IN BRIEF

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

New Mexico begins probe of Locksley fight

New Mexico administrators have opened an investigation into a fight where football coach Mike Locksley struck an assistant, and the first-year coach could face suspension or firing.

The probe will be directed by the university's Human Resources Division.

"It has been given a high priority," university spokeswoman Susan McKinsey said Wednesday.

The investigation comes after athletic director Paul Krebs announced Monday that Locksley had been issued verbal and written reprimands for his role in a Sept. 20 dispute.

Also: Wyoming coach Dave Christensen underwent surgery to remove a kidney stone and should be on the sidelines when the Cowboys play Saturday at Florida Atlantic.

Southern California tailback Stafon Johnson rested and tweeted, two days after sustaining a frightening throat injury in a weightlifting accident.

Johnson is still recovering from seven hours of reconstructive surgery Monday after a weight bar fell on his neck, crushing his larynx and throat.

Daniel Porter ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns as Louisiana Tech snapped Hawaii's streak of 62 games with a touchdown in a 27-6 victory.

HOCKEY

Judge nixes billionaire's, NHL's offers for Coyotes

A bankruptcy judge has rejected both bids to buy the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

Judge Redfield T. Baum turned down the offers of Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and the NHL in a 31-page ruling.

However, he left the door open for the NHL to buy the team if it amends its offer to provide more money to Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes and former coach Wayne Gretzky.

Also: The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up goaltender Cam Ward for six more years.

The Hurricanes signed Ward to a $37.8 million contract that begins next season and runs through 2015-16.

Mats Sundin is retiring after nearly 20 seasons in the NHL.

The 38-year-old Swede played for the Vancouver Canucks last season after spending most of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The San Jose Sharks announced that Rob Blake will be the team's captain this season, with Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle the alternates.

Forward Chris Bourque, the son of Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque, has been claimed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

MISCELLANEOUS

Injury-free Nadal ready to resume play

Rafael Nadal has recovered from an abdominal injury and will be available for Spain's Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in December.

Nadal said medical tests showed his stomach muscle had healed. He hasn't played since losing in the U.S. Open semifinals to eventual champion Juan Martin del Potro.

Nadal plans to play in next week's China Open.

Also: California Flag won the $100,000 Morvich Handicap for the second year in a row on opening day of Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting in Arcadia, Calif. California Flag set a course record of 1:11.40.

The 5-year-old gray gelding gained an automatic spot into the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in early November at Santa Anita.

The first Kuwaiti sports team to play in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion celebrated its return with a victory -- and basking in goodwill from Iraqi fans.

Kuwait Sports Club defeated Irbil, 1-0.