SPORTS DIGEST || Texans considering Penn State’s O’Brien

Texans considering Penn State’s O’Brien

HOUSTON

The Houston Chronicle is reporting the Texans have interviewed Penn State’s Bill O’Brien about their vacant head coaching job and that there are more interviews still to be done next week.

Houston team owner Bob McNair told the newspaper Saturday night: “The process has been underway, and it continues. The process isn’t over. We have other candidates to interview next week.”

The paper reports O’Brien met with McNair and general manager Rick Smith last week, and also has interviewed former Bears coach Lovie Smith and interim coach Wade Phillips.

ESPN is reporting, citing unidentified sources, that O’Brien is the “overwhelming favorite” to become the Texans’ coach.

O’Brien is 15-9 at Penn State, guiding the Nittany Lions through two winning seasons despite severe NCAA sanctions.

NFL: Manning’s TD record aided by call

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

Wade Phillips would like to put an asterisk on Peyton Manning’s touchdown record.

The Houston Texans’ interim coach said Friday the league agreed with him that Manning’s record-tying 50th TD toss Sunday shouldn’t have counted because Eric Decker bobbled the ball.

The touchdown still counts, however, as does Manning’s 51st TD throw. That one to Julius Thomas minutes later capped Denver’s 37-13 win and broke Tom Brady’s record of 50 TD passes set in 2007.

That football, along with Manning’s grass-stained No. 18 jersey and his cleats, were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Clarett to speak at Movement Church

AKRON

Youngstown native and former Ohio State standout Maurice Clarett will speak from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. today at Movement Church, 3089 Manchester Road, Akron.

Padres ink 2-year deal with reliever Benoit

SAN DIEGO

The San Diego Padres and reliever Joaquin Benoit have completed a $15.5 million, two-year contract that includes a vesting option for 2016.

The team announced the move Saturday. The sides agreed to the deal on Dec. 18, pending a physical.

Benoit, who turns 37 in July, is expected to replace setup man Luke Gregerson, who was traded to Oakland for outfielder Seth Smith.

In his first season as the Detroit Tigers’ closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances this year. But in Game 2 of the AL championship series, he allowed a tying grand slam by Boston’s David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.

US beats Slovakia 6-3 at world juniors

MALMO, Sweden

Matt Grzelyck, Jack Eichel and Ryan Hartman each had a goal and an assist, leading the defending champion United States to a 6-3 victory over Slovakia on Saturday at the world junior hockey tournament.

Miami of Ohio’s Riley Barber, Boston University’s Dan O’Regan and New Jersey Devils prospect Stefan Matteau also scored for the Americans (2-0-0) in a Group A game. The United States began play Thursday with a 5-1 victory over the Czech Republic.

Martin Reway had a pair of goals for Slovakia (1-1-0) and Milan Kolena also scored.

In the other Group A game Saturday, Canada plays the Czech Republic. In Group B action, Sweden beat Finland 4-2. Russia was to face Switzerland.

Reporting prep results

The Vindicator encourages coaches and statisticians to report prep results by email (sports@vindy.com) or fax (330-747-6712).

Phone calls (330-747-1478) are also acceptable but emails and faxes are strongly preferred. Deadline is 10:30 p.m.

Staff Reports/Associated Press