Nov 27, 2012 3 min read

Waynesburg University senior defensive lineman Matt Krause has been chosen to play for the U.S. team in the 2012 Tazon De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Krause is one of 44 seniors from 26 different Division III schools that make up this year’s roster for Team Stars & Stripes, which will face a squad of players selected from the CONADEIP national conference of private schools in Mexico. The game will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at La Fortaleza Azul.

An All-PAC pick, Krause finished second on the team in tackles (56), tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (4.5).

Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien Tuesday was named the Big Ten’s coach of the year, earning allocates from fellow coaches and the sportswriters reporting on the conference.

O’Brien was hired earlier this year to replace Hall of Fame head coach Joe Paterno, who was fired last year in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against now imprisoned assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

O’Brien led the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record, going 6-2 in conference play. His eight wins are the most by a first-year Penn State coach. Six Penn State players obtained first-team All-Big Ten status.

“This is a fantastic honor; it’s very humbling,” O’Brien said in a statement. “Any time you are named coach of the year, it has a lot to do with two groups of people – it’s your coaching staff and obviously your players.”

In addition to coach of the year honors, the Big Ten Tuesday named Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller offensive player of the year and his Buckeye teammate, John Simon, defensive player of the year.

Penn State defensive end Deion Barnes was named the conference’s freshman player of the year.

A redshirt freshman, Barnes led the Nittany Lions with six sacks. He was tied for fourth in the conference with three forced fumbles.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are set to show up on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, and fans will soon find out whether drug allegations block the former stars from reaching baseball’s shrine.

The 2013 ballot will be announced today.

Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza and Curt Schilling are certain to be among the other first-time eligibles. Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines are the top holdover candidates.

Longtime members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will vote through next month. The much-awaited results will be announced Jan. 9, with players needing to be listed on 75 percent of the ballots to gain induction.

The upcoming election is certain to fuel the most polarizing Hall debate since career hits leader Pete Rose’s betting problems put him on baseball’s permanently ineligible list, barring him from the BBWAA ballot.

Evan Turner scored 22 points and Thaddeus Young had 20 to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 100-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Jrue Holiday had 18 points and seven assists for the Sixers, who snapped a six-game losing streak to Dallas.

n Goran Dragic scored 19 points, Michael Beasley added 15 and the Phoenix Suns took control late in the third quarter to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 91-78.