YSU

YSU
Playoff ticketsnow on sale
YOUNGSTOWN --The fourth-seeded Youngstown State football team will play host to an NCAA Division I Football Championship quarterfinal game on Saturday ay 6 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium against fellow Gateway member Illinois State.
Penguin Club Gridiron members and season-ticket holders have until Tuesday to purchase their seats for the quarterfinal game.
Tickets for the general public and YSU students go on sale this morning at 9. Tickets cost 14 for reserved, 10 for general admission and 5 for Youngstown State students.
This is the first time the Penguins have advanced to the Elite Eight in the postseason since reaching the championship game in 1999.
In October, the Penguins defeated the Redbirds, 27-13, at Hancock Stadium in Bloomington, Ill.
Fans may purchase tickets at the YSU Athletic Ticket Office in Stambaugh Stadium or by calling (330) 941-1978.
Hours for ticket sales are: today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. until kickoff.
AREA
United wins
HANOVERTON -- The United High girls basketball team gave new coach Roger Ziegler his first victory as the Golden Eagles crushed Malvern 68-14 Saturday in a season-opening contest.
The former Salem High girls coach had United (1-0) off and running in the first quarter as it took a 15-4 lead and by halftime the Golden Eagles held a commanding 32-9 lead.
Maggie Sell sparked United with 21 points, Maggie Miller added 18. Megan Clear led Malvern with five points.
Canatti acesDeer Creek hole
HUBBARD -- Lou Canatti of Struthers aced the 146-yard No. 2 hole at Deer Creek Golf Course. He used an 8-iron. Witnessing the shot were Danny Campana, Marty Palma, Joe Briganti Sr. and Joe Briganti Jr.
REGION
Jackets recall Picard, Novak
COLUMBUS -- The Blue Jackets have recalled forward Alexandre Picard and defenseman Filip Novak from Syracuse of the AHL.
Picard had five goals and four assists in 19 games with Syracuse. He also played two games with Columbus this season.
Novak has one goal and 11 assists in 20 games with the Crunch and is among the AHL's top scoring defensemen. He was the New York Rangers' first pick, 64th overall, in the 2000 NHL draft.
NATION
Vick apologizesfor gesture
ATLANTA -- Michael Vick apologized for making an obscene gesture toward Atlanta fans as he walked off the field after the Falcons' fourth straight loss.
Vick used both hands to deliver the gesture and flashed an angry look toward the handful of fans remaining in the Georgia Dome. Those who hung around booed the home team loudly after its dismal 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
"First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate actions with fans today," the quarterback said in a statement released by the Falcons. "I was frustrated and upset at how the game was going for my team, and that frustration came out the wrong way."
Vick was the Falcons' main offensive threat with 166 yards rushing, just 7 off his NFL record for a quarterback. He had another rough day passing, completing nine of 24 for 84 yards, but that wasn't entirely his fault.
The Atlanta receivers dropped at least five passes, and the offensive line didn't provide much protection. Vick was sacked three times and hit a dozen more behind the line of scrimmage after throwing passes.
Leaving the field, he let his frustration get the best of him.
"That's not what I'm about. That's not what the Atlanta Falcons are about," Vick said in his statement. "I simply lost my cool in the heat of the moment. I apologize and look forward to putting this incident behind me."
Vick did not address his actions at a post-game news conference. Reporters were not aware that he made the obscene gesture until afterward.
"I can't explain how I'm feeling right now," Vick said during the news conference. "Losing the game says it all. It is not a good feeling when you lose four games in a row, and when you lose a game that you had a shot at winning."
N.C. Statefires Amato
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State fired football coach Chuck Amato on Sunday, a day after he completed his seventh season at his alma mater.
The former Wolfpack linebacker had a 49-37 record at the school and led the team to five bowl games. But his squads were 25-31 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and never finished higher than fourth.
Vindicator staff/wire reports