The Ithaca Journal from Ithaca, New York • 9

MAJOR MOVE Jay Haas closes with a 64 to overtake Tom Watson in the final round and win the Senior Players Championship. PAGE 2B Live sports scores on your cell phone Send a text message to 44636 (4INF0) with SPORTS, then select your team (Cornell, Yanks, Mets) Sports Editon Brian Delaney 1 274-9214 1 bdelaneyithacajournal.com THE ITHACA JOURNAL ithacajournal.com Monday, October 5, 2009 IB Sports Cornell feeling run down after rough loss Colgate's potent offense too much for Big Red Bv Dan Sweenev racked up 561 yards of to- Behind its "ride and decide" of- By Dan Sweeney racked up 561 yards of to COMMENT Talk about this story at ithacajoumal.com Eachus, who missed the past three games with a cracked rib and didn't practice until Wednesday, took his first carry 34 yards through a massive hole for his dsweeneygannett.com Staff Writer HAMILTON Simple-looking and extremely effective. In a nutshell, that is the juggernaut also known as Colgate's offense. KNOWLES tal offense 344 of them rushing on their way to a 45-23 win over Cornell on Saturday afternoon. "When you live through it, you see up close and personal what a No.

1 rushing team in the FCS looks like. And that's it," Cornell coach Colgate 45 Cornell Raiders did behind an explosive offensive that was effective blocking into the second level After a Big Red three-and-out, on its next possession, Colgate (5-0, 1-0 Patriot League) took a 14-0 lead when Jordan McCord scored on a 5-yard touchdown run left in the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by a pass interference fense where quarterback Greg Sullivan lines up in the shotgun and decides whether to hand off, throw or keep the ball himself, Colgate, the 25th-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision in the latest Sports Network poll, forced Cornell to the air early after jumping out to a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter. The first score came just 4 minutes, 25 seconds into the game when sophomore running back Nate Colgate entered the game 23 first of three touchdowns. Eachus finished with a game-high 129 rushing yards.

"We're really just trying to cram the ball down people's throats with an occasional throw here and there," Eachus said. And that's exactly what the as the top rushing team in Jim Knowles said. "When the entire Football Cham- Summary 6B you can't stop the run or pionship Subdivision and it slow them down, you've didn'thavealetdownastheRaiders got very little chance." See CORNELL Page 7B oca ia A Centra III i ijw i i uiuiw jurr -T Bombers prevail in aerial show Timely defensive plays save IC against Hartwick By Brian Delaney bdelaneygannett.com Staff Writer ONEONTA Joe Gilfedder had no problem admitting the obvious. Spread offenses make lives miserable for opposing linebackers. With Ithaca committed to its base 4-3 defense throughout Saturday's Empire 8 Conference at Wright Stadium, Hartwick quarterback Brian Radley attacked the middle of the field relentlessly through a wide range of three-, four- and i Ji if.

Ithaca 24 Hartwick 20 Summary 6B i five-receiver sets. The Bombers' linebackers spent most of the afternoon back-pedaling in pass coverage, then sprinting in pursuit, as Radley racked up 399 yards on 30 completions. But on two occasions, Gilfedder made sure those yards came at a price. The rangy sophomore picked off two critical passes, the latter coming with 1 minute, 47 minutes left in the fourth quarter, to seal No. 19 Ithaca's 24-20 victory.

"Linebackers are used to being in the box," said Gilfedder, who has four interceptions in his first season as starting outside linebacker. "Any time you're out there, it just takes a The Associated Press Gerald Laird of the Tigers, left, was out at the plate after colliding with White Sox catcher Ramon Castro when he attempted to tag up on Placido Polanco's fly-out in the eighth inning. The Tigers won, as did the Twins, forcing a playoff game for the American League Central division title Tuesday in Minnesota. Twins, Tigers will need playoff to decide division little gettmg used to. With a GRAST0RF quarterback like that, it definitely is going to make you uncomfortable." Both offenses moved the ball primarily through the air.

In the absence of a dependable running game, Ithaca quarterback Brian Gras-torf was terrific, completing 30 of 40 passes for a career-high 353 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He had plenty of help from his sure-handed group of receivers. Junior Thomas Vossler hauled in touchdown passes of 20 and 17 yards in the first quarter, and finished with nine receptions for 113 yards. Dan Ruffrage and tight end Dan Hig-gins both caught six passes. See ITHACA Page7B the play offs against the Twins-Tigers winner on Wednesday or Thursday.

The tricky part: The Yankees get one hour after the tiebreaker to announce their decision. That means a quick turnaround for the AL Central champ if, as expected, New York picks to play Game 1 at Yankee Stadium at 6 Wednesday. "It's strange," Yankees star Alex Rodriguez said. "That's what great about baseball. Play 162 and you're going to need one more game.

That's pretty awesome." Boston will open at the Los Angeles Angels in the other best-of-five AL matchup, either Wednesday or Thursday. The National League first-rounders begin Wednesday wild card Colorado at the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies by day, and Albert Pujols and St. Louis at Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers at night. Ryan Howard and the East champion See PLAYOFFS Page 3B PLAYOFFS Division series AMERICAN LEAGUE New York vs. Detroit-Minnesota winner Wed.

or Detroit-Minnesota winner at New York (Sabathia 19-8), 6:07 p.m. Los Angeles, vs. Boston Wed. or Boston (Lester 15-8) at Los Angeles (Lackey 11-8), 9:37 p.m. or 6:07 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE Los Angeles vs. St. Louis St. Louis (Carpenter 17-4) at Los Angeles (Wolf 11-7), 9:37 p.m. Philadelphia vs.

Colorado Colorado (Jimenez 15-12) at Philadelphia (Lee 7-4), 2:37 p.m. Monday night. Because of that, the logistics could become complicated. advantage throughout the postseason, can choose whether they want to start By Ben Walker The Associated Press The chase for the AL Central championship once again is going to extra innings. Trying to save their seasons, the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins both won Sunday, leaving them all even for the division lead and forcing a one-game tiebreaker.

They'll meet 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Metrodome in what could be the final baseball game at the Homer Hankie haven. Detroit rookie Rick Porcello (14-9) will start against Scott Baker (15-9). "It's going to be fun. I'm sure Minnesota is going to be rocking," Tigers center fielder Granderson said.

This marks the second straight year a tiebreaker will decide the AL Central. Last season, the Twins lost 1-0 at Chicago. The teams get an extra day off not for travel, but because Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings host Green Bay on COMMENT Talk about this story and leave your comments at ithacajournal.com Army recruits CU assistant Spiker to lead men's basketball program By Brian Delaney bdelaneygannett.com Staff Writer Zach Spiker, a 2000 Ithaca College graduate and five-year assistant coach at Cornell under Steve Don- a prestigious institution like the United States Military Academy, it's just incredible. I'm so happy for him. He deserves it." Spiker did not immediately respond to messages left on his cell phone.

He released a statement through COMMENT "We conducted a national search and spoke to a tremendous school of candidates," Anderson said. "Throughout the process, one individual clearly rose to the top." Anderson confirmed to the Times Herald-Record, in Middletown, that Spiker was signed to a six-year deal He'll be introduced officially at a 3 p.m. news conference Tuesday at West Point Spiker had a strong role in recruiting Cornell's current players, who have helped to win two straight Ivy League championships. Cornell will be a heavy favorite to win the 2009-10 title. Donahue said Spiker evolved into an outstanding recruiter.

"Zach has an incredible work ethic" See SPIKER Page 6B ahue, has been hired as Army's men's basketball coach. The hiring was announced Saturday by Kevin Anderson, United States Military Academy director of athletics Spiker replaces Jim Crews, who was fired on Sept. 21 after seven seasons and a 60-139 record. Army's athletic communications department. "I am extremely humbled and excited by the opportunity that Mr.

Anderson has given me to coach at West Point," he said. "I can't wait to get to work, and I am looking forward to serving this senior class to make this season the Talk about this story at ithacajoumal.com Staff file photo Cornell University assistant men's basketball coach Zach Spiker, back, listens to head coach Steve Donahue gives instructions to the team last season. "Obviously you want all your assistants to get a head coaching job, a Division I head coaching job," Donahue said. "And to get one at such best it can be. I am confident we will all work together and make this a great experience for everybody.".