IN BRIEF

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Cal receiver Jackson might miss Big Game

California receiver DeSean Jackson isn't sure he'll play in the 110th Big Game after sitting out Tuesday's practice because of a bruised right leg.

Jackson, who has 60 catches for 681 yards and five touchdowns this year, severely bruised his quadriceps on a second-quarter punt return in Cal's loss at Washington on Nov. 17. The junior missed the rest of the game, and a week of rehabilitation hasn't healed him completely before Saturday's meeting with rival Stanford.

Cal already will be without freshman tailback Jahvid Best, who's likely to miss the rest of the season with a hip injury. Best, Cal's second-leading rusher with 221 yards, was hurt while blocking on a kick return at Washington.

Also: South Florida accepted a bid to the Sun Bowl, the team's third consecutive postseason appearance.

The Bulls (9-3, 4-3 Big East) will play the third-place team from the Pac-10 on Dec. 31.

Connecticut accepted a bid to play in the Meineke Bowl on Dec. 29 against an Atlantic Coast Conference team.

The Huskies (9-3, 5-2 Big East) were selected over Cincinnati as the Big East's representative for the game.

The ACC team is not expected to be named until after Saturday's conference championship game.

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden are among the five finalists for this year's Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the year award.

Joining them are QBs Dennis Dixon of Oregon, Matt Ryan of Boston College and Tim Tebow of Florida.

The winner will be announced Dec. 6.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Arizona coach Olson back for some practices

Arizona's Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, on a leave of absence since Nov. 4, will return for some practices, but not for games just yet.

Assistant Kevin O'Neill will keep his interim head coaching title for now despite Olson showing up for his first practice Monday, after three weeks away from the program he has coached for 25 years.

Also: Indiana guard Jordan Crawford has been suspended three games for violating team rules, coach Kelvin Sampson said.

Crawford, a freshman, has been a key reserve for Indiana this season, averaging 12.6 points per game.

MISCELLANEOUS

Hall of Fame jockey Hartack dies at 74

Bill Hartack, a Hall of Fame jockey and five-time Kentucky Derby winner, has died while on a hunting vacation in Freer, Texas. He was 74.

Hartack died Monday night from natural causes due to heart disease, said Dr. Corinne Stern, the chief medical examiner in south Texas' Webb County.

Hartack and fellow Hall of Fame rider Eddie Arcaro are the only jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby five times. Known for his burning desire to win every race, Hartack won his first Derby with Iron Liege in 1957. He then won with Venetian Way in 1960, Decidedly in 1962, Northern Dancer in 1964 and Majestic Prince in 1969.

Also: Pitcher Doug Brocail and the Houston Astros agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that includes a team option for 2009.

Brocail, 40, appeared in 67 games for San Diego last season, all in relief, and went 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA.

Former Colorado Rockies pitcher Dan Serafini was suspended for 50 games, the second player to fail a test for a performance-enhancing drug this year under Major League Baseball's testing program.

The 33-year-old left-hander played in three games with the Rockies last season.