College football

TCU STAY ON PATH: Andy Dalton and the TCU Horned Frogs can now start looking forward to trying to make another BCS run.

The sixth-ranked Frogs survived a tough opening test, beating No. 24 Oregon State 30-21 Saturday night in their first game since losing the Fiesta Bowl eight months ago. Dalton says it's good "to have that behind us."

TCU overcame a Fiesta Bowl flashback when Dalton had an early interception that Oregon State turned into a touchdown, and then another when the Beavers scored after a fake punt like Boise State did in the BCS game.

UNC ASSISTANT RESIGNS: John Blake stepped down from his post as North Carolina's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator on Sunday night, saying in a statement that it was in the best interests of his family, the school and the football program.

With North Carolina under an NCAA investigation that partly deals with possible improprieties involving players and sports agents, Blake's previous ties to agent Gary Wichard had been scrutinized by the media and fans.

Pro baseball

HAMILTON UNSURE OF RETURN: AL batting leader Josh Hamilton isn't sure when his rib injury will heal enough for him to rejoin the lineup of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

"I have no clue when I'll be back," he said Sunday. "I really don't. Your guess is as good as mine."

Hamilton ran into the left-field wall at Minnesota on Saturday and bruised his ribs. He said all he can do for now is apply ice and hope he feels better.

Pro basketball

STORM ADVANCE TO FINALS: Sue Bird wanted no part of a deciding game with a spot in the WNBA finals on the line.

Thanks to her clutch shooting, the Seattle Storm won't have to worry about that risky proposition.

Bird made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left Sunday and the Storm closed out the Western Conference finals with a 91-88 victory over the defending champion Phoenix Mercury, closing the game with a 15-0 run.

Local auto racing

BETTENHAUSEN CLASSIC SATURDAY: Illiana Motor Speedway will host the 49th edition of the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 on Saturday.

Gates will open 4 p.m. on race day, with time trials set for 5:30 p.m. and the first race starting at 7:05 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 8-12.

The race honors Tony Bettenhausen, a Tinley Park native who made 14 starts in the Indianapolis 500 with five top-10 finishes. Bettenhausen's life ended during a crash while testing a car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 1961.

For details, call (219) 322-5311, or go to www.illianaspeedway.com.

Women's soccer

VU TIES EASTERN KENTUCKY: Valparaiso University goalie Kristen Manski made three saves in a 0-0 tie with visiting Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels' Jessica Reed (Valparaiso) came off the bench to play 32 minutes against the Crusaders (3-0-2).

Prep sports

KOUTS ACCEPTING HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS: Kouts is starting a sports hall of fame and is asking for nominations. Nomination forms can be picked up from Kouts athletic director Jack Birmingham at the high school. They must be returned by Nov. 1. To be eligible, nominees must have graduated prior to 2002. The first class will be inducted in February.

Around the horn

The Dunes Volleyball Club is offering Fall Ball to girls in first through eighth grade. It runs every Sunday through Oct. 24 at the Dunes Operation Center. For girls in grades 5-8, the cost is $100 and play is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For girls in grades 1-4, the cost is $50 and play is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Visit www.dunes.org to register. ... Playmaker 14-and-under softball tryouts will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dave Griffin's baseball school in Griffith. For details, call (219) 992-1107. ... Tryouts for the Hammond Seminoles, a team of players who will be age 15 or 16 as of May 1, 2011, will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 19. The tryout for the Hammond Chiefs, which is for players 17 or 18 as of May 1, 2011, will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Both tryouts will be held at Riverside Park in Hammond and are open to all players who live in Lake or Porter counties. For details, go to hammondchiefs.com or call Dave Sutkowski at (219) 852-9461. ... The NWI Sox Fastpitch Travel Softball Program is hosting a round robin tournament Sept. 26 at Stephen Park in Schererville for 10U and 12U teams with a three-game guarantee. Cost is $200 per team. For details, call Rick Baker at (219) 613-1017.