Pirate Galaxy » The Blue Jays and Orioles play for first pla

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee safety Micah Abernathy stopped playing offense once he arrived in college, but the former high school running back continues finding ways to get the ball in his hands.Abernathy clinched Tennessees season-opening overtime victory over Appalachian State by breaking up a fourth-down pass into the end zone. He followed that up by setting a school single-game record last week with three fumble recoveries in a 45-24 triumph over Virginia Tech .The sophomore from Atlanta said he couldnt remember ever having that many takeaways in a single game.Maybe in Little League or something like that, Abernathy quipped.Abernathys emergence doesnt surprise coaches and teammates, who raved about him throughout the preseason for his consistency. His performance against Virginia Tech makes Abernathy the reigning Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week heading into the 15th-ranked Volunteers Saturday afternoon game with Ohio (1-1).You know what youre getting with Micah every single day, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. He has great instincts for the football. Hes around the football. Hes really helping us win football games right now. Hes also turning into one of our leaders in the back end of our defense.Tennessee (2-0) had to break in two new starters at safety following the graduations of Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil, who combined for 89 career starts. The development of Abernathy and junior Todd Kelly Jr. has turned a potential weakness into a strength.I like steady players and hes been very, very steady, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said. He and TK have both been pretty steady back there and have done a good job. Thats really whats separated them at the safety position. Theyre composed. They communicate well. I think the best is yet to come from Micah.The mentality that has made Abernathy an effective defensive player was evident even as he rushed for over 1,500 yards while helping Greater Atlanta Christian reach a state final his senior year in high school.Abernathy, the grandson of former civil rights leader Ralph David Abernathy Sr., played both running back and cornerback in high school. His high school coach said Abernathy preferred playing defense.He was pretty special carrying the ball, but we knew hed be a DB at the next level, Greater Atlanta Christian coach Tim Hardy said. Thats his heart and his passion. When I see him making those big plays Saturday night ... it doesnt shock me at all because hes always a guy to make a big play at a big moment when people needed him to do that.Abernathys first takeaway against Virginia Tech turned the game around. Virginia Tech led 14-0 when Abernathy recovered a fumble at the Hokies 5-yard line. The Vols reached the end zone on the next play to start a run of 31 straight Tennessee points.He also recovered two fourth-quarter fumbles, one of which led to a Tennessee touchdown.Jeff Williams, the NCAA associate director for media coordination and statistics, said Abernathy is the fourth player since 2014 to recover three fumbles in a single game. The others were Georgia States Bobby Baker last season and North Carolinas Dominique Green and Wake Forests Tylor Harris in 2014.Coming into the season, I wanted to contribute as a starter and just do my best to help my teammates out, Abernathy said. I feel like Ive done that so far.---AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org Todd Davis Jersey . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. John Elway Jersey . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. http://www.cheapbroncosjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-noah-fant-jersey . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Bug Howard Jersey . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Adam Gotsis Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Sunday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Five days before the opening of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, IOC President Thomas Bach holds a news conference that is expected to be dominated by the Russian doping scandal and the final preparations for South Americas first games. News conference underway.- SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The third round of the rain-delayed PGA Championship is finally over and second-round co-leader Jimmy Walker holds a one-shot lead over defending champion Jason Day.- CLEVELAND -- Serious about winning it all this season, the Cleveland Indians acquire left-handed reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees in exchange for four players.- CLEVELAND -- A person familiar with the situation says Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy has blocked his proposed trade to the Cleveland Indians.- HOUSTON -- He was the first player Jerry Colangelo ever spoke to about joining a new U.S. national team program and now hes the last one still standing. Carmelo Anthony may never win an NBA title, but hes on the verge of becoming mens basketballs most decorated Olympian and seemingly securing his spot in the Hall of Fame.- NEW YORK -- The US Olympic womens team plays its final exhibition game when the Americans take on rival Australia at Madison Square Garden.ddddddddddddGame starts 4 p.m.- TORONTO -- The Blue Jays and Orioles play for first place in the AL East. Toronto won the first two games of this three-game series to take a half-game lead over Baltimore and give the Orioles five straight losses since ending a five-game winning streak. Game starts 1:07 p.m.- CHICAGO -- Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (5-4, 3.45) hopes to get back on track in a primetime game against the Cubs. Left-hander Brian Matusz will be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start for Chicago, giving Kyle Hendricks and the rest of Chicagos rotation an extra day of rest. Game starts 8:08 p.m.- LONG POND, Pa. -- With heavy rain hitting the track, Pocono Raceway hopes to avoid its second Monday race of the season. Martin Truex Jr. sits on the pole for the 400-mile race. Race starts 1:15 p.m.- OCEANPORT, N.J. -- Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist gets a chance to avenge the only loss of his career when he meets up with Preakness winner Exaggerator and four others in the $1 million Haskell Invitational. Post time 5:49 p.m. ' ' '