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Southern California's two most difficult conference games are at home, where the Trojans rarely lose. For all those Stanford fans who just raised their hands in protest, reminding anyone who still wants to listen that their boys beat the Trojans at the Coliseum just last season, well, what can we say? Count your blessings. Between a trio of running backs (Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable) that averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season and a linebacker corps that ranks among the top handful in the nation, the Trojans, who have won at least 11 games in each of the past six seasons, appear poised to run through the Pacific-10 unblemished.

Dennis Erickson led Arizona State to a 10-win season in his first campaign. With an explosive offense led by senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter and a more experienced defense, the Sun Devils are the ideal long-shot candidate, just good enough to get noticed and with just enough flaws to be cast aside. The month of October will be rough -- conference matchups at California, at USC and against Oregon -- but if Erickson's crew can win two of those three, they'll be in good shape entering the season's homestretch. Carpenter has enough offensive targets to pull off such a feat. The question will be whether the defense can do its part.

Now that Tim Tebow has proved it is possible for an underclassman to win college football's most prestigious award, why not consider a quarterback of a similar mold. Washington sophomore Jake Locker threw for 2,062 yards last season and rushed for 986 more, with 27 touchdowns. The Huskies might not contend for a conference title, but Locker should garner some Heisman attention nonetheless.

-- Steve Yanda

Having Locker run the offense might not be enough to balance out a porous defense, much less allow for Washington's Tyrone Willingham to keep his job. The Huskies have not won more than five games during the three seasons of Willingham's tenure, and the school has begun making its frustration public. A winning season would go a long way toward ensuring Willingham is around to see Locker finish out his collegiate career.

Arizona State at Southern California, Oct. 11: The Trojans made quick work of the Sun Devils in 2007, winning by 20 points in Tempe. On the road against a national powerhouse, Arizona State could make a huge statement with a win over the conference favorite.

Finish

20071. Southern Cal

1st2. Arizona State

2nd3. Oregon

4th4. California

7th5. Arizona

6th6. UCLA

5th7. Washington

10th8. Oregon State

3rd9. Washington State

8th10. Stanford

9th

Korby Myrick's farewell is tonight at St. Philip's

The months-old Bella Carita Chamber Ensemble will perform its second concert tonight when it opens the St. Philip's in the Hills Friends of Music 2008-09 season.

The concert also marks the farewell performance of admired Tucson vocalist Korby Myrick, who relocated to Connecticut early last month.

"If it hadn't been for this concert, she would not have had a farewell concert," noted Bella Carita founder and clarinetist Kevin Justus. "It's bittersweet, but for the time being this is the last opportunity for people to hear her."

Myrick's move on Sept. 2 came after a whirlwind romance with Connecticut pianist Richard Hereld that led to a marriage proposal. No wedding date has been set, but Myrick expects the ceremony to be held in Arizona.

"It was a total whirlwind," the mezzo-soprano said, laying out the timeline: Hereld, whom she has known for more than 20 years, came to Tucson to visit her on June 13. He popped the question July 11 and she packed up her belongings in a U-Haul and left Tucson Sept. 2.

"He is so spectacular and I am so in love," she gushed during a phone interview from Connecticut. "He's the love of my life and it's a dream come true to be with someone I feel this way about."

This is Myrick's second round with living in Connecticut. She spent a decade there from the late 1980s when she was married to a Yale instructor. When the marriage ended in the late 1990s, she returned to her native Tucson and built a formidable recital and opera career (Arizona Opera, Tulsa Opera, Washington Opera and the U.S. and Italy Spoleto festivals).

It was during her time in Connecticut that she met Hereld. Her then-husband was teaching his then-wife voice.

Hereld and Myrick remained friends and colleagues over the years, including performing together; in addition to a master's in voice, Myrick earned her bachelor's at the University of Arizona in piano performance, and the pair have performed piano works for four hands. But since she returned to Tucson, Myrick said she had seen Hereld only three times until his June visit.

Justus said Myrick's move will boost her career. "Already she's getting attention back East," he said, which Myrick acknowledged.

She has several Connecticut concerts set, will perform a recital in London after her Tucson concert and is busy making plans to open voice studios in Connecticut and neighboring New York. She also will be closer to New York, where she can audition with opera companies from around the country. Each fall and winter, opera companies converge on New York to audition singers, she explained.

"This is going to be great for my career. I will actually be able to do a regular audition for the Arizona Opera there," she said.

"Of course I will come back whenever I am engaged, and I would love to continue singing with the (Tucson) Symphony and opera company," she added. "I have loyal, loyal fans (in Tucson) who turn out to see me. . . . I feel blessed."

Myrick and Hereld will appear together in tonight's concert, which pulls from Johannes Brahms' retirement works - pieces he composed between retiring in 1890 and his death in 1897. Myrick will sing Brahms' "Four Serious Songs."

The ensemble, which played its inaugural concert last May, will include violinists Ben Nisbet and Rose Tadaro; violist Christina Swanson; cellists Garrick Woods and Theodore Buchholz; pianists Michael Dauphinais and Hereld; and Justus on clarinet.

IF YOU GO

Bella Carita Chamber Ensemble: "Johannes Brahms in Retirement - A Golden Twilight"

* Presented by: St. Philip's in the Hills Friends of Music.

* When: 7:30 p.m. today.

* Where: Bloom Music Center at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave.

* Admission: By donation.

* Details: 299-6421.

* Program (all Brahms):

Piano Trio No. 1 in B major.

Klarinetten-Trio in A minor.

"Four Serious Songs."

Klarinetten Quintet in B minor.

Playing off the playoffs

While Packer fans would prefer to relive last winter's playoff run, this weekend they're free agents, able to root for other teams. But on what criteria should they base their decision? Here's how I'm handicapping the field.

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans, Saturday, 3:30 pm (CBS): This one's easy Former Badger walk-on and Wisconsin native JIm Leonhard plays safety for the Ravens. He's had 69 tackles this season and two interceptions, including one last week in Miami, making 2008 his most productive season, by far, in a four-year NFL career

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers, Saturday, 7:15 pm (FOX): Much harder to pick, as I couldn't care less about either one of these teams. I'm going with Arizona for one reason: 37-year-old quarterback Kurt Warner has been the catalyst for the Cards' revival, not USC pretty boy Matt Leinart. Since being drafted 10th in 2006, Leinart has been a non-factor, playing in only four games this year Go old guy!

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, Sunday, noon (FOX): The Giants have suspended star receiver Plaxico Burress, who shot himself in the leg last month with an unregistered handgun at a Manhattan nightclub. Linebacker Antonio Pierce is under investigation for his involvement in the incident. Pierce, United Way Man of the Year in 2007, is the spokesman for Giants Academy, a program for inner-city youth. But the Eagles' fans are notorious jerks, so go Giants!

San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, 3:45 pm (CBS): Former Badger Michael Bennett will suit up as San Diego's third-string running back, but he's being sued over a violent incident in October at a Tampa, Fla. International House of Pancakes. Serves him right for choosing IHOP when there's a Waffle House in the area. I'll take the Steelers, who have a defensive end named Orpheus Roye.

SCOREBOARD

UW Women's Hockey: 12-0-2-1 WCHA (1st, 27 pts), 18-0-2 overall (1st, USCHO & USA Today/USA Hockey polls) after icing the U.S. Select Team 3-2 in exhibition on 1/2. Next: 1/10-11 at Minnesota-Duluth.

UW Men's Hockey: 7-5-2 WCHA (tied at 3rd, 16 pts), 10-9-3 overall (17th, US College Hockey Online poll) after dropping a series vs. Northern Michigan 2-3, 5-6 (OT) on 1/2-3. Next: 1/9-10 at Alaska -Anchorage.

UW Man's Basketball: 2-0 Big Ten, 11-3 overall after winning 73-61 at Michigan on New Year's Eve and 65-61 vs. Penn State on 1/3. Next: 1/7 vs. Northwestern; 1/7 at Purdue (CBS, 12:30 pm); 1/15 vs. Minnesota, 8 pm, Kohl Center (BTN).

UW Women's Basketball: 2-2 Big Ten (tied at 5th), 12-3 overall after a 53 -38 triumph at Illinois on New Year's Day and a 46-49 loss at Northwestern on 1/4 Next 1/8 vs. Ohio State, 8 pm, Kohl Center (BTN); 1/11 vs. Michigan, 1:30 pm, Kohl Center; 1/15 at Indiana.

Milwaukee Bucks: 16-19 (3rd, Eastern Conference Central, 11-1/2 games back) after losing 81-85 at Houston on New Year's Eve, winning 103 -75 vs. Charlotte on 1/2, losing 92-102 at Charlotte 1/3) and winning 107-97 vs. Toronto 0/5). Next: 1/7 vs. Philadelphia; 1/9 vs. New Jersey, 7:30 pm, Milwaukee's Bradley Center; 1/10 at Minnesota; 1/12 at Washington; 1/14 vs. Miami, 7 pm, Bradley Center.

ABSOLUTE POWER ; When the NFL's premier defense clashes with the hottest offense in season's ultimate game, something's got to give

TAMPA, Fla. -- A team with a defense that ranked in the top 10 in scoring won the Super Bowl 22 straight years, from 1984 to 2005.

The past two years, that trend was broken.

The classic offense-vs.-defense argument will be played out today in Super Bowl XLIII, and the football world will see which trend holds up.

Will the Pittsburgh Steelers once again prove that defense wins championships?

Or will the Arizona Cardinals prove they have one of the greatest one-year pass offenses in NFL history?

"We've got to keep them from dominating the game," Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said.

In one corner, there is the 71-year-old LeBeau, one of the greatest defensive chiefs ever, the creator of the zone blitz scheme and the mastermind of Pittsburgh's new "Steel Curtain."

Pittsburgh ranked No. 1 in the NFL this year in points allowed (13.9) and No. 1 in yards allowed (237 a game).

In the other corner is 37-year-old Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player bidding for a second Super Bowl title and what could be the cap to a Hall of Fame career.

Arizona ranked tied for third in the NFL in scoring (26.7 ppg) and No. 2 in passing yards (292 a game).

"This will be the best offense we've played all year at a time when they're clicking the best," Steelers safety Ryan Clark said. "It was good to have two weeks off to prepare."

Pittsburgh aims for a record sixth Super Bowl title. The Steelers, Cowboys and 49ers all have five Vince Lombardi trophies.

Arizona aims to complete a rags-to-riches fairy tale. The Cardinals have not won the NFL title in 62 years.

The outcome may come down to how well Warner handles LeBeau's blitzes.

Warner was the highest-rated quarterback in the NFL this year against the blitz, completing 64.4 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns, four interceptions and a passer rating of 103.1.

He has the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL in All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Fitzgerald had 1,431 receiving yards and Boldin 1,038 this year. No. 3 wideout Steve Breaston had 1,006 yards. In three January games, Fitzgerald already has the NFL single- season playoff receiving record with 419 yards on 23 catches.

"You don't play in the league as long as he's played and have the success that he's had without being able to handle anything the defense does," LeBeau said. "He's comfortable against pressure. He's comfortable against max coverage. Our feeling is that offenses in general don't play quite as well against pressure. So we'll be trying to search for a way to do that."

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, ranked second in the NFL in sacks. The Steelers' linebackers combined for a league-high 381/2 sacks, led by NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, who had 16.

"One of the great things about the blitz is you know that when it comes, there is going to be some vacated space out there where you can get the ball in your playmakers' hands to make plays," Warner said.

"He does such a great job of recognizing where the pressure's coming from and understanding where the ball has to go quickly," Cards offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. "So he's able to make those quick decisions."

The Steelers have excelled at containing No. 1 wideouts this year. Not counting garbage-time yards, only two wideouts (the Colts' Reggie Wayne and the Titans' Justin Gage) managed 100 yards against Pittsburgh.

Look for the Steelers to follow the tactic New England's Bill Belichick employed against Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Pats' 3- 4 defense frequently rushed four men, played man-to-man coverage underneath and put two safeties over the top.

Lots of teams try that, but not many have pass rushers as good as Pittsburgh's.

"We want to try to get him out of his rhythm," LeBeau said. "If the quarterback doesn't feel any pressure in this league you're going to have a tough time with him, no matter who it is. It will be magnified with Kurt Warner."

It will help Warner if the Cardinals can run. Arizona ranked 32nd in the NFL in rushing, and the Steelers were No. 2 in run defense. Arizona would become the worst rushing team ever to win the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh has gone 21 straight games without allowing a 100- yard rusher.

Colossal mismatch, right? Maybe not.

Arizona has newfound balance, averaging 111 yards rushing the past four games. Edgerrin James has 203 rushing yards and Tim Hightower 132 in three playoff games.

Arizona's defense also has played better in the playoffs, improving the run defense from 110 yards allowed (16th in the NFL) in the regular season to 77 yards allowed in the playoffs.

Two years ago, Indianapolis won the Super Bowl despite a run defense that ranked 32nd in the NFL.

Last year, the New York Giants upset New England with a defense that ranked 17th in scoring during the season. The Giants' defense, however, raised its level in the postseason last year.

Only four teams allowed more points than Arizona (26.6 a game) this year -- Detroit, St. Louis, Denver and Kansas City. All four fired their coaches.

WOMEN'S GOLF HOSTS 24TH ANNUAL DR. DONNIS THOMPSON INVITATIONAL

HONOLULU, March 12 -- The University of Hawaii issued the following news release:

The University of Hawai'i women's golf team hosts their final tournament of the season, the 24th annual Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, March 16-18, at the Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course in Kane'ohe, O'ahu.

This year's Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational will be of extra significance.

Last month, Dr. Thompson, UH's first women's athletics director and tournament namesake, passed away at the age of 75. She was a pioneer and champion of women's sports and UH's spring golf tournament has been named in her            honor since 1999.

Dr. Thompson was inducted into the school's Sports Circle of Honor in 1988 for her tremendous achievements and many contributions to the UH Athletics programs. Dr. Thompson was an avid supporter of women's equality. She disagreed with the idea that athletics were a "men's place" and that women had no place in sports.

The Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational is held every March at the 5,907-yard, par- 72, Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course on the windward side of the island of O'ahu. The course has served as home to the tournament every year except when it moved to Olomana Golf Links in 2000 and '01. The Klipper is known for its majestic views of the Ko'olau Mountain Range and the raging surf of the Pacific Ocean. The course rating is 71 and it has a slope rating of 130 on Bermuda grass. The course was designed by William P. Bell, ASGCA, and opened in 1939. The Invitational started in 1986 and is in its 24th year. UH's Bobbie Kokx captured the inaugural tournament in 1986. Before a standout professional career, Arizona's Annika Sorenstam repeated as champion in 1991 & '92. Arizona has captured a record six tournament titles (1986, '90-92, '96, '99-2000) and has seven individual winners, most recently Natalie Gulbis, a current member of the LPGA, who won the title in 2001.

In honor of her many accomplishments to the UH Athletics programs, the Rainbow Wahine Invitational Golf Tournament was re-named the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in 1999. The event was started to give women's golf teams from across the nation, including schools from Japan, to compete and share their athletic talents in one of the biggest tournaments in the state.

In the 1986 inaugural tournament, host Hawai'i proved they could compete with the best programs in the nation. UH tied with powerhouse Arizona for the team title - for its only tournament championship - and Rainbow Wahine Bobbie Kokx captured the individual title with a score of eight-under, 224.

This year's field includes 12 collegiate teams including two from Japan, Osaka Gakuin and Nagoya University. In addition to Hawai'i, other Western Athletic Conference schools competing include Boise State, Idaho, and Nevada. Also competing are Kansas State, Lipscomb, Northern Colorado, and UTEP, along with the highest ranked teams according to Golfweek, No. 32 Texas A&M and No. 58 Indiana. What: Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational

Date: Monday through Wednesday, Mar. 16-18

Where: Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course, Kane'ohe, O'ahu

Yardage (Par): 5,907 (72)

Format: 54-hole tournament (18 holes each day)

Host: Hawai'i

Who: Boise State, Hawai'i, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas State, Lipscomb, Nagoya University, Nevada, Northern Colorado, Osaka Gakuin, Texas A&M, UTEPFor more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

SEEN & HEARD

Big Sky has sweet coverage

With all the drama about the Arizona Wildcats Sports Network and the Pac-10's long-desired conference television network, we love the way the Big Sky Conference does its sports coverage.

The Big Sky TV Web site, www.bigskytv.org, is pretty sweet. For free - all viewers have to do is register - fans can watch more than 400 live sporting events that take place on conference schools' campuses.

How great is this? The Web site airs all football, volleyball and basketball games played at Big Sky venues.

This year, more than 20,000 fans have signed up for the Web site.

Since starting up in 2006, the Web site has produced more than 1,200 games and news conferences - including playoffs in football, volleyball, soccer, track and field and basketball.

Offensive night

The Wildcats' final touchdown of the first half was historic.

It took the team 17 plays and 7 minutes 40 seconds to drive 99 yards for a 21-10 lead. The 99-yard effort was the longest scoring drive for the Wildcats since Sept. 8, 2001.

Against Idaho, Jason Johnson threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall. We can say, quite confidently, that the 99-yard mark will never be broken.

The Wildcats quickly added another monster drive to their record book -a two-play, 95-yard journey that saw Nicolas Grigsby sprint from the UA's 5-yard line to NAU's 1.

Cats are streaking

Sure, it's over two years, but it's a cause for celebration.

The Wildcats have won four straight games dating to last year's victories against Arizona State and BYU. The Wildcats had not won four straight since 2000.

Of course, UA fans know what happened next. After Dick Tomey's team defeated Washington State for the UA's fourth straight win and a 5-1 start, the team lost five straight - ending Tomey's Wildcat career.

Arizona won three in a row in 2006 and 2007.

Scoring 30-plus is good news

The Wildcats surpassed the Big Three-Oh again Saturday night - and that's usually good news.

For the 106th time since joining the Pac-10 in 1978, Arizona scored at least 30 points.

In those games, Arizona is 96-9-1. The UA is 17-1 under Mike Stoops when scoring 30 or more, the lone loss coming at Oregon last season.

Entering the game, the UA was 108-4 when scoring 40 or more points - something the Wildcats did in four home games last year.

Dazzling show

Every night should be Hispanic Heritage Night.

To celebrate, the Wildcats presented a throng of mariachis - along with the Pride of Arizona - as part of the halftime show. The folklorico dancing was as great as the music, as women in dazzling, flowing dresses twirled all over the field. From above, the image was as striking as anything we'd seen here in a long time.

The big number

50,623Saturday night's attendance was the third-largest ever for an NAU game at Arizona Stadium. The NAU-UA game drew 54,708 in 2005 and 52,638 in 2007. The largest crowd NAU has ever faced was 62,707 at Arizona State last year - but the Lumberjacks figure to surpass it with a game at Ole Miss.

Backup QB bottled up after 34-yard run

CHICAGO - One of the NFL's biggest stories in training camp and in the first weeks of the season became a non-story when the Philadelphia Eagles relegated Michael Vick to pretty much onlooker status.

He's been used only sparingly in recent weeks - Vick had just four touches in the previous three games - and he's done almost nothing this season since returning from suspension in Week 3. But Vick put himself in line for more work right from the start, coming in on the third play from scrimmage. On third-and-1 at the Eagles' 34-yard line, he faked a handoff to LeSean McCoy and then ran up the middle for 34 yards. It was by far Vick's longest play of the season, topping an 11-yard run he had in Week 5 against Tampa Bay. Vick came back on the Eagles' second possession and was nearly sacked by Alex Brown before completing a pass to tight end Brent Celek for no gain. Bears coach Lovie Smith said during the week that his team had committed practice time to preparing for Vick even though he's been less involved. Heady stuff Concussions and player health remain in the forefront, and not just because Eagles running back Brian Westbrook missed Sunday's game after he had his second concussion in 20 days last week at San Diego. The NFL went before the House Judiciary Committee last month on Capitol Hill, and it's something at the forefront for the league and the players association. The New York Times reported last week that the NFLPA is trying to get Dr. Ira Casson, co-chairman of the NFL's committee on concussions, ousted because he continues to dismiss studies that have linked the NFL with dementia issues for former players. Jay Glazer reported on Fox on Sunday that commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered every team and team doctor to secure an independent neurologist to work with their organization on concussion issues. Bears left tackle Orlando Pace suffered a mild concussion last week at San Francisco. He didn't miss practice time as it was deemed he wasn't showing any post-concussion symptoms. The only other concussion the team has dealt with this season was one for linebacker Nick Roach in the preseason opener at Buffalo. It was his second concussion in a year, and he was held out of the remaining three preseason games. Concussions have been a major issue for the Bears in the past. "Most people know concussions ended my career," ex-Bears running back Merril Hoge told the Washington Post. "What they don't know was how close I came to dying, that I flatlined in the locker room. It can happen. I came as close as one, unfortunately, can come. It is real. That's what's hard for players to deal with." Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reportedly suffered one in Pittsburgh's loss at Kansas City, and it's at least the fourth of his career. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner also reportedly suffered a mild concussion in the Cardinals' victory at St. Louis. Extra points Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown, who was questionable with a pulled hamstring, ran his consecutive games played streak to 134, including postseason. n The Bears made a change on defense by inserting Corey Graham as the nickel back. The team had been moving free safety Danieal Manning to the nickel and then replacing him at safety with Payne or Nathan Vasher. By using Graham, they're making just one move when they sub out strong-side linebacker Nick Roach in the sub package.

Rodgers shreds Cardinals backups in 33-7 rout

The Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers knew well before kickoff that they would be playing each other again on the same field in a few days.

The Cardinals can only hope this wasn't a preview of that first-round playoff matchup.

Aaron Rodgers, playing mostly against the Arizona reserves, shredded the Cardinals in a 33-7 Packers rout on Sunday.

Rodgers played three quarters, completing 21 of 26 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown.

Charles Woodson returned an interception 45 yards for another score as the Packers (11-5) won for the seventh time in eight games.

It was the most one-sided home loss for Arizona in coach Ken Whisenhunt's three seasons with the Cardinals.

Arizona (10-6) sat quarterback Kurt Warner after one quarter. Backup Matt Leinart completed 13 of 21 passes for 96 yards and was intercepted twice.

Most of Arizona's first-team defense played only one possession.

Whisenhunt took a cautious approach in terms of a game plan, not showing much of what he would use next week, while Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy chose to play the Packers' usual high-powered game.

Woodson left the game with a shoulder injury late in the first half. Arizona cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (bruised left knee) and wide receiver Anquan Boldin (right ankle) also were injured in the game.

On the possession before he left, Woodson picked off Leinart's errant pass and raced down the left sideline, diving in for the touchdown to make it 26-0 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.

It was his third interception return for a TD this season, a franchise record.

He also broke the Packers' record with his eighth career defensive touchdown since joining the team in 2006 _ seven interceptions and one fumble return. He had shared the mark with Herb Adderly (1961-69) and Darren Sharper (1997-2004).

Woodson set a career best with his ninth pick of the season. He has 45 in his career.

Arizona barely avoided its first shutout loss since the second week of the 2003 season.

Ralph Brown intercepted Matt Flynn's pass and returned it 80 yards to Cardinals 8. Brian St. Pierre threw his first NFL touchdown pass on the next play, an 3-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald, with 2:59 to play.

Arizona's hopes for a No. 2 seed ended with Minnesota's victory over the New York Giants earlier in the day. That assured a Cardinals-Packers first-round playoff matchup. The only question was seeding. Arizona is No. 4, Green Bay No. 5.

Rodgers directed touchdown drives on Green Bay's first two possessions.

Rodgers-Cromartie, selected to the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season, was carted off the field with a left knee injury less than two minutes into the game. It turned out to be a bruise, but Rodgers-Cromartie did not play again.

His replacement, Michael Adams, figured prominently in Green Bay's first two TDs.

A 28-yard pass interference penalty against Adams moved the ball to the Cardinals 1, where Ryan Grant scored. The next time the Packers had the ball, Adams was the defender on a 51-yard pass to Jordy Nelson, again to the 1. Rodgers sneaked over from there to make it 14-0 with 2:41 still left to play in the first quarter.

After Steve Breaston unadvisedly fielded a punt at the Cardinals 2, guard Reggie Wells was called for holding in the end zone for a safety. The play negated another interception thrown by Leinart, who had just entered the game.

The Packers went 94 yards in 14 plays for their third touchdown, Rodgers throwing five yards to Finley for the score.

Coaches take opposite tactics in Pack's 33-7 rout

Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt took a cautious approach, Green Bay's Mike McCarthy kept the Packers at full bore most of the day.

The result was a 33-7 Green Bay rout of the NFC champion Cardinals in their regular season finale on Sunday.

Next Sunday, the teams will meet again on the same field in the first round of the playoffs. The outcome will determine which coach took the right approach.

"We wanted to come out here to win the game, keep our razor sharp and gain some momentum going into the playoffs," McCarthy said. "It didn't matter who we were playing. I understand Arizona had a different agenda. ... We like the way we played the last eight weeks and it was very important for us to maximize this opportunity."

McCarthy knew he was taking a risk that one of his key players might get hurt.

Aaron Rodgers played three quarters, mostly against Arizona reserves, completing 21 of 26 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown.

Charles Woodson, who later left with a shoulder injury McCarthy said wasn't serious, returned an interception 45 yards for another score as the Packers (11-5) won for the seventh time in eight games.

It was the most one-sided home loss for Arizona in Whisenhunt's three seasons with the Cardinals, and many of the Packers didn't think it was meaningless.

"They've got a lot to think about," Green Bay defensive end Johnny Jolly said.

Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, however, said the game "kind of really didn't mean anything."

"I guess if they want to celebrate it they can go ahead," Dockett said. "But us personally, we know we've got some work to do and our main focus is next weekend."

Arizona (10-6) sat quarterback Kurt Warner after one quarter. Backup Matt Leinart completed 13 of 21 passes for 96 yards and was intercepted twice.

Most of Arizona's first-team defense played only one possession.

The Cardinals lost standout cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a bruised left kneecap on the third play of the game.

Whisenhunt said he had two game plans ready. The one he would use was determined by the outcome of the Minnesota-New York Giants game. When the Vikings won, ending any chance for Arizona to get a No. 2 seed, Whisenhunt opted for the bland option.

"I can't speak to what they were doing," Whisenhunt said of the Packers. "I know we had a plan going in about what we were going to do if the situation was the way it ended up being. It was very difficult to stick to that plan. All I can say is hopefully it will pay off for us next week."

Whisenhunt thought his team let down before the game even started after seeing the Vikings win in a rout.

Rodgers noted the Cardinals never blitzed after the starters left, giving little evidence in this game what they might use in the next.

"We'll look at the film obviously and critique it," Rodgers said, "but the body of work we'll focus on is really the last four or five games they played before this one."

Woodson left the game with a jammed shoulder late in the first half. McCarthy said he expects his star defender to be ready for the playoff opener.

"Just when he was walking off the field he told me right then 'I'll be fine,'" McCarthy said. "So I wasn't concerned after that."

In addition to Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin (right ankle) and defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thumb) also were injured.

Rodgers-Cromartie, selected to the Pro Bowl in this his second NFL season, was carted off after his knee came down on the cleat of Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley less than two minutes into the game.

The loss of the player teammates call "DRC" would be devastating against Rodgers.

"It's feeling a whole lot better than when it first happened," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "It's just real sore."

Still, he insisted he would play next weekend.

On the possession before he left, Woodson picked off Leinart's errant pass and raced down the left sideline, diving in for the touchdown to make it 26-0 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.

It was his third interception return for a TD this season, a franchise record.

He also broke the Packers' record with his eighth career defensive touchdown since joining the team in 2006 _ seven interceptions and one fumble return. He had shared the mark with Herb Adderly (1961-69) and Darren Sharper (1997-2004).

Woodson set a career best with his ninth pick of the season. He has 45 in his career.

Arizona barely avoided its first shutout loss since the second week of the 2003 season.

Ralph Brown intercepted Matt Flynn's pass and returned it 80 yards to Packers 8. After a penalty, Brian St. Pierre threw his first NFL touchdown pass on the next play, a 3-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald, with 2:59 to play.

Notes: Rodgers fell 26 yards shy of the Packers' single-season record for yards passing. ... Boldin passed 1,000 yards receiving for a franchise record fifth time. ... The Cardinals' Ben Graham had three punts inside the 20, tying the record of 42 for a season set by San Francisco's Andy Lee in 2007. ... Fitzgerald, who played the entire game, set a career high with his 13th TD catch of the season. ... Green Bay beat Arizona in the preseason 44-37, leading 38-10 at halftime.

Playoff preview or meaningless?

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt took a cautious approach, Green Bay's Mike McCarthy kept the Packers at full bore most of the day.

The result was a 33-7 Green Bay rout of the NFC champion Cardinals in their regular season finale on Sunday.

In a few days, the teams will meet again on the same field in the first round of the playoffs. The outcome will determine which coach took the right approach.

"We wanted to come out here to win the game, keep our razor sharp and gain some momentum going into the playoffs," McCarthy said. "It didn't matter who we were playing. I understand Arizona had a different agenda. ... We like the way we played the last eight weeks and it was very important for us to maximize this opportunity."

McCarthy knew he was taking a risk that one of his key players might get hurt. Aaron Rodgers played three quarters, mostly against Arizona reserves, completing 21 of 26 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown.

Charles Woodson, who later left with a shoulder injury McCarthy said wasn't serious, returned an interception 45 yards for another score as the Packers (11-5) won for the seventh time in eight games.

It was the most one-sided home loss for Arizona in Whisenhunt's three seasons with the Cardinals, and many of the Packers didn't think it was meaningless.

"They've got a lot to think about," Green Bay defensive end Johnny Jolly said.

Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, however, said the game "kind of really didn't mean anything."

"I guess if they want to celebrate it they can go ahead," Dockett said. "But us personally, we know we've got some work to do and our main focus is next weekend."

Arizona (10-6) sat quarterback Kurt Warner after one quarter. Backup Matt Leinart completed 13 of 21 passes for 96 yards and was intercepted twice.

Most of Arizona's first-team defense played only one possession.

The Cardinals lost standout cornerback Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie to a bruised left kneecap on the third play of the game.

Whisenhunt had two game plans ready. The one he would use was determined by the outcome of the Minnesota-New York Giants game. When the Vikings won, ending any chance for Arizona to get a No. 2 seed, Whisenhunt opted for the bland option.

"I can't speak to what they were doing," Whisenhunt said of the Packers. "I know we had a plan going in about what we were going to do if the situation was the way it ended up being. It was very difficult to stick to that plan. All I can say is hopefully it will pay off for us next week."

Whisenhunt thought his team let down before the game even started after seeing the Vikings win in a rout.

Rodgers noted the Cardinals never blitzed after the starters left, giving little evidence in this game what they might use in the next.

"We'll look at the film obviously and critique it," Rodgers said, "but the body of work we'll focus on is really the last four or five games they played before this one."

Woodson left the game with a jammed shoulder late in the first half. McCarthy said he expects his star defender to be ready for the playoff opener.

"Just when he was walking off the field he told me right then'I'll be fine,'" McCarthy said. "So I wasn't concerned after that."

In addition to Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin (right ankle) and defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thumb) also were injured.

Rodgers-Cromartie, selected to the Pro Bowl in this his second NFL season, was carted off after his knee came down on the cleat of Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley less than two minutes into the game.

The loss of the player teammates call "DRC" would be devastating against Rodgers.

"It's feeling a whole lot better than when it first happened," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "It's just real sore."

Still, he insisted he would play next weekend.

On the possession before he left, Woodson picked off Leinart's errant pass and raced down the left sideline, diving in for the touchdown to make it 26-0 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.

It was his third interception return for a TD this season, a franchise record.

He also broke the Packers'record with his eighth career defensive touchdown since joining the team in 2006 - seven interceptions and one fumble return. He had shared the mark with Herb Adderly (1961- 69) and Darren Sharper (1997-2004).

Woodson set a career best with his ninth pick of the season. He has 45 in his career.

Arizona barely avoided its first shutout loss since the second week of the 2003 season.

Ralph Brown intercepted Matt Flynn's pass and returned it 80 yards to Packers 8. After a penalty, Brian St. Pierre threw his first NFL touchdown pass on the next play, a 3-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald, with 2:59 to play.

Notes: Rodgers fell 26 yards shy of the Packers'single-season record for yards passing. ... Boldin passed 1,000 yards receiving for a franchise record fifth time. ... The Cardinals'Ben Graham had three punts inside the 20, tying the record of 42 for a season set by San Francisco's Andy Lee in 2007. ... Fitzgerald, who played the entire game, set a career high with his 13th TD catch of the season. ... Green Bay beat Arizona in the preseason 44-37, leading 38-10 at halftime.

Wild days, parties are history for Cat pitcher

ARIZONA BASEBALL

When the Arizona Wildcats reconvened following winter break, coach Andy Lopez introduced the team to a new, old player.

"Clyde Bandilla," Lopez said with a laugh. "He's a different person. He's lost 20 pounds. He's got a 3.5 GPA, and he's been fantastic for us."

Bryce Bandilla has been a member of the UA program since August 2008.

He might as well be a different person - call him Clyde - this year.

The Wildcats sophomore pitcher is in shape, focused on baseball and academically sound for the first time in his college career. Arizona began practicing Monday with Bandilla, 20, as the favorite to inherit the closer's role previously occupied by three high draft picks: Ryan Perry, Daniel Schlereth and Jason Stoffel.

"They're all great pitchers," Bandilla said. "It's a privilege to be a closer here."

The Wildcats will need Bandilla, and others like him, to step up if they hope to compete for a Pac-10 championship this spring. Arizona's 2010 roster includes just two seniors - pitcher Grayson Adams and utilityman Rafael Valenzuela - and seven draft-eligible juniors. The rest, including a 17-person freshman class, will try to spark a team that went 30-25 and missed the postseason a year ago.

That Bandilla made the team is notable in itself.

The pitcher, like many UA freshmen, was often irresponsible in his first year away from home.

The Wildcats pitcher didn't go to class often, finishing with a 1.5 GPA. He stayed out too late and partied too much. He was kicked out of his dormitory for drinking. He ate poorly, gained weight and didn't do much to stay in shape.

It was a toxic mix that rendered Bandilla, a promising left- hander, irrelevant on the field. In 26 appearances, he posted a 3-3 record and 6.20 ERA. Twice, he was pulled from starts after failing to get a single out.

"I was a mess," he said. "I was 20 pounds overweight. I didn't go to class, and I didn't work out either. I drank a lot, I partied a lot, and I didn't care much about baseball."

Arizona's coaches noticed. Lopez summoned Bandilla to his office in the days following the UA's regular-season finale to discuss his future. The coach was in the process of purging six players from the roster for maturity issues, and Bandilla was seemingly next.

"I had some deep reservations, quite candidly, about inviting him back. Last year was not acceptable in any way, shape or form, on the field or off the field," Lopez said. "I told Bryce that what he did during the season was unacceptable.

"Before I could finish that sentence, he said: 'I know I've screwed up. I know I haven't done what I was supposed to do. If you let me back, I'll get it figured out.'"

Slowly, Bandilla put his life in order.

The pre-sociology major salvaged his GPA with a solid performance in summer school. Bandilla put himself on a diet as the fall semester began and re-dedicated himself both in the weight room and the diamond. Bandilla shed 20 pounds off his 6-foot-4-inch frame, gaining an extra few miles per hour on his fastball in the process. His fastball has been clocked at 92 miles per hour, major-league- caliber stuff for a left-hander; his second pitch, a curveball, has a newfound break.

Academically, Bandilla has become a shining example to his teammates. He received one A and three B's in the fall semester, good for a 3.25 GPA.

Bandilla must now prove he can pitch effectively at the college level. While it might have intimidated Bryce, "Clyde" seems up for the challenge.

"I totally believe that if you're a bad person off the field - if you drink, party, don't go to class - it carries over. It correlates," Bandilla said. "When you do the things you're supposed to do, the same thing happens. Now, it's carrying over here, too."

KEY DATES

* Saturday: Red/Blue game, 11 a.m., at Kindall/ Sancet Stadium, (admission is free)

* Feb. 19: Season opener, Utah Valley at UA, 6 p.m.

* March 26: Pac-10 opener, Oregon at UA, 6 p.m.

Ryan Theriot's Salary Arb Comp.

We'll get into this in more detail the closer we get to the end of the week, but for those wondering who is one of the primary comps for Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot, the answer -- at least out of this year's class -- is the Diamondback's Stephen Drew.

Drew and Theriot are both within the same service class (3 years), and while Erick Aybar of the Angels also is a comp, Drew is the only player to reach a one-year settlement agreement where the salary can be used (Brendan Harris reached a multi-year agreement with the Twins, thus making him an unreliable comp for salary arbitration purposes).

The other key thing about Drew and Theriot is this: Drew settled on a $3.4 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Jan. 19th. How much is Theriot asking in salary arbitration? $3.4 million. What are the Cubs offering? $2.6 million

Here are the two players' stats from which to chew on:

Ryan Theriot (Career Chicago Cubs)

Year G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ 2005 9 14 13 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 .154 .214 .231 .445 15 2006 53 159 134 34 44 11 3 3 16 13 2 17 18 .328 .412 .522 .934 135 2007 148 597 537 80 143 30 2 3 45 28 4 49 50 .266 .326 .346 .672 71 2008 149 661 580 85 178 19 4 1 38 22 13 73 58 .307 .387 .359 .745 92 2009 154 677 602 81 171 20 5 7 54 21 10 51 93 .284 .343 .369 .712 83 5 Seasons 513 2108 1866 283 538 81 14 14 153 84 29 191 221 .288 .356 .369 .726 86 162 Gm Avg. (http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/bat_glossary.shtml#162_avg) 162 666 589 89 170 26 4 4 48 27 9 60 70 .288 .356 .369 .726 86 Provided by Baseball-Reference.com (http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/sharing.shtml): View Original Table (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/theriry01.shtml#batting_standard)

Generated 2/16/2010.

Stephen Drew (Career Arizona Diamondbacks)

Year G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ 2006 59 226 209 27 66 13 7 5 23 2 0 14 50 .316 .357 .517 .874 117 2007 150 619 543 60 129 28 4 12 60 9 0 60 100 .238 .313 .370 .683 71 2008 152 663 611 91 178 44 11 21 67 3 3 41 109 .291 .333 .502 .836 109 2009 135 595 533 71 139 29 12 12 65 5 1 49 87 .261 .320 .428 .748 89 4 Seasons 496 2103 1896 249 512 114 34 50 215 19 4 164 346 .270 .326 .445 .771 93 162 Gm Avg. (http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/bat_glossary.shtml#162_avg) 162 687 619 81 167 37 11 16 70 6 1 54 113 .270 .326 .445 .771 93 Provided by Baseball-Reference.com (http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/sharing.shtml): View Original Table (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/drewst01.shtml?redir#batting_standard)

Generated 2/16/2010.

For more on salary arbitration, see the following:

YAHOO! SPORTS ARTICLES ON SALARY ARBITRATION:

Inside a Tim Lincecum arbitration hearing (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ArVWmtCKQgTYLJxz7uw85UARvLYF?slug=ys-maurybrownlincecumarb021010&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) - 2/10/10

Salary arbitration: Battle of the midpoint (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AqF3fSxVuGp1cB9h5WbNqv0RvLYF?slug=ys-arbitrationmidpoint012510&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) -- 1/26/10

Evolution of salary arbitration: an ironic tale (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AhMPL55GZ4kfdZaA8dLDi5ERvLYF?slug=ys-maurybrownarbitration011910&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) -- 1/19/10

RESOURCES FOR SALARY ARBITRATION

MLB Salary Database (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=ApKLCWcMxhjc52AVtqlfpHVDWtAF/SIG=12s21sk14/**http%3A/www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php%3Foption=com_wrapper%26view=wrapper%26Itemid=179)

Salary Arbitration Filings (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Apq99gO_4Cy0Wmwbp0hE4TxDWtAF/SIG=134g37ut6/**http%3A/www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php%3Foption=com_content%26view=article%26id=492%26Itemid=65)

Salary Arbitration Figures (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=At14E1JglwUOSQ2tYR4E_GhDWtAF/SIG=134re16s6/**http%3A/www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php%3Foption=com_content%26view=article%26id=599%26Itemid=72)

Arbitration Scorecard (http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=719&Itemid=116)

MLB Salary Arbitration Hearing Outcome by Club (1974-Present) (http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4083%3Amlb-salary-arbitration-hearing-outcome-by-club-1974-present&catid=72%3Asalary-arbitration&Itemid=183)

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/), which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. (http://businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=15) He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1%3Amaury-brown&catid=12%3Acontacts&Itemid=133).

Follow The Biz of Baseball on Twitter (http://twitter.com/BizofBaseball)

Scott Brown campaigns for McCain in Arizona

Facing the toughest re-election battle of his career, Arizona Sen. John McCain enlisted a rising star of the Republican Party in a bid Friday to lock down support among conservative primary voters.

Just two years after he emerged victorious in the Republican presidential primary contest, McCain now faces a stiff primary challenge for the party's Senate nomination from radio talk show host and former congressman JD Hayworth who claims McCain is not conservative enough.

Some Arizona conservatives have long been skeptical of the four-term senator who lost the 2008 presidential race to Barack Obama. Since the last election, McCain has tacked to the right in his Senate votes, but his detractors bring up his past work with Democrats in support of issues including campaign-finance and immigration reform.

Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who became an overnight Republican star with his upset victory in a January special election to fill the seat held for decades by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, made his first campaign trip as a senator when he visited Arizona to support McCain.

The appearance also marked a key test of Brown's popularity among Republican activists and his ability to raise contributions for candidates after he recently broke with the party's Senate leadership to side with Democrats and a handful of moderate Republicans in supporting a jobs bill.

Brown joined McCain at Grand Canyon University, a small Christian school in Phoenix.

"We need good people, honest people, people who are greatly respected, people who are not out for themselves," Brown told a crowd of about 1,000 people.

"And he's right here," he said of McCain.

Pacing the stage, McCain stressed familiar themes, saying he opposes President Barack Obama's health care bill and abortion, worries about the national debt, and is committed to creating jobs and keeping people in their homes.

He spent most of his time _ and got his loudest applause _ on health care.

"We Republicans, like the majority of Americans, are saying to the president: 'Stop and start over,'" McCain said.

Brown won his Senate seat with the help of national Republicans, grassroots conservative "tea party" activists and an array of special interest groups. Some of those supporters turned against Brown after his Feb. 22 vote on the jobs bill, calling him a traitor and lambasting him online.

As a nationally popular Republican representing a left-leaning state, Brown walks a fine line between pleasing his party's base and positioning himself for re-election in 2012.

Brown's visit is intended to help McCain galvanize support on the right. Even as some former supporters turn on Brown, he remains popular in the Republican Party after his victory embarrassed Democrats.

Brown's victory gave Republicans the crucial 41st vote they need to block Democratic legislation in the Senate. On his first opportunity to do so, however, he was one of five Republicans to allow the jobs bill to advance. It later passed the Senate on a formal vote with support from 13 Republicans.

The Massachusetts senator is in Arizona for campaign stops with McCain in Phoenix on Friday and Tucson on Saturday, as well as a fundraiser in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale.

McCain was one of Brown's earliest supporters when his chances in Massachusetts looked like a longshot and he struggled to find footing in the race.

Jayne Appel plays through the pain to Stanford women's gain

SACRAMENTO -- Stanford senior Jayne Appel really is hurting. She might not want to talk about it. But the pain from a right ankle sprain and left knee surgery reminds the All-America center of what she has endured this season.

"I'm not going to lie and say I'm in zero pain," she said Sunday, the day before Stanford plays Xavier in the Sacramento Regional final. "I feel like out of sight, out of mind. It's easier to not think about."

Appel prefers to focus on a tall task at Arco Arena tonight where the top-seeded Cardinal (34-1) plays one of the most imposing front lines it has seen this season. The fifth-ranked Musketeers present a different problem for Stanford than its previous three NCAA tournament opponents.

Namely, size. Xavier is led by 6-foot-5 Amber Harris and 6-6 Ta'Shia Phillips and has 6-3 Brittany Moore in reserve. Harris averages 16 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Phillips has 14.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

"They take up a lot of space. They block shots. They change shots," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said.

After waltzing through the tournament with an average victory margin of 32.6 points, the second-ranked Cardinal must subdue the Atlantic 10 Conference champions from Cincinnati to reach the Final Four.

Stanford will need the 6-4 Appel at her best to counter Xavier's mountain-like players -- even when she doesn't have the strength to dominate the post like last season. Appel missed some easy layups against Georgia in the Sweet Sixteen but scored 17 points in 24 minutes before VanDerveer took her out to rest for the Musketeers (30-3).

Appel won't blame her struggles on injuries, although she has seen her share of maladies this season. She had surgery in June to repair a meniscus ligament in her left knee. Appel suffered from the stomach flu in November and needed four IV bags of fluid to get through a game against Utah. She contracted a minor foot infection that hobbled her early in the season and suffered an ankle sprain March 2.

"I have to push off with my left knee and my right ankle," said Appel, who developed her toughness playing against brothers on the family court in Pleasant Hill. "I definitely do notice the difference. I don't want to be a player who blames missing shots on an injury. But it does have a factor whether or not I chose to acknowledge it."

The injuries haven't slowed Stanford's leader from running the floor, passing or rebounding. Appel's full-court presence has caught the attention of Xavier coach Kevin McGuff.

"The thing that really impressed me, her level of fitness," he said. "They really run the floor well. We got to make sure our posts run."

Appel, a standout water polo and basketball player at Carondelet High, has remained a tour de force in executing VanDerveer's triangle offense even as her scoring average (13.8) has dropped this season.

Appel has distinguished herself as perhaps the country's best post passer. It started, she said, from watching Larry Bird.

"You're almost creating a connection between two players," Appel said of the backdoor passes that have led to easy layups.

The best pass in her Stanford career?

"Arizona State at home, Candice going back door," Appel said without hesitation. "It sliced through. I don't know how it got there, but it got there."

The crowd-pleasing play to All-America guard Candice Wiggins, in 2008, launched Appel on a remarkable run that she hopes ends with a third consecutive trip to the Final Four next weekend in San Antonio.

"It opened up a new world of Stanford basketball," she said of involving all five positions.

Appel, who graduated last week with a degree in psychology, has three more chances to leave an indelible mark on Stanford, which hasn't won an NCAA title since 1992. Some wonder whether it's asking too much to win three without Appel completely healthy. She hasn't practiced full-court since spraining her ankle in a layup drill, and is relegated to riding a stationary bike and shooting free throws.

Appel dismisses questions about her durability, saying, "I've played in more games than any Stanford player. Ever."

VanDerveer added: "I think Jayne just blocks out pain. If I ask her how she is doing, she just says, 'Great.' "

She has always been that way.

"I don't care what it takes to play, I'm always going to push through it," Appel said, ready to prove it once again tonight.

US lawyer on crusade to clean out illegal aliens.

When politicians and police across the United States want to crack down on illegal immigration, they often reach out to the same man, a little-known Kansas attorney with an Ivy League education who is the architect behind many of America's most contentious immigration laws.

Kris Kobach could not attend West Point because of diabetes, but he regards his efforts on immigration as a substitute for military service.

Kobach helps draft proposed laws and, after they are adopted, trains officers to enforce them. If the laws are challenged, he goes to court to defend them.

His most recent project was advising Arizona officials on a new law that empowers police to question anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. Critics say it violates the Constitution's provisions against unreasonable search and seizure by allowing police to engage in racial profiling.

But Kobach insists an officer stopping a crowded van for a traffic violation has a reasonable suspicion its occupants are illegal immigrants if none of them has identification, the van is travelling a known smuggling route and the driver is evasive.

``I could not care less whether they come from Mexico or Germany or Japan or China,'' said Kobach. ``An alien who also is here with terrorist intentions can carry any passport.''

Before the law was passed last month, Kobach spent several years consulting its main sponsor. And he has a US$300-an-hour ($430) contract to teach police officers in Maricopa County to enforce immigration policies.

Detractors are not impressed by Kobach's degrees from Harvard, Oxford and Yale, or the White House fellowship he served during George W. Bush's first term.

While at the White House, he created a post-9/11 Justice Department programme requiring immigrants from 25 mostly Muslim nations who were already in the US to re-register with the federal government. Civil libertarians argued that it led to unwarranted detentions of law-abiding immigrants.

``He promotes himself as absolutely, positively being a constitutional scholar on these issues, and he's just wrong,'' said Bill Brewer, a Dallas attorney who has faced Kobach in court over immigration laws in Farmers Branch, Texas.

Kobach, a 44-year-old lifelong Republican, learned as a Topeka teenager that diabetes would keep him from a desired appointment to West Point. His focus on immigration developed after September 11, 2001 when as an aide to Attorney General John Ashcroft, he and other Justice Department officials learned some of the 9/11 attackers had lived in the US illegally.

After leaving Washington, he returned to Kansas and to a job on the University of Missouri-Kansas City law school faculty that he'd had since 1996, then launched a campaign for Congress. He lost.

Kobach drew attention by challenging a Kansas law that reduced tuition rates for illegal immigrants. The law survived, but frustrated conservatives took notice.

Mayor Lou Barletta, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, called Kobach in 2006 to discuss a proposal to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and to deny permits to businesses hiring them. Kobach later defended the law in federal court.

The mayor said he contacted Kobach after a news report quoted him saying Hazleton had the authority to enact such an ordinance, contradicting other legal scholars.

``It really only took one conversation to realise that he truly knew what he was talking about,'' Barletta recalled.

Kobach also wrote sections of a 2008 Missouri law cracking down on illegal immigration and this year drafted an unsuccessful proposal in Idaho requiring employers to screen workers. Kobach said he's consulted legislators in at least six other states on various measures.

Kobach quit early last year to launch a campaign for secretary of state. His first proposal for legislators: require new voters to prove citizenship when they register and make all voters show photo IDs at the polls.

Critics suggest Kobach's immigration work is designed to boost his political career. Arizona state Representative Kyrsten Sinema, a Phoenix Democrat and attorney who voted against her state's new law, said Kobach is not to be underestimated.

``What I'm concerned about,'' she said, ``is there are all these legislators in all these states who think he's a good guy and want to take his advice.'' _AP

Braves close in on NL wild card

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves boosted their National League wild-card hopes with a 3-2 win over Florida Marlins on Tuesday.

Eric Hinske hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and Atlanta improved its wild card chances.

The Braves' win, coupled with San Diego's loss, gave Atlanta a 1-1/2 game lead in the wild-card race.

Trailing 1-0, the Braves rallied for three runs in the seventh off Anibal Sanchez (12-12). Brooks Conrad knocked in the first run with a triple. Eric Hinske hit a two-run homer to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead.

Atlanta reliever Craig Kimbrel (4-0) got the win with a hitless seventh, and Billy Wagner earned his 36th save with a scoreless ninth.

Reds 3, Astros 2

In Cincinnati, the hosts clinched the NL Central title, earning a first trip to the playoffs in 15 years, with a win over Houston.

Jay Bruce hit a game-ending line-drive homer off Tim Byrdak (2-2) with the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth, sparking fireworks overhead.

Cincinnati has won with its last at-bat 22 times this season.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman (2-2) pitched a perfect ninth.

Dusty Baker joined Bill McKechnie as the only managers to lead three different NL teams to the playoffs. Baker has made it with San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs.

Cincinnati finished fourth last season, its second under Baker, but the franchise thought it had the makings of something and kept the roster intact.

The Reds have struggled against other top teams. They have gone 58-28 against losing teams, only 30-41 against those with .500 or better records.

Nationals 2, Phillies 1

In Washington, Adam Dunn led off the bottom of the ninth with his 38th homer of the season, to give Washington victory over Philadelphia.

Dunn's homer off Jose Contreras (6-4) did little to dampen enthusiasm among a Philadelphia team preparing for the playoffs.

Nationals closer Drew Storen (4-4) earned the win by pitching the ninth.

Dodgers 9, Rockies 7

In Denver, Los Angeles eliminated Colorado from the playoff race.

The Rockies' loss, combined with Atlanta's win over Florida and San Francisco's defeat of Arizona, ended Colorado's chances of getting the wild card.

Casey Blake homered twice and Rafael Furcal had two triples for the Dodgers, who blew a four-run lead but came back in the eighth off Rockies reliever Octavio Dotel (3-4). Colorado has lost eight of nine.

L.A. reliever Ronald Bellisario (3-1) got the win, pitching two-thirds of an inning.

Cubs 5, Padres 2

In San Diego, the hosts dropped back sharply in the wild-card race by losing to Chicago.

Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano homered twice, including a two-run shot off struggling San Diego ace Mat Latos (14-9), who fumed after Chicago scored two unearned runs in the fifth, and lost his fourth straight start, his worst stretch this season.

The Padres led the NL West by 6-1/2 games a month ago, but now trail leader San Francisco by two games.

Chicago starter Ryan Dempster (15-11) struck out nine in seven innings.

Giants 4, Diamondbacks 2

In San Francisco, Juan Uribe matched a career best with his 23rd home run as San Francisco increased its NL West lead by beating Arizona.

Uribe hit a tying solo drive leading off the fourth for the Giants, who have a magic number of four to clinch their first playoff berth since 2003.

San Francisco starter Jonathan Sanchez (12-9) struck out six in six innings to reach 200 Ks in a season for the first time in his career.

Arizona's Rodrigo Lopez (7-15) went 5 2-3 innings and took the loss.

Mets 4, Brewers 3

In New York, light-hitting New York rookie Ruben Tejada laced a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Mets over Milwaukee.

Brewers closer John Axford (8-2) escaped an eighth-inning jam, but Ike Davis opened the ninth with a double. Josh Thole got a one-out single that put runners at the corners and Tejada drove the next pitch up the left-center alley for his third hit, and second double, of the game.

The Mets opened their final homestand of the season with their third consecutive win.

New York's Elmer Dessens (4-2) worked a perfect ninth inning for the win.

Pirates 7, Cardinals 2

In St. Louis, Garrett Jones homered on a three-hit night and drove in three runs as Pittsburgh downed St. Louis.

St. Louis was officially eliminated from playoff contention when Cincinnati won. The Cardinals had a 12-6 record against the Reds this season, but is 46-50 against teams with a losing record.

Brian Burres pitched effectively into the sixth inning for the Pirates.