TODAY'S TOP SPORTS BRIEFS

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 11, 2009

LOCAL & COLLEGE FOOTBALL

1. QB GREGORY ENROLLS AT KANSAS STATE: Grant Gregory is officially a Wildcat.

Kansas State confirmed Wednesday the South Florida transfer has enrolled and will be eligible to play next season.

Gregory was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and will have one season to play at K-State. He was South Florida's backup quarterback the past three seasons, completing 27 of 50 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

Gregory began his collegiate career at Indiana.

2. OSBORNE SAYS HE WILL STAY: Former coach Tom Osborne is sticking around as Nebraska's athletic director.

The 72-year-old Osborne had indicated he would step down when his contract expires in summer 2010. But the university said Wednesday that Osborne has agreed to stay.

Osborne became athletic director in 2007 on an interim basis after Steve Pederson was fired. The interim tag was removed a few months later after Osborne hired football coach Bo Pelini.

3. FORMER ALABAMA STAR INVESTIGATION CLOSED: Alabama Attorney General Troy King has closed the investigation into former Alabama star Andre Smith's alleged dealings with a sports agent.

King said Wednesday the investigation found no probable cause to believe anyone violated Alabama's sports agents law. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban suspended the All-America left tackle days before the Crimson Tide's Sugar Bowl game against Utah amid allegations that Smith or a person representing him had improper contact with a sports agent.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

1. JETS INK ROOKIE QB SANCHEZ: The New York Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez reached an agreement on a multiyear deal Wednesday.

Sanchez was the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft in April after leading Southern California to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State with a record-setting performance.

The announcement came while Sanchez was still at practice in the afternoon session of minicamp. Terms of the deal were not immediately available, but it was expected to be for quite a bit less than the $41.7 million in guarantees Detroit gave top pick Matthew Stafford as part of a six-year deal worth up to $78 million.

2. VIKINGS SAY THEY DIDN'T SET TIMETABLE: The Minnesota Vikings never told Brett Favre to make up his mind by this week if he wants to play, according to coach Brad Childress.

In fact, Childress said Wednesday, the team has no timetable for Favre to decide about coming out of retirement again to quarterback the Vikings.

"I'm not into predicting the future, you know?" the coach said. "We'll just have to see what's around the corner tomorrow."

3. DRUG CHARGES AGAINST WR HOLMES DROPPED: Pittsburgh prosecutors on Wednesday dropped a misdemeanor drug charge against Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes.

4. NFL STARTS SPINAL TREATMENT PROGRAM: The NFL is starting a spinal treatment program for retired players. The league will make specialists available at five United States hospitals to evaluate and treat retirees with spinal injuries. It will be available to any player whose pension is vested, which comes after playing three seasons plus four games.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. PRO GOLFER LOSES BROTHER, GIRLFRIEND: Pro golfer Ken Green's brother and girlfriend were killed in a recreational vehicle accident in which Green also was hurt.

Green was driving on Interstate 20 near Hickory, Miss., on Monday when the right front tire of his RV blew out. Green was unable to control the vehicle and ran off the road and down an embankment before hitting a large oak tree.

2. STARS REPORTEDLY FIRE COACH: A person familar with the decision says the Dallas Stars have fired coach Dave Tippett.

The person spoke Wednesday night to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team was not releasing the news.

3. SYKORA MAY MISS GAME 7: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Petr Sykora could miss Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals with a right foot injury sustained during his first playing time in more than a month.

The Penguins did not practice Wednesday, but Sykora was seen leaving Mellon Arena on crutches, with a brace on his right foot and ankle.

4. NBA FINALS MAINTAINING TV RATINGS: Television ratings for the NBA finals are holding up from last year even though Lakers-Magic isn't as glamorous a matchup as the 2008 series between Los Angeles and the Boston Celtics.

ABC said Wednesday that Orlando's 108-104 win Tuesday night in Game 3 earned a 10.1 overnight rating. That's down 6 percent from the 10.8 for last season's Game 3.

Staff and wire reports