Ben Glicksman: More than a dark horse? Sizing up K-State's chances at Oklahoma

Kansas State's Collin Klein is completing 72.9 percent of his passes through three games in 2012, a vast improvement from his 57.3 percent mark last year.

Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Years from now, when looking back at Kansas State's 2012 season, we might cite Sept. 8 as the day the Wildcats announced their intentions. That's when Kansas State hosted Miami in Manhattan, a Week 2 rematch of last year's 28-24 thriller. Kansas State was tabbed as a dark horse entering the season, Miami a rebuilding project. Despite the Wildcats' No. 21 ranking at the time, few trusted them to dominate the unranked 'Canes.

Then came kickoff. Over the subsequent 60 minutes, Kansas State proceeded to have its way with Miami. The final score was 52-13, but it didn't even feel that close. In a span of a few hours, the Wildcats turned heads from Stillwater to South Beach.

Kansas State may have arrived in Week 2, but it can really make a statement in Week 4 when it travels to Norman to take on No. 6 Oklahoma. Here's an inside look at the much-anticipated Big 12 matchup.

Why it matters

This is the first in a series of games that will determine the Big 12. It's a showdown between two of the nation's premier quarterbacks, the Wildcats' Collin Klein and the Sooners' Landry Jones. But most significantly, it's a telling glimpse at two of the league's unproven contenders. When the top-15 teams square off Saturday night, we'll get a sense for which squad could factor into the national picture late in the season.

Kansas State fans are tired of the dark horse label, and rightfully so. The Wildcats started 7-0 last year and returned the core of their 2011 roster. Klein and running back John Hubert were among the offensive standouts to come back, and each has thrived early in the season: Klein has 905 total yards and nine touchdowns through Week 3, while Hubert is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. K-State is outscoring opponents 138-43.

The Wildcats have also addressed several questions about their defense. In addition to stifling Miami -- they notched three turnovers and five sacks in the win -- they're allowing just 93 rushing yards per game, 19th in the FBS. Arthur Brown, a 6-foot-1, 231-pound senior linebacker, is playing like the top defensive player in the conference. Despite going down with an ankle injury in the first quarter last week against North Texas, he returned to rack up a career-high 13 tackles. He's been cleared to play this week against the Sooners.

On both sides of the ball, the talent is evident. But entering this week's game, many doubters remain.

For starters, the Wildcats have been historically awful against Oklahoma. They've lost each of the past five meetings dating back to 2003, when a diminutive back named Darren Sproles shocked the Sooners in the Big 12 Championship. And Kansas State's 2011 pasting may have been the most painful of all. Watching the highlights of that 58-17 rout, one can almost feel Kansas State's undefeated dreams being trampled into the ground.

There's also the Wildcats' inexperience in the secondary. Though Nigel Malone and Ty Zimmerman are veterans, safety Jarard Milo and cornerback Allen Chapman had never started a game before this year. That could spell trouble against Heisman candidate Jones, who threw for a school-record 505 yards in the teams' 2011 contest. After Kansas State cut the deficit to 17-14 early in the second quarter, Oklahoma rattled off 41 consecutive points. That'd be impressive against any team not named Savannah State.

But for all the history, here's something else to remember: These Sooners also have something to prove. Though they enter as favorites, they're far from a sure thing. Oklahoma struggled against UTEP -- it allowed 108 rushing yards in the third quarter alone -- before pulling away to clinch a 24-7 victory in Week 1. A follow-up demolition of FCS team Florida A&M did little to showcase the Sooners' ultimate potential.

This is a statement game for Bill Snyder and Kansas State, but it's equally vital for Bob Stoops and Co. It's mid-September football at its finest: Two untested teams trying to live up to -- or in K-State's case, finally earn -- BCS-bowl billing.

Burning question

Has Collin Klein come into his own as a quarterback?

This question may raise some eyebrows given Klein's gaudy stats and status as a first-team All-Big 12 performer last year. But his maturation may be the key to this game -- not to mention the Wildcats' entire 2012 season.

Originally recruited as a quarterback, Klein was moved to wide receiver under then-coach Ron Prince. He always possessed the frame (6-5, 226 pounds) and athleticism of a blossoming star, but his throwing motion came under scrutiny; the Prince regime questioned whether he was better served at another position.

After moving back under center, Klein put most of those doubts to rest last year. Named the starter during the preseason, he recorded 1,918 passing yards and 1,141 rushing yards, accounting for 69.8 percent of Kansas State's total offense. But he still completed just 57.3 percent of his passes -- a sign that he still had to develop as a passer.

Given his playing style and his faith (he's outspoken about his Christianity), Klein also garnered comparisons to Tim Tebow. And it's not far off. During his junior campaign, Tebow amassed 3,419 total yards and 42 touchdowns. Last year, Klein collected 3,059 total yards and 40 scores.

But particularly this week, there's a caveat: Klein threw for a meager 58 yards last year against Oklahoma. For the Wildcats to stand a chance this time around, he'll need to fare significantly better. "I'm just gonna play the best that I can possibly play and take the opportunities when they come," said Klein. "Hopefully I won't miss any."

Like Kansas State, Klein is routinely overlooked. Despite upping his completion rate to 72.9 percent through three games this season, he's pegged as a dark horse Heisman candidate -- not of the caliber of Matt Barkley, Geno Smith or Jones. He's an intriguing outsider; he's not yet elite.

Saturday is his chance to change that. Just like the Wildcats, Klein could prompt a major perception shift with a dominant outing against the Sooners.

Points of interest

• Starting speed: Don't let the final scores deceive you. Though Kansas State and Oklahoma appeared to cruise through their cupcake slates, both dealt with far greater issues than an initial look would indicate. The Wildcats were tied with Missouri State before rattling off 35 fourth-quarter points, and they led North Texas by just one point in the third quarter before pulling away. The Sooners were even with UTEP at intermission before outscoring the Miners 17-0 in the second half. Both Big 12 squads will need to start faster Saturday.

• Budding wideouts: Outside of Oklahoma's Kenny Stills, no receivers in this matchup are established game-changers. But three may be poised to break out. Kansas State's Tramaine Thompson already has 211 yards and three touchdowns, while Justin Brown, a Penn State transfer, and freshman Trey Metoyer are big, downfield targets for the Sooners. All three should play pivotal roles from the opening kick.

• Oklahoma's Belldozer package: In last year's matchup with Kansas State, the Sooners unveiled the Belldozer package, a short-yardage set in which 6-6, 254-pound backup quarterback Blake Bell serves as the primary ballcarrier. If it looked familiar to the Wildcats, it should have: Stoops modeled the package after Klein. No longer a surprise, and given the unit's practice experience against Klein, expect K-State's defense to be ready for it in this year's contest. "It definitely gives us a little bit more insight to know what we need to prepare for," said Brown.

Q&A

SI.com caught up with Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein before this weekend's trip to Norman.

SI: How much is last year's loss to Oklahoma on the team's mind this week?

CK: It's definitely something that we remember, but you got to get rid of the good and the bad in the past. We know that we didn't make some plays in some critical situations last year, and they did. We gotta learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen again.

SI: Is there a key to cracking the Sooners' defense?

CK: We're gonna need to do more than just one aspect to win. We can't turn the ball over. We can't really take any three-and-outs. We're gonna need to make some plays, throwing, catching. I know that sounds like everything, but you're gonna need to do more than one thing against a team like Oklahoma.

SI: How has wideout Tramaine Thompson developed as a junior?

CK: I always joke around -- and it's true -- but my favorite receiver is the open one. He's done a great job of getting himself open and really making some plays for us at some pretty critical times.

SI: After finishing with a 57.3 completion percentage in 2011, you're up to 72.9 percent through three games in 2012. What's sparked your improvement?

CK: I think it's a combination of a lot of work. We, meaning our receivers and myself, we threw a lot of balls over the summer. Working on little facets of the game, whether its footwork or watching film. Then it just comes down to making plays when it matters.

SI: Some in the media have likened you to Tim Tebow. What do you make of that comparison?

CK: I'm honored to be mentioned in the same sentence. I don't wanna speak for Tim, but the thing that's most important to both of us is our faith. I would say that's probably the biggest thing that we have in common. I really appreciate him and what he does.

The takeaway

Even with Klein leading the way, Kansas State doesn't have the firepower Oklahoma does. When Jones, Stills and running back Damien Williams (259 rushing yards, five touchdowns so far) are clicking, the Sooners can become a nightmare to stop -- particularly for a defense that's yet to face a multifaceted attack.

"We understand that Landry Jones is a great quarterback," said Brown. "And he has a lot of great guys around him to complement him. We just have to do a better job at focusing on the things that we accomplish in order to make stops and be successful."

That's easier said than done. And it's even harder to do in Norman. The Sooners are 13-0 in home conference openers under Stoops, outscoring opponents by an average of 22.6 points. They're a remarkable 78-3 at Memorial Stadium since Stoops took over in 1999; that trend doesn't seem likely to change anytime soon.

But expect the Wildcats to make it close. And no matter the outcome, look for Klein to add to his growing Heisman profile -- a résumé that could receive an outpouring of support if Kansas State finds a way to pull off an upset.

"We're gonna play hard for four quarters, and regardless of what happens, we'll go from there," said Klein. "We're just trying to become the best that we can be. This is a great opportunity to continue that."

Prediction: Oklahoma 35, Kansas State 30

20 Sep, 2012

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09.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ben Reiter: Pettitte's return, adversity for A's, more Medlen magic

Andy Pettitte pitched five scoreless innings in his first start since suffering a broken ankle.

Jason Szenes/Getty Images

Rain on the East Coast led to a pair of doubleheaders on Wednesday, accelerating the day's playoff implications. The Dodgers split one of them, with the Nationals, delaying the first clinching celebration in Washington since 1933 and keeping L.A., despite its disappointing offense and a pitching staff that is without Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly, within two games of the National League's second wild-card spot. The second double billing will be discussed below. Then there were the Orioles, doing what only the Orioles can.

Herewith, Five Cuts from the day at the races ...

1. The comebacker

You can, in part, credit the Blue Jays' Triple-A-caliber lineup for Andy Pettitte's successful comeback-within-a-comeback -- from, naturally, a comebacker, which broke his ankle 12 weeks ago. With Edwin Encarnacion nursing a sore toe in the dugout, Toronto started just one player, third baseman Brett Lawrie, who had a batting average better than .245 and an OPS better than .708. As it turned out, the Jays' most fearsome threat proved to be the 45-year-old Omar Vizquel, who went 2-for-4 to move past Babe Ruth into 41st place on the all-time hits list.

Even so, Pettitte's 75-pitch outing, in which he allowed four hits and two walks and struck out three in five scoreless innings, was important in ways less immediate than that it led to a 4-2 victory for the Yankees. Pettitte displayed little rustiness, as far as velocity or command. His fastball averaged around 88 miles-per-hour, and topped out at 90, which was virtually identical to his pattern in his first nine starts. Though he threw 46 of his 75 pitches for strikes, his control improved as the afternoon went on. He needed just seven pitches to get through his last inning, the fifth.

Best of all, of course, was that Pettitte made it through physically unscathed. There now seems little reason to believe that the 40-year-old won't again be what he used to be: the linchpin of a Yankees postseason rotation. The Yankees' chances of getting him to October improved even further in Wednesday's nightcap, thanks to one of their other long-toothers, the 38-year-old Ichiro Suzuki. He went 4-for-4 with four steals and an RBI, as the Yankees won again, 2-1.

2. Oblique mangled

A month ago, the Oakland A's appeared as if they might march into the playoffs with one of the best problems that any team can have: they had too many quality starting pitchers. Then, on Aug. 22, Bartolo Colon was suspended 50 games -- a ban that would extend 10 games into the postseason -- after a positive drug test. Then, on Sept. 5, Brandon McCarthy was struck in the head by a line drive, leading to the loss of his season and, nearly, of his life.

On Wednesday night, the A's rotation might have sustained its most significant blow, at least as related to its immediate fortunes. Brett Anderson returned from Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, and he showed no symptoms of the hangover that can accompany that procedure, particularly as far as command. Through five starts -- in which he had gone 4-1 with 1.93 ERA -- he had walked just four batters. Last night against the Tigers, though, something clearly went awry in Anderson's third inning. After issuing an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera, Anderson threw four straight balls to Prince Fielder, then two more to Delmon Young. Three pitches after that 10-ball sequence, Anderson was done for the night -- and possibly much longer. The team announced that he had strained a right oblique muscle.

Oblique injuries, for pitchers especially, are simply crippling, and are rarely quickly overcome. On average, they cost pitchers more than a month on the disabled list, but they can linger longer than that. Toronto's Brandon Morrow suffered one in early June, and did not return until late August.

Unless Anderson's strain proves to be very minor, the A's lost a crucial cog: their rotation's leader, and the pitcher who likely would have started a wild-card game. Though Anderson is just 24, he is the rotation's only veteran. The four remaining starters -- A.J. Griffin, Tom Milone, Jarrod Parker, Dan Straily -- are all rookies. No team in baseball history has ever started more than two rookies in a single postseason. Of course, of the 11 clubs that used two of them, seven won the World Series: the 1997 Marlins, 1982 Cardinals, 1980 Phillies, 1955 Dodgers, 1944 Cardinals, 1927 Yankees, and 1912 Red Sox.

3. Can't stop Medlen

If you were not yet a believer in the 5-foot-10, 190-pound phenomenon that is Kris Medlen, you were after Wednesday night. In eight stellar innings against the Marlins, the 26-year-old Braves righty allowed no runs on four hits and a walk. It was just the latest in a mind-bending string of lines that stretches back to the last day of July, when he made his first start of the season after beginning the year in the bullpen, where he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. Here are Medlen's statistics in his 10 starts since then, which now must be considered a body of work too deep to be aberrant: 8-0, 0.76 ERA (that's six earned runs allowed in 70.2 innings), 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings and a WHIP of 0.82.

Medlen's dominance as a starter goes back farther than the last day of July, and to even before his surgery. The Braves have won 21 of his starts in a row, making him, according to STATS Inc., the surest thing since Whitey Ford, whose Yankees won 22 consecutive starts of his between 1950 and 1953. ("Whitey Ford? Pfft. Let's go. Come on. Don't even say it," Medlen told reporters after the game, continuing his winning streak).

So Medlen, then, is just the pitcher to start a game that you truly must win -- the type of game in which the Braves now seem more certain than ever to participate, and in fact host, on Oct. 5. They have only an outside shot at catching the Nationals, whose NL East lead is now five games, and they maintained a 6½ game lead on the Cardinals, their likely wild-card game opponent. (The Cards now have a two game lead on the Dodgers for the second spot, and seven of their 13 remaining games come against the hapless Astros and Cubs). Even though Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Wednesday that he was still consider using veteran Tim Hudson, that Medlen will be making his first ever start against St. Louis in that game seems close to a fait accompli.

4. (Dai)stay of Execution

Among the Red Sox's many problems this season has been their consistently poor efforts against the other members of the AL East. Against most of them, anyway. The Sox have a losing record versus the Blue Jays, Orioles and Yankees, with a combined mark of 16-29 (which translates to a .356 winning percentage, which only the Astros would covet).

Boston has hammered the fifth team in the division, the Rays. Entering Wednesday night, the Sox were 9-5 against the Rays, had outscored them 72-46, and had won the first two games of a four-game set in St. Petersburg. Perhaps they aren't entirely hell bent on avenging the events of last Sept. 28, though, as they did Tampa Bay a favor: they sent Daisuke Matuszaka to the mound.

Matsuzaka, has rarely encountered success against the Rays, even back when he was good (he was 2-7 against them in his career, with an ERA of 5.83), and that trend continued on Wednesday night. In three innings of work, he allowed five earned runs, on nine hits and a walk, to a team that had in September averaged just four runs per game. Tampa Bay, in a balanced effort that saw the awakening of the bats of slumping veterans Luke Scott (2-for-3, 1 RBI) and Carlos Pena (1-for-2, 1 HR, 3 RBIs), continued its onslaught after Matsuzaka departed, and won 13-3.

The effort worsened Matsuzaka's record to 1-7, and his ERA to 7.68, and it put the skids on a four-game losing streak that threatened to snuff out whatever flickers of life remain in the Rays' season. Even so, with just 13 games remaining, they are 5½ games behind in the race for the second wild-card spot -- with the Tigers and Angels in front of them. They'll need another September miracle (or, this season anyway, an early October miracle) to again reach the playoffs. At least they're scheduled to face Matsuzaka once more, next Tuesday.

5. Tonight, in Orioles magic

Joe Saunders matching Felix Hernandez pitch for pitch? Check.

Escaping a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the 11th, and then getting a two-run homer from Adam Jones in the 11th? Check.

Winning the game 4-2, ultimately, by thwarting an inexplicable two-out stolen base attempt, to improve their record in extra innings to an astounding 15-2? Check.

At some point, there won't be enough season left for the law of averages to catch up with this logic-defying club -- which now features baseball's top pitching prospect, Dylan Bundy, who was called up earlier Wednesday. At some point, we'll stop trying to explain it, and simply start to enjoy it.

20 Sep, 2012

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U.S.' Sundhage goes out with 6-2 win over Aussies

Pia Sundhage (right) was named Woman of the Match after the U.S. women's victory, their 14th straight.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) -- On her final victory lap, Pia Sundhage hopped and high-stepped her way around the field.

As the U.S. women's national soccer team coach soaked in the cheers from the capacity crowd, her team began serenading her by belting out, "You are my sunshine."

A fitting tribute since Sundhage has had the squad in perfect harmony for five years.

A fitting way to go out, too.

Abby Wambach broke a tie early in the second half and Alex Morgan added two goals and two assists, helping the U.S. beat Australia 6-2 Wednesday night in an international friendly that was Sundhage's farewell game.

"Today is Pia's day. We've been talking about it all day: What can we do to show her?" Wambach said. "She's a passionate woman about this game. We knew the best thing we could do was give her a win."

Sundhage announced earlier this month she was stepping away after leading the squad to back-to-back Olympic gold medals. She will return home to coach the Swedish national team.

Heather O'Reilly, Shannon Boxx and Sydney Leroux also scored for the Americans, who move to 21-0-2 against Australia.

The Australians went ahead 2-1 late in the first half on Sarah Walsh's low shot past Hope Solo. A few minutes later, Morgan tied up the game.

Wambach deflected in the decisive goal in the 53rd minute when she simply stuck her foot out after Morgan unleashed a shot.

And with that, the team was on its way to sending Sundhage out in winning fashion.

Sundhage leaves after a highly successful stint, going 91-6-10 in her time on the bench. Besides two Olympic gold medals, she also led the Americans to their first World Cup final in 12 years.

"She's built this game, helped elevate the game to a new level," said Solo, whose team won its 14th straight match. "So, there's not too much to be sad about. Of course, we're heartbroken that she's gone. But she's fulfilling her dreams and we're going to fulfill ours."

As a goodbye present, the team recently gave Sundhage a guitar that was signed by all the players in - surprise, surprise - the color of gold.

"It's the best present I ever got," she said.

They gave her quite a few memories along the way, too.

Sundhage's most poignant? That's easy: When the team roared back against Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup. Wambach tied it at 2 with a magnificent, leaping header in the 122nd minute. The U.S. eventually captured the match 5-3 on penalty kicks.

"Better than a movie," Sundhage said. "That is the moment of my soccer life."

This final performance wasn't too bad, either.

Morgan's performance against the Australians gives her 63 points this year. It's the most for a national player in a calendar year since 2004, when Wambach accounted for 75 points.

"We wanted to give her a good show," Morgan said. "We didn't have the right rhythm in the first half. We're happy that we got a win in Pia's last game."

After the match was over, Sundhage hugged everyone in sight. She also began signing through tears - Tina Turner's classic, "Simply the best."

It was a day of singing for Sundhage, who performed tunes in the pregame meeting as well. The song list included: "The Times They Are A-Changin" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane."

Sundhage came in singing and left the same way.

"When a coach comes in and you don't know who they are and they start singing songs to you, it's like, `What is this going to be? How is this going to go?"' Wambach said. "Thankfully, it went well. It turned out really well for us."

Over Sundhage's career, she has made a habit of jotting down notes filled with emotions and tactics. Lately, she's been looking back at those details, to remember how special these players were to her.

The feeling was mutual.

Midfielder Carli Lloyd is convinced she might not be wearing the red, white and blue if not for Sundhage, who changed the way the team played after taking over. Sundhage emphasized midfield play even more, making Lloyd a vital component.

"When Pia first came on, she saw me play in previous tournaments and said to me, `I really like how you play and really believe in you,"' Lloyd recounted. "From then on, she preached playing in the midfield, playing possession. That's right up my alley."

Now, the big question is who replaces Sundhage?

U.S. soccer federation president Sunil Gulati recently said a search committee has been assembled - one that includes former U.S. team standout Mia Hamm - and a replacement could be selected possibly next month.

"Heard they have it down to double-digit (candidates)," Solo said. "But I don't know who it's going to come down to."

A new voice will take some getting used to for the players. They're used to Sundhage's fun-loving demeanor. She laughed with them. She played guitar for them.

After O'Reilly's early goal, the team went over to Sundhage on the bench and played air guitar for her.

"If you look at her statistics alone, she's done a fabulous job," Lloyd said. "But it's not only stats; it's the way she is as a person. She brings so much joy and pleasure. It's contagious, the way she has so much passion for the game."

Morgan earned her first cap while playing for Sundhage. Now, she's one of the most recognizable faces on the team and younger kids frequently show up in the stands wearing her jersey.

"Pia has done so much for us. We really appreciate everything," Morgan said. "It's not typical that you send off a coach like this - on such a high note and such a happy note."

know who it's going to come down to."

A new voice will take some getting used to for the players. They're used to Sundhage's fun-loving demeanor. She laughed with them. She played guitar for them.

After O'Reilly's early goal, the team went over to Sundhage on the bench and played air guitar for her.

"If you look at her statistics alone, she's done a fabulous job," Lloyd said. "But it's not only stats; it's the way she is as a person. She brings so much joy and pleasure. It's contagious, the way she has so much passion for the game."

Morgan earned her first cap while playing for Sundhage. Now, she's one of the most recognizable faces on the team and younger kids frequently show up in the stands wearing her jersey.

"Pia has done so much for us. We really appreciate everything," Morgan said. "It's not typical that you send off a coach like this - on such a high note and such a happy note."

This was definitely a night of celebration.

"I've been around good players for five years and they made me look good," Sundhage said. "I also think I'm a better coach than five years ago. Leaving a player like Christie Rampone, the best captain in the world, and Abby, it's very emotional."

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

20 Sep, 2012

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23.13 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sam Amick: A poignant moment for a humble superstar; more news and notes

Derrick Rose has always credited those who helped him achieve success, thanking his mother after he won 2010-11 MVP award.

Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images

Long before my amazing father died in November 2009, one recurring complaint had caused his fandom to wane: that out-of-touch athletes were too self-consumed to care enough about the things that mattered most.

The golden era that he grew up in was gone, and the modern-day stars of the 1980s and early '90s were -- as he saw it -- more concerned with the money and fame than they were the games. So he pulled back from those San Francisco Bay Area teams that once captured his attention, his loyalties never to return.

It's a familiar refrain among today's consuming public, too, this idea that the pedestal on which players are put doesn't allow them to connect with the very people who help make their enormous paychecks possible. Which is why it's worth slowing down to highlight what Bulls point guard Derrick Rose did in Chicago last week.

At an event to launch his Adidas shoe and clothing line, the former MVP showed the kind of humanity and humility that even the most disenchanted of sports fans would have to find endearing. Rose, who isn't expected to return from his May 12 ACL surgery until late this season, broke down in tears after a video of his long rehabilitation process was shown to the attending crowd. Adidas vice president Lawrence Norman had handed Rose the floor during the presentation, and the words were supposed to keep flowing. Instead, Rose sat silent -- wiping his eyes, staring at the floor -- for nearly 30 seconds before sharing the root of all this unfiltered emotion.

The Chicago native spoke of his appreciation for his blessed life, for the support shown to him by so many on his path from the unforgiving streets of Englewood, Ill., to global stardom. And as if that wasn't enough, Rose even took a moment to discuss his story in a context that went way beyond himself. A seven-day teacher strike plagued Chicago's public schools before ending this week, and Rose -- who shared for the first time that he will be a father soon -- discussed how it made him feel to see all those kids walking around town when they should be in school.

"My initial reaction was that this was one of the greatest displays of human emotion that I've seen, because it was real, it was authentic and that's who he really is," said B.J. Armstrong, Rose's agent and a former Bulls point guard. "It wasn't in the script. What he was able to express, and what you were able to see, everyone has had that moment of, 'I don't know how I got here.' Everyone can relate to that.

"I was like, 'Wow, that's pretty cool for the fans. That's pretty cool for people, because it's a reminder that people are human.' We get caught up in all these figures and saying, 'He's the greatest this or that,' but you know what? He's a kid who's just human.

"I'm sure we all have experienced it in the privacy of our own homes, in the privacy of places where millions of people don't get a chance to see it. I'm just very thankful that he shared that moment with us."

Rose, who was raised by his mother, Brenda, and three older brothers and attended the public Simeon Career Academy on the South Side, had to be thrilled to hear that hundreds of thousands of students returned to school on Wednesday.

"He knows the problems in Chicago, through and through," Armstrong said of Rose. "He grew up in the public school system, grew up as one of those kids. He is Chicago, and he understands the city, understands the culture, understands the problems, understands the beauty of this place. He gets it.

"He'll come back [from his injury]. Life goes on, so he's able to put it in its proper perspective and realize that there are things out there besides himself. It's an amazing quality that he has at a young age."

This is hardly the first time Rose has shown his human side. There was the touching speech given to his mother while receiving the 2011 MVP award, the countless times reporters like myself were shocked by his willingness to be so respectful and giving of his time before and after games, and the way he has always gone about his career with a total absence of airs. He's the exception as opposed to the rule, to be sure, which is all the more reason to take notice.

No resolution expected at NBPA meeting

When the NBA lockout was finally lifted last December, anyone who spent all those months covering the "mutant pizza" madness would have been happy if Billy Hunter and Derek Fisher never shared a sentence again.

But here we are almost 10 months later, and the two men at the helm of the National Basketball Players Association are still embroiled in a bitter battle that began during the six-month work stoppage. To review, there was the aggressive attempt of Hunter and his backers to oust Fisher as NBPA president in April, followed by Fisher's salvo in the form of an investigation into the union and its business practices that has gone way beyond the initial accusations of Hunter nepotism.

Fisher (a current free agent) remains in his position and sources said the respective probes of the NBPA -- from the U.S. Attorney's office investigation to the Department of Labor's review to the internal audit being conducted by the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison -- have yet to conclude. While the last inquiry was expected to be complete by now, resolution or clarity of any kind isn't likely to come by the time the NBPA holds a conference call with all participating players on Thursday.

According to a memo obtained by SI.com, the "Summer Meeting" was initially scheduled as an in-person affair at a hotel at Chicago's O'Hare airport. A follow-up memo was sent indicating that a conference call was preferable to most players and it detailed a fairly innocuous to-do list for the session.

"We will provide an update of current union business and cover matters including the distribution of 2011-12 group license funds, implementation of the new annuity program, and proposed rules changes from the competition committee," the memo read.

While Fisher has two seasons left in his term as NBPA president, Hunter, who earns $2.6 million annually as the executive director, has a contract that runs through 2016. The lack of answers about what lies ahead for the two union heads is sure to frustrate players like Phoenix forward Jared Dudley who aren't sure what to make of the saga.

20 Sep, 2012

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Dennis Dillon: Seahawks' slimmer Bryant striving for more sacks in 2012

Red Bryant was a 16-game starter for the first time in his career last season.

Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

As a native Texan whose taste buds percolate at the aroma of pulled pork, chicken and dumplings, or sweet potato pie, he was oh so enticed to go home to Jasper this summer to put on the feed bag a time or two. Instead, he resisted the temptation and stayed in Seattle, where he trained a bit harder after the Seahawks' offseason program ended and dined on healthier foods like salmon and halibut.

As a result, a svelter Red Bryant is 20 pounds lighter, his weight having dropped from 345 to 325.

"Yeah, I had to give up a lot," said Bryant, chuckling at the idea of missing his favorite dish, fried catfish. "I stayed committed."

The Seahawks noticed a lighter Bryant when he reported for training camp.

"He was in great shape," defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. "You can just tell if you're watching tape. You see him run. On plays that are longer developing, you'll see him chase the ball. He's at a good weight right now, and I think that's where he feels comfortable."

After three mostly frustrating seasons in Seattle, Bryant emerged last year. He made 32 tackles, had one sack and intercepted two passes, including one for a 20-yard touchdown against Chicago.

The son-in-law of former Seahawks star defensive end Jacob Green, Bryant was offered Green's No. 79 jersey when Seattle picked him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. At first, Bryant hesitated, knowing the standard he would have to live up to. Green is the Seahawks' all-time sacks leader and in the team's Ring of Honor. Also, Bryant came out of Texas A&M as a tackle, not an end.

"We were just extremely different," Bryant said. "But he finally convinced me to wear it, and that it would mean a lot to him. I'm making a niche, I'm making it my own way, but I'm definitely glad I'm able to make him proud by wearing his number."

Success did not come instantly. Bryant said he was "extremely frustrated" during his first two seasons because he wasn't able to get on the field often enough (he played in only 10 games and started just one). After coach Pete Carroll arrived in 2010, he and then defensive line coach Dan Quinn decided to move Bryant from tackle to end. Bryant started the first seven games that year but his season ended when he suffered a knee injury in an Oct. 31 game against Oakland.

At 6-foot-4, Bryant was a little tall for an inside lineman, and he sometimes found himself losing the leverage battle. On the outside, he's able to make more of an impact because he can take advantage of his long legs and athleticism.

"When I first got here in 2009, he was just kind of figuring things out," Bradley said. "We had him inside, and he did some good things in there, but I think he was still trying to figure out the position. And then when we moved him outside, he just had a different outlook. He became confident in his abilities and truly felt at home there."

The Seahawks move Bryant around. Sometimes he lines up across from the tight end in a traditional 4-3 alignment. Other times he'll be head-up on the tackle in more of a 3-4 look. In nickel situations, Bryant might slide inside to tackle and rookie Bruce Irvin, Seattle's first-round draft pick, will come in to play end.

Bryant, 28, has carved out a reputation for being a good run stopper on the edge, but the Seahawks have challenged him to pressure the quarterback more. Right end Chris Clemons, who plays the "Leo" position in Seattle's defense, had double-digit sacks in both 2010 and 2011, but Seattle needs pressure from Bryant, too. Now that he has dropped some pounds, Bryant wants to show that he can be a versatile lineman.

"If a team feels like I'm [just] a run stuffer, maybe I can surprise a tackle and show him I'm quick enough to get around him," said Bryant, who doesn't have a sack through two games. "Just continue to work on things like that. I know it's going to pay off. I know it is."

Last season, Bryant also made his mark on special teams by blocking four kicks -- a pair of field goal attempts at Cleveland in Week 7 and a field goal and an extra point try against Washington in Week 12. Those plays weren't abnormal. Bryant blocked three field goal attempts at Texas A&M, where coaches instilled in him the importance of playing hard on every play.

Bryant was the first freshman in Texas A&M history to be voted to the team's leadership council. He is one of the Seahawks captains and has developed into one of their leaders. Carroll sometimes asks Bryant to speak to the team before it goes out on the field for a game.

"I just tell the guys what I'm feeling at the time," Bryant said. "It's just something I feel, and I talk from my heart. I hope my teammates can relate to whatever it is at that particular time. I hope I can inspire them to go out and just give their all.

"A lot of guys respect how I go about taking care of my business. I was like that at Texas A&M, and I've been like that since I've been with the Seahawks."

Most men nicknamed "Red" have red hair. Not Bryant. His given name is Joseph Anthony Bryant, but he has been called "Red" since he was a baby. His mom thought he had some red tone in him, like his grandfather.

"She always told me my grandfather called me 'Red Man,' " Bryant said. "I've never heard my mom call me Joseph; she always called me 'Big Red,' her red baby. So it just stuck with me. When I go somewhere, or someone asks me my name, I say 'Big Red.' They always look at me funny, but that's my name."

Seahawks fans finally saw a full picture of Bryant last season, when he started all 16 games for the first time in his NFL career. Although he's somewhat still a work in progress, Bryant has high aspirations.

"Last season, everybody got to see me finish the season and see what type of player I want to reveal every time I have the opportunity to go out there," he said. "I always knew I could be a starter in this league; it was just getting the confidence and the opportunity to be able to do that. If there's anything a person can take from the way I play, I want them to know I play extremely hard, extremely passionate."

Bryant convinced the Seahawks. Instead of allowing Bryant to get away on the first day of free agency last March, they awarded him with a lucrative, five-year contract ($35 million, with $14.5 million guaranteed). But Bryant admits he considered making a coast-to-coast move after he learned that Patriots coach Bill Belichick expressed a keen interest in him.

"That was big," Bryant said. "Coach Belichick, when it comes to football, his resume speaks for itself. So when they showed interest in me, it helped validate what my father-in-law and my teammates and coach Carroll saw in me as a football player and what I bring to the table. It was a deep honor for me. I strongly considered [pursuing a contract with New England], but my heart was in Seattle."

Even if his stomach craved to be in Texas, near a plate of fried catfish.

20 Sep, 2012

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Ben Lyttleton: Messi saves Barcelona, while reigning champ Chelsea off to stuttering start

Oscar (left) scored twice for Chelsea, but Juventus salvaged a draw.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Another astonishing night of Champions League action rounded off Matchday One in dramatic style. Lionel Messi lit up the night as only the world's best player can, while elsewhere there were jitters for holders Chelsea, penalty drama at Old Trafford, shocks in France and Portugal and more new stars bursting onto the scene.

Messi gets Barcelona out of jail: Competition favorite Barcelona is currently missing captain Carles Puyol with a knee injury and lost his regular partner, Gerard Pique, inside 15 minutes of its 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow. Javier Mascherano, a converted holding midfielder, was already starting alongside Pique, and Alex Song, another midfielder by trade, came off the bench to join him at center back.

Given that Barcelona's nominal fullbacks were Dani Alves and Adriano, there's a fair case to say that at one stage it had no defenders on the pitch. That certainly seemed the case when Romulo waltzed through on goal to put Spartak up 2-1. With Spartak coach Unai Emery, formerly of Almeria and Valencia, 10 minutes away from a first win over Barcelona in 13 efforts, Messi burst into life.

His two goals sealed the dramatic 3-2 win and already make him the huge favorite to finish as the top scorer in the competition for an unprecedented fifth successive season. His total of 53 Champions League goals is now only three behind Ruud van Nistelrooy's 56, and he is fast closing in on Raul's all-time record of 71. Messi has taken 69 games to Raul's 142. Even more astonishingly, Messi has scored 11 goals this season in his first seven Barcelona games, more than he managed at the same stage of last season, when his total was 73 goals in 60 appearances. He can't beat that tally, can he?

As for the center-back experiment, it is unlikely to be a trend imitated by other clubs: rather, it points to a worrying lack of defensive depth in the Barcelona squad. Song's positional switch did not come as a surprise to everyone: his former coach at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, told friends last week that he expected Song to end up playing center back at his new club. Maybe Wenger will be surprised just how quickly it's happened.

Nervous defense from reigning champions: We are often reminded that, in the 20-year history of the Champions League, no club has ever retained the trophy. Before its 2-2 draw with Juventus, Chelsea rightly milked its famous victory over Bayern Munich last May ­-- the Champions League trophy was paraded around the stadium and the five players who started the final were announced as "European champion." But once the game began, it was clear that this may be the same club, but it's a very different team.

Whereas last season Chelsea based its European campaign on defensive solidity and a counter-attacking goal threat, against Juventus it showed off a new game plan, with new signings Oscar and Eden Hazard playing behind Fernando Torres. In truth, it didn't really work: Juventus wasted two good chances before Oscar scored two goals in as many minutes, the first a deflected effort, the second a touch (cue the debate whether the ball came off the defender) and glorious curling shot that drew comparisons with Gianfranco Zola (specifically this 1997 FA Cup semifinal goal against Wimbledon) and went some way to explaining the buzz around the £25 million 21-year-old.

"Oscar is a good creative player, and I think this is the right game to start him [for the first time] tonight, as Champions League is not as quick as Premier League," said coach Roberto di Matteo, whose luck in this competition seems to have carried over into this season.

Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back before halftime, and in the second half, it was almost like watching Chelsea of last season; it defended deeper, tried to hurt Juventus on the counter (when Hazard had claims for a penalty waved away) and allowed its opponent plenty of possession and space in the final third. Some heroic defending, notably David Luiz's block on Claudio Marchisio, kept the Italians at bay, at least until Jon Obi Mikel needlessly gave the ball away and substitute Fabio Quagliarella beat the offside trap to level the score. It almost got worse for Chelsea, but Mauricio Isla's shot scraped the crossbar. This was a stuttering start to Chelsea's title defense, but not a particularly concerning one: after all, that's how it won the trophy last year.

Shock of the night: BATE Borisov 3, Lille 1. Lille was the last team to qualify for the group stage, needing extra time to get past FC Copenhagen on the final day of prequalifying. It was seen as just reward for a club that has never over-stretched itself and this summer moved into a new 50,000-capacity stadium perfectly suited to grand European nights. Except that now Lille may well be the first team eliminated from the competition after a calamitous first 45 minutes against BATE Borisov. "We were not good enough in any area of the pitch," was coach Rudi Gardia's verdict at halftime, when Lille was already down 3-0. It pulled one goal back, but a 3-1 home reverse to the group's fourth seed is not a good start. Romanian side CFR Cluj also deserves mention for an impressive 2-0 win at Sporting Braga.

Fletcher return overshadows penalty drama: Over 10 months after his last appearance, and following a spell on the sidelines that many felt would never culminate in a return to professional football, Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher's second-half substitute appearance was the feel-good story of the week. His comeback in a 1-0 win over Galatasaray, for his first appearance since Nov. 22, after which he was diagnosed with chronic bowel condition ulcerative colitis, might help United overcome challenges such as Galatasaray provided with more ease in the future. Despite an early Michael Carrick goal, United was hanging on for much of the game, as the Turkish champions hit the woodwork three times; United also needed David de Gea, recalled to the side, at his best to make two important late saves.

It was also a tale of two penalties, one of which was given, the other not. The first incident came in the second minute, when Galatasaray forward Burak Yilmaz looked to have been caught by Nemanja Vidic, but the referee waved play on. The second was after 52 minutes after Rafael da Siva was fouled, and a spot kick was awarded. Even though in its last two games, United had missed from the spot --­ first Robin van Persie (against Southampton) and then Javier Hernandez (against Wigan) ­-- it was a surprise to see Nani step up to take it. Fernando Muslera, something of a penalty specialist, saved his unconvincing effort, and the questions started: why did Van Persie not take it, and had Sir Alex Ferguson nominated Nani as the penalty taker? More pertinently, who will take United¹s next penalty? Wayne Rooney's return cannot come quick enough, it would seem.

That said, United is not the only team with penalty problems. For the first time in the history of the Champions League, all three German teams in action this week also missed from the spot. Mats Hummels was the villain for Dortmund, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for Schalke and, for runner-up Bayern Munich in tonight's 2-1 over Valencia, Mario Mandzukic messed up. Just like United, the German trio all won.

Remember the name: Henrik Mkhitaryan. OK, so Shakhtar Donetsk's 2-0 win over Nordsjaelland won't make many headlines --­ even though the result puts the team, a dangerous sleeper in Group E, top of the pile ahead of matches against Chelsea and Juventus --­ but this was more about the coronation of a new kid on the (Eastern) bloc. Henrik Mkhitaryan is a 23-year-old Armenian striker whose goals for his national team this year helped it reach a record FIFA ranking of 41. In his second full season in Donetsk, Mkhitaryan now has 14 goals in his first 10 games. With that kind of record, he's going to start earning comparisons with a certain Argentine at Barcelona if he's not careful.

20 Sep, 2012

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Michael McCann: Mayweather's latest run-in with the law could send him back to jail

If Floyd Mayweather violated his probation, he could be forced to complete the remainder of his original six-month sentence.

Al Bello/Getty Images

Has Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who was released from jail in August, violated the terms of his probation? If so, could the WBC welterweight champion be sent back to jail?

Last week, Las Vegas police investigated an alleged verbal altercation between Mayweather and an unidentified woman in a home owned by one of Mayweather's companies. According to records obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mayweather apparently argued with the woman, took personal possessions from her, and then later had an associate return the items he took. Although she was not identified as the woman in question, Melissa Brim, the mother of one of Mayweather's daughter, reportedly lives at this address. In 2002, Mayweather pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges stemming from an altercation with Brim.

Mayweather has had a long year dealing with the court system. In December 2011, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence and harassment charges. Mayweather had been facing up to 34 years in prison on felony charges relating to an incident in which he allegedly grabbed and threw his ex-girlfriend, Josie Harris, and then threatened to kill her as their children watched. Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa sentenced Mayweather to six months of jail, with three of the months suspended. Mayweather was ordered to serve the remaining three months, but he would serve just two before an early release for good behavior.

Mayweather's release from jail was not without strings. His release is "supervised" and "probationary" for one year, with Mayweather having to prove that he can function as a law-abiding citizen. Probation imposes numerous life restrictions, including regular meetings with a probation officer, drug tests and avoiding committing crimes.

In fairness to Mayweather, police did not uncover evidence of physical violence and he has not been charged with a crime. But that may not matter. The typical test for violating probation would not require Mayweather to be convicted of a crime or even get arrested. Instead, merely spending time with known criminals or traveling to locations deemed off-limits by the terms of probation can be enough. Considering Mayweather's history with Brim, there's reason to believe his probation compels him to avoid conflict with her. Mayweather's alleged dispossession of the woman's personal belongings might also be grounds for violating probation.

If Mayweather's probation officer believes he violated the terms of the probation, Mayweather would be arrested and likely incarcerated while he awaits a hearing before a judge. If a judge determines that Mayweather violated the terms of his probation, Mayweather could be required to complete the remainder of his original six-month sentence. Although such a sentence may not interfere with the scheduling of any fights next year, it would clearly impact Mayweather's conditioning.

While the potential for Mayweather to be sent back to jail is real, he has received favorable legal treatment in Las Vegas courts. Recall that in January, Judge Saragosa allowed Mayweather to delay his reporting to jail so that he could fight Miguel Cotto in a major prize fight that would generate millions of dollars for Las Vegas businesses. While it is not unprecedented for a convicted defendant to receive a work-related delay in reporting to jail, the justification offered by Mayweather's attorney for the delay -- that the fight would generate more than $100 million to the Las Vegas economy -- was unusual and obviously not available to most who await sentencing.

Mayweather's legal headaches are not limited to the possibility of further time behind bars. Earlier this week U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks ruled he has to pay Manny Pacquiao $114,000 as part of Pacquiao's defamation lawsuit. In his lawsuit, Pacquiao claims that Mayweather defamed him when suggesting that Pacquiao uses performance-enhancing drugs. Mayweather has been uncooperative as a defendant by not appearing for his court-ordered deposition.

It remains to be seen what will be the next chapter in the seemingly never-ending Mayweather legal saga.

Michael McCann is director of the Sports Law Institute at Vermont Law School, a visiting professor at University of New Hampshire School of Law, and the distinguished visiting Hall of Fame Professor of Law at Mississippi College School of Law. He also serves as NBA TV's On-Air Legal Analyst. Follow him on Twitter.

20 Sep, 2012

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ABC to interview Sandusky abuse case's Victim 1

ABC will interview the young man whose sexual-abuse allegations launched the investigation against former Penn State assistant Jerry Sandusky.

AP

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) ABC will interview the young man whose 2009 allegations of sexual abuse led to the Penn State scandal and the criminal conviction of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Attorney Michael Boni, who represents the teenager known in court papers as Victim 1, said Wednesday that ABC landed the first interview with his client, who has a book coming out this fall.

It's unclear when the ABC interview would air. ABC didn't immediately return a phone message left Wednesday seeking comment. The New York Post was first to report the ABC exclusive.

Sandusky was convicted in June of dozens of criminal counts of sexual abuse of 10 boys on and off campus. At age 68, he awaits sentencing, which likely will send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Victim 1 and his mother reported Sandusky to the boy's high school and the Clinton County child protective agency in November 2009. Their complaint triggered a state investigation that last year resulted in criminal charges against Sandusky and against two university officials accused of failing to report suspected child abuse and of lying to a grand jury.

According to a lawsuit that Victim 1 filed against Penn State, he met Sandusky about eight years ago, when he was 11 and was a first-year participant in a camp sponsored by Sandusky's charity, The Second Mile. In his second year, he drew Sandusky's attention and accepted invitations to spend nights at the coach's State College home and to attend professional sports events, the lawsuit said.

Sandusky was accused of fondling the boy and performing oral sex on him multiple times over a period of several years.

Sandusky, who is jailed, didn't testify at trial but maintains his innocence. He has acknowledged he showered with boys but denied molesting them. His wife, Dottie Sandusky, testified that she never saw him doing anything inappropriate with boys he took to their home.

20 Sep, 2012

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NHL cancels slate of September preseason games

Due to the lockout, NHL nets will remain in storage until October.

Danny Moloshok/Icon SMI

NEW YORK (AP) -- The NHL canceled its entire September preseason game schedule on Wednesday, the first on-ice casualty of the four-day lockout.

The league is wiping out all games through Sept. 30, a move it deems "necessary because of the absence of a collective bargaining agreement" with the players' association.

The NHL also said the 2012 Kraft Hockeyville preseason game, scheduled for Oct. 3 in Belleville, Ontario, has been postponed until 2013, bringing the total to 60 games called off on Wednesday.

The regular season is scheduled to begin on Oct. 11.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league has "no set policy on cancellations" of other games.

Also Wednesday, a person familiar with the plan says NHL employees at the league offices will switch to a four-day work week Oct. 1 because of the lockout.

The move will effectively cut salaries by 20 percent. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the NHL hadn't made the plan public.

HACKEL: Collateral damage mounting

The news was first reported by The Canadian Press.

The Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators have let staff go because of the lockout, while several other teams have said they don't have any plans to do so as of now.

The league locked out its players at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, its fourth shutdown since 1992.

The preseason cancellations included a Washington Capitals game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sept. 26 in Baltimore.

Last year, in the inaugural Baltimore Hockey Classic, the Capitals hosted the Nashville Predators and drew a sold-out crowd.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

20 Sep, 2012

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Messi powers Barcelona past Spartak Moscow in Champions League

Lionel Messi helped Barcelona avoid a rare loss at Camp Nou.

Manu Fernandez/AP

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- There were no tears from Lionel Messi as he left the Camp Nou pitch after this Champions League game - just that familiar smile after another multiple-goal performance that secured a come-from-behind victory.

Messi scored a late brace Wednesday to bring Barcelona back to win 3-2 over Spartak Moscow and successfully launch its campaign for a fourth European title in eight seasons.

The Argentina forward walked off that same pitch in tears after his last Champions League game, when Barcelona was eliminated by Chelsea in the semifinals last season. For a while, it looked like Spartak would spring another upset at Camp Nou, as Spartak fought back after Cristian Tello's 14th-minute opener to lead 2-1 in the second half. The Russian club leveled through Dani Alves' own goal in the 29th and Romulo then struck in the 59th to give the visitors an unexpected advantage.

But Messi, who equaled a European Cup record with 14 goals in the last campaign, tapped in Tello's pass to make it 2-2 in the 71st and headed in Alexis Sanchez's cross in the 80th to keep Barcelona undefeated in 17 straight home games in Europe.

Last April, Messi's failure to finish had left him distraught and cost Barcelona a place in the final. But after being held in check by Spartak for the most of the game, the Argentina forward exploded for two quick scores to ensure Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova enjoyed his European debut.

Celtic drew 0-0 with Benfica in the other Group G game on Wednesday.

Cesc Fabregas entered the starting lineup in place of the injured Andres Iniesta in midfield, while Messi was accompanied by Pedro Rodriguez and Tello in attack, with Alexis on the bench after just being cleared by team doctors. Javier Mascherano started in defense in place of Carles Puyol, out with a knee injury.

Tello had Barcelona's first clear chance 10 minutes in after Messi met his perfectly-timed run from the left flank, only for the young forward to fire wide past the upright with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Barcelona's injury problems mounted just two minutes later when defender Gerard Pique had to be replaced by Alex Song after he hurt his left foot.

Tello soon made up for earlier miss to give the hosts the lead when the 21-year-old forward took Xavi Hernandez's short pass, used one touch to get a better angle and then let loose a bouncing shot from outside the area that curled into the far corner of the net.

After not threatening Barcelona's area, Spartak suddenly equalized when Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike surged by Mascherano and sent in a low cross that Song failed to intercept and Dani Alves redirected into his own net in a botched attempt to clear.

Xavi almost put Barcelona back in front before halftime, first serving a corner for Sergio Busquets to head wide before lobbing a pass to Fabregas, whose header forced goalkeeper Andriy Dykan to tip the ball over his bar.

Spartak continued to soak up Barcelona's pressure after the restart and soon found themselves on the verge of an upset.

Romulo capped a nice team build-up by taking a pass from Aiden McGeady, dribbling past Barcelona's Adriano before slotting under goalkeeper Victor Valdes to deservedly put Spartak ahead and send shudders through the Camp Nou crowd.

After weathering some more scares by the emboldened Spartak, Tello cued Messi's first goal by squirming down the left side of the box, drawing the defense to him and laying off for Messi to fire in.

Barcelona pressed for the winner with forwards David Villa and Alexis on as substitutes, and the Chile international soon picked out Messi at the far post to head in his cross to claim the hard-fought win.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

20 Sep, 2012

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