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Sept. 30 -- Yankees 2, Rangers 0: NEW YORK - David Wells delivered a perfect postseason start for the New York Yankees. Playing their most important game in nearly six months, the Yankees looked every bit like the winningest team in AL history, beating the Texas Rangers 2-0 Tuesday night in Game 1 of their division series.

Sept. 30 -- Padres 2, Astros 1: HOUSTON (AP) - The Big Unit finally met his match in the Astrodome.

Sept. 30 -- Big Unit drops another playoff game: HOUSTON - Call him the Average Unit. Cut the big buildup, Randy Johnson says. It only seems to make the other guy pitch better.

Sept. 30 -- Losing streak a buried memory for Prairie View: DALLAS - The key play in Prairie View A&M's record-breaking victory Saturday night came long before the final goal-line stand that preserved a 14-12 defeat of Langston.

Sept. 30 -- State of the Bears: Passing game could hold the key: WACO, Texas (AP) - It's not something Baylor coach Dave Roberts wants, but he's got it: a quarterback controversy.

Sept. 30 -- Top high school football performances: Several 300-yard runners, some super all-around efforts and a couple of reliable kickers highlight this week's Associated Press honor roll.

Sept. 30 -- Big 12 coaches ask: When will athletes have time to work? KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Colorado's Rick Neuheisel says there's not a coach in the country who thinks it's a good idea, which says something about how much heed the lords of the NCAA pay coaches.

Sept. 29 -- Family matter: Stottlemyre vs. Stottlemyre: NEW YORK - If baseball is designed to break hearts, it gets a first-rate opportunity with the Stottlemyre family tonight at Yankee Stadium.

Sept. 29 -- Brown vs. Big Unit opens Padres-Astros series: HOUSTON (AP) - Overwhelming versus nasty. It won't be a pleasant day for hitters when Houston's Randy Johnson and San Diego's Kevin Brown, two of baseball's most dominating pitchers, provide a marquee matchup in the opener of the NL division series between the Padres and Astros on Tuesday afternoon.

Sept. 29 -- Johnson elevates Astros to new heights: HOUSTON - Randy Johnson lost something when he moved from the Seattle Mariners to the Houston Astros, though it wasn't baseball games.

Sept. 29 -- With 318-yard game, Texas runner back on track: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - He's been watching running back Ricky Williams since spring practice, but Texas coach Mack Brown says he only now realizes what he's been seeing.

Sept. 29 -- Williams, Kelsay, Hill honored by Big 12 : DALLAS (AP) - Texas running back Ricky Williams, Nebraska rush end Chad Kelsay and Kansas return man-wide receiver Harrison Hill have been named the Big 12's players of the week.

Sept. 28 -- Texas: Bring on those Yankees: SEATTLE (AP) - The Texas Rangers had a feeling they'd wind up in Yankee Stadium eventually. So it might as well be now.

Sept. 28 -- Doak Walker dead at 71: DENVER (AP) - Doak Walker, the 1948 Heisman Trophy winner who starred on two NFL championship teams and was paralyzed in a skiing accident earlier this year, died Sunday at 71.

Sept. 28 -- It's over! Prairie View's losing streak stops at 80: PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (AP) - The buses rolled up to the gym in the predawn darkness. Prairie View A&M's football team had made this trip back to the campus many times over the years. Only now whoops and cheers from dozens of students broke the silence.

Sept. 28 -- Sutton wins Texas Open after Leonard blows lead: SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Hal Sutton won a three-way battle on the back nine of the Texas Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory since 1995 after Justin Leonard lost the lead by bogeying the final two holes.

Sept. 28 -- Nebraska, Oklahoma State offer a glimpse of things to come: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's a home game for Oklahoma State. Yet Cowboys fans will be outnumbered more than 2-to-1 and the kickoff will be in Missouri.

Sept. 28 -- Sydor ends holdout, signs four-year deal with Stars: IRVING, Texas (AP) - Darryl Sydor, a key member of the Dallas Stars' defensive corps, has signed a four-year contract to end his holdout.

Sept. 27 -- Sutton takes Texas Open lead on final hole: SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Hal Sutton wasn't too excited over his one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Texas Open.

Sept. 27 -- Cubs 3, Astros 2: HOUSTON (AP) -- Sammy Sosa helped the Chicago Cubs come from behind Saturday. Now he'll try to mount one last comeback in the home-run race.

Sept. 27 -- Mississippi 48, SMU 41 (OT): DALLAS (AP) -- Ole Miss had fumbled seven times, losing four of them, and let an interception get returned for a touchdown. The Rebels were down by 22 points Saturday and knew the score was no fluke.

Sept. 26 -- Texas Tech-ISU seen as measuring stick for both: AMES, Iowa (AP) - The measuring stick is coming out for Iowa State and Texas Tech. Both are off to good starts heading into their Big 12 opener at Iowa State's Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, though neither has defeated any world beaters.

Sept. 26 -- No. 17 Texas A&M hopes to tune offense against North Texas: COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - If Darrell Dickey has learned anything from his first taste of head coaching, it's that programs such as Texas A&M feast on programs such as North Texas.

Sept. 26 -- Rangers and Royals to play 1999 Hall of Fame game: COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) - With Nolan Ryan and George Brett expected to gain induction to the Hall of Fame, the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals will play in the exhibition game that follows the ceremonies next summer.

Sept. 26 -- Big 12 picture looks good: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Big 12 is off to its best start in its three years. Nebraska and Kansas State are top-five. The league is 22-7 against outside competition and 3-2 against ranked opposition. That doesn't count high-quality victories like Iowa State's at Iowa and Texas A&M's at Southern Mississippi.

Sept. 26 -- Leonard, Maginnes share one-stroke lead in Texas Open: SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A three-week vacation is paying off for Justin Leonard. He's rested, relaxed and tied for the lead of the Texas Open.

Sept. 26 -- Texas baseball fans take wait-and-see approach to I-45 World Series: DALLAS (AP) - With the Houston Astros in the playoffs and the Texas Rangers on the brink of qualifying, do Lone Star State baseball fans dare dream about an all-Texas World Series?

Sept. 26 -- Mustangs may be balanced, but they're winless: DALLAS (AP) - Southern Methodist coach Mike Cavan wanted a more balanced offense this year, and he's got it. The results, though, aren't what he expected.

Sept. 26 -- No. 4 Tennessee to match strengths against Houston: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - To hear the coaches, Houston is better than its winless record and Tennessee is better than its No. 4 ranking.

Sept. 25 -- Astros' Wagner proud to be footnote to history: ST. LOUIS (AP) - Billy Wagner knows there's absolutely no shame in being on Mark McGwire's lengthy list of victims.

Sept. 25 -- Rangers on a roll as they try to wrap up title: ANAHEIM, Calif. - Hold up on the celebration, Texas manager Johnny Oates cautioned. There's still work to be done.

Sept. 25 -- Stanton seeks 20th straight victory: Stanton will travel 80 miles to Big Lake on Friday in search of its 20th straight victory. The match-up between the defending Class 2A state champions and Reagan County is one of the highlights of this weekend's high school football schedule in Texas.

Sept. 25 -- Calling the shots at historic moment in women's sports: FORT WORTH, Texas - "That ball was out, d-- it." Against the din of more than 30,000 fans and before a television audience estimated at more than 40 million, I'm certain I was the only one who heard the outburst. I was, after all, the one at whom Billie Jean King aimed her admonishment.

Sept. 24 -- Go figure, Helling's a 20-game winner: ANAHEIM, Calif. - A mediocre pitcher before this year, Rick Helling is a big reason why the Texas Rangers lead the AL West.

Sept. 24 -- Aggies forfeit victory over ineligible player: COLLEGE STATION (AP) - Texas A&M has forfeited its 28-7 victory over Louisiana Tech because running back D'Andre Hardeman was academically ineligible, the school said Wednesday.

Sept. 24 -- Longhorns' running back needs big games to break rushing record: AUSTIN (AP) - Running back Ricky Williams, the Heisman Trophy hopeful Texas fans call "Little Earl," is looking at some long yards if he hopes to claim the NCAA career rushing record.

Sept. 24 -- This week's high school football schedule: DALLAS (AP) - This week's high school football schedule as provided by The Dallas Morning News, based on schedules compiled by the Texas High School Coaches Association. All times CDT.

Sept. 24 -- Herron hopes for payoff again in Texas Open: SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Despite an inconsistent season, Tim Herron believes his game is improving. He hopes it's in solid shape as he defends his title in the Texas Open starting Thursday.

Sept. 24 -- Baylor QB James finally making real contributions: Odell James' Saturday dreams are tangible. The waiting game has ended. The football games have begun.

Sept. 24 -- Galveston fan loans Maris uniform to Hall of Fame: GALVESTON, Texas - Barney Rapp has been waiting a long time for his hero to make the hall of fame. Although, officially, it still hasn't happened, Rapp recently helped put a piece of his hero in the hallowed hall.

Sept. 24 -- Split of Valley 5A schools praised by coaches, students: BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Juan Guerra has the weight of his school on his shoulders. He's the starting quarterback for Brownsville Pace High School, which snapped a 26-game losing streak last year but hasn't won since. The last time the school made it to the playoffs, Guerra was in diapers.

Sept. 23 -- Aggies concerned over Hardeman's eligibility: COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Texas A&M running back D'Andre Hardeman will remain suspended for Saturday's game against the University of North Texas while school officials try to determine his eligibility.

Sept. 23 -- As race tightens, Rangers bring in 'da noise: ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Will Clark was horsing around, bellowing above the laughter and din rippling through the Texas Rangers clubhouse.

Sept. 23 -- Officials consider ticket, parking taxes for proposed stadium: HOUSTON (AP) - As the city prepares to make its pitch for a new NFL franchise next month, local officials are considering a $2 ticket tax and $1 parking tax to help fund a proposed stadium.

Sept. 23 -- Panthers still losing but say they're better: PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (AP) - After each game for almost a decade, the Prairie View A&M Panther football team has returned to its small rural campus in bluebonnet country to absorb the weight of one more loss.

Sept. 23 -- No rest for Houston's Helton: The man known as "The Love Coach" spent Saturday night in front of the television watching his alma mater play Tennessee.

Sept. 22 -- Two premier backs to run in Ames this week: DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - When it comes to running the football, few are doing it better than the two backs who will showcase their skills in Ames on Saturday.

Sept. 22 -- Texas coach concerned about toll of losses: Back-to-back poundings at the hands of nationally ranked opponents have taken a physical and, perhaps more importantly, emotional toll on the Texas Longhorns.

Sept. 22 -- Kelly, Allen, Williams named Big 12 players of the week: DALLAS (AP) - Texas Tech running back Ricky Williams and linebacker Jeff Kelly and return man David Allen, both of Kansas State, are the Big 12 players of the week.

Sept. 21 -- Good side of bad weather is rejuvenated fishing: HOUSTON -- The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain, but the rain in Texas falls mainly on the coast -- especially during the tropical-storm season of late summer.

Sept. 21 -- Seven band members injured during halftime brawl: BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) -- Southern University's marching band director said Sunday that his group was provoked into a halftime brawl with band members from Prairie View A&M.

Sept. 21 -- Paul wins for first time in 15 years: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- John Paul Jr. put an unhappy past firmly behind him Sunday, looking only to the future after winning the inaugural Indy Racing League Lone Star 500.

Sept. 20 -- No.4 UCLA 42, Houston 24: HOUSTON (AP) -- Cade McNown's post-game appearance told the story. He had ice on his left knee and left ankle.

Sept. 20 -- Boat hoping for another visit to Victory Lane at Texas track: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Billy Boat has made a habit of visiting Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway.

Sept. 20 -- Wetteland's workload scrutinized: ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers manager Johnny Oates sought out closer John Wetteland for a heart-to-heart chat before Saturday night's game with the Oakland Athletics.

Sept. 20 -- Athletics 8, Rangers 4: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Well, maybe it won't be so easy for Texas, after all.

Sept. 19 -- Wildcats finally will see a legitimate I-A program and player: MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) -- Three weeks into the season, No. 5 Kansas State finally will see a top-flight opponent and player.

Sept. 19 -- UCLA trying not to look past winless Cougars: HOUSTON (AP) -- Football teams from the Lone Star state have been taking a beating lately from No. 4 UCLA.

Sept. 19 -- Stars have leaders without letters on sweaters: VAIL, Colo. -- Ken Hitchcock just couldn't resist giving a verbal jab to Brett Hull.

Sept. 19 -- Boat gets third straight pole: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Poles are nice, but Billy Boat would gladly trade them for wins.

Sept. 18 -- Ricky Williams: Blazing trails in burnt orange: AUSTIN, Texas - Nisey Williams dislikes it when people judge her brother by his appearance, though she admits it can be alarming.

Sept. 18 -- Tyler John Tyler-Lewisville a matchup of 1990s champions: There will be two showdowns Friday between Top 10 teams in Class 5A, promising a shakeup in the high school football polls at the end of the weekend.

Sept. 18 -- Foyt's team on path to IRL championship: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A.J. Foyt can almost feel the championship trophy cradled in his arms.

Sept. 18 -- Stottlemyre finally pitches like an ace: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers traded for Todd Stottlemyre because they thought he could be their No. 1 starter, a guy who takes the mound in the most important games and thrives on the pressure.

Sept. 17 -- Coach has divided loyalies: CLEBURNE, Texas (AP) - When Cleburne High plays host to 4A football rival Keller Friday night, Dennis Parker, who coaches the hometown Yellow Jackets, can't lose. Hold on. Maybe he can't win.

Sept. 17 -- This week's high school football schedule: DALLAS (AP) - This week's high school football schedule as provided by The Dallas Morning News, based on schedules compiled by the Texas High School Coaches Association. All times CDT.

Sept. 17 -- Madison's Streety joins elite company with 200th win: SAN ANTONIO - In the spring of 1996, Jim Streety almost took his close friend, John Mackovic, up on an offer to work for the University of Texas as associate athletic director for football operations.

Sept. 16 -- Next goal for Astros: home-field edge: HOUSTON (AP) - No time to kick back and relax for the Houston Astros. After winning their second straight NL Central title, the Astros are on to their next goal: home-field advantage for the playoffs.

Sept. 16 -- Fresno matchup may be first chance for Tech to prove its mettle: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - After two weeks, Texas Tech hasn't allowed a touchdown, leads the Big 12 in total offensive yardage and has scored more than 30 points in each game.

Sept. 16 -- Olajuwon turning to ex-UH track coach to stay in shape: HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Rockets aren't letting Hakeem Olajuwon work, so he's taking it upon himself.

Sept. 16 -- UNT Eagles as bad as 0-2 start indicates: DENTON, Texas (AP) - The Darrell Dickey era at North Texas opened with great promise: an 80-yard scoring drive against Oklahoma that gobbled nearly six minutes off the clock.

Sept. 16 -- Rangers play-off in Anaheim in event of tie for AL West lead: NEW YORK (AP) - If the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels tie for the American League West, the one-game playoff would be at Anaheim.

Sept. 15 -- Longhorns lose quarterback; redshirt freshman gets call: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Your starting quarterback is sidelined with a broken bone in his throwing hand. His backup has yet to start a game. You're facing the No. 5 team in the nation. And, oh yeah, they've outscored their first two opponents 139-7.

Sept. 15 -- Runners galore in Big 12; Snyder says he'll face the best: DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Just about everywhere he looks in the Big 12, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder sees an outstanding running back. And of all those runners, Snyder feels the one he'll see Saturday is the best.

Sept. 14 -- Devil Rays 10, Rangers 5: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Wade Boggs hit his fourth career grand slam and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays again played the spoiler role, beating the Texas Rangers 10-5 Sunday.

Sept. 14 -- Florida State falls from Top 10; Aggies No. 17: Florida State dropped out of the Top 10, and so did Notre Dame. Michigan and Arizona State, meanwhile, dropped completely out of The Associated Press' Top 25 college football poll.

Sept. 14 -- Big 12 Roundup: Texas Tech, Colorado and Oklahoma all 2-0: IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa State's players will be stepping a little livelier this week, coach Dan McCarney's light brown hair will have a new tint and his job might be a little more secure. As Big 12 football teams start preparing for another week of play, Iowa State is the giddiest of them all.

Sept. 13 -- Security detail safeguards McGwire: HOUSTON -- Autograph hounds beware: Mark McGwire is off-limits away from the ballpark.

Sept. 13 -- King vs. Riggs: a carnival that shook sports: NEW YORK -- On the surface, the idea was outrageous, the product of hucksters and hustlers who thought it would be cute to match a man and woman on the tennis court.

Sept. 13 -- Astros 3, Cardinals 2: HOUSTON (AP) -- They'll have to wait another day to celebrate winning the NL Central. And that's OK with the Astros.

Sept. 12 -- McGwire eager to hit against Big Unit: HOUSTON -- It seemed like old times Friday for Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson.

Sept. 12 -- No. 18 Texas A&M tries to stop pass-happy Louisiana Tech: COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Louisiana Tech has lost two games, but coach R.C. Slocum of No. 18-ranked Texas A&M knows he won't have to worry about overconfidence among his players or coaches.

Sept. 12 -- No. 24 Oregon pits high-powered attack against improving UTEP defense: EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is anticipating a new look, a new wrinkle -- something different from Texas-El Paso.

Sept. 12 -- Texas League mark of 62 likely to stay untouched: SAN ANTONIO -- Ken Guettler, the man who set the Texas League record for home runs with 62 in 1956, might have reached even higher had it not been for some small factors:

Sept. 12 -- Houston faces a fair shot at a win: HOUSTON -- In just their second game, the Houston Cougars find themselves trying to avert an 0-4 start today against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Sept. 11 -- McGwire vs. Johnson: power vs. power: HOUSTON (AP) - Randy Johnson feels as mortal as any other pitcher going against Mark McGwire.

Sept. 11 -- Longhorns anxious to avenge 66-3 loss to Bruins: PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - It's been a year since UCLA got its kicks on Rout 66 in Texas, and the Longhorns haven't forgotten. And how could they?

Sept. 11 -- Bad as they look, Rangers still are in a race: ARLINGTON, Texas - Like in so many other Septembers, the baseball blahs seem just one game away, or one more pitching collapse away, from descending again upon the Mid-Cities. For North Texas, the annual passage into autumn normally begins with a Rangers' season staggering to an unnoticed finish.

Sept. 11 -- Homer chase in Arlington, Texas? It could have been: ST. LOUIS - Mark McGwire thrilled the city of St. Louis with his history-making 62nd home run Tuesday night. How would you like to have been a part of that scene at The Ballpark in Arlington instead?

Sept. 11 -- Ground broken for SMU stadium complex: DALLAS (AP) - Ground was broken Thursday for a $56.8 million stadium and sports center on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

Sept. 11 -- Hunter enrolls at Texas as partial qualifier: AUSTIN (AP) - University of Texas incoming freshman guard Vohn Hunter has enrolled in classes as a partial qualifier, meaning he didn't meet all of the academic requirements needed to be eligible this year.

Sept. 11 -- Tyler John Tyler-Lewisville a matchup of 1990s champions: Unlike last weekend, there aren't any matchups between top 10 teams and no teams are flying to Florida for games at Disney World.

Sept. 10 -- This week's high school football schedule: DALLAS (AP) - This week's high school football schedule as provided by The Dallas Morning News, based on schedules compiled by the Texas High School Coaches Association. All times CDT.

Sept. 10 -- Rout 66 spices up Texas-UCLA rematch: Only kidding. That's the latest from Texas defensive end Aaron Humphrey, who earlier this week told a local reporter that UCLA quarterback Cade McNown "is a dead man."

Sept. 10 -- Walton's interest in Texas came early: AUSTIN (AP) - Richard Walton's first recruiting trip to Texas came when he was 7 years old. He didn't know it then. And Texas coach Fred Akers didn't know it then. But that's how it worked out.

Sept. 10 -- TCU's Chris Kaylakie will fulfill boyhood dream against Oklahoma: FORT WORTH, Texas - Near the end of a sun-baked TCU practice session last week, kicker Chris Kaylakie attacked a ball with such energy that all concerned were sent flying.

Sept. 10 -- Fledgling varsity team hopes to lay the foundations of tradition: EL PASO, Texas (AP) - It was one thing for the Trail Blazers to be taking on the smaller, slower opponents they faced last year before a crowd composed mostly of parents.

Sept. 10 -- Former world champ going strong: FORT WORTH, Texas - Though she is an ailing 54-year-old bareback bronc rider who repeatedly is asked about retirement, it takes a lot of horse power to challenge Jan Youren.

Sept. 9 -- What's in a name? Ask Ricky Williams: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Before he ever suited up for Texas Tech, Ricky Williams knew the role of "Ricky Williams, record-setting running back and Heisman Trophy contender," was taken.

Sept. 9 -- Rangers nip Royals, 7-6: ARLINGTON (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez's two-run double with one out in the ninth inning lifted the Texas Rangers to a 7-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Sept. 9 -- Juan Gonzalez wins Player of the Week: NEW YORK (AP) - Texas' Juan Gonzalez, who had 12 RBIs last week, won the American League Player of the Week award Tuesday.

Sept. 9 -- Girl kicker becomes first in Houston area to score in football: HOUSTON (AP) - Place-kicker Cindy Wright has made it into the record books again.

Sept. 8 -- Lamar, John Tyler flip-flop near top of 5A poll: Tyler John Tyler was pretty impressive last weekend in its 51-12 victory over Fort Worth Wyatt, at the time the 10th-ranked team in Class 4A.

Sept. 8 -- Rangers blank Twins: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Rick Helling pitched a three-hit shutout and Juan Gonzalez highlighted a six-run seventh with a solo homer as the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins 6-0 on Monday.

Sept. 7 -- First weekend offers glimpse of Big 12 season: LUBBOCK - There is lots to be learned from the first full weekend of Big 12 action.

Sept. 6 -- Hot weather puts a crimp in high school football openers: According to the calendar, it was time for the fall high school football season, but the thermometer Friday night said it was still midsummer.

Sept. 6 -- Astros 6, Diamondbacks 5, 12 innings: PHOENIX (AP) -- For someone who thinks there's more light in the Astrodome than in the Bank One Ballpark, Jeff Bagwell saw the ball well enough Saturday.

Sept. 5 -- TCU studies itself to prepare for Iowa State: AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Know thyself.

Sept. 5 -- Homer chase offers sure bet to cash in on collectibles (Frank Luksa): ARLINGTON, Texas -- People who should know estimate the market value of home run Number 62 to break the Roger Maris' single-season record could be worth $1,000 for every foot it travels. Maybe more.

Sept. 5 -- Cal, Houston meet in season opener for both teams: BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- A lot has been made of California's schedule.

Sept. 5 -- Houston ballpark opponent files lawsuit to halt construction: HOUSTON (AP) -- An opponent of the downtown baseball park currently under construction has filed a lawsuit in a last-ditch effort to torpedo the issuance of $201.8 million in bonds crucial to the project.

Sept. 5 -- Sooners hope new look means new results: NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Darrell Dickey remembers as a boy watching Oklahoma in the early 1970s, when the Sooners used the wishbone to roll over opponents.

Sept. 4 -- Astrodome to boost security if McGwire record-breaker imminent: HOUSTON (AP) - Mark McGwire is so hot he might very well hit history-making homer No. 62 before he and the St. Louis Cardinals arrive in Houston next week. But the Astrodome is bracing just in case.

Sept. 4 -- New Mexico State faces big odds in Texas: LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico State can use just about any positive it can find as it travels to Austin to take on Texas in the season opener Saturday.

Sept. 4 -- Stars, Hitchcock agree on 3-year contract extension: IRVING, Texas (AP) - Ken Hitchcock, who coached the Dallas Stars to the Western Conference finals this year, today received a 3-year contract extension with the NHL team.

Sept. 4 -- Top teams jump into fire against tough competition: DALLAS (AP) - They say that to be the best, you've got to play the best. Many of the state's top ranked high school football teams will be testing that theory this weekend.

Sept. 3 -- Comets start gunning for three-peat: HOUSTON (AP) - Repeat has been a big part of the Houston Comets' second season in the 2-year-old WNBA.

Sept. 3 -- North Texas sizes up Sooners: North Texas coach Darrel Dickey isn't buying into the theory the Oklahoma Sooners are vulnerable.

Sept. 3 -- This week's high school football schedule: DALLAS (AP) - This week's high school football schedule as provided by The Dallas Morning News, based on schedules compiled by the Texas High School Coaches Association. All times CDT.

Sept. 3 -- Former champion gymnast dismounting from cancer: HOUSTON (AP) - Wracked by myriad injuries that cost him a place in the 1984 Olympics, gymnast Brian Babcock overcame long odds to vault back and win a national championship the following year.

Sept. 2 -- Comets 80, Mercury 71: HOUSTON - Two-time WNBA MVP Cynthia Cooper scored 23 points and Sheryl Swoopes led a late second-half charge as the Houston Comets beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-71 Tuesday night to win their second league championship.

Sept. 2 -- Fans: Bubba Smith is Southeast Texas' best schoolboy player: BEAUMONT, Texas - It used to be that defensive ends were known as the large, hulking and slow-footed players on the football field. Bubba Smith changed all of that.

Sept. 2 -- SMU quarterback intelligent, tough: DALLAS - Having successfully traversed the slippery slopes of Division I-A football as a redshirt freshman last season, Chris Sanders felt he was up for a bigger challenge.

Sept. 1 -- No. 2 Florida State 23, No. 14 Texas A&M 14: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Good old Chris Weinke received all the help he needed from young pals Peter Warrick and Travis Minor as No. 2 Florida State wore down No. 14 Texas A&M for a 23-14 victory in the Kickoff Classic on Monday night.

Sept. 1 -- Big 12 coaches not lulled by yards, points allowed by Nebraska: DALLAS - Just because Louisiana Tech set all sorts of passing records against Nebraska last weekend, don't expect Big 12 coaches to rip all the running schemes out of their playbooks when their teams play the Cornhuskers.

Sept. 1 -- Brown era begins at Texas: AUSTIN - Texas coach Mack Brown bumped into Darrell Royal on Monday, and the legendary former Longhorns coach offered a little advice.

Sept. 1 -- Dangerous, blue-chip bulls in demand on multimillion-dollar pro rodeo circuit: FORT WORTH, Texas - Cody Hart drew a notorious bull named Red Wolf at a rodeo last year in Alexandria, La. Some 2 1/2 years before, Red Wolf had fatally stomped Brent Thurman at the 1994 National Finals Rodeo.

Sept. 1 -- Travis Jones will continue family streak with Sandies: AMARILLO, Texas - For fans of Amarillo High football, keeping up with the Joneses continues in 1998. When quarterback Travis Jones steps under center to take a snap on Sept. 4 in Clovis, N.M., it will mean a member of the Dick Jones family has been a coach or player during a Sandies varsity football game for 20 consecutive seasons.

Sept. 1 -- Texas Sports Digest: WNBA Finals ... U.S. Amateur