Bucs Love of game unites Sapp, Favre The mutual admiration between Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre and Tampa Bay defensive tackle Warren Sapp has been well-chronicled. No replacing experience TAMPA -- For punter Mark Royals, the 1987 NFL strike looked like a perfect time to launch some footballs -- and a career. Together from the beginning TAMPA -- The license plate on his car reads DB4LIFE, indicating what cornerback Donnie Abraham's profession is. But when it comes to his devotion off the field, the soft-spoken Abraham needs no plaque. Once again, Abraham seeing tough road to the Pro Bowl TAMPA -- There ought to be a recount.

The Bucs defense is back to its physical, aggressive style, and the results are noticeable. Story On his way to game No. 200, McDaniel 'not extinct yet' Offensive guard Randall McDaniel was expected to play in his 200th career game today. He reflects on his career and offers perspectives on the presidential election, caving, dreams, dinosaurs and roller coasters with the Times' Roger Mills. Best and worst: game 10 Buccaneers by the numbers Analysis: Bill Maas Buccaneers quick hits Bucs chat

Hubert Mizell In politics, sports it's not over ... Little did we know, Richard Daley, the elder, is alive and retired to Florida, bringing his Chicago backspin to our polling places. Lightning Lightning winning streak ends at 3 Flames strike first, and Tampa Bay can't pull off a rally in 4-3 loss. Slap shots WHAT PENALTY?: Former Lighting forward Brantt Myhres, who has hit the century mark in penalties three of his four seasons in the league, has some fond penalty box memories. Lightning wants a recount of shots TAMPA -- The Lightning thinks it is not getting enough shots on goal -- not from its players but the NHL officials who count shots at the Ice Palace.

College football Gators SECure East [Times photo: Kevin White] A fake punt, two blocks and two bounce passes play key roles in UF's win over South Carolina. Sheppard continues to amaze GAINESVILLE -- Florida sophomore Lito Sheppard has been dubbed "Lucky Lito" by teammates because of his penchant for making big plays, but he pushed his luck a bit Saturday against South Carolina. UF sideliners Theme song Rhine's 26-yard run chases boos away Florida punter atones for his role in two blocked kicks with a momentum-swinging fourth-down dash. Bad start, bad finish for Bulls USF trails 31-3 early in losing 45-9 to Middle Tennessee State. USF sideliners Football and politics Blackwell's INT-free streak ends MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The phenomenal passing streak South Florida quarterback Marquel Blackwell had put together over the past four games came to an end Saturday at Middle Tennessee State. Seminoles hope win is enough FSU waits to see what effect 35-6 win over Wake has on BCS. RB carnage forces re-education WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Florida State sophomore receiver Nick Maddox had a premonition something "special" would happen Saturday afternoon against Wake Forest. FSU sideliners Mr. 300

Gary Shelton Stars align for Palmer's night GAINESVILLE -- The moon. Jesse Palmer will remember the moon. UM focus: W-I-N, not B-C-S Davis tells his players to focus on what they can control; they respond by beating Pittsburgh 35-7. College basketball Arizona's Woods has good times He is comfortable in his role, healthy and ready to lead basketball's top-ranked team. College basketball top 25 predictions College basketball this week on TV College basketball briefs College soccer Florida, FSU meet in NCAA Tournament Revenge is a key for the Gators, who lost to Florida State in their season opener. Shorts Highs and lows Highs Mizell mailbag Retirement? Say it ain't so, readers tell Mizell Sports briefs Canada upsets U.S. in women's soccer Millionaire crybabies So now Tiger Woods is whining about his treatment from the PGA. Why doesn't he just take his marbles and go home? These spoiled sports millionaires make me sick. Preps Confident Clearwater wins state The Tornadoes roll over Hudson to capture the 4A volleyball championship they expected to win.

Olympics
Skier quits team, goes for gold on her own
The best Alpine skier in the United States will be skiing for her country and wearing her country's uniform this winter. But she will not be skiing for her country's ski team in her quest for Olympic gold in 2002.

Players union keeping an eye on Kravchuk deal
For those interested in the inner workings of the NHL, here's something that will wet your whistle.

NBA
Atlanta hits Hawk bottom with 0-7 start
Several teams, such as Orlando and New Jersey, aren't having the kind of starts they had hoped. But, as always, things could be worse. They could be like Atlanta.

NFL
Jaguars have reasons not to declare season over
Given up for dead weeks ago, the Jaguars are making noise about rising from the grave and challenging for a playoff spot.

NFL games
Hooper's record: last week 8-7 overall (87-56 overall), 9-5-1 vs. spread (73-62-8)

Motorsports
NASCAR binding family ties
Racing has become a family business as five sets of brothers compete in today's Pennzoil 400.

No jitters for Jarrett last year
HOMESTEAD -- Dale Jarrett clinched his first Winston Cup championship a year ago with a fifth-place finish in the Pennzoil 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Gordon foils Martin's Busch series finale
HOMESTEAD -- A driver making his final Busch Grand National start did win the Miami 300 on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Powerboat circuit looks to NASCAR as its model
Offshore racing wants to build a solid fan base with close races and parity among teams.

Outdoors
On the fly
Beginning fly-fishers often get confused and frustrated when building leaders.

Tournament insider
Rusty Fox had to wait in line to weigh his fish at the Old Salts King of the Beach tournament, knowing he had a good king mackerel but unsure if it could win with 244 other boats competing.

Preps
Vikings outdistance District 7 opponents
CLEARWATER -- A slam dunk in the pool, it was not.

Struggling Moffenbier's victory is like clock work
WINTER HAVEN -- Lindsey Moffenbier's timing couldn't be better.

Citrus becomes regional champ in due course
The Hurricanes don't run fast but do earn their second consecutive title.

Jesuit, AHN cruise to 2A-3 victories
CLEARWATER -- Jesuit and Academy of the Holy Names won the Class 2A, Region 3 meets by large margins Saturday at Clearwater Central Catholic.

Rams continue run at another state title
WINTER HAVEN -- The Ridgewood boys took another stride toward defending their state championship Saturday, placing fourth at the Class 3A, Region 2 meet at Polk Community College.

Sickles runs to state berth
ORLANDO -- You'll have to excuse Sickles coach Dan DeMoss if he seemed a little reluctant to leave the scorer's tent at Saturday's Class 4A, Region 2 meet.

IRC pulls off upset to win A-3 championship
BRADENTON -- When Jessica Miller collapsed 20 feet from the finish line in last year's state championship, her coach thought she was suffering from dehydration.

Seminole has little problem reaching state
LARGO -- The next time Seminole coach Bruce Calhoun says something that isn't unrelentingly positive about his cross country teams, it will be the first time.

Marauder shows her kick in victory
CLEARWATER -- Usually, on a cool, sunny Saturday, Clearwater Central Catholic's Apryl Wall is playing soccer for her club team, the Clearwater Chargers.

Indian Rocks pulls off upset to win A-3 title
Jessica Miller caps her comeback by finishing eighth to lead the Golden Eagles to a state berth.

Jesuit captures district title
LARGO -- On one side of the argument Saturday, the longer Jesuit's Kris Wiebeck was in the water, the less time he spent in the chilly air at Southwest Recreation Center.

Baseball
Ramirez wish rings a Belle for Indians
AMELIA ISLAND -- Cleveland's counteroffer to Manny Ramirez was barely half of the $200-million contract proposal the rightfielder's agent is seeking. It is a wonder the Indians were willing to spend even that much.

College football
College football this week on TV
Thursday

Louisville WR sets receptions mark
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville senior receiver Arnold Jackson broke the NCAA Division I-A career receptions record against Army on Saturday.

Florida Classic calendar
Events scheduled for this week in Orlando in conjunction with the 21st annual Florida Classic football game, matching Bethune-Cookman College against Florida A&M at the Florida Citrus Bowl: