LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California’s 2004 Bowl Championship Series title could be in jeopardy if the NCAA rules Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush retroactively ineligible and issues sanctions against the school.
USA Today reported the BCS in 2007 adopted a policy calling for teams’ BCS appearances and titles to be vacated when major rules violations subsequently are discovered and the institutions are sanctioned by the NCAA. Bush was at the center of a four-year investigation of USC’s athletic program.
If the NCAA deems USC must vacate wins in games in which Bush participated, the BCS could act to strip the Trojans of a title won with a 55-19 rout of Oklahoma. USC also won the 2004 Associated Press title. At the time, the AP poll was part of the BCS formula, but the AP result would not necessarily be changed based on what the BCS might do.
76ers, Collins agree to deal
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers agreed to terms on a four- year contract with TV analyst Doug Collins to become their new coach. Collins, 58, is 332-287 in coaching stints with Chicago, Detroit and Washington.
• New Jersey Nets team president Rod Thorn will take over as the team’s general manager. Thorn said the franchise would combine the two positions instead of replacing GM Kiki Vandeweghe, whose contract expires June 30.
• Referee Joe DeRosa has been suspended without pay for throwing a ball at a fan during halftime of Tuesday night’s playoff game in Orlando, Fla.
Pozzato wins Giro’s 12th stage
PORTO RECANATI, Italy — Filippo Pozzato won the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia, and Richie Porte of Australia maintained the overall lead. Pozzato finished the 128-mile stage from Citta Sant’Angelo to Porto Recanati in 5 hours, 15 minutes, 50 seconds. He leads David Arroyo Duran of Spain by 1 minute, 42 seconds.
Russia eliminates Canada
COLOGNE, Germany — Evgeni Malkin scored twice, and Russia beat Canada at the world ice hockey championship, eliminating the Olympic champion with a convincing 5-2 victory. Avalanche forward Matt Duchene scored for the Canadians with 14.1 seconds left.
In the semifinals, Russia will face host Germany, which beat Switzerland 1-0. The other semifinal Saturday will be Sweden against the Czech Republic. Sweden beat Denmark 4-2 and the Czechs held off Finland 2-1 in a shootout.
Footnotes.
Eddie Gaven and Andy Iro scored first-half goals to lead the undefeated Columbus Crew over the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in Harrison, N.J.
• Mike Magee scored in the 17th minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat FC Dallas 1-0 in Frisco, Texas.
• Sophia Young scored 23 points to lead the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars past the Tulsa Shock 83-74 in WNBA play.
• Dublin will not be entered in the Belmont Stakes, eliminating the chance of any horse running in all three Triple Crown races this year.
