Fast Break

NFL

Alexander will start on Sunday

Shaun Alexander will start for the Seahawks on Sunday against the New York Giants despite a sore left foot.

The league MVP practiced for the first time this week on Friday. Coach Mike Holmgren then fulfilled Alexander’s promise to play from the day before.

“My thing with Shaun, early in the week he had to stay in it mentally in studying,” Holmgren said after Alexander participated in the entire practice on a foot he injured during the season-opening road win against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 10.

The 2005 league rushing champion, on the injury report this week as probable, has rushed for fewer than 100 yards in consecutive regular-season games for the first time in two years.

College football

Another Stoop for Pac-10 ref

The referee who was suspended after last week’s controversial Oregon victory over Oklahoma will work the USC-Arizona game Saturday.

Wouldn’t you know it, Arizona is coached by Mike Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.

On Monday, the Pac-10 suspended referee Dave Cutaia and the rest of the seven-man on-field crew from last week’s Oklahoma game in Eugene, Ore. for one game. But the suspensions must be staggered throughout the season so the conference has enough officials to cover all of its games, said Pac-10 spokesman Jim Muldoon.

Blogspot

Follow locals on SportsLink

Online sportswriter Vince Grippi will be stay up to date on all the local college football teams this weekend.

After the games, check out his analysis and post your thoughts on the game.