In Sports from United Press International

Owens will not be disciplined

NEW YORK, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Colorful but controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens of the San Francisco 49ers has avoided discipline by the front office of the National League for his antics after a touchdown catch Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

After a 37-yard scoring reception in the third quarter of the 49ers' 28-21 victory, Owens pulled a pen, called a Sharpie, from his sock, autographed the football, and gave it to a fan in the stands. That fan turned out to be Greg Eastman, who is the financial adviser for both Owens and Seahawks defensive back Shawn Springs, who was beaten by Owens on the play.

"I don't feel it's a slap in the face," Springs said.

Owens knows he is likely to be more of a marked man for San Francisco opponents.

"Because of the things I do on the field, everybody probably wants to take shots at me now," Owens told the San Francisco Chronicle. "If they want to take shots at me, cool. If they've looked at the films, they know that I'm bigger, I'm faster, and I'm stronger. And my heart don't pump no Kool-Aid."

Springs was one of the players who did not feel he was shown up by Owens' actions. His low-key reaction has drawn the ire of some of his Seattle teammates and coaches.

"You can tell by my gesture when I did it, it wasn't anything out of spite, wasn't anything as far as taunting," Owens said. "The thing is, I play the game hard, I try to add excitement to it. Hey, it's entertainment, you know what I mean? I know those guys over there (Seattle) are all talking, saying I've got no class and all that. You're going to have bitter feelings when you're on the losing end. I'm always trying to do something creative with whatever I do."

Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren, clearly angered, suggested Owens might want to be especially alert when the 49ers and Seahawks meet again on Dec. 1.

This Sunday, the 49ers face the rejuvenated New Orleans Saints at the Superdome.

Hoffman undergoes shoulder surgery

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman Wednesday

underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.

The procedure, which smoothed and cleaned up fraying in the rotator cuff, was performed in Los Angeles by Drs. Lewis Yocum and Jan Fronek, three days after Hoffman's 35th birthday. The veteran righthander is expected to report to spring training at full strength. Fronek is San Diego's team physician.

"Trevor had a procedure where they went in and did a debridement of his right rotator cuff," said Padres Assistant General Manager Fred Uhlman Jr. "There was a very small partial tear of the rotator cuff. The doctors went in there and cleaned that out. Trevor will begin his rehab on Friday, and he will begin a throwing program in late December and he'll be ready to go in spring training. It was what the doctors thought they were going to find. For going in and doing surgery, it was a positive outcome."

Hoffman reportedly made the decision upon his return to Southern California after spending a week in Buffalo, N.Y., with his family.

Hoffman, ranked fifth on the all-time saves list with 352, posted a 2-5 record with 38 saves and a 2.73 ERA in 61 games this past season. In 59 1/3 innings, he allowed 52 hits with 69 strikeouts and just 18 walks.

Hoffman, who has never been on the disabled list in his 10-year major league career, has logged more saves for one team than any pitcher in major league history. He trails Lee Smith, John Franco, Dennis Eckersley and Jeff Reardon on the all-time list.

Injured Mauck out at LSU

BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Matt Mauck, the starting quarterback at Louisiana State, will be out indefinitely after suffering a mid-foot injury in last Saturday's 36-7 rout of SEC rival Florida in Gainesville.

Mauck, a sophomore from Jasper, Ind., was re-evaluated by LSU team doctor Brent Bankston on Tuesday night.

"The evaluation on Tuesday showed he has a significant injury to the mid-foot," said Bankston. "At this time, he will be out indefinitely and will undergo further testing to determine if surgery is necessary."

Mauck was injured when a Florida defender rolled over his right foot after a tackle.

Through six games, he has completed 63-of-130 passes for 782 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Also, he has rushed for 175 yards and two scores.

Mauck went 13-of-20 for 153 yards and two scores against the Gators. He has not thrown an interception since the second game of the season, a streak that spans 88 consecutive passes.

In his absence, sophomore Marcus Randall will takeover as the starting quarterback for the Tigers. Randall has appeared in four games this year, completing 4-of-8 passes for 33 yards. He also has rushed for 13 yards on five carries.

LSU hosts South Carolina Saturday night.

Collins quits at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Ne., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Nebraska running back Thunder Collins, citing financial hardship, has quit the school's football in order to take care of his younger brother.

Collins said a large cut in his scholarship money prompted his decision. His monthly scholarship money had been reduced from $404 to $199 after he was suspended for four games for violating NCAA policy.

NCAA rules require players to provide restitutions for violations.

"I have to do what I have to do to make money," Collins told the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star. "I'm not saying this is the end of football for me, but for now it is."

The Los Angeles native is caring for his 17-year-old brother, Precious Scott, a senior at Lincoln Northeast High School.

Collins, 23, told the paper that he hopes to find a job and continue to train for a possible NFL career.

He never reached his potential at Nebraska after arriving as a ballyhooed transfer in 2000. He rushed for 77 yards in 2000 and 647 last season playing behind Dahrran Diedrick.

Collins was suspended after rushing 10 times for 22 yards in the season opener against Arizona State.

Oklahoma State loses Crawford

STILLWATER, Okla., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Terrence Crawford, a junior swingman for the men's basketball team at Oklahoma State, is out for the upcoming campaign after suffering a season-ending ankle injury at the end of practice on Monday.

He has already undergone surgery.

"Terrence had successful surgery to repair his Achilles tendon, which was ruptured while conditioning during Monday's practice," said Athletic Trainer Murphy Grant. "Following a surgery of this type, he can expect to begin participation with the team in 6-9 months."

"It's very unfortunate for Terrence and a big blow to our team," said Associate Coach Sean Sutton. "Terrence had played well the first three days of practice. He's so versatile we planned on playing him on the perimeter some, but also use him inside, especially in a zone defense."

"Knowing they'll need me and I can't help will be tough," Crawford told The Oklahoman. "I'm trying to look at the positives. The biggest positive is it gives me a chance to mature. I can still be a leader."

Crawford averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest in 31 games for the Cowboys last season.

Centenary joining Mid-Continent Conference

ELMHURST, Ill., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Centenary College has accepted an invitation to become the ninth member of the Mid-Continent Conference.

Centenary will begin league competition in the 2003-2004 school year, and immediately will be eligible to compete for conference championships and NCAA berths. It will compete in the 2002-03 academic year as an independent.

The Mid-Continent Presidents Council unanimously voted on Oct. 10 to extend an invitation for membership to Centenary, which formally accepted at a press conference Thursday at the Gold Dome on the school's campus in Shreveport, La.

"One of the factors that most interested me was the manner in which Centenary College examined its athletics program," said Mid-Continent Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher.

"After a good deal of introspection, Centenary recommitted itself to having a strong NCAA Division I athletics program, and has made the commitment to financially support the program, provide very good facilities, and hire outstanding coaches."

Chicago State, Indiana University-Purdue, Missouri-Kansas City, Oakland University, Oral Roberts, Southern Utah, Valparaiso and Western Illinois are the other members of the conference.