Paterno plans to return for 44th football season
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Joe Paterno said Saturday, following the Nittany Lions' 49-18 win over Michigan State, he plans to return in 2009 as Penn State University football coach.
Paterno, 81, has coached Penn State football for the last 43 seasons, beginning in 1966 when he replaced Rip Engle. His tenure is the longest of any coach at a single university in college football history.
Paterno, whose coaching record is 382-126-3, has more wins than any other coach in major college history. He also holds the record for most bowl wins, going 23-10-1 in post-season play.
Paterno has coached Penn State to two national titles, in 1982 and 1986, and five undefeated seasons, in 1994, 1986, 1973, 1969 and 1968. He is the only coach to win each of the four major bowls -- Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar -- as well as the Cotton Bowl at least once.
Pettersen leads women's ADT Championship
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Suzann Pettersen had a 4-under 68 Saturday to take the third round lead at the women's ADT Championship at West Palm Beach, Fla.
Before the third round, the field was cut to the top 16 and scores were reset. The top eight players after Saturday's round moved on to Sunday's final round, when the scores will be reset once again to set up a one-round shootout for a $1 million first-place check.
Last week's Lorena Ochoa Invitational winner, Angela Stanford, birdied the last hole Saturday to finish second at 3-under 69. Paula Creamer shot a 70 and was tied with Seon-Hwa Lee.
After Annika Sorenstam's LPGA Tour career ended with a missed cut Friday and defending champion Ochoa also failed in her quest for another victory, Creamer, with a win, can trump Ochoa and win the money title.
However, Creamer complained of flu-like symptoms all week, and the doctor on site Saturday morning said Creamer might have appendicitis.
Oklahoma City fires Coach P.J. Carlesimo
OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Oklahoma City has fired Coach P.J. Carlesimo after a 1-12 start.
Assistant Scott Brooks was named to replace him on an interim basis.
"This was a very difficult decision to make," Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said in a statement released by the team shortly after Friday's 105-80 loss to New Orleans, its 10th straight setback. "It is one that I felt was necessary at this time. I am very appreciative of the hard work and effort that P.J. gave to this team and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
The Thunder has trailed by at least 30 points in five of its past nine games, has given up at least 100 points in seven straight, ranks 25th in points allowed with a 101.2-point average, and is 29th in the NBA with an 88.9 points per game scoring average.
Oliver Wilson leads Hong Kong Open
HONG KONG, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- England's Oliver Wilson shot 5-under-par 65 Saturday and leads the European Tour's Hong Kong Open golf tournament by one stroke through 54 holes.
Wilson's total, 13-under 197, led Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang (64). His 65 followed successive 4-under 66 totals Thursday and Friday.
Wilson was part of a four-way deadlock at the top of the leader board when the round started, and he had to compose himself after a bogey at Saturday's first hole.
Later, he compiled three birdies in a four-hole stretch to begin the back nine, and added a birdie at the 17th hole, which gave him the lead outright.
"I am very happy with today," he said, (but) it will take a good round tomorrow. I'll just keep doing what I am doing and hopefully it will be enough."
Germany's Bernhard Langer (63) is third at 11-under 199 with four others one shot further back.
