NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, wife escape serious injury in plane crash

A Gulfstream jet carrying Rick Hendrick, one of NASCAR's most successful team owners, his wife Linda and two pilots ran off a runway in Key West, Fla., on Monday night but "there were no serious injuries," Hendrick Motorsports said.

The G150 airplane was "experiencing brake issues upon landing at Key West International Airport," the team said, adding that all four people "were taken to a local hospital for evaluation."

"Hendrick Motorsports is gathering additional information on the incident," the team said.

Four of the leading drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series drive for Hendrick: Reigning champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin.

The incident occurred seven years after Hendrick's 24-year-old son, Ricky, Hendrick's brother John and two of Hendrick's nieces, along with six others, were killed when their small plane crashed on the way a race in Martinsville, Va.

--Jim Peltz

Photo: The Gulfstream aircraft carrying Rick Hendrick and his wife after it ran off the runway Monday night in Key West, Fla. Credit: Evan Calhoun/Monroe County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office/Associated Press

Monday Matchup: Chargers at Chiefs

Chargers (4-2) at Chiefs (3-3), 8:20 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
Line: Chargers by 3.5

The beanbag toss has the power to change the world. Start a game of beanbag toss on the floor of Congress, and the budget would immediately be balanced. Tossing beanbags might not solve the crises in the Middle East, but the combined powers of beanbag tosses and rally squirrels could change foreign policy forever.

The Chiefs started the season 0-3, but are 3-0 since Todd Haley staved off his pending dismissal by setting up a beanbag game in the team’s locker room. Morale and team unity received an epic jolt, though the Chiefs’ winning streak probably has more to do with the awful quarterbacks they have faced: the battered shell of Donovan McNabb, the rust-covered Carson Palmer, the demoralized and underqualified Curtis Painter and Kyle Boller at his absolute best.

Philip Rivers is normally much better than this bunch. There are multiple theories explaining Rivers’s slump, from a secret injury to lockout rust; “small sample size” was rejected for making too much sense. Perhaps he can get his accuracy back by tossing some beanbags around. It has been known to work wonders.

Pick: Chiefs (not based on spread)

Suh, Goodell to Discuss Rules in Meeting

If image is everything, then Detroit Lions defensive end Ndamukong Suh realizes he could have a problem.

Suh, who has been drawing attention, along with three fines, for rough hits over the past two seasons, will be meeting with N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday to plead his case that he’s really just playing hard, and not dirty.

“It’s more or less just to get an understanding of how they want to look at my play,” Suh told The Detroit News on Sunday, after the Lions’ 45-10 win over the Broncos in Denver. “It’s just an opportunity to have a great dialogue and see what I can take out of the meeting. If it’s nothing, then it’s nothing. If it’s something, then it’s something.”

The meeting will include Suh, Goodell, the league executives Ray Anderson, Carl Johnson, Merton Hanks and the operations consultant Jeff Fisher.

“Commissioner Goodell and his staff have had many meetings with players, both individually and in groups,” the N.F.L. spokesman Greg Aiello told The Detroit News. “This particular meeting has been in the works for several weeks and grew out of Commissioner Goodell’s respect for Ndamukong Suh and Ndamukong’s desire to gain a deeper understanding of NFL rules and policies.”

Lions Coach Jim Schwartz is also expected to be at the meeting, and he could have some words about NFL.com’s dubbing of Sunday’s Lions-Broncos game as “Good vs. Evil,” the inference being that Tim Tebow and the Broncos are good and Suh and the Lions are evil.

“I don’t think that’s appropriate at all for anybody associated with the game to bill it that way and it was especially disappointing coming from an arm of the N.F.L.,” Schwartz said. “It wasn’t a rallying cry or anything else but it was disappointing and I don’t think it was appropriate. We are trying to win games. We’re certainly not trying to market ourselves that way.”

Suh also took issue with the good vs. evil story line.

“Evil prevails and hopefully we are going to continue to keep it that way if that’s (how) they want to perceive us,” Suh said to MLive.com. “For me personally, it means nothing to me. I’m going to continue to be me. I know who I am. I’m not an evil person.”

Suh was most recently accused by Atlanta Falcons players of mocking and taunting quarterback Matt Ryan while he was down with a knee injury. Suh was angered by the accusation, denying that he had done anything to Ryan.

“Go back and watch the film and then come to me and point to where I made mistakes,” he said. “Point to where I cut somebody, where I hit somebody late in the back. Let me know. I want to see it.”

But the Lions did not help their increasingly dark reputation against the Broncos. Several Lions mocked Tebow on Sunday for his public professions of faith, first when linebacker Stephen Tulloch kneeled in “prayer” (a take-off from Tebow’s genuflecting pose coined as “Tebowing“), and then Tony Scheffler punctuated his touchdown with a half-kneel nod to Tebow and a mock Mile-High salute.

“It was just something that I thought about throughout the week knowing that I’d be spying him and have a couple blitzes to get after him,” Tulloch to MLive.com. “It’s something I was having fun with. I told one of my friends I was going to do it, so I was able to do it.”

Lane Kiffin fined $10,000 and T.J. McDonald is suspended by Pac-12

USC Coach Lane Kiffin has been reprimanded and fined $10,000 for critical comments about officiating and Trojans safety T.J. McDonald has been suspended for a half for making a late hit in last week’s triple-overtime loss to Stanford, the Pacific 12 Conference announced Monday night.

Kiffin criticized game officials after the game and again Sunday for failing to give the Trojans an opportunity to kick a potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. The Trojans lost, 56-48.

“The Pac-12 has specific rules that prohibit our coaches from making public comments about officiating, and this prohibition specifically includes comments that create doubts about the credibility of the Conference’s officiating program,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. “The Conference expects each Pac-12 coach to adhere to our standards of conduct and to conduct himself or herself in a manner which will reflect credit on the institution and the Conference.”

Kiffin had said that he spoke with an unnamed Pac-12 official by phone from the locker room and told the person, "I was basically lied to."

The final play of regulation began with nine seconds left, when receiver Robert Woods caught a screen pass from Matt Barkley. Instead of dropping to the ground after the catch and calling timeout, Woods ran across the field toward the Stanford sideline.

Kiffin said he had been calling for a timeout, and that during the replay review, he told the side judge to tell the referee so the Trojans would get a final play from the Stanford 33-yard line if one second remained.

"He went over there and then came back to me and said he communicated with him, and that if his knee was down with a second left we'd get another play," Kiffin said. "And unfortunately now [I find out] that never happened."

Referee Mike Batlan has said that time had expired.

Kiffin also took issue with the spot of the ball after a holding penalty against Stanford in the second overtime, joking that his 2-year-old son had figured out the correct the yardage.

Kiffin said he respectully disagrees with the suspension of McDonald.

"He made a bang-bang play and his intent was not to hurt the receiver or launch his body at the receiver or lead with his helmet," Kiffin said. "If you watch the hit in real time, we feel it is impossible to competitively play that play any differently.

"T.J. is a tremendous player and leader for our team, and he has our full support.  I know he felt badly about being penalized and the impact it had in the game.

"As for my reprimand and fine, after numerous conversations with the conference office, we have agreed to disagree.  As I have been saying the past two days, we have moved on from last week's game and we are preparing for a very challenging conference game this Friday at Colorado."

McDonald was suspended "for his hit on a defenseless opponent," late in the fourth quarter against Stanford.

McDonald will sit out the first half of Friday night's game at Colorado.

“While Mr. McDonald was appropriately penalized on the field, I have deemed it necessary to add a a half-game suspension,” said Scott. “This process was part of our weekly review of all targeting and unnecessary roughness hits.”

Scott added: “Mr. McDonald had been previously warned about illegal hits above the shoulders on defenseless opponents. In order to protect our student-athletes, it is imperative that we enforce these penalties for the safety of the game."

T.J. McDonald said his hit was not intended to harm his opponent.

"I accept my penalty and I apologize to my teammates, to our Trojan fans and to the Stanford team," McDonald said. "I'm disappointed that I can't be on the field with my teammates during the first half of this Friday's game, but I know they will do a great job without me.

"I was not purposefully trying to hurt the receiver.  As I said after the game, I will figure out a way to play physically and still stay within the rules."

More later at latimes.com/sports

--Gary Klein

Photo: USC Coach Lane Kiffin complains at the end of regulation that one second should be left on the clock. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez / US Presswire

London 2012 Olympics: pessimism grows around journey times during Games

Only way: Mark Cavendish has the right idea about the best way to get around London

A quick 20-minute dash from Soho to Stratford? Or how about zipping from Wembley to the Olympic Park in under 35 minutes? These were some of the fanciful transport times being suggested to the International Olympic Committee by London 2012 organisers in the early stages of their transport planning, using of course, the controversial Olympic Route Network.

But the latest figures released to the media at the World Press Briefing show that even the most pessimistic travel times were way too conservative, even though 100 miles of roads will be dedicated solely for official Olympic Games traffic.

VIP might end up standing for 'Very Impatient People' as the journey times using the Olympic Lanes have been increased by 50 to 100 per cent.

In most cases, athletes might be advised to jump on a bike as it will get them to their destination infinitely quicker.

For badminton players and officials, who were promised a 30-minute commute from the Olympic Village to the re-located venue at Wembley, the journey could be more than twice as long with the estimated journey time for that route set at 70-80 minutes.

London 2012 Olympic officials say the new estimated journey times are realistic, but admit they are on the conservative side. They say athletes, officials and the media need to be able to plan their journeys and the times are a worst case scenario at peak times, rather than the times the journeys may take.

Here are the latest estimated journey times from the Olympic Park:

Hyde Park for triathlon  (55 minutes)

Horse Guards Parade for beach volleyball  (45 minutes)

Earls Court for volleyball  (70 minutes)

Eton Dorney for rowing (100 minutes)

Greenwich Park for equestrian (35 minutes)

Hampton Court for road cycling time trial (110 minutes)

Lord's cricket ground for archery (55 minutes)

Wimbledon for the tennis (80 minutes)

The Mall for road cycling (60 minutes)

Lee Valley White Water Centre for canoeing (40 minutes)

Hadleigh Farm for mountain biking (80 minutes)

ExCeL for  table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling and boxing (30 minutes)

North Greenwich Arena for basketball finals and gymnastics (25 minutes).

Spectators, of course, will have to use public transport and the guidelines on transport times between venues is suitably vague.

According to the official Locog journey time finder, travelling between Olympic Park at Stratford to Wembley Stadium will take between one to two hours from station to station.

Officials advise adding on an extra 30 minutes for security checks and walking to the venue.

Philadelphia Eagles are playing their way back into contention

The dream still may be alive for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dubbed a "Dream Team" by backup quarterback Vince Young before the season, the Eagles got off to a disastrous 1-4 start. But back-to-back wins, including a particularly impressive 34-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, appear to have the Eagles right back in the NFC playoff hunt as midseason  approaches.

It might be tough to catch the NFC East-leading New York Giants, who have a two-game lead and who already won in Philadelphia earlier this season (the rematch in New York is Nov. 20). And one of the NFC wild-card spots appears to be the Detroit Lions' to lose.

But after that there's a huge mess of teams at 4-3 and 3-4 with an eye on that last bid, and the Eagles are right there in the mix. Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and company showed a national television audience how good the Eagles can be Sunday night against the Cowboys.

Vick completed 21 of 28 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Eagles to points on their first six possessions. McCoy had a career-best 185 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Plus, the Eagles' early season losses don't seem as bad as they did at the time. The San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills are surprise contenders this season and the Atlanta Falcons seem to have righted the ship after a slow start of their own.

There's a lot of work left to be done -- especially with tough matchups with the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and New York Jets looming -- but at least the Eagles are giving their fans a little something to dream about again.

ALSO:

NFL Week 8 two-minute drill

Kansas City to give strong test to San Diego's weak side

Tim Tebow gets 'Tebowed' after sack by Lions' Stephen Tulloch

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Michael Vick eludes a tackle by Demarcus Ware. Credit: Michael Bryant / Philadelphia Inquirer / MCT

Chris Dufresne: The biggest NCAA football game since ... [Video]

The Times' Chris Dufresne discusses the significance of Alabama vs. LSU and how Stanford's triple-overtime win over USC will affect Andrew Luck's Heisman Trophy hopes.

Greatest sports figures in L.A. history, No. 7: Chick Hearn

Continuing our countdown of the 20 greatest figures in L.A. sports history, as chosen in voting by our online readers, with No. 7, Chick Hearn.

No. 7 Chick Hearn (57 first-place votes, 3,469 points)

There are three statues representing Lakers icons outside Staples Center. Only two of them are basketball players.

But it speaks to the importance of Chick Hearn that his likeness joins Magic Johnson and Jerry West in bronze perpetuity.

It was the spoken word that made Hearn such a part of Lakers history. He was the team’s only broadcaster in Los Angeles until his death at age 85 in 2002. When the team moved from Minneapolis in 1960, he was instrumental in introducing professional basketball to Southern California sports fans.

He called 3,338 consecutive games, a streak that started in 1965 and ended in December of 2001 after he had heart surgery. His distinctive high-speed delivery and inventive vocabulary made him one of the greatest play-by-play announcers in history.

UFC: Telegraph video Cesar Gracie on Nick Diaz; Rampage Jackson on Cheick Kongo

CESAR GRACIE ON NICK DIAZ POST-FIGHT

RAMPAGE JACKSON ON HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

Tony La Russa retires as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals

Tony La Russa is retiring as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals three days after winning his second World Series with the team and third overall.

La Russa, 67, made the announcement at a news conference Monday at Busch Stadium, a day after he and the Cardinals celebrated their championship at the St. Louis Rams game.

After a 33-year career, La Russa is third on the all-time wins list with 2,728. In addition to World Series titles with the Cardinals this year and in 2006, he also won a championship as skipper of the Oakland Athletics in 1989.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports.

RELATED:

Now the Cardinals will look to the future

Photos: Cardinals vs. Rangers in World Series

An 'unbelievable, amazing, incredible' victory for Cardinals

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Tony La Russa speaks during a celebration for the Cardinals' 11th World Series victory Sunday. Credit: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

WTA Championships Diary: Another milestone in the extraordinary rise of Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova, WTA champion

Some year for Petra

Petra Kvitova began the 2011 season as a rather unknown lanky Czech ranked No 34 in the world. She has finished it as the world No 2, Wimbledon champion, and WTA champion, and with over $5 million in prize money. Not bad for a 21 year-old.

The Czech was at her gut-screeching best for the first five games of the final against Victoria Azarenka, throwing in aces and drop shots alongside her fearsome forehand to lead 5-0. But then she went walkabout, dropping four games in a row to Azarenka, who to her credit, didn’t waste the opportunity. Although Kvitova sneaked the first set 7-5, Azarenka, with the crowd firmly behind her, battled back to take the second. But then Kvitova decided to find one of her purple patches, and despite squandering a championship point at 5-2, served out for a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory.

She is now odds-on favourite to be crowned the WTA player of the year.

Young and old

The WTA’s top three singles players may all be aged 22 and younger when the new rankings come out on Monday, but that doesn’t mean the age of the golden oldie is over.

38 year-old Lisa Raymond and 35 year-old Liezel Huber used their combined aged of 73 to excellent effect to become the WTA doubles champions. They beat Kveta Peschke and  Katerina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-4, Huber became world No 1, and they now have their sights set on the Olympics. And why on earth not.

As for the young guns, it's safe to say that we can expect to see plenty more of Kvitova and Azarenka in 2012 – both of them are not at all far off Wozniacki in terms of points, just 115 for Kvitova, so we could well have a new world No 1 during the Australian Open.

Turkey done good

The week in Istanbul has been such a success from the WTA’s point of view that Stacey Allaster, WTA CEO and Chairman, compared it to the glory days of Madison Square Garden. Slight exaggeration, perhaps.

But the fact remains this tournament has been very illuminating from a fan-base point of view. 11,000 people a day, peaking at 13,676, and with 70,824 in total? Quite something.

That’s what happens when you price tickets at 10 and 20 lira (£3 and £7).

The great grunting debate

"I thought we'd get away without that," joked Stacey Allaster as grunting came up in conversation again, confirming that the WTA plans to speak to players and coaches about noise on the court after receiving increasing amounts of negative feedback  from fans.

But, she did say that it is up to the players to complain if it's bothering them, implying that if that was the case, the tour would react accordingly.

"I haven't had one player come to me and complain, not one," Allaster said.

Her view was backed up by Huber, who said "As long as the players don’t stand up and say, Hey, this bugs me, then it’s the player’s fault."

Azarenka, who greeted the question about her noise level with a wry smile, also said that players are just not bothering about what their opponent is doing on the court.

"Whatever helps players to be better, that's their own way. I have to respect that. Somebody has to jump around, somebody have to say bad words or whatever. It's their own way. I just try to focus on myself and that's it."

Changes afoot

The WTA is set to introduce a new level of tournaments, WTA Challengers, to sit in between the ITF $100K and the $220 WTA International events. There will be two in 2012, as pilot events, with plans for 8-10 by 2013. Prize money will be $125K, and they are likely to be in the Asia-Pacific region.

The women’s tour is also bumping up its prize money by eight per cent to $52.4 million for the 2012 season.

What’s next?

The last WTA tournament of the year is the Tournament of Champions in Bali (lucky them), while the men compete in Basle and Valencia this week, before Paris, and then London. It’s the final stretch…

For the ladies who've been in Istanbul this week, it's very much holiday time. Azarenka is off to Minsk, and a Rihanna concert in Zurich, Kvitova is heading home, maybe to a spa, and then to off-season training in the mountains. Happy holidays to them.

Soundbites

“I have had too good of a career to kind of just be mediocre”

Lisa Raymond on Lisa Raymond

“Can I have a real one?”

Victoria Azarenka on being handed a model of a Turkish Airlines plane

Something a little different…

According to Vegas Confidential, there is set to be a bidding war for the film rights to Andre Agassi’s explosive autobiography “Open.” Steven Spielberg and Jerry Bruckheimer are both said to be interested.

Lessons learned in Istanbul

If someone offers you ‘brains’ in a restaurant, they’re not speaking figuratively.

Mocking Tim Tebow

First, some background on why two Detroit players might have poked fun at Tim Tebow during the Lions’ rout of the Broncos on Sunday:

Pat Graham, The Associated Press:

DENVER — Tim Tebow inspired a phenomenon when he dropped to a knee and began praying as his teammates wildly celebrated around him after an improbable overtime victory in Miami last weekend.

That was simply Tebow “Tebowing,” a phrase coined by a fan sitting in a bar in New York watching the popular yet polarizing quarterback rally the Denver Broncos.

Jared Kleinstein was mesmerized by Tebow’s peaceful demeanor kneeling on the turf amid all the chaos that ensued. He launched a website in which fans could submit photos of themselves “Tebowing,” which means getting down on a knee and praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.

And later in the article:

On Friday after practice, Tebow said he appreciated the spirit of the website.

“Yeah, some people don’t necessarily take it seriously but they’re on their knee praying, so who knows what you’re going to think about after that and how that can affect you?” Tebow said. “Hopefully, it’s a good example for people.”

The Lions’ Stephen Tulloch (after a sack) and Tony Scheffler (after a touchdown catch) imitated the one-knee prayer Sunday. They might have also been inspired by a portrayal of the Lions-Broncos matchup on the N.F.L.’s Web site as good versus evil.

In his own way, the Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla mocked Tebow: (He also called him the worst quarterback in the N.F.L.)

So maybe we need a new definition for Tebowing.

It’s a prayer for mercy.

Please, in the name of heaven, bring us somebody who can actually play quarterback.

Extra point  Is it all in good fun?  Tebow invites scrutiny with the very public nature of his religious beliefs, his evangelistic side. But let’s imagine that a player displayed a Muslim religious ritual or one based on Hinduism? Would it be fair to mock those displays as well? If not, why is it fair game for Tebow?

Week 8 Quick Hits: Patriots Missing a Pass Rush Again

A quick tour of Week 8 in the N.F.L.:

Steelers 25, Patriots 17

For the second straight week, the Patriots’ high-powered offense sputtered a bit against a complex and  blitz-heavy 3-4 defense. But this game was decided on the other side of the ball. The Steelers ran 28 more plays than the Patriots and easily controlled the tempo for the first three quarters. And they did it by playing Steeler Ball – which hopefully people now realize involves spreading and passing. Ben Roethlisberger completed 36 of 50 for 365 yards. Heath Miller devoured the zones behind New England’s blitzes, finishing with 85 yards on seven receptions. Wideouts Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders each had between 5 to 9 catches and 65-75 yards.

These types of performances happen when a wide-ranging aerial attack goes up against a poor pass rush. Yes, the Patriots sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times. But that was because Roethlisberger was even more devoted to “extending the play” than usual. He realized early on that the aging Patriots ends could not turn the corner against the ho-hum-but-enormous Steeler tackles. And, surprisingly, Pittsburgh’s interior double teams on Vince Wilfork & Co. worked marvelously. This is all but officially the third year in a row that an impotent pass rush has hindered Bill Belichick’s club.

 

49ers 20, Browns 10

No two teams are as committed to hiding their quarterbacks as these two. The difference is that the 49ers hide Alex Smith behind a power run game, while the Browns hide Colt McCoy behind play-action and bootlegs (which slice the field in half for him). This box score shows which approach is best (i.e. safest/most sustainable). Frank Gore, spearheading San Francisco’s sixth-ranked rushing attack, finished with 134 yards on 31 carries. McCoy finished with four fumbles, while Browns wide receivers caught a total of 11 balls for only 116 yards.

A week after Montario Hardesty stumbled for just 95 yards on 33 carries against Seattle, the Peyton Hillis-less Browns turned their ground game over to Chris Ogbonnaya. Unfortunately, an early deficit limited the ex-Texan to just 11 attempts (he finished with 37 yards). Who at the beginning of the year would have guessed that on Halloween weekend Cleveland would be searching for its identity on the ground?

 

Bills 23, Redskins 0

This was just a preseason game that happened to be played in October. Think about it: the game took place in Toronto; the Redskins started a backup at running back, wide receiver, No. 2 tight end, center and left tackle; the Bills came in having just signed their quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, to a long-term contract; Fox had its top color commentator, Troy Aikman, calling the game, but its top play-by-play man Joe Buck did not make the trip.

 

Lions 45, Broncos 10

At the end of the third quarter, Tim Tebow was 7 for 21 for 80 yards, and the Broncos trailed, 38-3. Despite playing with GUTS and HEART and LEADERSHIP and a SPARK (or whatever it’s called when the quarterback throws wild incompletions that are at least exciting to watch), Tebow mounted no comeback. Eric Decker’s garbage-time touchdown prevented Denver’s offense from finishing with more sacks allowed (seven) than points scored (10). Then again, considering one of those seven sacks resulted in a fumble returned for a touchdown, and considering that Tebow’s lone interception was run back for a score, Denver’s offense actually posted minus-4 points.

How about some Brady Quinn billboards this week?

 

Bengals 34, Seahawks 12

The Seahawks named Tarvaris Jackson their starter before kickoff but sent the incompetent Charlie Whitehurst out there instead. Whitehurst picked up where he left off at Cleveland last week, leaving play after play on the field and seemingly drawing the ire of his wide receivers.

Mercifully, with 10:41 remaining in the second quarter, Jackson entered the game. Which leaves you to wonder, Did Jackson, who had been sidelined since injuring his pec in Week 5, just need one more hour to get fully healthy? Or did Pete Carroll inexplicably botch the most important decision he had to make this week? If Jackson is healthy, he’s the starter – no questions asked. So what happened here? Why didn’t Jackson start originally?

 

Titans 27, Colts 10

See this separate post on the Fifth Down.

Rams 31, Saints 20

The Saints played as if they assumed that some of their excess points against Indy would carry over. In the last 40 seasons, teams are now just 1-3 in their first outing after scoring 62 or more. Steven Jackson led the way for St. Louis. The eighth-year veteran rushed for 159 yards on 25 attempts, moving past Marshall Faulk for third on the team’s career yardage list.

The tenacious and talented Jackson plays with a fiery personality that would make him a household name – and likely future Hall of Famer – if not for the fact that his team has reached the postseason just once in his career (2004). There’s still time, Steven. Leverage a trade to a contender and you might become football’s version of Kevin Garnett or Ray Bourque.

 

Giants 20, Dolphins 17

The Dolphins netted a measly 101 yards through the air. That’s two yards less than Reggie Bush had rushing. And remember, Bush stinks (he even said so).

Giant fans can fret about how hard-fought this presumed cakewalk turned out to be, but they might as well just say “whatever” and take the 5-2 record. Eli Manning picked up the slack for a running game that has been off-track for all of Subway’s $5 Foot-long Month. Manning evenly distributed 344 passing yards to a solid but unspectacular group of  wide receivers. He also found tight end Jake Ballard four times for 55 yards. Ballard is practically a clone of predecessor Kevin Boss: upright, lumbering and surprisingly effective. He entered Sunday having caught eight balls for 153 yards over his previous two games. Though not fast, he’s averaging 17.3 yards per catch, second most among tight ends with at least 10 receptions.

Vikings 24, Panthers 21

If not for a rare slip by Olindo Mare, one of the best kickers of this era, we might be discussing Cam Newton’s first overtime win, first winning streak and, perhaps, his most impressive game as a young pro. Instead, we’ll mention the solid performance of Christian Ponder and even more solid performance of Adrian Peterson, who was stymied by an uncharacteristically instinctive Panthers run defense early in the game but who compensated with a career-high 76 yards receiving (including a touchdown).

Then again, maybe we need to look at the other side of the ball. Two of Minnesota’s touchdowns were set up by sack-fumbles of Newton that were spearheaded by Jared Allen. The newly minted father is on pace for 23 sacks this season. The current single-season sack record is “21.5 plus a gift from Brett Favre,” set by Michael Strahan in 2001.

 

Ravens 30, Cardinals 27

Know why the Cardinals weren’t good enough to protect a lead? Because they weren’t good enough to really build a lead. Their 21-point second quarter surge was mostly good fortune. The first score was set up by a Ravens fumble that Darnell Dockett recovered at the Baltimore 2. The second was a Patrick Peterson punt return (spectacular play, but not something you can bank on each week). A tipped interception – courtesy of Torrey Smith – at the Raven 19 led to the third score.

But from the start, it was clear: Arizona’s offensive line could not protect Kevin Kolb. This is what lost the game for the Cardinals last week, too. Their offensive tackles are unathletic, and the collective group has had trouble executing basic protection adjustments against the blitz. That will always prove costly when you face stars like Terrell Suggs (one sack and a career-high 13 tackles, including four for a loss on Sunday).

 

Texans 24, Jaguars 14

Given Tim Tebow’s debacle and Matt Moore’s awful outing, maybe Blaine Gabbert’s 10-for-30, 97-yard passing performance has something to do with the fact that he’s a quarterback associated with the state of Florida….?

Or it could just be that the Texans’ defense has secretly blossomed under Wade Phillips. The front seven plays with vigor and creativity each week, and the back four has been buttressed by the free agent Johnathan Joseph, who has played like a true No. 1 corner.

 

Eagles 34, Cowboys 7

It was just one of those days for the Cowboys. Andy Reid’s opponents always seem to have “just one of those days” whenever Reid is coming off a bye (he’s 13-0). It was great that Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth opened a nationally televised discussion about where LeSean McCoy ranks among running backs. McCoy is on pace for over 1,600 yards rushing (he’s  second to Adrian Peterson in total rushing this season) and, at times, he’s an integral part of the passing attack.  He has  the breakaway speed that is a prerequisite for playing in Philadelphia’s offense, and he has arguably the best lateral agility in the league.

Andy Benoit is an N.F.L. analyst for CBSSports.com and founder of NFLTouchdown.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit@NFLTouchdown.com or @Andy_Benoit.

Marshall Eats His Words, and Giants Thank Their Lucky Stars

A capsule look at the Giants’ 20-17 win over the Dolphins on Sunday:

Key Performance

Steve Weatherford averaged 46.8 yards on four punts for the Giants and pinned the Dolphins inside their 20-yard line three times. With the Giants leading and just less than four minutes remaining, Weatherford boomed his final punt 55 yards, and the Giants tackled returner Reggie Bush for a 4-yard loss. “That was one of those moments when you may have a lump in your throat, but guys came through,” Coach Tom Coughlin said.

Notable Number: 55

Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall had 55 yards receiving, after guaranteeing a Dolphins victory last week on Twitter.

To: Media
When we win Sunday please don’t say the Giants didn’t take us serious.Thu Oct 27 23:07:09 via Twitter for iPhoneBrandon Marshall
BMarshall19

Marshall was thrown to six times and caught four passes but had a 25-yard reception in the fourth quarter called back for offensive pass interference.

Talking Point

The Giants came out of Sunday’s game with several injury questions. Hakeem Nicks had an aching hamstring, David Baas hurt his knee and Ahmad Bradshaw was limping with a sore foot. All said they would be evaluated Monday, but with the toughest part of the schedule looming, can the Giants withstand another rash of injuries?

On Any Given Sunday, a 20-Point Lead Might Not Be Enough

Remember how the Saints poured it on against the Colts last Sunday? It turns out they had good reason to run up the score.

Via ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday night:

 

 

When Ravens erased a 24-3 deficit and won 30-27, it marked a record 5th time this season a team trailed by at least 20 and came back to win.Mon Oct 31 01:42:20 via WhoSayAdam Schefter
AdamSchefter

 

 

Yes, it’s the year of the comeback. (No, relax; he’s still retired.) But the days of taking a 10-point lead and sitting on the ball may be receding into the past, especially with quick-strike spread offenses running up point totals and a lack of training camp work showing up in porous defenses.

Here’s a look at the five games Schefter was referring to:

Week 3: Lions 26, Vikings 23 With an assist from the Vikings, who blew double-digit halftime leads in their first three games, the Lions continued their unbeaten start by wiping out a 20-0 halftime deficit. Calvin Johnson caught two touchdown passes and recorded his first 100-yard game. He hasn’t slowed down since. “This is my best win ever,” said Lions center Dominic Raiola, who was 0 for 10 in the Metrodome before the game.

Week 3: Buffalo 34, New England 31 A week after rallying from a 21-3 deficit to beat the Raiders, the Bills spotted the Patriots a 21-0 lead and then roared back again. The victory ended a 15-game losing streak against the Patriots and announced the Bills’ revival. “It’s the biggest win of my career,” linebacker Chris Kelsay said.

Week 4: 49ers 24, Eagles 23 A 23-3 lead on San Francisco has been plenty for at least a decade, it seems, but this year’s 49ers are a different team. The Eagles found that out as Alex Smith went 13 of 17 for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns in the second half, and Frank Gore bulled in for the winning score with three minutes left. “It’s unacceptable to give up a lead that size in the second half,” Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said. Take it easy, Cullen; this year it’s not.

Week 4: Lions 34, Cowboys 30 Trailing by 24 points after a Jason Witten touchdown in the third quarter, the Lions stormed back for their second straight massive comeback by returning Tony Romo interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter. Matthew Stafford took care of the rest, throwing two touchdown passes to — who else? — Calvin Johnson. “It’s crazy how it happens,” Stafford said. “When it was 27-3, we knew we had to start making plays. Once we did, we started catching fire.”

Week 8: Ravens 30, Cardinals 27 Baltimore broke the league record for 20-point comebacks in a season by rallying from a 24-3 deficit against Arizona, but not before hearing it from the home fans. “I don’t go to a lot of football games, but I probably would have wanted to boo if I was in the stands, too,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. “We weren’t looking too good.” He and his teammates responded with the biggest comeback in Ravens history: a Billy Cundiff field goal before halftime, three short touchdown runs by Ray Rice and — after Arizona  tied it with a field goal — a 25-yard winner by Cundiff as time expired.

ESPN.com’s Greg Garber wrote about the surge of comebacks after Week 5, but at that point could only make an educated guess at what was behind it:

The leading candidates are evolving offenses — aided and abetted by league legislation over the years — and the lockout. We would be remiss not to mention the Vikings, who blew leads of 10, 17 and 20 points, and Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, who helped engineer the squandering of 14- and 24-point leads. History, it should be noted, could not have been achieved without them.

Maybe that was why the Giants let the Dolphins ride in the driver’s seat for so long on Sunday. Maybe Eli Manning and Co. knew they had it all the way.

Extra point: What do you think is behind all the comebacks? Given the consequences of failure, N.F.L. coaches are famously conservative, especially late in games. So what are so many doing so wrong this season?

BCS standings: LSU and Alabama on collision course to decide No. 1, for now

 

The crowd at the top is thinning.

The college football weekend started with eight undefeated teams but is down to six.

Clemson and Kansas State lost, Stanford barely held on and Louisiana State and Alabama, without playing, reaffirmed their grip atop the Bowl Championship Series standings as they prepare for their huge showdown Saturday at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

LSU remained first in the BCS standings released Sunday with an average of .9734, followed by Alabama at .9591.

The order of the schools is moot, as the winner Saturday will be the undisputed No.1 next week with the loser scrambling to get back in the race.

Oklahoma State, after an impressive win over Baylor, solidified its No.3 BCS ranking with an average of .9310.

Stanford survived a triple-overtime thriller over USC and moved up two positions this week to No. 4 at .8615. Boise State, which had the week off, slipped one spot to No. 5 at .8522.

Rounding out the BCS top 10 are Oklahoma at No. 6, Arkansas, Oregon, South Carolina and Nebraska.

Oklahoma moved up four spots this week and is the highest-ranked one-loss team. Oregon dropped two positions to No. 8 and Arkansas, despite struggling to beat Vanderbilt, moved up three spots to No. 7.

Houston (8-0) moved up four positions to No. 13 and is the only undefeated team outside the BCS top 10.

The top two teams in the final BCS standings, to be released Dec. 4, will play Jan. 9 for the BCS national title in New Orleans.

-- Chris Dufresne

Photo: LSU's Kenny Hilliard celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Auburn last week. Hilliard and the Tigers put their No. 1 ranking on the line this week against No. 2 Alabama. Credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

WTA Championships Diary: Another milestone for the extraordinary rise of Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova, WTA champion

Some year for Petra

Petra Kvitova began the 2011 season as a rather unknown lanky Czech ranked No 34 in the world. She has finished it as the world No 2, Wimbledon champion, and WTA champion, and with over $5 million in prize money. Not bad for a 21 year-old.

The Czech was at her gut-screeching best for the first five games of the final against Victoria Azarenka, throwing in aces and drop shots alongside her fearsome forehand to lead 5-0. But then she went walkabout, dropping four games in a row to Azarenka, who to her credit, didn’t waste the opportunity. Although Kvitova sneaked the first set 7-5, Azarenka, with the crowd firmly behind her, battled back to take the second. But then Kvitova decided to find one of her purple patches, and despite squandering a championship point at 5-2, served out for a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory.

She is now odds-on favourite to be crowned the WTA player of the year.

Young and old

The WTA’s top three singles players may all be aged 22 and younger when the new rankings come out on Monday, but that doesn’t mean the age of the golden oldie is over.

38 year-old Lisa Raymond and 35 year-old Liezel Huber used their combined aged of 73 to excellent effect to become the WTA doubles champions. They beat Kveta Peschke and  Katerina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-4, Huber became world No 1, and they now have their sights set on the Olympics. And why on earth not.

As for the young guns, it's safe to say that we can expect to see plenty more of Kvitova and Azarenka in 2012 – both of them are not at all far off Wozniacki in terms of points, just 115 for Kvitova, so we could well have a new world No 1 during the Australian Open.

Turkey done good

The week in Istanbul has been such a success from the WTA’s point of view that Stacey Allaster, WTA CEO and Chairman, compared it to the glory days of Madison Square Garden. Slight exaggeration, perhaps.

But the fact remains this tournament has been very illuminating from a fan-base point of view. 11,000 people a day, peaking at 13,676, and with 70,824 in total? Quite something.

That’s what happens when you price tickets at 10 and 20 lira (£3 and £7).

The great grunting debate

"I thought we'd get away without that," joked Stacey Allaster as grunting came up in conversation again, confirming that the WTA plans to speak to players and coaches about noise on the court after receiving increasing amounts of negative feedback  from fans.

But, she did say that it is up to the players to complain if it's bothering them, implying that if that was the case, the tour would react accordingly.

"I haven't had one player come to me and complain, not one," Allaster said.

Her view was backed up by Huber, who said "As long as the players don’t stand up and say, Hey, this bugs me, then it’s the player’s fault."

Azarenka, who greeted the question about her noise level with a wry smile, also said that players are just not bothering about what their opponent is doing on the court.

"Whatever helps players to be better, that's their own way. I have to respect that. Somebody has to jump around, somebody have to say bad words or whatever. It's their own way. I just try to focus on myself and that's it."

Changes afoot

The WTA is set to introduce a new level of tournaments, WTA Challengers, to sit in between the ITF $100K and the $220 WTA International events. There will be two in 2012, as pilot events, with plans for 8-10 by 2013. Prize money will be $125K, and they are likely to be in the Asia-Pacific region.

The women’s tour is also bumping up its prize money by eight per cent to $52.4 million for the 2012 season.

What’s next?

The last WTA tournament of the year is the Tournament of Champions in Bali (lucky them), while the men compete in Basle and Valencia this week, before Paris, and then London. It’s the final stretch…

For the ladies who've been in Istanbul this week, it's very much holiday time. Azarenka is off to Minsk, and a Rihanna concert in Zurich, Kvitova is heading home, maybe to a spa, and then to off-season training in the mountains. Happy holidays to them.

Soundbites

“I have had too good of a career to kind of just be mediocre”

Lisa Raymond on Lisa Raymond

“Can I have a real one?”

Victoria Azarenka on being handed a model of a Turkish Airlines plane

Something a little different…

According to Vegas Confidential, there is set to be a bidding war for the film rights to Andre Agassi’s explosive autobiography “Open.” Steven Spielberg and Jerry Bruckheimer are both said to be interested.

Lessons learned in Istanbul

If someone offers you ‘brains’ in a restaurant, they’re not speaking figuratively.

UFC 137: Nick Diaz versus GSP back on again; BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop retire

Newslines from UFC 137:

Carlos Condit steps side for GSP to defend welterweight title against Nick Diaz next

Beaten BJ Penn retires; defeated Mirko Cro Cop announces it is all over for him

Roy Nelson and Cheick Kongo both call for heavyweight title shot

Donald Cerrone enhances his credentials for a lightweight title shot

Nick Diaz will face Georges St Pierre for the UFC welterweight title next up, in the wake of his victory at UFC 137 over BJ Penn. Diaz told a Mandalay Bay Events Center crowd he thinks UFC champion Georges St-Pierre faked an injury in order to avoid the fight. "He's not really injured; he's scared," said Diaz.

The move earned St-Pierre's attention, and UFC president Dana White confirmed at a news conference an hour later that Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside in order to make the fight. St Pierre said: "This is what I wanted since the beginning. Let's do what was supposed to be done originally. I've always wanted this fight — now I want it even more. I can't wait for Superbowl weekend."

White said: "Condit has agreed that he will fight on the same event. We spoke about it and if he wins, he will fight the winner of Diaz and GSP."

White announced the change with Diaz in attendance at press conference. Diaz then complained his preparation for the Penn fight and the lead up to the card. Diaz and his camp appear to believe that the fighter should not have been withdrawn from the original main event against St-Pierre. His manager Cesar Gracie echoed similar views after the news conference. But now it's game on.

UFC legends BJ Penn and Mirko Cr Cop retired in the Octagon in Las Vegas after their respective contests. Cro Cop was stopped by Roy Nelson; Penn decided to call it a day after a mainly stand-up war with Nick Diaz in which the ramparts were slowly taken apart for the Hawaiian. It was one-sided in the last two rounds, as Diaz set about Penn's body and head with a relish. The onslaught in the second round all but did for Penn. All but did… yet the hugely popular mixed martial artist came forward himself in the third, but his tired arms would not allow him much success against the relentlessness, and spite, of Diaz. Some will call it a war. But it was one-sided in many ways.

Diaz was marginal favourite coming in with the bookmakers. Penn looked tense. There were great exchanges in the stand up in the early seconds. Both had success. Penn with the right; Diaz with a right left. They then went to the ground, they rolled. Penn got the better of it, taking dominant position. It was Penn's round. But the second saw a dramatic shift. Diaz punished Penn for almost three and a half minutes. They may become known as the 200 seconds which heralded Penn's retirement call. If this is to be his swan song, it was a great way to go out. But who knows.. ? Although Penn left no caveat, minds can change when spirits repair.

For the record, it was 29-28, 29-28, 29-27 in Penn's favour. Diaz was his inimitable self straightaway after the contest. He was asked about fighting GSP. "I don’t think he's hurt. He’s scared." 'GSP, GSP' they crowd in the events center chanted. Penn had kind words for Diaz, who had admitted in the lead up to this contest that Penn had been his first MMA idol. "It sucked when I learnt I'd be fighting him," said Diaz. Most likely felt something similar to that for Penn to lose to a protegee. Always gracious Penn said: "Hats off to Nick Diaz, he was the man in there tonight. But it's time for me to call it a day. I have a daughter, another on the way, and i don't want to go home looking like this."

Time will tell.

Dana White said afterwards: "Diaz can fight. Penn got busted up tonight. Nick Diaz is the real deal. And what a warrior BJ Penn, there were moments in that third round even when he was exhausted he was firing back…"

Frenchman Cheick Kongo emerged victorious against Matt Mitrione. Kongo did just enough to take the first round against Mitrione and completely outstruck the American in the second. He then slammed his opponent to the ground twice in round 3. The canvas vibrated with the combined weight of the two big men thumping onto the surface. From the top, he threw strikes and elbows. I had it 30-27.

Roy Nelson ended the career of the ever popular Mirko Cro Cop. “I’m getting too old for this s***. I want to fight for the heavyweight championship. I want the winner of [Junior] Dos Santos and [Cain] Velasquez,” said Nelson.

Kongo also stated afterwards that he wants a re-match with Velasquez, to whom he lost in their first meeting, and a shot at the heavyweight title belt. The contenders are stacking up.

Nelson had Cro Cop onto the ground in the opening round, having taken the famed left leg strike of the Croatian and a left upper cut. Nelson appeared to rock Cro Cop with a right hand early in the second round, then slipped. Cro Cop, seizing his moment, let fly with a welt of left hands, as Nelson covered up. The American recovered to get a takedown. Nelson had Cro Cop in crucifix for the final minute, pounding his opponent from above. After a quiet start to third, Nelson unleashed a big straight right, Cro Cop fell flat, and ‘Big Country’ pounced, pounding at the fallen Croatian. It brought him a TKO victory.

Donald Cerrone bulls Dennis Siver in another impressive display

Donald Cerrone against Dennis Siver was always destined for something special.

They stood, they threw, Cerrone conquered. Siver’s world was rocked by a heavy left leg kick from ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, leaving his legs jiggly, although the German scrambled to recover his feet and land with a left-right combination.

Seconds later, Siver was off balance again, stumbling out of contact, and to the ground. Cerrone galloped after his foe. Flattening Siver out, the submission by rear naked choke was inevitable. As Siver reddened, the canvas got thumped by the flat of the German’s hand. It took Cerrone 2 minutes 22 seconds to complete the rout. Title shot ? Maybe not for two fights, but certainly Cerrone is now heading that way.

Bart Palaszewski reckons he broke both hands KO-ing Tyson Griffin

Bart Palaszewski knocked out Tyson Griffin with a barrage of punches in the opening round of their 148lb fight after Griffin weighed in at 149 yesterday. The veteran of 48 fights, making his UFC debut, rocked Griffin with two left hands, and as his opponent covered up, he let fly like a threshing machine. He cut Griffin to the floor, his legs crumpling like a loose shirt. Dramatic finish.

Brandon Vera lost soul of the light-heavyweights

Strange to see Brandon Vera not even headlining the prelims. Time was when he was talked about in the same buffed terms as Jon Bones Jones is today. The world was Vera's oyster. He was the next best thing. He defeated Frank Mir. Would he go on to be a double divisional champion. Vera defeated Eliot Marshall, winning the first two rounds, but was dangerously rocked in the third. But the bigger picture is that the enigmatic fighter now resides in the wilderness of the roster. So much talent. Such a waste.

FULL RESULTS from UFC 137:

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Middleweight bout: United States Dustin Jacoby vs. United States Clifford Starks

Starks defeated Jacoby via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Middleweight bout: United States Chris Camozzi vs. France Francis Carmont

Carmont defeated Camozzi via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27).

Lightweight bout: United States Ramsey Nijem vs. United States Danny Downes

Nijem defeated Downes via unanimous decision (30–25, 30–26, 30–27).

Light Heavyweight bout: United States Brandon Vera vs. United States Eliot Marshall

Vera defeated Marshall via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28). This fight aired on the Preliminary card after the Siver / Cerrone fight.

Preliminary card (Spike TV)

Catchweight (148 lb) bout: United States Tyson Griffin vs. Poland Bart Palaszewski

Palaszewski defeated Griffin via KO (punches) at 2:45 of round 1.

Lightweight Bout: Germany Dennis Siver vs. United States Donald Cerrone

Cerrone defeated Siver via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:22 of round 1.

Main card

Featherweight bout: Japan Hatsu Hioki vs. United States George Roop

Hioki defeated Roop via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28).

Bantamweight bout: United States Scott Jorgensen vs. United States Jeff Curran

Jorgensen defeated Curran via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27).

Heavyweight bout: Croatia Mirko Filipović vs. United States Roy Nelson

Nelson defeated Filipović via TKO (punches) at 1:30 of round 3.

Heavyweight bout: France Cheick Kongo vs. United States Matt Mitrione

Kongo defeated Mitrione via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–27, 29–28).

Welterweight bout: United States BJ Penn vs. United States Nick Diaz

Diaz defeated Penn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28).

USC football: Referee comments on controversial end of regulation play

After USC's 56-48 triple-overtime loss to No. 4 Stanford, USC Coach Lane Kiffin said he was disappointed with the officials because there should have been one second left on the clock at the end of regulation to kick a possible game-winning field goal.

The situation occurred after receiver Robert Woods caught a pass from quarterback Matt Barkley and tried to get out of bounds on Stanford's sideline. Officials ruled that Woods was tackled before he got out of bounds to stop the clock.

Kiffin said he told an official that he was going to call a timeout with one second left. He also said that the referee told him after a replay ruling that if there was one second left, he wouldn't have time to call a timeout.

"But I've been around football long enough and seen plenty of timeouts called with one second left on the clock," he said. "That isn't my opinion and I'm not complaining. I'm just stating the facts."

Referee Mike Batlan said time had expired.

"The ruling on the field was that we were going to overtime," Batlan said. "Through review, it was seen that the knee was down and time had expired, and therefore we were headed to an overtime peirod.

"Any coach can ask for a timeout, but he doesn't get one until the official grants or signifies it. I was not part of any conversation or meeting with regards to a requested timeout. I really can't comment any further after the review and ruling on the field."

RELATED:

Photos: USC vs. Stanford

Stanford defeats USC, 56-48, in triple overtime

Bill Plaschke: Trojans work hard but don't play smart against Cardinal

--Gary Klein

Photo:USC receiver Robert Woods catches a touchdown pass behind Stanford cornerback Barry Browning in the second overtime at the Coliseum on Saturday night. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Metro Pucks Weekly: Blown Leads, a Controversial Call and a Lot of Losses

Our weekly review of the performances of the three local N.H.L. teams.

Grades

Rangers: The win Monday in Winnipeg was quickly forgotten, as the Rangers had a miserable pair of losses to open their schedule at the remodeled Madison Square Garden. They were beaten in every aspect of the game in the second and third periods of a 4-2 loss to Toronto on Thursday. They also blew a 4-1 lead in the third period to Ottawa and eventually lost the game, 5-4 in the shootout Saturday. “Some of the details of our game are still weak,” Coach John Tortorella calmly said after the deflating loss to the Senators. “Until we get the solid foundation of the details, we’ll sputter.” They face a big challenge Monday when the Sharks come to the Garden. Grade: C minus

Devils: After an impressive 3-0 win in Los Angeles on Monday, New Jersey ended its road trip with losses in Phoenix and Dallas. The Devils were unable to score clutch goals in the third period of their losses. Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise, their go-to stars for offense, were both scoreless and minus-2 Saturday in Dallas. Coach Peter DeBoer was very pleased with the effort in Dallas. “I told the guys after the game if we play like that, we’ll win a lot more than we lose,” he said. New Jersey plays the surging Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center on Wednesday. Grade: C

Islanders: They have lost five games in a row, but it was not all bad for the Islanders this week. After getting shut out by the Penguins at home Tuesday, they took a 2-0 lead but lost, 3-2, in the shootout Thursday in Pittsburgh. They outplayed San Jose on Saturday but lost a heartbreaker in overtime when the Sharks scored a power play goal after a mistake by the on-ice officials. The Islanders do not play again until Thursday, when they host Winnipeg. Grade: C minus

Blown Call of the Week

Early in 4-on-4 overtime on Long Island on Saturday, Travis Hamonic cleared the puck off the top of the glass and into the stands. However, the two referees and two linesmen did not see the puck hit the glass and Hamonic was given a two-minute penalty for delay of game. Brent Burns scored for the Sharks 38 seconds into the power play for the win. The decision was particularly galling to the Islanders because the officials met to discuss Hamonic’s clearing attempt and still got it wrong. Under the rules, referees are not allowed to consult video replay for a better look. Here it is:

Metro Players of the Week

Dan Girardi, Rangers; Andy Greene, Devils; Marty Reasoner, Islanders – A loss-filled, star-less week like this presents a good opportunity to salute unheralded players who rarely hear their names called out for the three stars of the game. Girardi continues to play big minutes for the Rangers while Marc Staal is sidelined and management struggles to find defensemen the coaching staff can trust. Girardi played half of the 65-minute game Saturday. Greene, the Devils’ smooth-skating defenseman, had two assists and was plus-5 over three games this week. Reasoner, the journeyman grinder the Islanders signed as a free agent in July, has been a strong penalty killer and was dominant on faceoffs against the Sharks.

Trending

Down: Brandon Dubinsky – This is how badly the season is going for the Rangers’ forward: on Saturday against Ottawa, he created more and was as active as he’d been in any game his season, and he still ended up  minus-2 with two shots on goal in 21 minutes of ice time. Dubinsky has not scored a goal through nine games in 2011-12.

Up: Brad Richards – Although he was outworked by Milan Michalek on the game-tying goal for the Senators, Richards showed signs of life in his offensive game, scoring two goals and adding an assist on Saturday.

Up: Adam Henrique – The Devils’ rookie center has played well since his recall to replace Jacob Josefson. Saturday in Dallas, he won 7 of 11 faceoffs and admirably returned to the game after blocking a shot with his right foot at the end of the second period.

Down: Devils’ “Dirty” Goals – New Jersey scored just six goals in three games this week. A grinding team, the Devils need to crash the opposing net more frequently and with more tenacity.

Up: Travis Hamonic – The Islanders’ second-round draft pick in 2008 has emerged as one of the league’s finest young defensemen in his own zone. Hamonic possesses strength, toughness and hockey sense.

Down: Islanders’ ticket sales – On Saturday, the franchise honored Pierre Turgeon and the rest of the 1993 Patrick Division playoff champions and offered 50 percent off tickets to anyone who showed up in a Halloween costume. Announced attendance was 11,742. For a heavily promoted rivalry matchup against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Nassau Coliseum was only half full.

This Week’s Head-Scratcher

Islanders Coach Jack Capuano said Evgeni Nabokov, after allowing just two goals in 65 minutes Thursday in Pittsburgh, “was fatigued and not feeling well.” Nabokov was replaced for the shootout by Rick DiPietro, who had yet to play this season. Nabokov said he sustained an injury during the first period, played through the discomfort, but “Jack pulled the trigger” to substitute DiPietro. The Islanders lost the shootout because they failed to score on their three tries while Evgeni Malkin scored on DiPietro. Capuano didn’t come close to making eye contact with reporters in Pittsburgh after the loss, and don’t be surprised if we learn more of this story down the road.

UFC: Carlos Condit steps aside for GSP to face Nick Diaz next

Nick Diaz will face Georges St Pierre for the UFC welterweight title next up, in the wake of his victory at UFC 137 over BJ Penn. Diaz told a Mandalay Bay Events Center crowd he thinks UFC champion Georges St-Pierre faked an injury in order to avoid the fight. "He's not really injured; he's scared," said Diaz.

The move earned St-Pierre's attention, and UFC president Dana White confirmed at a news conference an hour later that Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside in order to make the fight. St Pierre said: "This is what I wanted since the beginning. Let's do what was supposed to be done originally. I've always wanted this fight — now I want it even more. I can't wait for Superbowl weekend."

White said: "Condit has agreed that he will fight on the same event. We spoke about it and if he wins, he will fight the winner of Diaz and GSP."

White announced the change with Diaz in attendance at press conference. Diaz then complained his preparation for the Penn fight and the lead up to the card. Diaz and his camp appear to believe that the fighter should not have been withdrawn from the original main event against St-Pierre. His manager Cesar Gracie echoed similar views after the news conference. But now it's game on.

Stanford 56, USC 48 (final, 3 overtimes)

USC played No. 4 Stanford even.

The Trojans forced the high-powered Cardinal into triple overtime and appeared on the verge of sending the game into a fourth extra period.

That’s when it all went bad for the Trojans.

Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley recovered a fumble by USC running back Curtis McNeal in the end zone,  sending the No. 20 Trojans to a 56-48 defeat before a stunned crowd of 93,607 Saturday at the Coliseum.

Stanford stayed on track for a possible national title and improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the Pacific 12 Conference.

USC fell to 6-2 and 3-2 in conference play.

Regulation ended with the score tied, 34-34, sending USC into its first overtime game since losing in triple overtime at California in 2003.

Stanford got for the ball first at the 25-yard line and used seven plays to take a 41-34 lead on Jeremy Stewart’s one-yard touchdown run.

The Trojans matched it with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Robert Woods.

Stanford then opted to defend at the start of the second overtime and USC converted with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Matt Barkley to tight end Randall Telfer for a 48-41 lead.

Luck tied the score with an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Levine Toilolo.

The Cardinal then went ahead on Stepfan Taylor’s five-yard touchdown run and Luck’s two-point conversion pass to tight end Coby Fleener.

Stanford extended its nation-best winning streak to 16 games.

--Gary Klein

RELATED:

USC vs. Stanford photos

Stanford 56, USC 48 (final)

It's finally over.

UFC 137: Legends BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop retire in Octagon after defeats

UFC legends BJ Penn and Mirko Cr Cop retired in the Octagon tonight on Las Vegas after their respective contests. Cro Cop was stopped by Roy Nelson; Penn decided to call it a day after a mainly stand-up war with Nick Diaz in which the ramparts were slowly taken apart.

UFC 137 BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz Live Results: Cro Cop, Penn Retire?

UFC 137 takes place from Las Vegas Saturday night headlined by a welterweight bout between Nick Diaz and B.J. Penn. Both are action fighters with fan pleasing styles. Diaz is looking to secure a UFC welterweight title shot against Georges St. Pierre, a fight he had scheduled before he skipped a pair of press conferences promoting the event. Penn is a former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion, one of St. Pierre's top career rivals.

Dustin Jacoby vs. Clifford Starks

Jacoby is an undefeated Illinois prospect making his UFC debut. He possesses unusual height for a middleweight fighter. Starks is an undefeated Arizona Combat Sports fighter with a collegiate wrestling background also making his UFC debut.

Round 1. Neither man throws much at the start of the contest. Each throws out a few jabs, with Starks collecting a little bit more. Starks connects with a few straight punches but they don't have a lot of power behind them. Starks lands a straight right punch that is the best blow of the round three minutes in. Jacoby answers with a couple of quality hooks. As Jacoby throws a punch, Starks changes levels and secures a takedown with 30 seconds left in the round. Jacoby looks for a kimura as the round comes to a close. Dull round. 10-9 Starks.

Round 2. Jacoby lands a hard straight right punch early in the round. Jacoby then lands a spinning back kick to the body. Jacoby lands another straight right punch moments later. Starks responds by getting more aggressive, moving forward with straight punches. There is very little diversity in the offense of either man. Starks takes Jacoby down with two minutes left into the round. Starks throws punches and some elbows from inside Jacoby's guard. Starks is pretty active throwing punches towards the end of the round and pulls ahead in the scoring. 10-9 Starks.

Round 3. Starks lands a nice overhand right early in the round that connects solidly on the chin of Jacoby. Jacoby counters Starks well as Starks moves in. Jacoby lands a nice knee to the head but Starks then takes him down 90 seconds into the final stanza. Starks just methodically pounds away from inside Jacoby's guard while Jacoby isn't able to do much at all off his back. Jacoby looks for a kimura again with a minute and change left in the round. Starks tries to pass guard and ends up in half guard towards the end of the fight. 10-9 Starks. Jacoby is not a UFC caliber fighter.

Winner: Clifford Starks, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Chris Camozzi vs. Francis Carmont

Camozzi is an Ultimate Fighter alumnus with a 2-1 UFC record. Carmont trains out of the Tristar Gym in Montreal and has a 16-7 MMA record. Georges St. Pierre, who was originally supposed to headline this card, is in Carmont's corner.

Round 1. Carmont lands a few leg kicks early. He takes Camozzi down 40 seconds in but Camozzi is able to work his way back up. Camozzi then looks for a takedown of his own halfway through the round. Carmont avoids that and they separate. Camozzi again looks for a takedown and eats some knees to the body in the process. Carmont then reverses and looks for a takedown of his own. Carmont hits a spinning back elbow and breaks. Camozzi presses forward with punches and a nice flying knee to the head before pressing Carmont back against the cage. They jockey for position as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Carmont.

Round 2. Carmont looks for a high front kick and a few hooks from close range early, but Camozzi closes the distance and presses Carmont back against the cage. They struggle back and forth for position next to the cage. Neither man is able to come close to a takedown but Carmont does use some effective knees to the body. He lands some more heavy knees and Camozzi backs up. Carmont mixes in knees to the body and head and has Camozzi in a little bit of trouble up against the cage. Carmont grabs a body lock and slams Camozzi down spectacularly. Carmont postures up high and drops down some punches. He lets Camozzi up but as Camozzi gets up, he is dropped with a big right hook/left hook combination and Carmont looks to finish the fight. Camozzi is able to weather the storm and looks for a guillotine choke at the close of the round. Carmont won that round decisively but not quite enough for 10-8. 10-9 Carmont.

Round 3. Carmont comes out swinging with big punches as Camozzi just covers up. Camozzi then looks to counter with punches of his own and presses Carmont against the cage. Carmont quickly reverses and lands some knees. They separate and Carmont opens up with leg kicks and straight punches. Carmont is pulling away. Camozzi lands a couple nice straight punches and pushes Carmont against the cage. Carmont pushes him off and takes him down. Carmont can't get a position he likes on the ground and lets Camozzi stand back up. Camozzi grabs a standing kimura as the round comes to a close and drops down. He cranks the arm and shoulder pretty well but Carmont holds on for the end of the round. 10-9 Carmont, 30-27 Carmont.

Winner: Francis Carmont, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27).

Danny Downes vs. Ramsey Nijem

Downes is as unintimidating looking a fighter you're going to find, but he sports an 8-2 record and fights out of the highly respected Duke Roufus team in Milwaukee. Nijem was runner up on the last season of the Ultimate Fighter, gaining notoriety (perhaps infamy) for acting like a stripper.

Round 1. Nijem immediately lands a nice left/right combination. He charges forward with additional punches and takes Downes down. The rest of the round consists of Downes trying to get up only to be continually pulled back down. Nijem lands a few punches standing and then takes Downes back down. Downes keeps trying to fight up but Nijem dominates the round. 10-8 Nijem.

Round 2. Nijem lands a nice straight right punch and takes Downes down again. Downes gets up but is yanked back down. Nijem takes Downes' back and spends the rest of the ground looking for a rear naked choke submission. Downes looks in big trouble but is able to avoid the submission repeatedly. 10-8 Nijem.

Round 3. Nijem lands a few hard punches, a knee, and takes Downes back down again. Downes in trying to get up again gives up his back. Nijem looks for a rear naked choke but Downes is able to avoid getting caught. Nijem flattens Downes and lands some punches from the back. He looks for the rear naked choke again but can't get it. Downes is able to hang on for the final bell. This fight almost felt cruel, with Downes on defense for practically every second but refusing to give up. 10-8 Nijem, 30-24 Nijem.

Winner: Ramsey Nijem, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25).

Apparently some judges are completely opposed to the notion of a 10-8 round. How on Earth does someone get no offense for the entire 15 minutes and only lose 30-27? That's as baffling a score as imaginable.

Brandon Vera vs. Eliot Marshall

Vera is a charismatic muay thai and jiu jitsu fighter who was once considered an elite prospect but has had a disappointing career. Marshall is 3-2 in the UFC and coming off a loss to Luiz Cane.

Round 1. Vera connects with a hard right hook and left body kick. Vera lands another hard left body kick and throws a flying knee to the body. Vera then pushes Marshall up against the cage. He can't get much in the way of offense or a takedown so he backs off. Marshall pushes forward with hard hooks and appears to stun Vera temporarily. Vera clinches and pushes Marshall against the cage. They battle for position against the cage until they are separated with a minute left in the round. Vera connects with a leg kick well but neither man is able to land much as the round concludes. Very close round. 10-9 Vera narrowly.

Round 2. Vera lands a kick to the body and kick to the leg early. Marshall throws a hook to the chin and looks for a takedown. Neither man is able to accomplish much at all pressed against the cage. Vera finally executes a trip takedown two minutes into the round. Vera drops a few elbows from close position. Marshall gets up with 90 seconds left but eats a knee to the head in the process. They clinch against the cage for most of the remainder of the round. 10-9 Vera.

Round 3. Marshall drops Vera with a straight right punch. Vera scrambles to get out of danger but he is dropped again by another heavy punch. Marshall moves in looking to close the fight but Vera recovers and stands back up, which the crowd heavily applauds. They then trade big hooks and Vera pushes Marshall against the cage. They eventually break and Marshall looks for a takedown. He gets it this time and takes Vera's back. Marshall has two hooks in and throws punches looking to get a rear naked choke. He then transitions to an armbar and looks to extend it pretty well. Vera is barely able to escape the submission and he throws down some elbows as the round closes. 10-8 Marshall, 28-28 draw.

Winner: Brandon Vera, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Tyson Griffin vs. Bart Palaszewski

Griffin was once considered an elite lightweight fighter but a string of setbacks led him to drop to featherweight. He missed weight by three pounds yesterday. Bart is a tough WEC and IFL veteran making his UFC debut.

Round 1. They exchange punches to start, with Griffin landing the best of the bunch, a straight right. Bart throws a pair of front kicks, something that we've seen with increasing regularity throughout 2011. Bart lands a good right cross and Griffin lands one of his own shortly thereafter. Bart stuns Griffin with a left hook and Griffin backs up against the cage. Bart opens up with a rapid fire series of punches against the cage. Griffin covers up and blocks most of the punches but he lets his guard down momentarily and Bart gets through with a left/right combination that drops Griffin and the fight is stopped. Griffin may be cut from the UFC, a development that would have not long ago seemed unthinkable at this stage of his career.

Winner: Bart Palaszewski, TKO, round 1.

Dennis Siver vs. Donald Cerrone

Siver is a German kickboxer with solid takedown defense. He has won four straight fights and seven of eight in the UFC. Cerrone is a rapidly improving tall lightweight contender with a well rounded skill set and a big fanbase.

Round 1. Siver connects with a couple punches right on the chin of Cerrone and a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Cerrone lands a leg kick and then fires a head kick that connects with the knee to Siver's head. Siver is momentarily stunned and looks for a takedown. Cerrone defends against the cage while Siver regains his composure. They separate and a scramble ensues for position. Siver appears to simply slip and Cerrone dives in from behind with a rear naked choke for the submission.

Winner: Donald Cerrone, submission, round 1.

Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop

Hioki is one of the world's most highly regarded featherweights and is making his UFC debut. Many Japanese fighters coming over to the States have not done well, so the question is whether he can have the same performance here that he did in Japan. Roop has a 12-7-1 record and is coming off an impressive win over Josh Grispi.

Round 1. Hioki goes for a head kick and then lands a nice hook. Roop lands a head kick of his own. They exchange heavy hooks from close range. Hioki catches a Roop kick and looks for a takedown but Roop isn't off balance enough to come close. Hioki clinches and looks for the takedown against the cage. Roop defends and they grapple for position against the cage. Hioki throws a few knees to the body and Roop looks to push him off. Hioki steps over a leg and looks to grab Roop's back but doesn't come close. Hioki finally gets the takedown with a minute left in the round. Hioki ends up in side control. Roop tries to get up but can't do so. He throws some elbows from the bottom and stands back up. Roop lands a few punches against the cage as the round concludes. Very close round. 10-9 Hioki.

Round 2. Hioki lands a nice straight punch but Roop answers with a few hooks and a head kick. It's interesting to see Roop continue to be aggressive with kicks after being taken down in the first.  Roop connects with a straight punch but Hioki grabs him and gets him down with full mount. Roop tries to get him back into guard and Hioki settles for sliding into side control. Hioki works into full mount. He moves up Roop's body and appears to be looking for an armbar, but Roop shakes him lower down his frame. Hioki drops down some punches but Roop uses the opportunity to get out of mount. He lands an upkick, stands back up, and walks down Hioki with punches and kicks as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Hioki. Roop is doing much more damage but Hioki has done better with takedowns and positioning.

Round 3. Roop takes down Hioki to start the round. He then stands back up. He throws a flying knee that grazes Hioki. Hioki goes for a takedown but it is blocked. Roop grabs a clinch and they work against the Octagon. Hioki throws a few knees and Roop lands some punches from the clinch. They are separated with two minutes left in the fight. Roop lands a nice hook and takes Hioki down. If the score is 19-19, that's a smart strategy. If it's 20-18 Hioki, that's a dumb strategy. Roop throws down a few punches while Hioki uses a closed guard. Roop keeps working punches as the round closes. 10-9 Roop, 29-28 Hioki. The key is the first round, as the other two are pretty clear.

Winner: Hatsu Hioki, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Hioki after the fight declares that Japanese MMA is not dead.

Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran

Jorgensen is a solid wrestler and striker who has fought for the WEC bantamweight title. Curran is a well respected veteran of the sport and has said that if he loses this fight he will retire.

Round 1. They move to the center and immediately begin trading punches. Curran lands a nice overhand and Jorgensen takes him down. Jorgensen lands a few punches from inside Curran's guard but is mostly inactive. Curran looks to reverse to top position but can't do it. They stand back up briefly but Jorgensen takes Curran right back down. The fight is stood up with 40 seconds remaining. Curran unloads with punches, landing to Jorgensen's body and head. Jorgensen then takes Curran back down to close the round. 10-9 Jorgensen.

Round 2. Jorgensen is more aggressive with punches and lands a nice hook. Curran shoots for a takedown but Jorgensen defends easily. Jorgensen lands a series of knees to the head. They battle for position against the cage. Curran attempts a knee to the head but Jorgensen hooks the leg and takes Curran down. Curran gets up and in a scramble attempts for an anaconda choke. Jorgensen rolls out of danger. Jorgensen then takes Curran down. Jorgensen lands a little but not much and Curran works to get up as the round concludes. 10-9 Jorgensen.

Round 3. Curran is more active in the standup, although he isn't landing much. He throws some looping haymakers and mixes in some kicks as well. Curran lands a nice hook and uppercut and smiles at Jorgensen. He tries the same combination but Jorgensen defends this time. Curran scores another uppercut and a couple leg kicks. Jorgensen clinches, lands a couple knees, and looks for a takedown. They stalemate against the cage, trading knees. Curran consistently is landing better punches as the round winds down. Curran looks for a takedown but Jorgensen blocks it. 10-9 Curran, 29-28 Jorgensen. Jorgensen's going to get the decision for sure but he doesn't feel like much of a winner.

Winner: Scott Jorgensen, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28).

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson

Cro Cop is one of the best heavyweight fighters in the history of MMA, a feared striker with excellent kicks and takedown defense. However, at 37, he has rarely looked impressive in recent years. Nelson is an Ultimate Fighter winner known for his hefty physique and is now sporting a very wild beard.

Round 1. Nelson lunges forward early on, throwing wild punches that don't come close. Cro Cop throws sparingly and Nelson takes him down a little over a minute into the round. Nelson postures up and drops down some punches and elbows. As Nelson moves up, he can't secure Cro Cop's body and Cro Cop slips up back to his feet. Cro Cop nails Nelson with a strong counterpunch. Nelson lands a big overhand and Cro Cop answers back with a couple heavy punches of his own. Cro Cop follows with a nice uppercut and the crowd chants for Cro Cop. Nelson pushes forward while Cro Cop counters with clean, effective punching. 10-9 Cro Cop.

Round 2. Nelson looks to close the distance and Cro Cop pushes him off. Nelson appears to rock Cro Cop with a punch but he moves in recklessly and gets countered. Cro Cop thinks he has the fight won and unloads with a torrent of punches on Nelson. Nelson just covers up, but he is able to weather the storm and Cro Cop eventually backs off. Nelson returns to stalking Cro Cop with a bloodied face. Cro Cop throws his famous head kick but it is blocked by Nelson and they clinch against the cage. Nelson takes Cro Cop down with two minutes left in the round and moves into side control quickly. He looks to crucifix Cro Cop's arms but can't secure the right arm. He finally gets it locked in and throws down punches to the head as both of Cro Cop's arms are trapped. That was an exceedingly exciting round. Cro Cop dominated early and Nelson late. 10-9 Cro Cop.

Round 3. Nelson staggers Cro Cop with a hard overhand right. He drops Cro Cop with a right hook and takes Cro Cop's back. He opens up with huge punches and the fight is stopped. If that's Cro Cop's final fight, he went out on his shield with heart and skill and reminded fans of the prolific fighter he once was.

Winner: Roy Nelson, TKO, round 3.

Cro Cop says this was his farewell fight and thanks UFC fans and ownership. He receives a standing ovation from the crowd.

Matt Mitrione vs. Cheick Kongo

Mitrione is a surging heavyweight striker and former NFL player who has showed tremendous improvement in a short MMA career. He is overflowing with charisma and potential star power but started his career late and is already 33 years old. Kongo is a powerful French striker who has fought many of the division's best.

Round 1. Mitrione walks forward sticking his chin out in the air seemingly taunting Kongo. Neither man throws much of anything for the first couple minutes. They clinch against the cage. Nothing happens and they are separated with two minutes left in the round. Mitrione moves forward with a few punches but backs off when Kongo counters. Mitrione keeps pursuing but then backs off when Kongo doesn't throw. Kongo lands a nice right hand late in the round. Nothing much happened and the crowd heavily boos. 10-10.

Round 2. They start much more active and Mitrione lands a nice straight left up the middle. Kongo uses a few leg kicks. He then connects with a couple rights. Kongo opens up with big punches and Mitrione fires back. Kongo is landing the better blows but Mitrione is getting his shots in. Mitrione walks Kongo down but Mitrione isn't throwing a lot. Kongo continues to use leg kicks. Mitrione lands a nice straight punch. He tries to back Kongo against the cage but Kongo casually walks away. Kongo is landing more but his disinterested posture and constant backpedalling may cost him with the judges. 10-9 Kongo.

Round 3. Kongo lands a couple punches, grabs a double leg, and slams Mitrione down. Mitrione looks for a kimura but Kongo is in side control. Mitrione then looks for a knee bar but can't get it. Kongo grabs Mitrione's back and throws some punches to the side of the head. Mitrione stands back up. Kongo grabs both legs again and slams Mitrione back down. Kongo throws a few punches and elbows down and picks up the pace a little as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Kongo, 30-28 Kongo. If Kongo loses the decision, however, he has no one but himself to blame.

Winner: Cheick Kongo, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-28, 29-28).

B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz

Penn burst onto the MMA scene with world championship jiu jitsu and spectacular knockouts in the UFC at the age of 22. Since then he has become one of the sport's most popular and iconic stars. Nick Diaz is a controversial bad boy with excellent submissions and a unique striking game. He was the Strikeforce welterweight champion and now moves to the UFC looks to prove himself the best 170 pound fighter in the sport.

Round 1. The crowd is solidly behind Penn. Diaz clinches early and works against the cage with Penn. They separate and Diaz begins to open up with his punches. He lands a few quality punches and Penn goes for a takedown. A scramble ensues and Penn briefly has Diaz's back. Penn takes top position and throws some punches from half guard. Diaz gets up and looks for a takedown of his own. He can't get it so he backs up. They return to boxing, with Penn looking to get through Diaz's punches into his own range. Diaz lands some jabs and a nice straight right. Diaz begins taunting Penn. Tough round to score. Penn got the takedown but Diaz was more effective with strikes. 10-9 Diaz narrowly.

Round 2. Penn throws a few jabs and Diaz head butts the fist. They clinch and Diaz pushes Penn against the Octagon. They trade punches and Diaz is bleeding near the right eye. Penn shoots for a takedown but Diaz defends. Diaz throws a few punches to the body and head. Diaz keeps pushing with punches and is landing much more than Penn. Penn connects with a nice counter hook. Diaz is opening up with punches to the head and body. Diaz then drops down and tries for a takedown with two minutes left in the round. He can't get it and returns to striking. He backs up Penn with heavy punches that snap Penn's head back. Penn is struggling against the cage and Diaz is chasing Penn down and peppering him with punches. Penn begins answering back but can't land nearly as much as Diaz and is wobbly. Diaz is just picking Penn apart and Penn is covering up in huge trouble. 10-8 Diaz.

Round 3. Penn lands a nice counter punch early as Diaz comes forward. Penn drops down and looks for a takedown but Diaz defends. Diaz goes back to work with a series of punches to the head and Penn just can't time him. Diaz continues to follow Penn around the cage, landing punches in bunches. Penn occasionally gets in a strong counter and the crowd explodes. But Diaz is dominating. He's mixing in punches to the head and body, from all angles. Diaz throws his hands up in the air and begins taunting. With two minutes left in the fight, Penn needs a miracle. Diaz keeps walking Penn down and landing punches. Penn's face is a bloodied and bruised up mess. Diaz keeps hammering Penn but Penn shows great heart in hanging in there and firing back as much as he can. The crowd stands as the fight comes to an end. 10-9 Diaz, 30-26 Diaz. The crowd chants "GSP" as Diaz celebrates.

Winner: Nick Diaz, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28).

Diaz said he doesn't think Georges St. Pierre is hurt (he pulled out from a fight with Carlos Condit on this show) but rather scared. The crowd chants for GSP and GSP shakes his head no with a smile on his face. Penn said after the fight that he plans to retire, not wanting his daughter to see him with his face beaten up so badly.

--Todd Martin