■FOOTBALL
Rebels win in Cotton Bowl
Behind Jevan Snead’s passing, Dexter McCluster’s squirming runs and some big returns by Marshay Green, No. 20 Mississippi overcame No. 7 Texas Tech 47-34 in college football’s Cotton Bowl on Friday. Texas Tech converted a pair of early turnovers into a 14-0 lead, but Snead led the Rebels to touchdowns on their next three drives, followed by a go-ahead field goal shortly before halftime. Once Green returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, Mississippi was well on its way to capping coach Houston Nutt’s first season in grand style.
■FOOTBALL
Kentucky take Liberty Bowl
At Memphis, Tennessee, Ventrell Jenkins scooped up a fumble and barreled 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, helping Kentucky to a 25-19 victory over East Carolina and a program-best third straight bowl game. Kentucky never led until the fourth quarter, when Myron Pryor forced a fumble with about 3 minutes left. In the scramble for the loose ball, Jenkins came up with it and rumbled down the right sideline untouched for the TD. Coming off its first Conference USA championship, East Carolina jumped to a 16-3 halftime, but Kentucky saved its best for the second half.
■FOOTBALL
Police arrest Ko Simpson
Buffalo Bills player Ko Simpson was arrested outside a bar in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in the early hours of New Year’s Day on a charge of hindering police, according to a police report. The 25-year-old National Football League player was “verbally abusive” to officers who were trying to help the bar’s security personnel in clearing out a crowd from the area. Officers said Simpson was a passenger in a car being driven by 28-year-old Frederick Hart, who was arrested for disorderly conduct for refusing to leave the car park. Simpson was also asked to leave but began yelling at police. “I’m Ko Simpson with the Buffalo Bills,” he said. “I am worth millions.” Simpson made US$445,000 this past season. He was released on bond.
■ICE HOCKEY
Slovakia surprise US
Goaltender Jaroslav Janus led Slovakia to a surprise 5-3 quarterfinal victory over the US in the world junior ice hockey championship on Friday, making 44 saves. “It’s one of the biggest moments in Slovakia’s history — it’s unbelievable,” said Janus, who plays in the US for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. Slovakia will face Sweden in the semifinals next Saturday. Russia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 on Friday to set up a semifinal against four-time defending champion Canada. The US outshot Slovakia 47-19. “We just kept trying to throw pucks at him,” US forward Jim O’Brien said. “The dam just wouldn’t break. We kept piling it on.” Adam Bezak, Tomas Tatar and Jozef Molnar had first-period goals for Slovakia, Richard Panik added one in the third, and Tatar had an empty-net goal with 2:14 left.
■ICE HOCKEY
Sanderson dies after fight
Don Sanderson, a 21-year-old defenseman with the Whitby Dunlops of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), died on Friday, three weeks after hitting his head on the ice during a fight. Sanderson fought with Brantford’s Corey Fulton during an OHA game on Dec. 12. His helmet came off and when the players fell his head hit the ice and he was knocked unconscious. He regained consciousness, but later fell into a coma and was on life support until his death on Friday.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and