hockey.Montreal took advantage of the late penalt

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Simpler has meant better so far at Texas and Notre Dame, with both head coaches taking more hands-on roles to fix bad defenses.The two traditional powers showed improvement after making changes at defensive coordinator, although both are stills works in progress. The Fighting Irish (2-5) have made major changes since firing Brian VanGorder on Sept. 24, using more players and switching their defensive alignment, philosophy and attitude. The adjustments at Texas (3-3) after demoting Vance Bedford on Oct. 3 have been more subtle.Both coaches say the biggest change has been in confidence.I think we have just allowed them to play without worrying about mistakes. Just play, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said.The Irish have gone from giving up 33.5 points, 201 yards rushing and 253 yards passing in four games this season under VanGorder to 20 points, 153 yards rushing and 174 yards passing since. The statistics are skewed by one game being played in the remnants of a hurricane that made moving the ball almost impossible.Still, the defense has allowed one touchdown the past two games and only two in the past 10 quarters after struggling in the first half against Syracuse.The thing I wanted to do when we made the change was keep the points down and limit the big plays, Kelly said.The Irish have gone from surrendering an average of four plays of 20 yards or more the first four games to one the past two games. The Irish defense is playing faster, getting a better pass rush with a three-man line and is tackling better.Kelly is spending more time with the defense, watching practice from a tower at times so he can oversee both offense and defense. He has the team meeting in position units instead of as a whole, with him sitting in with defensive backs. Players say it helps put the focus on little things. The Irish also have changed practices to emphasize third-down defense and other critical situations throughout the week.So guys have to come ready for practice starting day one, and early in the practice as well, linebacker James Onwualu said.New defensive coordinator Greg Hudson has brought more enthusiasm, showing videos of wrestler Ric Flair and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air for inspiration.You come into a meetings hes got videos playing, hes got music playing, so he just brings a different energy, lineman Issac Rochell said.Texas got off to a shaky start after making the switch, giving up 672 total yards in a 45-40 loss to rival Oklahoma, stoking speculation coach Charlie Strong could be fired after this season.Safety Dylan Haines said first-week changes under Strong included developing new coverages in the secondary and blitzes. Haines got Texas first two interceptions of the season in the first half but the Longhorns still gave up 390 yards passing and didnt get a sack until late.Haines also joked about changes in practice. When Strong demoted Bedford, he sent Bedford to help defensive backs coach Clay Jennings.I wondered, what was going to be the dynamic? Now we have two coaches yelling at me, he said.The biggest change for the second game was the wristbands with the defensive signals in last weeks 27-6 win over Iowa State. Texas players had talked earlier in the season about a lack of communication on calls and Strong called for the wristbands to simplify things.Strong, who won two national titles as a defensive coordinator at Florida, said the improved communication allows quicker changes.That helped us a lot out there . because now theres no excuses going across the board. Everybody knows the play. Theres no, `I didnt get the call or whatever it was for that play, linebacker Naashon Hughes said.Texas played its best defensive game last week, not giving up a touchdown and piling up eight sacks.Strong insists there hasnt been many changes the players would notice. He said he hasnt had to sacrifice time away from coaching others areas, but he is taking a bigger role in developing defensive strategy week to week and keeping closer tabs on practice.Hughes did notice Strong brings a vocal element to the practice field.Its louder. Theres more yelling, Hughes said. Coach Bedford wasnt that loud.---AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.---Online:APs college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Nike Shox Wholesale . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. 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The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Martin Jones came within 80 seconds of a shutout. Sometimes, thats the sort of stingy performance it takes to beat Canadiens goalie Carey Price.Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski scored in the first period, Jones stopped 31 shots and the San Jose Sharks extended their mastery of Montreal at home by beating the Canadiens 2-1 on Friday night in a matchup of division leaders.You know youre not going to score four or five goals on him, Jones said, referring to Price. You know youre going to have to play well. There are two teams out there. Its not just me and him. I thought we defended really well.Jones won his third straight and the Sharks improved to 8-0-2 against the Canadiens in San Jose since November 1999.Pavelski also had an assist, and Joe Thornton got two assists.Price was efficient after giving up the two early goals, one on a power play and the other on an odd-man rush. He finished with 28 saves for Montreal, and Andrew Lehkonen scored a power-play goal late in the third period.The Canadiens failed to maintain pressure against Jones, who turned away several point-blank shots early and then was rarely tested.He did his job, Pavelski said. He always does his job. He shows up. We have a lot of confidence in him, and he showed you why tonight. Guys did a good job in front of him, and it was a really good effort against a good team.The Atlantic Division leaders have gone consecutive games without earning a point for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the Pacific Division-leading Sharks have won three straight and six of seven.Montreals Alexander Radulov exited with 4:06 remaining after getting cut over the eye by Logan Couture, who was assessed a double minor for high-sticking.I was just gooing to the net and I think their guy was trying to protect the slot area and not let me in and its just part of the game, Radulov said, sporting a few stitches above his right eye.dddddddddddd. Scary, but its OK. He tried to lift my stick but I tried to jump in front of him and his stick went up because my stick was not there. Its just hockey.Montreal took advantage of the late penalty to get on the board when Lehkonen scored with a 6-on-4 advantage.Kind of an unlucky bounce there in front of the net that just kind of squeaked through my legs there, Jones said. But we killed really well tonight. We didnt let them get set up for the most part. Thats a good power play. Theyre going to get some chances.Burns scored his 10th goal, most among NHL defensemen, to put the Sharks ahead on the power play 5:22 into the game.That was probably more of a lucky one, Burns said. Shooting against Price, you know theres not many holes. Its good that one found its way back. I was swinging all night and none of the other ones went in.Thornton picked up a Canadiens turnover in the final minute of the first period and fed Pavelski in front of the net.Game note