Rays
Rays, Mariners continue talking
Negotiations involving Lou Piniella feature many unknowns, including a possible fourth suitor.

Lightning

He tells it like it is [Times photo: Dan McDuffie] Lightning's Brad Lukowich offers cheers -- and jeers -- from the bench depending on teammates' performances.

Colleges
Deputy athletic director resigns
Amid harassment allegations, background disclosures USF's Corey Johnson decides to leave.

UT's streak good for postseason aspirations
TAMPA -- It began Oct. 4 in Miami Shores.

World Series
Fox hopes all-California Series is golden
No New York? No problem says the team at Fox, which begins broadcasting the all-California World Series on Saturday.

Salmon gets long-awaited glory
The Angels' career leader in home runs and RBIs finally reaches the World Series at age 34.

Teams glad to get a break
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After not clinching playoff berths until the final week of the season, and fighting through two tough rounds of playoffs, the Angels and Giants are thankful for a little time off.

College football
Eyes on C-USA's prize
Who said South Florida couldn't compete in Conference USA until 2003? The Bulls are gunning for the conference title.

State practice reports
Grossman will start Saturday

Pierson: coming attraction
As the USF junior rotates at his right end position, his potential shows more each game.

USF insider
Scouting Report

Motorsports
Marlin to Renshaw: move on
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Sterling Marlin knows what Deborah Renshaw is going through, and says she needs to forget about her crash that killed another driver.

ACHL hockey
If pugilism is needed to win, so be it
With the opener tonight, that's the message Parrots coach Bruce Ramsay is conveying to his team, and any ACHL opponents.

NHL
Detroit puts up banner No. 10
DETROIT -- The Red Wings raised the banner from their 2001-02 Stanley Cup championship Thursday night, placing it just below their other nine.

NFL
Gardner questioning Spurrier's changes
ASHBURN, Va. -- Coach Steve Spurrier's frequent lineup changes were questioned Thursday by Redskins receiver Rod Gardner, who said he was "baffled" that he might not start Sunday at Green Bay.

NBA
Balanced offense helps N.J. top Celts
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Kenyon Martin scored 16 points, including 10 in the third quarter, to lead the Nets to a 114-106 preseason win over the Celtics on Thursday night.

Golf
Duval's resurgence continues at Disney
David Duval, enthused again after the Ryder Cup, overcomes triple bogey to open with 69.

After surgery, Choi plays well
LAKE BUENA VISTA -- When K.J. Choi began sweating profusely last month at the Tampa Bay Classic, he didn't think much about it. Everyone was sweating. The tournament was plagued by severe heat all weekend.

College basketball
Terps cruise by Tech
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland's tiniest player had a colossal second half, helping the Terrapins clear an imposing obstacle in their bid to repeat as ACC champions.

Et cetera
Sites for Sapp, Brooks show their differences
As Bucs opponents will attest, Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks are dangerous on a football field. New official sites for them, however, present two different personas off the field.

Preps
Catholic rivals face off with 2A-7 implications
The winner between SPC and CCC clinches a playoff berth and has the inside track on the title.

Farragut, Shorecrest lay title hopes on line
Their approach to tonight's game is different, but both teams know what is at stake.

Tonight's games
Clearwater (2-4) at East Lake (3-3)

Hillsborough football notebook
Sarasota Riverview 54, Bloomingdale 0

Cougars turn it on late
DURANT 49, EAST BAY 21: The Cougars score 29 in the fourth quarter to remain undefeated.

Hawks explode early; eye district's top spot
ARMWOOD 56, TB TECH 20: The winners score touchdowns in clusters to pull away.

Wildcats become a force on field
WHARTON 21, HILLSBOROUGH 0: Two touchdowns in 39 seconds ensure team's first winning season in six years.

Balance on offense lifts Chiefs
CHAMBERLAIN 24, SICKLES 0: The Chiefs get 180 rushing yards and 118 passing to defeat the Gryphons.

Spartans gut Falcons
LAKEWOOD 42, DUNEDIN 7: Spartans score four times in second quarter to remain undefeated in 4A-9.

Cougars blank Rebelswith stingy defense
COUNTRYSIDE 16, DIXIE HOLLINS 0: The Cougars move into a tie for second in Class 4A-9.

Vikings handle Gladiators
NORTHEAST 21, GIBBS 7: An early score on a reverse sets the tone for the evening.

Land O'Lakes wallops Central
LAND O'LAKES 45, CENTRAL 6: The Gators "prove a point" by taking a 33-0 first-half lead and cruising.

Big plays mark Ridgewood's win
RIDGEWOOD 40, RIVER RIDGE 30: Teams combine for 967 yards as the Rams end a seven-year skid against rival.

Early onslaught carries Wildcats
WESLEY CHAPEL 28, HERNANDO 8: Three early scores prove to be enough to take out the Leopards.

Bulldogs remain on a roll
ZEPHYRHILLS 34, GULF 0: An assortment of running backs helps the visitors take charge.