LSU holds on against short-handed Tar Heels 30-24 (AP)

LSU linebacker Stefoin Francois, left, breaks up a touchdown pass attempt to North Carolina tight end Zack Pianalto on the final play of the game during a NCAA college football game at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Atlanta. LSU defeated North Carolina 30-24. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)AP - With the NCAA lurking around Chapel Hill and some of its best players sitting in the stands, North Carolina found itself in a most improbable position.


No love lost: Sharapova blanks Capra 6-0, 6-0 (AP)

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns the ball to Beatrice Capra of the United States at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)AP - Maria Sharapova knows the story all too well: An unknown American kid shows up at the U.S. Open, upsets a seeded player, gains some buzz and belief, then gets a shot at Sharapova in the third round.


Dalton leads No. 6 TCU to 30-21 win over Oregon St (AP)

Oregon State wide receiver James Rodgers (8) looks for running room against TCU cornerback Greg McCoy (7) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)AP - The TCU Horned Frogs realize they likely will have to be perfect again in the regular season for the chance at a BCS do-over.


Rooney set for Swiss despite reports (AFP)

England striker Wayne Rooney, pictured, is expected to shrug off lurid reports about his private life to travel to Switzerland for a Euro 2012 qualifier.(AFP/File/Pierre-Philippe Marcou)AFP - England striker Wayne Rooney is expected to shrug off lurid reports about his private life to travel to Switzerland on Monday for a Euro 2012 qualifier.


Arizona Cardinals release quarterback Matt Leinart (AP)

FILE In this Jan. 3, 2010, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) throws as Green Bay Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush, bottom, defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals have released Leinart, ending a rocky stint with the team that began with fanfare as he was drafted 10th overall in 2006 and ended this preseason with the former USC star taking a backseat to Derek Anderson. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)AP - The Arizona Cardinals have released Matt Leinart, parting ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner who was supposed to be the team's franchise quarterback but couldn't escape the backup role.


Spagnuolo names Bradford as Rams starting QB (AP)

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford throws during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)AP - No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford will start at quarterback in the regular-season opener at home against Arizona next weekend.


No. 1 Alabama rolls past San Jose State, 48-3 (AP)

Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones makes a diving one hand grab of a pass for a touchdown during the first half against San Jose State in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.  (AP Photo/The Decatur Daily, Gary Cosby Jr.)AP - After a tough week for the defending national champions, No. 1 Alabama enjoyed its dress rehearsal before 100,000-plus fans.


DE Jay Richardson among Raiders cuts (AP)
AP - Coach Tom Cable called this year's roster cuts the most difficult in his four years with the Oakland Raiders.
Talbot helps Indians down Mariners 4-2 (AP)

Seattle Mariners' Matt Tuiasosopo watches a called third strike go by to end the eight inning during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Seattle. Tuiasosopo left two runners stranded.  (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)AP - Mitch Talbot allowed an unearned run in 6 2/3 innings to help the Cleveland Indians top the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Saturday night.


Guard Delonte West returning to Celtics (AP)
AP - Delonte West is returning to the Boston Celtics.
No. 12 Wisconsin runs over UNLV 41-21 (AP)

Wisconsin's Montee Ball (28) falls across the goal line for a touchdown against UNLV in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)AP - Two first-half blunders by Wisconsin allowed UNLV to stay close, even though the Badgers had dominated the first two quarters.


Anton takes lead on tragedy-hit Tour of Spain (AFP)

Spanish Igor Anton of Team Euskaltel-Euskadi celebrates on the podium of the Tour of Spain in Xorret de Cati. Anton took the overall leader's red jersey after the first mountainous stage of the Tour of Spain on Saturday which was won by France's David Moncoutie.(AFP/Jose Jordan)AFP - Spanish rider Igor Anton took the overall leader's red jersey after the first mountainous stage of the tragedy-hit Tour of Spain Saturday which was won by France's David Moncoutie.


Devils get Kovalchuk, NHL-union get long-term deal (AP)

FILE - In this April 6, 2010, file photo, New Jersey Devils left wing Ilya Kovalchuk  skates against the Atlanta Thrashers during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Five weeks after rejecting the Russian's landmark 17-year, $102 million contract with the Devils, the league approved a revised 15-year, $100 million deal on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, after reaching an agreement with the NHL Players Association on an amendment covering long-term contracts. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith, File)AP - The New Jersey Devils did more than sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a $100 million contract.


Ivanovic comeback faces stiff test in Clijsters (AFP)

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays against Virginie Razzano of France during their US Open 2010 match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York September 3. The former world number one slumped for two years before starting a comeback that has taken her to the fourth round of the US Open and a showdown with defending champion Kim Clijsters.(AFP/File/Timothy A. Clary)AFP - Former world number one Ana Ivanovic slumped for two years before starting a comeback that has taken her to the fourth round of the US Open and a Sunday showdown with defending champion Kim Clijsters.


Schulz shoots 64 to take Champions Tour lead (AP)
AP - Ted Schulz shot an 8-under 64 — his best competitive round in nearly 20 years — at Pebble Beach on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead over first-lead leader Mark Calcavecchia and Tom Kite in the First Tee Open.
Fighting words: UFC chief to speak at Oxford club (AP)
AP - The distinguished Oxford University debate club has featured such speakers as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Malcolm X.
Time for Money Mayweather to shut up and fight (AP)

Boxer Manny Pacquiao, center, of the Philippines listens to a question after a pre-fight news conference promoting his upcoming bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. Pacquiao faces Antonio Margarito, of Mexico, Nov. 13, for the WBC junior middleweight title. AP Photo/LM Otero)AP - Give Floyd Mayweather Jr. credit for one thing. Like any great fighter, he knows when to turn and run.


Castroneves stretches fuel to win Indy 300 (AP)

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, celebrates in victory lane after winning the IndyCar Series' Kentucky Indy 300 auto race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)AP - Helio Castroneves crossed the finish line in front.


WADA reports breakthrough in gene doping tests (AP)
AP - Two groups of scientists have developed tests for gene doping in what the World Anti-Doping Agency hailed Friday as a major breakthrough in fighting the next frontier in cheating in sports.