2B - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS IN BRIEF
WEDNESDAY, OCT.24, 2001
HOROSCOPES
Today's Birthday (Oct. 24). You're part idealist, part strategist. That's a perfect combination this year. The problem you're facing requires both.
Being an idealist forces you to learn more to accomplish what you want.
Being a strategist helps you arrange and edit what you're learning so that it's useful. It also keeps you from forgetting what your goal was in the first place.
Aries (March 21-April 19). Today is an 8. A grandiose scheme you and your friends put together needs work. It needs money, too. Luckily, you're creative. If you put your heads together, you can solve any problem, but it may take until tomorrow.
Taurus (April 20-May 20). Today is a 6. Take a moment to reflect on what you've achieved and what you'd like to accomplish next. Would you like to take on more responsibility? Get rid of some? Formulate your plan.
Gemini (May 21-June 21). Today is a 9. A distant contact can help you make a dream come true. You can learn something you've always wanted to know but were afraid to ask about. Something that was unintelligible is about to start making sense. Keep pestering one who knows.
Cancer (June 22-July 22). Today is a 6. Hustle and bustle around. Fix what you can and throw out what you can't. Go shopping and buy new stuff. You've put up with enough over the years. Wherever possible, stop putting up with it.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Today is a 7. You'd like to do everything just to make sure it's done right. However, this noble aspiration is impractical. It's much wiser to find an experienced person to take over some of your tasks - now
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today is a 7. Looks like your workload is increasing. Did you take on a new assignment? Does it sound like fun? How about that raise you were promised? If it doesn't show up on its own, ask. Same goes for the extra work.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct.22). Today is a g. You're cruising atop speed again. Watch out, world! Romance could temporarily clash with your business objectives, though. Just remember not to be late returning from breaks and lunch, and you'll continue to win in both business and pleasure.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Today is a 7.
Now is the time to increase your wealth.
You've done the groundwork already. Just ask.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21). Today is a 6. Keep a low profile. Take care of domestic issues, with the objective of settling into a workable routine. If something at home needs fixing, get it done. If a roommate has a complaint, listen. You might find a way to fix that, too.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today is an 8. Did you know that Sagittarius is one of the signs representing higher education? Another is Aquarius, which is where the moon is now. That might explain your growing curiosity. The problem you're trying to solve is beyond your old capabilities, so stretch yourself.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8.
Your loved ones have faith that you'll succeed,
but you may wonder at times.
Sometimes each person's greatest talent can also be the area where he or she has the most difficulty. The key to success isn't talent; it's persistence.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20). Today is a 7.
Time to wrap up a domestic project. If you
push, you can finish tomorrow. Give your-
self that much time, because things won't
go according to plan.
Nebraska copes with injuries as it prepares for Oklahoma
NCAA FOOTBALL
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Frank Solich said yesterday there was plenty of excitement about this weekend's game between No. 2 Oklahoma and the third-ranked Cornhuskers.
Panama and the third-famous Country. There's also a little anxiety, especially when it comes to injuries. Of the five Husker starters who had to leave last week's 41-31 win against Texas Tech with various injuries, Solich said he did not know who would be lining up against the Sooners. We're still some-
Cornerback Keyuo Craver, who left in the first half with an ankle injury, returned to practice yesterday and said he would play Saturday. Tight end Tracey Wistrom didn't play last week because of an injured knee but said he would also be ready.
know who would be bringing this question. We're still somewhat early in the week," Solich said.
"I only have at most six more games to play in my career here. I had one of those taken away from me last week. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen again," Wistrom said.
Offensive tackle Dan Waldrop also returned yesterday and said he felt fine.
yesterday and said, Solich would not say much about the conditions of offensive tackle Dave Volk (shoulder), fullback Judd Davies (ankle) and wingback John Gibson (ankle), all of whom were also knocked out of the Tech game.
out of the new game. "I think one or two guys may be very questionable, but no one's been ruled out," Solich said after yesterday's practice. "I don't want to draw attention to the injuries. This game is going to be won or lost by those players on the field."
Solich said the first rankings from the Bowl Championships Series only supported what he has felt all year — Oklahoma still deserves to be No. 1.
"I've been voting them No.1 In the polls since the polls opened up this season," Solich said. They are the defending national champions and they've done an excellent job this year."
they've done an excellent job.
Solich hopes to put a different spin on it next week after the Sooners (7-0 overall, 3-0 Big 12) face the Cornhuskers (8-0, 4-0).
Anthrax scare turns out to be coke
The Associated Press
BASEL, Switzerland — The site of an ATP tennis tournament was closed for more than an hour yesterday after guards discovered a letter feared to contain anthrax. The substance turned out to be cocaine, authorities said.
The problem was cleared up in time to allow the opening round of the Swiss Indoors to begin on schedule at St. Jakobshalle. The tournament features some of the top players on the men's tour.
Analysis at the Basel city lab showed no anthrax spores in the powder, said Rolf Klaus, state chief of chemical security.
Further analysis showed the powder was 1-2 grams of cocaine, police spokeswoman Barbara Umiker said. She said there were no indications who left the letter in the restaurant area.
Marcos Mueller, chief of the state's civil defense, said two agents for a private security firm found a letter in the arena lobby yesterday morning.
"When one of them opened it,powder trickled out," Mueller said. He said the powder was brought to the main entrance and tournament security officers were alerted.
The two agents were taken to a hospital, where they were treated as if they had been exposed to anthrax, Klaus said. But the results of the chemical analysis were returned quickly and they did not have to start antibiotics.
Rene Mundwiler, tournament vice president, said authorities were trying to find who planted the letter.
A "bioalert" was given at 10:12 a.m., a fire department spokesman said. The building was reopened shortly after 11:30 a.m.
Firefighters deployed a fleet of vehicles designed to treat chemical spills. The building was not evacuated but fans were prevented from using the main entrance, Umiker said.
K-State player in legal trouble again
The Associated Press
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State running back Joe Hall's team status may be in question after a recent arrest for a probation violation.
after a recent arrest for a probation Hall, a 300-pound fan favorite, was arrested Monday afternoon for failing to complete probation after falsely reporting a crime in May of 2000. He was released on a $1,500 bond yesterday.
The arrest was Hall's fourth legal complication since he transferred from Palomar Junior College in California in 1998.
"I do not know all circumstances behind it," Coach Bill Snyder said. "It was my understanding that he was to have met and, I thought, did meet with his probation officer on either Thursday or Friday of last week, which was to my understanding to be his very last session."
A Sept. 26 Riley County court affidavit claims that Hall failed to pay $136 in court costs, complete 50 hours of community service and report to his probation officer.
suspended provided that Hall complete nine months probation.
his probation officer. Hall was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Dec.11, 2000 for the original charge. The sentence was
months probation. He is set to appear in court on Nov. 7 for the probation violation.
Hall's legal and football-related troubles have been well-documented. Hall, a senior, started in six games in 1999 and rushed for 613 yards.
A games in 1999 and that year, Hall was cited by the Riley County Police Department for alcohol-related charges.
POLICE Department for justice During the 2000 season, Hall was suspended for academic problems, but Snyder said he was pleased with Hall's attitude and progress. Hall was officially back for the 2001 season, playing in five games and rushing for 88 yards on 19 carries.
"I think Joe has the makings of a good person, a good quality person, but what has to be understood, and there are some very significant consequences that have gone with Joe's plight here," Snyder said. "He's been behind the 8-ball. He has to do better than everyone else."
Snyder did not know how the recent arrest would affect Hall's status on the team. Hall was not available for comment.
BASEBALL
Angels' reliever bought out after contract dispute
ANAHEIM, Calif.  — The Anaheim Angels exercised their $25,250 option for next season on disgruntled reliever Troy Percival yesterday.
Percival, a four-time All-Star who had 39 saves in 42 chances this year, expressed anger late in the season, saying someone in the club's front office revealed details of negotiations with him. Percival said he planned to leave as a free agent after next season.
"I've kept everything quiet, and it's not my style to talk," said Percival, who had a 4-2 record and 2.65 ERA. "So I'm going to go about my business. And wherever I'm doing it, I'm going to do my business the best I can."
Percival reportedly was looking for a four-year $30 million extension.
"It won't be a distraction next year because I won't talk about it," Percival said in late September. "I'll be out there getting saves, because I play for the guys in this locker room. They get me a lead in the ninth inning, and I'm going to save the game."
save the game.
The 32-year-old right-hander is 26th overall and seventh among active relievers with a club-record 210 saves. He also has a 23-29 record and a 3.09 ERA, and the 417 games in which he's appeared in is second in franchise history behind Chuck Finley's 436.
Baseball's TV ratings are up still lagging behind football
Baseball's league championship series television ratings were higher than last year, but still trailed the second-lowest "Monday Night Football" rating ever.
rating ever.
The New York Yankees' pennant-clinching victory over the Seattle Mariners produced a 7.6 rating and 12 share for Fox Sports, up 21 percent from last year's 6.8 rating and 10 share for Game 5 between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets. The Cardinals-Mets ratings were the lowest ever for a league championship series.
A year ago, Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Yankees and Mariners produced a 6.8 rating and 13 share for NBC, 12 percent less than Fox attracted for the same two teams.
The Monday night NFL game between Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants did a 9.9 and 16 share.The only Monday night rating lower than that came on Oct.27, 1986, when the Washington Redskins and Giants got an 8.8 and 14 share. That game was played opposite the seventh game of the World Series between the Mets and Boston Red Sox.
Overall, Fox's coverage of the LCS was up slightly, with a 7.0 rating and 13 share compared to 6.9 and 13 on NBC and Fox a year ago. In primetime, the increase was 20 percent, with a 7.9 rating and 13 share compared to 6.6 and 11 last year.
All of baseball's big events have had higher ratings in the first year of Fox's $2.5 billion, six-year TV deal than they did in 2000. The division series ratings were 6 percent higher than the previous year, and the All-Star game rating was 8 percent higher.
The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether they are in use. Each rating point represents a little more than one million households. The share is the percentage of homes with TVs in use.