FOOTBALL

OWENS MAY PLAY AGAINST DOCTOR’S ORDERS

Terrell Owens is treating his doctor’s orders the way he deals with pesky cornerbacks: shrugging them off and forging ahead. Philadelphia Eagles head trainer Rick Burkholder said yesterday that Owens started jogging and plans to continue rehabbing his injured ankle in an attempt to play in the Super Bowl.

Dr. Mark Myerson, the surgeon who operated on the All-Pro receiver in December, said Tuesday he would not clear Owens to suit up against the New England Patriots on February 6.The final decision on Owens’s status will come down to the player, coach Andy Reid, and the team’s medical staff. On Monday, before hearing Myerson’s bad news, Owens said: “Spiritually I’ve been healed and I believe that I’ll be out there on that field Sunday, regardless of what anybody says.”

COWHER: ROETHLISBERGER EMBELLISHED INJURY

Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was exaggerating when he said he broke two toes on his right foot during the AFC championship game, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher said yesterday.

Roethlisberger told reporters Tuesday he broke two toes while scrambling late in the first half of the Steelers’ loss to the New England Patriots. Cowher seemed irritated Roethlisberger would go public with such a claim, that, in effect, suggested the Steelers gambled with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year’s health by playing him when he was hurt.

“Ben does not have broken toes,” Cowher said.

HOCKEY

NHL, UNION PLAN MORE TALKS AFTER CLANDESTINE MEETING

Representatives from the NHL and the players union met in small groups for the third time in a week yesterday. All that is known about the meeting is that it took place somewhere in Toronto. The location was kept secret, and neither side would reveal what was discussed or if any progress was made. The only news that came out was that more talks will be held soon.

“We will meet again this week,” NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said. Daly told the Associated Press on Tuesday that discussions were at a critical stage and that only days remained to reach a deal that would save the season.

GOLF

WALDORF AMONG EARLY LEADERS AT HOPE CLASSIC

Duffy Waldorf was one of five players to shoot an 8-under 64 in yesterday’s opening round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Fred Funk, Robert Damron, Ted Purdy, and Joe Ogilvie also opened the five-day tournament with 64s.

Fred Couples, the 1998 champion, had a 65 and was in another group of five in the desert tournament where scores traditionally go extremely low. Defending champion Phil Mickelson, who also won the event in 2002, shot a 66 and was tied with six others.

David Duval shot a 10-over 82 at PGA West, 23 shots more than he took when he won the tournament on the final day six years ago, when he shot a tour record-tying 59 on the same course.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

MARYLAND UPSETS SECOND-RANKED DUKE

Nik Caner-Medley had 25 points before leaving with an ankle injury, and his Maryland teammates finished off the second ranked Blue Devils at the free-throw line in a 75-66 victory lasty night.

The Terrapins (12-5, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost three of their previous five games, all by at least 15 points. But they hung with Duke (15-1, 5-1) throughout and completed the improbable victory by allowing only two points in the final 3 1/2 minutes.

Ekene Ibekwe gave Maryland the lead for good with a tough layup in traffic off an inbounds play, set up during a timeout by coach Gary Williams. That made it 66-64 with 1:23 left, and the Blue Devils had no answer.

J.J. Redick led the Blue Devils with 20 points but also had eight turnovers, including two within seconds in the final minutes.

Top-ranked Illinois (20-0) and no. 8 Boston College (17-0) are the only teams left without a loss.

– Associated Press