The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page D03

Saturday, November 8, 2008 THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER www.philly.com D3 Penn QB emerges to top Princeton Sophomore Keiffer Garton led the Quakers with 132 yards passing and 89 yards on the ground. victory for tonight." The win was just as enjoyable for Penn's defense. It held Culbreath, the league's leading rusher, to just 57 yards. Penn 14, Princeton 9 Penn Princeton 7 0 0 3 7 0-0 6- Bagnoli decided to punt. A poor kick seemed to rejuvenate the Tigers, and Anderson breathed further life into them by squeezing a 46-yard pass through two defenders to Will Thanheiser.

Jordan Culbreath's short touchdown run, and the missed conversion, made the score 14-9. But Garton, who made his Penn debut last week, quashed the rally. On third and 6 from the Quakers' 18 on the game's last drive, he fired a 22-yard pass to Josh Koontz. In another third-and-long situation, this time with less than two minutes to go, he ad-libbed and scampered 9 yards for a first down. Garton, one of four signal-callers to play for Penn this year, may have delivered the best game of any of them, though Bagnoli did not reveal whether Garton had locked down the job.

"I hope so," Garton said. 'We'll see where it goes from here, but I'm just enjoying this By Sebastien Angel FOR THE INQUIRER PRINCETON It took him eight games, but Penn coach Al Bagnoli may have found his quarterback or, failing that, maybe a running back. Sophomore Keiffer Garton added a team-high 89 rushing yards to his 132 through the air, and the Quakers ran out the final minutes as they eased past the Princeton Tigers, 14-9, in an Ivy League game last night at Princeton Stadium. Bagnoli had hinted before the game that Garton and senior Robert Irvin would split time under center. But Garton threw a wrench in the plans by leading a 13-play, 84-yard drive on Penn's first possession.

He handled all but two of the snaps, relying on a mix of option plays, designed runs and short passes. "Honestly, it was all the of fensive line and tight ends," Garton said. "They did a great job blocking and coming up with the ball." Brian Anderson did all the work at quarterback for the Tigers (3-5, 2-3 league), throwing for 204 yards. But his team stalled near the goal line in the first half and settled for two field-goal attempts. Only one went through, and Penn (5-3, 4-1) led at halftime, 7-3.

"They run a lot of option, a lot of wide set packages," Penn defensive back Kevin Gray said. "But our coaches were great. They knew almost everything they were going to do." Garton looked close to sealing the game when another long possession ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Matt Appenfelder. But his next trip ended on fourth and 1 in Princeton territory, and Flrst quarter Penn-Garton6 run (Samson kick), 7:15. Second quarter Prin-FG Bologna 32, :10.

Third quarter Penn-Appenfelder 10 pass from Garton (Samson kick), 6:46. Fourth quarter Prin-Culbreath 1 run (pass failed), 9:1 1 8,966. Penn Princeton First downs 16 17 Rushes-yards 40-156 24-105 Passing 132 204 Comp-Att-Int 16-21-1 15-25-0 Return Yards 0 0 Punts-Avg. Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards 5-45 3-24 Time of Possession 34:27 25:33 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing: Penn, Garton 15-89, DiMaggio 18-74, Hamscher 2-6, Blackmon 1 -4, McNally 1 -2, Team 3-(minus 19). Princeton, Culbreath 13-57, Anderson 7-31 McCray 3-1 6, Thanheiser 1 -1 Passing: Penn, Garton 16-21-1-132.

Princeton, Anderson 15-25-0-204. Receiving: Penn, Blackmon 4-29, Derham 3-38, Lawrence 3-20, Koontz 2-23, Miran 2-11, Appenfelder 1-10, DiMaggio 1-1. Princeton, Culbreath 5-52, Thanheiser 4-86, Berry 4-64, Smith 1 -4, Zimmerman 1 -(minus 2). KATHY WILLENS Associated Press Reliever LaTroy Hawkins, in the middle of a May rhubarb with Orioles batter Luke Scott (left), was traded by the Yankees to the Astros on July 30. Houston has re-signed him.

Baseball Notable Padres opt to keep Giles next season Golf ivi lc-s ZD Verplank takes lead in tension-filled finale BRAND NEW 2008 YUKON XL DENALI AWD AMWCDMP3 Rear DVD System Navigation System Touch Screen Leather Interior Rear View Camera 20' Chrome Alum Wheels Stk08G443, Auto, Vin8J174442. Offer Includes $7500 GM Rebate (everyone $1000 Lease Bonus Cash (if qual.) MSRP S58.905 I 27 OFF $15,915 42990 YOU PAY ONLY his second transplant. LPGA Tour SHIMA, Japan Japan's Mayu Hattori and Miki Saiki shot 5-under 67s to share the Mizuno Classic lead on the Ki-netsu Kashikojima course. That left Women's British Open champion Shin Ji-yai a stroke back in an event sanctioned by the LPGA and Japan LPGA Tours. China Golf Association SHANGHAI, China Heavy rain wiped out all play in the HSBC Champions tournament, forcing organizers to try to squeeze in a total of 54 holes today and tomorrow to complete the event at She-shan International Golf Club.

FROM INQUIRER WIRE SERVICES The San Diego Padres yesterday exercised their $9 million option on rightfielder Brian Giles, whose .398 on-base percentage was one of the best in baseball last season. The 37-year-old will be back for his seventh season with his hometown Padres. The team had a choice between the option or a $3 million buyout. Giles hit .306 with 40 doubles and 12 home runs. He had 63 RBIs and 87 walks.

Rangers. Texas exercised a $6.2 million option on oft-injured infielder Hank Blalock. Blalock, 27, has played just 123 games the last two seasons. A career third baseman, he made a midseason switch to first base. Blalock finished batting .287 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs in 65 games.

Astros. Houston signed La-Troy Hawkins to a one-year, $3.5 million deal and plans to use the righthanded reliever in a setup role. The Astros acquired Hawkins from the New York Yankees on July 30, and he did not allow a run in his first 22 relief appearances with Houston. The 35-year-old Hawkins primarily set up closer Jose Valverde. He was 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 57 appearances overall.

The Astros also signed pitcher Chia-Jen Lo to a minor-league contract, making the 22-year-old righthander the franchise's first Taiwanese player. Brewers. Milwaukee promoted Bill Castro to pitching coach after he served as the bullpen coach for the last 17 seasons. He takes over for Mike Maddux, who turned down an offer to stay for his seventh season with Milwaukee and accepted the same position with Texas. Pirates.

Perry Hill, a major-league coach for 14 seasons, was hired as Pittsburgh's first-base coach. Carter's new job. Gary Carter, the Hall of Fame catcher who starred for the Montreal Expos and New York Mets, will manage the Long Island Ducks, an independent minor-league team. Carter managed in the Mets' minor-league system for two years and spent last season with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League in California. Bud Harrelson, a former Mets player, coach and manager, is a co-owner of the Ducks.

Altoona gets funding. A $1.3 million state grant will pay for a new field and other major renovations at Blair County Ballpark, home of the Altoona Curve, who play in the double-A Eastern League. Altoona is an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. ASSOCIATED PRESS ORLANDO, Fla. Scott Verplank shot his second consecutive 8-under-par 64 yesterday to take a 3-stroke lead on the Palm Course in the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney, the final official PGA Tour event of the season.

Steve Marino had a 66 and Troy Matteson a 68 and were tied for second, but the real drama was at the bottom of the standings. Yesterday was cut day in the event, which ends the race for spots in the top 125 on the final money list, the cutoff for the full 2009 PGA Tour. "A guy from the PGA just told me I'm projected at 125," said Brad Adamonis, who birdied the last hole to finish 1 under but missed the cut. "I probably won't look at the standings until the tournament is over. At least, that's my plan.

I'd probably throw up if I did." Whether he comes in at 125 depends on what happens this weekend with the players behind him who made the cut, at 5 under. One of them is Erik Comp-ton, who has had two heart transplants and got a sponsor exemption, shot a 68, and made the cut by 2 strokes. He will play in the second round of qualifying school next week, only six months after A complete guide to senior living Coming in JanuaryFebruary 2009 Seniors Resource will feature articles and directories on: Health Services Professional Services Health at Home Assisted Living Information to help you make informed decisions Amaro fills posts on staff A MyComnm FREE 1 the Rockies would require Shane Victorino or Jayson Werth, plus top prospect Carlos Carrasco and at least another top prospect from the farm system. Think lefthander J. A.

Happ, for example. The Phillies would not want to blow up their farm system for Holliday, who will be a free agent after the 2009 season. If Colorado's price drops, the Phillies could get serious. Extra bases Amaro said rumors that the Phillies would listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins were "ludicrous." Rollinsis one of the best leadoff hitters and shortstops in the game. His five-year, $40 million contract might be one of the best bargains in baseball.

He will make just $8.5 million next season and $8.5 million in 2010. The Phillies also have an $8.5 million club option for 2011, which they almost certainly will pick up if he stays healthy. "Jimmy Rollins is our shortstop, for now and the future," Amaro said. "That rumor is unequivocally false." Amaro said the Phillies were still gathering names for Smith's replacement at third base. Pat Burrell and Cole Hamels will be the honorary coin tossers at tomorrow's Eagles-Giants game.

seasons with the Seattle Mariners, so he has an obvious connection with Gillick, who was a general manager for the Mariners. Looper served most recently as the Mariners' vice president of player personnel. "I've known about him for a long time," Amaro said. "Having spoken with him, and having dealt with him over the years, and based on his reputation, I felt like he was the perfect hire for us." Amaro said he considered Ondo somebody to keep an eye on. "He's a young man with a bright future," he said.

"I think at some point he's going to be, if he gets the opportunity and he continues to grow, to be a future GM. I wanted to give him an opportunity to expand his role." Some speculation had Wolever leaving the Phillies, but that did not occur. "He's the guy running the draft and bringing the talent into the system," Amaro said. "It doesn't take a genius to see the drafts he's produced and the kind of players he's put on the field." Holliday? Don't bet on it Amaro declined to comment on an SI.com report that the Phillies were aggressively pursuing Colorado Rockies leftfielder Matt Holliday, but three baseball sources have told The Inquirer in recent days that the report was exaggerated or untrue. Colorado's asking price remains much too high for the Phillies.

One source said PHILLIES from Dl LaMar will be in charge of the minor-league operations and be involved in some amateur scouting. Amaro plans to hire one more assistant general manager, to handle contract negotiations and the makeup of the major-league roster. Amaro filled that role under former general managers Ed Wade and Pat Gillick, whom Amaro replaced. Amaro plans to interview four or five candidates from outside the organization for that role. "I'm really pleased," Amaro said of his staff.

"Any time you get the kind of experience and years these gentlemen have spent in the game I feel very fortunate to surround myself with real quality people. I know I'm excited about it. I'm excited about getting them together next week and getting things going." Amaro promoted Mike Ondo to pro scouting coordinator. Dallas Green (senior adviser to the GM), Charley Kerfeld (special assistant to the GM), Gordon Lakey (director of major-league scouting), and Marti Wolever (director of scouting) all return to their roles. Steve Noworyta is in a slightly different role.

He is director of minor-league operations after being director of the minor leagues. He will report to LaMar. Looper, 60, slides into the role Mike Arbuckle held until he resigned last Saturday. Looper, uncle of free-agent pitcher Braden Looper, spent the previous 23 call 877-55-ACTIVE for your FREE copy. Please specify PA or NJ Seniors Resource publication Also available in selected CVS's in Southern New Jersey, Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties, local senior centers, and doctors' offices.

Contact staff writer Todd Zolecki at 215-854-4874 or tzoleckiphillynews.com. Read his blog at http:go.philly.comphillieszone..