Leinart gets fresh start with Texans (AP)

AP - Matt Leinart walked into the Houston Texans' locker room Wednesday with stubble on his face and a new playbook in his hand.

Davidson says he ejected fan because of slur (AP)

AP - Veteran umpire Bob Davidson says he ejected a fan at Miller Park because the fan used a homophobic slur aimed at Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

Third seed Djokovic advances to US Open semi-finals (AFP)

AFP - Blasted by the trickiest winds yet at this year's US Open, Novak Djokovic adjusted his game and blew out French 17th seed Gael Monfils 7-6 (7/2), 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the US Open semi-finals.

Football fervor returns to Northport

Crosby homers as Penguins take batting practice (AP)

AP - If the Pittsburgh Pirates need an answer to their power-hitting problems, maybe they can find it across town in Penguins star Sidney Crosby.

Vikings-Saints 'encore' kicks off NFL season (AP)

AP - The Saints' first Super Bowl title was so big in New Orleans that Mardi Gras, a revered local institution dating back well more than a century, became popularly known as, "Lombardi Gras."

Soccer coach charged with molesting seven youths

SANTA ANA – A soccer coach charged with molesting five boys has been accused of sexually assaulting two more youths, a county prosecutor said Wednesday.The new allegations against Luis Alberto Pineda, 29, surfaced after an article appeared last...

Charity golf tournament

The Marlborough golf community comes together tomorrow in the name of charity when the third annual Craigs Investment Partners Marlborough Hospice Charity Golf Classic tees off at Rarangi Golf Club.

W. Soccer. No. 21 Women's Soccer Hosts Clemson Friday Night

Women's soccer hosts the Carolina's Cup this weekend with Clemson and Furman coming to Stone Stadium. Carolina and Clemson play Friday at 7:30 p.m.

It's no Djoke: Djokovic gets last laugh (AP)

AP - A point that meant little on the scoreboard Wednesday in the U.S. Open offered a clue about the difference between a player struggling to reach the top and another who's much closer.

Morneau optimistic he'll be back this season (AP)

AP - Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau says he's still optimistic that he will play again this season even though he's been out of the lineup for two months because of a concussion.

Reggie Bush: Heisman matter 'out of my hands' (AP)

AP - Reggie Bush declined to go into any detail Wednesday on what he knows about the status of his 2005 Heisman Trophy.

Basketball: Serbs topple champions, Turks send fans wild

ISTANBUL—Serbia caused a huge upset at the basketball world championships on Wednesday knocking out champions Spain, 92-89, in the first quarter-final, while later Turkey joined them in the last four with a 10,000 strong home crowd carrying them to an easy victory over Slovenia.

Tennis: NZer bows out of US Open

New Zealand tennis player Ben McLachlan and his Irish doubles partner, Sam Barry, have been knocked out of the US Open junior boys doubles competition in New York today.They lost a tight second round match to the Brazilian combination...

Gillis takes the long way to the BMW Championship (AP)

AP - Living off fast food and pocket change as you chase a dream from one small tour stop to another is easy — romantic, even — when you're young and have no responsibilities.

Former NBA player Rumeal Robinson guilty of fraud (AP)

AP - Rumeal Robinson, who led Michigan to the NCAA men's basketball championship in 1989 and later played in the NBA, was convicted in federal court Wednesday of borrowing more than $700,000 for a sham business deal and then spending the money on a condominium, expensive furniture and cars.

Basso, Sanchez headline ProTour's North American debut (Reuters)

Reuters - Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso and Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez are among the big names competing in Canada this week as the ProTour arrives on North American soil for the first time.

Flying to a college football game? Take these tips (AP)

AP - Smell the tailgate party — it's college football season. But if you're flying in for a game, you might be headed for a headache. Cutbacks at major airlines have made flight choices more difficult this fall, especially to smaller college towns. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your trip:

Medford Basketball Fall Basketball signups begin Sept. 11

Medford Basketball Fall Basketball will be held at Medford High School for boys and girls, grades 1-8, beginning Saturday Sept. 25. This will be an eight-week Saturday program to teach the fundamentals of basketball.

Soccer seeks reversal of early fortune

The three-time defending league champion WHS Soccer varsity will do the chasing instead of the leading after a season opening 4-1 loss to the St. Gregory Hawks last Tuesday.

Homestead-Miami off 2011 IndyCar schedule (AP)

AP - Homestead-Miami Speedway is off the 2011 Indy Racing League schedule, a decision that some of the series' top drivers are not thrilled about.

Baseball. Kansas Baseball Unveils 2011 Schedule

Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced Wednesday that the Jayhawks' 2011 schedule has been finalized. The 55-game regular season includes 27 contests at Hoglund Ballpark, including games against Big 12 rivals Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Kansas State.

Tennis-Men's tennis tour considering extended off-season

The men's tennis tour is in talks to implement a two-week extension to its off-season in time for the 2012 season, the head of the men's ATP tour said on Wednesday.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Draft leftovers offer good value

Nobody wins a fantasy football league without working the waiver wire. Players get hurt. Starters get benched. Wideouts don't get many targets. A fantasy squad at the end of a season could look radically different than it did in Week 1. The draft is when you do all your trash talking, but the waiver wire is where you win your league.

Golf is rewarding sport for Lonoke’s Robinson

Ryan Robinson received his first golf set when he was 1 year old, and nine years later he has amassed 50 awards, trophies and medals.

FOOTBALL: Darin powers Pioneers past Lutheran Westland

The 2010 football season is young, but it hard to find player who has had a greater all-around impact on his team than Gabriel Richard’s Gino Darin.

SOCCER: Huron rebounds from league loss

The Huron soccer team rebounded from a loss to Grosse Ile by hammering host Flat Rock 8-1 last a week ago.

Saban: Ingram probably won't play Saturday (AP)

AP - Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram is unlikely to play for No. 1 Alabama against No. 18 Penn State on Saturday.

Golf Tournament to Benefit MASE Charter School

A charity golf tournament scheduled for Oct. 11 at Glen Eagle Golf Course will benefit the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering. The cost is $20...

Baseball Kicks Off Fall Practice, Welcomes 18 Newcomers

The University of Tennessee baseball team will kick off the fall portion of its practice on Wednesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium

Golf course transition to private management complete

The Mt. Graham Golf Course is under new management, but not much has changed. Burt Watkins is still the golf pro; prices have remained the same; and the holes are where they were.

W. Soccer. Clemson Women's Soccer Team to Face #21 South Carolina On the Road Friday Night

The Clemson women's soccer team will travel to Columbia, SC this weekend to compete in the Carolina's Cup. The Tigers will face 21st-ranked South Carolina on Friday, September 10 at 7:30 PM at the Gamecocks' Eugene E. Stone III Stadium. In its second game of the tournament, Clemson will face High Point on Sunday, September 12 at 12:00 PM, also at Stone Stadium.

W. Tennis. Auburn Women's Tennis Team Kicks Off Fall Season Hosting SEC Opener

The Auburn women's tennis team opens the 2010 fall season this weekend at the SEC Fall Coaches' Classic at the Yarborough Tennis Center.

Clemens' lawyers ask NY judge to toss suit (AP)

AP - A defamation lawsuit against Roger Clemens should be thrown out because the seven-time Cy Young Award winner was merely trying to defend himself against his former personal trainer's doping allegations, Clemens' lawyers argued Wednesday.

Baseball. John Pawlowski Contract Extended Through 2015

Auburn baseball coach John Pawlowski, who directed Auburn to its first Southeastern Conference Western Division title in 15 years in 2010, has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension through 2015, announced Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs.

Football player in critical condition

A football player was hospitalized after he took a bad hit during practice at Spruce Creek High School.

Golf classic raises more than $6,000

FAYETTEVILLE -- The first Lee Crawford Memorial Golf Classic on Aug. 11 at Penn National Golf Course in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, raised more than $6,000.

Football. One-on-One with: Daymond Patterson

While Kansas football dropped its season-opener to North Dakota State Saturday, junior wide receiver Daymond Patterson enjoyed a stellar game individually. The junior from Mesquite, Texas ran for 63 yards and caught four passes for 66 yards. KUAthletics.com caught up with the rising junior.

Football, RazorRock Rally dominate week

Football is in the air and on the ground in North Little Rock.

Tennis: Jones back after injury

New Zealand No 1 Sacha Jones has made a successful return to tennis after a long injury break. Jones, sidelined by an abdominal injury since January, took a set to find her feet at the $25,000 ITF Pro Circuit Tournament in Cairns...

Tennis team nets second place

NEBRASKA CITY – The Waverly tennis team is beginning to pick up the pace.

Soccer: Madison Hall of Fame's 2010 class a diverse cast

The second class of the Madison Area Soccer Hall of Fame includes an original member of the 56ers, an early ambassador of the game, a pair of transplanted Africans and the first two officials to be honored.

Baseball starts fall practice

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The 2011 edition of the East Carolina baseball team will open fall practice Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 8 at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium under the direction of sixth-year Head Coach Billy Godwin.

Baseball's great Triple Crown race

Triple Crown fever has struck the National League as Joey Votto and Albert Pujols, the matched set of big-hitting first basemen in the formerly compelling NL Central race, both rank among the league leaders in each of the three Triple Crown categories (batting average, home runs, and RBIs). So who has the best chance to win baseball's first batting Triple Crown since 1967 and the first in the ...

Katarina Witt takes bigger role in Munich 2018 bid (AP)

AP - Stung by a lingering land dispute with farmers and the sudden resignation of its CEO for health reasons, Munich is relying on figure skating great Katarina Witt to lift the city's bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Golf report: Cink aims for Tour Championship spot

Football: Ponies host Park in season opener

Two football teams on opposite ends of the league standings start the season in the same position when Stillwater hosts Park-Cottage Grove in Friday's season opener at Pony Stadium. The games also serves as Parents Night for the Ponies.

Soccer Aces open Big Eight play with win over Mt. Vernon

The Mt. Carmel Soccer Aces opened Big Eight Conference play Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Mt. Vernon, Ind.

W. Basketball. Wake Forest Announces 2010-11 Women's Basketball Schedule

Wake Forest's women's basketball 30-game regular season schedule was announced by the Atlantic Coast Conference office on Wednesday afternoon. The Demon Deacons will begin the season on Nov. 14, as they host North Carolina Central at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

FIBA: All basketball worlds drug tests negative

Basketball's governing body says there have been no positive results from more than 60 random drug tests conducted at the world championship.