Welterweight Diaz awakens from 2-month coma
Welterweight boxer Oscar Diaz has awakened from a coma, two months after he was seriously injured during a bout in his native San Antonio.
The 25-year-old Diaz was awake and breathing on his own. He has been upgraded from critical to stable condition, and doctors at University Hospital are cautiously optimistic about his recovery.
“It’s very exciting to see Oscar open his eyes,” said Diaz’s mother, Theresa. “He’s a fighter, and I believe he will get better.”
Diaz was unable to leave his corner for the 11th round of his fight with Delvin Rodriguez, eventually collapsing in the ring. The severe brain injuries put him in a coma after emergency surgery to relieve swelling in his brain, but doctors have expected him to survive the injuries since shortly after they occurred.
Football
Colorado upsets West Virginia
Aric Goodman made a 25-yard field goal in overtime to give Colorado a 17-14 victory over No. 21 West Virginia at Boulder, Colo.
The Mountaineers (1-2) had the ball first in overtime, but Pat McAfee’s 23-yard attempt clanged off the left upright.
Cody Hawkins threw two touchdown passes – both in the first quarter – and Rodney Stewart rushed for 166 yards, the most by a Colorado freshman.
West Virginia quarterback Pat White ran for two TDs and 148 yards, and Noel Devine finished with 133 yards on the ground.
The Buffaloes improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2004.
•Bengals fall: At Pocatello, Idaho, a 204-yard rushing effort by North Dakota tailback Josh Murray and 237 yards passing by quarterback Danny Freund led the Fighting Sioux to a 38-35 win over Idaho State.
North Dakota improved to 4-0 while Idaho State dropped to 0-3.
•UNC Charlotte considers football: UNC Charlotte chancellor Philip Dubois has recommended the school start a football program that would begin play in 2013.
•Hester’s injury unclear: Devin Hester’s status remained a mystery and so did the extent of his rib injury.
After telling a few reporters that he had torn cartilage, the Chicago Bears’ record-setting return specialist backtracked and said his ribs are simply bruised. Either way, he hopes to play against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
•Peterson misses practice: Minnesota’s sputtering offense could be without its biggest star against Carolina on Sunday.
Running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher and the 2007 offensive rookie of the year, missed practice with a hamstring injury.
Peterson said he is hopeful he can play against the Panthers, but he took a step back one day after participating in practice on a limited basis.
•Goodell cracks down: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has followed up his suspension of Tampa Bay cornerback Elbert Mack by re-emphasizing safety issues and warning that even first-time offenders will be subject to discipline.
“From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in the game of football and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offense,” Goodell wrote in a memo to NFL teams obtained by the Associated Press.
Miscellany
Sabres’ RW Pominville signs 5-year extension
Entering the final year of his contract, Jason Pominville was rewarded by the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres with a five-year $26.5 million contract extension.
•Turnesa leads: Marc Turnesa used a 22-putt round for a 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Brian Gay in the Viking Classic at the Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Miss.
An eclectic group of players is chasing Turnesa and Gay. Two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, who hasn’t won on tour since 1998, Jay Williamson, Dicky Pride, Nathan Green, Brad Adamonis and Andrew Buckle shot 67s.
•Track coach extended: The University of Washington extended the contract of cross country and track and field coach Greg Metcalf through the 2011 season.