Dayton Daily News

Palmer Faces Long Road Back

CINCINNATI -- Lying on the field with a torn left ACL, and waiting for the cart to take him away, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer's mind was racing. "I'm thinking about how we can win the game," he said. "I'm thinking there's not a better quarterback in the league than Jon Kitna for coming in as the backup in this kind of situation, with a young team in a tough spot against a good opponent.

Down and Out ; Palmer Injury Costs Bengals

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals lost more than a first-round NFL playoff game on Sunday. They lost Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer until 2006 training camp at the earliest. Palmer suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on the second play from scrimmage and the Bengals never recovered.

Cruel End to a Dream Season

CINCINNATI -- The football gods could not have been any crueler, any more warped than they were Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

Stewart On Hand for Eldora Season Awards

ROSSBURG -- Eldora Speedway capped the 2005 racing season with its awards banquet on Sunday by awarding nearly 100 trophies to drivers and car owners at the Eldora Ballroom. Track owner and Nextel Cup Series champion Tony Stewart was on hand to help hand out the hardware, including points championships to Aaron Scott (Late Models), Scott Orr (Modifieds) Chad Kemenah (Sprints) and Mike Dirksen (Stock Car). Eldora also honored Sunoco American Late Model Series champion Brian Ruhlman and the ser...

Another Defection On Depleted 'D' ; Youboty Latest Ohio State Defender to Leave Early

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State coaches have been engrossed in recruiting since returning from the Fiesta Bowl last week, and defensive coordinator Jim Heacock might want to consider hanging a shingle outside his door for visiting prospects that says, "Starters needed, apply within." Heacock and the rest of the staff received the crushing news over the weekend that junior defensive backs Ashton Youboty and Donte Whitner have decided to leave school early to turn pro.

Chiefs Rally to Dump Bombers

FAIRBORN -- The Bombers had opportunities and offense but the Chiefs had timing. Johnstown pounded in four third-period goals to notch a come- from-behind 5-3 win in front of a matinee crowd of 2,189 at the Nutter Center Sunday.

Good News, Bad News for Reds ; Re-Sign Aurilia, but Learn Freel Arrested for Disorderly Intoxication

Just hours after discovering some bad news about Ryan Freel, the Cincinnati Reds made some good news by re-signing free agent infielder Rich Aurilia. Aurilia, 34, agreed Sunday night, just 3 1 / 2 hours before the deadline, to a one-year $1.3 million contract with a mutual option for $2 million if both parties agree on a return for 2007.

Steelers 31, Bengals 17

Star of the Game Carson Palmer. Yes, he only was in for one play, but he completed a 66-yard pass to Chris Henry and finished with a 118.8 passer rating. After he left, there was no other standout player for the Bengals.

Kicking Game Falters at Bad Time ; Long Snapper Botches Key Field-Goal Attempt

CINCINNATI -- The Three Amigos -- kicker Shayne Graham, holder Kyle Larson and long snapper Brad St. Louis -- usually make it look so easy. They're almost always in concert with one another on field goal attempts. But not on Sunday.

Bengals-Steelers by the Numbers

2 Number of plays run

Steelers 31, Bengals 17 Bengals Fans Feel the Excitement Prior to Game ; Plenty of Steelers Fans Sprinkled Among the Crowd

CINCINNATI -- At Elm and Sixth Street, a man on every corner held up a "Need Tickets" sign. "It's not as good as it should be," one of them said. "I want to buy tickets, but nobody (else) wants to buy them (from me). It's been 15 years since the playoffs have been here. It should be better than this."

Steelers Tackle Apologizes for Hit On Bengals' Palmer ; Former Bengal Knew Immediately Palmer Was Injured

CINCINNATI -- Kimo von Oelhoffen threw on a pair of jeans and a white shirt trimmed with red emblazoned "Players Inc." After a few minutes, he turned to the two dozen or so reporters surrounding his locker and stopped the question before it was asked.

Ud Women Get Win No. 10 ; Flyers Down Saint Louis, 95-73, Up Next: Duquesne

DAYTON -- The Dayton women's basketball team rolled to its 10th victory with a 95-73 win over Saint Louis Sunday at UD Arena. Five Flyers reached double figures in scoring. Ashley Armstrong and Amber Peterink each scored their career-highs, with 13 points a piece, while Jennifer Strong also chipped in 13.

Raiders Take Chance On a Small School ; D-Iii Kenyon Comes Into Game On a 7-Game Skid

FAIRBORN -- The last time Wright State played a non-Division I school in basketball, the outcome wasn't so great. Two years ago, in his opener as coach of the Raiders, Paul Biancardi's team lost to nearby Cedarville 68-66.