No. 8 BYU tops Utah State for 15th straight win

Max Hall threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns and No. 8 BYU extended its winning streak to 15 games by beating Utah State 34-14 on Friday night at Logan, Utah.

The Cougars (5-0) converted three turnovers into 17 points while pulling ahead 24-0 in the first quarter and held on for their ninth straight victory over the Aggies despite some sloppy moments.

Utah State (1-4) became the first team to score on BYU in nearly a month with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the Aggies were down 34-0 at the end of the third quarter. That didn’t discourage Utah State fans from chanting “over-rated!” and celebrating every mistake the Cougars made.

Hall threw two interceptions and was sacked for the first time this season when the Aggies brought him down with 4:02 left in the game. The Cougars also had what appeared to be a fumble overturned by the officials and committed several personal fouls in frustration – including one by Hall.

•Ellis out four weeks: Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis will be lost to the New Orleans Saints for two to four weeks with a right knee injury. Ellis, the No. 7 overall selection in last April’s draft, tore the medial meniscus in his knee during the Saints’ win last Sunday against San Francisco and had arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear Friday morning.

•Ravens’ CB Rolle out: Baltimore Ravens starting cornerback Samari Rolle underwent neck surgery this week and will be out at least a month.

•Westbrook will likely play: Running back Brian Westbrook was a full participant in practice for the first time in two weeks and appears likely to play Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Redskins.

•Gross out for Panthers: Jordan Gross’ streak of 84 consecutive starts for the Carolina Panthers will end, while fellow starting tackle Jeff Otah is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

•Vick lawyers ask for mediator: Lawyers for Michael Vick asked a federal bankruptcy judge to appoint a mediator to help settle his debts to creditors, saying a third party might expedite a resolution in the case.

Golf

Choi takes Samsung lead

Na Yeon Choi of South Korea survived the changing wind and decreasing temperatures along the Pacific Ocean to shoot a 1-under-par 71, giving her a 4-under 140 total and a two-stroke lead over Angela Stanford (73), Lorena Ochoa (73), Paula Creamer (74) and Song-Hee Kim (73) at the LPGA’s Samsung World Championship at Half Moon Bay, Calif.

•Overton still ahead: At Verona, N.Y., Jeff Overton shot a 3-under 69 to take a one-shot lead over Tag Ridings (68) in the blustery second round of the PGA’s Turning Stone Resort Championship.

In the clubhouse and alone in third at 6 under was Australian rookie Jason Day (69), one shot ahead of Robert Allenby (68), Mark Hensby (69) and Charles Howell III (68).

•Borich leads Senior PGA Professional: At Indian Wells, Calif., Mike Borich shot a 4-under 68 at Toscana Country Club to take the lead at 6 under in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship, while many players were unable to finish because of high wind.

Baseball

Manuel gets 2-year deal

Jerry Manuel and the New York Mets have agreed to a two-year contract that includes a club option for 2011.

The Mets scheduled a conference call with Manuel today.

He took over on an interim basis June 17, when New York was 34-35. While the Mets built a 3 1/2 -game N.L. East lead in September, they lost 10 of their final 17 games and were eliminated from postseason contention on the final day of the season for the second straight year. They finished at 89-73.

•Arrest warrant issued for Burgos: At Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, an arrest warrant was issued for New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos on charges stemming from a hit-and-run accident that killed two women.

Burgos is accused of abandoning the victims and fleeing, charges that can carry six months to two years in prison, prosecutor Raul Quiroz told the Associated Press.

Basketball

Donovan finally signs deal

Florida coach Billy Donovan signed his six-year contract extension, 16 months after he returned to Gainesville following a brief stint with the NBA’s Orlando Magic.

The deal is worth more than $19.5 million before incentives.

•Livingston signs with Heat: Free-agent point guard Shaun Livingston signed a two-year contract with the Miami Heat.