by Fred Lief
Associated Press Writer

Sports in 2009 looked down the barrel of a gun.

From Tennessee to Georgia to Nicaragua, gunfire crackled in July. The causes differed—a romance gone wrong, a robbery botched, a self-inflicted wound—but the outcome did not. A gun was the weapon of choice, and all were dead: a former star quarterback and two ex-boxing champions.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair looks for a receiver during the Titans’ 22-16 playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in Nashville, Jan. 8. McNair, 36, was killed in July 2009, a year after he left the NFL.

by Mike Cranston
Associated Press Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Pittsburgh hasn’t won this many games since Dan Marino was the quarterback. The only player in school history to rush for more yards in a season than freshman sensation Dion Lewis is somebody named Tony Dorsett.

Thanks to a late-game rally in front of a hostile crowd, the Panthers made a strong case they’ve returned to prominence.

BIG WIN FOR PROGRAM—Dion Lewis (28) and Jason Pinkston (77) celebrate after Pitt’s 19-17 win over North Carolina in the Meineke Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.

The Baltimore Ravens had a chance to secure a spot in the playoffs Sunday but instead of playing inspired ball they played one of the their worst games of the season, making numerous unforced errors leading to a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the Steelers. Baltimore has won only once in Heinz Field (2006) since 2001.

The Ravens gave up 113 yards on 11 penalties that extended drives for the Steelers, and on the other side of the ball two flags negated touchdowns as did a dropped ball by sure-handed Derrick Mason in the end zone. But despite all this, they still almost came back from a 20-10 halftime deficit as they scored 10 points in the third quarter to tie the game at 20. But they were unable to score in the fourth quarter partly because of outstanding defense by the Steelers but mostly because of themselves. The total lack of discipline that led to all the penalties actually cost them the game.

RISING TO THE OCCASION—Steelers defensive lineman Nick Eason lays a hit on Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco Dec. 27 at Heinz Field.

Schenley lost one of the most talented girls high school players in the nation in Markell Walker to graduation. The McDonald’s All-American is now attending UCLA and is a freshman guard on their women’s basketball team.

This opens the door for London McCoy and Shaunice Lightfoot standing at 5-8 and 5-9 respectively to do some damage for the Lady Spartans this year. They hope to match an excellent season in 2008-09 in which they tied a league-high 21 wins.

MICKITA WHITE of Westinghouse plays tough defense against Brashear’s ASHLEE ALBRIGHT.