■ College football
Smith riddles Longhorns
In the first regular season matchup of No. 1 vs. No 2 in a decade, Troy Smith riddled the Texas Longhorns for 269 yards passing and two touchdowns, leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 24-7 win on Saturday. The victory keeps the Buckeyes (2-0) in perfect position for a run to a national title. Keep winning and they stay right where they are. The Buckeyes' defense, which had to replace nine starters this season, looked championship caliber, holding a Texas team that had scored at least 40 points in 12 consecutive games to a single touchdown. As for Texas (1-1), which saw its 21-game winning streak snapped, the Longhorns will need some help if they hope to defend their 2005 championship at the end of the season.
■ Rugby Union
Morocco edge Uganda
Morocco moved closer to qualifying for next year's rugby union World Cup after a 5-3 victory over Uganda on Saturday. Morocco, which beat Uganda 36-3 on June 3 in Casablanca, leads Group B with nine points. Coached by former South Africa winger Chester Williams, Uganda led 3-0 after a penalty by Robert Seguya in the 31st minute. But Morocco, who have some professional players, dominated territory. El Hajji Mounem scored the only try of the match for Morocco in the second half. Uganda failed to kick three penalties and couldn't take advantage when Morocco's Arif Amid was sin-binned. "We failed to play well today and the better side has won," Williams said.
■ Rugby League
Sailor wants ban reduced
Suspended Wallabies rugby winger Wendell Sailor said yesterday he wants his drug ban reduced so he can return to play for St George Illawarra in the National Rugby League. The Australian Rugby Union terminated Sailor's contract last July after he was found guilty of taking a prohibited substance and suspended for two years. Sailor tested positive for cocaine after playing for the NSW Waratahs in a Super 14 match against the ACT Brumbies on April 16 and was informed of the positive result on May 12. The dual international -- a former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australian Test rugby league winger -- is fighting for his ban to be reduced and said he would like to return to rugby league if he is successful.
■ Rugby Union
Hodgson stars for Sale
Charlie Hodgson put Sale's defense of their English Premiership title back on track by masterminding a 32-20 win over Northampton on Saturday. After going down to Leicester in their opening fixture of the season, the champions were steered to a first win by the 22 points that came from the boot of England flyhalf Hodgson. Sale's other points came from tries by Mark Cueto and Magnus Lund. The visitors, who slipped to their first defeat of the campaign, outscored Sale in the try stakes, with winger Sean Lamont claiming a brace.
■ Baseball
Nippon Ham makes playoffs
Fernando Seguignol hit a solo homer yesterday as Trey Hillman's Nippon Ham Fighters defeated the Orix Buffaloes 4-2 to secure a spot in the Pacific League's playoffs. Hillman, who is in his fourth season at the helm of the Japanese Pacific League team, managed the New York Yankees' triple-A minor league team in Columbus for the 2000-2001 seasons. Yesterday's win eliminated the defending Japan Series champion Chiba Lotte Marines from playoff contention. The Marines are managed by former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
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