FLORIDA STATE HEAD COACH TO RETIRE AFTER THIRTY-FOUR YEARS

Bobby Bowden announced Tuesday that he would retire as head football coach at Florida State after a 34-year tenure in which he transformed a college football outpost into a perennial national power. Bowden, 80, met with his team Tuesday afternoon before making official what most knew was inevitable over the past few days: that it was time for him to move aside for Jimbo Fisher, the head coach in waiting. Bowden will coach the Seminoles (6-6) in their bowl game, then step down. He will retire as the second winningest coach in major-college football behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno. Bowden has won 388 games to Paterno’s 393.

~STORY OF THE WEEK~COLTS CLINCH
UNDEFEATED INDIANAPOLIS HEADED TO
PLAYOFFS WITH DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

The unbeaten Indianapolis Colts are the AFC South champions, the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns and the Colts rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit yesterday to beat the Houston Texans, 35-27, for their 20th straight regular-season victory. Indianapolis (11-0) is one win shy of the Patriots’ NFL-record 21-game run from 2006-08. The Colts can tie the record next weekend at home against Tennessee. The Colts improved to 15-1 all time against Houston (5-6) in their fifth straight come-from-behind win. “We don’t get overexcited certainly when things aren’t going the way we want them to,’’ Manning said. “We don’t panic, we don’t yell, we don’t throw helmets. We just try to put the series behind us and move on to the next one. There was a lot of that [yesterday].’’ Manning threw two first-half interceptions, but had a pair of second-half TD passes, including a 6-yarder to Dallas Clark that gave the Colts a 21-20 lead with about nine minutes left. Clint Session stretched the lead to 8 points when he returned an interception by Matt Schaub 27 yards just seconds later. “That’s a good team over there, but we’re the Colts,’’ Session said.

GASOL & UNSTOPPABLE LA SHOWING POTENTIAL FOR TITLE REPEAT

Pau Gasol scored 22 points to lead seven players in double figures and also had 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers won their fifth straight game with a 130-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. Ron Artest added 19 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Kobe Bryant had 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals after a slow start to help the Lakers to their highest point total of the season. Los Angeles had plenty of offensive power to beat the Warriors for a sixth straight time, getting 13 points and five assists from Derek Fisher and 12 points and seven boards from Andrew Bynum. Reserve Shannon Brown added 17 points, including two spectacular dunks. Monta Ellis scored 18 points and Corey Maggette had 17 points and six rebounds in Golden State's third straight game without ill coach Don Nelson, who is fighting pneumonia. Nelson is expected to miss two more games before rejoining the team for Thursday night's home game against Houston. The Lakers won all four meetings with the Warriors last season and have swept the season series in three of the last four years.

DALLAS DOMINATING DIVISION

NOWITZKI & FIRST PLACE MAVS CRUSH INDIANA

Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Nowitzki, who entered the night sixth in the NBA at 26.9 points per game, made 10 of 14 field goals and 11 of 13 free throws. Jason Terry scored 17 and Kris Humphries added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks (12-4), winners of five straight road games. Danny Granger, who missed Wednesday's victory over the Clippers with a sprained ligament in his left knee, finished with 20 points for the Pacers (6-8). Indiana guard Mike Dunleavy returned from a right knee injury and scored 13 in his season debut. The Mavs are in first place in the Southwest.

BRONCOS CRUSH GIANTS ON THANKSGIVING DAY
The Giants vs Broncos score had different stakes than it did about a month ago. Back then, the Giants vs Broncos game looked to be a match up of conference leaders. Instead, the Giants and Broncos were playing to save their playoff hopes, since the two teams couldn't buy a win in the last month. But on this Thanksgiving, the Giants vs Broncos score finally gave Denver a win, and doomed New York to even more dire straits - especially after losing 26-6. The Giants vs Broncos score was controlled by Denver from the start, and it could have been worse than it was. New York held Denver to two early field goals, but the Broncos finally broke through with a touchdown in the second quarter. Eli Manning never got on track, and neither did the Giants running game. Just a week after the Broncos most humiliating loss yet to San Diego, facing the Giants became their best medicine. The Giants vs Broncos game reminded Denver fans of the good old days, back when they were 6-0. Kyle Orton was efficient and turnover free again, rookie Knowshon Moreno had his best game of the year, and the Broncos defense returned to its old dominating self. (USAToday)

MOMENTOUS COMEBACK
LIFTS HEAT IN FLORIDA MATCH UP
Michael Beasley dunked a missed shot by Dwyane Wade with 1.6 seconds remaining, lifting the Miami Heat to a 99-98 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Wade's jumper was short, and Beasley soared in the air to take the rebound and seal the victory, which didn't come without controversy. Dwight Howard and the Magic bench pleaded for a goaltending call to no avail. A desperation heave by Vince Carter wasn't close on the other end, and he tumbled into the stands off balance. All this came after Jason Williams missed two free throws that could have put Orlando ahead by three. Beasley had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Wade overcame a slow start to finish with 24 points to help Miami rally from an 11-point deficit, snapping the Magic's five-game winning streak. (AP)

~STORY OF THE WEEK~WIZARDS WIN ONE FOR THEIR FALLEN ABE POLLIN

AFTER LOSING AN ICON, WIZARDS WIN IN D.C
The Washington Wizards were allowed a chance to honor a legend last night, with a 108-107 victory over former Head Coach Eddie Jordan and the Philadelphia 76ers. Antawn Jamison led all scores with 32 and picked up 14 rebounds for his third double-double in just four games. If the return of former Head Coach Eddie Jordan wasn't enough to make last night's home game emotional for Washington, the news of Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who passed away in the early afternoon at the age of 85, gave players, staff, and fans alike an extra reason to pause, and quite a few more reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Pollin was instrumental in the placement of the Verizon Center, which hosted last night's game. He paid $200 million dollars out of his own pocket to build the then MCI Center in 1997, and the project revitalized downtown Washington D.C. and created a hub for restaurants and hotel chains.

DESPITE INEVITABLE, LIVERPOOL GOES OUT WITH VICTORY

Liverpool was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stage despite a 1-0 win at Debrecen in Budapest on Tuesday, while Fiorentina and Arsenal qualified for the first knockout stage. Barcelona, the defending champion, revived its campaign with a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 triumph over visiting Inter Milan in the night’s top match, scoring twice in the first 26 minutes on goals by Gerard Piqué and Pedro. Arsenal reached the last 16 for the 10th season in a row with a 2-0 win over Standard Liege. Fiorentina advanced by beating Olympique Lyon, 1-0, on a penalty kick by Juan Vargas to join Girondins Bordeaux, Manchester United, Chelsea, Porto and Sevilla in the next round. Fiorentina’s win ended Liverpool’s chances in Group E. Liverpool, which has won the Champions League title five times, arrived in Hungary knowing its fate was largely out of its hands. David Ngog’s goal in the fourth minute was in vain.

WITH A RARE 7-6 WIN, COWBOYS REMAIN IN FIRST

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys were awful on offense for a second straight week. This time, they were lucky to be playing the broken-down Washington Redskins. Romo led only a single scoring drive, hitting Patrick Crayton for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 2:41 left, and it was enough to give Dallas a 7-6 victory over Washington on Sunday to preserve first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys (7-3) avoided getting shut out the previous week by scoring with 38 seconds left, then almost saw it happen again. This would've been especially stunning since the Redskins (3-7) were down to third-stringers at running back and right guard and came in without their expensive defensive tackle and a star tight end. They'd also never shut out Dallas in the previous 98 meetings. In other news, the Saints and Colts remained undefeated Sunday, both improving to 10-0.

COYOTES UPSET FLYERS IN PHENOIX

Keith Yandle and the Phoenix Coyotes took advantage of the Philadelphia Flyers' momentary confusion Saturday night. Yandle scored a power-play goal with 9:41 remaining to help the Coyotes beat the Flyers 3-1 on Saturday night for their second victory in three games. "I just found a lane and Lombo (Matthew Lombardi), he's a great passer," Yandle said. "He found me and I shot it where I wanted it. It's usually not like that." Lombardi had a power-play goal and an assist, and Shane Doan added an empty-net goal without putting the puck in the net for the Coyotes. Scott Hartnell scored for the Flyers, who have lost two straight after winning seven of their previous eight. Phenoix is now 13-9, poised to make the playoffs.

BUCKS ON FIRE BEHIND ROOKIE
Brandon Jennings was a man of his word Friday night. "I've got to be a little more aggressive in the beginning," Jennings said before the game, noting that his Milwaukee Bucks were without injured center Andrew Bogut and guard Michael Redd, two of the team's best offensive threats. Jennings delivered with 17 first-quarter points on his way to 29 as the Bucks held off the Charlotte Bobcats 95-88 at the Bradley Center. Milwaukee completed a six-game home stand by winning five and improved to 7-3. Based on percentage, the surprising Bucks lead the Central Division, although the 9-4 Cleveland Cavaliers are actually a half-game ahead. Bogut, averaging 16.1 points and 9.2 rebounds, is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. Redd, who has missed the last eight games with a strained left patellar tendon, could return on the upcoming four-game road trip. The Bucks also were without key bench player Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who missed his second straight game with a sprained left foot. Forward Hakim Warrick contributed 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench, and starting forward Ersan Ilyasova continued his strong play with 13 points and seven boards. (NBA.com)

EGYPTIANS RIOT AFTER WORLD CUP DEFEAT

History has proved that there are two subjects that will move Egyptians to pour into the streets in riotous numbers, crashing windows, burning cars, battling one another and defying an army of club-wielding riot police officers. One is the price of bread. Another is soccer, as was proved again this week after Egypt’s national team was defeated by its bitter rival Algeria, losing a berth in the World Cup tournament next year and sparking a riot outside the Algerian Embassy in Cairo late Thursday night. But there was a pronounced difference between the bread riots of 1977 and 2008 and the soccer riot of Thursday night: the government quieted those earlier outbreaks by quickly lowering the price of bread, while this week it stoked outrage against Algeria. Egypt had defeated Algeria 2-0 in Cairo on Saturday to set up Wednesday’s climactic playoff in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. After Egypt lost the second match, the government withdrew its ambassador from Algiers and accused Algerians of menacing Egyptian fans after the game. President Hosni Mubarak’s eldest son, Alaa, a wealthy businessman, sounded as if he were calling his nation to war. “We were being humiliated and we can’t be silent about what happened there,” he said in a telephone call to Egypt’s most popular television talk show. “We have to take a stand. This is enough. That’s it, this is enough. Egypt should be respected. We are Egyptian and we hold our head high, and whoever insults us should be smacked on his head.” Despite the Egyptian complaints, which include accusations of stoning and machete attacks, there is no documented evidence of any Egyptians’ being seriously injured in the aftermath of the game on Wednesday, won by the Algerians, 1-0. (NYT)

FRANCE ADVANCES TO WORLD CUP

Celebrations rang out around France on Wednesday as the French national team and the team from Algeria, which used to exist under French rule, qualified for next year’s World Cup in dramatic fashion. At the Stade de France, the French national team scored a disputed goal deep into extra time to tie the match with Ireland but win the teams’ two-game playoff, 2-1. In Khartoum, Sudan, Algeria beat Egypt, 1-0, in a one-game playoff to reach its first World Cup since 1986.

A NEW YEAR, A BETTER TEAM IN OKLAHOMA

The The Oklahoma City Thunder added to their suprising

start by beating the Miami Heat 100-87 on Tuesday night. An early 20-1 run put the Thunder in control, and a 14-2 burst in the third quarter helped seal it for Oklahoma City. Jeff Green added 13 for the Thunder, who've won three straight on the road. Dwyane Wade finished with 22 points on 6 of 19 shooting and Daequan Cook scored 14 of his 17 in the fourth quarter for Miami. Jermaine O'Neal had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who visit Atlanta Wednesday for the first time since the Hawks beat Miami in Game 7 of last season's Eastern Conference opening-round series. The Thunder got off to a 6-32 start last year. This season, they're 6-5. Westbrook's 3-pointer with 6:40 left might have been the biggest blow, considering it came after he lost the dribble, while being closely guarded by Mario Chalmers and with the shot clock running down. He swished it anyway, putting Oklahoma City up 87-72. evin Durant scored 32 points, Russell Westbrook had 24 and. The Thunder are building a threat behind head coach Scott Brooks, above, and people are starting to pay attention.

~STORY OF THE WEEK~HAWKS BEST TEAM IN BASKETBALL
The Atlanta Hawks beat Portland 99-95 in overtime on Monday, spoiling the Trail Blazers' bid for a perfect five-game road trip. Joe Johnson had a game-high 35 points, including eight in overtime, as the Hawks won their fifth game in a row. Portland (8-4) entered the game winning six straight, including four in a row on the road. Johnson also nine assists while Josh Smith recorded 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Hawks (9-2). The Hawks have the best record in the NBA.

RED HOT CHARGERS MOVE INTO FIRST PLACE TIE
SAN DIEGO DEFEATS PHILADELPHIA FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN

With a dominating victory over Kansas City, a win over the Raiders and now back-to-back victories over the AFC East's Giants and Eagles, the San Diego Chargers have won four straight and improved to 6-3. After Sunday's defeat of Philadelphia, the Chragers and Denver Broncos for first place in the AFC West. San Diego is a force on fire right now, set to face the Broncos next week, in what they hope will be a division-grabbing win over a team they have lost to already this season.

~STORY OF THE WEEK~

NEW YORK DOMINATING HOCKEY

With the Buffalo Sabers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils all playing above .500, the New York area is clearly the hockey capital of America right now. On Saturday, the Rangers defeated Ottawa 2-1, the Washington Capitals fell to the first place New Jersey Devils 5-2 and the first place Buffalo Sabers defeated Philadelphia 3-2. After years of Pittsburgh and Detroit dominating hockey, this could be New York's year to shine.

NIGHTMARE IN NEW ORLEANS

LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 13 rebounds, helping Portland to an 86-78 victory over a New Orleans team on Friday night that lost Chris Paul to a sprained ankle while trying to adjust to new head coach Jeff Bower. The Hornets trailed for most of their first game since the firing of Byron Scott on Thursday. Bower and new top assistant Tim Floyd struggled to find a lineup that could score consistently even when Paul was in the game. Paul sprained his left ankle at the end of the third quarter, moments after setting up Hilton Armstrong's dunk that cut Portland's lead to 62-52. Without Chris Paul and Byron Scott, the 3-7 Hornets could be finished for good.

SHAQ AND LEBRON FORMULATE WIN IN MIAMI

LeBron James scored 34 points to power Cleveland to a 111-104 victory over Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in a National Basketball Association contest. Wade scored 36 points - his 21st straight outing of at least 20 points - but couldn't bring the Heat back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit. Mo Williams made five 3-pointers and scored 25 points for the Cavs, while Shaquille O'Neal added 14 against his former team. James, however, led the way, pouring in the Cavaliers' final eight points in the last 2:42 minutes. He finished with seven assists and went 16 for 18 from the free-throw line. Cleveland notched their highest points total of the season and handed the Heat just their second defeat. James and Wade shared a long embrace just before tipoff, and they joked during a timeout near the end of the first half. Both can opt out of their contracts next year, and on Wednesday, Wade said the pair have discussed the possibility of going to the same team. James then said he won't discuss free agency with reporters any more until the end of the season.

IN ANOTHER CLASSIC THRILLER BETWEEN DIVISION LEADERS, BLACKHAWKS WIN BATTLE

In front of a star-studded sell-out crowd Wednesday night in Chicago, the Blackhawks triumphed over the visiting Colorado Avalanche. For the third time in as many games this season, the Avalanche and Blackhawks went to a shootout. And for the third time, the home

team won -- albeit a little faster than the first two. Patrick Sharp's goal in the third round of the shootout gave the Hawks a 3-2 win over the Avs at the United Center on Wednesday night. Sharp's forehand past Craig Anderson ended the shootout in the regulation three rounds -- the Hawks needed nine rounds to win on Oct. 10, and the Avalanche won in eight rounds last Friday in Denver. "Any time you face a team so many times in a short period of time, it's pretty difficult. This is the third shootout we've had against them," Sharp said. "There aren't too many moves left, but luckily we got one in there." No one was more relieved than Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. "I'm glad it didn't go any longer than that," he said of the three-round shootout. (NHL.com)

HEARTBREAKER IN CHICAGO

Chauncey Billups didn't just sink the game-winning free throw with 0.6 seconds left Tuesday night at the United Center. The Nuggets' guard also offered up a quote-of-the-year candidate when he colorfully dissed the Bulls' reaction to Brad Miller's subsequent game-winning shot attempt, which officials ruled came after the buzzer following a lengthy video review. "I was laughing because they were dancing and jumping around like they had just made the Sweet 16,"

Billups said. The wild ending to the Nuggets' 90-89 victory prevented the Bulls from winning their first four home games for the first time since the 1997-98 season. It also wasted Joakim Noah's career-high 21 rebounds, Derrick Rose returning to form with 22 points and a solid defensive effort that limited high-scoring Denver to 41.7 percent shooting as Carmelo Anthony scored only 20 points, 11 below his average. The Bulls spent five minutes celebrating what they believed was an unlikely victory after taking possession at halfcourt with 0.3 seconds left when Billups purposely missed the second of his two free throws. Miller caught the inbound pass from Kirk Hinrich, pivoted quickly and rushed up an awkward-looking jumper from the top of the key that found its mark. On the court, official Eric Dalen signaled two points. "(Officials) told us in the huddle you can catch and throw one up there because I asked," Hinrich said. "I wanted to know if my only option was to throw it up to the rim and have somebody tip it in or throw it to somebody else and have them quick-shoot it." Crew chief Mark Wunderlich didn't comment but relayed through a Bulls media relations official that the call is a judgment call. Apparently, a replay from an overhead camera angle convinced officials that Miller didn't get the shot off in time. (Chicago Tribune)

PITTSBURGH DEFEATS DENVER

Tyrone Carter took full advantage of a rare start for the Pittsburgh Steelers by returning an interception for a touchdown in a 28-10 win over the Denver Broncos. Carter was handed the chance to start as regular Steelers safety Ryan Clark suffers from a rare blood disorder aggravated at high altitude. Carter finished with two interceptions, returning the first 48 yards for the score. Hines Ward caught two touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger as the Broncos suffered a second straight loss following a 6-0 start to the season.

CINCINNATI DOMINATING DIVISION
Cincinnati scored on its first three possessions Sunday, then spent the rest of its time chasing Baltimore's Joe Flacco around the field, setting up a 17-7 victory that kept the surprising Bengals unbeaten in AFC North games. The Bengals (6-2) can take control of the division by winning next Sunday at Pittsburgh; the Steelers (5-2) play Denver on Monday night. Cincinnati has won all four games in the division, including a sweep of the Ravens (4-4), who started fast but have self-destructed into mediocrity. (AP)

HAWKS CRUSH DENVER IN ATL

In charge of this one from the opening tip, the Atlanta Hawks won a big contest Saturday with a 125-100 triumph over the Denver Nuggets. Playing their fifth game in seven days, the Hawks were faced with a difficult back-to-back opponent in the Nuggets and crushed them with seven players in double figures and a decisive edge on the boards. For the first time all year, Atlanta had three players with 20-plus points, led by Jamal Crawford's 25, and Josh Smith and Joe Johnson with 22. The Hawks are unbeaten in three games at Philips Arena and five straight dating back to last season. In addition to the 20+ scorers, Marvin Williams finished with 14, while Maurice Evans tallied 12 and Al Horford and Mike Bibby each had 11. Horford's game-high 12 rebounds was his fourth double-double of the year. The 125 points by Atlanta were a season high, and the 30 assists equaled a team-high.

FANS CELEBRATE TITLE

Hundreds of thousands of people streamed into Lower Manhattan on Friday to help the Yankees celebrate their 27th World Series title with a ticker-tape parade. The parade started at 11 a.m. at Battery Park Place and finished roughly two hours later at City Hall Park, where Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg gave the team keys to the city.

BULLS TRIUMPHANT IN CLEAVLAND

In a wild, bloody and highly competitive match-up between the Clevland Cavilers and the Chicago Bulls Thursday night, it came down to the final seconds. Luol Deng scored 15 points and helped stop LeBron James on a drive with 3 seconds left. Derrick Rose scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and drilled a decisive jumper with 1:44 remaining to help the Bulls beat the Cavs 86-85. Last season's Rookie of the Year, Rose added 11 assists as the Bulls (3-2) held off the Cavaliers with an inspired defensive effort. Despite the loss, Lebron delieved a play for the ages.

~STORY OF THE WEEK~

YANKEES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS
NEW YORK CRUSHES PHILADELPHIA IN GAME 6 TO EARN 27TH TITLE IN THE BRONX

The New York Yankees bolted from the dugout even before the last grounder was scooped up. After waiting nine years for championship No. 27, no one would dare hold them back. "It feels better than I remember it, man," captain Derek Jeter said. "It's been a long time." Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, finally seizing that elusive title - the most in all of sports. Paint the town in pinstripes! Nearly a decade after their dynasty ended on a blooper in the desert, the Yankees are baseball's best again. Matsui, the Series MVP, powered a quick rout of old foe Pedro Martinez. And when Mariano Rivera got the final out, it was ecstasy in the Bronx for George Steinbrenner's go-for-broke bunch. What a way for Alex Rodriguez and Co. to christen their $1.5 billion ballpark: One season, one World Series crown - the team's first since winning three straight from 1998-2000. "The Yankees won. The world is right again," team president Randy Levine said. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies could not claim their second straight World Series title.(AP)

FANS AWAITING NEW YORK CHAMPIONSHIP
"There's nothing better than World Series baseball in the Bronx," she said. "I couldn't sleep last night I was so upset, but I was also so thrilled by the passion the Yankees showed in the top of the ninth, (rallying) from that big a deficit." New York will be relying on an old friend, Andy Pettite to give them their 27th ring.

PHILADELPHIA STAYS ALIVE

PHILLIES CRUSH BALL, FORCE GAME 6 AS NEW YORK BLOWS LEAD
Chase Utley turned in yet another electric postseason performance in Game 5, homering twice to drive in four runs and trying Reggie Jackson for the most home runs in the fall classic. With hits from nearly every batter, Philadelphia put to the plate Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies cruised by New York 8-6 to force a Game 6 in the Bronx Wednesday night. The Yankees lead the series, 3-2 and still need just one win to claim their 27th ring.

~STORY OF THE WEEK~YANKEES COMMAND 3-1 LEAD

NEW YORK ONE WIN AWAY FROM 27TH TITLE

Returning the favor after the New York Giants got totaled by the Philadelphia Eagles not far from Citizens Bank Park Sunday night, the Yankees took Game 4 7-4, never trailing.Bookending Alex Rodriguez's latest heroics were some by Johnny Damon, who used his head and feet to steal two bags at once. Brad Lidge blew yet another save in 2009 as the Yankees capitalized with three runs to break a 4-4 tie in the ninth. Mariano Rivera shut the door yet again. CC Sabathia threw 6 2/3 innings, keeping his team in the game. With a commanding lead, the New York Yankees are one win away from their 27th World Championship.