KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Brittany Wilson scored just before the
buzzer, and eighth-seeded Dayton rallied from an 18-point deficit
to beat No. 9 seed TCU 67-66 Saturday in the opening round of the
NCAA women's tournament.
      Dayton (25-7) trailed by 18 with 13:07 left and took advantage
of TCU (22-9) going cold down the stretch to pull off the
incredible rally in the Flyers' tournament debut.
      Patrice Lalor found Wilson inside with time running down, and
Wilson hit the layup with 1.1 seconds left to start the celebration
at midcourt.
      TCU (22-9) lost for a second straight year to a tournament
newcomer. This time, the Lady Frogs weren't taken down by a
tournament-tying 16 3-pointers as in 2009 in an upset by South
Dakota State. They have only themselves to blame after the Mountain
West regular season champ failed to hold onto a lead that was as
much 52-34.

Everyone is in awe of The Mavericks 12 game winning streak but UNT's 11 game winning streak is more impressive. Tonight The Mean Green beat Troy to win the Sun Belt Title. Josh White's shot from near the free-throw line with 22 seconds remaining gave North Texas a 66-63 win over Troy on Tuesday night in the Sun Belt tournament championship game. UNT now gets an automatic bid into The NCAA Tournament. It's only their third trip to The Big Dance in school history. GO MEAN GREEN!!!

Among the eight Dallas Cowboys who'll play in Sunday's Pro Bowl, only one was missing from Wednesday's practice and his name was Tony Romo. Travel arrangements caused the Cowboys quarterback to miss practice yesterday.

No need to fear... Tony Romo made it to Fort Lauderdale in time for Thursday morning's practice, which only lasted about an hour. This is Tony's third pro bowl appearance. His previous two came in Hawii, after the season was over. So how does tony feel about playing The Pro Bowl, in Miami, while the season is still going?

Tony says, "This is my first day here. So far I mean... the fan support and things of that nature have made the game pretty fun. I do think there's something to be said for playing the game during the football season. I think more people are interested that way. I don't know. So far, so good."

This is the first time since 1980 that The Pro Bowl hasn't been played at Aloha Stadium.

Normally a Bradie James sack is mean and vicious, but on this day it brought joy to some underprivileged children. Be sure to join us tonight at nine to see how The Cowboys Defensive Captain made Christmas a lot merrier for those less fortunate.

One of The Greatest Cowboys to ever wear the star on his helmet, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, will join us on Inside Sports tonight. He was perhaps the greatest full back to ever play in The NFL. He's now become one of the best analyst in the game. Be sure to hear his thoughts on The Cowboys tonight on Inside Sports

June Jones has a history of rebuilding college football programs. Back in 1999, no one paid attention to The University of Hawaii. But by 2007, The Warriors had a perfect 12 and 0 regular season, capped off by a B-C-S bowl appearance. He's now on the verge of having similar success at SMU.

"We're right where I thought we would be," said Jones.

In only his 2nd season, Jones has a Mustangs team who only won one game last year, in position to make their first bowl appearance since 1984.

"We have a chance to finish better than 6 and 6 but our goal was to get six for sure and that's where we're at."

June Jones has used his trademark run and shoot offense to help resuscitate SMU's football program. The Mustangs are averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game which is 16th in the nation. But the x's and o's of the game accounts for only half of SMU's resurrection.

"Coach Jones got people believing," said Receiver Emmanuel Sanders. "We go out every game believing we can win and we know that with Coach Jones at the helm anything is possible."

Jones said, "I just believe so much more in, not the x's and o's, not the football stuff. Everybody does that. The coaches before me have been good football coaches. It's more about getting the mind set changed and the culture of everything, not just the locker room, not just the kids but the school, the traditions, everything! It's like re-branding in a way, who you are."

And the results speak for themselves. The Mustangs have four games remaining to pick up two wins... making them bowl eligible. SMU can take a big step towards that goal by picking up a win this Saturday against a winless Rice team.

SMU Offensive Lineman, Mitch Enright said, "Anytime a team like Rice comes in here, they're going to be hungry because they're oh and eight. They want to get that first win of the year. So we have to take care of business and hopefully by the end of the game we'll have a win."

The Dallas Stars suffered a tough overtime loss tonight at The American Airlines Center to The Calgary Flames by the final score of 3 to 2. Jarome Iginla took advantage of the power play to score the game winning goal in overtime. It was Iginla's 2nd goal of the night. The Stars will look to bounce back Friday when they host The Canucks.

What does TCU have to do in order to get a little love from the BCS? Despite beating UNLV 41 to nothing, improving to a perfect 8 - 0 on the season, The Frogs stayed at number six in the BCS rankings. I think it's a travesty but Frogs Head Coach, Gary Patterson is cool with it.

Today Coach Patterson said, "Why would you want it any different?" "Like I said earlier in the season, for some reason, if we're going to get this done, it's going to be the hard way. If we can pull it off, that's what's going to make it even more memorable."

The Frogs will square off against San Diego State, Saturday at 3 pm.  

In some ways, Romo is like a magician. During the 2nd quarter of Sunday's 37 to 21 victory over The Falcons, Tony made memories of lackluster performances from earlier in the season... Disappear, by escaping from several tacklers, only to find Patrick Crayton in the back of the end zone for a touchdowns. And at the same time made "The Tony Romo" fans fell in love with reappear.

"I think that run that he had, he kind of got knocked out a little bit," Receiver Roy Williams said. "I think that knocked a little fun into him."

"Certain times in certain games, you might take a chance," said Tony Romo. "Other times you may not. Hopefully there's a lot more good than bad and I think we've had a little bit more of that recently."

Judging by how animated Tony was on the sidelines, it became obvious that he was having fun again. The fact that over the past two games Tony has thrown over 300 yards, has a total of five touchdowns, no interceptions and The Cowboys are now looking for their third win in a row, makes the job more enjoyable.

"You kind of let the up's and down's of whether you're winning or losing closing that side of it sometimes. You know, I'm learning how to enjoy the game and play it. Obviously, it's a little more enjoyable when you're having success and you're winning."

Romo and The Cowboys will host The Seahawks, this Sunday at noon. Last year when the two teams met, Tony was really enjoying himself. He threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns in a 34 to 9 Cowboys victory.

Ever since DeMarcus Ware entered The NFL back in 2005, he's always been one of the more superior athletes on the field. Now he has the bank account to match. Today, The Cowboys made Ware one of the highest paid defensive players in the league by locking him up to a six year deal worth 78 million dollars; 40 million of that is guaranteed. DeMarcus has no problems with his new contract extension.

"I feel like I've gotten what I deserved," Ware said. "You can't ask for too much money. They (Cowboys) need room to work too."

Ware's numbers speak for themselves. His sack total has increased every year he's been in the league. D-Ware has also gone to three consecutive Pro Bowls. On top of that, Ware is coming off a league best, 20 sack season. But what's more impressive than his stats, is his character.

During the off-season, DeMarcus sat by and watch other prominent defensive players cash in. During training camp, Ware was asked time after time, what's taking The Cowboys so long to offer him a contract extension. DeMarcus didn't complain or threaten to hold out. Instead he continued to do the things that's gotten him to where he's at today... and that's continuing to practice hard, challenge his teammates and whatever else it took to make he and his team better.

There's a reason why you never hear any bad reports on DeMarcus. Off the field, he's as soft as cotton candy. He's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. But on the field, he's a machine. He doesn't take plays off. His work ethic inspires others. He's a leader in every sense of the word. So by The Cowboys breaking the bank to keep Ware (who at the age of 27, is just entering his prime) in Dallas, is easily one of the smartest decisions this franchise has ever made. 

Tomorrow is the 104th installment of The Red River Rivalry between #3 Texas and #20 Oklahoma. Now this Big 12 Showdown has a reputation of being a high scoring shoot-out. Case and point... last year's game ended in an entertaining 45 - 35 Longhorn victory, but this year... defense may dominate the headlines.

I know it doesn't sound as sexy as a high octane offensive free for all... but the fact of the matter is... both U.T. and O.U. feature two of the best defenses in the nation. Texas ranks 1st in the country in rushing defense while Oklahoma ranks third. The Sooners can also hang their hats on the fact that they're also 3rd in the nation in total sacks.

With that being said, I predict that Texas wins 47 to 38. I feel that when two schools, who really can't stand each other (excluding Colt McCoy's and Sam Bradford's friendship) you can throw statistics and records, out the window. I do expect this one to live up to the hype. Be sure to catch the highlights and post game comments on The 33 News @ Nine.

Bradie James is famous on the field for delivering big hits. He's coming off a career season where he led the Cowboys in tackles, plus he led all NFL middle linebackers in sacks...

But its the hits he's taken off the field that's shaped his life...

"Well I actually lost my dad first," Bradie says. "My dad had a liver disease and then three months later, my mom passed."

Bradie lost his mother Etta to breast cancer during his freshman year of college.

"It just motivated me to become who I am today. Thats a part of life. Things happen, but its those who overcome that pretty much go on and be successful. I had a couple of choices. I could either cry about it, be sad, be depressed about it; which I was for a little bit; but I decided to be something for my family that I didn't have yet but just move forward with my life and thats what I did," says Bradie.

When Bradie made it to the Pros he decided to pay tribute to his mother by establishing Foundation 56.

Bradie says, "It's about not giving back but living your purpose and that's pretty much my mission. I don't care about making any banners about what I'm doing as long as I make an impact on someone's life; that's what we all should strive to do."


And the way Bradie's making a difference is through the foundation that bares his number.

"Going out there giving people pamphlets; getting a mammogram; making sure that they have rides once they've been diagnosed with cancer... I wanted to make an immediate impact; and thats what Foundation 56 does. We go out there on the street, and we try to help those people and not fall in between the cracks and that's what we've been able to do."

Cowboys left tackle, Flozell Adams has the type of streak going that many people wouldn't want. For the second week in a row, Adams has been fined by The NFL. This week, the amount is a hefty $12,500, all for tripping Giants Defensive End, Justin Tuck, who was injured on the play. Flozell was also fined $5000 during the season opener for an unnecessary roughness penalty.

The Cowboys may be without running back Marion Barber for next week's game at Cowboys Stadium. An MRI revealed today that Barber has a strain in his left quad and is listed as questionable for the Monday night show down against The Panthers. The injury occurred in the 4th quarter. Barber went off for 124 yards and a touchdown, before leaving the game.  

TONY ROMO SPRAINED HIS RIGHT ANKLE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF SUNDAY'S 34 TO 21 SEASON OPENING VICTORY AGAINST THE BUCCANEERS... DESPITE THE INJURY... ROMO WAS ABLE TO THROW FOR A CAREER BEST 353 YARDS AND THE COWBOYS ARE HOPEFUL, HE'LL BE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO DO THE SAME THIS SUNDAY...

BY ALL INDICATIONS, ROMO SHOULD BE READY FOR THE HOME OPENER AGAINST THE GIANTS THIS WEEK. EXAMS ON HIS SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE CAME BACK NEGATIVE TODAY AND HE IS EXPECTED TO PRACTICE THIS WEDNESDAY... COWBOYS HEAD COACH, WADE PHILLIPS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR TONY'S ANKLE...

"NAW HE WASN'T ON CRUTCHES. FROM WHAT THEY SAID, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING SERIOUS. I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE BASKETBALL INJURIES AND HE'S PLAYING FOOTBALL SO IT'S NO PROBLEM," WADE JOKINGLY SAID.

"

The new Dallas Cowboys Stadium will play host to high school football for the first time when the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series takes the field with four consecutive games on Monday, Sept. 7. All four games will be televised nationally on Fox Sports Net.  The Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented pits high school teams from the state of Texas against prep football powerhouses from across the nation. The 2009 event features six teams from the state of Texas and two nationally- ranked teams from California and Utah.

The 2009 Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Labor Day with a match-up between 2008 Utah state runner-up Bingham (UT) High School versus Euless Trinity High School. The opener will be followed by two intrastate rivalries with Colleyville Heritage High School versus Irving MacArthur High School and Mansfield Timberview High School versus Mansfield Summit High School. The final game brings in Notre Dame (CA) High School to face off against Klein Oak High School out of Houston.  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at herbstreitfootballseries.com or through participating high schools. Adult tickets are on sale for $15. Student tickets are on sale for $10. One ticket is good for all four games.

The Dallas Cowboys play their first preseason game of the year this Thursday against The Oakland Raiders. Several Cowboys will be sidelined due to injury. Here's the list:

CB Terence Newman (groin)
CB Mike Jenkins (ankle)
FB Deon Anderson (knee)
LB Steve Octavien (groin)
LB Stephen Hodge (knee)
CB Michael Hawkins (knee)
RB Alonzo Coleman (quad)
LB Brandon Williams (shoulder)

Alright Guys, Cowboys Training Camp has been silent, boring and uneventful and that's a good thing for this year's team. Last season, the distractions seem to have taken it's toll on The Cowboys and as a result, they missed the playoffs.

So off the field distractions may not be a concern, but injuries sure are. Today, Running back Felix Jones and Tight End Martellus Bennett, two guys who the offense will be counting on heavily, suffered what the team is calling minor injuries. Felix missed some practice time this morning after banging up the same toe that shorten his rookie season. He did dress out for the afternoon session. Meanwhile Martellus, did not dress out for The Cowboys second practice of the day after twisting his knee this morning.

Saturday, cornerbacks Terence Newman (groin) and Mike Jenkins (ankle) suffered injuries. The Cowboys play their first preseason game of the year this Thursday against The Oakland Raiders. The Cowboys have yet to announce if the injured players will suit up for the game.

Cowboys Head Coach, Wade Phillips says he wants no tackling at practice, but cornerback Terence Newman couldn't resist the urge to get a little pop on tight end, Martellus Bennett today during goal line drills. Bennett banged up his hand a bit but says it's nothing serious, just the bumps and bruises that come along with training camp.

Meanwhile receiver, Sam Hurd continues to impress by making a number of eye brow raising catches. Many have already penciled Miles Austin in at that number 3 receiver spot, but Hurd says he's never felt like the odd man out.

"I don't feel that way. I feel like we're all out here having fun. My coaches are telling me to keep up the good work. I got God blessing me. I don't feel like I'm forgotten. What everyone else thinks, I can't worry about that. I just got to focus on what I'm doing on the field," says Hurd.

Be sure to catch our feature story on Linebacker Anthony Spencer tonight. With Greg Ellis gone, it's now Spencer's turn to shine. Catch that story on The 33 News @ Nine! 

 

It's survival of the fittest out at Cowboys Training in San Antonio, but after three straight days of two-a-day practices, The Cowboys showed today that they still have plenty of pep left in their step. You've all heard of "The Lambeau Leap," right? During the morning session today, Jason Witten introduced fans to "The Alamodome Dive," taking out one of the smaller spectators in the process... Orlando Scandrick must have been taking notes because on the very next series, Scandrick knocked the helmet off of Roy Williams... No worries though... Jason, the kid and Roy all lived to tell the tale.

"I was just trying to make a play on the ball so, just another day at camp. I just hope the little boy was alright. He looked a little upset. I checked with him afterwards but he was looking for his mother. He wasn't looking for me," Witten said jokingly.

As for Roy Williams... "I never keep my helmet buckled because I never expect to get hit during practice. He just hit me and my helmet came off. If it were buckled it wouldn't have came off. It looked bad but it was a good play by him. I'm going to have to get him back."
 

Thursday, The Cowboys had their first practice in pads with neither the offense or defense claiming the spotlight... But Friday their was no doubt who gained bragging rights.

Bum Phillips, who attended today's practice, had to be proud of his son Wade, because the head coach/ defensive coordinator had his defense ready. The Dallas "D" came up with 3 big interceptions today... So while the defense is off to an early start, they know it's just a matter of time before their offense catches up.

Cowboys Linebacker, Bradie James said "The Defense had a good day. We know in the morning, the offense will bounce back so when you're on that roller coaster, you got to be ready for that dip because the offense will be ready, tomorrow morning."

Tight End Jason Witten said, "We didn't have as a good of a day as we did yesterday. The Defense probably got a little more today but that's what competition is all about."

The Cowboys will have another two-a-day session Saturday beginning at 8:50 AM.