Lightning Tampa Bay acts like a winner [Times photo: Dan McDuffie] LIGHTNING 5, THRASHERS 2: The team can hit the road with a good feeling. Svitov agent accuses Russians of extortion TAMPA -- The agent for Lightning draft pick Alexander Svitov said the president of Avangard Omsk, the Russian Elite League team for which Svitov plays, is trying to extort money from Tampa Bay.

John Romano

College football
UM defense silences offenses and critics
CORAL GABLES -- As a rather anonymous member of the offensive line, Ed Wilkins has a pretty good idea how his counterparts on Miami's defense feel. All game, little glory.

USF can build on success
TAMPA -- South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt can't get the smile off his face these days. Things hardly could be better.

Grossman and Dorsey finalists
Quarterbacks Rex Grossman of Florida, Ken Dorsey of Miami and Eric Crouch of Nebraska were named finalists for the Maxwell Award, given to the best all-around player.

Heisman hype varies by school
Florida's Rex Grossman and Miami's Ken Dorsey make their final cases for the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, and for both front-runners, it's probably better that the award will be decided on the playing field and not the Internet.

Bucs
WR Williams proves to be a quick healer
TAMPA -- When Karl Williams suffered a right hip flexor injury in the second quarter of the game against the Bears on Nov. 18, he barely could move his leg.

Bengals' Dillon can run a team ragged
He is chiseled and sturdy, a tad over 6 feet 1 and a solid 225 pounds. By NFL standards, he is fairly typical in size, huskier than some and smaller than others.

Motorsports
NASCAR no help to networks
Networks expect to lose money when ratings sag, but how about when they climb to unprecedented levels?

College basketball
Gators sneak past 'Noles
TALLAHASSEE -- Point guard Brandi McCain scored five in the final two minutes of overtime Thursday to lead No. 19 Florida to a 78-74 win over Florida State.

Colleges
Tampa takes winning streak into final four
TAMPA -- Keith Fulk is as much psychologist as soccer coach.

Gators eliminate FAMU in NCAA volleyball opener
GAINESVILLE -- The Florida volleyball team will not have long to celebrate Thursday's victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Running
Out of breath, to benefit lungs
After her mother died from lung cancer last year, Theresa Levering decided to make a difference. She wanted to raise money and awareness for the disease, to do something her mother could not in the late stages of her illness.

Preps
Chamberlain didn't drive 400 miles to lose
TAMPA -- Springfield Rutherford seems to have a really good quarterback. After all, Matt Hardin completed 60 percent of his passes and threw for 1,373 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions during the regular season.

Aquinas cautious of being burned
TAMPA -- In the 25 years George Smith has been the head coach at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, he has seen his share of team personalities.

Eagle faces new opponent -- diabetes
EAST LAKE -- By his account, East Lake's Tim Dresser is a healthy athlete. He works out regularly and doesn't devour junk food.

Rams' blue-collar effort gets job done
DADE CITY -- Ridgewood frustrated Pasco with its relentless defense Thursday night, forcing 23 turnovers, and used stellar free-throw shooting down the stretch to beat the Pirates 47-33.

Ridgewood roughs up Pasco, 57-37
NEW PORT RICHEY -- There's no place like home -- the Rams' home, that is.