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Filed under: U.S. Open, WTA

NEW YORK -- Venus Williams doesn't talk publicly about "rage and discontent.'' She doesn't talk about the difficulties she has faced as an African-American. That's why it sounded so unusual from her on Sunday.

She is a strong and forceful woman, but her advocacy is usually done behind the scenes, like when she pushed for equal pay for women tennis players. On Sunday, she talked about a moment she had to face down in 2009, when Israeli player Shahar Peer wasn't allowed to play in the Dubai tennis tournament, an exclusion announced as an 11th hour trick.

For maybe the first time, Williams talked about how it evoked such passion in her. To be honest, I feel that Williams failed the moment. It was a staredown, and she blinked, agreeing to play the tournament anyway.

But to hear her talk about it now, you see that it was a tough spot, that the moment wasn't lost on her. And was it her responsibility to right a wrong?

She made a statement in Dubai last year, right in front of royalty, that Peer should have been allowed to play. Today, Peer is grateful. And in hindsight, change was made, though her role is debatable. Peer was allowed to play this year.

"She was really supportive for me, and she was also always on my side and really always stood up ...'' Peer said. "She understands what I feel.''

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Filed under: LSU, UNC, ACC, SEC, Coaching

ATLANTA -- It didn't happen, but it should have, and this was long before North Carolina's deceptively cozy loss to LSU Saturday night inside the Georgia Dome. Butch Davis should have done the best thing for the University of North Carolina, the NCAA, all of mankind and himself. He should have let somebody else coach what remained of the Tar Heels football program against LSU.

Then, quickly and quietly, he should have caught the first flight back to Chapel Hill, packed his bags and faded into oblivion -- well, before his trip back to the pros.

Come to think of it, he can do the next-best thing.

He could quit.

He should quit.

But he won't. He'll survive by feeding off folks not realizing LSU is significantly flawed (translated: The Tigers' players and coaches aren't that good). Which was the primary reason North Carolina only lost 30-24 and had two shots at winning in the final seconds from the LSU six-yard line with two passes into the end zone.

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Filed under: LSU, UNC, ACC, SEC

ATLANTA -- LSU couldn't afford to overlook wounded North Carolina, regardless of the Tar Heels' situation with the NCAA and an accommodating university tutor. After a two-year funk that has left fans and school officials uncomfortable, the Tigers need to tend to business.

Call it Risky Business.

No. 21 LSU held on by a hair to beat No. 18 UNC 30-24 here Saturday night in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

A Georgia Dome crowd of 68,919 and a national television audience watched the undermanned Tar Heels rally from a 20-point halftime deficit and drive to the LSU six-yard line, missing on a pair of passes in the end zone in the closing seconds.

Believe it.

It was far more difficult than the Tigers, or anyone else for that matter, anticipated. The Tar Heels, specifically their defense, were neutered by eligibility and academic issues. Thirteen players, some of whom are coveted by NFL brass and over-anxious agents, remained in Chapel Hill, N.C.

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Filed under: East Carolina, Tulsa

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Dominique Davis heaved a 33-yard touchdown pass to a leaping Justin Jones as time expired to give East Carolina a wild 51-49 win against Tulsa on Sunday in coach Ruffin McNeill's debut with the Pirates.

Davis was 27 of 46 for 383 yards with five touchdown passes -- two to Lance Lewis, two to Dwayne Harris -- and one rushing TD in his first start for East Carolina (1-0, 1-0 Conference USA).

G.J. Kinne finished 28 of 43 for 399 yards for Tulsa (0-1, 0-1). His fifth touchdown pass -- a 3-yard toss to Charles Clay with 1:22 left -- appeared to have been enough for the Golden Hurricane.

But Davis whisked the Pirates downfield in nine plays. On the final snap, he launched the ball high toward a handful of players in the end zone. Jones outjumped everyone for it, setting off a massive celebration.

A brief review upheld the call and the Pirates, who were flagged for an excessive celebration, skipped the extra point and instead took a knee.