Obituary

Former UCLA star Baldwin dies at 85

Burr Baldwin, one of just eight UCLA football players to have his jersey number (38) retired, died Monday night in Bakersfield. He was 85. Baldwin had been diagnosed with cancer in April.

He was UCLA's first consensus All-American, earning honors in 1946, the same year in which he placed seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. He played in UCLA first two Rose Bowls, following the 1942 and 1946 seasons. As a senior in 1946, he led the Bruins with 18 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns.

College football

Oklahoma chooses starting quarterback

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford was chosen to start in the Sooners' opener against North Texas, winning a three-way competition.

Bradford, a redshirt freshman, distanced himself from junior Joey Halzle, an Oaks Christian School graduate, and freshman Keith Nichol when he completed 12 of 17 passes for 130 yards and four touchdowns in a scrimmage Sunday.

"We are going with Sam because he earned the position," coach Bob Stoops said. "We expect both Joey and Keith to continue working hard and competing for playing time just like all our players do at every position.

"There may be an opportunity for them at some point and it will be important for them to be ready."

None of Oklahoma's three quarterback candidates had significant experience. Halzle played in only two games last season in mop-up duty, Bradford redshirted and Nichol only arrived on campus in January after graduating early from high school.

Tennis

American Isner wins Pilot Pen opener

American rookie John Isner waited through nine hours of rain, then beat Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4 in 57 minutes in the first round of the Pilot Pen at New Haven, Conn.

Fan favorite James Blake, who grew up in nearby Fairfield, also won his first match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, over Arnaud Clement of France in front of a rowdy group of fans known as the "J-Block" who showed up for the late match.

Olympics

AP to offer exclusive NBC sports, video

The Associated Press and NBC Universal reached a deal that allows AP to include video links and other exclusive content from the 2008 Summer Olympics in a premium online service, the companies said. NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co., owns the broadcast and video rights to the Games, which begin Aug. 8 in Beijing.

Miscellaneous

Continental pulling name off arena

Continental Airlines Inc. has decided to opt out of its deal for its name to appear on the home of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and the NHL's New Jersey Devils, the arena's owner said.

The Meadowlands building has been called Continental Airlines Arena for 12 years, but the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority said it is hunting for a new company to put its name on what is now Continental Airlines Arena.

Hockey

Canucks re-sign Linden for one year

Trevor Linden re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $600,000.