No. 9 Iowa will lean on veterans in 2010, but talented newcomers could work way into lineup

Young guns may crack Iowa lineup
IOWA CITY, Iowa – True freshman tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz has normally reserved Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz excited about his potential.

Ferentz has always preferred upperclassmen over highly touted kids, and the ninth-ranked Hawkeyes are loaded with talented veterans.
But the 6-foot-7, 250-pound Fiedorowicz lived up to his billing as one of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : No. 9 Iowa will lean on veterans in 2010, but talented newcomers could work way into lineup.

Back in the groove again, Sharapova finds herself an idol, and a target at US Open

Sharapova has matchup with another young American
NEW YORK – They all want to be like Maria. They all want to beat Maria, too.
Maria Sharapova’s next match at the U.S. Open will come against yet another teenager who looks up to her – 18-year-old Beatrice Capra, the 371st-ranked American who, with a win in … Read more >>.

Undersized Louisville, Kentucky defenses both bracing for punishing running games

Governor’s Cup could come down to running game

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Coaches change. Players change. Venues change.
The key to the outcome of the Governor’s Cup does not.
The winner of the annual showdown between Kentucky and Louisville isn’t always the one with the better quarterback, more experienced coaching staff or home-field advantage.
For more than a decade, the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Undersized Louisville, Kentucky defenses both bracing for punishing running games.

Boise State’s Doug Martin completes transition from defense by winning job as top tailback

Broncos tailback makes transition from defense
BOISE, Idaho – A year ago, Doug Martin was focused on tackling ball carriers, chasing receivers and learning his assignments as Boise State’s newest defensive back.
This year, the third-ranked Broncos’ Mr. Do-It-All starts the season as the No. 1 tailback.
The promotion is hardly a surprise for teammates, especially … Original article on : Boise State’s Doug Martin completes transition from defense by winning job as top tailback.

No. 12 Wisconsin, Clay want to run through UNLV, not wild on the Vegas Strip

No. 12 Wisconsin ready to run against UNLV

MADISON, Wis. – New UNLV coach Bobby Hauck laughed before answering the question of just how exactly does a team stop No. 12 Wisconsin’s power running attack featuring junior standout John Clay.
“John Clay, their running back, was league MVP on offense, they’ve got All-Americans on the left side … Original source on Gaea Times at : No. 12 Wisconsin, Clay want to run through UNLV, not wild on the Vegas Strip.

Second round of playoffs get under way with Tiger on the bubble

Tiger takes another step at Deutsche Bank
NORTON, Mass. – When all was right in the world of Tiger Woods, players wanted to be on the same side of the draw because they figured the world’s No. 1 player was getting all the breaks.
That might not be the case at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Woods … Original source on Gaea Times at : Second round of playoffs get under way with Tiger on the bubble.

Mixed reaction in Pak over decision to drop ‘tainted’ cricket trio

KARACHI – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision to drop captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif -the three players accused of ’spot-fixing’- from the tour of England, has received a mixed reaction from former cricketers.

Former batsman and PCB chief executive Arif Abassi said that it was the right decision, as the … Read more : Mixed reaction in Pak over decision to drop ‘tainted’ cricket trio.

England pacer Graham Onions out of Ashes series due to back surgery

LONDON – England fast bowler Graham Onions has been ruled out of the forthcoming Ashes series against Australia after being told that he will have to undergo surgery to fix a back problem.

The 27-year-old Durham bowler, who was one of Wisden’s cricketers of the year in 2009, has been plagued by a stress fracture and …. Original source  : England pacer Graham Onions out of Ashes series due to back surgery.

Spot fixing case: Strauss, Collingwood comfortable with Pak players out of tour party

LONDON – England Players’ Union chief Angus Porter has revealed that captain Andrew Strauss, Twenty20 skipper Paul Collingwood and the rest of the squad were desperate to see that the three Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer did not to play for their side for the rest of the tour following the …. Source  : Spot fixing case: Strauss, Collingwood comfortable with Pak players out of tour party.

Hilditch backs Haddin for Ashes comeback

SYDNEY – Australian chief selector Andrew Hilditch is confident that wicket-keeper Brad Haddin would recuperate from his elbow injury to be a part of the national squad for the Ashes.

Hilditch further said that Haddin, who was not included in the 16-man squad for the two-Test tour of India, could even return for the three-match …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hilditch backs Haddin for Ashes comeback.

Croatian coach to revamp Bangladesh football

DHAKA – Croatian Robert Rubcic has been named as the chief coach of Bangladesh’s national football team for the Asian Games to be held in November.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed his appointment Thursday saying that he would also be involved in setting up a national football academy.
Rubcic would coach the team for the … Read more : Croatian coach to revamp Bangladesh football.

Amid high hopes, No. 17 Arkansas eager to start season against Tennessee Tech

Finally game time for eager Hogs
FAYETtEVILLE, Ark. – For months, the Arkansas Razorbacks have embraced the expectations that they will make a no-excuses run at their first Southeastern Conference championship.

Now that the season is finally here, the No. 17 Hogs can barely contain their eagerness. So what if this weekend’s opener is against what could …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Amid high hopes, No. 17 Arkansas eager to start season against Tennessee Tech.

AP-FBC???T25-Pittsburgh-Utah Stats, FBC

AP-FBC–T25-Pittsburgh-Utah Stats, FBC
…2064 AP-FBC–T25-Pittsburgh-Utah Stats
…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

AP-FBC???T25-Southern Cal-Hawaii Stats, FBC

AP-FBC–T25-Southern Cal-Hawaii Stats, FBC
…2064 AP-FBC–T25-Southern Cal-Hawaii Stats
…. Original article  : AP-FBC–T25-Southern Cal-Hawaii Stats, FBC.

PCB, Pak High Commission in UK preparing strong defence for ‘tainted’ players

LONDON – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in UK is reportedly working with a team of legal experts to prepare a strong defence for the ‘tainted’ players embroiled in the ’spot-fixing’ scandal.

According to The News, PCB officials and PHC diplomats have agreed to back captain Salman Butt, Mohammad …. Source  : PCB, Pak High Commission in UK preparing strong defence for ‘tainted’ players.

Shane Warne dismisses plastic surgery rumours

MELBOURNE – Former Australian cricket star Shane Warne has dismissed rumours the he’s had plastic surgery.

The famous cricketer commented on the rumors through his Twitter account after a picture of him at an event in Melbourne sparked a whirl of speculation.

“NO have not had facelift or any work done to face, training hard and lost … Read : Shane Warne dismisses plastic surgery rumours.

Azad holds review meet to check dengue in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday is holding a review meeting to discuss ways to check the rising number of dengue cases in the national capital ahead of the Commonwealth Games, an official said.

“With the outbreak of dengue creating jitters, a high-level meeting with officials from the Directorate General of Health Services … Read more >>>.

Barkley throws 5 TDs to lead No. 14 USC over Hawaii 49-36 in coach Kiffin’s debut

No. 14 USC beats Hawaii 49-36 in Kiffin’s debut

HONOLULU – Finally, some good news for Southern California football.
Matt Barkley and Ronald Johnson connected on three touchdowns to make Lane Kiffin a winner in his first game as Southern California coach. No. 14 USC beat Hawaii 49-36 on Thursday night to start the post-Pete Carroll era.
Barkley …. Source  : Barkley throws 5 TDs to lead No. 14 USC over Hawaii 49-36 in coach Kiffin’s debut.

ECB chief offers to help Pakistan, but ICC yet to give backing

LONDON – The chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Giles Clarke, has offered to help restructure Pakistan cricket in the wake of the illegal betting scandal after England successfully pressed for the three players under police investigation to be withdrawn from the one-day series.

Clarke is the chairman of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) …. Source  : ECB chief offers to help Pakistan, but ICC yet to give backing.

Warne to launch branded poker rooms in Oz gambling kingpin Packer’s Crown Casinos

SYDNEY – Former Australian cricketer turned poker addict Shane Warne is set to open his own branded poker room at gambling kingpin James Packer’s Crown Casinos in Melbourne.

The casino, which is likely to be launched in 2011, will be Warne’s latest addition to his rapidly increasing corporate empire, which will soon include his own Ashes … Read : Warne to launch branded poker rooms in Oz gambling kingpin Packer’s Crown Casinos.