OMAHA — Second-year Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini signed a contract extension Monday that would keep him with the Cornhuskers through the 2013 season and boosts his base annual salary to $1.85 million.
The Huskers finished the season with a 9-4 record and tied for first in the Big 12 North. Nebraska beat Clemson 26-21 in the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“We are confident he has our program moving in the right direction,” athletic director Tom Osborne said.
The raise makes Pelini the sixth- highest-paid coach in the Big 12.
Mancuso wins giant slalom
GIRDWOOD, Alaska — Julia Mancuso won her 11th national title with a victory in the giant slalom at the U.S. Alpine Championships.
Mancuso was second in both runs to finish in a combined 2 minutes, 12.62 seconds, and it was enough to squeak by 21-year-old Megan McJames, who finished in 2:12.77. Keely Kelleher finished third in 2:14.06.
Hoffman lands on disabled list
PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle, ruling the all-time saves leader out for the start of the season.
• Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels (elbow) was ruled out of starting Sunday night’s opener against the Atlanta Braves and instead is likely to pitch the fourth game of the regular season, April 10 at Colorado.
• Cha Seung Baek will miss his final Cactus League start and possibly the start of the season for the San Diego Padres because of a strained right forearm.
• The Cleveland Indians placed David Dellucci on the 15-day DL with a strained left calf and recalled outfielder Trevor Crowe from Triple-A Columbus (Ohio).
• The Tampa Bay Rays released former all-star infielder Morgan Ensberg.
Palmer says elbow fully healed
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer considers his throwing elbow fully healed as he begins offseason workouts.
Palmer chose not to have reconstructive surgery for a partially torn ligament and tendon in his right elbow, which sidelined him for 12 games last season. Instead, he decided to see whether rest would heal the injury.
“I was kind of going against a bunch of doctors and relying on one and what he said, and it turned out he was right,” Palmer said.
• Offensive tackle Marvel Smith and the San Francisco 49ers agreed to a two-year deal.
Footnotes.
Kevin Harvick passed Kyle Busch with just more than nine laps to go and held on through a final restart to win the rain-delayed Kroger 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
• Tiger Woods‘ comeback victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday earned NBC the best overnight rating (4.9 with a 10 share) for a golf event since his U.S. Open victory in June.
• New Orleans Hornets forward James Posey will miss at least the next three games with a sprained left elbow.
The Associated Press
