Packers sign Eric Metcalf
GREEN BAY, Wis., Dec. 25 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers on Wednesday signed Eric Metcalf, the NFL's all-time leader in punt returns for touchdowns.
Seeking home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, the Packers also waived wideout-kick returner J.J. Moss and re-signed guard Jeff Blackshear while adding running back Reggie White and quarterback Greg Zolman to the practice squad.
Metcalf, 34, is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has been out of the league since serving as Washington's punt returner in 2001, when he averaged 7.0 yards on 34 attempts.
A 5-10, 195-pounder, Metcalf has totaled more than 9,000 return yards during a 12-year career. He has averaged 20.8 yards per kickoff return and 9.9 with 10 touchdowns on punts.
Metcalf also has 541 catches for 5,572 yards and 628 rushes for 2,385 yards since he was a first-round draft choice by Cleveland in 1989. The son of former NFL running back Terry Metcalf is joining his seventh NFL team.
The Packers (12-3) have clinched the NFC North and can claim home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win Sunday over the New York Jets and a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Giants.
UCLA wins Las Vegas Bowl
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- UCLA beat New Mexico, 27-13, Christmas Day in the LAs Vegas Bowl.
Craig Bragg returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter and freshman Jarrad Page took an interception 29 yards for a score as UCLA snapped its two-game bowl losing skid.
Kicker Katie Hnida of New Mexico became the first woman to appear in a Division I-A college football game, but had her extra point blocked with 8:20 to play in the first quarter, when New Mexico owned a 6-3 lead.
Under the guidance of interim coach Ed Kezirian, the Bruins (8-5) then scored 24 unanswered points and won a post-season game for the first time since beating Texas A&M in the 1998 Cotton Bowl.
Nate Fikse sparked the Bruins' outburst with his second field goal to knot the contest in the second. Freshman Tyler Ebell then capped it, recording his 10th rushing TD of the season to open a 27-6 cushion with 8:41 left in the contest.
New Mexico's Casey Kelly completed 19-of-33 passes for 240 yards with a TD, an interception and a fumble. He was sacked four times and the Lobos' offense finally scored with just 5 1/2 minutes to play.
The Lobos (7-7) fell to 2-4-1 all-time in bowl games after winning six of their final seven contests to earn just a third post-season berth in 41 years.
New Mexico kicker first woman in bowl game
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Kicker Katie Hnida became the first woman to appear in a 1-A bowl game Wednesday.
However, the New Mexico junior had her extra point blocked against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Hnida, 21, took the field with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter after cornerback Desmar Black intercepted Drew Olson's pass and returned it 55 yards to give New Mexico a 6-3 lead.
A 5-9, 150-pounder, Hnida was activated four weeks ago by New Mexico. The Littleton, Colo., native also became the first woman to dress for a bowl team.
Mike Davis faces suspension
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Indiana Coach Mike Davis faces suspension after his school was told by the Big Ten Conference that he had violated its ethical conduct policy.
Indiana was given a Friday deadline to take action against the coach, who replaced Bobby Knight and who took the Hoosiers to the national championship game last season.
"We will comply with the Big Ten's request and consider all of our options," Indiana Interim Athletic Director Terry Clapacs said. "We're taking this very seriously. I want to re-read the letter a few times and then we will decide what the best response will be."
Indiana was trailing Kentucky by a point last Saturday when Hoosiers guard Bracey Wright drove into the lane with three seconds remaining in an attempt to hit the winning basket. Wright was unsuccessful and Davis rushed onto the court to protest the lack of a foul call.
Davis was given two technical fouls and kicked out of the game. Kentucky converted five free throws as a result and won the game, 70-64.
The Indiana coach apologized after the game. The loss to Kentucky was the first of the year for the 11th-ranked Hoosiers, who next play at Temple on Saturday.
Rams quarterback Bulger won't need surgery
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger will miss the team's regular season finale next Monday because of a back injury but won't require surgery.
Bulger was hurt when he was sacked by Antonio Cochran and John Hilliard three minutes into Sunday's 30-10 loss at Seattle. A CT scan revealed no broken bones and Bulger will not require surgery, but will need to rest for 6-8 weeks.
"It's painful for him, but it's not going to hinder his career or affect him in any way," said Rams Coach Mike Martz of Bulger's injury.
On Sunday, Bulger was trying to become the first quarterback to win his first seven NFL starts since Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper in 2000, but attempted just one pass before the injury. Jamie Martin replaced Bulger and threw for 259 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted three times.
Scott Covington is the only other quarterback on the Rams roster. St. Louis lost starter Kurt Warner to a broken hand in a Dec. 1 loss at Philadelphia.
Bulger was 6-0 as a starter filling in for Warner this season, but also was sidelined for a few games with a sprained finger ligament. He has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,826 yards and 14 touchdowns with six interceptions.
