Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo used his two picks Sunday on Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, a surprising decision that left Darren Clarke off the European team for the first time since 1995. Clarke figured to be a likely choice because he played on the last five teams and has won twice on the European Tour in the last four months.
Roger Federer stayed perfect at this U.S. Open, beating Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 Sunday and breezing into the round of 16. To win his first Grand Slam of the season, the No. 2-ranked Federer needs to take his fifth straight title at Flushing Meadows. He has not lost a set in three matches, and raised his right fist after zinging a final, winning forehand down the line.
Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies to give him extra rest because of a tired arm. Sean Marshall started the finale of a four-game series against the Phillies at Wrigley Field. Zambrano, a 13-game winner this season, is 1-1 over his last five starts, twice failed to get out of the fifth inning and has seen a drop-off in…
Missouri and Illinois played another wild one, combining for 92 points and 1,081 yards while leaving fans of both schools totally wrung out by the finish. Again, the sixth-ranked Tigers held on for the win. Sean Weatherspoon bailed out a leaky defense with two late takeaways and Jeremy Maclin had a 99-yard kickoff return and 45-yard punt return before leaving in the fourth quarter with a sprained…
It’s Kyle Busch — again.
Nick Saban may face his toughest task yet: Holding down runaway expectations for his inexperienced Alabama team. Crimson Tide’s $4 million-per-year coach gave Alabama backers a reason to think big Saturday night, leading ‘Bama to thorough 34-10 beating of No. 9 Clemson 34-10 at the Georgia Dome. “Nobody can be satisfied with a one-game performance,” Saban said.
Sam Querrey is so young that there isn’t a trace of irony when he mentions growing up rooting for Andy Roddick and James Blake, two guys still very much on tour and still in their 20s. Querrey is so new to this whole professional tennis gig that there is nothing but earnestness in his voice when he admits he’s excited his matches are on TV.
Nick Saban’s plan to bring No. 24 Alabama back to prominence looks way ahead of schedule. As for No. 9 Clemson, another big game ended with the Tigers on the losing end. The Crimson Tide had little trouble rolling past Clemson 34-10 at the Georgia Dome on Saturday night, the biggest victory in coach Saban’s two seasons at Alabama.
Michigan’s new era opened in a painfully familiar way for the 100,000-plus fans at the Big House: With an ugly-looking loss. Rich Rodriguez’s debut as Wolverines coach was spoiled when Utah’s Brian Johnson threw for 305 yards and a touchdown and Louie Sakoda kicked four field goals, providing enough scoring to hold on for a 25-23 win Saturday.
Michigan’s new era opened in a painfully familiar way for the 100,000-plus fans at the Big House: With an ugly-looking loss. Rich Rodriguez’s debut as Wolverines coach was spoiled when Utah’s Brian Johnson threw for 305 yards and a touchdown and Louie Sakoda kicked four field goals, providing enough scoring to hold on for a 25-23 win Saturday.