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By RON COOK
Let's see, Kevin Kelly made the field goal to beat Florida State in the third overtime of the 2006 Orange Bowl shortly before 1 a.m. Jan. 4. That means it was a little after 1 _ after the initial "We Are! Penn State!'' chants in celebration of the Nittany Lions' magical 11-1 season and No.

By ANDY KENT
Two Miami Dolphins with very recognizable last names - Gerald Riggs, Jr., and Marcus Vick - made themselves noticed Thursday night at Dolphin Stadium in Miami's final preseason game against the St.

By RON MUSSELMAN
Antonio Pittman started out as nothing more than a hood ornament on Ohio State's high-octane offensive machine last season.

But while Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Santonio Holmes were grabbing most of the headlines, Pittman surprised everyone by putting together a splendid sophomore season.

He finished with 1,331 yards rushing, the 10th-best single-season mark in school history.

Pittman's production was mighty impressive.

Only one other Buckeyes tailback _ two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin _ gained more yards as a sophomore (1,577 in 1973).

Griffin was a first-team All-American in his second season on the banks of the Olentangy River.

By RUSTY SIMMONS
Tennessee's new offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe wanted to meet quarterback Erik Ainge.

But first, there were a couple of mandates.

"The first time he sat me down in his office, he made me turn my hat around and take my earrings out," said Ainge of Cutcliffe, who mentored NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning during their college days.

By BILL WHITEHEAD
The No. 6 is Mark Martin's calling card, but that number - with the minus sign that came before it when Bristol's post-race points standings were posted - left the Roush Racing driver and his championship hopes hanging on the edge.

Martin's 28th-place finish was his third-worst performance of the year.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The 10 longest standing records in the history of the NFL:

40: Points scored in a single game by Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals vs. the Chicago Bears. Date: Nov. 28, 1929.

6: Most touchdowns rushing in one game by Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals vs.

By RON AGOSTINI
For people distracted this summer by things like Barry Bonds and the disintegration of the Boston Red Sox, we have news: Baseball's hottest team plays on a converted football field in the East Bay.

While we sweated through heat waves, charted hurricanes and tossed our water bottles into airport trashcans, the Oakland Athletics won many games in many ways.

By MIKE MULHERN
The transformation of Kyle Busch over the past six months has been remarkable.

Once denigrated by Tony Stewart, a two-time NASCAR champ _ not that long ago, really _ Busch, 21, will go to California Speedway this weekend to celebrate the first anniversary of his first Nextel Cup win and to try to take another step toward his first championship.

And this is only his second year on the Nextel Cup tour.

Sometimes Rick Hendrick, who owns Busch's car, looks like a magician: There is simply no more skillful car owner on the stock-car scene today when it comes to getting the most from his drivers.

The dramatic change in Busch is the most recent case in point.

Busch's second at Bristol Motor Speedway last Saturday night pulled him up to fourth in the points standings, with two races until the Chase cut next week at Richmond.

The title? "We've got a legitimate shot at it," Busch said.

By DAVID LASSEN
Derek Lowe was on the mound. Brad Penny was in the batting cage. And Greg Maddux was being held in reserve - for use in the outfield.

When a baseball game is as elongated as the one played by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, a certain degree of improvisation is required.

By KEVIN GOHEEN
The sky isn't falling; Carson Palmer's knee is just fine.

The Cincinnati Bengals' quarterback's left knee had no more swelling or soreness to it after Monday night's 48-17 win over Green Bay than he had experienced after any workout or practice this entire preseason.