Clan-Members » tually losing 9 -- after a final declin

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Minkah Fitzpatrick is normally the kind of disciplined defensive back Alabama coach Nick Saban likes.But the top-ranked Crimson Tides sophomore cornerback momentarily put that relationship to the test when he decided to run out an interception from the back of the end zone against Arkansas.The first thing I thought was, `Oh no, Saban said. And then after he got to about the 10-yard line, I said, `He may go all the way. So it worked well.Indeed, Fitzpatricks 100-plus yard return was the latest scoring play for `Bamas defense, No. 7 of the season going into Saturdays visit to ninth-ranked Tennessee.Fitzpatrick, who had three picks in the game, has already tied the Alabama record of three career interception returns for touchdowns with teammate Eddie Jackson and former Tide stars C.J. Mosley and Antonio Langham.Cincinnatis Mike Tyson is the only other FBS player to pick off three passes in a game this season.The performance earned Fitzpatrick Southeastern Conference and various national player of the week honors. He has moved into the starting cornerback role after being the Tides nickel back much of his freshman season.Saban said Fitzpatrick has grown more confident and praises everything from his work ethic to his football IQ and instincts. The big plays are no coincidence, he said.When I talk about discipline and eye control, looking at the right things, understanding what the other team is trying to do so you put yourself in the best position to take advantage of it, he probably does that as well as anybody that we have on defense, Saban said. I think that he ends up making plays because of it.Fitzpatrick is a rising star in a secondary featuring Jackson and fellow cornerback Marlon Humphrey, a projected first-round NFL draft pick. He is the Tides third-leading tackler and leads the way with five pass breakups.Hes an explosive football player, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. He can do it all. Very, very strong, very, very physical with his hands, great, great instincts, great speed, great body control. But very, very aggressive, very physical and plays with a lot of confidence.You can see that by the way he attacks the football, by the way he plays with a high level of physicality. Ive been very, very impressed with him and their entire group.Fitzpatrick can freely expound on the many details hes looking for when he lines up, from the formation to where the receiver is likely to head based on how close he is to the hash marks. He seems to embrace Sabans oft-stated reliance on attention to detail and paying attention to the seemingly small things in preparationI like staying on a routine, Fitzpatrick said. I like being early to things, make sure I understand whats going on around me and who is around me.Jackson was the one around him in that end zone interception, urging Fitzpatrick to eschew the seemingly wiser decision to take a touchback and bring the ball out. Hes pretty dead on in surmising Sabans reaction to that call.As soon as I caught the ball, Eddie had tapped my arm, Fitzpatrick said. He was like, `Come on, and he pointed to the left side of the field -- and it was wide open. So I just had to take a chance.I know coach Saban probably wasnt happy at first, but I think he was happy with the end result.---AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee contributed to this report.---AP college football web site: www.collegefootball.ap.org Sean Johnson USA Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Paul Arriola USA Jersey . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. http://www.soccerusateamonline.com/Chris-Pontius-America-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Chris Pontius USA Jersey . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Omar Gonzalez USA Jersey . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. DALLAS -- Baker Mayfield first donned the giant gold cowboy hat -- awarded to the winner of the Red River rivalry -- then ran around the field with the Oklahoma Sooners flag.The Oklahoma quarterback who grew up in the Austin area also made three long sprints down the field during the game. Those were to the end zone to celebrate touchdown passes to Dede Westbrook as the 20th-ranked Sooners held on to win 45-40 over the beleaguered Texas Longhorns on Saturday in the annual game Mayfield knows so much about.Its special to me. Very special, Mayfield said. Ive been waiting a long time to actually come away with a win against these guys.Westbrook set a single-game Sooners record with 232 yards receiving on 10 catches, including three TDs longer than 40 yards .Hes got track-type speed, Mayfield said.After their 71-yard scoring hookup in the second quarter, the longest TD pass ever by the Sooners (3-2, 2-0 Big 12) against Texas, Mayfield sprinted along the Oklahoma sideline, then toward the middle of the field to acknowledge crimson-clad fans on the opposite side of the stadium before going to the end zone to meet up with Westbrook. They celebrated again after TDs of 47 and 42 yards in the third quarter.You just look at the plays we gave up, Charlie Strong said, the embattled third-year Texas coach who has taken over calling the defensive plays. You cant give up home runs thrown over your head.Mayfield lost to Texas as a freshman at Texas Tech in 2013 before transferring to Oklahoma, where he sat out a year before losing as the Sooners starter last October. This time, he completed 22 of 31 passes for 390 yards and overcame two interceptions in the first quarter, and a fumble in the final minute that his big right tackle Bobby Evans recovered.Samaje Perine added 214 yards and two touchdowns rushing on 35 carries as Oklahoma piled up 672 total yards in the highest-scoring game in the history of the rivalry.Texas (2-3, 0-2) led after two long TD passes by freshman quarterback Shane Buechele in the first 4 1/2 minutes after halftime. But Oklahoma went ahead for good when a Mayfield 4-yard TD run made it 28-27.While Oklahoma had four turnovers, Texas only turned those into three points.Very fortunate to lose the turnover battle the way we did and still win, Sooners coach Bob Stoops said.TAKEAWAYSOklahoma: While far from perfect, the Sooners aare off to a good start in their pursuit of a 10th Big 12 title.dddddddddddd The Sooners are also on the way to overcoming the disappointment of those two early non-conference losses that quickly eliminated any realistic chance of returning to the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. Mayfield and Westbrook have developed quite a connection (five TDs, all of at least 40 yards, in two Big 12 games).Texas: A loss increases the heat on Strong after the Longhorns gave up more than 40 points for the fourth time this season, and more than 500 yards for the third consecutive game. But the Longhorns need to keep taking shots down the field with Buechele, who had TD passes of 63 yards (to Devin Duvernay) and 45 yards (to Dorian Leonard ) in the second half.WILD ENDINGAfter Donta Foremans 22-yard TD run for the Longhorns with 1:45 left, they almost got a huge break when Mayfield fumbled while being sacked on third down, but Oklahoma recovered and punted. Texas had a final wild play, completing several laterals and going forward at least 20 yards before eventually losing 9 -- after a final declined penalty for an illegal forward pass. Foreman finished with 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns.POLL IMPLICATIONSA more lopsided score for Oklahoma probably would have caught the attention of more voters , especially those who might not have tuned into for the less than must-see Red River game matching 2-2 teams. If not for all the miscues, the Sooners likely would have had a bigger margin. They may jump a spot or two, but are still a long way from the No. 3 spot they had to start the season.FIRST PICKSThe Texas defense had its first two interceptions of the season, both by Dylan Haines in the first quarter. One was on a ball through the arms of receiver Mark Andrews; the other came when Haines was the only player in the vicinity of the pass after the intended receiver got knocked down in the middle of the field without a penalty being called.UP NEXTOklahoma: The Sooners are home next Saturday for another 11 a.m. kickoff, against Kansas State.Texas: The Longhorns are home for the first time since Sept. 10 when they host Iowa State next Saturday.---APs college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '