in brief

BOXING

Green replaces Taylor
as Ward's Super Six foe

Allan Green was officially announced on Monday as the opponent for WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, even though he'd been the likely replacement for Jermain Taylor for weeks.

Taylor withdrew from the modified round-robin tournament last month following a knockout loss to Arthur Abraham in the opening round that left him in the hospital. It was Taylor's fourth loss in five fights, including three by knockout.

Green (29-1, 20 KOs) has won six straight fights and will challenge for his first world title in the April 24 bout. Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) will make the first defense of the title he won from Mikkel Kessler in his opening bout of the tournament.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Oregon coach suspends
linebacker for season

Oregon coach Chip Kelly suspended linebacker Kiko Alonso for the 2010 football season.

Alonso was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants -- the fourth Ducks player arrested in the past month. Alonso played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman last season. The school said he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Alonso's arrest indirectly led to the dismissal of receiver Jamere Holland. In a Facebook post, Holland mistakenly concluded Alonso had been kicked off the team and blasted the move.

Also: Miami quarterback Jacory Harris will participate in some nonthrowing drills during spring practice as he recovers from surgery on his throwing hand.

When the Hurricanes open the spring season today, most of the throws will be handled by returning backup A.J. Highsmith and incoming freshman Stephen Morris. Coach Randy Shannon said they'll essentially be competing for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart this fall.

MISCELLANEOUS

Rugby player first to be
suspended for HGH use

In a major breakthrough in the fight against doping, a British rugby league player has become the first athlete to be suspended for using human growth hormone.

Terry Newton admitted taking the substance in a statement released by his attorneys Friday. The United Kingdom Anti-Doping authority announced a two-year ban after Newton was fired by his club, Wakefield.

"It's the first time and very significant," WADA director general David Howman said. "It shows the people who say that HGH cannot be detected that it can. The sports people who said it can't be detected are fooling themselves."

Also: The UNLV women's golf team struggled through heavy rains at the Wildcat Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., shooting 30-over 314 to stand 15th in the 16-team tournament. Arizona State was at 6-over 290, leading a field that includes 11 teams ranked in the top 25.

Therese Koelbaek shot 5-over 76 to lead UNLV and is tied for 33rd individually. Pepperdine's Taylor Karle paced the field at 3-under 68.

The event, shortened from three rounds to two due to the weather, concludes today.

Former No. 1 women's tennis player Ana Ivanovic hired Steffi Graf's old coach, Heinz Gunthardt, to help end a lengthy slump. Gunthardt helped Graf win 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson had surgery on her left knee following a ski accident in Colorado. Johnson will be in a leg brace for six weeks, and her training will be limited for six months.

Johnson tore her left anterior cruciate ligament last month during a family vacation.