The Ithaca Journal from Ithaca, New York • 15

Sports 'Chris Feaver Sports Editor 274-9214 cfeaverithaca.gannett.com 3B The Ithaca Journal Monday, October 6, 2003 www.theithacajournal.com Wells, Ikekees move on it NFL Week 5 Sunday's Scores Chicago 24, Oakland 21 Dallas 24, Arizona 7 Miami 23, N.Y. Giants 10 Minnesota 39, Atlanta 26 Green Bay 35, Seattle 13 Kansas City 24, Denver 23 Buffalo 22, Cincinnati 16, OT Carolina 19, New Orleans 13 New England 38, Tennessee 30 Jacksonville 27, San Diego 21 San Francisco 24, Detroit 17 Philadelphia 27, Washington 25 Cleveland 33, Pittsburgh 13 Open: N.Y. Jets, St. Louis, Baltimore, Houston Today's Game: Indianapolis at Tampa Bay, 9 p.m. Roundup, 4B Division Series Baseball (Best-of-5) Sunday's games National League Chicago 5, Atlanta 1 (Chicago wins series 3-1) American League New York 8, Minnesota 1 (New York wins series, 3-1) Boston 5, Oakland 4 (series tied 2-2) Ft.

v- By DAVE CAMPBELL The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS The New York Yankees never panicked, even if some of their fans did. "It's a series," Derek Jeter said, "not one game." The Yankees sure rediscovered their dominant postseason form in a hurry. They hit four doubles in a six-run fourth inning Sunday, breezing behind David Wells into the AL championship series with an 8-1 victory over Minnesota. After a sloppy loss in Game 1 Tuesday that brought back memories of last year's first-round flop against Anaheim, New York beat the Twins three straight times to win the division series 3-1. "We fought our way through it," manager Joe Torre said.

"We know there are a lot of distractions in New York. In the postseason, they're magnified." A rested Yankees team will open the ALCS on Wednesday night at home against Oakland or Boston. "They're the best team in the league," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Somebody has to knock them off." Wells improved to 9-2 lifetime in the postseason by going 7 2-3 innings for the Yankees. New York made it easy The Hot KOfcmSi' Dustin Brown signs 3-year deal with NHL's LA.

Kings Cubs eliminate Braves, 6B Boston forces Game 5, 6B for him, sending 12 batters to the plate in the fourth and chasing Twins starter Johan Santana. Bernie Williams and Hideki Matsui each hit an RBI double, and Nick Johnson added a two-run double. Alfoaso Soriano's bloop two-run single made it 6-0. "Six-nothing in the playoffs is like 12-nothing in the regular season," Minnesota's Torii Hunter said. Jeter later homered for the Yankees.

After losing Game 1 at home 3-1, New York outscored Minnesota The Associated Press New York Yankees, from left, Jorge Posada, 20, Derek Jeter, Aaron Boone, Gabe Wliite, Nick Johnson and Alfonso Soriano celebrate defeating the Minnesota Twins 8-1 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series Sunday in Minneapolis. 15-3. they win a lot of games." "They're a confident bunch," Gardenhire said. "If they start hitting, See YANKEES, 6B Cornell's falls short From Journal Staff Reports EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Ithaca native Dustin Brown signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 13th overall selection in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, the 18-year- old brown led the Kings l. 1UU1 goals and an assist in six preseason games. "Dustin is projected to start the in Los said Dave Taylor, 'Kings Senior Vice PresidentGeneral Manager. are obviously pleased to have him signed and under contract with our organiza Trashers player dies ATLANTA Atlanta Thrashers forward Dan Snyder died Sunday night, six days after he was involved in a horrific car crash with team-male Dany Heatley.

Snyder died at Grady Hospital from massive brain injuries without ever regaining consciousness, the team said. Police said Heatley was driving his Ferrari at about 80 mph on a narrow two-lane 1 Brown ia i i I i Poll stays steady heading into big weekend "kjjjjy Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe celebrates after running back Travis Henry scored in overtime to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 22-16 Sunday in Orchard Park. Corner tion. We think he has a real bright NHL future with the Kings." This past season, Brown appeared in 58 games for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, leading the Storm with 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points. Brown also became the first player in OHL history to win the Bobby Smith Award as Scholastic Player of the Year three times in a row.

Before going to the OHL, Brown was a member of Ithaca High's state championship-winning team in 2000. That season, Brown was the Little Red's top goal-scorer as a freshman. Brown also was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team that competed at the 2003 World Junior Championships. In seven games, he had four points.

six days after wreck road last Monday night when he lost control, spun off the road and smashed into a brick and wrought iron fence. The car split in half. The players were thrown into the road. Heatley already was facing several charges, including a felony and prosecutors are likely to upgrade the seriousness of the charges with Snyder's death. got one first and 1,523 points.

The Buckeyes got the remaining five first-place votes. Arkansas, Georgia, Southern California and Nebraska round out the Top 10. The USA TodayESPN coaches poll had the same top six teams as the AP. There should be more movement in the poll next week with five games between ranked opponents upcoming. The biggest features Miami at Florida State, the first time in 10 years both teams will be in the top 5 for their annual rivalry.

There's also Oklahoma against Texas, Ohio State at No. 23 Wisconsin, Georgia at No. 13 Tennessee and No. 20 Michigan at No. 17 Minnesota.

To Holyfield's credit, he offered no excuses and no protests after his corner threw in the towel in the ninth round Saturday night when Toney was hitting him with every punch he threw. That wasn't the case in many of his recent fights when he blamed various injuries and opponents who weren't willing to mix it up with him for his poor showings. But once again he blindly refused to acknowledge that, two weeks shy of his 41st birthday, he has neither the reflexes or the skills to continue as a heavyweight contender. and Newfield travels to Spencer-Van Etten. The games get underway at 4:30 p.m.

wire reports. tv IC Football Saturday's game: Springfield 51, Ithaca 22 Record: 3-1 Next game: Saturday at St. Lawrence, 1 p.m. Ithaca can't handle the run Bombers fall to Springfield Fmm Journal Staff Reports SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The Ithaca College football team couldn't slow down Springfield's running attack, as the Pride rushed for 384 yards and ran past the Bombers, 55-22, Saturday at Benedum Field.

Ithaca was uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball, turning it over four times en route to allowing more than 50 points for just the second time since 1971. It's the most points the Bombers have allowed since Springfield beat Ithaca 55-34 on Sept. 30, 2000. The No. 13 Bombers scored the first seven points of the game thanks to a nine-yard pass from Josh Felicetti to Jeff Welch but Springfield scored the next 23 points to take a 23-7 lead into halftime.

The Pride ranked No. 14 put the game away with a 28-point fourth quarter to improve to 5-0 for the fourth time since 1970 and hand the Bombers (3-1) their first loss of the season. "We had some opportunities that we didn't take advantage of early in the game," Ithaca coach Mike Welch said on Sunday. "We weren't getting a lot of yards on the ground (Ithaca was held to 27 rushing yards in the tirst halt) and that's (the Springfield offense's) forte. That's what they do best.

Ithaca had its hands full trying to stop Springfield's triple- option offense. Springfield quarterback Ryan Sylvia rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns and fullback Tim Lutgens ran for 183 yards and one score. It was the first time two oppo nents had rushed tor more than 100 yards against Ithaca since the Pride did it against Ithaca in the contest back in 2000. Sylvia scored on a 30-yard run with 2:26 remaining in the first quarter to cut Ithaca's lead to 7-6. Springfield kicker Greg Switaj made a 19-yard field goal to give the Pride its first lead, 9-7, with 6:56 left before halftime.

Springfield strong safety Ryan Santo intercepted a Felicetti pass during Ithaca's See IC, 7B IRINA PERESSJoumal Staff Cornell's Marcus Blanks evades Colgate's Ryan Disch during the first half of Saturday's game at Cornell The Big Red fell to Colgate, 27-24. The top lix teams remained the same in the latest Associated Press college football poll heading into a weekend of big showdowns. Oklahoma extended its season-long run atop the poll following a 53-7 victory over Iowa State and heads into the Red River Shootout against No. 11 Texas ranked No. 1 for the first time since 1987.

Miami was second in the Top 25 released Sunday following a 22-20 escape against West Virginia last Thursday night. Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Florida State and LSU follow the Hurricanes in the poll. The Sooners received 59 of the 65 first-place votes and 1,617 points in balloting by the panel of sports writers and broadcasters. The Hurricanes BY CHRISTOPHER FEAVER Journal Staff ITHACA The difference between winning and losing in Division I-AA football is often small, and such was the case on a cold, rainy Saturday at Schoellkopf Field. Visiting Colgate came to Cornell displaying a knack for winning with a 4-0 record this season and a 10-game winning streak dating back to last year.

Cornell, meanwhile, has shown it can compete with most Division I-AA teams, but winning can be another thing. And in the final minutes Saturday, it was the team most used to winning that made the crucial plays as the 19th-ranked Raiders defeated Cornell 27-24 on a last-second 22-yard field goal by Lane Schwarzberg. After an atrocious first half in which Colgate scored on four straight possessions to take a 24-7 halftime lead, Cornell (1-2) regained the momentum and tied the game 24-24 with 6:32 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard field goal by A.J. Weitsman. But Colgate answered with an epic drive, marching the ball 83 yards while eating up the remaining time on the clock and setting up Schwarzberg for what essentially was an extra point from the dead center of the hash-marks.

"I'm very proud of this football team to come back down when the momentum was completely lost convert a couple of third-down plays and kick a field goal," said Colgate coach Dick Biddle, who is now 7-0 with the Raiders against Cornell. "All I know is we are 5-0 and we have won 11 straight games, and that speaks volumes about the character and heart and determination we have. Just a great effort." 1 he Raiders were able to run around, through and past the Big Red for much of the game, gaining 291 rushing yards. (Cornell was allowing 260 yards per game rushing entering the game), with 217 of those yards coming in the first half. Jamaal Branch led the way tor Colgate, running for 226 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries (6.6 yards per cany), the most ever by a Colgate runner against Cornell.

But it was the passing of Chris Brown that made the Giants By TOM CANAVAN Tlie Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. All the Miami Dolphins needed to win their third straight game was four turnovers, a little trickery and more special teams woes for the New York Giants. Olindo Mare kicked three field goals and receiver James McKnight scored on a 68-yard reverse as the Dolphins took advantage of New York errors and a freak injury to Giants kicker Matt Bryant in a 23-10 win Sunday. It good to win these kinds of games when people have to step up," said Dolphins back Ricky Williams, whose biggest contribution might have been Cornell Football Saturday's game: Colgate 27, Cornell 24 Record: 1-2 Next: vs. Harvard, 1 p.m.

difference down the stretch. On the final drive, Brown was 5-for-6 for 64 yards, including a huge 19-yard completion to a wide-open J.B. Gerald on third-and-10 from Colgate's 22-yard line, a 26-yard pass to tight end John Frieser on sec-ond-and-7 from the Colgate 44, and a seven-yard pass to Gerald on third-and-six at Cornell's 26-yard line. "Sometimes they were Holyfield vows to continue boxing career LAS VEGAS Evander Holyfield had just taken a beating from James Toney, and now he was fighting another losing battle. Sitting in a post-fight news conference, he was trying to explain why he should keep fighting at his advanced age with clearly declining skills.

The problem was that every time Holyfield opened his mouth he gave another argument for retirement. "If he (Toney) was a big puncher I'd have been torn apart," Holyfield admitted at one point. the Colgate 7-yard-line. But on third-and-5, his pass was in and out of the hands of wide-open fullback Todd Newell on a play that could easily have gone for a touchdown. Instead, Weitsman, who handled most of the kicking chores Saturday instead of usual kicker Trevor McMeekin, kicked a 24-yard field goal to tie.

"In some ways, the game may have come down to three third-down plays," said Cornell coach Tim Pendergast. "One that we weren't quite able to convert on our last series of the game and two that Colgate converted that kept their drive alive." Still, Pendergast came away from the game pleased with the Big Red's comeback. See CORNELL, 12B to use punter Jeff Feagles as an emergency kicker. He had never attempted a field goal in 16 NFL seasons. He got a chance with 4:28 left in the third quarter after a nine-minute New York drive bogged own at the Miami 1 1.

Feagles' line drive was just wide right. "I thought it was good when I hit it," Feagles said. "I really wanted to make it." The missed hurt. "It killed us," said Giants halfback Tiki Barber, who scored on a 2-yard run. Olindo Mare, who kicked field goals of 43 and 23 yards in the second quarter, stretched See GIANTS, 4B bringing a lot of people at us and trying to blitz us, so I pretty much knew one of our receivers was going to be open on every play," Brown said.

"It was just a matter of finding which one it was." With first-and-goal from the Big Red 5-yard line, Colgate called timeout to set up Schwarzberg. Cornell still had two timeouts, and used them both in an attempt to ice Schwarzberg. But unlike many kickers in the final minutes against the Big Red, he was straight and true with the game-winner as the clock hit :00. Colgate would have needed a touchdown on its final drive if Cornell had been able to score seven points, instead of just three, on its previous possession. Quarterback Mick Razzano had led the Big Red down to Bryant's 43-yard field goal just before the half.

As the kicked sailed through, Bryant grabbed his right hamstring. "I heard it pop," Bryant said, who is uncertain how long he will be sidelined. "It was a fluke." The injury left New York down 13-10 heading into the second half and the lack of a placekicker hurt the Giants, a team now wondering whether it has a special teams jinx. New York was ousted in the playoffs last year because of long snapping problem. It signed Ryan Kuehl in the offseason only to see him injure his elbow in training camp.

Not having Bryant in the second half forced New York do themselves in again Top TV Baseball Playoffs: Boston at Oakland, 8 p.m., FOX More television, 5B Best Bets as a decoy. The Giants (2-2) wanted to stop him at all costs, and that set up the right conditions for McKnight's momentum-turning second-quarter run that gave the Dolphins (3-1) the lead for good. "When I was going to get the ball from Ricky, I saw the whole defense coming at Ricky McKnight said. 1 hose guys were keying and trying to stop 34. We knew that was their gamcplan, so we ran this play in practice several times this week." The other play that destroyed the Giants was In IAC girls' soccer, Newark Valley is at Dryden, Ode'ssa-Montour is at Candor, Lansing visits Groton, Waverly is at Trumansburg From staff and.