FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — An angry Rex Ryan addressed his New York Jets players for some anonymous quotes ripping Tim Tebow in a newspaper report, calling the comments “a cowardly thing.”

Roethlisberger has rib injury too, out vs. Ravens 

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger’s sprained right shoulder is just the start of his problems.

Why wait until March for the madness?…Spartans rebound from loss in Germany

UNDATED (AP) — Duke and Kentucky, two of college basketball premier programs which have won 11 national titles, tangled in a rare November matchup at the Georgia Dome. Both teams hope to return there next spring when that arena hosts the Final Four.

On this night, the ninth-ranked Blue Devils beat third-ranked Kentucky 75-68 behind Seth Curry’s 23 points. The Blue Devils ripped off a 13-3 run, capped by Rasheed Sulaimon’s 3-pointer that made it 58-44 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining. Kentucky then outscored Duke 17-6 over the next six minutes to come within three. But Duke hung on to win the first meeting of these storied teams since 2001.

In other AP Top-25 action:

— Michigan State’s basketball team opened the season by traveling to Germany only to lose to an unranked Connecticut team. Tom Izzo’s team opened its stateside schedule by upsetting seventh-ranked Kansas 67-64. Keith Appling scored 19 points for the 21st-ranked Spartans. Freshman Gary Harris added 18.

— Tim Hardaway Jr. had 17 points and six rebounds, and No. 5 Michigan advanced to the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off with a 77-47 victory over Cleveland State.

__ The 13th-ranked UCLA Bruins nipped UC-Irvine 80-79 in overtime. Jordan Adams came off the bench and scored 26 for the Bruins, including 16-of-16 from the free throw line.

__ No. 14 Missouri clocked Alcorn State 91-54. Phil Pressey led four Tigers in double figures with 21.

— Shabazz Napier scored 13 points and freshman Omar Calhoun added 12 to lead No. 23 Connecticut to a 67-49 win over Vermont.

— Sean Kilpatrick scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half and in leading the 24th-ranked Bearcats to a 102-60 victory over Mississippi Valley State.

__ Jamaal Franklin scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half and had 12 rebounds as No. 25 San Diego State bounced back from a 13-point loss to No. 8 Syracuse by routing San Diego Christian 91-57 in their home opener.

AP source: Marlins send Johnson to Blue Jays…Cubs sign former Twin Baker

MIAMI (AP) — A fire sale appears to be going on with the last-place Miami Marlins.

A person familiar with the deal says the Marlins have undergone another payroll purge by trading shortstop Jose Reyes, left-hander Mark Buehrle and right-hander Josh Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a blockbuster deal.

The person confirmed the trade to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the teams weren’t officially commenting. The person said the trade sent shortstop Yunel Escobar and several of the Blue Jays’ top prospects to the Marlins.

The stunning agreement came less than a year after the Marlins added Reyes, Buehrle and closer Heath Bell in an uncharacteristic $191 million spending spree as they moved into a new ballpark. The binge raised high hopes, but the Marlins instead finished last in the NL East.

In other baseball news:

— The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with former Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Baker that guarantees $5.5 million next season. He underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery April 17 and missed last season after being limited to 23 appearances in 2011.

Johnson, Melvin win Manager of the Year awards

UNDATED (AP) — Davey Johnson of the Washington Nationals is the baseball writers’ choice for National League Manager of the Year. Johnson, who turns 70 in January, led the Nationals to their first NL East title and a major league-best 98 wins.

The American League honor goes to Oakland’s Bob Melvin, who edged out Baltimore’s Buck Showalter. Melvin led the club with the lowest payroll to 94 wins and an AL West division championship.

For both, it’s the second time they’ve been named manager of the year.

5-0 Knicks off to beat start since ’93…Lakers lose despite Kobe’s 28

UNDATED (AP) — The New York Knicks remain the only undefeated team in the NBA. The 5-0 Knicks spanked Orlando 99-89 behind Carmelo Anthony’s 25 points. J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton each added 21.

The Knicks’ 5-0 start is their best since Patrick Ewing and Co. started the 1993-94 season 7-0 and went to the NBA Finals.

The Magic have lost five straight.

In the rest of the NBA:

— Danny Green hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.3 seconds left, Tony Parker scored 19 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat Los Angeles 84-82. That’s the Lakers’ first loss since firing coach Mike Brown. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 28. New coach Mike D’Antoni is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to join the Lakers this week. The Lakers are 3-5.

— DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points and Jose Calderon had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Toronto Raptors over the Indiana Pacers 74-72.

__ Charlotte dropped Washington to 0-6 by beating the Wizards 92-76. Ramon Sessions scored 21 points as the Bobcats won back-to-back games for the first time since last December.

__ The Brooklyn Nets routed Cleveland 114-101. Deron Williams led the way with 26 points and dished out 10 assists.

__ Portland scored a 103-86 road win at Sacramento. Damian Lillard led the way with 22 points and nine assists.

Big Ben’s status uncertain with shoulder sprain

UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a sprained right shoulder and left Heinz Field with his arm in a sling. His status for Sunday’s showdown with AFC North rival Baltimore is uncertain. He was hurt in Monday night’s overtime win over Kansas City.

Veteran backup Byron Leftwich filled in and completed 7 of 14 passes for 73 yards.

Tomlin said safety Troy Polamalu remains doubtful with a right calf injury. Polamalu hasn’t played since a win over Philadelphia on Oct. 7.

In other NFL news:

— The Atlanta Falcons placed tight end Tommy Gallarda on injured reserve and signed wide receiver Tim Toone and tight end Chase Coffman to their active roster. The moves came a day after Atlanta released defensive end Ray Edwards.

__ Tampa Bay linebacker Quincy Black will miss the remainder of the season after injuring his neck making a tackle.

__ With Jay Cutler’s status uncertain, the Chicago Bears have signed veteran backup quarterback Josh McCown.

Two games separate the Huskers from a Big Ten Legends Division crown. The Huskers welcome Minnesota to Memorial Stadium this Saturday. Little was expected of the Gophers entering this season, but they became bowl-eligible with their sixth win of the season last Saturday over Illinois. A big part of their success has been thanks to the breakout performance of freshman quarterback Phillip Nelson. Husker defensive coordinator John Papuchis had high praise for Nelson in his post-practice comments yesterday. “He’s tough and he’s athletic,” Papuchis said. “He runs the offense pretty well for a freshman, and he brings an athletic dimension to what they do. He’s one of those guys that just finds a way to win games.” The Huskers and Gophers kick off at 2:30 PM Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

To listen to John Papuchis’ post-practice remarks, click play.

The North Platte Lady Knights set two new program records in their 100-14 victory over the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture last night. The 86-point margin of victory was a new record, and the 14 points allowed is a single-game low. Five Lady Knights scored in double figures, led by Jasmine Smith and Samantha Hyatt with 19 points apiece. Smith had 10 steals, setting an individual single-game program record. The Lady Knights are 2-2 on the season. They host the Midland University JV Friday night.

The Colorado Rockies have brought back another name from the past to join their coaching staff. Dante Bichette, who spent seven of his 14 big league seasons with the Rockies, will serve as the hitting coach with new manager Walt Weiss. Bichette has never coached at the professional level, though he was at one time a special assistant with the Washington Nationals. As a Rockie, Bichette made four All-Star teams and led the National League in home runs and RBI in 1995, helping the Rockies to their first ever playoff apperance. Bichette and Weiss were teammates in Colorado from 1994 to 1997. The hiring of Bichette means there’s likely no place on the coaching staff for Jason Giambi. The 41 year-old had said he would retire if offered the managerial or hitting coach positions. He’ll now see if he can play a 19^th big league season.

Denver Broncos linebacker DJ Williams was reinstated to the 53-man roster yesterday after the end of his second suspension of the season. Williams sat out the first six games of the season due to a violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy, and then was suspended for three more games after being convicted of driving while impaired during the offseason. To make room for Williams, the Broncos waived rookie safety Duke Ihenacho.

Big Ben hurt in Steelers overtime win

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Here’s the good news for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The Steelers won their fourth straight game by escaping with a 16-13 overtime win over the 1-8 Kansas City Chiefs.

Now the bad news: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the game with a right shoulder injury. Backup Byron Leftwich made his first appearance of the year in relief of Big Ben. He completed seven of 14 for 73 yards.

Shaun Suisham kicked three field goals, including the game-winning 23-yard field goal 51 seconds into OT. That came one play after Lawrence Timmons intercepted Kansas City’s Matt Cassel and returned to the 5.

Big Ben left Heinz Field immediately after the injury to get it diagnosed. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin refused to speculate about the long-term effects of the injury, saying only: “I don’t live in the hypothetical world.”

The Steelers improved to 6-3, one game behind the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers play the Ravens next Sunday night and twice in the next three weeks.

The Steelers are 8-0 at Heinz Field on Monday nights since the stadium opened in 2001.

Eagles tell Vick to stay home

UNDATED (AP) — Philadelphia coach Andy Reid says Michael Vick suffered a “pretty significant’ concussion and told the quarterback to stay home and rest. Reid says Vick complained of a headache and fatigue on Monday.

If Vick can go for Sunday’s game at Washington, rookie Nick Foles will get the start. Vick is set for more tests.

In other NFL injury updates:

__ Coach Lovie Smith says the Chicago Bears properly handled quarterback Jay Cutler’s concussion on Sunday night. He says Cutler showed no symptoms of a concussion immediately after the hit, so the quarterback finished the half. Symptoms showed up at intermission and Cutler wound up sitting out the second half.

__ San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh says quarterback Alex Smith threw a 14-yard touchdown pass in Sunday’s 24-24 tie against the Rams while playing with blurred vision before coming out with a concussion. Harbaugh said Smith improved overnight and is set to see a neurologist. His status for next Monday night’s game against the Bears is uncertain.

__ Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano says linebacker Quincy Black is expected to recover from a neck injury but is experiencing complications with his left arm.

__ Houston Texans defensive line coach Bill Kollar did not travel home from Chicago with the team because of a possible blood clot. Kollar missed Sunday night’s game against the Bears because of the issue.

__ Indianapolis has lost starting cornerback Jerraud Powers and defensive tackle Drake Nevis for the rest of the season. Powers injured the big toe on his right foot. Nevis hurt his hand in Thursday’s victory at Jacksonville.

__ Buffalo coach Chan Gailey says running back Fred Jackson is being tested for concussion-like symptoms, adding it’s too early to determine whether he’ll play against Miami on Thursday.

Thunder keeps Pistons winless…Season-high 38 for LeBron

UNDATED (AP) — The Detroit Pistons are still winless — just barely. Oklahoma City rallied to nip the Pistons 92-90. Detroit is 0-8, the worst start in franchise history. The Pistons and Washington are the only NBA teams without a victory.

Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 33 points and keyed the fourth-quarter comeback. Kevin Durant added 26 points and nine rebounds.

The Thunder, who’ve played four games in five nights, improved to 6-2.

In other NBA action:

— LeBron James scored a season-high 38 points, Chris Bosh had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and the Miami Heat rallied to beat the Houston Rockets 113-110. The Heat made 10 of 21 behind the 3-point line.

— Brandon Jennings scored 33 points and Monta Ellis had 18 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 105-96 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks improved to 3-0 on the road.

__ In a triple-overtime thriller, Utah outlasted Toronto 140-133. Paul Millsap scored seven of his 34 points in the third overtime. Al Jefferson had 24 points and 17 rebounds as the Jazz picked up their first road win of the season.

— Nikola Pekovic scored 20 points before leaving with an injury and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Dallas Mavericks 90-82.

__ The Atlanta Hawks evened their season mark at 3-3 by beating Portland 95-87. Josh Smith led the way with 19 points and 11 boards.

Hoosiers roll in Progressive…Sherman leads Irish

Cody Zeller kept No. 1 Indiana in control throughout the first half Monday night.

Remy Abell gave the Hoosiers the other big scorer they needed in the second half — and it came just in time for the Hoosiers to beat North Dakota State 87-61.

Zeller finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. Abell scored a career-high 14, including seven straight during the run that finally turned the game. Freshman Jeremy Hollowell had 14 points for the Hoosiers in the first round of the Progressive Legends Classic.

In other Top-25 hoops action:

— Trey Burke scored 22 points and Glenn Robinson III added 21 in fifth-ranked Michigan’s 91-54 victory over IUPUI in the NIT Season Tip-Off.

__ Tarik Black had 18 points and seven rebounds to lead No. 17 Memphis to an 81-66 victory over North Florida.

__ No. 18 UNLV topped Northern Arizona 92-54. Anthony Bennett scored 22 points to lead five players in double figures in the Runnin’ Rebels season opener.

— Garrick Sherman had 22 points and seven rebounds to lead No. 20 Notre Dame to an 84-57 victory over Monmouth.

__ Gary Bell Jr. scored 15 points and No. 19 Gonzaga crushed West Virginia 84-50.

Angels’ Trout is unanimous AL Rookie of the Year…Harper tops NL rookies

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels was a unanimous winner of the AL Rookie of the Year after a season that put him in contention for the MVP award, too.

The 21-year-old center fielder hit .326 with 30 homers and 83 RBIs following his call-up from the minor leagues in late April.

Trout received all 28 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and was the eighth unanimous AL pick and the first since Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria in 2008.

Bryce Harper, who just turned 20, is the second-youngest winner of the NL rookie of the year. Harper batted .270 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs as Washington brought postseason play to the nation’s capital for the first time since 1933.

Harper got 16 of 32 first-place votes and 112 points from the NL panel. Arizona pitcher Wade Miley was second with 12 first-place votes and 105 points, followed by Cincinnati slugger Todd Frazier with three firsts and 45 points.

Jeff Gordon fined $100,000 and docked 25 points

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Four-Time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon has been fined $100,000 and docked 25 points for intentionally wrecking Clint Bowyer at Phoenix International Raceway.

Gordon has also been placed on probation through Dec. 31. But he avoided suspension for his actions in Sunday’s race, which triggered a fight in the garage area between his crew and Bowyer’s crew.

The Nebraska football team started its week of preparation for Saturday’s Legends Division game against Minnesota on Monday. The team practiced in jerseys and helmets for approximately 90 minutes, splitting time between the Hawks Championship Center inside and outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Field.

Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media following practice, noting that senior running back Rex Burkhead returned to the practice field today.

“He has been doing a lot of things on his own,” Beck said. “I think he is working hard, and we will see how it goes. He probably ran as many plays as anyone else did.”

Beck also talked about the ideal split between the four running backs the Husker offense showcases.

“Oh man it is hard to tell,” Beck said about how the running back rotation would work should Burkhead be able to play. “A lot is going to depend on how Rex (Burkhead) feels and what he can give us. Whatever that is and whenever that is we will be ready. We will welcome him back for sure.”

In the past three games, the Huskers have faced three of the best defenses in the Big Ten, with Michigan State (1st in scoring defense), Michigan (3rd) and Penn State (4th), and Beck doesn’t think that it will get any easier in the future for the Husker offense.

“It is not going to let up, I can promise you that,” Beck said. “We are going to keep holding their feet to the fire. This is a veteran group, and we haven’t accomplished anything yet, our goal is not to go 8-2. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

Beck expects to face some challenges in the pass game Saturday, with Minnesota ranking as the nation’s seventh-best defense against the pass this year in the Big Ten. The Gophers have intercepted nine passes this season and are only allowing 168 yards per game passing.

“They play really hard,” Beck said. “You can see it defensively, they are very athletic, and have great speed, and good man-to-man cover skills.”

— Gage Peake, Nebraska Sports Information

 

Husker senior kicker Brett Maher has set a new standard for special teams players in the Big Ten Conference. Maher was named the Big Ten’s Special Teams Player of the Week for a record-setting sixth time after his performance in Saturday’s win over Penn State. He banged home three field goal attempts and averaged 41 yards per punt, including a 69-yard punt that set up a safety late in the fourth quarter.

The Denver Nuggets saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with a 110-100 road loss to the Phoenix Suns. Sloppy play in the second half, including 15 turnovers, led to the Nuggets giving away a two-point halftime advantage. Andre Iguodala led the Nuggets with 17 points. Kenneth Faried posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Seven Suns scored in double figures, led by Goran Dragic’s 21 points. The Nuggets host the defending champion Miami Heat Thursday night.