In Sports from United Press International

Baylor unveils Morris

WACO, Texas, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Guy Morriss Wednesday was introduced as the new football coach at Baylor.

The downtrodden Bears have had one of the losingest Division I programs in the country in recent years. They has four-year record of 4-32 under Morriss' successor, Kevin Steele, winning just one conference game in the Big 12.

Steele, who had a 24-game conference losing streak, was fired Nov. 3.

"Guy Morriss is a perfect fit for Baylor football," said Director of Athletics Tom Stanton. "His perseverance through his playing and coaching career demonstrates a man who knows what it takes to succeed. The response to this hire that I've received in the last 24 hours from Baylor people, outside observers and the Texas football community has been overwhelming."

Morriss spent 18 years in the National Football League, where he was an All-Pro player, played in two Super Bowls, and coached for three seasons.

He is a native Texan (Colorado City, Texas) who played high school and college football in Texas, and has recruited in the state for years.

During his tenure at Kentucky, the Wildcats had 10 players earn All-SEC recognition, and two were named All-American. In his six seasons at the school, four UK offensive linemen were selected first-team All-SEC, and three earned freshman All-America honors.

"The opportunity to return home to Texas and to do so at a great institution like Baylor were the primary factors in my decision to take this job," Morriss said. "I know there is a lot of work ahead and the challenges are great, but I have confidence that we can help Baylor win again. Football is important to the state of Texas and to people who love Baylor; those are two pretty good ingredients for success."

Morriss is second coach in the last two weeks to leave an SEC school for the Big 12 in Texas. On Friday, Dennis Franchione left Alabama to fill the vacancy at Texas A&M.

He assistant at Kentucky from 1997-2000, and took over for Hal Mumme in 2001, posting a two-year record of 9-14.

Utah hires Meyer

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The University of Utah Wednesday hired Urban Meyer as its new football coach.

Meyer posted a two-year record of 17-6 at Bowling Green. He will be introduced officially at a news conference on Thursday.

Bowling Green was the most improved team in the country in 2001, going 8-3 after winning just two games in 2000. This year, the Falcons finished 9-3, and were ranked in the top 25 for five weeks.

"Urban is one of the brightest stars in the coaching fraternity and he has left our program in tremendous shape," said Bowling Green Athletic director Paul Krebs.

Prior to joining the staff at Bowling Green, Meyer, 38, spent four seasons as the wide receivers coach at Notre Dame. The 1986 graduate of Cincinnati also has coached at Ohio State, Illinois State, and Colorado State.

At Utah, Meyer will replace long-time coach Ron McBride, who was dismissed after posting a 13-year record of 88-63.

The Utes have gone just 17-17 since the start of the 2000 campaign, including 10-11 in the Mountain West Conference. They went 5-6 this season.

Saban steps down at Chowan

MURFREESBORO, N.C., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Lou Saban has resigned as football coach at Chowan College after winning just two games in two season.

Saban, 81, was hired on an interim basis in October of 2001 with five games to play after the resignation of Steve Lee.

The Braves went 2-3 during his 2001 tenure, and Saban was hired full-time.

In 2002, the Braves went 0-10 under the former NFL coaching great. They were plagued by injuries and inexperience.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a successful football legend," said Athletic Director Debbie Warren. "I am also very encouraged by the spirit of competitiveness that he has instilled in the football program while at Chowan."

"I would like to say that I am deeply grateful to Coach Saban for his willingness to step in at an awkward time to help Chowan's athletic program," said President Dr. Stanley Lott. "He brought a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience that is hard to find."

Saban is a member of the Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame. In 1964 and '65, he led the Bills to record of 12-2 and 10-3-1, respectively, and two AFC titles. His overall record of 70-47-1 is second-best in Bills history behind Marv Levy.

Defensive backs coach Steve Gill has been named as Saban's successor.

"I am looking forward to working with someone as energetic as Steve," Warren said. "I feel he is someone who is ready to take the reign and build a solid program at Chowan College."

Gill has coached ten seasons at the college level, including stints at Frostburg State College, Western Maryland, and Waynesburg College.

"I am excited about this opportunity," Gill said. "I feel truly blessed with the chance to make a difference to help build a new tradition of winning at Chowan College."

Chowan is plays in the Division III Dixie Conference.

Iowa tight end named nation's best

MANHASSET, N.Y., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Dallas Clark of Iowa has been named winner of the 2002 John Mackey Award as the best tight end in college football.

The announcement was made by the Nassau County (N.Y.) Sports Commission.

Clark, a junior who began his career as a walk-on linebacker for the Hawkeyes, will be honored at the NCSC's annual awards dinner banquet in Westbury, N.Y., on April 8.

"I feel very honored to be named the recipient of the John Mackey Award," Clark said. "I accept this honor on behalf of every single teammate at the University of Iowa, because I would not be in a position for such an award without the hard work of each and every player in our program."

Clark was the second-leading receiver for the 11-1 Hawkeyes, the Big Ten Conference co-champions, who will meet Southern California in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 2.

Clark had 39 receptions for 645 yards, a 16.5-yard average, and four touchdowns. He was named Big Ten Player of the Week after Iowa's 31-28 victory over Purdue on Oct. 5, when he had three catches for 111 yards, including a 95-yard touchdown reception and a seven-yard catch for the winning score on fourth down with 1:07 to play.

"I also want to give thanks to Coach Kirk Ferentz and the entire coaching staff for all their hard work in helping all of us, and especially for helping me be a better tight end," Clark said. "The individual honors are only a reflection of the dedicated efforts of the entire staff and all of my teammates."

Colorado's Dan Graham was last year's winner, which is named after the Long Island native who was only the second strictly tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bears put two on IR

CHICAGO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The lowly Chicago Bears Tuesday mercifully ended the seasons of two players, putting them on injured reserve.

The players are running back Anthony Thomas and backup tight end Dustin Lyman.

Thomas, the 2001 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year when he rushed for 1,183 yards and helped the Bears win their first NFC Central Division title since 1990, suffered a fractured left index finger in a game Dec. 1 at Green Bay.

He also was Chicago's leading ground gainer this year as well with 721 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. He added 24 pass catches for 163 yards.

Lyman, the club's backup tight end, also was injured in the Green Bay game when he caught two touchdown passes before rupturing the ACL in his left knee.

He had 14 catches for 121 yards for the year.

Also, quarterback Jim Miller will not play again this season. Miller suffered a hyperextended left knee Monday night when Miami lineman Rob Burnett was pushed back into his leg, and Miller had to be carted off the field.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that an MRI showed some damage to the MCL. The paper said the injury will not require surgery. Currently, Miller is on crutches.

A season after their magical campaign, the Bears (3-10) are one of three teams with double-digit losses in the NFC North, and are in a three-way tie for last place in the division.

Erickson has shoulder injury

BALTIMORE, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Baltimore Orioles righthander Scott Erickson has a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Erickson missed 1 1/2 seasons with elbow problems before returning in 2002.

The team announced Wednesday that Erickson will undergo a rehabilitation program and is expected to be ready in time for that start of spring training.

Erickson, 34, had "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow in August 2000 and missed all of the 2001 season before going 5-12 with a 5.55 ERA in 29 games in 2002.

Erickson, who relies on keeping the ball down and getting groundouts, is 140-128 with a 4.51 ERA in 355 career games. He had his best season with the Orioles in 1997, when he was 16-7 with a 3.69 ERA as Baltimore won the American League East Division.

In his second major league season, he went 20-8 with a 3.18 ERA, and helped the Minnesota Twins win their second World Series title in 1991.

Padres ink two

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The San Diego Padres have signed veteran infielder Dave Hansen and once-promising pitcher Jaret Wright.

The signings are aimed at bolstering their bench and pitching depth. Financial terms of the signings were not disclosed.

Hansen was signed to a two-year contract after spending the last 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .292 with two homers and 17 RBI in 120 at-bats last season.

Hansen, 34, is one of the sport's most prolific pinch hitters. He has 120 career hits, putting him No. 6 all time on the career pinch-hit list. He has 14 homers and 68 RBI as a pinch hitter.

San Diego signed Wright, 26, to a one-year deal.

The righthander spent his first five seasons with the Cleveland Indians, going 35-32 with a 5.50 ERA in 98 games, including 96 starts.

He split time between the major leagues and Triple-A Buffalo last season, going 2-3 with an ERA of 15.71 in eight appearances, six starts, for the Indians.