Gophers dismiss four players

Minnesota coach Tim Brewster kicked four accomplished players off the football team yesterday for their alleged involvement in the rape of an 18-year-old woman.

Brewster dismissed standout cornerback Dominic Jones, who was charged Monday with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and three teammates who have not yet been charged with a crime -- running back E.J. Jones, defensive end Alex Daniels and defensive back Keith Massey.

More college football

Rutgers assistant football coach Chris Demarest entered a not guilty plea to a charge he assaulted his girlfriend in a Jersey shore bar. According to police, an off-duty detective witnessed the altercation Saturday between Demarest and an unidentified woman.

Sophomore running back Lance Smith has been suspended from Wisconsin for violating the athletic department's student-athlete discipline policy.

Nebraska wide receiver Maurice Purify pleaded no contest to four charges -- driving while intoxicated, assault, disturbing the peace and hindering arrest -- as part of a deal with prosecutors. He awaits word from coach Bill Callahan about disciplinary action.

Pro football

A man considered a person of interest in the shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams wrote a letter in state prison saying he did not kill the player, a federal agent testified. Willie DeWayne Clark, 24, wrote to another inmate saying authorities had asked him about the slaying "but I didn't do it."

Williams, 24, died from a gunshot wound in the neck as he and others were riding away from a New Year's Eve party at a Denver nightclub. Two other people with Williams in the stretch Hummer limousine were injured.

Pro basketball

Andres Nocioni stayed with the Chicago Bulls and Joe Smith became the newest addition. Nocioni, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year contract reportedly worth $37.5 million. The Bulls added some depth to their frontcourt with the signing of the 6-foot-10 Smith to a reported two-year contract worth $5.36 million annually.

Cheryl Ford had 19 points and 18 rebounds to help the Detroit Shock beat the visiting New York Liberty, 87-82, in overtime in WNBA action.

Tamika Catchings had 22 points and 13 rebounds to help the host Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky, 75-74.

Alana Beard scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half to lead the host Washington Mystics to a victory against the Houston Comets, 65-58.

Auto racing

Terry Labonte will replace Michael Waltrip in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next week. Labonte, a two-time NASCAR champion, will drive the No. 55 Toyota and be assured of a spot in the field based on his status as a former champion. Waltrip has struggled to make races this season, his first as a full-time owner and driver.

College basketball

Men's coach Bruce Pearl has agreed in principle to a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Tennessee through 2013 and increase his compensation package to $1.3 million this year.

Tennis

Three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport, 31, will return to the pro tour by playing doubles with Lisa Raymond at the Pilot Pen tournament Aug. 17-25 in New Haven, Conn., a little more than two months after she gave birth to her first child.

Track and field

Torri Edwards led an American medals sweep in the 100 meters at the Vardinoyiannia meet in Rethymno, on the Greek island of Crete. Edwards won in 11.05 seconds, with Allyson Felix second in 11.11 seconds and Lauryn Williams of Rochester third at 11.12.

Elsewhere

Jerry Yang, 39, a psychologist who uses his professional training in his card-playing arsenal, won the top prize yesterday of $8.25 million at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. A seven on the turn and a six on the river gave Yang a straight, sealing the title against Tuan Lam, 40, a professional online poker player from Mississauga, Ontario.