LEADING OFF

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Photograph by Fred Vuich

THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE AIR Lightning does strike twice in the same place, as separate storms forced weather delays totaling nearly three hours (and prompting one stadium evacuation) in last Saturday's Notre Dame--South Florida game in South Bend. Despite the best efforts of linebacker Carlo Calabrese (44), the Irish were unable to generate similar electricity in their season opener, falling 23--20.

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Photograph by Bob Martin

A SHOT IN THE DARK Reese Hoffa finished fifth and was part of a balanced U.S. shot put contingent that also took fourth, seventh and eighth at the world track and field championships in Daegu, South Korea, last weekend. Like the mountains that hang over Daegu Stadium, Jamaica's Usain Bolt loomed majestically over the nine-day event, winning the 200 meters and anchoring a world-record finish in the 4 √ó 100 (page 52).

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Photograph by Carlos M. Saavedra

A SHADOW OF HERSELF The color of the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium captured Maria Sharapova's mood last Friday at the U.S. Open as the No. 3 seed and 2006 champion was upset by 26th seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 3--6, 6--3, 4--6 in the third round. Sharapova was one of a host of top players who stumbled in the first week of a topsy-turvy Open (page 32). Pennetta went on to defeat 13th seed Shuai Peng of China on Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals.