Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard stands out in Senior Bowl

Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard had 103 yards receiving and caught a 32-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help the North race to a 31-13 victory over the South in Saturday’s Senior Bowl at Mobile, Ala.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, meanwhile, had a shaky outing running a pro-style offense against a sturdy defense.

Tebow fumbled twice and completed eight of 12 passes for 50 yards in the showcase for senior NFL prospects. His longest completion was 11 yards and he netted four yards in four rushes but was never turned loose as a power runner as he often was with the Gators. He battled strep throat early but didn’t miss any practice time during a week when he was trying to prove to skeptical NFL teams and draft analysts that he could be a starting pro quarterback.

USC running backStafon Johnson, playing in his first game since being seriously injured in a September weightlifting accident, had three carries for nine yards. Three of his former Trojans teammates also played for the South: Safety Taylor Mays had an interception and returned it 18 yards; tight end Anthony McCoy caught one pass for four yards; and lineman Jeff Byers recovered a fumble by his teammate Tebow.

Former Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was hired by the Baltimore Ravens to be their quarterbacks coach.

Zorn takes over for Hue Jackson, who left to become offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders.

Zorn was fired this month by the Redskins after two seasons as their coach. Washington was 8-8 in his first year but slumped to 4-12 this season.

Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie has been dismissed from the NFC Pro Bowl team for unexcused absences.

The NFL said McKinnie missed practice Friday and Saturday and is subject to a fine.

This was the first Pro Bowl selection for McKinnie, whose Vikings lost to New Orleans in the NFC championship game.

HOCKEY

Hiller, Ducks agree to four-year deal

Jonas Hiller considered becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer, but his hold on the Ducks’ No. 1 goaltending job and his comfort level were strong enough reasons for him to agree to a four-year, $18-million contract that will keep him with the team through the 2013-14 season.

“I was going to check the market, but I like it a lot in Anaheim. I like the team and everything and I would love to stay,� he said by phone Saturday. “I think we have a lot of talent and a good future.�

Hiller, who will be 28 on Feb. 12, won the starting role from Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who was the backbone of the Ducks’ Stanley Cup championship team in 2007 and the most valuable player in their 2003 run to the seventh game of the Cup finals.

-- Helene Elliott MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Ex-NFL star Walker wins in his debut

Former NFL star Herschel Walker stopped Hungarian fighter Greg Nagy in the third round to win his mixed martial arts debut at Sunrise, Fla.

Walker drove Nagy into the fence early in the third. After a flurry of punches, referee Troy Waugh called the fight.

Still trim and fit at 47, Walker used his strength advantage to wear down the 26-year-old Nagy (1-2). He appeared to be close to the win near the end of the second five-minute round, but Nagy managed to extend the bout.

ETC.

Riesch closes gap on Vonn in standings

Lindsey Vonn’s perfect downhill season ended when her ski hit a hole and she finished fifth in a World Cup race won by Maria Riesch of Germany at St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Riesch clocked 1 minute 41.31 seconds to close the gap on Vonn to 61 points in the overall World Cup standings.

Tom Brookshier, an All-Pro defensive back who played on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 1960 championship team, died at age 78.

The Eagles said that Brookshier had cancer and died Friday night.

Brookshier had 20 interceptions in seven seasons with the team.

After he retired, Brookshier announced NFL games with Pat Summerall for CBS.