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Miami QB: Race decided starter

CORAL GABLES - Derrick Crudup Jr. says race was a factor in the competition for the starting quarterback job at Miami, which he lost last week to Brock Berlin.

Crudup is black and Berlin is white. Crudup and his father, former NFL player Derrick Crudup Sr., said the competition was compromised by racially insensitive comments from quarterback coach Dan Werner, who is white. Crudup Sr. said he plans to meet with coach Larry Coker.

The Crudups said Werner used terms like "redneck" and "cracker" when referring to himself in quarterback meetings. Crudup Jr. said those comments and others intimidated him, and he decided he won't get a fair shot at starting if Werner is involved in the decision.

"We're supposed to be talking about coverages and reading defenses, not him asking, "Who's a redneck?"' Crudup Jr. told the Sun-Sentinel. "We're talking about a room full of all white males, and I'm the only black man in there. Exactly how am I supposed to feel about what they're discussing, and what am I supposed to think they say about me when I'm not in the room?"

The Crudups said when they confronted Werner he apologized and said it wouldn't happen again, but it did. They said they agreed at Werner's request not to take concerns to Coker, which they regret.

GOLF: Anchored by freshman Brett Stegmaier's SEC tournament-record performance, the Florida men won their first title since 1999, shooting 16-over 856 in Sea Island, Ga. Stegmaier's 7-under 203 was the lowest 54-hole score in the SEC. Tampa's Jordan Code tied for 10th at 217.

SOFTBALL: Florida beat visiting Mississippi State 6-1, setting a school record for stolen bases (12). Shortstop Jackie Marchetta (3) set the individual record.

TENNIS: The Tampa women beat Florida Southern 5-2 in the Sunshine State tournament at Key Biscayne and face Lynn in the semis.

The United States lost its second straight game in Tampere, Finland, failing to advance past the preliminary round at worlds. The Americans lost 1-0 to Switzerland on Mathias Seger's first-period goal. Also, Florida Panthers forward Marcus Nilson, who plays for Sweden, has a concussion and will miss the rest of the tournament. He was injured in Saturday's 3-1 win over Latvia after Nashville Predators defenseman Karlis Skrastins ran him into the boards.

CYCLING: Tyler Hamilton (6:28:50) became the first American to win the World Cup Liege-Bastogne-Liege in Belgium. The race first was held in 1892 and is the oldest one-day classic.

GREYHOUNDS: Rooftop Moby won his fourth race in five starts, beating All-American Ben Awhile Saturday night at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. The $100,000 Distance Classic semifinals are Wednesday night. Perpetual Smiler and Black Mack are first with 34 points each. The first round of the Gold Trophy Juvenile stakes is Saturday night.

HORSES: Grey Comet won the Times Square Division of the $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes series at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old, with Jerry Bailey aboard, ran a stakes-record 1:34.06, topping by .06 Instant Friendship's 1996 mark and Saratoga Sunrise's 1997 time. ... Bobby Frankel's leading Kentucky Derby contenders, Empire Maker and Peace Rules, completed their final major workouts. Empire Maker is the early favorite for Saturday.

RUGBY: The United States claimed the last berth for the World Cup, beating Spain 58-13 in Fort Lauderdale. The 20-team tournament is set for Oct.10-Nov.22 in Australia.