Auburn passes Oregon for BCS lead
IRVING, Texas, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Auburn bypassed Oregon by a razor-thin margin to claim the top spot of the Bowl Championship Series rankings released Sunday.
Oregon fell to No. 2, .0002 of a point behind Auburn, while the only other undefeated team, Texas Christian, remained No. 3.
The rankings were also reason for Oklahoma to celebrate -- the Sooners finished ninth and won a tie-breaker with Oklahoma State and Texas A&M for the Big 12 South division, gaining the right to play Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.
Boise State's loss to Nevada resulted in a precipitous drop for the Broncos from No. 4 to No. 11, while Stanford jumped from No. 6 to No. 4, which will likely earn the Cardinals an invitation to a BCS bowl game.
Wisconsin, as expected, retained its No. 5 spot, making it the top-ranked Big 10 team and thus the conference's likely champion when its final standings are officially announced this week.
The Badgers finished the season tied with Ohio State and Michigan State atop the Big 10. The Buckeyes finished sixth and the Spartans eighth in the BCS poll.
Arkansas, meanwhile, was ranked seventh and Louisiana State fell to No. 10.
Bears fan falls to death at Soldier Field
CHICAGO, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A Chicago Bears fan fell to his death inside Solider Field during Sunday's Bears victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, authorities said.
Chicago Police and Fire Department officials said the victim, identified as Stewart Haverty, 23, fell about 50 feet and landed on a rooftop on the west side of the stadium, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Haverty was taken in critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m., officials said.
The Tribune reported witnesses claimed they saw the man run up to a ledge and jump over it.
Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien told the newspaper an investigation is under way, adding that the Cook County medical examiner's office also was looking into the death.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, he said.
Report: Marlins ink Vazquez to 1-year deal
MIAMI, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The Florida Marlins have agreed to terms with veteran free-agent pitcher Javier Vazquez on a one-year contract, sources told MLB.com Sunday.
The Web site, citing "multiple sources," said Vazquez, 34, will join the Marlins pending the results of a physical.
Vazquez, a 13-year veteran, went 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA with the New York Yankees last season. He broke in with the Montreal Expos at a time Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria owned that club.
Vazquez is known for his durability, tossing 157 1/3 innings last season. He logged at least 200 innings each year from 2005-09, which could help a Florida team whose starters last year were ranked 27th in total innings pitched, MLB.com noted.
Vazquez will join a rotation that also boasts Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad.
Federer handles Nadal for ATP Finals crown
LONDON, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Roger Federer dominated the first and third sets Sunday, cruising to his fifth career win of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Federer took a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Rafael Nadal to notch his fifth crown of 2010 and the 66th of his career.
Federer displayed amazing athleticism in the first set, but Nadal came back to take the second. Each broke the other's serve once in the first two sets.
In the third, Federer took a 3-1 lead after taking advantage of a second serve to race to the net and force Nadal to drive a forehand pass wide. The Swiss superstar then held serve and gained two break points in the next game, needing just one to establish a 5-1 lead.
After opening a 40-0 lead in the final game, Federer sent a forehand winner into the corner to end the match.
