Originally created 03/17/05

Overtime

College Football

Smith is suspended over police charges

In Columbia, redshirt freshman David Smith has been suspended from the South Carolina football team after being arrested on several charges in connection with a break-in at his former girlfriend's house, university officials said Wednesday.

Smith, 20, has been charged with criminal domestic violence, destruction of private and city property and first degree burglary.

Head coach Steve Spurrier said Wednesday it was unlikely Smith would return to the team.

Smith, who was in the Lexing¤ton County jail Wednesday awaiting a bond hearing, is the latest in a long line of Gamecocks facing criminal charges or dismissed from the team.

Minor League Baseball

GreenJackets will begin in Arizona

Augusta kicks off its 2005 preseason with 12 games against Cactus League opponents in Peoria, Ariz. beginning on March 19.

The GreenJackets will begin the regular season on the road at Charleston, S.C., on April 17.

NFL

Falcons will take on Colts in Tokyo

The National Football League announced that the At¤lanta Falcons will take on the Indianapolis Colts in preseason action in the American Bowl in Tokyo, Japan.

The game is scheduled for Aug. 6 and will be televised at 5 a.m. on ESPN2 and will reair on ESPN at 6 p.m.

In Indianapolis, former two-time NFL rushing champion Edgerrin James signed a one-year franchise offer that will pay him a little more than $8 million this year, the Colts confirmed Wed¤nesday. James, 26, has said he wants a long-term deal, so a trade is still possible.

James has rushed for 7,720 yards and 51 touchdowns, and caught 312 passes for 2,502 yards in six seasons.

In St. Louis, with a deadline looming, Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace signed a seven-year contract with the St. Louis Rams.

The 325-pound tackle has played his entire career in St. Louis.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals signed running back Rudi Johnson to a five-year contract a year after he set the team's single-season record for rushing yardage.

The contract replaces a one-year, $6.3 million deal Johnson signed March 7 after he was designated the team's franchise player on Feb. 15.

In Minneapolis, the Vikings agreed to terms with Brad Johnson bringing the quarterback back to the place where he began his career 13 years ago.

Johnson will get a four-year contract worth $6 million with a $1.2 million signing bonus, his agent Philip Williams said. He will backup Daunte Culpepper.

The New York Jets sued the owner of Madison Square Garden claiming it maintains a monopoly on major city sports and entertainment events.

According to the lawsuit, Cablevision Systems Corp. ñ the Garden's owner and an opponent of a proposed stadium for the Jets in Manhattan ñ took steps to exclude any competition, resulting in fewer choices and higher ticket prices for New York fans.

College Softball

Augusta State's game postponed

Augusta State's (19-5) doubleheader against Peach Belt Con¤ference rival Lander, scheduled for Wednesday was postponed because of inclement weather.

The game has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. March 28 in Green¤wood, S.C.

In Aiken, USC Aiken coach Jerry Snyder picked up his 400th career win as the Lady Pacers rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Liberty State 8-3 and 9-1.

College Baseball

Jaguars rained out against West Liberty

Inclement weather postponed Augusta State's game against West Liberty on Wednesday.

The contest will be rescheduled for a later date.

In Aiken, Barton College snapped USC Aiken's five-game winning streak with a 9-2 win.