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USC's Bush Runs Off With Heisman Trophy (AP)
 AP - Reggie Bush took slow, deliberate steps to the podium and began his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech with a huge sigh of relief and a hand over his heart. He may have been the only one in the packed room with any doubt about the outcome. Once again, the sensational Southern California tailback left the competition far, far behind.
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Redick Scores 41 as Duke Crushes Texas (AP)
 AP - There was no doubt about the latest No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. There was no doubt who the top players were, either.
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Mario Lemieux Will Not Play in Olympics (AP)
 AP - Pittsburgh owner-captain Mario Lemieux won't play for Canada in the Winter Olympics following his latest medical scare, and he's got what he considers the perfect replacement in mind: Penguins rookie star Sidney Crosby.
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James Scores 52 Points, Helps Bucks Win (AP)
 AP - LeBron James scored an NBA season-high 52 points, but T.J. Ford tied his career high with 24 and Michael Redd added 23 to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-106 on Saturday night.
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Morrison's Heroics Lift No. 9 Gonzaga (AP)
 AP - Adam Morrison banked in a 3-pointer over two Oklahoma State defenders with 2.5 seconds left to give No. 9 Gonzaga a wild 64-62 comeback win over the stunned Cowboys.
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Column: Tice Fosters Vikings 'Family' (AP)
 AP - Mike Tice was talking to the media the other day, something he must find a lot easier to do now that his Minnesota Vikings have disembarked from the SS Sexcapade and are on a five-game winning streak.
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Childhood Experiences Shape Cavs' James (AP)
 AP - For an instant, LeBron James again sees life through the frightened eyes of a fatherless 8-year-old boy. Sitting in the basement conference room of Antioch Baptist Church, James has just finished handing out Thanksgiving groceries to families as needy as his own once was. A few weeks shy of his 21st birthday, the Cavaliers' superstar is allowing a rare glimpse into his well-guarded privacy during an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.
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Red Sox 'Restructuring' Could Mean Co-GMs (AP)
AP - The Boston Red Sox, who have been without a general manager since Theo Epstein walked away on Halloween, are planning a "restructuring" of their front office that could result in two of his former assistants sharing the GM job through the 2006 season.
Column: Italy Should Be Worried About U.S. (AP)
 AP - Eddie Johnson was sweating, and it had nothing to do with the opponents the United States had drawn for next year's World Cup.
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Langkow Gives Flames 2-1 Win Over Senators (AP)
 AP - Daymond Langkow scored the winning goal 3:38 into overtime, leading the Calgary Flames to a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
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Read and React: Merciless in Seattle
Seahawks fans didn't hold back in voicing their displeasure over Seattle's No. 3 spot in the latest rankings.
Bears linemen fined $50,000 each (AP)
Chicago Bears offensive linemen Olin Kreutz and Fred Miller were fined $50,000 each Friday for a fight that violated the NFL's personal conduct policy. The players were involved in the fight last month at the FBI shooting range in the Chicago area, prompting an internal investigation by the bureau. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue fined Kreutz and Miller because the league's special conduct policy...
Mularkley: Moulds suspended for conduct (AP)
Buffalo Bills coach Mike Mularkey admitted Friday that wide receiver Eric Moulds was suspended for "conduct detrimental to our team." After one of the most tumultuous weeks in Bills history, in which the Pro Bowl receiver was suspended without pay by team owner Ralph Wilson, Mularkey finally spoke to reporters about Moulds for the first time this week.
Davis hands starting job over to Foster (AP)
It wasn't exactly a concession speech, nor was it an official changing of the guard. But a proud running back stepped aside Thursday, admitting his understudy was the best man for the job. Stephen Davis has vacated his throne as the centerpiece of the Carolina Panthers' offense, gracefully handing it over to DeShaun Foster.
Seahawks put LB Jamie Sharper on IR (AP)
The NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks placed linebacker Jamie Sharper on injured reserve Friday, ending his season. Sharper, a nine-year veteran who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in April, started the first eight games this season before being sidelined by a staph infection in his right knee.
Jaguars RB Taylor to play against Colts (AP)
Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will play against Indianapolis on Sunday after missing three of the past four games because of an ankle injury, but starting center Brad Meester's biceps injury will force him to miss the rest of the season. Jags coach Jack Del Rio said Friday that Taylor would be activated for the first time since the Tennessee game on Nov.
Jags ready for hyped rematch with Colts (AP)
Most of the Jacksonville Jaguars have downplayed their matchup against the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, saying it's merely the next one on the schedule and it's important mostly because it's a division game. Defensive end Paul Spicer was refreshingly more candid. "It's going to be a game for the ages around here," he said Wednesday.
Tomlinson returns to Chargers practice (AP)
LaDainian Tomlinson practiced Friday for the first time this week as the Chargers continued preparations for Sunday's home game against the Miami Dolphins. Tomlinson, the NFL's fifth-leading rusher, bruised his chest in Sunday night's victory over the Oakland Raiders. Tomlinson said he was injured when Raiders linebacker Danny Clark dug his fist into his chest near the end of a tackle.
One more move for Saints in 2005 (AP)
Weather displaced the New Orleans Saints again Thursday, and it's getting on the nerves of quarterback Aaron Brooks. Freezing temperatures caused the Saints to move a morning walkthrough from a downtown parking lot back to the Alamodome, where the team was forced out earlier this week so the stadium could prepare for the NCAA women's volleyball tournament.
Raiders to start Tuiasosopo over Collins (AP)
Marques Tuiasosopo will start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, who benched regular Kerry Collins. With no postseason to play for, the Raiders (4-8) are casting an eye toward the future. Oakland coach Norv Turner gave Tuiasosopo the nod on Wednesday and announced that he will start Sunday on the road against the New York Jets.
Missing the magic
The Wizards' sequel to last year's playoff run seemed promising, but reviews thus far haven't been good.
Hapless Hawks shock Spurs (AP)
The Atlanta Hawks already had demonstrated that they could play with good teams -- for three quarters. On Saturday night, they finally finished a game, snapping a seven-game losing streak by beating San Antonio 94-84 to deny the Spurs their best 20-game start in franchise history. The Hawks entered the game with the NBA's worst record while the defending champion Spurs have the most wins in the...
Bucks overcome LeBron's 52, beat Cavs (AP)
LeBron James did everything but win. The 20-year-old star scored an NBA season-high 52 points, but T.J. Ford tied his career high with 24 and Michael Redd added 23 to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-106 on Saturday night. James was 19-for-29 from the floor, including 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range, and 9-for-10 from the line.
Clips beat Suns in battle for Pacific (AP)
There was much more on the line than just first place in the Pacific Division. For the Los Angeles Clippers, it was an opportunity to prove to the Phoenix Suns that they are for real. For the Suns, it was a chance to extend their nine-game winning streak. But that didn't happen, because Elton Brand wouldn't let it.
Garnett, T-Wolves slow down Lakers (AP)
After winning all four games on a West Coast road trip, the Minnesota Timberwolves returned home and feared a letdown. Kevin Garnett and his teammates quickly dashed those worries. Garnett scored a season-high 30 points, Wally Szczerbiak added 25 and the Timberwolves won their fifth straight Saturday night, 95-82 over Los Angeles to stop the Lakers' winning streak at four.
Shaq may return as early as Sunday (AP)
Shaquille O'Neal may return to the Miami Heat lineup as early as Sunday, following more than five weeks away because of a badly sprained right ankle. O'Neal missed his 18th straight game Friday night when the Heat hosted the Denver Nuggets. It's the longest injured stint for the 12-time All-Star since he missed 20 games with an abdominal strain early in the 1997-98 season when he was with the Los...
Bulls rally past Arenas, Wizards (AP)
Over three years, the Chicago Bulls had become all too familiar with celebrations at the MCI Center. This time, the Washington Wizards started reveling a bit too soon and were dealt a stunning defeat, one made even more painful by the sight of Gilbert Arenas limping off the court. The Bulls rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and finished the game with a 16-0 run Saturday night, capping...
Stevenson helps Magic beat Nuggets (AP)
The Orlando Magic knew things had to turn around at some point. Some point turned out to be Saturday night. DeShawn Stevenson scored 18 points, including several key run-sparking jumpers, and Dwight Howard had 17 points and 14 rebounds in the Magic's 94-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.
O'Neal lifts Pacers over Grizzlies (AP)
Jeff Foster is slowly but surely working his way back into the Indiana rotation. The center, playing his fifth game of the season after a long rehabilitation from a heel injury, provided a huge lift of the bench with nine points and 10 rebounds in the Pacers' 80-66 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Nowitzki, Mavs win fifth straight (AP)
With starting point guard Jason Terry hampered by a strained right hamstring, the Dallas Mavericks needed some help in their backcourt. Devin Harris gave Dallas a lift off the bench with 19 points, including a 13-for-17 performance from the free throw line, and the Mavericks extended their winning streak to five games with a 103-94 victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.
Power rankings
Sidney Crosby spoke out and said what the rest of the league already knows – the Penguins need to try harder.
Lemieux won't play for Canada in Turin (AP)
Pittsburgh owner-captain Mario Lemieux won't play for Canada in the Winter Olympics following his latest medical scare, and he's got what he considers the perfect replacement in mind: Penguins rookie star Sidney Crosby. Lemieux, talking publicly Saturday for the first time since being hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat last week, told Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky several days...
Leafs' Belfour denied milestone win (AP)
Ed Belfour failed to make history against his former team. Jon Klemm and Jere Lehtinen scored first-period goals, and Marty Turco made 19 saves to lead the Dallas Stars' to their fifth straight victory, 2-1 Saturday night over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Belfour failed in his fourth attempt to move into second place on the NHL career wins list, and Dallas won for the 10th time in 11 games.
Sharks' Joe Thornton sets scoring record (AP)
Five games into his Sharks' career, center Joe Thornton already owns a team record. Welcome to San Jose, Joe. "You just hope to come in and help win games," Thornton said after scoring a goal and recording three assists in the Sharks' 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. "This team has a lot of confidence right now and it's been fun playing out here." Jonathan Cheechoo scored...
Sens lose two straight for first time (AP)
The Calgary Flames found their offense just in time against the Ottawa Senators. Daymond Langkow scored the winning goal 3:38 into overtime, leading the Calgary Flames to a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. After Robyn Regehr intercepted Christoph Schubert's clearing attempt at the Ottawa blue line, Regehr slid a pass to Jordan Leopold who fired a slap shot on goal that Ray...
Grahame sets mark in Lightning win (AP)
Dave Andreychuk was more concerned about team consistency than breaking out of a personal slump. Andreychuk snapped an 18-game scoring drought with a power-play goal, and John Grahame set a Lightning record with his ninth consecutive win as Tampa Bay beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 on Saturday night.
Rookie Talbot helps Pens end skid (AP)
The rookie came through with one of Pittsburgh's biggest goals in a season notable mostly for the Penguins' underachievement. Only, it wasn't Sidney Crosby. Maxime Talbot scored the decisive goal in the third period and Mark Recchi, stalled for weeks in a one of the longest slumps of his career, had a goal and an assist to help the Penguins end a six-game losing streak and beat the Colorado...
Lucky bounce lifts Rangers in OT (AP)
Martin Rucinsky and the New York Rangers took advantage of shaky goalie Patrick Lalime. Rucinsky's shot from just inside the blue line hit the end glass and bounced in off the back of the Blues' goalie 1:37 into overtime, giving the New York Rangers a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night.
Ducks earn rare win in Montreal (AP)
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks put the right elements together to earn a rare win in Montreal. Petr Sykora had a goal and an assist, and Andy McDonald and Teemu Selanne each had two assists, leading Anaheim to its first win in Montreal in seven years, 5-3 over the Canadiens on Saturday night. Sykora, who missed four games with a groin strain last month and was a healthy scratch Thursday, combined with...
Radivojevic's late goal lifts Flyers (AP)
Branko Radivojevic came on the ice for defensive purposes and delivered on the offensive end. Radivojevic scored the tiebreaking goal with 53 seconds left in the third period, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Mike Knuble set up Radivojevic's goal by knocking the puck out of the air, breaking in from the slot and getting a shot on goaltender Manny...
Observations
NASCAR's new TV deal made a splash, but Wall Street doesn't necessarily approve.
Motorsports companies down after NASCAR TV deal disappoints (AP)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Shares of motorsports companies fell Thursday after NASCAR's new television rights...
NASCAR agrees to eight-year television package with five networks (AP)
When no one else wanted NASCAR on its networks, ESPN was thrilled to air everything it could as an eager partner in the grass-roots effort to build stock car racing into a major sport.
NASCAR signs deals with ABC, ESPN, FOX, TNT, SPEED (SportsTicker)
BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - NASCAR soon will be all over the dial.
Toro Rosso makes Speed first US F1 racer since 1993 (AFP)
Scott Speed will become the first American to race in Formula One since Michael Andretti's ill-fated 1993 flop when he takes the wheel in 2006 for Scuderia Toro Rosso, the team confirmed.
NASCAR annoyed with drivers who skipped New York ceremonies (AP)
NASCAR officials are ``extremely disappointed'' in Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other drivers who failed to attend the season-ending awards ceremonies.
Stewart cashes in on record year (AP)
Tony Stewart's best year in NASCAR's Nextel Cup series reached the bottom line Friday, with the two-time champion setting a record for single-season earnings.
Earnhardt named most popular once again (AP)
Dale Earnhardt slipped this season in the points standings, but not in the popularity department.
Humbled Busch on hand for season-ending ceremonies (AP)
It took two quiet weekends out of a race car for Kurt Busch to realize he needed an attitude adjustment.
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