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Hokies rally past Georgia Tech

ATLANTA, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Bryan Randall threw three touchdown passes Thursday night in rallying 22nd-ranked Virginia Tech to a 34-20 victory over Georgia Tech.

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Randall completed 18 of 31 passes for 304 yards and the Hokies scored a controversial touchdown in the final minute to improve to 6-2 for the year and to 3-1 in the ACC. Virginia Tech has won four straight.

Virginia Tech trailed by eight with less than six minutes to play before Randall hit Eddie Royal with an 80-yard touchdown pass. Randall then hit Richard Johnson for a two-point conversion that tied it.

After a Georgia Tech punt, Randall threw a 50-yarder to Josh Morgan for another score with 3:10 remaining.

Roland Minor then intercepted a pass for Virginia Tech and ran it back for a touchdown, although replays showed he lost control of the ball before crossing the goal line.

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Georgia Tech fell to 4-3 and 3-3.


Sluman sets course record with 62

PALM HARBOR, Fla., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Jeff Sluman shot a course-record 62 Thursday to seize a two-shot lead after one round of the Chrysler Championship.

This is the last full-field event on the tour this year and will determine the 125 players who will automatically earn playing privileges for next season.

Jonathan Kaye, Kirk Triplett and Kent Jones were all at 7-under 64 while Vijay Singh and Justin Rose shot 65.

Singh, the world's top-ranked player, is seeking his ninth victory of the season.

"I'm not coming in here goal-oriented," said Sluman, 47, who ranks 79th on the money list this year. "I think if I just go out and just keep playing solid golf, maybe something good will happen."

Sluman capped his round by hitting a 7-iron from a fairway bunker to within a foot of the hole for birdie.


Beltran declares for free agency

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Carlos Beltran, who came close to leading Houston to the World Series, was among those declaring for free agency Thursday.

On the first day for declaration, 65 players opted to become free agents. Los Angeles third baseman Adrian Beltre joined Beltran among the top prospects.

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Beltran, 27, batted .435 and hit eight home runs in 12 playoff games this season. The Astros lost the NLCS to St. Louis in seven games.

Beltre, who had ankle surgery Thursday, is among those in the running for the NL MVP award. He led the majors with 48 homers with 121 RBI while hitting .334 this season.

Among those declaring for free agency Thursday were Troy Glaus and Troy Percival of Anaheim, J.D. Drew and Jaret Wright of Atlanta, Magglio Ordonez of the Chicago White Sox, Jeromy Burnitz of Colorado, Armando Benitez of Florida, Steve Finley of Los Angeles, Brad Radke of Minnesota, Jermaine Dye of Oakland, Kevin Millwood of Philadelphia and Carlos Delgado of Toronto.

Those eligible for free agency have 15 days after the end of the World Series to declare.


Things are different for Funny Cide

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Last year, Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide fizzled in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic but this year owner Jack Knowlton says things are different.

Funny Cide won the Derby and Preakness Stakes before losing the Triple Crown with a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Then he struggled home third in the Haskell and went to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup as a well-worn warrior. He beat only one horse.

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"It's a lot different than last year," Knowlton said at Thursday's media briefing at Lone Star Park, host for Saturday's eight Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship races.

"He got sick after the Haskell and had a layoff before the Classic and it didn't work out," Knowlton said. "We are happy to have a chance at redemption Saturday."

To redeem himself, Funny Cide will have to beat a tough field including defending champion Pleasantly Perfect and North America's top racemare, Azeri.

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