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Stanford Vs. Notre Dame: Cardinal Comeback Thwarts Charlie Weis

2009-11-29T06:09:25Z

STANFORD, Calif. — Toby Gerhart turned what could be Charlie Weis' final game as Notre Dame coach into his own Heisman Trophy infomercial.

Gerhart ran for 205 yards and three scores, threw an 18-yard touchdown pass and scored the game-winning touchdown with 59 seconds left to help Stanford hand Weis and the Fighting Irish a fourth straight loss to end the regular season, 45-38 Saturday night.

On a night when Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate put on an aerial show for the Irish (6-6) in a showcase for Weis' offense, it was Gerhart who won the game for Stanford (8-4) and possibly earned a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist in two weeks.

He threw his touchdown pass to Ryan Whalen on fourth-and-4 to help the Cardinal tie the game early in the fourth quarter and then won it with his 4-yard run in the final minute.

After Stanford stopped Robert Hughes on third-and-2 from the Irish 35 with less than 6 minutes left, Gerhart carried seven times for 54 yards on the winning drive, bowling over would-be tacklers before scoring his 26th rushing touchdown of the season. The fans chanted "To-by! To-by!" throughout the drive.

Clausen and Tate weren't done, driving to the 24 before Chase Thomas sacked Clausen at the 31. On the final play, Clausen's desperation heave into the end zone was batted down by Michael Thomas, giving Stanford its first win against Notre Dame since 2001.

Weis could be done too after falling to 35-27 in five seasons as Irish coach. He was set to go back to Indiana with the team instead of going on a recruiting trip as originally planned and will meet soon with athletic director Jack Swarbrick.

"We'll engage in the evaluation in earnest following this game and we'll go from there," Swarbrick said before the game, adding that no potential candidates have been contacted.

Weis, who has six years left on a 10-year contract signed midway through his first season, took a 35-26 record into the game against Stanford in five years as Irish head coach. His .565 winning percentage is worse than the .583 marks that got his two predecessors, Tyrone Willingham and Bob Davie, fired.

The game could also be the last at Notre Dame for Clausen and Tate, who must decide whether to skip their senior seasons to go into the NFL draft. The Irish have not decided whether to accept a bowl bid.

Clausen matched a career high with five touchdown passes, completing 23 of 30 for 340 yards. Tate had 10 catches for 201 yards and three scores, while Michael Floyd also caught two touchdown passes.

Weis opened up the playbook in what could have been his goodbye game. The play of the game for the Irish came early in the third quarter when they lined up in the Leprecat formation. Hughes took the direct snap out of the shotgun and handed to Tate on an end-around. Tate flipped it to Clausen, who was lined up as a receiver to start the play, and Clausen then found a wide open Floyd for a 46-yard touchdown.

Tate added his own highlight reel play early in the fourth quarter catching a short pass from Clausen at the 19 with Stanford giving him a huge cushion. Tate then wove his way through nine defenders, running all the way across the field to complete the 28-yard score that made it 38-30.

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh had a few of his own tricks as well, calling the fourth-down halfback option. Andrew Luck's pass to Jim Dray for the 2-point conversion tied the game at 38 with 8:59 to go.

The teams traded early touchdowns after fumbles deep in their territory, with Gerhart scoring on a 4-yard run after a fumble by Theo Riddick at the 13 on Notre Dame's first play from scrimmage and Clausen connecting on a 5-yarder to Tate after Tyler Gaffney fumbled a punt at the 16.

Clausen added an 18-yard touchdown pass to Michael Floyd and a 78-yarder to Tate one play Richard Sherman's personal foul turned a third-and-15 from the 7 into a first down. Owen Marecic's 1-yard run with 11 seconds left in the half cut Notre Dame's lead to 24-20.

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Brad Pitt's New Orleans Project Gets Mixed Local Reaction

2009-11-29T05:31:45Z

In 2007, frustrated by the slow pace of rebuilding in the Lower Ninth, Brad Pitt set up a foundation called Make It Right; the foundation then commissioned 13 architecture firms to design affordable, green houses. The organization plans to build 150 homes, all for returning Lower Ninth residents. So far, just 15 of them are occupied, but those 15 make a big impression.

Indeed, from the main route into the Lower Ninth, the Claiborne Avenue Bridge, it's impossible to miss the Brad Pitt Houses, as everyone here calls them. They are sprawling, angular buildings in bold hues not usually seen outside a gelateria. Monuments to the city's resilience, and to Hollywood's big heart, they are also New Orleans's newest tourist attraction.

MIT Analysis: Americans Would Pay LESS Under Senate Health Care Plan

2009-11-29T04:39:09Z

A new analysis by a leading MIT economist provides new ammunition for Democrats as the Senate begins formally debating the historic health-reform bill being pushed by President Barack Obama.

The report concludes that under the Senate's health-reform bill, Americans buying individual coverage will pay less than they do for today's typical individual market coverage, and would be protected from high out-of-pocket costs.

Vince Young's Kobe Bryant Connection

2009-11-29T04:33:02Z

After Vince Young led the Titans past the Texans last Monday night, Kobe Bryant sent a text message saying: “Good game V. Way to kick butt!”

Oklahoma Vs. Oklahoma State: Sooners Keep Cowboys Out Of BCS

2009-11-29T03:58:53Z

NORMAN, Okla. — DeMarco Murray ran for two touchdowns, Ryan Broyles returned a punt 88 yards for a score and Oklahoma knocked No. 11 Oklahoma State out of contention for its first appearance in the Bowl Championship Series with a 27-0 win Saturday.

With representatives of the Fiesta and Orange bowls watching on, the Cowboys (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) fell completely flat with their worst offensive performance of the decade.

Oklahoma State was shut out for the first time since 2005 by an Oklahoma (7-5, 5-3) defense coming off its worst outing of the year in a loss at Texas Tech last week.

Zac Robinson threw for only 44 yards on 9-for-21 passing after missing last week's game with injuries to his head and shoulder. He was pulled in the fourth quarter with his lowest passing total since taking over as the starting quarterback early in the 2007 season.

Broyles, who decommitted from Oklahoma State to play for the Sooners, also had 103 yards receiving. Patrick O'Hara, the walk-on who had never played football before taking over as Oklahoma's kicker two weeks ago, hit field goals from 24 and 19 yards.

The Sooners have won seven in a row in the Bedlam rivalry and 30 straight home games, the longest streak in the Bowl Subdivision.

Broyles' 47-yard reception set up Murray's first scoring run, a 13-yarder that he punctuated by leaping from the 4-yard line out of bounds past where the goal line would have extended. He also had a 12-yard TD run following Robinson's only interception, which safety Jonathan Nelson returned 37 yards.

The crowd started chanting "Overrated!" after Broyles let Quinn Sharp's punt sail over his head, then fielded the bouncing punt, turned around and raced 88 yards to make it 27-0.

The shutout was preserved when tight end Trent Ratterree tracked down Justin Gent from behind on a fumble return in the final minute, stripped the ball and recovered it. That allowed Oklahoma to run out the clock.

Oklahoma State didn't have a single first down in the second half and finished with only 109 yards of total offense.

A season riddled with injuries continued for the Sooners, who played without left tackle Trent Williams. The NFL prospect was the only player on Oklahoma's offense that had started the first 11 games, and his absence left the team with only one of its starters on the front line. Tight end Eric Mensik made his first career start on the offensive line to replace Williams.

Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, also out for the season following shoulder surgery, appeared in a videotaped message before the game to thank fans and encourage them to support the Sooners. And receiver Corey Wilson, who injured his back in an offseason car accident, climbed out of his wheelchair and took a few steps with the aid of a walker at the end of Oklahoma's senior day ceremony.

Neither team, or the referees for that matter, gave the fans much to cheer for early on. Fumbles and constant replay reviews – including one that required a second look for officials to get the down and distance correct – made it a forgettable Bedlam.

The Sooners squandered early scoring chances when Landry Jones fumbled immediately after Broyles' 59-yard punt return set Oklahoma up with first-and-goal at the 7-yard line and O'Hara missed a 35-yard field goal.

But at least the Sooners got something going. Jones finished 20 for 37 for 224 yards and Oklahoma had 143 yards rushing.

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Mark Mangino: "I'd Rather Die On My Feet Than Live On My Knees"

2009-11-29T02:53:33Z

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A defiant Mark Mangino insisted he plans to be the coach at Kansas next year, but will have no regrets if he's not.

"A friend of mine told me something one time I think is a very good way to go about life," the embattled coach said after Missouri rallied for a 41-39 victory Saturday night.

"I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."

Two weeks after word leaked that athletic director Lew Perkins had launched an investigation into Mangino's treatment of players, the Jayhawks finally brought an end to a season that began 5-0 but descended into the depths of a bitterly disappointing seven-game losing streak.

The loss means the Jayhawks (6-6, 1-7 Big 12) are not bowl eligible and Mangino is 50-48 in eight years – two wins shy of the school record for a coach.

When the internal probe might end and what Mangino's fate will be could be learned in the next week.

"I'm confident in my ability. I feel good about everything I've done," said Mangino.

After going 12-1 in 2007 and winning the Orange Bowl, Mangino was given a raise and a contract extension through 2012. If he's fired without cause, the school could be on the hook for about $6.6 million.

Since the probe began, several former players have told stories of insensitive – some might say cruel – comments the coach made.

But following that first wave of anti-Mangino sentiment, a gush of pro-Mangino comments were offered by many current and former players and their parents.

Mangino said he's done nothing wrong and that he sees no need to change.

"When I was hired at Kansas they told me they desperately needed structure and discipline in the football program," he said. "The people that hired me said it was the key point. And I've done that the right way and I feel good about it and I'm proud of the way I've dealt with the players in our program."

If the Jayhawks do get rid of Mangino, they'll need to act as soon as possible because an all-important recruiting period begins on Monday.

But has Mangino's ability to recruit already been damaged beyond repair? Stories of verbal abuse told by certain former players are certain to be used against him by the same coaches who have been rallying to his defense. Offsetting vows of loyalty and support by other players may not resonate as much with high school prospects and their moms and dads.

If Saturday's game was Mangino's last, he will end his time at Kansas two wins shy of the school record, which has stood for 100 years.

"Why don't you ask the decision-makers?" he said when asked whether he thinks he'll be back. "I've been up front, with nothing to hide. Sometimes people ask me questions and I'm not the one who should be answering them."

Many of his top players, such as senior quarterback Todd Reesing and running back Jake Sharp, are adamant in their support.

"I feel very blessed to have him as my coach," Sharp said. "I learned a lot from him. With all this going on, he never wavered. He never came to practice halfway. I have the utmost respect for him and what he's done for this program."

Reesing ended his career holding almost every school passing record. Mangino was one of only two college coaches who offered him a scholarship.

"He's done a lot for this program and I love the guy to death," Reesing said. "What happens is out of my hands."

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Florida Vs. Florida State: Tim Tebow Shines On Senior Day, Gators Beat FSU

2009-11-29T02:41:49Z

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tim Tebow's eye black is waterproof.

His perfect season is starting to look shatterproof.

Tebow accounted for five touchdowns in his home finale, a triumphant farewell that included tears on the field and in the stands, and top-ranked Florida thumped rival Florida State 37-10 Saturday for its sixth consecutive victory in the series.

"I don't want to say goodbye," coach Urban Meyer said. "The good thing is we're not done. The negative is we're done in this great stadium."

The Gators stayed unbeaten heading into next week's Southeastern Conference showdown against No. 2 Alabama, extended the nation's longest winning streak to 22 games and improved to 12-0 for just the second time in school.

Tebow may have even secured a third consecutive trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation. He gets one more chance to impress on the big stage next week in Atlanta against the Crimson Tide with a trip to the national championship game on the line.

The Seminoles (6-6) lost for the second time in six games, and longtime coach Bobby Bowden's likely finale at Florida Field showed exactly why some FSU faithful are urging him to retire: Florida outplayed its in-state rival at every position.

Bowden said he has some "soul-searching" to do before making a decision about his future at Florida State.

"I want to coach next year, but let me say I want to go home and do some soul-searching," said Bowden, who has 388 career victories, second most in major college football. "I've got to run this thing through my mind a few times."

It might be hard to keep images of Tebow embarrassing his defense again out of those thoughts. Tebow completed 17 of 21 passes for 221 yards. He also ran 15 times for 90 yards against a defense that might be Bowden's worst in 34 seasons.

It was hardly a surprise considering Tebow torched the 'Noles the previous two years, totaling eight TDs in those. This one could have been even more lopsided than the 45-12 drubbing in 2007 and the 45-15 beatdown last year. But Meyer pulled many of his defensive starters late in the third quarter.

The Seminoles trailed 30-0 before Bowden opted for a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 2 on the final play of the third. They added a touchdown with 6:03 remaining to make it 37-10.

"They have solid players at every position, very fast, very strong, they're good," said FSU quarterback EJ Manuel, who threw two interceptions and was sacked three times. "We'll get to that level one day. Our energy level wasn't high enough to match their energy level. They're a high energy team."

Manuel's TD pass to Jarmon Fortson was the team's only cause for celebration on a day that belonged to Tebow, linebacker Brandon Spikes and their fellow seniors who have more wins (47) than any other class in SEC history. They also improved to 12-1 against their four traditional rivals – Tennessee (4-0), Georgia (3-1), Florida State (4-0) and Miami (1-0).

The revelry started with Tebow making his final walk into The Swamp amid 90,000-plus fans screaming his name. Tebow and Meyer embraced at the 30-yard line as tears flowed down Tebow's cheeks. Spikes kissed the ground as he was introduced. Receiver Riley Cooper was wearing eye black – much like many others in attendance.

Fans paid tribute to Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, by wearing his famed eye black patches. Meyer's wife and two daughters also donned the little ovals under their eyes.

"That was special," Tebow said.

So was the rest of his day.

He had two TD passes to Aaron Hernandez and another to Cooper, his roommate. Tebow scored on an 18-yard run in the second, then added the 56th rushing TD of his career early in the fourth. The stadium was lit up by camera flashes as he zipped across the goal line.

It capped his best performance of the season. Tebow left the game to a long, standing ovation after the first play of Florida's next possession.

"I was so happy for him," cornerback Joe Haden said. "Tebow's probably one of the best college football players ever to play the game. All the credit he gets, I still don't think it's enough still for all he does for the team and all he does for everybody. He's way more than a football player."

When it was over, Tebow jogged to midfield to shake hands with Seminoles defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and Bowden. He sang Florida's alma mater with teammates and then started his final victory lap. It seemed to take forever. He was soaking it all it.

"Just saying thank you to all the fans and not get too emotional about it," Tebow said. "My relationship with the fans is great. One reason is 'cause I'm such a passionate Gator fan. I care so much about this university and this team because I'm such a big fan. They know I appreciate them."

Tebow handed out high-fives, handshakes and hugs. He came across several crying faces, telling one girl, "It's OK. I'll be around."

He also stepped on a cheerleader.

"She went down hard," he said. "I felt terrible, so I gave her a big hug. She was a little embarrassed. I felt bad about that. They were all laughing, so I think she's OK."

Many of Tebow's teammates came out of the locker and danced around the "F" at midfield as he worked his way around the stadium. Tebow finally caught up with them back inside, just in time to join the seniors in sharing a few words in front of the team.

"Jermaine Cunningham probably said it best. He put both arms up and said, 'I'm living a dream,'" Meyer said.

The Gators are two wins from a third national championship in four years. They have more celebrations planned, and they could be better than this one – even for Tebow.

"It's been a long day," he said. "I was telling (Cooper), 'Man, it seems like everything's in slow motion, which is good because you want to remember everything."

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White House Plans To Step Up Pressure On Lenders To Help Homeowners

2009-11-29T01:52:41Z

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, battling a foreclosure crisis that shows no signs of relenting, will step up pressure on mortgage companies to do more to help people remain in their homes, officials said Saturday.

The administration will announce its expanded program on Monday, Treasury spokeswoman Meg Reilly said.

"We are taking additional steps to enhance servicer transparency and accountability," Reilly said. She said the goal was to increase the rate that troubled home loans were converted into new loans with lower monthly payments.

So far, the program's numbers have been lackluster. When the administration rolled out the program, called Making Home Affordable, it hoped to save 3-4 million homeowners from foreclosure. The New York Times interviews a former Fannie Mae official who says that currently, the program will be lucky if it can save 1.5 million Americans from foreclosure.

Realtytrack predicts that 3.2-3.4 million properties will go into foreclosure in 2009, up from 2.3 million in 2008. About 14 percent of residential mortgages are delinquent or in some phase of foreclosure in the third quarter of 2009.

The New York Times reports on the program:

Last month, an oversight panel created by Congress reported that fewer than 2,000 of the 500,000 loan modifications then in progress had become permanent under Making Home Affordable. When the Treasury releases new numbers next month, it is expected to report a disappointingly small number of permanent loan modifications, with estimates in the tens of thousands out of the more than 650,000 borrowers now in the program.

More unsatisfactory data is likely to intensify pressures on the Obama administration to mount a more muscular effort to stem foreclosures beyond the Treasury's campaign this week. Populist anger has been fanned by a growing perception that the Treasury has lavished generous bailouts on Wall Street institutions while neglecting ordinary homeowners -- this, in the midst of double-digit unemployment, which is daily sending more households into delinquency.

Industry officials said the new effort would include increased pressure on mortgage companies to accelerate loan modifications by highlighting firms that are lagging in that area.

The Treasury is also expected to announce that it will wait until the loan modifications are permanent before paying cash incentives to mortgage companies that lower loan payments.

Under the $75 billion Treasury program, companies that agree to lower payments for troubled borrowers collect $1,000 initially from the government for each loan, followed by $1,000 annually for up to three years.

The government support, which is provided from the $700 billion financial bailout program, is aimed at providing cash incentives for mortgage providers to accept smaller mortgage payments rather than foreclosing on homes.

The program has come under heavy criticism for failing to do enough to attack a tidal wave of foreclosures. Analysts said the foreclosure crisis is likely to persist well into next year as high unemployment pushes more people out of their homes.

Rising foreclosures depress home prices and threaten the sustainability of the fledgling economic recovery.

The Congressional Oversight Panel, a committee that monitors spending under Treasury's bailout program, concluded in a report last month that foreclosures are now threatening families who took out conventional, fixed-rate mortgages and put down payments of 10 to 20 percent on homes that would have been within their means in a normal market.

Treasury's program, known as the Home Affordable Modification Program, "is targeted at the housing crisis as it existed six months ago, rather than as it exists right now," the report said.

Scott Talbott, senior vice president of government affairs for the Financial Services Roundtable, said the industry supported many of the changes Treasury was proposing.

But he said the foreclosure problem, which began with heavy defaults on subprime mortgages, was expanding to more traditional types of mortgages because of unemployment which has now hit a 26-year high of 10.2 percent.

"The subprime problem has regrettably morphed into an unemployment problem," Talbott said. He said there was no government program to help the unemployed who are in danger of losing their homes but "many private lenders are modifying loans for the unemployed on their own."

Treasury's Reilly said the expanded program would, among other steps, make more aid available to struggling borrowers and expand the number of organizations providing help.

___

Associated Press writer Jim Kuhnhenn contributed to this report.

Geneva WTO Protests 2009 (PHOTOS): Police Clash With Black Bloc Demonstrators

2009-11-29T01:31:38Z

GENEVA (AP)-- Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Saturday to separate violent demonstrators from a protest of a meeting of top world trade officials, but the hooded "black bloc" activists were able to cause damage before 14 were arrested, spokesmen said.

The protesters set fire to at least four cars, broke shop windows and committed other acts of violence Saturday, police spokesman Patrick Puhl said.

Police Chief Monica Bonfati said officers arrested four looters in addition to the protesters. No injuries to police or protesters were reported, police said.

The clashes occurred during a march by demonstrators protesting a meeting of the World Trade Organization scheduled to start Monday, in which the United States, China and other commercial powers will spearhead a new attempt to find ways to revive world trade and drag the global economy out of recession.

Bonfati told Swiss television TSR that police were able at the beginning of the demonstration to identify about 200 members of the black bloc -- violent elements that join other demonstrations to cause damage. She said they were spread out along the route and police had to separate them from the other protesters.

Eric Grandjean, another police spokesman, said black bloc protesters threw fire bombs at police from the march.

"They also damaged 12 businesses, including a bank at Place Bel-Air and a jewelry shop and a hotel on the Quai des Bergues," he said.

Besides the burned cars, 15 other vehicles, including three buses, were damaged, he said.

Police said the 3,000 protesters included three distinct groups of troublemakers who broke away to attack cars and hotel and shop windows, then rejoined the march, pretending to be peaceful. Organizers claimed there were about 5,000 protesters in total.

The group Anti-WTO Coordination said it "regretted being unable to finish the demonstration and deliver the planned speeches."

It said a few protesters had used the demonstration for their own ends.

Nevertheless, it said, "the international and local mobilization is a success" and it condemned "unreservedly all police repression violating democratic rights."

Much more serious clashes have occurred at previous meetings of trade chiefs, but the coming session lacks the specific goals of previous meetings, when the World Trade Organization tried to conclude a new trade deal. The last so-called ministerial was held in Hong Kong four years ago. Others were in Cancun, Mexico, and Seattle.

WTO opponents claim the agreements produced by the body foster the growth of wealth among corporations at the expense of farmers, workers and others at the low end of the economy.

Swiss officials refused entry at Geneva Airport on Friday evening to three South Koreans who wanted to come into Geneva because Swiss security specialists judged them to be capable of violence, Puhl said, noting that other countries had previously barred the three for the same reason.

The WTO called the meeting of its 153 members to examine major issues at a time when global exports are falling rapidly and the WTO's long-sought Doha liberalization round is limping into its ninth year.

Instead of sensitive tariff and subsidy negotiations, the conference running Monday through Wednesday will focus on the big picture -- stabilizing and rejuvenating commerce in the face of increased protectionism, unemployment and exporting of jobs.

The WTO had hoped to avoid the acrimony and the sometimes-violent protests that have plagued previous ministerial conferences. Geneva police have taken a number of steps to ensure the security of the meeting place.

Washington Post: 9,000 Troops Will Deploy To Afghanistan Soon After Obama's Speech

2009-11-29T00:50:53Z

KABUL -- Days after President Obama outlines his new war strategy in a speech Tuesday, as many as 9,000 Marines will begin deploying to southern Afghanistan to renew an assault on a Taliban stronghold that stalled earlier this year amid a troop shortage and political pressure from the Afghan government, senior U.S. officials said.

Florida Gators New Uniforms (PHOTOS)

2009-11-29T00:43:24Z

The Florida Gators unveiled new uniforms during tonight's Senior Day matchup against Florida State. According to the St. Petersburg Times, the outfits are "new Nike-created, experimental Pro Combat uniforms" that are 37 percent lighter than traditional uniforms.

Below, see photos of the new uniforms in action.

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Economist Predicts Just 2% Growth In 2010

2009-11-29T00:04:18Z

A Robust economic recovery in 2010 is certainly on most investors' wish lists as this year draws to a close. A return to prosperity would not only mean an end to our long financial nightmare, but it would also buttress a rebounding stock market, one of 2009's few bright spots.
S
The news out of Dubai late last week, however -- that its investment company is struggling to meet repayments on some of its $59 billion in debt -- reminds us that we are far from finished with a ferocious deleveraging process...

Hebrews 12 1-2: Tim Tebow Eye Black Contains Bible Passage (PHOTO)

2009-11-28T23:16:51Z

Tonight is Tim Tebow's last home game as a Florida Gator, and he is guiding the Gators to a comfortable 37-10 fourth-quarter lead over rival Florida State. His eye blacks contain the lettering "Heb 12 1-2," a reference to a Bible passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Hebrews 12:1-2 says:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is far from the first time Tebow has included bible references in his eye black. In a notable example, he drew John 3:16 lettering beneath his eyes during the 2009 BCS championship game.

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Police: Tiger Woods, Wife Unavailable For Interview

2009-11-28T23:03:11Z

WINDERMERE, Fla. — The mystery over Tiger Woods' car crash intensified Saturday when his agent called state troopers on their way to Woods' house and asked them to wait another day before speaking to him.

It was the second straight day Woods was unavailable to talk. His wife told troopers on Friday afternoon, after the world's No. 1 golfer had been treated and released from a hospital, that he was sleeping and asked that they return Saturday.

Woods is not required by law to speak to the Florida Highway Patrol because it is being investigated as a traffic accident, spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said.

Woods was injured when his Cadillac SUV struck a fire hydrant and a tree just beyond his driveway at 2:25 a.m. Friday. Police said his lips were cut and blood was in his mouth when officers arrived. Police chief Daniel Saylor said Woods' wife, Elin, smashed the back window with a golf club to help get him out.

Montes said troopers were en route to Woods' $2.4 million mansion in the gated community of Isleworth when agent Mark Steinberg called dispatch and was put through to the troopers, telling them Woods and his wife were unavailable.

"I don't know what was said," Montes said.

Steinberg did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.

With so many questions lingering – where was he going at that hour? – and rumors circulating on the Internet, one marketing expert said silence was only stirring the pot.

"Every 10 seconds these days, people update their tweets," said David Schwab, vice president of Octagon. "People are just adding speculation and controversy. You need something to settle the ship. If he's not able to do it, find someone to do it for him."

Montes said it was "kind of normal" for Woods not to speak on Friday, the day he was treated and released from a hospital.

"It is unusual that we haven't gotten a statement," she said. "This just delays us to getting closer to the completion of the investigation."

She said troopers inside the gates "are looking for other things for their investigation," and for now, that pertains only to a traffic accident. Montes said Woods is not required to give a statement, only his driver's license, insurance and registration.

"We still are going to move forward with our crash investigation," Montes said.

The 911 tapes of the crash could be released as early as Sunday.

More than two dozen media and a cluster of TV trucks were camped outside the gates of Isleworth, an exclusive subdivision near Orlando that's set on an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course and a chain of small lakes, on Saturday, watching for any developments. Even a couple of tourists stopped by and took pictures.

Woods' news conference for the Chevron World Challenge, the tournament he hosts that benefits his foundation, had been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. It's unclear whether he would still play, or even attend the event in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

"We do not know if Tiger is playing; we are anticipating a great week of competition," said Greg McLaughlin, the tournament director and president of his foundation.

In a telephone interview, Woods' father-in-law, radio journalist Thomas Nordegren, told The Associated Press in Stockholm that he would not discuss the accident.

"I haven't spoken to her in the last few ... " Nordegren said about his daughter, Elin, before cutting himself off. "I don't want to go into that."

Woods' mother-in-law Barbro Holmberg also refused to address the matter.

"She doesn't want to comment on private issues like these," Holmberg's spokeswoman Eva Malmborg said.

Roger Federer, who has become close with Woods in recent years, said after losing in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, "I haven't spoken to him. I heard it's not too serious, which is a good thing."

Woods has shared precious little about his private life during his dominance of golf, which has brought him 82 victories around the world and 14 major championships, second only to the 18 professional majors won by Jack Nicklaus.

His endorsements – Nike, AT&T, Accenture, Gillette, Gatorade – have helped make him the first athlete to top $1 billion in earnings.

Aside from occasional criticism of his temper inside the ropes, he has kept himself out of the news outside his sport. In an October posting on his Facebook account, Woods wrote, "I'm asked why people don't often see me and Elin in gossip magazines or tabloids. I think we've avoided a lot of media attention because we're kind of boring. ..."

"He's an iconic brand, the platinum standard," said John Rowady, president of rEvolution, a Chicago-based sports marketing agency. "I find it interesting how he's being attacked by so many sides after how gracious he's been. But even the best of celebrities who try to do their best can be riddled with controversy."

Rowady said Woods has solid relationship with his sponsors, and they are not likely to drop him over what is known so far.

"Here's a guy that has a squeaky clean record," Rowady said. "He leads the king's life and everybody admires him. It's a personal matter, but his ability to come out and talk about it will be interesting. I'm sure he has a lot of pressure on him and is trying to avoid the rumors."

Nordegren, a former model from Sweden who once worked as a nanny for golfer Jesper Parnevik, is as private as Woods. She keeps a low profile at tournaments, watching her husband from behind the ropes, and moves on when photographers start taking her picture.

Asked at a Friday evening news conference if the couple could have been arguing, Saylor said he had no knowledge of that.

The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York night club hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters.

The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by the AP.

"I resent my reputation is getting completely blasted in the media," she said during a telephone interview late Friday. "Everyone is assuming I came out and said this. This is not a story I have anything to do with."

Uchitel said she was in Melbourne two weeks ago with clients and never saw Woods the entire time she was there.

"The story stands for itself," National Enquirer executive editor Barry Levine told the AP on Saturday.

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AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson in Jacksonville, AP Sports Writer Tim Dahlberg in Las Vegas and Associated Press writers Tamara Lush and Lisa Orkin Emmanuel in Miami and Louise Nordstrom in Stockholm contributed to this report.

Sarah Palin Quits Turkey Trot 5K Race In Kennewick, Washington

2009-11-28T22:59:50Z

Sarah Palin dropped out of a 5k race on Thanksgiving Day in Kennewick, Wash. The former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Governor quit the race because she wanted to avoid the crowds that were waiting for her at the end, according to The Tri-Cities Herald.

Palin was 1 of about 3,000 participants. The paper reported that her presence drew a "mass of onlookers." Palin announced that she would be running the race on Twitter.

The former Republican vice-presidential candidate visited nearby Richland, Wash., to spend the holiday with relatives. She said it's good to be back in the Tri-Cities to reconnect with "the roots." Her grandparents, Clem and Helen Sheeran, came to Richland in 1943.