The NCAA placed Indiana University on three years' probation Tuesday for a telephone recruiting scandal that decimated the once-storied Basketball program.

The governing body also imposed stiff penalties on an assistant and former coach Kelvin Sampson , who made more than 100 impermissible phone calls to recruits made while still on probation for a similar phone-call scandal at Oklahoma. The penalties cap a 20-month saga that began with Sampson's hiring in March 2006.

"We didn't want to lose postseason, scholarships or television," said current Indiana coach Tom Crean , with the team in Hawaii. "Thank God we didn't."

The NCAA faulted the university for inadequate monitoring when Sampson was hired but acknowledged the former coach's conduct was "unprecedented."

Sampson, an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, repeatedly has denied the violations. The NCAA imposed restrictions on Sampson through November 2013 should he return to college coaching. Former assistant Rob Senderoff , now an assistant at Kent State, also faces three years of NCAA sanctions.

Vick pleads guilty again

Former NFL star quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty Tuesday to a state dogfighting charge, a necessary step to make him eligible for early release from prison and potentially speed a return to the NFL.

Vick, 28, pleaded guilty to one charge and not guilty to a second count that was then dropped. The former Atlanta Falcons star was given a three-year suspended sentence.

Vick already is serving a 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan., for a federal dogfighting conviction.

HOCKEY

Bobby Chaumont scored twice and the Mississippi RiverKings rallied in the third period with a trio of goals for a 5-3 victory against the host Laredo Bucks. Also scoring for the Kings were Darrell Stoddard , Matt Pierce and Dane Marshall.

FOOTBALL

Former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander was released by the Redskins with only 11 carries in five games. Alexander was signed Oct. 14 after backup Ladell Betts hurt his knee. Betts has since returned. Alexander was hoping to make a comeback after foot and wrist injuries ruined his last two seasons. The Seahawks cut him in April.

Bruce Smith , the NFL's career sack leader, and versatile defensive back Rod Woodson are among the four first-time eligibles who made the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two are tight end Shannon Sharpe and defensive end John Randle , on a list that will be reduced to 15 before the final vote on Jan. 31 in Tampa, Fla., the day before the Super Bowl.

The Houston Texans have placed tailback Ahman Green on season-ending injured reserve after he hurt his left knee against Cleveland. The 31-year-old former Green Bay star was hurt in Sunday's 16-6 win over the Browns.

COLLEGES

MiQuale Lewis ran for three touchdowns, and Nate Davis threw for one and ran for another Tuesday to keep No. 15 Ball State among the nation's four unbeaten teams with a 45-22 win over Western Michigan at Muncie, Ind. The Cardinals (12-0, 8-0 Mid-American Conference) have their first perfect regular season since 1949, their first undefeated season in MAC play since 1978 and they clinched a spot in the conference title game. Ball State will play Buffalo on Dec. 5.

Quarterback Ricky Dobbs scored a TD and ran for 124 yards in his first collegiate start to lead Navy to a 16-0 win over Northern Illinois. Navy (7-4) scored on its first two possessions as they beat the Huskies (6-6) for the second straight year.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno was released from the hospital two days after undergoing hip replacement surgery. Paterno, 81, had surgery to fix a sore hip that prevented him from pacing the sidelines. He has been coaching from the press box.

GOLF

The PGA Tour revamped its FedEx Cup race for the third straight year of its existence, this one geared at making sure that the winner of the $10 million prize is decided at the Tour Championship. Points that previously had been reset at the start of the four-tournament playoffs will not be changed until the Tour Championship, meaning the top performers should have the best chance to win the Cup, but all 30 players who qualify for the final event have a mathematical chance to win.

- From Our Press Services