COLLEGE FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATED PRESS DEMANDS REMOVAL OF POLL FROM BCS RANKINGS

The Associated Press will remove its college football poll from the formula used by the Bowl Championship Series to determine which two teams play in its championship game and the three other BCS bowls.

Kevin Weiberg, the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference and coordinator of the BCS, received a letter yesterday from the AP, which said it was concerned about the BCS formula and being included in it. The AP said in its letter that the BCS’s use of its poll had never been sanctioned.

“BCS has damaged and continues to damage AP’s reputation for honesty and integrity in its news accounts through the forced association of the AP Poll with the BCS rankings,” stated the letter. “AP hereby demands that BCS immediately cease and desist from all current and future use of the AP Poll in producing the BCS rankings.”

The wire service said some of the voters in the poll indicated they might stop participating because they didn’t think the reporters should be so closely involved in the process of selecting a national champion. Weiberg said the BCS would consider alternatives to the AP poll and continue to evaluate its formula at future meetings.

– Bloomberg News Services

GEORGIA TECH WHIPS SYRACUSE IN CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

Reggie Ball threw two touchdown passes, ran for another score, and led Georgia Tech to a 51-14 win over Syracuse in the Champs Sports Bowl last night. Ball also got plenty of help.

P.J. Daniels ran 17 times for 119 yards and two scores, Calvin Johnson set a school record for touchdowns by a freshman with his seventh, and the defense set the tone by returning an interception for a touchdown on the second play of the game. The unit added a safety with 1:42 to play. Even special teams played a role, blocking a punt in the first quarter that the Yellow Jackets (7-5) converted into a touchdown.

The loss was the worst in a bowl game for Syracuse (6-6) since 1953.

– Associated Press

BASEBALL

DEAL TO BRING BASEBALL TO D.C. BACK ON TRACK

The proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington passed its biggest hurdle yesterday when the District of Columbia Council reversed course and approved a ballpark financing law that eliminated a provision that threatened to scuttle the deal. The new law appeared to be acceptable to Major League Baseball, which last week put the move on hold after the council inserted a provision that mandated private financing to cover at least half of the cost of the project, estimated at $435 million or more.

After an amendment was passed calling for Washington and baseball to share the cost for insurance limiting the city’s liability on cost overruns and completion delays, the council voted 10-3 to repeal the so-called “sunset” provision. The council then voted 7–6 to approve the revised law, which urges private financing but does not require it. Council Chair Linda W. Cropp said the changes could save the city more than $193 million.

– Associated Press

MOOKIE WILSON NAMED MANAGER OF BROOKLYN CYCLONES

The Brooklyn Cyclones announced yesterday that Mookie Wilson, 48, will be their manager for the 2005 season. Wilson replaces Tony Tijerina at the helm of the Mets’ Class-A New York-Penn League affiliate.

Wilson, a key member of the 1986 championship Mets squad, managed the past two seasons for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian Rookie League. Tijerina piloted the Cyclones to a McNamara Division title in 2004, and was re-assigned to be the Mets’ director of minor league field coordination.

– Staff reporter of The Sun

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NO. 4 NORTH CAROLINA ROLLS OVER VERMONT

Rashad McCants bounced back from a brief benching to score 19 points and Sean May led the way with 20, helping no. 4 North Carolina beat Vermont 93-65 last night. Jawad Williams added 15 points and Raymond Felton had 10 for the Tar Heels (9-1), who have won nine straight since an opening loss at Santa Clara.

After arriving late, McCants told coach Roy Williams that he got stuck in traffic. His punishment was not starting for the first time this sea son, but he only missed about 4 1 /2 minutes before he left the bench.

– Associated Press

FOOTBALL

DARIUS FINED FOR HIT ON FERGUSON

Jacksonville safety Donovin Darius was fined $75,000 by the NFL yesterday for a hit across the neck of Green Bay’s Robert Ferguson that left the wide receiver temporarily paralyzed. Darius, who was ejected from the game, wasn’t suspended because league disciplinarian Gene Washington noted that this was the first time he had been fined for a violation.

– Associated Press