the day.

Thankfully, and not before time, there were no signs of capitulation on Saturday afternoon as Munster’s bid to breeze through the pool stages of this season’s competition, suffered a serious dent.

The hosts were dominant at scrum time and resolute in defence, in particular after half-time when the visitors thrashed at the door.

“It was a crucial period of the game,” Munster captain Denis Leamy said. “We had great field position, but we were too impatient. Had we have come away with a try, I think we would have won the game. I always felt it was there to be won, but we didn’t take those opportunities.”

In a first half best remembered for the sublime handling skills of James Hook and the obliteration of the Irish scrum, Munster, somehow, wrestled an early advantage courtesy of a converted try, from prop Tony Buckley.

Ronan O’Gara’s conversion and early penalty put the former champions 10-3 to the good, but by half-time Phillips’ try and a conversion and two penalties from Biggar had redressed the balance.

Two more Biggar penalties sandwiched Keith Earls’s 59th-minute try and the Ospreys were home, if only just. In hindsight, the decision not to call a scrum in stoppage time after Lifieimi Mafi had been sent to the sin-bin for a spear-tackle in front of his own posts, might come back to haunt the hosts as Munster finished with a losing bonus point.

However, for the time being, the Welsh region can take great heart from a victory that throws wide open the race to win Pool Three.

Read more: Sport

Cam Newton honored by House

Cam Newton continues to rack up postseason honors - but not without a little controversy.

The Auburn quarterback, who took home the prestigious Heisman Trophy last weekend as college football’s top player, was honored by the House on Wednesday.

He was praised as "the most outstanding college football player in the United States" in a House resolution introduced by Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers.

The resolution passed with 328 yays, according to The Associated Press, but with Newton, nothing is ever cut and dried.

The junior, dogged all year by questions regarding his eligibility, was not unanimously approved as 15 lawmakers voted "nay" while another 18 abstained from the vote.

Various members of the House revealed in statements that they voted against honoring Newton because of their loyalties to specific teams.

Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana, for one, is an open supporter of Auburn's Southeastern Conference rival LSU.

Other lawmakers were against the resolution because of the controversy surrounding Newton's father, Cecil, who allegedly solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars from universities during his son's recruitment. The NCAA confirmed Cam Newton's eligibility on Dec. 1.

"Cam Newton has a tremendous opportunity for a great NFL career and I wish him the best, but he should not have been honored by the House today under this cloud," Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski said in a statement.

Newton will lead No. 1 Auburn into the BCS national championship game Jan. 10 as three-point favorites over No. 2 Oregon at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

With News Wire Services

Read more: Sport

Motherwell back midfielder Steve Jennings as bookmakers investigate his red card against Hearts

The Association of British Bookmakers acted after some of their members became suspicious about betting activity surrounding the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.

It is understood several bets were placed on a red card being handed out during Motherwell's 2-1 loss, including one of £500 from a new account in Liverpool.

Jennings has been told not to speak publicly by his employers but he is understood to have categorically denied any wrongdoing.

The 26-year-old was shown a straight red card in the 83rd minute by referee Stevie O'Reilly after complaining about a rejected penalty claim.

O'Reilly turned around angrily after Jennings touched him on the shoulder, but the referee's report stated that the red card was for his comments.

Jennings was also booked in the early stages for a foul on Kevin Kyle.

The former Tranmere midfielder did not speak to the media when he arrived at training this morning.

But caretaker manager Gordon Young dismissed any suggestions of impropriety on his player's part.

Young said: "I believe it will be unfounded. The first and foremost thing is for the player to be exonerated because it has no bearing on the individual. Everyone at the club is 100 per cent behind him."

Motherwell have made no official comment other than to confirm they had been informed by the Scottish Premier League that an investigation was under way.

But chairman John Boyle also stood by Jennings when he was told of the probe last night.

He told the Scottish Daily Mail: "I'd be amazed if Steve got himself involved in anything like that.

"I was in the dressing room after the match and the player was totally distraught.

"If that wasn't genuine emotion from him he is a better actor than Laurence Olivier. I think this whole thing is mischief-making.

"I'd be astonished by any allegations or implications."

The Scottish Football Association confirmed they were working with the SPL in looking into the matter following the information from the ABB.

Read more: Sport

ASU point guard Jamelle McMillan frustrated with performance so far

"It's a tough deal right now. I've been through it before, so it's not something I'm really worried about. But I have to help out (seniors) Ty (Abbott) and (Rihards Kuksiks). It's correctable. I'm just trying to clear my head a little, get some reps up and try to get this team figured out."

Through seven games, McMillan, a senior point guard, is averaging 6.9 points, 4.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds. His effort is there. His defense is solid. He's simply struggling with his shot, slowing a team that's averaging a conference-low 62.3 points per game.

McMillan is 4 of 21 over ASU's losing streak, missing 10 of 12 from 3-point range. It offers a perfect reflection of where ASU stands, incapable of overcoming many obstacles as it tries to integrate seven newcomers.

"Our whole team is going through a learning experience," ASU coach Herb Sendek said. "Even our veteran players, because they're integrated with so many new players, they're trying to adjust roles."

ASU fans might have expected as much, but they didn't count on such a decline in defense and 3-point shooting, team staples the past two seasons. Entering Saturday, the Sun Devils allow opponents to shoot 43.5 percent from the field and are shooting 30.5 percent from 3-point range, both ninth among Pac-10 teams.

"Our defense hasn't allowed us any room for error," McMillan said. "Playing the types of games we are playing, these are good players. They deliver when they need to deliver. If we don't give ourselves any breaks on the defensive end, we have to be perfect on the offensive end, which we haven't been."

With another down season predicted for the Pac-10, it could end up costing ASU down the road.

"This could be a deal where we're desperate for Pac-10 wins in late February because we didn't take care of business now," McMillan. "We got a lot of work to do. The season's definitely not over. The (NCAA) Tournament's definitely within reach. We just have to take care of business a little more."

Read more: Sport

Jeff Hardy almost stripped of the TNA World title backstage at Final Resolution

Conflicting reports came out online last night during TNA's Final Resolution Pay Per View, in which TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy showed up for the show in a questionable condition and was behaving in a way that had company officials concerned. There was said to be such a  concern about Hardym, that he was almost stripped of the title, removed from the Pay Per View and sent home.

The intial story from prowrestling.net, stated that TNA officials were thinking of possibly stripping the World Title off Hardy and removing him from the planned main event match against Matt Morgan. Whether or not this situation with Jeff Hardy had anything to do with drugs (which Hardy has history with), is unclear. Pwinsder followed up on the story with sources within TNA, that described the situation as an "overblown misunderstanding" and that Hardy was just fine.

The plan that would have been put into place if Hardy did not wrestle, would see Eric Bischoff announce that Hardy was injured on the recent tour of Abu Dabi. A triple threat match to crown a new TNA World Champ with Matt Morgan vs. Mr.Anderson vs. Jeff Jarret would then serve as a last minute replacement for the main event. When Jeff Hardy was considered O.K. and ready to perform, this replacement match was scrapped.

This is not good news for Hardy who is due in court on Wednesday for another hearing related to his 2009 felony drug charge. Hardy also appeared to be incoherent in a controversial video in which he insults current WWE superstar C.M. Punk, you can watch that video here.

Read full results and check out photos from TNA FINAL RESOLUTION right here

Read more: Sport

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: Week 15

The playoffs are here and a number of wide receivers have stepped forward to make their case as the best fantasy football wide out come playoff time. There are the natural names on the list but there are also a number of receivers that were left for dead in the fantasy football drafts this year who have resurrected to become must-start fantasy football contributors.

Here are the Top 30 wide receiver rankings for Week 15 of the 2010 fantasy football season.

1        Andre Johnson – When it comes to fantasy football starting wide receivers, there is Andre Johnson and then there is everyone else. Johnson always steps up in divisional play and Tennessee will not stop him.

2        Reggie Wayne – When Peyton Manning came back to life in Week 14, Reggie Wayne followed. He leads the NFL in targets (150) and is second in receptions (94). Jacksonville made Oakland look like they actually had a passing offense last week, so Indy should have no problems.

3        Roddy White – Who would have picked Roddy White to lead the NFL in receptions coming into the fantasy football playoffs. In PPR leagues this guy is the best and in all others he is simply great.

4        Calvin Johnson – Megatron suffers from playing with a third string quarterback and only caught one pass in Week 14. The guy is a monster though, and you cannot bench him now.

5        Marques Colston – While Lance Moore has been getting more publicity recently in New Orleans, Marques is still The Man there. He scored twice in Week 14 and gets a shaky Baltimore secondary in Week 15.

6        DeSean Jackson – DeSean Jackson finally had his breakout game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, gaining over 200 yards of receiving yards. His next victim is the New York Giants.

7        Hakeem Nicks – While Steve Smith’s injury hurts the Giants as a team, it will help Hakeem Nicks who will see more targets. The Giants are also turning to a two-headed rushing monster meaning Nicks will get more one-on-one coverage against Phily.

8        Terrell Owens – Uh oh, TO is back. After playing the good boy most the season, and having a rebound year, he was back to complaining about his quarterback in Week 14. Last time he played the Browns, he caught ten receptions for 222 yards, so let’s hope he and Carson Palmer are on the same page.

9        Wes Welker – This is not the same Wes Welker we saw before his horrible injury last year but he is still one of the best in the league. With Deion Branch improving weekly, Welker is getting more looks. In PPR leagues, he has broke 20 fantasy football points three weeks in a row.

10      Greg Jennings – This is an iffy pick. If Aaron Rodgers returns, this is a no-brainer. If he does not return, Matt Flynn has to throw to somebody. He was a monster before Rodgers injury.

Catch all the fantasy sports news on the Examiner.com Fantasy Sports FaceBook page. "Like" the page and get notices whenever news is published from Examiners from all over the country.

11      Dwayne Bowe

12      Malcolm Floyd

13      Larry Fitzgerald

14      Miles Austin

15      Deion Branch

16      Pierre Garcon

17      Santonio Holmes

18      Jeremy Maclin

19      Mike Williams

20      Sidney Rice

21      Kenny Britt

22      Mike Wallace

23      Anquan Boldin

24      Brandon Lloyd

25      Derrick Mason

26      Santana Moss

27      Brandon Marshall

28      Vincent Jackson

29      Chad Ochocinco

30      Hines Ward

Make sure to subscribe to me using the button at the top of the page to get fantasy baseball news as soon as it hits.

Make sure to follow me on Facebook

Make sure to follow me on Twitter

Make sure to follow me on Digg

Read more: Sport

More from Pacquiao-Margarito II

Boxing  -  Here are more photos from the November 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2) of the Philippines and Antonio Margarito (38-7) of Mexico.  Pacquiao won by unanimous decision to win the WBC super welterweight championship, his eighth title in as many weight divisions - extending his record in the sport.

Read more: Sport

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney is returning to his peak condition after slump in form

Anderson's second-half equaliser ensured United qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as top seeds.

Valencia had claimed a shock lead through Pablo Hernandez but the Spanish outfit were pegged back after half-time when Anderson finished off the rebound to Park Ji-sung's blistering effort.

Rooney was effervescent throughout and Ferguson believes he is quickly approaching top form.

"Absolutely, he did very well again tonight," the United manager said. "His distribution, his leading of the line and his workrate were outstanding tonight. He's getting there, and he's getting there quickly."

Ferguson said of Rooney's partnership with Dimitar Berbatov: "We've seen flashes of it. Maybe not as much as against Blackburn, for instance, but Berba tonight could have scored another five. He's been unlucky not to score tonight."

Rooney admits there is more room for improvement but is happy with his progress.

"I feel good fitness-wise," he said. "Just in and around the box I've got to get my sharpness back but overall I'm happy with my fitness and with my performance today."

Rio Ferdinand limped off five minutes after the break but Ferguson revealed the early assessment was that he had not done any lasting damage to his hamstring.

Read more: Sport

Fulham 1 Birmingham City 1: match report

Fulham manager Mark Hughes hailed his side after they survived a major test of character to rescue a morale-lifting point through Clint Dempsey’s second-half header against an obdurate Birmingham City.

Six days after being torn apart 4-1 by Manchester City before a stunned home crowd, Fulham were again in deep trouble at the interval, a goal down and desperately seeking inspiration.

Hughes’s men dug deep and came up with a significant response, not only levelling quickly but going on to dominate the second half. Above the bottom three only on goal difference before the start of play, they may now be only a point clear, but the safety margin will soon increase if that second-half performance provides a springboard for December.

Hughes said: “We had to keep going, we kept showing the belief. We are without some key players but I was pleased with the ones who played.”

Birmingham moved in front when Alexander Hleb darted forward to the edge of the home penalty area and coolly played the ball laterally to Sebastian Larsson, who had time to place a low shot beyond Mark Schwarzer’s right hand for his first goal of the season.

Fulham departed at half-time to rumbles of discontent and several voices in the main stand demanding “Hughes out”.

All that was to change eight minutes into the second half when Zoltan Gera nodded Simon Davies’s corner back towards the near post, where Dempsey forced a header past goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Read more: Sport

Should Manny Pacquiao fight Marquez or Katsidis next

 The biggest question in boxing right now is "who will Manny Pacquiao fight next?". Everyone in the boxing universe want to see Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr square off in the middle of the ring to prove who's the pound for pound best in the sport and who really deserves the honor of being called on of the greatest of all-time. Personally, I think Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest of all-time. However, it would take a 1st round KO over Manny to convince me that Floyd Mayweather Jr is one of the greatest. Honestly, I don't even see that happening in my worst nightmares.

Tonight's fight between Michael Katsidis and Juan Manuel Marquez will have a major impact on who might be the next fighter for Manny. Marquez is the "hot name" for Manny's next opponent due to their two close fights. Marquez was the last fighter to really give Manny a tough fight. However, Kastsidis is publicly demanding the same opportunity to fight Manny if he wins tonight over Marquez.

In an interview with notfight.com, Katsidis had the following to say about challenging the Pacman:

"I have a surprise for Juan Manuel Marquez. He gets outboxed by speed and likes to respond with punches, so I'll respond in kind. Marquez is used to dealing with aggressive opponents who fall into his game because they lacked technical imagination. I'm not the same kind of opponent. If I beat Marquez, not only am I going to be the absolute world lightweight champion of the WBO and WBA, but I also have a claim for a fight with Manny Pacquiao. I want to fight with the Filipino."

Should Manny even consider either of the two fighters?                                              

.............Continue Reading on Page 2

Read more: Sport

The Ashes 2010: Australia's Shane Watson sticks up for wicketless pace-man Mitchell Johnson

Johnson boasted ahead of the Ashes that he would target Andrew Strauss but rarely threatened him on Sunday while the England captain made 110 runs as the tourists reached 309-1 at stumps on the fourth day.

After a sub-par 2009 Ashes, Johnson is still to register his first wicket of this series and has had the worst economy rate in both innings.

Johnson also passed up on of the few chances Australia created all day, dropping a drive from Andrew Strauss when England's captain was on 69.

But Watson, who also serves as a part-time paceman for Australia, said all of the team's bowlers should share the blame for the lack of wickets in England's second innings.

"I dont think you can single out Mitch," Watson said. "All the bowlers didn't bowl particularly well.

"I was bowling one loose ball an over and that's my job to tie up one end and let the others attack," he said. "It comes down to execution and bowling exactly where we want to."

With Australia still just 88 runs behind, Watson is hoping his side can regroup for a strong first session on the final day and set up a possible victory.

"We are still in the game, but we need to turn it around very quickly," Watson said. "We still need nine wickets, which seems a long way away after today.

"We've seen the game ebb and flow through the four days so far. I think it's going to be the same way throughout the series. Lets hope it goes our way tomorrow."

Read more: Sport

Jets punter: 'I'm not melting down'

When Jets punter Steve Weatherford kicked the ball 12 yards on a punt against the New England Patriots on Monday night, he walked to the team's sideline immediately. He considered the winds blowing across the field and tried to move on.

"You can go through technically nine million things, but the bottom line was that it was a lousy punt," special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said. "It shouldn't happen. He's had a very good year, but he didn't get the drop you want and it was affected by the wind. He shanked it off to the side. Frustrating."

Weatherford maintained that it was a mis-hit and nothing more.

"I don't feel like I'm melting down," Weatherford said by his locker Friday.

Weatherford, ranked fifth in the NFL for net yards per punt with an average of 39.5, said he and place kicker Nick Folk are adapting to the cold and windy conditions of December. The two practiced at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Thursday to further acclimate themselves to the first-year confines.

"It was actually a little windier at the practice facility, but it's good to get some extra attempts in there," Weatherford said, noting that the wind should be "really irrelevant."

A serious weight lifter and confident presence in the locker room, Weatherford, now in his fifth season and playing for his fourth team, boomed a 61-yard punt against Miami in September that resulted in a fair catch. It was the longest of his season.

"The good thing about this weather is that I'm used to it," said Weatherford, who joined the Jets in 2009. "(Dolphins kicker) Brandon Fields will have to adjust, too."

With field position becoming more and more of a priority with the offense struggling to get started, Weatherford recognizes his role in righting his approach.

"Whoever can win the battle is going to help their team," Weatherford said.

WOODY'S FINE LINE
Right tackle Damien Woody (knee) is expected to play for the third straight week with a sore knee, but his injury status has not spared him from being the subject of locker-room jokes.

Typically, his name appears atop his locker stall at the team's facility, but Friday, his name appeared as "Waldo," a joke ostensibly aimed at his absence from active practice in recent days. He is listed as questionable on the official injury report. ... Rookie Joe McKnight, who was drafted as a tailback and return man from USC last April, has found motivation from the success of New England Patriots tailback Danny Woodhead, who was cut by the Jets following their season-opening loss to the Ravens. Rex Ryan mentioned McKnight is "ready to get more opportunities." ... Safety James Ihedigbo (knee and ankle) said he is undergoing treatment from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the team's facility each day. He suffered both injuries during the loss in New England. Ryan would not rule him out for next week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. ... WR Santonio Holmes (back) was the only addition to the injury report. He was listed as probable for the game.

Read more: Sport

Del Zotto learns off the ice

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Michael Del Zotto is 20 years old, but just because he is in the NHL and not in college does not mean that he can escape homework.

When John Tortorella made the defenseman a healthy scratch for the first time in his career on Thursday night, Del Zotto had an assignment: Analyze the Rangers' power play.

As a rookie last season, Del Zotto was handed the job of quarterbacking the Rangers' man-up unit, and tallied four of his nine goals and 18 of his 28 assists doing so. While both of Del Zotto's goals this season have come on the power play, he has only six assists, with three on the man advantage in 29 games.

"We wanted him to pick apart our power play, pick apart his position, so that he's not just sitting up there eating hot dogs," Tortorella said after the Rangers practiced at Carleton University in Ottawa Friday. "I haven't read it yet - will on the plane ride - but I know it's very extensive. ...Michael is cerebral, too. So it's good for him."

Del Zotto saw an energized power play on Thursday night that paid off with Michael Sauer's game-winning goal in the third period. That tally brought the Rangers to 10-for-50 on road power plays this season, sixth-best in the NHL entering Friday's games, compared to their 13.3% (8-for-60) conversion rate at home, which ranks ahead of only the Florida Panthers (7.9%) and the Rangers' opponent Saturday, the Columbus Blue Jackets (7.7%).

The divergent power play numbers mirror the Rangers' fortunes as they are 6-8-1 at home, but lead the league with 11 victories on the road.

ENFORCED ABSENCE
The Rangers sent Derek Boogaard back to New York Friday to have his shoulder checked out after a hard tumble to the ice at the end of his fight with Ottawa's Matt Carkner in the first period on Thursday....Defenseman Steve Eminger, who left the game in the third period after "he went into the boards funny," as Tortorella put it, is day-to-day.

Read more: Sport