COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MICHIGAN TAKES HISTORIC TUMBLE IN THE POLLS

The final fallout from a disastrous opening weekend for Michigan came yesterday, when the Wolverines dropped all the way out of the Associated Press Top 25, an unprecedented fall from no. 5 to unranked.

Since the AP poll expanded to 25 teams in 1989, no team has taken a bigger tumble in one week.

Michigan also fell from no. 5 to out of the USA Today coaches’ Top 25.

However, 22 of the 60 head coaches that vote in the poll kept Michigan in the top 25. One voted the Wolverines as high as no. 10. But it was not enough to keep Michigan out of the “others receiving votes” category between Clemson and Miami. After an opening college football weekend filled with blowouts and highlighted by Appalachian State’s stunning 34–32 upset of Michigan at the Big House, there was little notable movement in the Top 25 other than the Wolverines.

NEBRASKA GIVES CALLAHAN A NEW, 5-YEAR CONTRACT

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan has been given a new, five-year contract for $1.75 million a year. It will run through January 31, 2012. Callahan’s old contract was to run through 2008. Callahan is 23–15 in four seasons with the Cornhuskers, winning the Big 12 North championship last year. “In terms of what he’s done for the program, he has certainly met or exceeded my expectations at this juncture,” athletic director Steve Pederson said yesterday. The 51-year-old Callahan signed a six-year contract paying him $1.5 million a season when he was hired in January 2004.

NOTRE DAME’S CLAUSEN TO START AGAINST PENN STATE

Notre Dame is turning to freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen against Penn State on Saturday hoping to revive an Irish offense that looked inept in a season-opening 33-3 loss at home to Georgia Tech.

“I think he gives us the best chance of winning,” coach Charlie Weis said yesterday.

Clausen of Westlake Village, Calif., was rated by many as the top high school recruit last year. He entered the opener last weekend as the third-stringer following off-season arm surgery, because he couldn’t do enough in practice to contend for the starting job.

Weis said he chose Clausen to start against the Nittany Lions (1–0) because he is best at managing the team and because of his arm.

GOLF

PHIL MICKELSON WITHDRAWS FROM THIRD PLAYOFF EVENT

Phil Mickelson withdrew Tuesday from the BMW Championship, one day after threatening not to play because of a conflict he had with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem over issues he wouldn’t explain.

“This decision was not an easy one to make, and in no way is meant as disrespectful to the tour or ‘sending a message’ to anyone,” Mickelson said in a statement. “I’ve talked for weeks about needing to find a balance between my game, my business affairs and my family, and now is the time for me to take some time off.”

Mickelson was playing a corporate outing with sponsor Bearing Point in the Chicago area. He said he would be in Atlanta next week for the Tour Championship.

If all the best players are going to compete together in these PGA Tour Playoffs, it looks as though it won’t happen until the fourth and final event next week at the Tour Championship.

HOCKEY

ROENICK DOESN’T RETIRE, JOINS SHARKS

Jeremy Roenick thinks he still has the skills and the desire to help the San Jose Sharks’ next run at the Stanley Cup.

He’ll even keep his mouth shut to prove it.

The outspoken 37-year-old center has been a dynamic scorer and a controversial character for most of his 18-year career — but Roenick started his first day in teal with a vow to censor himself.

“It’s going to be a quiet year in terms of the verbal side of me,” Roenick said in a phone interview.