Leading Off

Samardzija, SoGood
In a 41--17 victory over No. 19 Penn State in South Bend last Saturday, NotreDame's senior All-America wide receiver, Jeff Samardzija, snagged a seven-yardtouchdown pass from Brady Quinn to put the fourth-ranked Irish up 13--0.Samardzija finished with six catches for 56 yards.

Bat out ofHell
A bat that slipped out of the hands of Indians catcher Kelly Shoppachterrorized the crowd at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 3. Thefan who was struck by the bat (in green T-shirt) suffered a broken rib.

Study Hall
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) did some last-minute play-cramming beforetaking on the Chiefs on Sunday in Kansas City. The study paid off: In his firstgame after reconstructive left knee surgery, Palmer connected on 13 of 19passes for 127 yards in a 23--10 Cincinnati win (page 44).

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John Biever

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Photograph by Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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Photograph by Al Tielemans