by St. Petersburg Times

"It's not my style to call people out. But if people call me out, I will defend myself. You smack me, I'll punch you every time. I don't care who it is."

Shaquille O'Neal

Cleveland Cavaliers center

Names in the games

Miller named Big East defensive player of week

West Virginia University's Julian Miller was named the Big East defensive player of the week Monday.

Miller, a sophomore defensive end, turned in six tackles, including three sacks, and broke up one pass in the Mountaineers' 17-9 win Saturday over Louisville.

The Columbus, Ohio, native delivered sacks on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals threatened for the tying touchdown. Miller spearheaded a WVU defense that held its opponent without a touchdown for the first time this season.

Memphis fires West, but he'll finish season

Memphis fired football coach Tommy West Monday.

The firing comes after the Tigers started the season 2-7 and less than 48 hours after a 56-28 loss to Tennessee.

West is 49-58 in his ninth season as head coach. He led Memphis to five bowl games in the past six years, but the Tigers are 1-4 in Conference USA this year.

Henry has surgery on arm, out for season

Bengals receiver Chris Henry will miss the rest of the season after having surgery Monday on his broken left forearm.

Henry, who played at West Virginia under Rich Rodriguez, is in the final year of his contract with the Bengals. He was fourth among Bengals receivers this season with 12 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Poca man wins Gridiron Gold Mine Week 11

Bob Boggs of Poca was the winner in Week 11 of the Gazette Gridiron Gold Mine football prediction contest.

Boggs was one of three entrants to correctly pick the winners of 14 games, and he won the $75 weekly prize via the tiebreaker after guessing 42 points would be scored in the New England-Miami game. Henry Conant (45 points in tiebreaker guess) and Everett Shepherd (37) also were right on 14 games.

Boggs is now eligible for the season-ending championship contest, worth $500 to the winner.

Today's birthday

Kendick Perkins, 1984

Boston Celtics center

- From staff, wire reports

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