LEADING OFF

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PHOTOGRAPH BY VINCENT YU AP

Pacquing A Punch The only thing that hurts more than the shot you don't see coming is the one you know is coming, as Brandon Rios discovered during his welterweight bout with Manny Pacquiao in Macau on Sunday. It was one of many direct hits for Pacquiao, who—after being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez the last time he fought, in December 2012—landed 281 punches to Rios's 138. Pacquiao walked off with a unanimous decision and the previously vacant WBO international title.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT CAMPBELL EPA

Close Enough To Touch How many Patriots does it take to recover a fumble? More than you see here: This bobble by Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) in Manning-Brady Bowl XIV on Sunday night—one of 11 fumbles in the game, six of which became turnovers—was finally recovered by a guy who isn't even in the photo, linebacker Brandon Spikes. The third-quarter miscue was a key play in New England's rallying from a 24--0 halftime deficit to a 34--31 overtime victory.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY KYLE OKITA CAL SPORT MEDIA

The Eye Doesn't Have It No, Citadel running back Dalton Trevino couldn't haul in this pass in the end zone last Saturday. And, yes, the Bulldogs were whipped in their visit to Clemson 52--6. But for a few brief seconds Trevino, a junior, was the focus of everyone's attention—the field judge, the photographers and the Tigers cheerleaders, extending back through the Death Valley crowd of 81,554. And just about anyone who has ever picked up a football has dreamed about having a moment like that.