Filed under: Missouri, Nebraska, BCS, Big 12, Top 25

LINCOLN, Neb. — Seventh-ranked Missouri played well enough in three of four quarters against Nebraska on Saturday to remain undefeated. The Tigers played well enough in three of four quarters to make sure that last week’s win over then-Bowl Championship Series standings leader Oklahoma was worth it. And, of course, Mizzou played well enough in three of four quarters to give the Huskers a memorable going-away present.

Too bad for that one quarter.

A lousy opening 15 minutes — combined with a magical, record-setting performance by Cornhuskers running back Roy Helu Jr. — spelled familiar doom for Missouri here at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers couldn’t overcome a 24-zip deficit in the first quarter and Helu’s 307 rushing yards, falling 31-17 and tumbling from the ranks of the unbeatens and into a first-place tie with the Cornhuskers in the Big 12 North.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY VIRGIN MEDIA VIEWSONIC VERISIGN VERIFONE HOLDINGS

It’s pretty easy being green if you’re a Silicon Valley notable apparently. We just got word that Paul Buchheit, creator of Gmail, Friendfeed and now a Facebook employee, has surpassed Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz’s 70K contribution to the Yes on Prop 19 campaign.

VEECO INSTRUMENTS VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES UNITED ONLINE UNISYS TRIQUINT SEMICONDUCTOR TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS

Filed under: Giants, Rangers, MLB Playoffs, World Series

ARLINGTON, Texas — Eight and a half years ago, Colby Lewis took the mound in a spring training game in Tampa, Fla., and blew away the Yankees. He faced seven hitters, retired them all, struck out three, hit 97 mph on the radar gun and showed a big, hard curve.

And with that, Lewis, at 22, clinched a spot on the Rangers roster.

Fast forward to Saturday, and Lewis has been handed the responsibility of saving Texas’ chance at its first World Series title as the starter for Saturday’s Game 3 against San Francisco.

It was a long trip, literally and figuratively, from hot prospect to a true pitcher who this postseason is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three starts.

SPSS SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS SONIC AUTOMOTIVE SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS SILICON LABORATORIES SI INTERNATIONAL

Filed under: Heat, Magic

MIAMI — The city of Miami had to wait 113 long days since the biggest prize in 2010 NBA free agency, LeBron James, announced his intentions to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to play for the Miami Heat for this night. The fans couldn’t even enjoy a sneak preview of what was to come when Wade went down with an injury three minutes into the preseason at home against the Detroit Pistons. But the wait to see their home team finally playing their stars at the same time for a full game while making a quantum leap in team chemistry made it all worth it.

“The crowd was amazing,” remarked Wade after the game. “We were very satisfied with the energy and the atmosphere that was in the building tonight. When they come out that way and support us we want to give them our best effort. And that’s what we did.”

The media earlier in the day pounced on the news that a couple of hundred tickets were still available for the game several hours before tip-off, leading many to speculate that it wouldn’t be a sold out event. Those concerns were officially put to rest by the punctual and rowdy crowd that had the arena shaking with each basket the Heat made. And yes, the arena was officially listed as a sellout with 19,600 in attendance.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS SRA INTERNATIONAL SPSS SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS SONIC AUTOMOTIVE SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS

The prefight hype job is done. The fellas weighed-in earlier today. The time is almost here to see the next in Brock Lesnar’s evolution as an MMA fighter. At the weigh-in, he looked leaner. Imagine a faster Lesnar, who may be more comfortable on his feet. That’s a scary proposition.

When he first hit the big stage with the UFC, Cain Velasquez was touted as the future of the division. His chance to take out the massive UFC heavyweight champ has arrived. Yahoo! Sports’ lead MMA writer Kevin Iole was one of the first media members to jump on the Cain train. Is he still as confident in Velasquez as he gets ready to step in with the monster? Iole gives his analysis of the main event, the lead-in fights and lists a couple of upset possibilities from the undercard in Anaheim.

Yahoo’s coverage of UFC 121 officially begins at 8 p.m. ET with special preview show that includes host Dave Farra speaking with Yahoo! writers Iole, Dave Meltzer and Dave Doyle plus fighters Vitor Belfort and Urijah Faber. Famed 90′s rap star MC Hammer will be on the show as well with Skyscrape from TapouT. Watch here.   

EMC ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS ELECTRONIC ARTS ECLIPSYS EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK

Good thing George Steinbrenner doesn’t run the UFC. The recently deceased Yankee owner required that his athletes be clean shaven. A "Big Stein" versus Brock Lesnar showdown over facial hair may have been one for the ages. Lesnar loves his new whiskers, telling the audience and media at the UFC 121 prefight press conference that the beard is staying.

"I’m keeping it. I’m going hunting. I’m leaving the next day and heading up to Canada," said Lesnar. 

Lesnar is embracing his Nordic looks.

"It’s cold out. I’m going to get in the viking ship and row my way up into the great white north," chuckled Lesnar.

The beard may take on a pinkish hue if Lesnar gets cut like he did in the fight against Shane Carwin. He might look like his wrestling buddies Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes when they used to slice themselves open.

Lesnar also added that he’s happy to visit Canada even though that’s where he experienced a lot of medical missteps before his stomach ailment was correctly diagnosed back in the U.S.

"I love Canada. I’ve got a house in Canada. I love the hunting," said Lesnar. "I could’ve been anywhere and got poor service. I’ve been in the United States and gotten poor service."

When he first returned to fighting, Lesnar angered many Canadians by ripping their healthcare system.

GOOGLE GOOGLE FORMFACTOR FISERV FIRST SOLAR FINISAR FEI COMPANY

Filed under: Northern Illinois, TCU, Troy, Utah

While Utah coach Kyle Whittingham wouldn’t classify his team’s first seven games as easy, he knows that the toughest obstacles in staying undefeated lie ahead.

The Utes have games against Air Force, TCU and San Diego State, three of the top four teams in the Mountain West and the only ones likely to attend bowls this season. They also play at Notre Dame and host rival BYU to finish the regular season.

“We’ve played some pretty good football and we’ve played some pretty good teams,” Whittingham said. “Pittsburgh is sitting atop the Big East right now. Iowa State is sitting right in the middle of the Big 12 at 2-2. So there have been some challenges prior, but we realize the meat of the schedule is upcoming.”

The tough road begins this weekend at Air Force. The Utes have won six of the last seven meetings, but each of the last five games has been decided by a score, including last year’s 23-16 overtime win.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

GOOGLE GRUPO IUSACELL HARRIS HCL TECHNOLOGIES HEWLETTPACKARD HIGH TECH COMPUTER HON HAI PRECISION IND

UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and his opponent Cain Velasquez started their combat sports career on the same place: the wrestling mat. Both wrestled at the NCAA Division I level with storied programs. Lesnar wrestled at Minnesota during one of their best stretches, and Velasquez for Arizona State, a program that has been a factory for fighters.

What were their careers like?

Lesnar was a one-time champ, winning in overtime in 2000 over Iowa’s Wes Hand. However, the close win over Hand — a wrestler nowhere near Lesnar’s size — is not what Lesnar is remembered for among collegiate wrestling fans. In his junior year, Lesnar met Stephen Neal from Cal. State-Bakersfield in the finals. Both behemoths, they walked through the tournament, with few other wrestlers near their size. Lesnar lost the match 3-2. With that loss, he handed the team title to Minnesota’s nemesis, Iowa. He graduated without winning a team title with the Golden Gophers. Neal went on to win the world title and then a successful career with the New England Patriots.

When Velasquez wrestled, he was considerably undersized. An All-American in 2005 and ’06, Velasquez had a hard time getting by Minnesota’s Cole Konrad — now the Bellator heavyweight champion — and Olympian and Iowa/Oklahoma State wrestler Steve Mocco. In both ’05 and ’06, Velasquez lost to the much-larger Konrad in the semifinals.

Velasquez’s lack of a national title should not be mistaken for a lack of wrestling pedigree. When Velasquez was a heavyweight at ASU, the field was much tougher. His lack of size didn’t keep him from winning 77 times in his career. He had a spark as a wrestler that made fans watch him, and it didn’t take a genius to see that he was headed for something bigger.

Lesnar was memorable, too, because it was impossible to ignore someone of his size. He muscled his way to wins, pinning his way to the finals in 2000. However, technically strong wrestlers gave him trouble. Hand had beat Lesnar during a match earlier in the season, and Lesnar barely won in the finals.

Now, the two fighters with similar sports backgrounds will meet up for the UFC heavyweight title. Their wrestling prowess set them up for their careers as fighters, but we’ll see on Saturday who can use their skills to win the belt.

Thanks to my friends at the Wrestling Talk for help with brackets.

OPENWAVE SYSTEMS ON SEMICONDUCTOR NVIDIA NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS NOVELLUS SYSTEMS NOVELL NETWORK APPLIANCE

by Chris Tomasson

Filed under: Nuggets, NBA Rumors, NBA Coaches, NBA Preseason, Sports Business and Media

DENVER — To cut to the chase, Denver coach George Karl wants to return next season with a multi-year contract extension.

Karl isn’t ready to make an ultimatum. But that time could come for Karl, who signed a one-year contract extension last February to take him through this season.

“I don’t like being a businessman,” Karl said in an interview Monday with FanHouse. “But, if that’s what I have to be, I will be.”

Karl, who Wednesday against Utah will coach his first regular-season game since March 16 before he missed the final 1 ½ months of last season due to a form of throat cancer, said there haven’t been contract discussions yet with management. But, he wants to return next season to the Nuggets.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

COMMSCOPE COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS COMPAL ELECTRONICS COSMOTE MOBILE TELECOM DLINK DIGITAL CHINA HOLDINGS DIRECTV GROUP

Filed under: Patriots, Vikings, AFC East, NFC North, NFL Injuries

For the fourth straight, New England Patriots veteran running back Fred Taylor has been ruled out with a lingering toe injury, and now it starts to beg the question as to whether or not Taylor’s career could be coming to an end. He has had more than his fair share of injuries over 12 seasons, with this being his 13th.

The 34-year-old Taylor is the oldest running back in the NFL and has only played all 16 games twice in his career, and in his absence BenJarvus Green-Ellis has handled the running duties and done admirably. Safety Jarrad Page (calf) also has been ruled out and like Taylor did not practice on Friday.

Safety Patrick Chung (knee), wide receivers Matthew Slater (ankle) and Deion Branch (hamstring) and defensive lineman Mike Wright (knee) are all questionable. Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder) is probable and practiced in full.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS IMS HEALTH IMATION IKON OFFICE SOLUTIONS

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey had managed to avoid an uncomfortable run-in since their split in 2005 ? until last night in LA! Jessica ? who dined with boyfriend Eric Johnson, mom Tina and a small group of pals at the Red O Restaurant ? was blindsided when she realized ex-husband Nick Lachey and his girlfriend, Vanessa Minnillo, were just tables away, flaunting their affections.

A fellow diner tells In Touch the exclusive details of the star’s nightmarish run-in with her ex. “They came in just minutes apart, and Jessica was told shortly after that Nick was there, too,? the eyewitness says. Jessica was dressed comfortably and wearing no makeup for what was supposed to be a relaxed dinner with her closest pals. “She had a good time with her pals, but Jessica was definitely uncomfortable knowing he was there.”

Just tables away, Nick and Vanessa were sharing a bottle of red wine. While the former couple did not interact, “Vanessa must have gotten jealous,? the eyewitness speculates. ?Vanessa was rubbing Nick’s back, kissing his neck and ear, and running her fingers through his hair.?

The October 21 incident was only days before Jessica and Nick?s wedding anniversary ? they’d tied the knot on October 26, 2002 ? and despite three years of marriage, the pair didn?t make any extra efforts that evening to bury the hatchet.

But according to a source, Tina waited for Jessica to leave the restaurant and spoke briefly with her former son-in-law. “She walked up to his table and said hello,” says the source. “It was friendly. He was part of her family for years.?

SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS SONIC AUTOMOTIVE SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS SILICON LABORATORIES SI INTERNATIONAL SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

Filed under: 76ers, Heat, Magic, Timberwolves, Warriors, Wizards, NBA Videos, The Works

Welcome to The Works. Today, we suggest more items the Timberwolves should try to return and Rob Peterson pays tribute to the press conference stylings of Stan Van Gundy.

But first, is the league sabotaging its opening day buzz?

Hype Management 101

I understand the logic: fans have waited months to see the Miami Heat action; to get a glimpse of John Wall in a real NBA game; or savor any other offseason developments that we’ve been debating all summer. The league has to cash in fast, and early, on the season’s starting bell, since interest goes on the wane after that first week or two, only to return in full force with the playoffs. Never is it higher than in that October Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday cycle. I don’t like it that way, but it’s a fact of commerce. Trust me on this: I’ve had two books rushed on the production side of things to feed this very beast.

And what better way for the league to trot out its flashy new toys than to put them up against some real competition? If the Heat are supposed to contend like no new team before or since, throw them at the Boston Celtics — LeBron James‘s arch-rivals and chief tormentors. Plus, the former home of new Boston bigs Shaquille O’Neal (and Jermaine O’Neal, too).

Excited to see John Wall tear up the NBA like he did the NCAA? Let’s put that kid to the test, and pit his hapless Wizards up against the excruciatingly professional Orlando Magic. Oh, and for good measure, we’ll have Dwight Howard, reigning Defensive Player of the Year and perhaps the only guy in the league who can stop blazing-fast point guards, guarding the rim.

Certainly, this approach to opening week scheduling layers hype on top of more hype, to the point where we just might all explode or collapse from anticipation. But it’s also a disaster waiting to happen.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

RADISYS RACKABLE SYSTEMS QUEST SOFTWARE QUANTUM QLOGIC PROGRESS SOFTWARE PLANAR SYSTEMS

I’m drinking “pink lemonade” at my mom’s house right now. Too many nights here might turn me into a closet drunk. All I have to say is one day this miniature Yorkie will be mine.?

TELETECH HOLDINGS TECHNITROL TAKETWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE SYNTEL SYNTAXBRILLIAN SYNOPSYS SYNNEX

News just got out about a serious management transition over at Take-Two Interactive Software, the major US-based publisher, developer, and distributor of video games and video game peripherals. Chief exec Ben Feder has decided to step down, effective January 1, 2011, in order to pursue plans to travel in Asia with his family for an extended period. Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two?s Executive Chairman, will take on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer.

ITRON IRON MOUNTAIN INORATED IOMEGA INTUIT INTERSECTIONS INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY

When Apple passed Microsoft in market cap this past May, the Microsoft fanboys were out in full force. “This means nothing.” “Microsoft still makes so much more money than Apple.” “Look at the revenues.” Okay, let’s look at the revenues. Microsoft just posted their earnings for last quarter. The result? $16.2 billion in revenue. A very strong number, easily beating what the Street was projecting. But just 10 days ago, Apple posted their revenues for this past quarter. The result there? $20.34 billion. Yep.

SYBASE SUN MICROSYSTEMS STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS SRA INTERNATIONAL SPSS SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS

Filed under: Saints, NFC South

The New Orleans Saints want to get their running game going, but that is probably going to have to happen with Chris Ivory, and Ladell Betts. Pierre Thomas, the team’s leading rusher in 2009, was on crutches Thursday, and Reggie Bush did not practice.

Thomas told reporters at his locker that he is not certain what exactly is the issue with his ankle, which he injured Week 3 against the Falcons. He was on crutches, he told reporters, as part of doctors orders to keep the pressure off the foot.

“I really don’t know what’s the whole problem,” said Thomas, who has also been fitted with a walking boot. “Everybody keeps saying it’s sprained or maybe a little tear there, I don’t know for sure if that’s true,” Thomas said. “I’m hearing so many different stories I don’t know what to believe. All I’m thinking about is how to get healthy, how can I get better. I was told to stay off it so that’s what I’m doing.”

The injury has lagged on and caused a controversy in Saints camp. FOX reported the Saints were not happy with Thomas’ recovery, as if he was somehow not doing all that was expected in rehab.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS NOVELLUS SYSTEMS NOVELL NETWORK APPLIANCE NETGEAR NCR NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR

Goodbye, fishnets and ripped jeans ? hello Valentino gowns! In Touch gave Jersey Shore?s Jenni ?JWoww? Farley a head-to-toe makeover ? and the transformation was stunning. ?I feel like a little princess,? gushed the reality star. With help from celebrity stylist Robert Verdi, makeup artist Leonora and Garren New York hairstylist Patrick Ferrara, the feisty brunette could now pass for a Hollywood It Girl. Check out In Touch?s exclusive photos here.

NCR NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MOTOROLA MOODYS MISCROSOFT OFFICE MICROSOFT

On this week’s episode of "The Ultimate Fighter," we have one episode, but two fights. What does that mean? You’ll have to read on to find out.

Good problem to have of the week: With their first win, Team Koscheck is stressed about how to pick the next fight. They see it as a bad but good situation.

Under your skin of the week: Team GSP is very upset by the way Team Koscheck has celebrated their win. Koscheck and the coaches stopped by and picked on Michael Johnson, who was clearly ticked off by it. Somehow, these fighters don’t get that getting mad about it is exactly what Koscheck wants. 

Voice of reason of the week: Georges St. Pierre sat his team down and told them not to let Team Koscheck’s antics get under their skin. That makes sense … so clearly, that advice won’t be followed.

Trash talk guessing game No. 1 — Who said:

I just go out there and kick and punch and knee. 

I’m not like these other guys that he’s fought.

I want him to feel pain. 

First fight of the week: Cody McKenzie (Team GSP) vs. Marc Stevens (Team Koscheck)

Round 1: Stevens shoots in for a quick takedown and McKenzie sinks in his trademark guillotine. Stevens is put to sleep, and Koscheck is clearly disgusted. 

After the fight, the Stevens locker room is dead silent. Koscheck had no explanation to offer his fighters, and they had to head in to the gym for the next fight announcement. Team GSP had control, and they put up their fighter Jonathan Brookins against Sevak Magakian. GSP calls Brookins his secret weapon. In case you’re unfamiliar with Brookins’ work — which maybe GSP was — he is one of the many fighters that Jose Aldo destroyed on the way to the WEC championship.

Stupid prank of the week: "Ahhh, Josh, where you put my sandals?" Koscheck hid GSP’s sandals, which is the one of the weakest pranks in the history of "The Ultimate Fighter."

Trash talk guessing game No. 2 — Who said:

I want to go up, like flowers to the sun.

This is like, win or die, man.

Second fight of the week: Jonathan Brookins (Team GSP) vs. Sevak Magakian (Team Koscheck)

Round 1: Brookins earned the first cheer of the fight when he supplexed Magakian down to the ground. Though Magakian stood up quickly, Brookins stayed on his back. After some maneuvering, he sunk in a standing rear naked choke and put Magakian to sleep.

Body count of the week: Two fights, two fighters put to sleep. Team GSP took both fights this week, leaving one last fight for Team Koscheck to try to dig out of the hole next week.

YAHOO YAHOO XILINX WESTERN DIGITAL VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY VIRGIN MEDIA

Brock Lesnar is a monster but he met his match in terms of power, and especially speed and stamina. In the opening seconds of the fight, the gigantic MMA force tried to impose his will on the smaller Cain Velasquez. Velasquez didn’t back down. In fact, he rose almost instantly after an early takedown and from there you knew Lesnar was in for a battle. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder tired quickly, Velasquez didn’t let up and laid a beating on Lesnar. By the fourth minute of the fight, Lesnar couldn’t take anymore. With blood all over his face, Lesnar turned to his side to shy away from the onslaught. Velasquez rips the UFC heavyweight title away from Lesnar with a TKO stoppage at 4:12 of the first round.

"I didn’t (expect that)," Velasquez told UFC analyst Joe Rogan. "I trained for a five round fight. You can’t expect an early stoppage or a first round fight. You gotta train for the whole fight."

Lesnar (5-2, 3-2 UFC) handled the defeat with class.

"I expected nothing less (from him). He’s a great fighter," said Lesnar. "I knew I had a great challenge in front of me. What can I say? He was better than me tonight."

Update: Velasquez’s finish earned him the knockout of the night bonus of $70,000.

The 28-year-old Velasquez (9-0, 7-0 UFC) overcame what was likely a 25-pound weight disadvantage, four inches in reach and three inches in height. The way the fight unfolded you’d never know that he was the smaller guy.

Lesnar charged across the Octagon throwing punches and even a wild flying knee. He got a hold of Velasquez and the fight hit the floor just 30 seconds in. But just like Lesnar, the Mexican-American was a high level Div. 1 collegiate wrestling star. It only took him just a few seconds to rise to his feet.

The next test of power and leverage came along the cage in a clinch situation. Velasquez stayed calm and had zero issues. When the fighters separated, Velasquez let his hands go. He nailed Lesnar with a left hook and then grabbed a single leg to go for a takedown of his own. Lesnar went down on one knee and seconds later was down on both knees. Velasquez had hip control and started pounding away with some big shots. Eventually Lesnar settled to his back but that was even worse. He was pinned on the cage and took a vicious beating.

Lesnar was in the identical position at UFC 116. That’s where he weathered the storm against Shane Carwin, who eventually gassed himself out. Velasquez wasn’t going to do that. He picked his shots and opened up a huge slice under Lesnar’s right eye. Referee Herb Dean had to save the champ.  

Before we go labeling Velasquez unbeatable like people did with Lesnar, remember there’s more talent on the way.

The UFC’s heavyweight division has never been better. Next up for Velasquez is an excellent striker in Junior Dos Santos. And then Carwin and Lesnar can fight their way back into the mix. The quick finish tonight may allow the UFC to stack one of its January, February or March cards in 2011 with the Cain-JDS heavyweight title showdown.

SYBASE SUN MICROSYSTEMS STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS SRA INTERNATIONAL SPSS SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS

? Ne-Yo drank 1800 Tequila while celebrating his birthday at New York hotspot Greenhouse.

? Bravo’s Watch What Happens: Live host Andy Cohen received Tropical Storm Exfoliating Body Wash by Atlanta-based men’s skincare company Jock Soap and loved it. Pick up a bottle here.

ECLIPSYS EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES DIODES INORATED DIEBOLD