Falcons' Barnes in Biletnikoff running

10/27/2009

Bowling Green State University receiver Freddie Barnes is a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation's outstanding college football receiver.

Barnes is one of 10 semifinalists. He is joined by Dezmone Briscoe (Kansas), Vincent Brown (San Diego State), Eric Decker (Minnesota), Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati), A.J. Green (Georgia), Jordan Shipley (Texas), Demaryius Thomas (Georgia Tech), Golden Tate (Notre Dame), and Mike Williams (Syracuse).

Barnes is the nation's leading receiver in catches (99), yards (1,054), touchdowns (nine), yards per game (131.8), and receptions per game (12.4). His reception total is 37 more than his nearest competitor, while his lead in yards receiving is 173 more than the next closest receiver.

•MIAMI - Slain University of Connecticut cornerback Jasper "Jazz" Howard was talented, yet humble, played football with swagger and heart, and deeply loved his family.

Hundreds of mourners heard those words at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Miami about the 20-year-old former South Florida high school football standout who was fatally stabbed during an altercation on campus in Storrs, Conn., early on Oct 18. No one has been charged in his death.

•ESPN broadcaster Bob Griese has been suspended one week for a remark he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

Griese will not be working a game this week.

During ESPN's broadcast of the Minnesota-Ohio State game Saturday, a graphic was shown listing the top five drivers in NASCAR's points race. Fellow analyst Chris Spielman asked where was Montoya, who is Colombian. Griese replied he was "out having a taco."

PHOENIX - Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes has agreed to sell the bankrupt franchise to the NHL.

The agreement, which still must be approved by Judge Redfield T. Baum, was announced in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Former coach Wayne Gretzky, who has a $22.5 million claim in the case, has not agreed to the deal.

Moyes' attorney says the decision to make a deal came largely because the expenses of running the team in bankruptcy were being paid from the league's $140-million offer.