The Sun /Saturday, December 28, 2013 www.sunnewspapers.net SP Page 3 The Sun /Saturday, December 28, 2013 * COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP Orange get past Gophers BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HOUSTON -Terrel Hunt scrambled 12 yards for a touchdown with 1:14 remaining to lift Syracuse to a 21-17 win over Minnesota in the Texas Bowl on Friday night. Brisly Estime set up Hunt's touchdown with a 70-yard punt return. Syracuse (7-6) led 14-3 entering the fourth quar- ter before Mitch Leidner threw two touchdown passes and a 2-point con- version to put the Golden Gophers up 17-14. After the Orange regained the lead, Minnesota attempted two long passes to the end zone on the final plays. The first slipped through the arms of Drew Wolitarsky and the final Hail Mary as time expired was knocked down near the end zone. Minnesota (8-5) got a boost to start the second half when coach Jerry Kill returned to the sideline for the first time since Sept. 28 before Syracuse rallied for the victory. Marshall 31, Maryland 20: In Annapolis, Md., Rakeem Cato threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, and Marshall used two fourth-quarter scores to rally past Maryland in the Military Bowl. The Thundering Herd (10-4) trailed 20-17 before Cato brought them back. After directing a 63-yard march to put Marshall up 24-20 with 12:05 left, Cato clinched it with an 8-yard touchdown throw to Gator Hoskins with 3:42 to play. Cato completed 28 of 44 passes with no interceptions to help Marshall reach double digits in wins for the first time since 2002. The Thundering Herd came in averaging 43 points per game, but its underappreciated defense played a huge role in this one. Utah St. 21, No. 24 Northern Illinois 14: In San Diego, Joey DeMartino starred in his hometown Poinsettia Bowl. Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, didn't. Utah State's swarming defense made Lynch look average during a 21-14 victory over Northern Illinois late Thursday night. Safety Brian Suite intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble by Lynch, who was bottled up for only 39 yards rushing. That kept him from becoming the first major college player to rush for 2,000 yards and pass for 2,000 yards in the same season. Utah State stymied a Huskies offense that had averaged nearly 42 points a game. CARDINALS FROM PAGE 1 second in total defense (257.9). Miami's offense, mean- while, is 25th in points (35.9), 63rd in rushing yards (172.5), 30th in passing yards (274.3) and 39th in total offense (446.8). One other stat to note: Louisville's strength of schedule is rated 105th nationally by USA Today analyst Jeff Sagarin. Miami's is 58th. Miami has talent, but has not enjoyed health. The Nov. 2 loss of soph- omore tailback Duke Johnson to a season-end- ing ankle injury took some punch out of the at- tack. Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, Miami's fastest player, missed five games because of a knee injury. Quarterback Stephen Morris was hobbled by an ankle injury for most of the season. Sophomore receiver Herb Waters (knee injury) is doubtful for Saturday's game, but Morris and Dorsett are close to 100 * NFL NOTEBOOK SNFL: Jags sign Marks to 4-year deal BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JACKSONVILLE -With over $20 million of cap space available for 2014, the Jacksonville Jaguars figure to be active in the free-agency market in the offseason. Friday, the team made sure one of their top de- fensive players didn't join that market. The Jaguars signed defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks to a 4-year contract extension worth a reported $22 million. Marks had signed a one-year deal with the team last spring after spending his four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He would have become a free agent Monday had he not signed an extension Friday. Jacksonville general manager Dave Caldwell said Marks and the Jaguars were a good fit and that there were reasons to get the deal done before the end of the season. "The player wanted to be here; two, we wanted him here; and three, we were able to do it before the season ended and put some of the money into this year's salary cap," Caldwell said. Romo out for Eagles finale: Tony Romo's season is over, and the Dallas Cowboys will have to win without their star quarterback in a third straight playoffs-or-bust finale. Coach Jason Garrett said Romo had back surgery, and Kyle Orton will start when Dallas faces Philadelphia on Sunday night with the NFC East title and a postseason berth on the line. Garrett said Romo underwent treat- ment all week in hopes of playing after injuring his back in a season-saving 24-23 victory against Washington. Chiefs, 49ers get eight players each for Pro Bowl: Kansas City and San Francisco will have plenty of clout in Honolulu if they can't make it to New Jersey for the Super Bowl. The NFL revealed that the Chiefs and 49ers each had eight players voted into the Pro Bowl, including running backs Jamaal Charles of Kansas City and Frank Gore of San Francisco. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning was selected to his 13th Pro Bowl after garnering the most votes among fans, 1.43 million. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was second among fans with 1.2 million votes. Asomugha retires: Nnamdi Asomugha formally announced his retirement at the Raiders' headquarters, ending his 11-year career at the place percent. The Hurricanes will need them, plus freshman receiver Stacy Coley and senior wideout Allen Hums, to outper- form a Cards defense Morris called "fast and physical." "They get to the quarterback very well," he said. "They do a great of scheming up different offenses and exposing their weaknesses." That's because of coach Charlie Strong, who made his bones as Urban Meyer's defensive coordinator at Florida. Strong, who oversees defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, has been one of the best defensive coaches in the nation for more than a decade. Over the last 15 sea- sons, Strong-coached defenses at South Carolina, Florida and Louisville have averaged 18.8 points per game. For perspective, that number would rank 11th national- lyin 2013. Upon taking over Louisville in 2010, he im- proved the defense from 65th to 18th. This year's he had his most success. Asomugha made three Pro Bowls, was a two-time first-team All-Pro and was considered one of the league's top cover cornerbacks. But his career quickly fizzled after signing a $60 million, five-year contract with Philadelphia in 2011. He was cut after two years with the Eagles and played three games this season for San Francisco before being released. Thurmond returns for Seahawks: Walter Thurmond is returning from his four-game suspension just in time to join Seattle for the postseason, but without the starting spot he previously held be. Thurmond was activated to Seattle's roster, adding another talent to their secondary. He spent the past four weeks working out on his own and said he was appreciative of his teammates for understanding he made a mistake. He was suspended in late November for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Around the league: The Raiders might be without both of their starting cornerbacks for the season finale against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Mike Jenkins has a hamstring injury that has limited him in workouts, and Tracy Porter sustained a hip flexor during practice. Both are listed as questionable.... The Patriots released wide receiver Austin Collie for the second time this season. Collie became expendable with rookie receiver Aaron Dobson returning from injury last week and with fellow rookie Kenbrell Thompkins close to a return. ... Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has a concussion and linebackerTamba Hali has a swollen knee, and both have been ruled out for Sunday's game at San Diego.... Miami backup running back Daniel Thomas is questionable for Sunday's game against the NewYorkJets with a left ankle injury that has hampered him in recent weeks. He was limited in practice. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who briefly left last week's loss at Buffalo with a left knee injury, is listed as probable. He participated fully in practice all week.... The Bears agreed to a four-year contract extension with kicker Robbie Gould through the 2017 season, the team announced. A person familiar with the situation said the deal is worth $15 million and includes more than $9 million in guaranteed money.... Adrian Peterson has tried to play through a sprained right foot and a lingering groin injury, but he is doubtful for the final regular-season game against the Lions.... Packers linebacker Clay Matthews had surgery after aggravating a right thumb injury in last week's loss to the Steelers. Coach Mike McCarthy said that he didn't know when Matthews would return. his career. "It all comes down to just players," he said. "You have to go recruit really good players, and that's what we've been able to do." Players such as end Marcus Smith, the AAC defensive player of the year. Smith, a senior who ranked second in FBS in sacks (12.5), will try to put pressure on an offensive line that averages 6-foot- 6, 320 pounds. That line has allowed just 13 sacks in 12 games and has neu- tralized some of the best defensive linemen it has faced, such as Pitt's Aaron Donald, the national de- fensive player of the year, and Wake Forest buzz saw NikitaWhitlock. "They are a good, phys- ical team," Smith said. "They're big up front, I know that. (Morris) is a great player. I just can't wait to go up against them." The best matchup might be Louisville's sec- ondary, which includes three first-team All-AAC players, against Miami's defense is the stingiest of on again hit i hefty fine Golds with Safety avoids Suspension in latest penalty S ByGREGAUMAN S and RICK STROUD S TAMPA BAY TIMES STAMPA- Tampa Bay Safety Dashon Goldson's Shit on St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey on Sunday did not result in another suspension, but it was costly. Goldson was fined $60,000 by the NFL on Friday for his hel- met-to-helmet tackle fol- lowing a 12-yard reception in the fourth quarter of the Bucs'23-13 loss. SIt's the fourth time SGoldson has received Sanctions from the league for an illegal hit: SHe was fined $30,000 Sfor aWeek 1 hit on Jets TE Jeff Cumberland. A one-game sus- Spension for aWeek 2 Shit on Saints running Back Darren Sproles was Overturned on appeal, but She was fined $100,000. S*AWeek 11 hit on SFalcons wide receiver SRoddyWhite earned him a Suspension for one game BUCS AT SAINTS WHO: Tampa Bay (4-11) at New Orleans (10-5) WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m. WHERE: Superdome, New Orleans TV: Fox RADIO: 103.5 FM, 620 AM and the forfeiture of a game check ($264,705). In all, Goldson has lost $454,705 this season. He signed a five-year, $41.5 million ($22 million guar- anteed) contract in March after spending his first six seasons with the 49ers. Walking wounded: For the second week in a row, the Bucs might go without safety Mark Barron, who continues to be limited by a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans. A second defensive starter is in the same position as linebacker Dekoda Watson did not practice Friday and is questionable with a groin injury. Second-year safety Keith Tandy - who has started four games as a fill-in this season and linebacker Adam Hayward worked at Watson's strongside spot. The Bucs lack linebacker depth as Ka'Lial Glaud is also questionable with a knee injury, leaving only Danny Lansanah inactive in his only two weeks on the active roster -- on the Bnt I Sor Glfi i Championship Golf Course NOW ACCEPTING NON-MEMBER PLAY WHILE WE FILL OUR MEMBERSHIP ROSTER INQUIRE ABOUT RATES. Goll, Seasonal, Tennis B Social Memberships Callfor irecions 941-625-0680 www.sunnewspapers.net SP Page 3 bench. Lansanah hasn't had a tackle in the NFL since his rookie season in 2008. He's the man: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson was named the Bucs'Man of the Year, putting him in contention for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Jackson, leading the Bucs in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, was honored for his community work. The Jackson in Action 83 Foundation reaches out to military families and their children. "We have such a platform to influence a lot of people's lives in this community, and they give so much to us,"Jackson said. "I'm happy to do it. I will continue to do so, and it's an honor I share with my teammates and a lot of people in this community who have helped me.' Said coach Greg Schiano:"Quite an honor for everything he does. I've often said he's the epitome of what we look for in a Buccaneer player. He cares about his teammates, practices incredibly hard, is truly committed to this community with all the things he does. We're awfully proud of him'." McCoy, Revis make Pro Bowl: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and cornerback Darrelle Revis were named to the Pro Bowl. It is the second straight selection for McCoy, who becomes the first Buc to earn consecutive Pro Bowl honors since Rond& Barber. Revis earned his fifth career selection in his first season with Tampa Bay. speedy receivers.