College football Bulls strike often [Times photo: Bill Serne] USF 51, FAU 10: A lightning delay after the first quarter was the Owls' only chance at keeping this opener close. Gary Shelton USF's reach is in Blackwell's grasp TAMPA -- Were you watching, Rex? Punt block keys Bulls 1st TD of the season TAMPA -- South Florida junior defensive end Shurron Pierson set the tone early Thursday against Florida Atlantic with a common Bulls weapon: the punt block. A stingy defense offers plenty to smile about TAMPA -- Put aside the praise for Marquel Blackwell, for just a moment. The electrifying quarterback might be the face of South Florida football these days, but teammates on the other side of the ball will have just as big a say in the Bulls' fate. Secondary has some concerns Sometimes the defense looked brilliant last weekend. Then it looked like it did last season, and that's not good. Washington to play more for Seminoles TALLAHASSEE -- With running back Lorenzo Booker now a redshirt freshman, freshman running back Leon Washington will be in the spotlight. Washington, who plays several positions, will carry more of the rushing load. Rix mirrors other Chris TALLAHASSEE -- Sophomore quarterback Chris Rix did just about everything wrong on his costly interception to start the fourth quarter Saturday against Iowa State. FIU wins inaugural game MIAMI -- Jamie Burke threw for 115 yards and two touchdowns as Florida International defeated St. Peter's 27-3 in the Golden Panthers' inaugural game Thursday.

Baseball
MLB players poised to strike today
Owners and union officials met repeatedly Thursday, although it may not be until the final hour that either side is willing to make a deal.

Whys and whats of a strike
ST. PETERSBURG -- Baseball players and owners still were negotiating this morning in hopes of avoiding what would be baseball's ninth work stoppage in the past 30 years.
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Sites mobilize baseball fans, threaten walkout
Eight years ago, if baseball fans had sought to counter a baseball strike with a walkout of their own, their best hope to get word out across the nation might have been a token mention on ESPN, or a story picked up by newspaper wire services.

Jays rock Clemens, Yanks
TORONTO -- Rookie Josh Phelps was too busy living out a boyhood dream to think about a strike.

Game 1 in N.Y. belongs to L.A.
NEW YORK -- The Los Angeles Sparks are one win from their second straight WNBA championship.

Cardinals get pitcher Wright for ailing staff
MILWAUKEE -- Jamey Wright wasn't sure about his immediate plans, but he did know his future looked a lot brighter.

Cub makes switch-hit history
MILWAUKEE -- Mark Bellhorn expected to spend the afternoon watching Sammy Sosa return to Chicago's lineup and give the Cubs some pop.

U.S. Open Tennis
Title IX question leaves Capriati without answer
NEW YORK -- Ask Jennifer Capriati about Title IX and she'd rather talk about tennis.

Rain ends, routs are on for top players
Agassi, Hewitt, Venus, Davenport, Hingis and Capriati all win easily after a five-hour delay.

NFL
Pats end Redskins' run; Spurrier taps Matthews
LANDOVER, Md. -- The Patriots put an emphatic end to Steve Spurrier's high-scoring preseason run.

Around the NFC
COWBOYS: Linebacker Markus Steele was taken off the field on a stretcher Thursday night after straining his neck while making a tackle against the host Jaguars.

Around the AFC
BRONCOS: Swedish kicker Ola Kimrin, who has little chance of sticking with the team with Jason Elam in front of him, made a 65-yard field goal Thursday night against visiting Seattle.

Et cetera
Sports briefs
IOC releases report on sports program

Sports TV/Radio
'Skins-Bucs game earns highest preseason rating
Mike Rajewski's job just got much easier and probably much more lucrative.

Motorsports
Minority team, Guard ready to race
CONCORD, N.C. -- A minority-owned race team took the first step toward breaking into NASCAR when it announced sponsorship commitment, a temporary driver and plans to run a full Winston Cup season in 2003.

Harvick's hot, and cool
He's burning up tracks with top 10 finishes, minding his manners and boosting his team.

France breaks hip, then has bypass
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. is recovering from bypass surgery performed Wednesday.

Golf
Frost comes early for Canadian PGA event
SURREY, British Columbia -- David Frost won't have to look far for the bottle of wine he owes Ian Leggatt.

Preps
Middleton set to play Wharton's JV squad
The Tigers lose their original opponent when Cyber High is shut down.

Pressure's on to start right
Freedom wants to learn a little while Tampa Catholic needs to get back on track in tonight's preseason game.

Money, competition spur teams
Since 1993, when the Florida High School Activities Association started allowing teams to play full preseason games, Clearwater has lost every one.

One half can prove a whole lot
Tonight's jamboree at Dunedin doesn't count for anything, except for coaches and players trying to see how far they've come.

Wildcats, Knights beat rain
Wesley Chapel and River Ridge win their quarters of play before a storm wipes out the rest of the jamboree.

Gators blank Leopards before lightning ends it
Drew Weatherford completes 7 of 11 passes for 90 yards, and Land O'Lakes' defense allows only 17 yards.