Sunday, September 19, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

IRL: Castroneves Earns Top Starting Spot In Japan

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 08:11 AM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Motegi, Japan (AHN) – Helio Castroneves knows how to qualify in Japan, so now he just needs to find a way to win.

On Saturday, Castroneves scored his fourth pole in five years at Twin Ring Motegi when he scored the top starting spot for Sunday’s Indy Japan 300. Castroneves will roll off up front alongside Team Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe.

“It is a great team effort. A 1-2-3 start for Team Penske is awesome. These boys deserve it. They’ve worked really hard, especially on the ovals,” said Castroneves. “I have to thank the guys at the shop as well. All of the hard work has paid off today. Now we have to make it happen in the race.”

Castroneves tallied a two-lap average of 201.992 mph on the 1.52-mile oval as Penske cars earned the top-3 starting spots.

IZOD IndyCar Series points leader Will Power (201.463) will share Row 2 with Dario Franchitti (200.964).

“There’s more grip than this morning but the first lap I didn’t know how much grip there was, so I was a little conservative with that first one than the second lap. It was a good pick up from practice so we’ll see where that puts us. I think we have a better race car than qualifying car. I’m still shaking from qualifying,” said Franchitti. “It’s a great race track. It really produces great racing. It really is a place that you have to hang it all out.”

Andretti Autosport’s Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Ryan Hunter-Reay fill out the top-7 starters and E.J. Viso will start eighth. Panther Racing’s Dan Wheldon will start ninth.

Takuma Sato led three drivers with Japanese heritage by earning a 10th-place starting spot. Hideki Mutoh will start 17th and Roger Yasukawa 21st.

“It has been very, very busy for me but in a good way. There are a lot of fans in the grandstand and I am happy about that. I think the lap time was decent in qualifying, but I was expecting to qualifying around 12th,” said Mutoh. “I think we have a quite decent race car. We don’t have as much speed as we would like but the car is consistent. I think we can move forward in the race. For sure there is huge pressure since this is my home country.”

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Ohio State Looks Great In Pounding Of Ohio

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 07:58 AM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Columbus, OH, United States (AHN) – Terrelle Pryor passed for over 200 yards with two touchdowns and also ran in a score, powering Ohio State to an easy 43-7 win over Ohio Saturday.

Ohio State built a 17-0 first quarter lead and coasted to the win, improving to 3-0 on the season.

Pryor connected with Brandon Saine on a 9 yard touchdown pass and rolled 13 yards for another score.

The only blemish on his day were the two picks Pryor threw. The Buckeyes poured it on in the second quarter, getting a 2 yard scoring dash from Dan Herron and Pryor’s 5 yard scoring strike to Jake Stoneburner.

Herron tacked on a 1 yard scoring run in the third quarter as Ohio State continued to add to the scoreboard.

Devin Barclay also got some work in, booting field goals covering 33 and 32 yards.

Ohio State dominated in time of possession, nearly 38 minutes to 22 for Ohio, total yardage (438-163) and first downs (22-7).

Ohio fell to 1-2 with the defeat.

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Purdue Rolls Past Ball State, But Quarterback Marve Injured

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 07:05 AM PDT

Sam Klemet – AHN Sports Correspondent

West Lafayette, IN, United States (AHN) – Purdue won its second straight game, downing in-state foe Ball State 24-13 Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.

However, the win came with a price.

Boilermakers starting quarterback Robert Marve was injured in the second quarter on a run on fourth-and-two.

He started the second half, but eventually went to the bench, being replaced by Rob Henry.

Before exiting, Marve was 12-20 for 111 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Purdue also was without Keith Smith, who led the Big ten in receiving a year ago. He tore his ACL and MCL last week against Western Illinois and is out for the season.

Senior Cortez Smith collected two-touchdowns, including a 76-yard score from backup quarterback Rob Henry.

Purdue (2-1) plays Toledo at home next weekend.

Ball State (1-2) goes on the road to Iowa.

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Boston`s Beckett Back In Business, Ready For Blue Jays

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 06:43 AM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Red Sox hurler Josh Beckett will be gunning for another solid start Saturday night, when his team takes on the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox will be looking for the equalizer after bowing to the Blue Jays, 11-9, in the series opener Friday.

Still, the Red Sox posses an overwhelming head-to-head advantage, as they won 11 of their 15 encounters with the Jays this season.

The 30-year-old Beckett, one of baseball’s top pitchers coming into the season, is a key to the crucial American League East match.

With just over three weeks before the end of the regular-season, the Red Sox (82-65) remained 7 games behind their division rival New York Yankees (89-58) and 6.5 games below the Tampa Bay Rays (88-58) in the Wild Card chase.

Beckett will also aim to extend his splendid performance in the last four games, wherein he fanned 28 batters and posted a 3.16 ERA in 25 2-3 innings.

Sidelined with a lower back strain in May, Beckett returned in mid-July and quickly amassed 18 strikeouts in his first three starts upon returning from the DL.

The lagging Red Sox have really missed steady contributions from their pitching corps, led by Beckett, John Lackey, and Jon Lester. (Sox’s Three J’s).

The injury ravaged Beckett went 5-4 with a lofty 5.83 ERA, 102 strikeouts and 37 walks in 18 starts this season.

In spite of a down year, Beckett hopes his recent string of quality starts will take him on a right footing heading into the offseason.

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Rink Riches: Penn State To Start Men`s Hockey Program

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

University Park, PA, United States (AHN) – Penn State president Graham Spanier said $88 million was donated to finance a multi-purpose arena to help build a NCAA Division I men’s hockey program and create a women’s hockey team and also boost economic opportunities in the region, according to the school’s website.

Terrence M. and Kim Pegula, who live in Boca Raton, Fla., gave the largest gift in the school’s history. They are reportedly leaders in the oil and natural gas industry.

Terrence graduated from the university in 1973 with a bachelor degree of science degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering.

“The Pegulas’ unparalleled generosity will make it possible for Penn State to serve our region and our student-athletes in exciting new ways,” said Spanier on the University’s web site.

“This arena will be an invaluable year-round asset for members of the University community as well as for children, youth and families throughout central Pennsylvania, and it will be an engine for economic growth and development. The Pegulas’ support also will help us build a program that extends our rich tradition of preparing student-athletes for success in competition and in life.”

The school will hire an architect in the fall with the projected date of the arena slated for December 2013 located on the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive.

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NCAA: Georgia`s Green To Stay Suspended

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Athens, GA, United States (AHN) – NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement decided not to reduce A.J. Green’s suspension despite an appeal from Georgia.

The Bulldogs star receiver was suspended four games from the start of the season for selling his 2009 Independence Bowl jersey.

Green, the team’s No. 1 receiver, has already missed the Bulldogs’ first two games. Green will also miss Saturday’s game against Arkansas at Sanford Stadium and next week’s game at Mississippi State.

The South Carolina native has managed 50-plus receptions over the past two years for a combined 1,771 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC) is currently 78th in the nation in passing, led in receiving by currently No. 1 Kris Durham’s eight catches for 159 yards.

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Chicago Businessman Deposits $25 Million In Escrow For Coyotes

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Glendale, AZ, United States (AHN) – A prospective owner and Chicago businessman, Matthew Hulsizer, reportedly deposited $25 million in escrow towards the purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Yet, the monies have nothing to do with the $25 million that is expected to be paid by The City of Glendale to the NHL, covering operating costs of the team, with the new lease and sale of the team still pending.

City officials indicated they did meet the league’s deadline for finding a buyer, according to a presser Friday, but would not go into detail about Hulsizer or their NHL relationship.

“…shows the City has met the NHL deadline for finding a qualified buyer, who will keep the team here, a requirement to release the City’s $25 million currently in escrow.”

However, the escrow amount as reported by ESPN.com has nothing to do with cutting a check to the NHL.

Glendale has no access to those funds and has not made a deal with the prospective buyer to assume the city’s responsibilities to the NHL.

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Yanks` Jeter Sounds Off On Hit By Pitch Incident

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Baltimore, MD, United States (AHN) – Ever since New York Yankees high profile shortstop Derek Jeter faked getting hit by a pitch and was awarded first base Wednesday, the issue has caused an uproar all over the media.

Jeter responded about the melee Friday before the Yanks game against the Baltimore Orioles.

“It’s really a big deal being made out of nothing,” Jeter told reporters. “I had nothing to do with the call. The umpire called it from the get-go. I didn’t do it. I didn’t tell myself to go to first base. I didn’t make the call. He didn’t ask me did it hit you and I said, ‘Yeah, it hit me please let me go to first base.’ It’s comical to me that this is really getting this much attention.”

Jeter appeared to get hit by a pitch until replay and audio showed the ball actually hitting the bat, causing what should have been a dribbler in front of the plate.

However, Jeter grabbed his elbow as if the ball hit it, perhaps prompting the umpire to award him first.

The incident has been talked about repeatedly since then.

“Everyone says it’s cheating, but what did I do?” Jeter asked when questioned the night of the incident. “The umpire told me to go to first. How is that cheating?”

Jeter is batting an uncharacteristic .262 with 10 home runs and 61 RBI, heading to his first season below .300 since 2004 (.292).

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Ryder Cup Uniforms For Americans Sport `Old School` Style

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – Arnold Palmer wore them.

So did a lot of other players on the PGA Tour in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Ryan Moore has reintroduced them this season, wearing cardigan sweaters and ties during tour events, as he did at last week’s BMW Championship.

Pehaps Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin’s wife Lisa liked Moore’s look.

Lisa, who handled the styling and selection of the U.S. team’s apparel, opted for purple cardigans and pinstripe slacks for the Saturday portion of the matches to be played in a couple of weeks at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Ryder Cup outfits are always a subject of conversation in the world of golf. There have been some great looking selections, and some that were, well, tacky at best.

This year’s on-course wear was designed by Peter Millar. Off-course selections of suits, jackets, formal wear and the like will come from Hickey Freeman.

And perhaps the most important accessory? Rainwear.

The weather in Wales can be iffy at best, rain is a constant variable in the United Kingdom. The task of keeping the Americans moisture-proof goes to Sun Mountain.

The crest of the American team will be easy to pick out. It is a bold bright red shield with the Ryder Cup trophy embroidered dead-center.

But when it comes to the cardigans, perhaps Graeme McDowell from the European team will be a bit envious. He sported the cardigan look during the final round of his victory at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach last June.

As for the look, well, it’s certainly not a Mr. Rodgers cardigan but while the matches are in Wales, perhaps the designers can send a thank-you note to the descendants of James Brudenell.

He was the 7th Earl of Cardigan and namesake of the style.

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Canadian NHL Fans Can Enter Contest To Buy Winter Classic Tickets

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – The NHL Friday announced that fans in Canada can now sign up on NHL.com to enter a ticket purchase contest for an opportunity to purchase two of the limited number of tickets remaining to the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic the outdoor NHL regular-season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals at 1 p.m. ET on January 1, 2011 at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The game will be broadcast on CBC and RDS in Canada and on NBC in the U.S.

Fans seeking a chance to win an opportunity to buy tickets to the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic can go to www.nhl.com/winterclassictickets for Official Rules, complete details and sign up for entry.

Registration at www.nhl.com/winterclassictickets for the ticket purchase contest will begin on Friday, September 17, 2010 at 2 p.m. ET and will run through Monday, October 11, 2010 at 11:59 a.m. ET. Registrations received after the deadline will not be accepted.

There is no fee to register. No purchase necessary to enter, and winners are not obligated to buy tickets.

Individuals must have reached the age of majority in their Province or Territory of residence to participate. Limit one entry per person or household.

Some conditions apply. Selected participant must correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question in order to be declared a winner. Chances of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winners will be notified by Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

There are 250 opportunities available to purchase one pair of tickets (seated together). Prize has no monetary value.

Opportunity for winners to purchase is dependent on availability. Quantities limited; availability is not guaranteed. For complete details, see the contest rules available at http://winterclassictickets.nhl.com/RulesRegs.aspx.

The 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will mark the fourth consecutive season the NHL has played a regular-season outdoor game on New Year?s Day. The Buffalo Sabres hosted the Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium on New Years Day 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Detroit Red Wings at

Wrigley Field on New Years Day 2009 and the Boston Bruins hosted the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park on New Years Day 2010.

For the 2011 event, two of the NHL’s biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, bring their rivalry to the big stage of the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Their rivalry has blossomed into one of the most

intriguing individual matchups in all of sports.

Both No. 1 overall draft choices (Ovechkin 2004 and Crosby 2005), the superstars have been linked since they entered the League at the same time at the beginning of the 2005-06 NHL season. The Penguins, the 2009 Stanley Cup champions, boast other top talents in center Evgeni Malkin, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury

and center Jordan Staal.

The Capitals, the 2010 Presidents Trophy winners, counter with young stars Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green and Alex Semin.

NHL.com will provide fans unparalleled access to the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic with all the information, stories and video they need to prepare for the event on New Years Day at Heinz Field.

In addition to comprehensive coverage of both teams as they close in on the outdoor contest, visitors will be treated to retrospectives of the three previous NHL Winter Classic events on a dedicated Winter Classic video channel, blogs, facts, figures and exclusive reporting.

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