strides.Game notes Kicker Davis Price (mono)

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Gabby Douglas watched Aly Raisman stick the dismount on the beam, then rose from her seat and gave her American teammate a big hug.Never mind that Raismans success in Olympic qualifying Sunday ensured that Douglas couldnt defend the all-around title she won in London four years ago. Douglas had shaken off a sub-par performance in Olympic trials and quieted critics who were convinced she didnt deserve to make this team.For her, that was enough.Im not disappointed at all, she said. I have no regrets.Douglas finished third behind Simone Biles and Raisman. Only two gymnasts per country can compete in Thursdays final, leaving Douglas out of luck. The divide between Douglas and Raisman was slim. She was edged by less than a half a point.Douglas was attempting to become the first repeat all-around winner in nearly 50 years. She took time off after her triumph in London and put together a sometimes rocky comeback in which she switched coaches three times. Yet shes always had a knack for putting adversity behind her when it mattered, and when national team director Martha Karolyi rewarded her with a spot on the five-woman team, she immediately responded.Douglas was solid in all four events, but really sparkled on the uneven bars. She earned a score of 15.766 -- good for third overall and earning her a spot in the event final later in the games.I just really wanted to do a good bar set and really swing and just flow and stick the dismount -- the polishing touch, she said.She completed the beam without a hitch before watching Raisman do the same. It was a stark improvement from the Olympic trials where Douglas fell off the beam not once, but twice, leaving Karolyi to defend the decision to put her on the team.I think Gabby just proved that she has a place on this team, Karolyi said. I know our decision was very much questioned. But Ive known Gabby for many years and I knew we could make the necessary improvements that she would be a great asset to the team.Douglas beamed when told what her coach said, but the comments were certainly no surprise to the 20-year-old. Shes been bolstered by the encouragement of Karolyi for years.She said: `I believe in you, and you can go out and do it, Douglas said. At the end of the day, that means so much coming from the head coordinator of gymnastics. `Cause shes very precise.She was adamant that proving people wrong wasnt the motivation behind her work on Sunday.I just wanted to go out there and believe in my abilities and use the talent that I was given, she said. I wasnt concerned with anything else.Douglass teammates raved about her performance and lamented that she wouldnt get a chance to compete for all-around gold. The top 24 finishers advance to the all-around finals and the American team is so dominant that if not for the rule the entire five-person team would probably advance.I hate the two per country rule ... I wish that they would change it but I dont think that they ever will, Raisman said. Thats the rules. Youve got to respect their decision, but it is heartbreaking.However theres no reason to feel too bad for Douglas. Shes almost certain to collect another gold medal with the team the overwhelming favorite to win it all. Shell get another chance at a medal in uneven bars. Perhaps thats part of the reason why Douglas took Sundays setback so well.I would have loved to go out there and defend my title, but right now Im just rejoicing and so far this has just been an amazing experience, she said. Theres nothing to be ashamed about. Patrick Kerney Womens Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Marshawn Lynch Womens Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.seahawksfansofficial.com/customized/ . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Steve Largent Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Cortez Kennedy Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. BOULDER, Colo. -- The constant stream of personal-foul penalties on No. 16 Colorado last week provided an instant wake-up call.As in, having to set those alarms for bright and early because 80 reps of up-downs along with a series of timed sprints awaited the Buffaloes the next day. The impromptu workout session was the punishment handed out by coach Mike MacIntyre for eight personal-foul penalties in a 20-10 win over UCLA on Thursday.The Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12, No. 12 CFP) vow to keep cooler heads Saturday at Arizona (2-7, 0-6), especially in the thick of a Pac-12 South title chase.The way we played is not normally how we play, said senior outside linebacker Jimmie Gilbert, who was flagged for targeting in the first quarter for a hit on sliding UCLA QB Mike Fafaul that carried an ejection. In order to be Pac-12 champions, we cant play like that -- ever.We gave up a lot of (yards) just because of penalties -- stupid personal fouls, offsides, things like that. By coach punishing us for that, its a way of getting that mistake corrected and putting a message in our head that that isnt acceptable.The Buffaloes averaged the least amount of penalty yards per game in the league before Thursdays meltdown in which they drew 12 flags for 128 yards. MacIntyre can live with some of the personal-foul calls. Those were just his team being overly aggressive, he explained.But he took issue with the unsportsmanlike conduct flags such as taunting and hitting a player out of bounds.Thats totally selfish and all that does is hurt the team, MacIntyre said. After the whistle is blown -- those type of plays are what really irritates me.The Buffaloes met as a team the following day and addressed it.We looked each other in the eyes and in the face and we said, `Were not going to do that again, senior running back Phillip Lindsay said. That will get us beat down the line, making stupid penalties. Weve got to hold each other acccountable.ddddddddddddAnd with that, the issue was put to rest.Now on to the next task -- jump-starting a lackluster offense. The Buffaloes averaged 39 points in their opening seven games, but struggled to score against Stanford and UCLA.To not be playing our best offense is pretty frustrating, said senior quarterback Sefo Liufau, whos set or tied 82 school records in his career. After the Stanford game, I was upset with my performance. And UCLA, I was striving too much for perfection instead of throwing the ball.I want to be perfect and get the ball to the guys, let them make plays.Still, the defense and special teams have bailed the Buffaloes out. Colorados defense held Stanford to 263 total yards in a 10-5 win and special teams sealed with the victory over the Bruins, courtesy of Isaiah Olivers 68-yard punt return for a TD with 5:27 remaining.Thats just the way things have been going around Boulder this season.They can handle the moment now -- if its good, bad or indifferent, said MacIntyre, whose team is trying to move to 8-2 for the first time since 2001. They just keeping pushing through it.In the past, when they werent sure about that, it was like, `Oh, no, and panic a little bit and lose a little bit of focus. I think we now crank our focus up. I think we crank our intensity up as a whole group.Gilbert couldnt agree more.Were playing phenomenal, said Gilbert, whos tied for the most forced fumbles (5) in the nation this sea