Section: SPO http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/SPO SPO stories from The Capital Newspaper at HometownAnnapolis.com. en Copyright (c) 2009, Capital Gazette Communications Inc., Annapolis, MD 21401 Sat, 21 Nov 09 07:50:02 +0000 nlundskow@capitalgazette.com (Editor, New Media) technician@hometownannapolis.com (HTA Technicians) <![CDATA[These teams have no defense TERPS]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-27/SPO COLLEGE PARK - Normally, nerves might affect a young quarterback in his second collegiate start. But it's the defenses that have cause for concern as the Maryland Terrapins and Florida State Seminoles square off at noon today in Tallahassee.

Maryland and Florida State haven't been able to stop anybody all season, which accounts for their disappointing showings. The Terps (2-8, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) are suffering through...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-27/SPO <![CDATA[Terrapins cruising, Hawaii is next stop]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-20/SPO COLLEGE PARK (AP) - A convincing win over New Hampshire put No. 25 Maryland in the proper frame of mind for a business trip to Hawaii.

Landon Milbourne scored a career-high 24 points, and the Terrapins cruised to an 82-55 victory last night in their final tuneup for the Maui Invitational.

Sophomore guard Sean Mosley had 13 points and a personal-best 10 assists for his first career double-double, and Eric Hayes scored 15 for Maryla...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-20/SPO <![CDATA[Giants Pierce out indefinitely with neck injury]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-19/SPO EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam yesterday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustaine...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-19/SPO <![CDATA[Portis visits concussion specialists]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-32/SPO Portis saw the same doctors who examined Eagles back Brian Westbrook, who has sustained two concussions in the last month. Portis was hurt two weeks ago against Atlanta. He did not play last week against Denver and has been ruled out for tomorrow's game at Dallas.

"We&...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-32/SPO <![CDATA[Ravens' offense in need of a jump start]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-31/SPO OWINGS MILLS - It has been six games since wide receiver Derrick Mason leapt into the air to grab an acrobatic touchdown catch against the New England Patriots.

And that Oct.4 game at Gillette Stadium marks the last time that the Baltimore Ravens have scored a touchdown in the first quarter, an alarming trend that has puzzled and frustrated the players and coaching staff.

It has been a major contributing factor toward the Ravens l...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-31/SPO <![CDATA[NFL Notes]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-06/SPO FALCONS: Falcons running back Jerious Norwood practiced yesterday for the second straight day after missing Atlanta's last four games with a hip flexor.

The Falcons (5-4) hope Norwood, who is listed as questionable for tomorow, can help stabilize his position when they visit the New York Giants (5-4).

Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner is sidelined with a high ankle sprain and not expected to play. He did no...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-06/SPO <![CDATA[Syracuse handles No. 4 N. Carolina]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-24/SPO NEW YORK (AP) - Brandon Triche and Arinze Onuaku combined for 13 points in Syracuse's 22-1 run to open the second half and the Orange went on to a 87-71 victory over No. 6 North Carolina last night in the 2K Sports Classic championship.

The Orange (4-0) were the only unranked team in the semifinals of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer but they left Madison Square Garden with blowout wins over No. 13 California and the ...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-24/SPO <![CDATA[Thunder fend off struggling Wizards]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-21/SPO OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Kevin Durant scored 35 points, Russell Westbrook added 26 and the Oklahoma City Thunder had their highest-scoring output of the season in a 127-108 victory over the Washington Wizards last night.

Rookie James Harden followed his 24-point performance by hitting his first three 3-pointers and finishing with 25 points to set another career best. Jeff Green had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Thabo Sefolosha added 16 poi...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-21/SPO <![CDATA[Bruins slip by Sabres]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-04/SPO BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Patrice Bergeron scored with 47 seconds into overtime, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres last night.

Bergeron won a faceoff and then was in the slot to tip in a shot by Zdeno Chara.

Buffalo outshot Boston 15-6 in the third period and had several good chances to take a lead against goalie Tuukka Rask, who made his third straight start.

Rask stopped 25 shots, including a point-...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-04/SPO <![CDATA[Caps' comeback falls short]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-09/SPO WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Montreal Canadiens were leading by a goal late in the game, ready to pull off a road upset of the Washington Capitals.

Then Maxim Lapierre gets sent off for hooking with 1:52 left. The Capitals pull their goaltender for the final minute. Montreal netminder Carey Price loses his stick.

And the Canadiens can't clear the zone. They are under siege with no stoppage in sight.

Talk about a frenzied two-m...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-09/SPO <![CDATA[Johnson will race for history from pole at Homestead]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-17/SPO HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) - Jimmie Johnson's run for his fourth straight Cup title starts from the pole.

Johnson turned a lap of 173.919 mph yesterday to top qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a big boost for the Hendrick Motorsports star as he tries to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive championships.

"We did an awesome job today, and I feel that the start will go smoothly," Johnson sa...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-17/SPO <![CDATA[Nationals top pick Strasburg won't need surgery]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-08/SPO WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - The Nationals say No. 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a dislocation in his left knee joint and should be fine for spring training.

Strasburg was examined yesterday by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles. The Nationals say Strasburg will not require surgery, and that treatment will include rest and physical therapy.

The San Diego State right-hander twisted his knee during a workout Thursday and has been scratc...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-08/SPO <![CDATA[Sports Briefs]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-13/SPO Top-seeded UM in NCAA final

The top-seeded Maryland field hockey team advanced to its second straight NCAA national championship game with yesterday's 7-5 victory over No. 4 Princeton.

Junior Katie O'Donnell, the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Mid-Atlantic Region's Player of the Year, had a record-breaking day with a hat trick and three assists. Her first assist came 13 minutes into th...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_21-13/SPO <![CDATA[Kicking open door to Buckeyes lore]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-17/SPO As darkness descended on Ohio Stadium and 105,455 scarlet and gray-clad fans looked on with nervous anticipation, Barclay trotted onto the field with an opportunity to beat Iowa by making a 39-yard field goal in overtime.

In just his second game as the team's s...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-17/SPO <![CDATA[Gregory gives Terps big boost]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-33/SPO COLLEGE PARK - Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams said yesterday that backup forward Dino Gregory will rejoin the team for the Dec. 12 game against Eastern Kentucky. Gregory has not yet played this season while serving a suspension for a violation of team rules.

The exact reason for the suspension has remained a mystery. Gregory acknowledged over the summer that he faced allegations of academic dishonesty. He expressed confidence a...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-33/SPO <![CDATA[Third-string QB lifts Oklahoma State]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-42/SPO STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Brandon Weeden had a choice to make: Keep chasing the big leagues or start going after dream No. 2.

Good thing for Oklahoma State he decided to drop baseball and give college football a try.

Weeden, the third-string quarterback, threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the second half last night to lead the No. 12 Cowboys back from an 11-point deficit for a 31-28 win against Colorado.

The victory ke...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-42/SPO <![CDATA[Suggs sets sights on Steelers]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-24/SPO Injured on an illegal block by Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn during Monday night's 16-0 win, Suggs has a minor tear of his medial collateral ligament and is forecasted to miss two to thr...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-24/SPO <![CDATA[Redskins' Smith having interesting year for punter]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-15/SPO ASHBURN, Va. - Hunter Smith is getting a lot of attention for a punter.

First, his position coach claimed with a straight face during training camp that Smith might be the best holder in the history of the NFL.

Then Smith showed up at practice one day wearing strange, seamless burgundy and gold shoes, a can't-miss moment for TV cameras.

In the Washington Redskins' season opener he scored a touchdown, running 8 yards ...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-15/SPO <![CDATA[Dolphins follow Williams to victory]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-36/SPO CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Turns out Ronnie Brown's season-ending foot injury didn't spell doom for the Miami Dolphins and their unique offense.

Ageless Ricky Williams did just fine in his place.

The 32-year-old Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns, and the Dolphins beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 last night to put themselves into the AFC playoff mix after a miserable start.

"Ricky ran like he ...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-36/SPO <![CDATA[Sports Briefs]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-10/SPO The Washington Nationals say No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a twisted left knee and is being scratched from his start in the Arizona Fall League championship game.

Strasburg was hurt during a workout yesterday, and an MRI exam showed inflammation. He is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles today to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

The Nationals issued a news release saying Strasburg's injury "is not considere...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-10/SPO <![CDATA[College Basketball Scores]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-30/SPO MEN

EAST

Buffalo 63, Navy 53

Lafayette 88, St. Francis, Pa. 77

Pittsburgh 71, E. Kentucky 60

SOUTH

Centenary 95, Texas Coll. 76

Coppin St. 72, Columbia Union 61

Grambling St. 75, Paul Quinn 61

Kentucky 102, Sam Houston 92

Middle Tennessee 74, Lamar 66

Miss. St. 82, SE Louisiana 67

Morgan St. 72, ETSU 61

New Orleans 74, Southern, NO 65

Old Dominion 73, Libert...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-30/SPO <![CDATA[College Roundup]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-38/SPO MARYLAND MEN'S SOCCER: Maryland utilized an up-tempo start last night to down Loyola, 2-1, in NCAA Men's Soccer Championship First Round action at Ludwig Field.

NAVY WOMEN'S SWIMMING: Second-place showings by Tara Chapmon and Thuy-Mi Dinh highlighted the opening day of competition at the Terrapin Cup for the Navy women's swimming and diving team. The Mids are in sixth place with 117 poin...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-38/SPO <![CDATA[College Schedule]]> http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-43/SPO Friday

Women's basketball

Chesapeake at AACC, 7 p.m.

Loyola at Navy, 7 p.m.

Hockey

Navy at Penn State, 9 p.m.

Water polo

Navy in CWPA Easterns, Cambridge, Mass., TBA

Women's swimming

Navy at Terp Invite, College Park, all day

Saturday

Wrestling

Navy hosting Navy Classic, 9 a.m...

]]> unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/11_20-43/SPO