Sports Briefs

Originally published 03:10 a.m., November 25, 2009
Updated 03:10 a.m., November 25, 2009

Offutt tells Matta

he’s leaving OSU

COLUMBUS (AP) — Sophomore guard Walter Offutt has decided to leave the Ohio State men’s basketball program and will seek a transfer to another school.

Coach Thad Matta announced Offutt’s decision on Tuesday. The 17th-ranked Buckeyes play Lipscomb on Tuesday night.

Offutt, an Indianapolis native who appeared in 23 games at Ohio State, has not indicated where he will transfer. He will finish out the quarter at Ohio State.

As a Buckeye, Offutt scored 29 career points, an average of 1.3 points per game. He appeared in 21 games as a freshman and two games this season.

Bengals’ re-sign

Harris, cut Kooistra

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals have re-signed defensive tackle Orien Harris and waived seventh-year guard Scott Kooistra to make room on the roster.

The team announced the moves on Tuesday.

Harris, a second-year player, is in his second stint with Cincinnati this season. He was signed on Oct. 20, played in one game and was waived on Nov. 17.

Kooistra appeared in three games this season on special teams.

Cincinnati also signed former Ohio State cornerback Antonio Smith to its practice squad.

Mackey Award

finalists named

NEW YORK (AP) — Dorin Dickerson of Pittsburgh, Florida’s Aaron Hernandez and Dennis Pitta of BYU are the finalists for the John Mackey Award presented to the nation’s top tight end.

The winner will be announced Dec. 10 at a college football awards show.

Dickerson has 43 catches for 496 yards and 10 touchdowns for No. 8 Pitt (9-1); Hernandez has 46 catches for 571 yards and two TDs for the top-ranked Gators (11-0); and Pitta has 54 catches for 735 yards and seven TDs for the 18th-ranked Cougars (9-2).

The finalists were determined by balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. The award is presented by the Nassau County Sports Commission.

Giants’ Bradshaw

misses practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw is wearing a protective boot on his sprained left ankle, and it’s uncertain whether he’ll make the trip for the team’s game at Denver.

Bradshaw, second on the team with 549 yards rushing, came out of Sunday’s victory over Atlanta with the injury. He previously had worn a boot on his right foot because of a cracked bone.

Coach Tom Coughlin says Bradshaw won’t practice for the second straight day. When asked if Bradshaw would fly with the team for its Thanksgiving game against the Broncos, Coughlin said, “We’ll see.”

Danny Ware would see extended time if Bradshaw can’t play. Starting running back Brandon Jacobs injured his right leg Sunday but says he feels fine.

Autopsy planned

for dead boxer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An autopsy has been scheduled for a boxer who died two days after a fight in Philadelphia.

Twenty-five-year-old Francisco Rodriguez died Sunday night after losing a USBA super bantamweight bout against Teon Kennedy on Friday.

The autopsy on Rodriguez, a former national Golden Gloves boxing champion from Chicago, is scheduled for Tuesday.

Philadelphia’s Medical Examiner’s Office says an autopsy is routine when a death is related to the victim’s occupation.

Officials say Rodriguez began to lose consciousness as he sat in his corner after the fight was stopped in the 10th round. He later underwent emergency brain surgery.

Rodriguez was 14-2 going into the bout against Kennedy for the vacant USBA super bantamweight title. Rodriguez was a national Golden Gloves champion in 2001.

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