Known for its ever-changing, often outrageous uniforms and a point-a-minute offense, Oregon now has a new distinction: No. 1 team in the country.
The Ducks climbed to the top spot for the first time Sunday, moving up one position during an off week after previously top-ranked Ohio State lost, 31-18, at Wisconsin on Saturday night.
“We don’t have to talk about rankings with these guys,” Ducks coach Chip Kelly said in a telephone interview. “Whether we’re No. 1 in the country or 101, it won’t affect how we prepare.”
“But the only important thing is to be No. 1 in a month and a half on Dec. 5.”
That’s when the final BCS standings come out.
In the AP poll, which is not part of the BCS standings, Boise State also moved up one place to No. 2. Oklahoma jumped three spots to No. 3, passing No. 4 TCU. Auburn moved up two spots to fifth, while the Buckeyes dropped to 11th.
Minnesota fires coach Brewster
Minneapolis — Tim Brewster arrived at Minnesota in 2007 promising to bring the Golden Gophers back to the Rose Bowl, to heights not seen on campus in more than a generation.
He leaves with fan apathy nearing an all-time high, having failed to capitalize on the momentum from a beautiful new stadium and joining a long list of coaches who haven’t been able to get it done at Minnesota.
Brewster was fired Sunday, one day after the Golden Gophers lost to Purdue to fall to 1-6 in his fourth season on the sideline. Brewster went 15-30 at Minnesota, including 6-21 in the Big Ten, and the Gophers’ 28-17 loss to the Boilermakers was their sixth straight defeat.
He was 0-10 in trophy games and never beat chief rivals Wisconsin or Iowa.
Rutgers DT paralyzed below neck
Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed below the neck after making a tackle during a game against Army, and he will remain hospitalized for the near future.
Coach Greg Schiano said Sunday that LeGrand was resting in the intensive care unit at Hackensack University Medical Center.
Bristol president dies at 60
Bristol, Tenn. — Jeff Byrd, the longtime president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, died Sunday following a lengthy illness, the speedway said.
He was 60.
Mediate captures Frys.com crown
San Martin, Calif. — The familiar chants of “Rocco! Rocco!” never sounded better or louder as he approached the 18th hole.
Rocco Mediate holed out for eagle for the fourth straight day, hitting a pitching wedge approach from 116 yards that spun back into the cup on the par-4 17th hole Sunday en route to a one-stroke victory over Bo Van Pelt and rookie Alex Prugh in the Frys.com Open.
Recari wraps up first victory
Danville, Calif. — Spain’s Beatriz Recari won the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour title, overcoming soggy conditions and a late bogey for a one-stroke victory over France’s Gwladys Nocera.
Gore wins record seventh title
Miami — Jason Gore won the Miccosukee Championship on Sunday for his record seventh Nationwide Tour title, closing with an even-par 71 in windy conditions for a four-stroke victory over Kevin Kisner and Scott Gutschewski.
Green prevails at Portugal Masters
Vilamoura, Portugal — Richard Green shot a 65 to win the Portugal Masters on Sunday, beating a group of four players by two strokes after overnight leader Pablo Martin collapsed down the stretch.
Harrington snaps winless streak
Johor Bahru, Malaysia — Padraig Harrington earned his first victory in two years Sunday, winning the Asian Tour’s Iskandar Johor Open by three strokes over Noh Seung-yul of South Korea.
Murray drops Federer at Shanghai
Shanghai — Andy Murray defeated an error-prone Roger Federer, 6-3, 6-2, Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters for his second title of the year.
Murray broke the Swiss player’s serve four times while fighting off six break points. He also served six aces, while Federer had three.
Date Krumm, age 40, falls in final
Osaka, Japan — Tamarine Tanasugarn beat Kimiko Date Krumm, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1, in the Japan Women’s Open final on Sunday, spoiling the 40-year-old Japanese player’s bid to become the oldest WTA Tour singles winner.